That thought lasted all the way to the room, where they experienced a rude awakening. They'd no more gotten in the door when the vision him. Fast and powerful, Sam was on his knees before he knew it. The pain was so intense he was crying. God it felt like his head was being pried apart. He wasn't even aware Dean was at his side, hand on his back trying to guide him the rest of the way down to the floor. He also wasn't aware of jerking violently or that his eyes rolled back in his head. He wasn't aware of his brother screaming his name or that he'd stopped breathing. What he was aware of, was that something was very, very wrong.
SNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSN
Dean screamed Sam's name and tried to guide him down and restrain him. A seizure. His brother was having a fucking seizure. Oh God, what now? Sam had gone still. Was it over? Noticing the absence of a rise and fall of Sam's chest, Dean felt his world tilt. Oh God no. Sammy.
"Not again!" He shouted. Taking his brothers head he tilted it back and blew in a breath. Then he began compressions. Nothing. "No Sam. Don't you do this to me." Another breath, another set of compressions. "Don't you do this. Don't leave me." Another breath. So still. "Come on little brother." Three minutes down now. More frantic compressions. Too long. There would be no deal this time. No way to bring him back. "Please Sammy." He begged through his tears.
A harsh dragging breath, then a gasp as Sam jerked forward before laying back.
"Thank God." Dean said putting his hand on his brothers head.
"Dean? What happened?"
Dean sputtered. "What happened? Are you shitting me?" Sam remained quiet. "You stopped breathing."
"I did?"
"Yeah you did. What the hell man?"
Sam looked at Dean who was now using his hand to wipe something under his nose. His finger tips came away red. Blood. "Sam, your nose is bleeding."
Sam reached up and touched his face. His nose was oozing blood steadily.
"Come on," Dean said helping him sit up, "let's get that bleeding taken care of and we'll get you to a doctor."
Sitting on the bed, head tilted back with toilet paper under his nose, Sam told Dean for the third time he didn't need to go to the hospital. "I'm fine."
"Fine?"
"The bleeding's almost stopped."
"You had a seizure Sam!"
He winced at his brothers booming anger. It was about to get a while lot worse. "It wasn't a seizure. At least, I don't think it was."
"Oh really? It sure as hell looked like one to me." He couldn't believe this. Sam had scared him to death. He has stopped breathing. He'd had a seizure. He was going to the hospital even if Dean had to drag him.
"You're wrong." Sam said, and Dean began to turn purple. Wanting to get it out there and over with before the vein in his brothers forehead burst, he blurted, "It was a vision."
Dean stilled. "A vision?"
Sam nodded. "Bullshit Sam. A vision has never hit you like that."
"I've also never had two at the same time before." he said softly.
"What?" Dean wasn't sure he'd heard that right. Couldn't have.
"There were two. At once."
Dean sank to sit down on the bed opposite Sam. "Holy shit."
"Yeah."
"Yeah? Is that all you can say Sam?" Dean could feel himself going from surprised back to angry. He jumped up to tower over Sam. "You stopped breathing. You had a seizure. Your visions just keep getting freakier and more out of control and all you can say is yeah?"
Sam was afraid of the magnitude of his brothers anger, he looked at him wide eyed unsure what he'd done to invoke such a response from him.
Seeing his little brother look up at him in fear quickly deflated his rage and he sat once more, suddenly bone weary. "You almost left me again Sam." He whispered, "I thought you were leaving me."
Sam saw his brothers eyes brighten and then felt his heart break at the confession. Oh Dean. I'm sorry. These visions weren't just taking a toll on him anymore, they were affecting Dean now too. He hated it, but didn't know how to stop it. He felt helpless and could only imagine Dean felt the same way. "I'm sorry." He said softly. "I get you're worried, I'm right there with you, but what could they do for me Dean? What are we going to say? It was caused by my psychic visions? It was scary, but it's over. Let's just focus on the present okay?"
Dean just gave a quick nod, head down, staring at the floor. He was ashamed he broke down in front of Sam and didn't want to meet his curious eyes. He could feel his brother watching him. He needed to be strong for him. Now was not a good time to fall apart. Besides he had a point. What is a Dr. gonna do for that? Still, didn't mean he had to like it. He was going to be watching Sam like a hawk. Hands clasped between his knees, he looked up and trying to sound steady asked, "So what did you see?"
Sam let the tenseness drain from his muscles. It looked like he'd talked his brother out of a trip to the ER. One problem down. Now he just had to sort the two visions - and explain to Dean that one had changed. Taking a deep breath he began, uncertain what that meant just yet.
"Well, the woman from before, I saw her again."
Dean perked up. At least this was something. "Did you see where she was this time?"
"Uh.." Sam scratched the back of his head. "Yes and no."
Dean shot him a quizzical look. "What do you mean, 'Yes and no'?"
Sam went tense again. This wasn't going to go over well. "I saw her, but she wasn't in the same room from before."
Dean frowned, confused where Sam was going with this. "Okay, well where was she then?"
"She was out front of this brick building. Old, run down. There was a sign taped to the window on the front door. It had a list of times, like a schedule. There was another piece of paper next to it that said Bright Tomorrows at the top. There was some sort of agenda below it, I couldn't read the rest."
"At least now we have something to work off of." Sam gave him 'the look'. "Uh. No offense Sammy."
"Umhm."
"Anyway, then what? She goes in?"
"Uh, no actually. She was coming out. Leaving."
"So whatever it is follows her home, back to the room you saw right?"
Sam shifted a little. "See, that's the thing. She is attacked by this guy in the street as she's leaving."
Dean's brow rose. "What? Sam that makes no sense. In your first vision she as in a room surrounded by a bunch of papers and stuff. Now you're saying she gets jumped in the street?"
"Look, I know it doesn't fit pattern. My visions have always been straight forward, " until now, "but it's changed somehow."
"But why? I don't get what the hells going on. I mean, how can it just change like that?" This just keeps getting better and better he thought sarcastically.
Sam was getting aggravated. "I don't know Dean. 'I'm just as clueless as you are here. It felt different too."
"Felt different how?"
Sam blew out a breath. "I'm not sure how to explain. The first time, it felt like I was watching as it happened, no before it happened. This one - this hasn't happened yet."
Dean sat back and rubbed behind his neck. "Huh." He didn't know what to make of this. Everything they thought they knew was changing. They'd gotten use to the way it had always been, with them up and changing.. Wait. He looked up at Sam.
"Hey, didn't you say that Ava chick told you her powers changed? That they became more advanced?"
Sam frowned. "Yeah she did. Andy too actually. They both said their abilities progressed. What are you thinking? That mine might be doing it too?"
"I dunno, maybe. I mean, they're changing - a lot. How else do you explain it?"
"I don't know, but Dean..." Sam hesitated. The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He didn't like that idea at all. Why would they just come back and start going full tile like this? Was it just his visions, or was he changing too?
As if reading his mind, Dean interrupted his inner monologue.
"Sam, don't go there man."
"What?"
"You aren't changing into someone else. You're still Sam, you always will be. I may not know what's going on, but I know that much."
Sam wanted to believe that, but Ava.. "I think we should be careful Dean. You should be careful."
"Oh come on, Sam." Dean said annoyed.
"No man, seriously. We need to be ready in case something happens. Look at Ava. She was a normal girl and then she just snapped. Turned into a cold blooded killer. A monster. If that happens- "
"Shut up, Sam." Dean barked.
"If that happens," Sam continued as if he hadn't spoken, "I want you to take care of it."
Dean couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did Sam really just ask him to kill him again? He ground his teeth and clenched his fists to try and contain his anger. He was going to set his little brother straight.
"You listen to me Sammy." Sam opened his mouth. "No! You had your turn, it's my turn now." His mouth clamped shut.
"You are not now nor will you ever be like that psycho. Any of them. You're a good person and it's about time you remembered that. You're my brother, I helped raise you and I know you better than anyone. It isn't in you Sam, that darkness. The demons' plans for you? They were a lost cause from the start."
Sam sat blinking. "Dean."
"That is the one part in all this you don't need to give any more attention to. You got me?"
Sam gave a small smile, his brothers words making him warm and safe. He may have a strict rule against chick flick moments, but he'd bend them a bit to help him. And Sam appreciated that. "Gotcha."
"Besides, I'm the oldest, I'm always right." He added the last part with a rogue smile.
Sam laughed. "Sure you are."
"I am."
"If you say so."
Sam had a sudden thought. Maybe his brother was right. Andy never turned. They never had any evidence that that Scott guy hurt anyone. He sounded like he was a little disturbed on the tape, but he hadn't killed. Even thought Lily had killed her girlfriend, it was an accident. She hadn't gone dark side. Ava said it took a choice, and as long as he continued to make the right one, he'd be okay. That and as long as he had Dean.
He looked over at his brother. "Thanks."
"Anytime bro. Someone has to talk sense into that geekboy brain of yours. You know how you over think things." Dean said with a smirk. Chick flick crap over.
Sam gave a short laugh. "Jerk."
"Bitch."
The light hearted mood faded as Sam continued. "We still need to be careful. Until we figure out the how and why. He has to be dead," Dean knew without asking He was the yellow eyed demon, "but something weird is going on."
"Better safe than sorry." Dean finished.
"Exactly."
Dean rose and headed for the coffee pot. He could use a beer, this would have to do. He held up an empty mug to Sam. "Want?"
Sam joined him. "Sure."
SNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSN
Coffee poured and cups in hand, they sat at the rooms small table. The notebook Dean had given him previously in hand, Sam wrote furiously while it was still fresh in mind. Dean watched and waited until Sam was ready to pick up where they left off.
When the pen was laid down, Sam turned the book to Dean. "I think that's all."
Scooting the tablet closer, Dean looked at the filled pages. "Wanna give me the cliff notes here?"
Snorting, Sam pulled the book back and flipped to a page closer to the front. "The guy who accosts her- "
Dean's face scrunched up. "Wait. Did you really just use the word 'accosts'?"
Sam glared. "Dean."
"Okay, sorry. So the guy 'accosts' her."
Sam rolled his eyes. "It wasn't your average street thug mugging a woman out late at night. I saw his face as he dragged her under the street light back into the alley. His eyes were black."
"A demon."
"Yeah. The poor woman never had a chance. Before she can scream it sticks it's hand in her chest and rips out her heart."
Dean makes a face. "Gruesome."
Sam makes his own face. "It gets worse. He says something as he's doing it. Let this heart nourish me."
"That's Greek isn't it?"
"Yeah. It means 'Let this heart nourish me.' "
Dean looks disgusted as he figures it out. "You don't mean nourish as in what I think you do, do you?"
"Yeah. He eats it."
"Okay, so we're looking for a demon who speaks Greek and has a nasty diet. That nourish me bit sound like a ritual to you?"
Sam tapped a finger on the table top. "Maybe. There are rituals that involve eating organs. Some say they hold power and the heart is right up there. Then there are the certain properties attributed to each thing. Like how witches drank the blood of young women and virgins to stay young. Or how some beings live off of life force. It could be more like that. Won't know until we research it."
Dean nodded. "Should be a little easier now that we have more to go on. We'll get on it as soon as we get done filling Bobby in. First though," he said as he got up for a refill, "tell me about this second vision."
Sam had gotten the lap top out and was booting it up. He typed a search on Bright Tomorrow as he talked. "There was a man, I'd say early 50's, suit and a blue dress shirt. He was in a parking garage, there was a plaque on the pylon that said 'Parker Brothers & West'.
"Sounds like a law firm."
"Yeah, that's what I thought. There were several expensive cars parked nearby. He walked over to a Mercedes-"
"Psh. Flashy car, no soul. I'd take my baby over those things any day."
"Dude, can we focus?"
"Go on." Dean said waving a hand backward in a carry on gesture.
"So he walks over and gets in. He sets his briefcase in the seat next to him and starts up the car. When he checks his rearview mirror, there are these navy blue eyes. Inky, but they kinda glow, no iris."
Dean bit his lip in thought, but said nothing as Sam went on. "He turns to look behind him, the seat is empty. When he turns back around it's next to him. It's dark, the face is in shadow so I couldn't make it out, but I saw the eyes again. There was a flash of a wicked set of teeth, sharp as razor blades. The hands are gnarled and have long black finger nails, like claws. Whatever it is, it tears him apart."
"Hm." Dean gazed thoughtfully into his now empty cup. "It doesn't sound like a werewolf or any demon I can think of. You got any guesses?" he asked looking back up at Sam.
He shook his head. "Nuuh. Maybe Bobby?"
Dean stood. "Yeah, I'll ask him." he said grabbing his cellphone off the dresser. "I'm gonna go out to the car and get some books. Might get lucky." He paused at the door. "You know Sam, we may not be able to take on both there hunts ourselves."
Sam had been thinking the same thing.
"I'm sure Bobby wouldn't mind helping out, take the second one for us."
Sam nodded. "That's a good idea."
"I'm full of 'em." Dean said as he closed the door smiling.
Sam smiled as it shut and mumbled, "Full of something alright."
He turned back to the screen and saw a few results from his search. A band called Bright Tomorrows was playing at a place called Tommy's next week. He doubted the band had a tie to the building or the woman he'd seen, so he moved to the next one. A children's movie - no. An ad for an energy efficient hybrid car. Nope. Finger above the pad he froze and smiled. Saving it to his favorites, he figured he could tease Dean with it later. He hated those 'ugly ass things'.
Then next one he clicked on came up and the logo from his vision loaded across the top. Bingo. Reading on, he found that Bright Tomorrows was a program started by a social worker named Lesley Rose. The programs main focus was to help inner city kids make their lives better. They offered free services like tutoring, career building, helping them find jobs, living assistance, safe harbor, therapy, daycare and fellowship. There was also a side program that dealt with foster kids.
Sam was saving the page and writing down the info as Dean came back in, books in one hand, phone in the other. "Yeah? Sure. Okay, I'll tell him. We will. Thanks Bobby." Dean ended the call and sat the books down next to Sam. "Any luck?"
Sam took one of them and started leafing though it. "Yeah actually. You?"
"He had no idea, but he's going to check into it more to be sure. Said he'd get back to us. He also said to be careful and that you should take it easy." Dean said the last pressing him with a knowing look.
"I told you, I'm fine."
And his brother said he was stubborn. "Whatever." He produced a pack of peanut M&Ms from his back pocket and sat down. "So whatcha got?"
Sam turned the lap top toward him. "Found our logo. It's the banner for a children's program in Detroit."
Dean peered at the screen. "See the woman from your vision on here anywhere?"
"No. They have a few photos up, but it's the kids mostly and a few volunteers. She isn't one of them."
Popping a few candies in his mouth, Dean talked as he chewed. "We can be there by morning. Ask around and see if anyone there knows her."
Sam gave Dean an odd look. "Morning? We can be there by nightfall."
"We could if we were leaving right now, which we aren't."
"Why not?"
"Because," he said standing, "you are going to get some rest before we head out."
Sam let out a frustrated sigh. "Dean, I'm -"
"No, you are not fine so don't say it. You had two visions at once and since you are too stubborn to let me take you to be checked out, you are going to rest until I say so."
"Dean, this woman could die tonight."
"And you could have died this morning." He growled.
Sam was aware of how his brother felt and he wanted to make it easier on him. If he was honest he did feel awful and a rest would help, but that woman was in danger. They needed to move now. Digging his heels in, he refused to back down.
"We're leaving."
He set his jaw at the famous Sam Winchester 'I'm not budging on this' angle and waited. He wasn't disappointed. Dean stared him down for a moment and the walls went up. He could see the change in his brothers eyes.
"Fine. You want to run yourself into the ground, who am I to stop you." Storming over to the door, he slammed out.
Sam's shoulders fell and he felt drained. He'd hoped Dean wouldn't take it so hard. Resigning himself to the possibility his brother would be mad at him for a while, he got busy. Hastily packing his own things, he was surprised when Dean strode back in the room five minutes later for the room key. Saying nothing, he walked back out, never once acknowledging his brother.
Sam stared at the door as his brother left again. Great. Now Dean was pissed, hurt and shutting him out. This was going to be a long trip.
When he came back, he packed his things and turned to the door, again not looking at Sam. An emotionless, "Let's go." was all Sam got.
Contritely he followed his brother out and got in the car. Dean got in and facing straight forward, stared the car. Sam started to say something, he wasn't sure what, just something to try and fix the tension between them, when Dean reached over and turned the radio up loud. Effectively cutting off any communication. Turning to look sadly out his window, Sam tried to meet his brother halfway. He relaxed back in the seat and closed his eyes, falling into a fitful sleep.
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It was hours later when he woke up. Dean was looking at him, brow furrowed, frown in place. He didn't appear angry, more like a cross between annoyed and concerned. Sam was uncertain what he'd done to draw the current look, so careful to not raise his brothers ire he asked tentatively, "Something wrong?"
Dean looked away and Sam swore he heard a muttered, "What isn't?"
He was about to call him on it when Dean said, "I think we should stop up ahead. Grab some take out, fill up the tank."
It was offered stiffly, but without heat. Sam knew when to extend an olive branch wen he saw it. "Sounds good." He said evenly.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Dean relax a bit. They were in a hurry, but stopping did sound good. Sam's head still felt like there was an ice pick jabbed in it and though he'd slept a good four hours, he was tired.
A way down the road they took the gas station exit. Sam went to the restroom while Dean got the gas. He was pale and his skin had a slight sheen of sweat. His eyes were dull and bloodshot. Heh. No wonder he was giving me that look. I've seen roadkill that looks better than me. Splashing water on his face, he toweled off and joined Dean in the car.
Burger King supplied a late lunch and they were back on the interstate in minutes. Sam woodenly picked at his fries, trying to force his throat to swallow his hamburger. It went down dry and he took a sip of his drink. The food sat greasy and undesirable in his stomach. A few more bites and it was churning. Shoving the offensive meal away, Sam tried to keep his meager lunch down.
Dean had been watching Sam eat disinterestedly before shoving his left overs into the bag. He'd had a good appetite at breakfast, but that had clearly changed. Damn it, why did he have to be so pig headed? He wasn't well enough to be on the road. Hell, after the episode he'd had, his ass should be in the hospital. Dean was all for saving lives, but not at the cost of Sam's. He would have to watch him closely.
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Twenty minutes later had Sam shouting 'Pull over!" and Dean jerking quickly onto the shoulder. A green Sam threw open the door, barely dashing two feet before emptying his stomach contents on the ground. Dean had gone behind, rubbing Sam's back as he retched. He met his concerned gaze with a wan smile and said "Bad burger."
Sure it was. Dean said nothing and helped him get slowly to his feet.
"Thanks."
They were back on the road and Dean was uneasy. Sam didn't look good. "I think we should stop for the night soon."
"Dean, we can't. We're halfway there." God he wanted to stop. He wanted a bed and a good nights sleep. He wanted to pop Ibuprofen like candy till he couldn't feel a thing.
"Won't do anyone any good if you're too sick to hunt Sammy."
And there is was. As much as Sam hated to admit it, Dean was right. He leaned his head back on the headrest. "Okay. We'll stop."
Dean nodded, but wisely kept quiet. He knew Sam's pride and sense of duty were hurting. He didn't like knowing a woman could die before they got there any more then Sam, but the kid was about to drop. He had to rest, no way around it. They'd turn in early, get a good nights sleep, and shag ass in the morning.
An hour later they found a cheap motel and got a room. Sam crashed on his bed upon entering, fully clothed, too tired to change. He was half asleep by the time Dean came back with his pills and a sprite from the vending machine in the font office. Swallowing them gratefully, he put his head on the pillow once more and was out like a light on contact.
Dean quietly got ready for bed and switched off the lamp.
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Morning came sooner than Sam would have liked, but he felt much better. Stretching he waited for his turn in the bathroom. Dean emerged steam pouring out behind him. Seeing Sam awake he smiled.
"Morning Sammy." He was pleased to see Sam's color had returned.
"Morning."
"You want me to grab us some breakfast while you take your shower?"
Sam assessed his condition and was happy to find his nausea gone. He smiled, "I could eat."
"Good." Dean pulled his grey T-shirt over his head. "You gonna be okay while I'm gone?"
Sam rolled his eyes. "Yes Dean, I'll even use the bathroom by myself."
Dean's lip quirked. "Smartass."
"Learned from the best."
He chuckled. Sam must be feeling better to be bantering with him like normal. He'd been hesitant to leave him alone at first, but he seemed alright. "Damn straight."
Sam gave his own quirky half smile.
"Kay. I'm gonna run out and see what I can find us." Picking up his keys, he pointed a finger at Sam. "Stay out of trouble. Anything happens you call me right way."
Snorting, Sam's tone became juvenile. "Yes sir." he mocked.
Dean gave Sam a different finger and he laughed.
He heard the Impala purr as he gathered fresh clothes and headed for the bathroom. Closing the door, he undressed and stepped into the hot spray. He groaned and rolled his shoulders as the water ran in rivulets over his body. Man that felt good. He didn't realize how stiff he was. He was just coming out when Dean got back.
Dean help up the McDonalds bag. "Breakfast is served."
When the breakfast burritos and McMuffins were gone, they sat back and took a few moments to relax. They'd be getting back on the road soon. Bobby had called halfway through the meal with a guess on the creature from Sam's second vision. It hadn't been easy to find, but he'd found some lore on two different demons that fit that description. He figured it was some kind of hybrid and that's why they had been stumped. No one had come across one before.
The eyes matched a sort of sea demon. A sailors worst nightmare, there were a few stories of it being blamed for many disappearances at sea. Ships were found drifting along with no hands aboard. Much like the famed ghost ship the Mary Celeste. The inky navy eyes were like night vision, helping it track prey in dark places. The glow of the eyes activates a neural incapacitation and confusion in it's victims. The face would have a large circular shell type impression, like a nautilus, on it's forehead. It's skin was pale, almost luminescent, with a glossy wet look over a rough epidermis. The sucker could move out under water.
The second was a land demon called a Kami (pronounced Cah - me). Not to be confused with the Japanese Kami, it's closely related to a Gresneok, it has a mouth full of razor blade like teeth and deadly precise claws attached to gnarled hands. More like ginzu knives than fingers. It peels the skin from it's victims and is a messy eater, leaving behind gore and stories of a wild animal attack.
At this point Dean was glad he'd finished eating a moment before as he lost his appetite. Being Dean though, he couldn't resist saying, 'So some cross species lovin' cranked out this ugly?"
Bobby snickered, the boy had a unique brand of wit. "Near as I can figure, yeah."
"So how do we kill it?"
"I'm not sure yet. You can take a Kami down with consecrated iron rounds, but since it's a hybrid, I can't say fore certain if that'd do the job."
"Okay, well how do you kill the other one? Maybe we can combine the two methods and waste it."
"Like I said Dean, the story I found was vague." Papers were heard rustling. "I did see fire mentioned, but it's only a guess."
"Nice work, Bobby." Dean was impressed. The man knew his stuff. "Any luck with the one from Sam's first vision?"
"I haven't found anything yet, but I'll keep looking."
"Thanks. We're headed out to Detroit on that one. Sam found the law firm listed online. It's in Boston." Dean paused. "Uh, we don't know if we'll make it to the other one on time, we were wondering.."
Bobby cut him off. "Already taken care of. After you called last night I got a hold of a friend of mine. He said he'd take the hunt. I've got everything ready to hand over to him this afternoon."
Dean breathed a sigh of relief. He knew they could count on Bobby to have their backs.
"That's gonna be a big help Bobby. Thanks."
"Sure. Now listen, you boys be careful. Anything else comes up, you call me. I'll keep on this and get back to you when I find something."
"You bet. Bye."
Thank goodness they had Bobby to turn to.
Dean looked over at Sam. "So what do you think? Ready to get back on the road?"
Sam nodded. "I'm good."
Dean gave Sam the once over one more time to make sure he was indeed alright. Finding he was, he gave his own nod. "Let's go."
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Stowing the duffels in the car, they made good time to their destination. Using the directions Sam got from the internet, they pulled up across from the building in his vision. It looked a bit like an old school, large wooden front doors that opened out onto the front steps. Rows of square windows, four stories tall, there was even a small group of kids playing outside. Probably part of one of the day programs.
Dean looked at Sam. "So how do we go in? CPS checking in? City guys doing an inspection?"
Sam frowned. "I don't know. They probably know the CPS workers well enough that one won't work. We could try building inspectors, but they might wonder why we're asking questions."
"True. It'd be harder to get close too. We need to be able to keep tabs on this woman. So..?"
Sam bit his lip and slid a nervous, questioning look his way. Dean wasn't going to like this.
Dean saw the look and groaned inwardly. Oh no. That's the look he has when he has an idea I won't like.
Author's note: I know I could have picked a more suitable location for the city, but I recalled a convo I had w/a friend. This is a nod to her.
