Bobby's Story

Now:

Bobby is furiously trying to kick the door in, rough age darkened oak refusing to give in. The windows are gaping holes, glass broken, jagged shards everywhere beneath them like a bomb exploded inside. They might be broken but the windows are still barred, stopping his entry. Panic is starting to become a tangible thing; he kicks the door again refusing to give up.

Cold winter air surrounds him, grey overcast sky throwing a mixture of slate and snow in his face. The light above the door has given up, shrouding everything in shadows. The door is just one in a long row of identical doors, but this is the only one that matters. The sound of his steel clad foot trying to kick his way inside doesn't travel far; drowned out by the howling wind.

He refuses to look inside the window, he has already seen what's in there and the scene won't make for peaceful nights, unless he manages to break down this damn door. Inside two brothers are lying still and lifeless, one stretched out on the floor surrounded by a crimson circle of bright blood and the other on the bed.

Bobby kick the door like it owes him personally as desperation starts to pile up, this door just won't break and he has to get inside because he knows how to stop the thing now. By sheer stubbornness he lets his foot hammer at the door, again and again as hope is the only thing left to him.

Then:

Bobby had been reading about an Ethiopian exorcism ritual when Sam phoned. He was glad for the interruption, he hadn't heard from the Winchesters in a while and since John had packed it in he felt like it was his job to worry about them. He had told Sam to slow down "Just take it from the beginning; you're not making any sense to me".

Sam told him about the hunt they were on, children freezing to death outdoors in the middle of the night. Parents swearing they had locked all the doors and had no idea how the children got out.

To top this of several of the neighborhood cats had been found ripped to pieces. It had all started at the same time, there had to be a link but Sam just couldn't find it: "I haven't got a clue Bobby, could really use you help on this one."

"Sure Sam, wadda ya need?"

"If you had any idea what it is that be a start and how to kill it would be a great help."

Sam told Bobby that the children had all lived close to each other, just a few blocks away. On the day they had died the grieving parents had told Agents Bowie and Osterberg that noting unusual had happened, except that the children had all claimed to have seen a fox in the playground.

"You sure they said Fox, Sam?"

They were sure. Dean had kept an eye out on the playground while Sam did research; he had overheard the little boy tell his mom about a fox. So they had lurked outside the kid's house for two nights in a row, seeing the boy sneak out.

In a nearby glade they had rushed in, shotguns held high, to find the child on the ground, a shadow hovering, and Sam could have sworn it looked like a fox. Dean had shot the thing at point blank, salt rounds had as much effect as a muzzle on a hell hound. But they had disturbed it, Sam grabbing the kid and they both ran for it.

"I think it feeds on body heat Bobby"

Bobby had told Sam that his money was on it being a Kitsune, a fox spirit that according to Japanese lore feed on children, luring them away from their house in the middle of the night.

He had no idea about how to kill it. "But be careful you two, lore has it that it has trickster like abilities although I never saw one."

Sam had told Bobby that they would and told him he had to go, Dean was back at the motel.

Bobby had hung up the phone, poured himself a whiskey and sat down at his desk. There was something about this he thought. Why would the kids run out in the middle of the night anyway? He let out a sigh, he better do his research, maybe he had something on how to kill 'em in a book somewhere. He refilled his glass and set out to find out as much as he could,

A couple of hours later Bobby straightened his back, scratched his beard and said to himself, "I'll be damned"

He had phoned Sam, and then Dean. No answer anywhere. He hoped the boys had stayed out of trouble, but he suspected not. These spirits were indeed like tricksters, stories had it that they trapped their victims or anyone threatening them in an illusion while it slowly feed of their body heat until the victim either froze to death or became paralytic.

Worried now, he called the motel Sam had named; no reply. The next decision he made in a split second, his job to worry after all.

Bobby was pushing the van to its breaking point, swearing about the fact that this rust bucket had been the only thing running. As Bobby drives he phones the motel but there is no reply there either.

"You idjits better be alive so I can kick your asses when I get there" Bobby told Sam's voice mail as he tried to call again, it felt good to break the oppressive quiet in the car.

He pressed the gas down further, pushing the van to its limit driving above every speed limit possible; burning rubber like there was no tomorrow. Driving through the night he hopes above hope that he won't be too late.

The Future

In the end Bobby will take his car, he knows time is short, if it is not too late already. Throwing his cap on the passenger seat he turns the key. The rusty van will first refuse to start in the cold, he will hit the wheel praying to whatever entity that is listening. Just this once.

On the third try the engine will groan into life, cylinder slowly coming into motion, like the heart of the car pumping energy to its limbs. Bobby will take a microsecond to send away a thank you before hitting the gas.

The van will slowly increase its speed and finally slam into the motel wall, the metal of the car screaming in pain as it contorts and the wall crumble. In the rain of dust Bobby jumps out and while still running pulls out his knife.

Scrambling over broken furniture, pieces of plaster and beams his head will spin feverishly around trying to locate the brothers. He finds Sam half covered by a piece of plaster, lips blue. This is where he will make the mistake, running to Sam's outstretched figure he won't notice the creature made of shadows that jumps him from behind.

As Bobby hits the floor face first no one could have judged him harder than himself. Suddenly he can't move as a heavy weight on his back overwhelms him, forcing him down. He can feel his body heat start to trickle away, a chill creeping up on him as his life force is drained.

Lying on the floor Bobby sees movement on his left, it is Dean's boot covered foot sticking out from under a turned over mattress. He starts to shout, maybe there is still hope: "Dean stop laying about, get up son get up" And he knows the next bit is harsh, but he also knows it's the only thing that will get Dean on his feet. As Dean tries to get up Bobby shout at him time after time: "Get up Dean, get up, Sam is dying you have to save him." And Dean gets up, unsteady but he is up hand grabbing his knife.

"Cut the ninth tail boy, cut it, it can't move while feeding" Bobby will see Dean nod slowly, blue lips trying to mouth a yes. And Dean will, blade slashing the creature and a furious wailing howl will surround them as the storm gives its final dying shudder.

An ending:

It turns out that Sam is alive after all, suffering from hypothermia but alive and after Bobby patches Dean up it looks like he will make it as well. While the brothers load each other in the car Bobby swipes the plates from the van, the engine number he has filed of long ago.

Bobby gets in the front of the Impala, and takes Dean's heartfelt suggestion to: "Get the hell out of here."

Darkness surrounds them, their car the only one on the road and the two circles of yellow light in front of them the only illumination. Bobby casts a glance in the rearview mirror at the two brothers, swathed in every damn piece of clothing they own, sleeping away in the back seat. Turns out there were cause for hope after all.

-The End-

Thank you for reading! I know it's a bit confusing with the time lines, but hope you enjoyed it^^ Please review, it means a lot!