Chapter 4 – Hunter Material…Or Not

I watched the house closely, reaching over and pulling a cup of coffee from the center counsel. I had spent the day trying to be as inconspicuous as possible when I was following the family with the little girl who had seen the clown. Nothing really appeared to be out of the ordinary. She didn't say anything else about the clown for the rest of the day, but that didn't mean the family wasn't out of danger.

Taking a sip of the coffee, I looked away from the house as my phone began ringing from the passenger seat of the car I so graciously borrowed from one of the carnies. Reaching over, I checked the number before looking back at the house. Placing the phone up to my ear, I answered.

"Hey, Sam." My voice sounded just as tired as I felt.

"Anything?" he asked.

"Nothing." I shook my head as I looked back up to the house. "Dead silent." Looking over to the passenger seat, I took in the sight of the sawed off shotgun full of rock salt rounds. "Are we sure this is the right house?"

I heard Dean saying something in the background, but couldn't quite catch it. Then Sam said, "It's either that house or the one Dean and I are sitting in front of. It picked out two targets…you sure it's never done that before?"

I shook my head even though they couldn't see it. "It's breaking the pattern."

"Why?" Sam pondered. There was silence over the line before he continued, "We've got movement. Keep your eyes open. I'll call in a few."

"Sam—!" I was cut off by the sound of the line disconnecting.

Sighing, I pulled the phone from my ear before flipping it shut. Leaning back in the seat, I set the phone on the center counsel. Of course I was at the house where nothing was happening. I knew there had been something wrong when Sam informed me another child claimed to have seen the clown. He and Dean thought it would be best to tail both families.

The ghost, or whatever it was, had broken the pattern. Never had it claimed two families in one night. There was something about this that was bothering me. Why two kids? Was it trying to speed up the killing process? Maybe it knew we were onto it. Shaking my head, I looked back towards the house just in time to see the light in the living room flip on.

I watched as the young girl walked into the living room, passing the large bay windows as she did. I watched as she moved towards what looked like a door on the side of the house near the garage. Reaching into the passenger seat, I grabbed the shotgun before climbing from the car. I closed the door quietly, watching as the girl appeared in the living room, only this time she was holding the hand of a clown.

"Shit!" I hissed as I raced towards the house.

I ran towards the side door that was already unlocked and hanging open thanks to the little girl letting the clown in. Pushing my way into the house, I held the shot gun up, scanning the kitchen area before I heard a loud scream coming from upstairs. Gripping the weapon tightly, I raced towards the staircase taking the steps two at a time.

The little girl's screams were suddenly joined by two more screams, undoubtedly her parents. I pushed myself to go fast, slamming my body into the door the screams were behind. As the door whipped open, I froze for a moment when I realized there was a mass amount of blood coating the wall just behind the bed.

There was a heap of what I assumed used to be the father on one side of the bed while the mother desperately pushed herself into the corner of the room between her nightstand and the wall. The little girl was screaming her head held between her small hands. I raised the shotgun and cocked it, gaining the attention of the clown. It stopped and turned around to face me.

The whole front of its outfit was smeared in blood along with its hands and stringy muscle from ripping the father to pieces hung from its fingers. My eyes widened seeing the carnage in front of me, taking me out of the moment. All that blood. I blinked and nearly screamed when I saw Jeremy's body laid against the wall under the blood. I rapidly blinked a few times before he vanished and the clown appeared right in front of me.

The gun was ripped out of my hands before I felt my body being thrown backwards into the hall. My back hit the wall and I left a body sized dent before slamming into the floor. Gasping in pain, I looked down to see a rather nasty scratch along my chest. Grunting, I pushed myself up off the floor and entered the room again to see the clown heading towards the mother. There was no way in hell this was a ghost. Quickly scooping up the shotgun, I planted myself in front of the little girl before aiming at the clown.

"Hey, It!" I yelled, pulling its attention from the mother. "Chew on this."

I fired a few rounds at the clown and with each hit, the clown tumbled back before throwing itself out the second story window. Gasping in shock, I raced to the window to see if it had hit the ground, but found nothing but shattered glass. Taking a step back from the window, the mother raced past me and over to her daughter, holding her tightly.

I looked down to see the bleeding wound before gingerly pressing my fingers to it. Staring down at my blood coated fingers, I was yanked from whatever daze I was in realizing I needed to get out of there. Sending an apologetic look to the mother and daughter, I exited the room swiftly and down the stairs. Once out of the house, I could hear the sound of sirens fast approaching. Throwing myself into the small car, I ignored the stinging sensation coming from the wound as I peeled away from the curb.

I reached for the phone that had fallen to the floorboards as the blood dripped down my chest. Pulling my eyes from the road for a split second, my fingers wrapped securely on the device. As I looked back up to the road, I slammed on the brakes seeing where the car was heading, but it was too late. The front end of the car slammed right into the oncoming tree sending me right into the deploying airbag. Gasping in pain as the air was forced from my lungs, I cried out feeling my head hit the steering wheel.

The pain bursted through my body as I laid there for a moment, the sound of the car dying around me. I put what strength I had into pushing myself away from the airbag. The world around me was much more blurrier now than it was moments ago. Gasping again, I pushed the car door down throwing myself to the ground, the cellphone still clutched in my hand.

Flipping open the phone, I pressed redial for the number that had called me previously. I pressed the phone to my ear as I laid there feeling the blood trickling down my face. Grunting, I desperately pulled myself from the car as Sam's voice echoed in my ear.

"Sky?" Sam sounded worried. "Skylar?"

"Sam," I grunted.

"What's wrong?" His voice switched from worry to desperation hearing my voice.

I gasped as I put my weight on my feet once more. "It hurts. Everything."

"Where are you?"

I couldn't say anything as I pushed myself away from the car. I limped towards the tree line as the sound of approaching sirens met my ears. I was seeing double making it rather difficult to walk. I made my way down the ditch, the sound of Sam's pleas reaching my ears.

"Skylar! Talk to me." Sam's voice pleading.

"I messed up." I could feel the tears gathering in my eyes as I kept moving. "Sam—"

My plea was cut off as I tripped, sending me down a slight incline, the phone falling from my hand. I cried out in pain as I hit the ground once more, not having the energy to move this time. I could hear Sam shouting my name through the phone before I heard Dean shouting as well. I moved my head to look over at the phone, reaching out helplessly to it.

"Sam," I called out, hoping he could hear it. "Sam!"

I closed my eyes briefly still hearing someone calling my name. Then I heard the sound of snapping twigs from somewhere near the phone. My eyes snapped open to see who was coming hoping it may have been a Winchester, but those hopes were immediately dashed.

Through the darkness, I could see the outline of a figure approaching me with a flashlight with hurried footsteps. I slowly started to move, trying to get away from whoever it was when I heard a familiar comforting voice.

"Shh, it's okay Skylar." The voice was low but slightly pitched. "I'm not gonna hurt you." Shaking my head, I pulled myself along the ground until I heard him say. "Ellen sent me."

I tried desperately to focus on the mysterious figure, but my vision was getting worse as some blood began dripping into my eyes. Not a moment later the world disappeared from view as the exhaustion took over.

Leave it to me to get mortally wounded on such a simple hunt. Or what appeared to be a simple hunt. It was official, I was out of my element and had gotten myself killed. I was in hell. Everything was dark, I couldn't make out anything. Then I heard arguing. It sounded a lot like Ellen and…Jo?

My eyes slowly opened, revealing a darkened ceiling. Furrowing my eyebrows, I pushed myself up so I was resting on my elbows. I groaned realizing my body was in a lot more pain than it should have been if I had died. Coming to a complete sitting position, I set my feet against the cool familiar concrete. Not a moment after I did that the door to the room I was in swung open with a loud bang.

"SHE LIVES!" a loud yell came.

Closing my eyes at the sudden shout, I looked to see Ash standing there with a relieved look on his face.

"Damn college girl," Ash continued as he entered the room. "You are a trouble magnet. We outta stick you in some kind of unpoppable bubble."

"Ash?" I stared at him, confusion wracking my body.

"You look like you went ten rounds with a train," Ash commented as he came over to the bed, plopping down next to me.

I opened my mouth to retort when Ellen came rushing into the room with Jo right at her heels. A look of pure relief was on both women's faces as they took in the sight of me awake and breathing. Ellen walked over and immediately pulled me into a hug only to stop when she heard me moan in pain.

"That's it." Ellen shook her head, keeping her hands on my shoulders. "You're not hunting. Not after the stunt you pulled."

"What happened?" I asked, looking between her and Ash. "Where's Sam and Dean?"

"When I see them I'm gonna wring their necks," Jo's response came shortly after my question.

"They're fine." Ellen shot Jo a silencing look. "Finishing up the hunt. They'll be by within the next few days."

I felt guilt rush through me. I had left them on a hunt? They were finishing up the hunt that was supposed to be my big break through. I sat there silently as Ellen explained they were hunting a Rashaka, not a ghost which is why I sustained the injury to my chest before driving a car right into a tree.

"How'd I get here?" I asked, looking around at the three of them. Ellen looked towards Jo with a nod, forcing Jo to exit the room. "What's going on?"

No one spoke until Jo reentered the room. This time she was not alone. Standing next to her was a guy about half a foot taller than her. He had dark sandy blonde hair cut into a fashion that was long, but not Sam Winchester long. He had a pair of blue eyes that looked far more energetic than they should have for how worn down he looked. He had his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans that were ripped at the knee.

"Skylar," Ellen said, looking at me. "This is Jasper Massett. He's the one that found you after your accident."

I looked from Ellen over to where Jasper was standing. He looked more nervous than anything. Furrowing my brows in confusion, I kept looking between him and Ellen. There was something else, I could tell from the way Jo and Ash were both fidgeting. They only did that when they knew something I didn't.

"Who are you?" I asked bluntly, forcing a confused look to cross Jasper's face.

"I'm sorry?" he asked politely.

"Who. Are. You?" I repeated slowly.

Ellen sat down on the bed next to me as Ash quickly stood up, rubbing the back of his head. I tore my gaze away from Jasper before focusing completely on Ellen.

"He's your brother."

I looked from Ellen over to where Jasper was standing. I couldn't stop the grin that spread across my face. The bitter laugh that escaped my throat only served to increase the tension in the room. I noticed Jo shuffle uncomfortably, while Ash dug his hand into his pocket leaning against the doorframe. Ellen looked away from me and towards the floor, a fairly serious look on her face.

"You've got to be joking." I shook my head. "I don't have a brother. No offense dude, but I think I would have known if I had a brother."

Jasper sighed ,shaking his head. "I know it's a lot to take in right now, believe me—"

"Can you just…shut up for a second?" I cut him off, holding a hand out to him before focusing my gaze on Ash as I stood up from the bed. "Show me the proof."

"One piece of soul crushing proof, coming right up," Ash commented, dashing out of the room.

I sent a glare over towards Ellen who was still resting on the bed before I exited the room. I made my way, a little shakily, down the hall and out into the main bar where Ash's computer was sitting. The genius was already next to it his finger flying across the keyboard.

"You don't trust what I say, but you trust a piece of paper that's been locked away in an office for the last 23 years?" Jasper's voice met my ears as I sat down next to Ash.

"Not the paper," I responded sending him a skeptical look before focusing on the screen. "I trust the man finding the paper."

"Aw thanks sugar." Ash grinned playfully as he effectively entered the records files of the Lynx Creek Memorial Hospital. "Lynx Creek needs to update their software," Ash murmured. "Bingo."

I sat there taking a deep breath as Ash pulled up two birth certificates. I leaned forward, gasping in momentary pain before it subsided. My gaze focused on the first one. Skylar Rowan Holbrook born to Brian Anthony Holbrook and Katelyn Elaina Holbrook on the 31st of October. Skimming through the rest of the information, it was nothing I hadn't already known or seen before. Moving over to the next one the name, Jasper Cayden Holbrook, forced me to glance over at the said man.

He was born on the 31st of October as well, literally five minutes before myself. The parents on record were the same as on my birth certificate. There was an attachment on the file as well. Pushing Ash out of the way, I grabbed onto the mouse and clicked the attachment, watching as adoption records came up on the screen. Jasper Holbrook had been adopted by a Jacob Massett just after he turned six months old. Right after my mother died.

As I looked up at Jasper, he asked, "Believe me now?"

The next few hours passed in a whirlwind of overloaded information. Jasper went on to explain that our father had split us up thinking the demon would attack again, making it clear that Jasper and I were the targets. Our mother's death was an accident. He went on to explain how Jacob Massett was our uncle, our mother's brother. He had been raised into the hunter life, being told about his family and the sister he could never have contact with.

"Why?" I murmured as we sipped at our respective drinks. "Why keep it as one monumental secret?"

Jasper turned so his gaze was locked onto mine. "They wanted to protect us. Something about the bigger picture." He shook his head before finishing off the last of his beer.

I scoffed, pushing the water away from me. "Sounds just like him. Hiding the truth."

"He did it to protect you," Jasper murmured.

"From what?" My hardened stare turned from his to the bar counter in front me.

Jasper set his glass down. "Isn't that the question of the day."

I couldn't stop the smirk that crossed my face hearing that. It was something my dad would say when I asked where he had been. Now I know the truth and I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be feeling. My heart ached at the thought that this man claiming to be my brother was willing to do whatever it took to prove he was who he was saying. Then there was a part of me that just wanted to kick his ass for keeping this a secret for so long. Why didn't he come forward when my father died? I was eighteen and in desperate need of anything to make me feel like the world wasn't falling apart. Yet he kept his distance…why?

The sound of a car engine could be heard, forcing my attention towards the entrance of the bar. Jo was standing there, peeking out to see who it was. She glanced back at me before rushing off to the kitchen area where Ellen was. Pushing myself away from the counter, I climbed off the bar stool waiting for whoever was coming through the door.

Not a moment later the door swung open to reveal Sam Winchester, his face contorted into a form of worry I had yet to see on his young face. His eyes darted around as he stepped through the door, his brother following closely behind him. I was surprised to see Dean also carrying a look of concern on his face.

I could hear Jasper standing up behind me as Sam's eyes locked onto me. I could practically feel the guilt radiating off him as he took in my battered form. The scratch on my chest was covered by a large bandage while the small gashes on my face were being held together by small butterfly bandages. Looking between the two of them, I moved forward, closing the distance between the guys and me.

Dean looked hesitant seeing how I was approaching and took a step towards Jo, leaving me and Sam. Upon reaching Sam, I wrapped my arms around him tightly. I heard him sigh in relief before his arms wrapped around me, not as tightly, but comforting nonetheless.

"I'm sorry," Sam murmured into my ear as he held onto me. "I shouldn't have let you go alone."

Pulling back slightly, I carefully pulled away from Sam, shaking my head. "It's not your fault." I glanced over at Dean, "Neither of you. I messed up. Plain and simple."

Sam shook his head. "We were supposed to keep something like this from happening."

I shrugged, a smile forming on my face, "I learned a valuable lesson. I'm definitely not as invincible and ready as I thought I was."

"Regardless," Ellen's voice cut into the intimate moment, "You boys did a hell of a job."

I bit my lip as I glanced up at Sam, a sheepish look on my face. Glancing over my shoulder, I realized Jasper was still standing there with a strange look on his face. He was glancing between the Winchesters almost like he was trying to figure something out, but the look vanished when he realized I was watching him.

"Sam, this is Jasper." I motioned towards my brother. Stepping out of the way, Sam stepped towards Jasper, holding his hand out the two shaking hands. "Jasper, this is Sam Winchester."

"Massett…" Sam stated slowly. "You related to Jacob Massett?"

Jasper nodded, keeping his face straight, "My father."

Looking between the two of them with a confused look on my face, I parted my lips to question the sudden awkward line of questioning only to be interrupted by my favorite genius.

"Where've you guys been? Been waiting for you," Ash called out noticing the Winchesters were in the bar.

Dean was talking to Jo in hushed tones, while Sam, Jasper, and I were standing near the bar. Ellen who was behind the bar kept sending careful glances over towards Dean and Jo, not thrilled about the idea they were talking so quietly.

"We were working a job, Ash," Sam responded. Ash furrowed his brows as he glanced over at me.

"Clowns," was all I said.

"Clowns? What the—" Before Ash could cuss Dean cut him off.

"Got something for us, Ash?"

I sent Jasper a look that clearly said 'don't go anywhere'. He nodded before leaning across the bar talking to Ellen about something. Dean broke away from Jo, meeting Ash at the table he set his laptop on. Sam and I made or way over towards the computer as well, Sam seeming more eager than Dean was.

"Did you find the demon?" Sam asked.

"It's nowhere around. At least, nowhere I can find. But if this fugly bastard raises its head, I'll know. I mean, I'm on it like Divine on dog dookie."

"What'd you mean?" Sam questioned looking from the laptop to Ash.

"I mean, any one of those signs or omens appear anywhere in the world my rig will go off." Ash turned the computer to show what he had set up. You had to hand it to Ash he really is a resident genius. "Like a fire alarm," he added.

Dean reached forward, his fingers barely touching Ash's laptop when he felt someone's glare burning a hole in his skull. I smirked, realizing Ash looked ready to strangle Dean. No one touched the genius's computer, not even a Winchester. Dean took the hint, slowly pulling his fingers away from the keyboard.

"What's up, man?" Ash asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared at Dean.

"Ash, where did you learn to do all this?" Sam looked from Ash to the computer.

"MIT. Before I got bounced for fighting."

Sam looked over at Ash, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise as he stated, "MIT?"

"It's a school in Boston."

"Okay. Give us a call as soon as you know something?" Dean responded, clearly not wanting to draw this out any longer than needed.

"Si. Si, Compadre." Ash saluted before grabbing his computer.

Tapping the table lightly, I looked back over to where Jasper had been standing only to see that he was gone. My head snapped in several direction until my eyes came to a stop on Ellen. She had an apologetic look on her face before holding up what looked like a napkin with a phone number on it. I scoffed, heading towards the bar.

I reached forward and took the napkin from her taking in the number and the words underneath. "I'll explain everything. Promise."

Setting it down, I looked from Ellen towards the exit of the bar where Sam and Dean were standing having some heated conversation. It ended moments later with Dean rolling his eyes and shaking his head while Sam had a triumphant look on his face.

"Hey, listen," Ellen spoke up, forcing both Winchesters to look in her direction. "If you boys need a place to stay, I got a couple beds out back."

They looked at each other before Dean spoke up, "Thanks, but no. No, there's something we gotta finish."

Ellen nodded, earning another nod from each Winchester. I looked back to Ellen before walking towards the guys. They were making their way outside, allowing for a little privacy. Closing the door to the bar behind me I then turned to look back at Sam and Dean crossing my arms over my chest being careful of the wound.

"You guys be careful," I said as they stepped down off the porch.

"You too, Skylar," Dean responded curtly as he turned away. I watched him walk towards a car Bobby Singer had left for them, leaving me and Sam standing there on the porch.

"Don't go out there alone, Sky." Sam looked me straight in the eyes when he said that. I smiled slightly, breaking the contact when I felt a familiar pit in my stomach.

I nodded, taking a step back away from Sam. I watched as he walked off the porch and towards Dean who was standing next to the driver's side door of the car.

"Sam," I called out forcing him to stop and turn back around to face me. "Don't go after the demon alone. I know what it feels like to want revenge." I shrugged, glancing over at Dean. "But you've got too much to lose."

Sam looked from me to Dean. I watched as the two shook their heads at each other for a moment before Dean rolled his eyes in annoyance. He shook his head turning away from me and Sam.

"The demon…" Sam began carefully. "What did it do to you?"

I shrugged, glancing back up to the Roadhouse before I pressed my hand to the wooden beam holding up the porch roof. "Killed my mom…I guess it wasn't enough for him because he came back and killed Jeremy." I looked over at Dean who appeared to be a little more interested in what I was saying. "At least that's what your dad thought. My life's tragedies fit the pattern he was looking for."

Sam looked back Dean who nodded. I looked between the two of them unsure of whether or not I should say anything or just walk away. I stood there awkwardly, my gaze shifting between the Winchesters and their silent conversation.

"You said you wanted to learn how to be a hunter?" Dean asked, his voice sounding a little more gravelly than it had earlier. I nodded in confirmation. "Pack some things Robin. We've got work to do."

I scoffed looking from Dean to Sam. "He's serious?"

"He busted out his Batman references." Sam snorted. "There is no higher form of seriousness."

I grinned, realizing I was getting a second shot. Maybe this wasn't going to be such a bad thing after all.

A huge thank you to the likes and reviews! Keep 'em coming let me know how you're liking the story and what you hope to see!

grapejuice101: glad it's her favorite! I'm hoping I spun things a little differently than you normally see!

Guest: Gotta love pre-Demon Blood Sammy. He was so innocent and sweet.

Katie: Thank you! And yes I do plan on going through the seasons. Not ALL the episodes, but a vast majority of them!