Chapter Four
Dean
I felt bad for the kid. Annabelle'd been through a lot that day, but she didn't want any sympathy. I could understand that. After a tragedy, the last thing I wanted was people asking if I was okay or how I was doing. I always thought it was really obvious.
Annabelle was smart, not trying to hunt on her own, but I didn't want to be the one to tell Sam we were bringing her with us. Standing next to Annabelle and Sam, it felt like we'd been there before. Annabelle had potential, and I was excited to work with her.
Finally, the time came when the fire died down and it was time to head out.
"Where do we need to bring you, Annabelle?" Sam asked.
"I'm coming with you and Dean." Annabelle shouldered her bag and looked up at Sam.
"Being a—" Sam started to give Annabelle the becoming-a-hunter speech.
"Dean already gave me the speech. I understand the risks and I want to work with you," Annabelle said.
"Dean, what'd you tell her?" Sam asked.
"Sam, she was smart. She wanted to train with us instead of going out and hunting the wendigo down herself. I told her if she really wanted to work the job, I'd train her. I think she's got potential. Come on, Sam, please," I said. I gave Sam my best puppy dog eyes and Annabelle caught on. She followed my lead. I could see Sam start to melt.
"Alright. We should hit the road. If we start driving now, we can get to the safe house before midnight," Sam said.
"Thank you!" Annabelle tackled Sam then me with hugs.
Annabelle fan-girled a bit when she saw the Impala.
"No way! This is the exact car I wanted! Black '67 Chevy Impala! She's beautiful!" Annabelle said while tracing the edge of Baby with her hand and taking in every inch of my car.
"She's a good one, that's for sure." I smiled and joined the awe-struck teenager staring at Baby. "Baby's been all over the country with Sam and I."
"She looks great. How long've you had her?" Annabelle looked up at me, her eyes wide with amazement.
"Well, she used to be my dad's car. Sammy and I grew up in the back seat. Had to build her from the ground up a few times," I said proudly.
"You'll have to show me." Annabelle looked like she had plenty more questions that I could spend hours answering.
"We can all stare at the Impala together at the safe house. Come on, you two. Long drive ahead of us," Sam said.
"Sam, let's stop and get her a nice notebook to start her hunter's journal in," I said.
"Already got it." Annabelle pulled out a book that read "Journal" down the side. "You'll just have to show me how to make it a hunter's journal," she said as she slid into the back seat.
"I've got an example you can read through while we're on the road," I said as I closed Baby's door.
"I like this kid," Sam said under his breath.
"She's got good taste in music, too." I slid behind the wheel and waited for Sam to get into the car before pulling away from Annabelle's old home and toward the safe house. I had big hopes for Annabelle.