August

December 4th, 2004: Age 19

Gordon chuckled slightly. "Yup, sounds like her. Perky and pushy. Well at least now I know she didn't actually lose the tags on a hike." You smiled in response and he placed the chain back on the table, bringing up the awkward question. "So…when did you two uh…"

"Lose touch? We didn't. Wrote to each other every seventh of the month until she, uh..." You noticed the muscles in Gordon's jaw tighten. You decided to reassure him. "I did look for her, just to let you know. Even asked my father to contact his military connections. Doubt he ever did, but it was before I knew about the life so it was the best I could do."

"I appreciate that." He looked down, "I did everything I could to save her. But it was useless against those fanged-freaks."

"Bobby mentioned it was a vamp attack. Did a bit of digging once I moved in with him. It just, never sat well with me. I can't imagine what it was like for you. I'm so sorry."

"Yea, me too. You know I gave her a hunter's funeral? Nearly caught the entire field on fire from being a rookie, and the August heat didn't exactly help." You smiled at his anecdote, but only for a second as something occurred to you. "August?"

"Yep. Worst month of my life." You were careful in your response. You knew for a fact that Beth had sent her last letter in September. She wrote about some huge life change she went through and how she wanted to visit to show you. Obviously, that visit never happened. Regardless, Gordon was lying. You tilted your head in feigned sympathy. "That's just awful. But it's nice to finally put a date to it. Gives me some closure."

"Well I'm glad one of us can get some. She's the reason I'm still a hunter. I feel like I can't do her justice until every bloodsucker is wiped off the map."

"Sounds like a pretty big task."

"True, but it's doable. With help, that is. You mentioned earlier that you lived with Bobby Singer. He's got quite the reputation. If I'm correct in assuming he trained you, you must be a damn good hunter. Could use that to hit a nest up by the Ortega. What do you say?"

"I'll get back to you on that. Trying to start small and work my way up." At this point, you had gone into your phone settings and set off your ringer, the song filling the room. "Excuse me, I really need to take this." He nodded and gestured to the front door. You closed it behind you as you hit speed dial two. After three rings, Ellen answered. "Harvell's."

"Ellen? It's Y/N. I—"

"Y/N? It's so good to hear from you sweetie! How's Arizona? I was just telling Ash here that you decided on the criminal justice major and—"

"Ellen, I'm sorry I really don't have time. Listen, don't say anything to Bobby but I'm in California. Small town called Murrieta. What can you tell me about Gordon Walker?"

"Excuse me!? I don't even know where to start with you!"

"Ellen! Quickly, Gordon Walker! You can yell at me later." You could hear the mom in her voice wanting to escape. But she bit her tongue. "Look, stay the hell away from Gordon Walker. He's not good people and I don't think his head was screwed on just right."

"That may be an issue considering I'm right outside his motel room."

"What!? Y/N you get your butt in your car and you leave right now, you hear me?"

"I can't. I can't let him know that anything is up. Look, I'll just say I have to head out and politely get the hell out of here."

"You call me the second you're in the clear, you hear me kid? And keep driving too, your butt better be on a Harvell stool in three days!"

"Yes ma'am."

"Alright. Be safe. Be smart. I love you."

"I love you too. Bye." You flipped your phone closed and swallowed your panic before re-entering the room. You felt it immediately. The atmosphere had changed and you no longer felt safe. You held your phone up and smiled. "Bobby. Just checking in. He worries." Gordon nodded his head, pacing the room. He used slow footsteps and a single hand covered his mouth, making his expression unreadable. It made you uneasy so you broke the silence. "So listen, it's getting pretty late. I'm gonna get some shut-eye and we can talk Ortega tomorrow?" He nodded again, using his thumb to rub up and down his jaw line. "Sure thing." You turned (to the best of your abilities) at a normal pace and started walking back to the front door. Your arm outstretched to open it and you slowly turned the knob, exhaling that you made it this far.

"Y/N." You froze, turning only your head in Gordon's direction. "Aren't you forgetting something?" He gestured toward the table where Beth's dog tags laid residence. You made eye contact with him once more, seeing the coldness behind his eyes. Was it always there? You chuckled. "Right." Letting go of the doorknob, you made your way to the table and placed your hand on the metal object, putting it around your neck. You kept Gordon in your peripheral as you turned your back once more to exit the room. Once again you reached the doorknob and twisted it slowly.

"So was it John or Ellen?" You froze. Thinking quickly (and stupidly) you pulled the door open, but Gordon was faster, slamming it shut with a single hand. He grabbed your shoulder and when you tried to maneuver your way out of his hold, he anticipated your every movement, grabbing your left hand. Shoving it (and you) against the nearest wall, you struggled and kicked at him, landing one good blow to his shin. In response, he reached to his right to grab a large kitchen knife off the counter and without hesitation, pinned you to the stucco, straight through your left forearm. You went to scream in pain but his other hand covered your mouth. Your breathing hastened and you began sweating as you saw the blood drip down your elbow and onto the linoleum below. "I'm only going to ask this one more time. Was it John or was it Ellen that figured it out?"

"Figured what out?" You managed to say in between his fingers. "Don't play stupid. You clearly came back with new information. Now tell me who told you." With that, he pulled the kitchen knife down slightly, sending a new wave of pain to every sensor in your body. He again tightened his grip on your mouth to muffle your scream. You began panting as he removed his hand. "Look, no one knows. I pieced it together myself."
"You're lying."

"I swear! You mentioned you burned her in August. I got the last letter in September. Wasn't too hard putting things together after that. She got turned you ganked her yourself." He thought to himself for a moment. "Wasn't expecting it to hold onto any human ties. It was probably on the way to turn you too. Well, we learn from our mistakes right? I really am sorry to have to do this. You seem like a good kid. But loose ends and all that." He pulled the gun that was taped under the kitchen counter and aimed it at your head, cocking it with his thumb.

"Wait! You heard it yourself. I was on the phone with Ellen outside. She knows where I am and who I'm with. You can bet your ass she's going to tell Bobby, probably John too. Are you willing to bet that they won't hunt you down? You're a good hunter but with those three on your tail, you'd never kill another fang again. Let me go and I'll keep my mouth shut. We'll all leave you alone, I swear. I'll tell them nothing happened, that we talked about Beth and I left peacefully. You have my word." Gordon thought for a moment before lowering his weapon. "This is your warning kid. You open your mouth and I'll kill you and anyone you ever made contact with. Now go." He ripped the dog tags from your neck and pulled the knife directly out of your arm. You raced to the door; afraid he might just change his mind and shoot you in the back. As you opened it, he gave his parting remarks. "You're a smart kid Y/N, don't do anything stupid. I look forward to checking up on you." You slammed the door shut behind you and ran to your car, tears spilling over and blurring your vision.