Chapter Four

"So, I think I found something." Violet said before slurping another noodle into her mouth.

"Really? Whatcha got, sweet cheeks?" Pippa paused her weapons cleaning.

"The house that the Davis' were living in. It's really old and hasn't been lived in since the forties."

"Yeah," Pippa looked up. "Mr. Davis said that he bought it really cheap against his wife's wishes and they were doing a DIY thing with it."

"Well, the original owner of the house died." Violet paused for affect. "It was in the late thirties and his neighbor broke into his house so the original owner chased him around the house with an axe and chopped him up all over the house."

Pippa frowned. "That definitely goes in the top ten crazy human kills. Does it say anything else?"

Violet scrolled down the screen before shaking her head. "Only the original owner was sent to prison where he hung himself."

"Okay, so the person who was killed is killing people the same way he died. Must be a part of him somewhere in the house. All we need to do is-"

"Salt and burn!" Violet grinned.

"Point for you, chick." Pippa stood up and began collecting her weapons. "Ready to go?"

"You're taking me with you?"

"That is how partners work." Pippa chuckled. "Let's go!"

The house was everything Violet had expected. It was an eerie gray color with the roof falling apart and faded red shutters. The grass was overgrown and was beginning to crawl its way up the deteriorating porch. The dark night sky only increased its scariness.

"Whoa," Pippa whistled. "No wonder the guy's wife didn't want to move in."

"Yeah, this is one of the creepiest things I've dealt with."

Pippa eyed her wearily. "You haven't been a hunter long, have you?"

"No, not really." Violet bit her lip nervously.

"Come on, girlie. Let's get this over with."

The porch creaked under their footsteps. Pippa brushed aside the police tape with ease and kicked through the door. The house was barely furnished, most of the room was covered with boxes or furniture covered with sheets.

"I call upstairs," Violet volunteered.

Pippa nodded and began her journey through downstairs. Violet didn't bother touching the railing on the stairs as she made her way up. She could smell the faint copper stench of blood mixed with disinfectant. She kept her flashlight pointed in multiple directions but felt completely lost. This guy had been chopped up and it wasn't said in the article where exactly in the house he died. Also, it had been several decades ago, so who knew what time did to situations like this?

"Violet!"

Violet ran down the stairs at Pippa's distress call. She found Pippa in the living room battling off with a man a foot taller than her. His clothing was torn to pieces and his skin made him look like a reject for a thriller movie. Violet searched the room for any clue what she was supposed to do.

"I'll fight him off!" Pippa said, dodging the blow of the axe. "Just find out where he's at."

Violet ran through the house, eyes quickly scanning. This was pointless, she knew that. So, she told herself, why not think like a Winchester? With a quick prayer, she grabbed the bottle and began to get to work. She dropped the match, the flames surprising her and making her fall on her butt. Brushing herself off, she ran back into the living room to see Pippa shoot the spirit, making him temporarily disappear.

"What's that smell?" Pippa yelled, out of breath.

"No time, let's go."

Violet ran towards the door, smoke already beginning to fill the house. As soon as she reached for the knob, an axe swung and missed her hand by an inch. Screaming, she grabbed Pippa's hand as they ran towards the living room. Violet would realize later that she wasn't thinking and was only acting on pure adrenaline as she pushed Pippa and herself through a window in the living room. They tumbled onto the cool grass with grunts. Pippa tugged on her hand to lift her up as they ran towards the front yard. Both of them stood for a moment to watch the house go up in flames.

"I just committed arson." Violet said in disbelief as she panted for air.

"Yeah, that was actually brilliant and stupid at the same time." Pippa said in awe. "I think you're been around the Winchester's too long."

Violet couldn't reply as she watched orange flames swallow the house, turning into black smoke that drifted through the air. She vaguely felt Pippa tug on her jacket.

"Come on, partner. We need to get out of here before the fuzz gets here."

Violet was already hearing the sirens as they jumped into Pippa's truck. She let herself think about what Sam would say about all of this.

Wanting to get out of the state, Pippa followed behind Violet's jeep back to Violet's apartment. While Violet got them a couple of beers, she watched as Pippa scoped out her apartment. Including giving a faint chuckle at the large picture of Violet, Sam, and Kevin.

"Who are these people?" Pippa asked as Violet handed her the drink.

"That's Sam and Kevin."

"Kevin?"

"That's a long story, too." Violet sighed, aching with relief when she sat on her couch.

"Does that go with the story of how you got into hunting?" Pippa propped her feet on the coffee table.

"Yes, it is the reason. What about you?"

Pippa struggled for a moment. "I usually don't do the whole telling past stories well."

"Then why have you been asking about mine?" Violet smiled.

"The Winchesters are a big deal in the hunter world. I'm just curious how you caught one and how he got you in this mess."

Violet indulged in a grin as she thought of the past. Her fingers unconsciously twirled the ring on her finger. "He came into my diner over a year ago. I was working as a waitress. I could tell he was confused and grieving. Next thing I know, he's working at the diner and working with me."

"Then?" Pippa encouraged.

"Then he moved in with me and then I fell in love with him."

"Wait, you weren't even together when he moved in?" Pippa's eyebrows rose.

Violet shook her head. "No, at first it was just friendly. And honestly, I was lonely and wanted to help someone. But I fell in love with him anyways."

"Before you found out about the supernatural?" Pippa snorted.

"Yep, but even after I found out I still agreed to marry him."

"You still love him?"

Violet nodded vigorously. "We've only been separated for a week. He said he just couldn't handle both me and his duty to saving the world. I swear, the downside to the Winchester men is that they think that it's their job to constantly save the world. No matter the cost."

"Yeah, that's what I've heard." Pippa took a long sip of her beer. "If you love him, why did you bend?"

"I don't know." Violet mumbled. "What about you? It's your turn."

Pippa looked away with a sigh. "I fell in love with a boy when I was eighteen. He was a hunter. He told me about the life because he thought we were going to get married. It was that young kind of love, you know? The kind that makes you think if you don't get together then the world will collapse."

"What happened?"

"He went on a hunt and never came back. Heard from a friend that he was killed. After that, something just clicked. At first, I was doing it for him, but then it became something more. I loved Josh, I really did, just not the Big Three Love."

"Big Three Love?" Violet questioned.

"In my mind," Pippa explained. "There are three kinds of love and when they come together, it can be unimaginable. First, you have the love that comes slowly and softly. Two, you have the absolute passionate love, the kind where you can't get enough of each other. And third, it's when you love each other so much that you drive each other crazy."

Violet laughed. "I've never heard of that before."

Pippa shrugged. "Just imagine all three of those combining. Whew! Anyways, Josh and I only had the passionate love, that's why it never would have lasted anyways. What did you and Mr. Winchester have?"

Violet thought for a few moments. "I guess we did have all three. Or do have. I'm not sure anymore."

Pippa's eyebrows lifted. "Are you just saying that because of what I said?"

"No," Violet shook her head. "No, when I think about it, we did. When we first met, I was attracted to him a little but we were both so consumed by our grief and confusion that it made things difficult. Even after the first time we slept together, I was sure it was just passion. But then, I slowly found myself falling in love with him. And the passion thing stayed, no doubt there. Also, the driving each other crazy with love is probably the reason we're not together right now."

Pippa slowly shook her head. "I tell you what, chick. If I had that, I wouldn't be giving up so easily."