Chapter 9: Abducted
Sam, Dean and Venia rush the Impala, flinging their belongings into the trunk as they speed away.
"So, what are we looking at, Sammy?" Dean asks as he maneuvers onto the Interstate.
"I'm not sure yet," Sam answers, shuffling through the papers on his lap. "Whatever it is, though, it's gone on a killing spree-ten deaths in the past two weeks."
"How do we know it's one of our cases?" Dean asks, giving his brother a sideways glance.
"Every person who's gone missing has turned up mangled in an alley," Sam replies.
Venia snatches up the papers from Sam. "Let me see that!"
Venia's eyes skim the newspaper as Sam and Dean continue on talking.
"So, we have no idea what we're dealing with? Great." Dean sulks, accelerating the Impala.
"Maybe we shouldn't take this hunt, guys," Venia states nervously, staring into her hands.
"Why, Ven?" Sam asks. "Do you know something?"
She smiles at the nickname, but her answer is serious. "If this hunt is what I think it is…"
"What is that, Venia?" Dean asks solemnly.
"My father's minions."
"What are they? Demons?" Dean asks. If they know what they're looking for, this won't take long.
Venia looks up at him, shaking her head. "Occupantis," she states.
"Takers," Sam translates. "If they work for your father, what are they doing here?"
"Well, they don't necessarily work for him all the time. They are what they do. They take people, looking for something. If they don't have it, they kill them. For fun," Venia says with a shudder.
"What else do you know, Venia?" queries Sam.
"They melt in and out of shadows," Venia says. "They're smart- they know what they need and they get it- by killing anyone in their way."
"Alright, then," Dean says, "How do we stop them?"
Venia racks her brain. Her breath hitches slightly, but neither Sam or Dean notice. "The only thing that'll kill them is silver. Anything silver will work," she chokes out.
Dean doesn't notice her tone, but Sam does. He realizes that Venia is hiding something. He doesn't ask what. There will be time for that later.
"Let's get going then," Dean states, flooring the Impala.
Sam, Dean, and Venia slide into a booth at the local diner. With a cursory glance at the menu, they order three specials from a bored waitress.
"Okay, guys, remember, these demons have serious tempers. We're going to have to be careful," Venia declares.
Dean stares at her disbelievingly. "A demon with a temper. That's new."
Venia rolls her eyes. Sam looks like he wants to say something, but the food arrives and Venia and Dean are distracted. He picks at his sandwich, appetite nonexistent.
"Are you all right, Sammy?" Dean asks, concern crossing his face. "You haven't touched your food."
"Just not hungry," Sam says, forcing a smile onto his face and turning to stare out the window. Dean ends up eating his food, because "It's too good to waste." Venia doesn't notice the exchange, or if she does, she ignores it.
After they are finished, Dean goes to pay the bill and Sam and Venia walk to the motel adjacent to the restaurant. They acquire two rooms, as usual, but Venia trails Sam the guy's room.
"So," she says casually. "What crawled up your ass and died?"
Sam drops his duffle onto the floor with a loud thump. "What?" he replies, shocked.
"You've been acting totally weird about this whole case, and I'd like to know why."
Sam's face turns a dark shade of crimson. "Well," he begins. "It's about you."
To his surprise, Venia's face falls. "You don't want my help?"
"That's not it at all! It's just- I don't want you to get hurt," he finishes softly, looking up at her from underneath his bangs.
"Oh," Venia says, relaxing. "That's funny, Sam."
"I'm serious, Ven. This is really dangerous- these things want to kill you."
"How do you know?" Venia snaps. "You-we don't know what they're after yet."
"Ven, I saw how you reacted in the car, when you realized what they were," Sam replies gently, taking her hands. "You said they were your father's minions, and your father is looking for you. I can put two and two together."
Venia looks down at her feet. "I can't be sure," she says. "But I can take care of myself."
"I know you think you can, Venia," Sam smiles, "but I think it would be better if Dean and I took care of this one."
"Don't patronize me!" Venia snaps. "I'm coming whether or not you want me to. I need to go. That's final."
"Wow," Dean smirks. "Not interrupting anything, I hope?" His comment goes unnoticed; Sam and Venia are staring each other down.
Eventually, Sam looks away. "Fine then." Venia's face lights up, and she skips to the door.
"Are you guys ready? Let's go!"
Sam turns to his brother exasperatedly. "Do not say anything."
Dean ignores Sam's request. "One thing, Sammy."
"What!?" Sam bitchfaces.
"Marry that girl!" Dean grins as Sam follows Venia out, slamming the door with unnecessary force.
The trio has staked out a potential attack ground for the Occupantis. Sam and Venia crouch behind a Dumpster in a dirty alley while Dean (always the instigator) tries to lure the demons out of hiding.
"Come on, what are you waiting for?" he yells, opening his arms. "I'm ready to go!"
Venia sighs, blowing hair out of her face. "Forget this. Dean, you're not doing any good out there."
"I thought they'd have revealed themselves by now," Dean replies, frowning. "You said they get pissed easily, right?"
"I don't think you could piss off anyone talking like that. What are you, nine?"
"Whatever. You know what? You can try now," Dean calls back, smirking as he and Venia switch places.
"Hey! Occupantis! We know what you want!" Venia shouts. "Come and get what you're after, you sorry bastards! Unless you're afraid?"
Sam stares, horrified, at Venia, as dark, liquid shadows melt off the alleyway walls behind her, morphing into two men and a woman.
Dean pulls out the silver bullet loaded gun and says, "Well, it's about time!"
With a snarl, the female Taker heads straight for Dean, knocking him to the ground, forcing the gun out of his hand. Sam and Venia leap from behind the dumpster to assist Dean.
The Takers are surprised- they only expected one challenger, not three. As they recognize Venia, their fingernails elongate into an elaborate steel-like prison. Stalking forward, they go to collect their prey. Venia pulls a handgun out of her jeans, aiming at one of the male Takers. The other leaps at her, knocking the weapon from her hand and sending Venia flying. She lands back by the garbage, in shock, as Sam and Dean struggle with all three Takers.
Venia drags herself up, retrieving her gun at the same time.
"Duck!" she screams, and Sam and Dean obey, allowing her to fire upon the female Taker, destroying it. The remaining Takers charge towards the trio. Sam and Dean hurry forward to meet them. One Takers snatches Venia, locking her within his nail prison. Sam runs to Venia, grabbing at her hand, but she has begun to slip into the shadows along with her captor.
"Venia!" Sam shouts frantically. "Dean! Help!" Dean turns and the unoccupied Taker takes the opportunity to hit Sam around the head, sending him flying into the Dumpster. He doesn't move again.
"Sam?" Venia calls, terrified. He doesn't respond, and her captor begins to drag her away, heading toward the alley's shadows. Venia's huge eyes are locked on Sam's unconscious body.
As the Taker rushes off, dodging Dean's bullets, he turns to Venia and snarls, "Sam Winchester is dead!"
A tortured wail assaults the air as Venia disappears into the dark. "NO! Sam!"