Here's the next update. My goal is to have the next chapter up this weekend. Maybe sooner. Enjoy and as always if there's any feedback don't hesitate to contact me!

Chapter 10- Scarecrow pt 2

Crossing her arms Charlotte watched Dean drive away. She was furious that she had to stay behind. Charlotte wasn't stupid; Dean was just fine at researching. He wanted to make sure to get all the glory; this was probably another way for Dean to punish her for whatever she'd done.

Pulling out her computer Charlotte starting looking up things that were known for taking couples. The first thing that came to mind was some kind of ritual. But what or who was doing the ritual was the question.

Witches? Demons maybe. Charlotte clicked the link that was titled 'Pagan Worship'. A list of rituals appeared across the screen; many were couple centric but without more information Charlotte wouldn't be able to get an idea of what they were dealing with.

As if on cue Charlotte's phone lip up with Dean's name flashing in the screen. "What's the update?"

"The road the couples disappeared on runs right through a small town. There's something definitely off about this place."

Charlotte scrolled through the site still scanning over the list. Now that there was a town involved she might be able to narrow down the search. Remembering passing a community college Charlotte thought it'd be a good idea to check in with a professor. They might have more information on the town.

"Charlie? Hello? Are you there?"

Charlotte brought her attention back to the phone call. "Oh Sorry."

"I hate when you do that." Rolling her eyes Charlotte switched the phone to her other ear.

"I didn't do it on purpose. You said it yourself; I'm better at research."

"Whatever. I think I might have an idea on what's going on."

Charlotte could hear the irritation in his voice. It caused her temper to flare up. If he didn't like her research methods then maybe he should have stayed back.

Taking a deep breath she rubbed her eyes; she really wished Sam were there. He might have been able to diffuse the tension. But then again they wouldn't be fighting if it weren't for Sam. Maybe with him gone things could go back to normal.

"Yea, me too. I'm thinking some kind of ritual. I'm going hit up the local college…" Charlotte glanced at the bedside clock only to realize it was too late to go today. "…Tomorrow. Look at the local history."

"Good idea. Look into pagan rituals; specifically agriculture."

Was that pride she heard in his voice? Good. She deserved a little praise even if he didn't verbalize it.

Both ends of the line stayed quiet. What was there to talk about now? It was clear things were still tense but Charlotte didn't want to hang up. Did he?

"I uh talked to Sam earlier."

Charlotte's head perked up. He talked to Sam? Was he coming back?

"Oh? Is he still going after John?"

"Yea. I told him to." What? Dean gave Sam his blessing?

"Really."

"Hmm yea. I'm going to look around town a little longer then I'll be back in a bit."

"Alright. Dean … be careful."

"Yea alright."

The line went dead. Sighing Charlotte set her phone down and closed her computer. She laid across one of the beds on her stomach. Turning the television on Charlotte stifled a yawn. She hated sleeping in motels alone.

-The mahogany library didn't look as inviting with the lights out. The entire house seemed to be engulfed in darkness. Charlotte shivered; she didn't want to be there.

Not after the night before.

Something moved behind her. Charlotte spun around only to be met by darkness

"He'll never want you."

The voice was so close Charlotte could feel the words on her neck. She turned quickly but again no one was there.

"It's pathetic really."

"Who's there!?"

A corner of the room lit up almost like there was a spot light pointing at it. There was a long figure facing away from Charlotte.

"He'll never love you." Charlotte gasped; she knew that voice.

"Dad?" The figure shivered before disappearing. Charlotte stared at the corner in shock. What was going on?

"He'll never want you." This time a woman stood in the corner facing away from her. She knew instantly the woman was her mother. Narrowing her eyes Charlotte glared around the room.

"Where are you?! Why won't you show me your face?!"

Fed up with whatever the strange voice had in mind Charlotte spun around. She was refusing to feed into his plan to listen to Sam's words echoing from her parent's mouths.

Charlotte gasped as she came face to face with the last person she expected. Dean stared at her with a sickening grin.

"They're right. It is pathetic."

Charlotte took a step back. This wasn't right. He wasn't Dean; she was just dreaming.

"You're not real."

Dean laughed. Taking a step forward he grabbed Charlotte by the arms roughly. She flinched his grip was hurting a lot for a dream.

"Oh I'm as real as you are sweetheart." Dean shoved Charlotte into the bookshelf behind her. Leaning forward he whispered in her ear. "Sam was right. How could I love someone who got her parents killed?"-

Jerking forward Charlotte looked around the room frantically. She was gasping for air; her lungs burned.

Leaning forward Charlotte placed her head between her knees and took slow deep breaths. It was only a dream; only a dream.

Looking at the clock Charlotte realized she'd slept through the night and most of the morning. The other bed hadn't been slept in. Dean wouldn't have just left without her.

Something was wrong. Charlotte had a sinking feeling that Dean hadn't come back at all. Grabbing her phone she tapped her foot impatiently hoping Dean would answer. The call went straight to voicemail.

"Damn it." Charlotte rubbed her eyes as she hit the speed dial for Sam.

Dean may have given him his blessing but they needed him right now. Charlotte almost laughed when Sam's phone went to voicemail; of course.

"Sam I know you want to find John but I can't get a hold of Dean. He didn't come back last night; I could really use your help."

By the time Charlotte made it on to campus it was early afternoon. Student traffic rushed about. After getting directions to the department she needed Charlotte joined the crowd. A middle-aged man peered up from his computer when Charlotte entered the room.

"Hello. What can I do for you?"

"Hello, my name is Charlotte. I'm doing some research on local lore. Specifically Pagan lore."

Frowning the man stepped out from behind his desk. He looked through a stack of books.

"I don't know of a lot of Pagan lore in the area. Is there anything specific you're looking for?"

"Actually yes. I'm looking into Gods that might live on an orchard."

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully the professor looked at the pile again. With a satisfied nod he disappeared into another room.

Charlotte glanced down at her phone. No missed calls. She was really starting to worry. Dean should have called by now.

"I think I know what you're looking for." Looking up Charlotte found the professor entering the room. He was carrying a large leather bound book. Setting the book down he opened it. "The closest thing to what you described is a Woods God."

Charlotte looked at the picture he was pointing out. This didn't sound right. It wasn't what they were looking for. Glancing to the next page Charlotte frowned at the picture.

She vaguely remembered Dean mentioning a scarecrow. The description said a sacrifice of one man and one woman was needed. This sounded more like it.

"What about that?" The professor frowned at the page she was pointing at.

"A Venir? That's not a Woods God."

"No but theoretically if you sacrificed to it would it be bound to you?" It didn't matter what he said. Charlotte was convinced this Venir was what they were looking for.

"I suppose so. It would have to be bound to something really old."

There was a knock at the door and Charlotte turned around curiously. Something didn't seem right. The professor opened the door to reveal a Burkitsville police office. Burkitsville was where Dean was; this really didn't look good.

"Ma'am I'm going to need you to come with me." Reaching behind him the officer pulled out a set of handcuffs.

Charlotte raised her hands; cocking an eyebrow she shot a questioning look to the officer.

"I'm not sure I understand what the problem is."

"We'll discuss it at the station." Pulling her hands behind her he slid the cuffs on.

Charlotte had a feeling they wouldn't be going to the station. She caught the professor and police officer giving each other a strange look. The officer led her out of the building to his cruiser.

A few people paused to watch the scene; Charlotte could feel her face starting to heat up. She could have gotten away if she wanted. He was a small town officer and Charlotte was sure none of the bystanders would do anything.

After thinking about it she figured he was probably going to take her wherever Dean was. After putting her in the backseat he pulled onto the road.

"We're not going to the station are we?"

The officer peered at her through the rearview mirror. After a few seconds he turned back to the road leaving her question unanswered. Great. That meant the answer was no.

Charlotte pulled at her cuffs trying to test the tightness of them. If she could reach her pocket then she could try calling Sam. The metal cut painfully into her wrists.

Flinching Charlotte relaxed her arms. With that plan down the drain she tried thinking of something else. Before she could really think of anything the car stopped outside a large orchard.

"I'll take that as a no on the station."

This time when the officer looked at her his eyes were filled with regret." I'm sorry about this."

Opening the door he pulled Charlotte out by her elbow. Halfway down the pathway they came across a small group of people.

"Harley, Stacy go get your niece. I think this one is with that fellow."

An older couple rushed back the way they'd come. With a tug the officer started pulling her after them. They came to a clearing where Harley and Stacy were hugging a young girl.

She had a terrified look on her face. Pushing her Aunt and Uncle away the girl turned to look at Charlotte.

"What's going on? You can't do this. Who is she?"

"Emily we already explained sweetie. It's for the best." Stacy tried placing her hand on her niece's shoulder but the girl shrugged her hand away. Pulling Charlotte toward one of the trees the officer glanced over to the small group.

"Take Emily and go to the others. It'll be dark soon."

With a nod Harley grabbed his niece by the arm and starting dragging her away. Stacy followed trying to quiet the protesting girl.

When they walked away Charlotte's eyes landed on a figure chained to a tree. Dean's eyes widened when he realized the new sacrifice was Charlotte.

"Charlie are you alright?" Fighting the urge to roll her eyes Charlotte peered behind her where the officer was chaining her hands.

"I'm just peachy Dean. Hey not so tight."

With a final click Charlotte was chained to the tree opposite Dean. Stepping out to gaze at the setting sun the officer wiped his brow.

"I'm sorry." This time Charlotte did roll her eyes.

"Ya. You said that already."

"It's for the greater good." With a grunt Dean hoisted himself to his feet. He grimaced as his hands scraped against the tree bark.

"You said that already too."

With another glance at the sky the officer rushed out of the clearing. This was just great. They were about to be sacrificed to some plant God. Their only help was probably halfway to California by now.

"What'd you find out at the college?"

"I think it's a Venir. A really old God; it has to be bound by an old object. Something not native to the area."

A crease formed along Dean's forehead. He was trying to remember anything he'd heard about the town.

"That Emily girl mentioned a really old tree that the original settlers brought. If we destroy that we might destroy it."

Pulling at her restraints Charlotte tried pulling her hands free. The chains tugged painfully at her skin. Biting her lip she glanced around. There was no way she'd be able to get her pocketknife; it had a lock picking mechanism but unfortunately it was sitting snug in her pocket.

Charlotte made a mental note that should they get out of this then she would put her knife in a more accessible location. Resting her sore arms she shot Dean an annoyed look.

"We have to get out of here alive first."

"I'm sorry." Scrunching her eyebrows Charlotte glanced at Dean.

What was he apologizing for? He couldn't possibly be talking about his behavior the last few weeks. Dean had a lot of nerve if he thought he was going to get away with that.

"For what? For treating me like shit?" Looking away from him Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Not going to work Dean. If we're going to die here you're not going to give some half-assed apology."

Dean started to say something but Charlotte wasn't listening. She could hear footsteps. Someone was coming.

Charlotte turned toward Dean with wide eyes. If it was the Venir they were screwed. The only weapon she had was a pocketknife she couldn't reach and Dean was probably unarmed.

The footsteps were getting closer; Charlotte prepared to defend herself. Even if she had to use her feet she wasn't going to go down without a fight.

The footsteps were only a few trees behind Charlotte. She was ready. Right as she was about to kick her leg out the figure came into view. Relief flooded through Charlotte when she recognized the owner of the footsteps.

"Sam!"

Smiling at the two Sam shook his head. Pulling out his lock-picking device he started on freeing Charlotte.

"What would you two do without me?"

"Just keep an eye on the scarecrow." Pausing Sam peered around the tree. He shot Dean a confused look.

"What scarecrow?"

Charlotte and Dean exchanged worried looks. Turning as much as he could Dean looked toward the scarecrow's stand. When he turned back around his face had paled. Oh no. They had to hurry up.

"Come on Sam."

"Don't rush me Charlie."

After a few seconds longer the chains finally fell from Charlotte's wrist. Rubbing her sore wrists she kept an eye out while Sam rushed to unchain Dean. She pulled out her pocketknife; it would be useless against the Venir but it gave her small sense of security.

"Let's get out of here." Dean led the group back up the path toward the road.

They were almost there. Charlotte could see the asphalt. Suddenly there was a rifle in her face; Sam's hand wrapped around her arm roughly pulling Charlotte to a stop. The sheriff glared at them with determination.

"We can't let you go." Glancing around they noticed the other townspeople circling around them. They were surrounded.

"Are your gardens freaking worth it?" Stacy the woman who was willing to sacrifice her niece glared at Dean.

"It's not just about our gardens. It's about preserving our town; our history."

Charlotte couldn't believe what she was hearing. These people were crazy. Apparently Sam was thinking the same thing; his grip tightened slightly on Charlotte's arm.

"You're killing innocent people."

There was a gurgling noise quickly followed by Stacy screaming. Charlotte turned in enough time to see Harley drop to the ground. The Venir was standing behind them with a large hook in its hand.

The townspeople stumbled back trying to get out of the orchard. Stacy was frozen in shock staring at her husband's dead body. Her wide eyes looked up at the Venir.

Without hesitation it brought its hook down across her chest. She collapsed onto the ground next to her husband. The Venir looked at Charlotte causing her to shiver. She could feel Sam pulling her towards the road.

As long as they weren't in the orchard it couldn't hurt them. Charlotte had a feeling it wouldn't come after them either way; it had its sacrifice.

"Come on Charlie."

Charlotte ran cold water across her face trying to wash away the day's stress. They'd retreated back to the motel with plans to destroy the tree that the Venir was bound to tomorrow. Emily had agreed to show them where it was planted.

"Charlie?"

Looking in the bathroom mirror Charlotte saw Dean leaning against the door jam. He was staring at her uncertainly. She had a vague idea on what he wanted.

"What Dean?" She was tired and her voice reflected that.

Dealing with Dean was the last thing Charlotte wanted to do. Stepping into the bathroom Dean stood behind her. His hazel eyes bore into her blue ones through the mirror.

"I meant what I said at the orchard. I really am sorry."

Looking down at the sink Charlotte thought about the last few weeks. How mean Dean had been; how he made her feel like she didn't belong. Was she ready to forgive him?

She'd spent this whole time trying to figure out what she had done wrong. Now all of a sudden Dean wanted to go back to before? He should have never gotten angry with her.

Looking back up Charlotte made eye contact with Dean. The regret in his eyes almost made her cave; almost made her say it was ok. With a deep breath Charlotte turned around. Dean looked hopeful. He was so certain she'd forgive him.

"That's not enough Dean. You put me through hell for weeks. You made me feel useless and like a burden." Dean ran a hand through his hair. It was clear this wasn't the reaction he was expecting.

"Charlie…" Raising her hand Charlotte stopped him from making an excuse.

"I don't want to hear it. It's been a long day and I'm tired Dean."

Not wanting to give him a chance to speak Charlotte slid between Dean and the counter. She ignored the confused look Sam gave her. She just wanted to sleep.

Hopefully the dreams wouldn't come. Luck was never on her side though.