Chapter 11 - Scarecrow

The ringing cell phone wakes Sam. "Dean." he tiredly says. He looks over to see his brother and Addison still sleeping. Daylight was sneaking in under the curtains told him it was early in the morning. He grabs the phone off the nightstand. "Hello?"

"Sam, is that you?"

Sam sits up, fully awake. "Dad? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," John replies.

"We've been looking for you everywhere. We didn't know where you were, if you were okay."

"Sammy, I'm all right. What about you, Dean, and Addison?"

"We're fine. Dad, where are you?" Sam barely notices that Dean has sat up.

"Sorry, kiddo, I can't tell you that."

Sam tenses. "What? Why not?"

"Is that Dad," Dean asks and Sam ignores him.

"Look, I know this is hard for you to understand. You're just gonna have to trust me on this," John says.

"You're after it, aren't you? The thing that killed mom," Sam responds.

"Yeah. It's a demon, Sam."

"A demon? You know for sure?"

"A demon," Dean repeats. "What's he saying?"

"I do. Listen, Sammy, I, uh, I also know what happened to your girlfriend. I'm so sorry. I would've done anything to protect you from that," John replies.

"You know where it is," Sam asks.

"Yeah, I think I'm finally closing in on it."

"Let us help."

"You can't. You can't be any part of it."

"Why not?"

"Give me the phone," Dean demands.

"Listen, Sammy, that's why I'm calling. You, your brother, and Addison, you gotta stop looking for me. Alright, now, I need you to write down these names," John says.

"Names? What names, Dad — talk to me, tell me what's going on," Sam tells him.

"Look, we don't have time for this. This is bigger than you think, they're everywhere. Even us talking right now, it's not safe."

"No. All right? No way."

"Give me the phone," Dean sternly repeats.

"I have given you an order. Now, you stop following me, and you do your job. You understand me? Now, take down these names," John angrily says.

Dean snatches the phone out of Sam's hand. "Dad, it's me. Where are you? Yes, yeah, I got a pen. What are their names?"

Addison closes her laptop. The three of them were in the Impala. Sam was driving with Dean in the front seat and Addison in the backseat. "All right, so the names Dad gave us, they're all couples," Sam asks.

"Yeah, three different couples that all went missing," Addison replies.

"And they're all from different towns? Different states?"

"That's right," Dean answers. "You got Washington, New York, Colorado. Each couple took a road trip cross country. None of them arrived at their destination, and none of them were ever heard from again."

"Well, it's a big country, Dean. They could've disappeared anywhere."

"Yeah, except each couple's route took them through the same part of Indiana. It was always on the second week of April. And one year right after another," Addison counters.

"This is the second week of April."

"Uh huh."

"So, Dad is sending us to Indiana to go hunting for something before another couple vanishes?"

"Yahtzee. Can you imagine putting together a pattern like this? All the different obits Dad had to go through? The man's a master," Dean comments. Sam pulls the Impala of the road and parks. "What are you doing?"

"We're not going to Indiana."

Addison and Dean exchange a confused look. "We're not," she asks.

"No. We're going to California. Dad called from a pay phone. Sacramento area code."

"Sam," Dean says.

"Dean, if this demon killed Mom and Jess, and Dad's closing in, we've gotta be there. We've gotta help."

Dean shakes his head. "Dad doesn't want our help."

"I don't care," Sam snaps.

"He's given us an order."

"I don't care. We don't always have to do what he says."

"Sam, John is asking us to work jobs, to save lives and that's pretty damn important," Addison argues.

"All right, I understand, believe me, I understand. But I'm talking one week here, to get answers. To get revenge."

"All right, look, I know how you feel," Dean says.

"Do you," Sam angrily counters. "How old were you when Mom died? Four? Jess died six months ago. How the hell would know how I feel?"

"Dad said it wasn't safe. For any of us. I mean, he obviously knows something that we don't, so if he says to stay away, we stay away."

"I don't understand the blind faith you two have in the man. I mean, it's like neither of you don't even question him."

"Yeah, it's called being a good son!" Sam pulls the Impala over to the side of the road and angrily climbs out. Dean and Addison quickly follow. They see him gathering his things from the trunk. "You're a selfish bastard, you know that? You just do whatever you want. Don't care what anybody thinks."

"That's what you really think?"

"Yes, it is."

"Well, then this selfish bastard is going to California." Sam shoulders his backpack and starts walking away.

"Sam, you can't be serious," Addison asks.

"I am serious."

"It's the middle of the night," Dean shouts. "Hey, we're taking off, we will leave your ass, you hear me?"

"That's what I want you to do," Sam replies.

"Goodbye, Sam," Dean says after a moment and climbs into the Impala. Addison gives Sam an apologetic look and gets into the passenger seat. Dean turns on the Impala and speeds off down the road.

Dean parks the Impala. Addison pulls her hair into a ponytail and watches as he stares at his cell phone. "Dean, stop being a girl and just call him," she says and Dean glares at her.

"He's the one who left."

"I know. I was there. But you can also be the bigger man here and call him."

Dean snaps his phone shut and gets out of the chair. Addison shakes her head and follows. The town was small and looked to be one right off a postcard. They walk to a café and see a man sitting on the porch. "Let me guess. Scotty."

"Yep," Scotty replies.

"Hi, my name's John Bonham and this is my wife, Zoe."

"Isn't that the drummer for Led Zeppelin?"

"Wow. Good. Classic rock fan."

"What can I do for you, John and Zoe?"

Addison pulls a couple flyers from her hoodie pocket. "We were wondering if you had seen these people," she asks, showing Scotty the flyers.

"Nope. Who are they?"

"Friends of ours who went missing about a year ago. They passed through somewhere around here and we've already asked around Scottsburg and Salem—"

"Sorry," Scotty interrupts. "We don't get many strangers around here."

"Scotty, you've got a smile that lights up a room, anybody ever tell you that," Dean asks and Scotty stares at him. Dean chuckles. "Never mind. See you around."

Dean throws an arm around Addison's shoulders and pulls her close. "He knows something," she quietly says.

"You got that vibe too, huh?"

"Big time."

Addison hated when people lied to her. Her and Dean were standing in a small general store with Harley and Stacy, the owners of the store. "You sure they didn't stop for gas or something," Dean asks.

"Nope, don't remember them. You said they were friends of yours," Harley asks, handing the flyer to Stacy.

"That's right."

A girl a couple of years younger than them enters the store from a back room. She puts down a couple of boxes she was carrying. "Did the guy have a tattoo?"

"Yeah, he did," Addison replies, noticing the necklace around the girl's neck.

"You remember? They were just married," Emily says.

"You're right," Harley replies. "They did stop for gas. Weren't here more than ten minutes."

"You remember anything else," Dean asks.

"I told them how to get back to the Interstate. They left town."

"Could you point us in that same direction?"

Emily smiles. "Sure."

"I hate this town," Addison comments as Dean drives down the road. They pass an orchard and a noise comes from the backseat.

"What the hell," Dean asks. Addison leans over the seat and searches through the gear in the backseat. Dean smirks and smacks her ass. She slaps him on the back of the head.

Addison pulls out the EMF meter and sits back down. Dean pulls the Impala over and they get out. "I feel like this is a horror movie waiting to happen."

"Well something made that go off." They enter the orchard and walk around. Dean sees a scarecrow and walks over to it. "Dude, you fugly."

"If it comes alive and tries to kill us, you're on your own," Addison comments. Dean grabs a nearby ladder and puts it front of the scarecrow. "What are you doing?"

Dean climbs up the ladder and pushes the clothing up. "Let me see flyer." Addison unfolds a piece of paper and hands it to him. He compares the picture with the scarecrow's arm. "Nice tat."

The Impala pulls up to the gas station and they climb out. Addison pulls her jacket close as it starts to rain. Emily was standing by the gas pumps. "You're back," she states.

"Never left," Dean replies.

"Still looking for your friends?"

"Yeah," Addison answers.

"You mind filling her up there, Emily," Dean asks and Emily grabs a gas pump. "So, you grew up here?"

"I came here when I was thirteen. I lost my parents. Car accident. My aunt and uncle took me in."

"Well, they're nice people," Addison comments.

"Everybody's nice here."

"So, what, it's the, uh, perfect little town," Dean asks.

Emily shrugs. "Well, you know, it's the boonies. But I love it. I mean, the towns around us, people are losing their homes, their farms. But here it's almost like we're blessed."

"Hey, you been out to the orchard? You seen that scarecrow?"

"Yeah, it creeps me out."

"Whose is it?"

"I don't know. It's just always been there."

"Is that your aunt and uncle's," Addison asks, motioning to a van.

"Customer. Had some car troubles."

"Does it belong to a couple? A guy and girl?" Emily nods. Addison and Dean exchange a concerned look, neither liking the thought.

Addison follows Dean into Scotty's Café. A couple was sitting at a table, eating pie. "Oh, hey, Scotty. Can we get a couple cups of coffee, black," Dean asks and Scotty walks away. "Oh, and some of that pie, too, while you're at it." He and Addison sit down at the next able. "How ya doing? Just passing through?"

"Road trip," the girl answers.

"Hey, us too," Addison brightly replies.

Scotty walks over and refills the couple's glasses. "I'm sure these people want to eat in peace."

"Just a little friendly conversation," Dean counters and Scotty leaves. "Oh, and that coffee, too, man. Thanks."

"So, why are you here," Addison asks the couple.

"We just stopped for gas. And, uh, the guy at the gas station saved our lives," the girl says.

"Oh no. What happened?"

"One of our brake lines was leaking," the man answers. "We had no idea. He was fixing it for us."

"The people here are so nice."

"Yeah."

"So, how long till you're up and running," Dean asks.

"Sundown."

"Really? To fix a brake line?" The man nods. "I mean, you know, I know a thing or two about cars. I could probably have you up and running in about an hour. I wouldn't charge you anything."

"You know, thanks a lot, but I think we'd rather have a mechanic do it," the girl says.

"Sure. I know. You know, it's just that these roads. They're not real safe at night."

"I'm sorry."

Addison kicks Dean under the table and glares at him. "I know it sounds strange, but, uh — you might be in danger," Dean continues, ignoring Addison.

"Look, we're trying to eat. Okay," the man tells them.

"We understand," Addison apologetically says.

"You know, my brother could give you this puppy dog look, and you'd just buy right into it," Dean comments.

The door opens and Addison sees Scotty walk over to greet a man. "Thanks for coming, Sheriff."

Scotty says something to the Sheriff and they both look at them. The Sheriff walks over. "I'd like a word, please."

"Come on. I'm having a bad day already," Dean says.

"You know what would make it worse," the Sheriff asks and Dean nods. Addison tensely smiles as she and Dean stand up.

The moment the sheriff's car isn't in the rearview mirror, Dean stops the Impala and turns around. Addison punches him in the arm. "What was that for?"

"For not knowing when to shut up," Addison answers.

Dean hits her back. "That's for kicking me earlier."

"I wouldn't had to do that if you knew when to shut up. FYI, when we get to the orchard, you're going by yourself."

"You're kidding."

"Why would I be kidding, Dean? In case you haven't noticed, we're kinda the monster in the orchard's type." Dean nods after a moment. "Good. Cause I'd rather not die."

"The scarecrow climbed off its cross," Sam disbelievingly asks over the phone. Addison and Dean were sitting in the Impala the next morning. She held her phone between the two of them. Addison had decided to put an end to the fight between the brothers by calling Sam. And she felt reassured knowing that Sam was okay.

"Yeah, I'm telling ya. Burkitsville, Indiana. Fun town," Dean replies.

"It didn't kill the couple, did it?"

"No. We can cope without you, you know."

"So, something must be animating it. A spirit."

"I doubt it," Addison replies. "It's probably a Pagan god."

"What makes you say that?"

"The cycle of killings. Along with the victims always being a man and a woman. Could be some kind of fertility right. And the locals, they were treating the couple, giving them food."

"The last meal. Given to sacrificial victims."

"Yeah. So, it's probably some ritual sacrifice to make a Pagan god happy."

"So, a god possesses the scarecrow—"

"Scarecrow takes the sacrifice. Then for another year, crops won't wilt and disease won't spread."

"Do you know which god you're dealing with?"

"No, not yet," Dean answers.

"Well, you figure out what it is, you can figure out a way to kill it."

"We know. We're actually on our way to a local community college. We've got an appointment with a professor. Cause Addison isn't sure with Pagan god it could be."

"There's way too many gods to pick from," Addison counters. "And you never help with research, Dean."

"You know, if you're hinting you need my help, just ask." Sam says.

"Actually, uh — I want you to know…I mean, don't think…" Dean trails off.

"Yeah. I'm sorry, too."

"Sam. You were right. You gotta do your own thing. You gotta live your own life."

"Are you serious?"

"You've always known what you want. And you go after it. You stand up to Dad. And you always have. Hell, I wish I — anyway…I admire that about you. I'm proud of you, Sammy."

"I don't even know what to say."

"Say you'll take care of yourself."

"I will."

"Call us when you find Dad."

"Okay. Bye, Dean. Bye, Ads."

"Bye," Addison softly says and hangs up.

"You're not gonna cry, are you," Dean asks and Addison stares at him. "All right, I miss him too."

Addison grabs Dean's arm as they walk down the hallway to the professor's office. "What," he asks, looking at her.

"You go ahead. I gotta use the bathroom," Addison explains.

"You can't hold it for five minutes," Dean argues and Addison glares at him. He shrugs. "Well, you've been extra bitchy this week."

"You know, Dean, one day I'm gonna shoot you and actually enjoy it," Addison hisses, then walks into the bathroom. As she's washing her hands, she hears loud voices from outside and moves towards the door.

"He wasn't alone before," the Sheriff says. "There was a girl with him. Red hair."

"Well, he's alone now," another man replies. "We'll just have to find someone to go with him. It shouldn't be that hard."

"Shit," Addison mutters as the voices leave. Cautiously, she makes her way out of the bathroom and out of the building. She ducks behind some bushes, after seeing the Burkitsville police car. Addison silently watches as the Sheriff and a man put in an unconscious Dean in the back of the car. It's late in the afternoon when Addison finally makes it back to Burkitsville. She doesn't hear someone walk up behind, but she feels the hard end of something hitting the back of her head.

Addison was pissed. Being knocked out for the second time in less than week, tended to make you annoyed. She had woken up in a cellar with Dean and Emily. Dean had filled her in on what he had learned. "I don't understand. They're gonna kill us," Emily asks.

"Sacrifice us. Which is, I don't know, classier, I guess," Dean replies and looks at her. "You really didn't know anything about this, did you?"

"About what? The scarecrow god? I can't believe this."

"Hate to break it to you, but you need to start believing. And we're gonna need your help," Addison says.

"Okay."

"Now, we can destroy the scarecrow, but we gotta find the tree," Dean continues.

"What tree?"

"Really old. And the locals would treat it with a lot of respect. Like it was sacred," Addison explains.

"There was this one apple tree. The immigrants brought it over with them. They call it the First Tree."

"Is it in the orchard?"

"Yeah, but I don't know where?"

The cellar doors open and they look to see four people standing there. "It's time," Stacy says.

Addison glares as she's tied to one of the apple trees. Dean was being tied to the tree next to her and Emily to a tree on the other side of him. "So, how many people have you killed," Addison loudly asks. "How much blood is on your hands?"

"We don't kill them," the Sheriff replies.

"No, but you sure cover up after," Dean coldly counters. "I mean, how many cars have you hidden, clothes have you buried?"

"Uncle Harley, please," Emily begs.

"I am so sorry, Em. I wish it wasn't you," Harley replies.

"Try to understand. It's our responsibility. And there's just no other choice. There's nobody else but you," Stacy says.

"I'm your family," Emily counters.

"Sweetheart, that's what sacrifice means. Giving up something you love for the greater good. The town needs to be safe. The good of the many outweighs the good of the one," Stacy explains. She and the other three people walk away.

"I hope your apple pie is fucking worth it," Dean shouts.

"Dean, please tell me you have a plan," Addison asks.

"I'm working on it."

"Dean," Addison says. Night had fallen over them. She was starting to get cold. And part of her was growing nervous, but she refused to let it show. "You don't have a plan, do you?"

"I'm working on it," Dean replies and she doesn't miss the panic in his voice. "Can you see it?"

Addison glances over her shoulder, but all she can make out are trees. "No. How about you, Emily?"

"What," Emily nervously asks.

"Is he moving yet," Dean asks.

"I can't see." A shadow gets her attention. "Oh my God." Dean struggles to get rid of the ropes around his wrists. "Oh my God!"

"Dean?" Addison looks to see Sam standing next to the tree Dean was tied to.

"Oh! Oh, I take everything back I said. I'm so happy to see you. Come on," Dean says and Sam starts untying Dean. "How'd you get here?"

"I, uh, I stole a car."

"Haha! That's my boy! And keep an eye on that scarecrow. He could come alive any minute."

"What scarecrow?" Dean quickly stands up and sees the empty post. He goes to Addison while Sam goes to Emily and within in minutes, they're running through the orchard. Dean had explained to Sam what they had learned since they last talked. "All right, now, this sacred tree you're talking about—"

"It's the source of its power."

"So, let's find it and burn it."

"We'll do it in the morning," Addison says. "Let's just get the hell out of her before Leather Face shows up." They reach a clearing and see people blocking them. "This way." They turn, only to see more people.

"Please. Let us go," Emily tearfully begs.

"It'll be over quickly, I promise," Harley says.

"Please."

"Emily, you have to let him take you. You have to—" Harley is cut off when something is shoved into his stomach. Addison takes a step back as people scream. The scarecrow grabs Stacy and drags her away with Harley. The group of people scatters.

"Come on, let's go," Dean says and the four of them take off running. They reach the entrance and stop to look back at the dark orchard.

Addison waves to Emily as she climbs onto the bus. They spent the morning burning the tree before driving to the bus station. "Think she's gonna be all right," Sam asks.

"I hope so," Dean replies.

"And the rest of the townspeople, they'll just get away with it?"

"I think what's going to happen to the town will be punishment enough," Addison comments.

"So, can we drop you off somewhere," Dean asks as they walk to the Impala.

"No, I think you're both stuck with me," Sam tells them.

"What made you change your mind?"

"I didn't. I still wanna find Dad. And you're still a pain in the ass. But Jess and Mom — they're both gone. Dad is God knows where. The three of us. We're all that's left. So, if we're gonna see this through, we're gonna do it together."

"Hold me, Sam. That was beautiful."

"You should be kissing my ass, you were dead meat, dude."

"Yeah, right. I had a plan, I'd have gotten out."

"Bullshit," Addison amusedly replies. They laugh and get into the Impala.