"Here they are," Campbell says, returning with two folders so small it is almost a joke. "There isn't much, just a few statements. That's all we have so far. Plus Bill's report, but we won't be able to start that until tomorrow morning."
Dean flips through the files and nods his head as he skims them. "You call this police work?"
I see the agitation appear on Campbell's face, and I change the subject. "Were there any eye witnesses? To any of the attacks?" My question gives him pause. He thinks about it for a decent length of time before shaking his head.
"No," He crosses his arms. "Any other questions?"
Dean finishes up and hands me the file, but the look on his face convinces me not to waste any more time with it. Typically, I wouldn't care about what he found to be irrelevant, and I would have read the statements myself just to make sure he hadn't missed anything. However, today was not a typical day, and quite frankly I didn't care much about vampires that didn't kill people.
"Thank you," I said to Officer Campbell as I handed him the file.
"So are we done?" Campbell asks, with a tone that seems to imply he has somewhere else to be.
"Actually, could you get us a list of addresses?" Dean speaks up, "For follow-ups. We have a few specific questions we need to ask regarding the abduction attempts."
"Sure thing. Macie? Could you print these gentlemen a list of addresses for the 'Vampire attacks'?" Campbell laughed to the woman at the front desk.
"Absolutely," She smiled with rolling eyes and within five minutes we were on our way.
"Adam Levine?" Mariah scoffed as we exited the police station. "Federal Agents? What the hell was that?"
The horror in her eyes was more evidence of my brother's failure to enlighten her. Dean just smirked, "I needed something creative."
She shook her head angrily. "Creative? How about insane? You're going to jail. I can't go to jail. I shouldn't be here."
"Please," He laughed it off, "Do you really think that guy remembers anything about a pop-rock band who had a few big hits last year?"
"It was five years ago," She corrected, realizing that distance might have only proven his point. Dean paused to count the years on his fingers, but never made it past two. After realizing how much time had passed, he shook his head.
"You hungry? I'm hungry."
Mariah rolled her eyes, and I shook my head in disbelief. Dean just tucked the list Marcie had given him into his shirt pocket and pulled out his car keys. We back-tracked to some local burger joint that had caught Dean's eye on the way down.
I suppose eating made sense, because we hadn't had lunch, and even though they'd had a late breakfast, by the time we'd left the police station it was well after five.
I still didn't know how he could eat. Mariah too. Just the sound of the restaurant made me queasy. The talking, the ordering, plates clattering and grills sizzling, and the smells didn't help either. I imagine I had already turned green long before the stench of grilled fat hit me.
"Double-Decker with double bacon, and throw in a double order of fries. I'm starved." Dean grinned and Mariah ordered a salad. Curiosity momentarily subdued the nausea as I realized this was the second time she'd requested a vegetarian-like dish. Ironic, considering my brother had already ordered enough heart-attack for the two of them. I would have honestly been surprised had the restaurant had any meat left in stock.
But still, fixating on this tiny detail seemed important. It got my mind off of Kiers, and the sickness I felt every time I even thought about food.
"And you?" Our waitress asked, politely enough, but I hated her for asking.
"Just a coffee, thanks." I say, but the waitress laughs loudly, pulling off her reading glasses with a pitiful expression.
"Does this look like Dunkin' Donuts, son?" She scowls, and waits for me to change my order.
"Beer?" I ask, but her face remains unchanged.
"I'll have water." I finally add and it brings a smile to her lips.
"Bottled or tap?" She then asks, and at this point I could care less.
"Surprise me." I grumble, and she finally leaves. I sigh, letting go of the irritability that has pooled up in my chest. Then I notice my brother's eyes on me and that suffocating feeling returns.
"What?" I snap, and his eyes dart away.
"Nothing," He lies, and Mariah licks her lips. The two of them exchange glances and then Dean reaches in his pocket for the two lists from the police station.
"So how's this for a coincidence? Amy's friend Andy is on the witness list for the attempted abduction last week."
"That's weird." I admit, because I suppose it is a bit coincidental. Even if it is not, I'm thankful for the subject-change. I feel better knowing my brother won't pry into my emotions with Mariah sitting by.
"Exactly. You know, this is feeling more and more like a prank."
"So then why don't we hit the road?" I say anxiously, "It will be at least another two days before we make it to Bobby's."
"Sam, there's a girl missing." Dean replies unnerved.
"And you know the likelihood of why that is, right?" I snort, "Come on, Dean, she's got strict Christian parents—you of all people know what that means."
"You had strict Christian parents?" Mariah questioned, surprised.
Dean chuckled, "no, I was the reason… Nevermind. Anyway, I'm thinking I want to talk to this Andy kid. Why don't you talk to the BFF, Lily. But we might as well just wait until tomorrow, now. We can stop by the school and talk to the other kids as well—get a feel for everyone. See who the goths and sadists are—my money is on the Lily chick."
"Ok." I mutter, "And what about our intern?" My eyes glance to Mariah.
"I'm sitting this one out." She says with a great distance in her eyes—one that I cannot explain. I ignore it, thinking it must have something to do with the crimes she's now officially an accomplice in; what else would be bothering her?
Dean's eyes fall to the table and a sigh escapes his lips. "So what is our plan?"
I shake my head unsure of what he means, so he elaborates on his question.
"When we find the vampires, what are we going to do?"
"Kill them and then head to Bobby's." I state indifferently. "What else would we do?"
"I thought we didn't kill vampires that didn't kill people," He questions curiously, "That was your rule, wasn't it?"
I find myself annoyed again, "You know that was different."
Mariah's eyes intensify as she tries to figure out what we're talking about, but I really don't want to have this conversation. Not here, not now, not in front of her. Honestly, all I want to do at this point is curl up and die somewhere.
"There is obviously a difference between vampires who are in hiding and vampires that are attacking kids for kicks—whether or not they are killing, they have the capability. It's only a matter of time before someone dies as a result of their excursions."
I explain to him, all the while hoping it isn't too late for Amy.
"I'm just saying, you need to get your head in this game, Sam."
"Seriously?" I ask, offended. One minute he's assuming that I'm incapable of killing a vampire, and now he's implying I'm too distracted for the hunt? I don't even want to try to figure out what is in HIS head—Instead I get up and leave. I can't deal with him, not today.
