Disclaimer: Supernatural belongs to Eric Kripke. I only own my character, Mary-Elisabeth "Emmy" Winchester.
"What I don't get is why did that demon kill mom?" I wondered as I took a sip from my chocolate milkshake.
Dean and I were currently sitting outside an outdoor café. Sam was somewhere on a payphone calling god knows who. Anyway, it didn't matter, what did matter was why the demon murdered our mom.
Dean sighed, taking a sip from his black coffee before he looked away from the laptop screen, facing me. "I don't know Emmy, probably because she already got away once."
Wheels started to turn in my head. I suddenly remembered when Dad told me that our house almost burned down once. Sam had just turned six months. But fortunately they could control the flames and all the damage had luckily only been minimal.
"You mean that fire before I was born was also caused by the same demon?" I asked, expressions of shock and disbelief were written all over my face.
"Yes," Dean answered reluctantly, staring back at his research on the screen. I know he wasn't eager to tell me all these things but in my defense, he told me I could ask anything.
"But then why did he go after Mom in the first place?" I asked after a couple of seconds.
Dean closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose before opening his eyes again. "Because he wanted Sam," he started to sound aggravated.
"Sam? But Sammy was just a baby, what would a demon do with a baby?"
"I don't know Emmy!" he snapped.
"That still doesn't explain why he had to kill Mom. I mean if he wanted Sam, then what does she and Jessica have to do with it?" I started to get all worked up by all these questions. The more I started to wonder, the more I doubted things and the more I questioned them.
"Emmy, if I had known that, don't you think I would've told you already?" Dean told me, he was obviously fed up with all my questions.
"Oh like you told me about what you and Dad really do? Or how Mom and Jessica really died?" I muttered back angrily. Leaning back against my chair, I took my milkshake and started to angrily sip from the straw, looking at anything but Dean.
I could hear my brother sigh before he scooted my chair closer to him. The wind was blowing my hair in every direction and I felt Dean combing the loose strands back with his fingers. "I'm sorry, cutie pie." I kept avoiding his eyes and continued sipping my drink while fiddling with the straw at the same time. "It's just, I'm maybe as clueless as you are right now, even Dad doesn't have all the answers. But the only thing we do know with certainty is that the yellow eyed demon killed our Mom and we'll do anything to avenge her death."
After a minute, I finally looked up at him through my long eye lashes, silently accepting his apology. Dean smiled and leaned down, kissing my forehead. Maybe right now wasn't the right time to bombard him with all these questions. Maybe later I can try with Sam instead…
"Your, uh, half-caf, double vanilla latte is getting cold over here, Francis," Dean said sarcastically when Sam walked back to our table.
"Bite me." Oh someone was grumpy today.
"So, anything?" Dean asked while continuing working on the computer.
Sam shook his head, "I had them check the FBI's Missing Persons Data Bank. No John Doe's fitting Dad's description. I even ran his plates for traffic violations."
"Sam, I'm telling you, I don't think Dad wants to be found," Dean approached carefully.
Sam looked disappointed while I felt mainly hurt. Hurt that he didn't even had the audacity to just leave one message. I'm not even asking him to call or check up on us. I'm just asking for one text message to know if he's at least okay and alive.
"Check this out." Dean suddenly turned the laptop towards Sam. I was on the other side of Dean so I couldn't really see it, not like I cared in the first place, I'll probably just have to stay in the car or the motel room anyways. "It's a news item out of Planes Courier. Ankeny, Iowa. It's only about a hundred miles from here."
"The mutilated body was found near the victim's car, parked on 9 Mile Road," Sam quoted.
"Keep reading," Dean pressed, pointing at the screen.
"Authorities are unable to provide a realistic description of the killer. The sole eyewitness, whose name has been withheld, is quoted as saying the attacker was invisible," Sam continued, his eyebrows raised.
"Could be something interesting," Dean proposed with a shrug.
"Or it could be nothing at all," Sam huffed, not interested. "One freaked out witness who didn't see anything? Doesn't mean it's the Invisible Man."
"But what if it is?" Dean pushed, not giving up. "Dad would check it out."
SPN
While my brothers went off to investigate the fraternity where Rich lived, I stayed in the motel, finishing my homework. When I was done, I spent some time watching new episodes of SpongeBob. After a couple of hours I got a call from Sam saying I had to be ready to be picked up in ten minutes. I was curious, wanting to know where we were going.
I don't know what exactly I had in mind, but a church was definitely not it.
My brothers pushed me through the heavy, wooden doors of the church when I suddenly heard the doors slam behind us. I felt my cheeks burn when everyone in the church turned to look at us. The reverent stopped mid-sentence, giving us a look before he continued. "…as a community, and as a family. The loss of a young person is particularly tragic. A life unlived is the saddest of passing's." I sat down between my brothers and noticed a sandy blonde girl turning, looking at Sam. "So, please, let us pray. For peace, for guidance, and for the power to protect our children."
I bowed my head in prayer like everyone else until I noticed Dean wasn't. I elbowed him. If pastor Jim were here right now he would've given Dean a lecture. I had to hide my smirk when I remembered all those times pastor Jim told us stories from the bible and how Dean always went to great lengths to avoid those story times, but they never worked.
When the mass was over, we all went outside. My brothers walked up to the same girl from the church. We patiently waited as she hugged a girl goodbye before Sam spoke up, "Are you Lori?"
She nodded, "Yeah."
"My name is Sam. This is my brother, Dean and our little sister, Emmy." Dean gave her a small wave and I smiled politely. "We just transferred here to the university."
"I saw you inside," Lori pointed out in recognition.
"We don't wanna bother you. We just heard about what happened and..." Sam trailed off.
Dean noticed Sam was at a loss for words and decided to help him out, "We wanted to say how sorry we were."
"I kind of know what you're going through. I-I saw someone...get hurt once. It's something you don't forget," Sam sympathized. Lori nodded slightly, looking a bit uncomfortable as if she didn't really know how to respond to this. She looked up when the reverent started making his way over to us.
"Dad, um, this is Sam and Dean. They're new students. And this is their little sister, Emmy," she introduced us while Dean shook her father's hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I must say, that was an inspiring sermon," Dean praised.
"Thank you very much. It's so nice to find young people who are open to the Lord's message," the reverend sounded pleased. His eyes lit up when he looked at me, "And it absolutely warms my heart seeing kids attending my sermon," he smiled proudly at me. "Jesus loves every human being, but did you know who his favorites were?"
I nodded, clearly remembering Pastor Jim's words, "Children."
"Exactly," the reverend patted my shoulder. "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me," he quoted. "Those were Jesus' words, Mark 9:30 –37."
Dean cleared his throat, pulling the reverend's attention away from me. "Listen, uh, we're new in town," Dean grabbed my hand as he lead us away from Sam and Lori so they could talk in private. "And, uh, we were looking for a, uhm, a church group." I gave Dean the most muddled look I could muster. Was he lying to a servant of God in front of a church?
Un-be-lievable.
SPN
I trailed my fingers over the various books lined up on the shelves. I stopped when I reached the R. I let my eyes scan for Rowling until I found the books I was looking for. I read all the five Harry Potter's but I didn't have the chance to read The Half-blood Prince yet. So you can imagine how excited I got when I found a copy. Dean always used to be mad at Sam, saying it was all his fault he got me infected with his nerdyness.
I walked out of the aisle and went searching for my brothers. I looked around until I found them sitting at a table. I watched as a librarian set a few big boxes in front of them. Dean blew some dust off and coughed. The librarian walked past me when I took a chair and sat down next to Sam.
"So, this is how you spent four good years of your life, huh?" Dean said with disbelief.
"Welcome to higher education," Sam smirked. "Whatcha got there, honey?"
I looked up when I noticed Sam addressed me. I showed him the cover and wiggled my eyebrows. Sam chuckled, ruffling my hair.
"You ruined her, Sam," Dean grumbled, shaking his head.
SPN
Three hours later and we were still in the library. My brothers were busy researching while I was too entranced by the book.
"Hey, check this out," Sam suddenly said from behind us. Dean tiredly rubbed his face and stood up to go over to see what Sam was talking about. "1862. A preacher named Jacob Karns was arrested for murder. Looks like he was so angry over the red light district in town that one night he killed 13 prostitutes." Sam flicked through the files before he read, "Some of the deceased were found in their bed, sheets soaked with blood. Others suspended upside down from the limbs of trees as a warning against sins of the flesh."
Dean caught on and also read the files. He lifted up an eyebrow when he came across some other information. "Get this, the murder weapon? Looks like the preacher lost his hand in an accident. Had it replaced with a silver hook," I could hear Dean say.
"Look where all this happened," Sam pointed at something.
"9 Mile Road," Dean read out loud.
"Same place where the frat boy was killed," Sam confirmed.
"Nice job, Dr. Venkmen," Dean patted Sam's back. "Let's check it out," Dean putt the files back in the boxes while Sam gathered all the research. "You too, Hermione." He tweaked my nose as he walked behind me.
SPN
Something was wrong, I could feel it. I looked nervously at the clock, it was already past midnight and my brothers were still not back. They were planning on wrapping up the case and kill the spirit that killed Rich, Lori's boyfriend. Only they should've finished by now, or at least have called me.
I kept calling their cell phones, they both rang but my brothers just didn't pick up. I started to scroll through my contacts, searching for someone I could call to help me. Uncle Bobby.
"Y'ello," a gruff voice answered the phone.
"Uncle Bobby? It's me, Emmy."
"Emmy?" I can imagine why he sounded surprised. I haven't talked to him since the shtriga attack. "Darlin' what are you still doin' up at this hour?" he wondered worriedly.
"There's a little problem, well actually it's a big problem," I explained, distressed, thinking about my brothers who I still haven't heard of. "It's Sam and Dean."
There was a static sound as he sighed. "Oh god, what did these idjits do again," he grumbled, I could practically see him fiddling with his cap.
"I don't know. They were supposed to get rid of a spirit or something but they've been gone for five hours and they're still not back. I tried to call them but they won't pick up their phones and they promised they'd be here at 10, midnight at last, but like I said they're still not here and I'm getting worried uncle Bobby. What if something horrible happened, what if-"
"Whoa, slow down, hon," Bobby suddenly cut me off. I didn't even realize I was rambling and working myself up. "Where are you right now?"
I frantically looked around for a notepad of the motel, "Uhm, Ankeny, Iowa."
"Listen darlin', you stay in the motel room. Make sure the door and windows are salted. I'll make some phone calls to see what trouble your idiot brothers have landed themselves into again," he reassured me.
"Thanks, uncle Bobby," I smiled. "Call me if you find anything?"
"Off course I will, now do as I said and stop worryin' your pretty little head off, it'll be okay hon."
After a nerve wracking hour, uncle Bobby finally called me back. Apparently my stupid brothers got themselves caught by the police. Because of another murder in Lori's sorority and my brothers who weren't far from the crime scene, they were taken into custody. Bobby even got the chance to talk to one of my brothers and told me they left their cell phones in the Impala. Uncle Bobby reassured me that he would negotiate with the sheriff's department to let my brothers go and if all went according to plan they would be released first thing in the morning.
I felt relief flooding through me after I heard the good news. I slumped into my bed, feeling weird to spend a night alone. I couldn't help but think back to that night I got attacked. I crawled out of the bed and double checked the salt lines. I left the lamps by the beds on, and turned the volume of the TV down to the point I could still hear it but not enough to actually make out the words. I took my Harry Potter's book and crawled back under the covers. I started reading for at least another hour until the letters started to blur and fly around. Before I knew it, I fell asleep.
SPN
I got pulled out of my sleep by a buzzing sound under my pillow. I woke up groggily, blindly putting my hand under my pillow to grab my cell phone. Without checking the caller Id, I picked up.
"Emmy!?" Before I could even say hello, Dean's voice blasted through the speakers, shaking me awake.
"D'n?" my voice cracked, still heavy with sleep. I squinted my eyes and noticed the morning sun rising up. Looking at the clock hanging from the opposite wall, I could see it was only six in the morning.
"Hey, sweetheart. Are you okay? Did Bobby call you yesterday?" he asked, he sounded worried and guilty.
"I'm fine, and yeah uncle Bobby called. He told me everything that happened and I think I kinda fell asleep after that," I told him, yawning.
"Told you she was fine." I could hear Sam from somewhere in the background followed by the sound of a smack.
"Shut up, Sam!"
I giggled, Dean can be so rough and tough but deep down he was just like a mother hen worrying about her little ducks. "It's okay Dean, I'm okay, I promise. So where are you guys right now?" I asked, as I leaned against the headboard of the bed, flicking through the pages of my book I dropped next to my pillow when I fell asleep.
"We just left from the police office, we're heading off to see the new crime scene. Why don't you get some more sleep, we'll be there in two hours with some breakfast."
"Okidoki," I covered my mouth as I yawned again.
"See you later, sweetheart."
SPN
I woke up again when I felt my bed dip, a heavy weight on my side. Turning around I noticed Sam was sitting on my bed. When he noticed he woke me up, he ran a hand through my hair, patting down the strands. "'Moring, honey," he greeted with a smile, kissing my forehead.
"What time is it?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
"A little after nine," he grunted as he took off his shoes, jacket and flannel shirt.
"Where's Dean?" I scooted over against the wall, so Sam could lay down next to me.
"Showering," he let out a long, tired sigh, plopping down next to me before covering his eyes with his forearm. "There's some breakfast for you on the table."
"I'm not really hungry yet," I said, snuggling closer to my big brother. Sam wrapped his other arm around my waist, pulling me against him. I smiled, remembering how we always used to lie like this before he left for California. "Guess they don't have comfortable beds in jail?" I snickered.
"Shuddup," he shot back playfully, a smirk on his face as he pinched my side. I giggled, swatting his hand away.
"Hey, why don't you sleep in the other bed?" I suddenly asked, wondering why he left an empty bed and all the space he could've had to himself.
"'Cuz you already warmed up this one," he explained, his eyes still covered, he started to sound like he was falling asleep. "Besides, can't I cuddle with my baby sister?" I smiled at how slurred his words sounded and how funny he looked being half asleep. His fingers lazily started to play with loose strands of my hair when I settled my head on his broad chest.
After ten minutes, the bathroom door opened and Dean came out shirtless, drying his hair with a towel. There was fog following him from behind. He noticed I was awake and threw away the towel, leaving his hair all spiked in different directions. He put on a t-shirt on his way before he kissed my cheek, leaning over a sleeping Sam.
"You're not gonna sleep too are you?" I asked with a low voice as to not wake up Sam. I hate when I'm the only one awake while everyone else is asleep.
"I don't really have much choice now, do I?" Dean winked, taking a huge bite of a chocolate sprinkled donut.
"Thanks, Dean," I smiled at him and carefully slipped away from Sam's hold, getting out of bed. I sat down at the table with my oldest brother. He passed me a bottle of chocolate milk while I also took a donut.
"How's the case? What are your plans for today?" I asked while licking off the sugar from my fingers.
"Well we found who the spirit is, so Sam and I are probably gonna burn his bones tonight."
I wrinkled my nose in disgust, "You're gonna dig up a dead man?"
"Trust me, it's not as disgusting as it sounds. There's no body in it anymore, just bones," Dean shrugged, taking a sip from his coffee.
"And that's how you get rid of the spirit?" Dean nodded. "But, then where does the spirit go?"
Dean sighed, lifting up his shoulders, "As long as there's no one who gets back from wherever they go, we'll never know."
We continued finishing up our breakfast in silence until an idea popped up in my head. "Dean?"
"Yeah, sweetheart," Dean said distractedly, checking something on his phone.
"You guys are going to the graveyard later tonight, right?" I waited for him to nod. "So maybe now we can go to a hairdresser's to cut my hair?" I asked hesitantly.
That got his attention and he immediately looked up from his phone's screen. "I was hoping you'd forget by now," Dean sighed and I gave him a sheepish smile. "You absolutely sure about this?" he checked to make sure.
I nodded excitedly, "One hundred percent!"
Dean groaned, and I knew he was hoping I had changed my mind. He then took his coffee and drank it all in one gulp before he stood up, "Alright, get ready before I have second thoughts."
SPN
"So what do you think?" I slowly twirled in circles in front of Sam who sat on the bed.
After lots of persuading and coaxing with the help of the hairstylist, we finally managed to convince Dean and won him over to let my hair get a cut. Although, I think the hairdresser had something to do with it because she kept giving my brother flirty looks. Anyway I finally got what I wanted, what I've been begging for for years. My hair now reached just halfway my shoulder blades and now I also had a fringe above my eyes.
"Dude, I can't believe you actually let her cut her hair off," Sam chuckled, running a hand through my hair.
"Yeah, whatever. I already feel bad enough as it is," Dean grumbled, taking a beer from the mini fridge and opened it with the ring on his hand.
"Dad's gonna be pissed," Sam laughed, apparently finding this whole situation funny.
"Shut up, it's just hair, it's gonna grow back," Dean shot back angrily. "Besides, don't girls' hair grow faster or something like that?"
"Uh not necessarily, it actually depends from girl to girl," Sam chuckled again.
"Sam stop!" I reprimanded, smacking him on his chest. "It's not funny. Now you're making Dean regret all of this."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, honey," Sam apologized, he stopped laughing but his smile was still plastered on his face. "It's really pretty, and I mean it. You look as cute as a button," he said, leaning in to drop a kiss on my nose causing me to giggle.
SPN
Seeing as someone had to go look for the unmarked grave while the other kept an eye on Lori, Dean took it upon himself to go search for that grave, while Sam stayed with the reverend's daughter, much to Dean's dismay; he wasn't one for missing out on a college party full of, and I quote, hot college chicks.
I wrapped my jacket tighter around me against the chilling cold. I stayed close to Dean as we walked through the Old North Cemetery looking for an unmarked grave. Dean was manning the flashlight, the only sounds were our feet crushing the frozen grass. My brother suddenly stopped and I bumped against his back. Dean shot out his hand behind him to help me steady myself while he shone the light on a headstone engraved with a cross symbol.
"That's the one?" I whispered. I don't know why I whispered, I had the feeling we weren't alone. I subconsciously looked down at the ground, imagining all the dead people beneath my feet.
"Yep. Here we go." He dropped the duffel bag and took the heavy shovel, starting to dig. I looked around nervously, I had this feeling like someone would pop up any minute. And then how would you explain your brother digging up a grave.
"You want help?" I asked my brother as I perched myself on the duffel bag.
"Nah. You just stay where I can see you." Dean pointed at me before he continued digging with grunts.
After half an hour, I started yawning. I never thought this would take so long. "Dean, I'm cold," I shivered, rubbing my hands on my thighs.
My brother stopped instantly and shrugged off his leather jacket. "Here, I'm sweating like a pig anyway." I took the heavy warm jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders, the jacket was so big that it almost covered my entire small body.
"Dean, I have to confess something," I started nervously. Dean didn't look up from his digging and hummed. "I read Dad's journal."
Dean stopped and wiped his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand. He stared at me with a look I couldn't quiet read and it made me more nervous. "I know," he eventually said.
I did a double take, "You knew?" I asked, surprised. "How?"
Dean licked his bottom lip smugly. "'Cuz someone put the picture of your necklace between the pages about the werewolves."
Oh, dang it! I must've put it back too fast without looking. "So, are you mad?" I asked timidly, dreading his answer.
Dean let out a heavy breath and to my relief he shook his head no. "I'm not. 'Cuz I knew that if we never told you, you'd start looking yourself," he said before he continued digging again. "It was all just a matter of time," he grunted as he dug up some dirt. "To be honest, you lasted longer than I thought you would," he threw a wink at me together with a smile, the one that said it was okay and he wasn't mad at me.
I played with the buttons on his leather jacket, "So what's up with the necklace, huh? I know it's not just a gift from Mom."
Dean's shoulders tensed and he was biting the inside of his cheeks. I knew he was contemplating his next words. He pushed the shovel in the dirt so he could lean his forearm on the handle. "It's to protect you."
"… From what?"
Dean didn't look at me as he scratched his chin. "Everything."
I swallowed hard, wringing my fingers in anxiety. "Everything?"
"Supernatural things," he nodded, still not meeting my eyes.
"Why?" I asked, alarm and panic dripping from my voice.
This time Dean looked up to look me in the eyes, "We don't know, sweetheart."
"W-what do they want from me?"
My brother pressed his lips in a tight line, "Wish I knew."
I stayed silent, pondering over my thoughts. I thought back at the things I read in my Dad's journal, that's when I suddenly remembered something. "Dad wrote something about my soul and aura?"
Dean nodded, "He thinks it's what attracts you to these creatures. A human soul is very powerful, Emmy. It's the biggest difference between humans and monsters. They would literally kill to get one of those human souls in their hands."
"But why do they want mine? It doesn't make any sense."
Dean ran a hasty hand through his hair with a huff, "Cuz yours is special. At least, that's what Dad says."
"What makes him think that?" I asked, confused.
Dean shrugged, "He won't tell me."
Again, I was rendered into silence with million thoughts running through my head. It was a total whirlwind up there. I just couldn't wrap up my mind around this. So my Dad thinks my 'soul' is special and that's what makes monsters lure after me because they want my soul?
What!?
I fished my silver necklace from under my t-shirt and fingered it. "So this is supposed to keep the monsters away?"
"Not really. It conceals, hides your soul from everything that's supernatural," Dean explained. "That's why that Peter boy almost drowned you. He sensed your soul and tried to lure you in. If you had your necklace on, it wouldn't have even tried. "
I nodded absently in understanding, not taking my eyes off of the butterfly I was twirling between my fingers. There was a concentrated and questioning look on my face as I carefully observed the necklace. The thing looked ordinary, like it was just a random necklace you could find in any shop, not like it could ward off monsters.
I didn't like this, I didn't like this at all. Deep inside I wished I never took a look in that journal in the first place, I would've been so much better off without that information. Now I'm just constantly going to worry and wanting to know more. I never wanted my Dad so badly until now. I had so many question for him.
"Dean, I'm scared," I confessed.
"Aw, sweetheart," Dean hoisted himself out of the grave. He dusted off his hands on his jeans as he walked over to me and crouched down in front of me. "Emmy, look at me."
I reluctantly lifted up my head and was met by his green orbs , they held so much protection and conviction.
"What is it that you're afraid of?" he asked me softly as he gently brushed my bangs away from my eyes.
I lowered my eyes to his nose were I tried to count his freckles. It was too dark to distinguish them but I knew by heart were each one of them lay. "That something will take me," I whispered in confession. "And that I'll be gone from you, Sammy and Dad." Being separated from my family was my biggest fear … next to spiders and old people.
Dean's hand cupped my chin and lifted my head up so my eyes were back on his. "And you think we'll just stand by and let those sons of bitches take you from us?"
I slightly shook my head.
"Say it," Dean pressed gently.
"No," I muttered.
"Then you have nothing to be scared of, sweetheart. It's our job to protect you and I take that job very seriously, Emmy." He stroked my chin before releasing it. Instead he let his hands hang between his crouched legs. "I maybe don't say it a lot, but … I love you Emmy."
My throat suddenly tightened and I could practically feel the lump growing and my eyes stinging.
"And I'd do anything for the people I love. 'Cuz I don't know if you noticed, but I'm kinda attached to you. So I don't wanna lose you anytime soon, or ever if I have it my way," he softly chuckled and I couldn't help but crack a smile too.
I wiped at my eyes even though the tears never even got the chance to roll down my cheeks. "I love you too, Dean," I whispered causing him to smile.
"Good," he gave me a half nod before spreading his arms, "Can I get my hug now?" I grinned and threw myself in his arms, holding on tightly. "And a kiss?" he added. I giggled and complied. I felt him pick up his leather jacket that accidently fell off when I moved to hug him and he placed it back around my shoulders. He then got back to hugging me. After a minute or two we pulled away. "You okay now?" he asked me.
I nodded. "Thanks," I smiled, a little embarrassed.
"Anything for you, cutie pie," he playfully tweaked my nose.
"I thought you didn't do chick-flick moments?" I teased.
Dean laughed, standing back up, his knees cracking as he did. "Well you're not a chick, you're my baby sister. There's a difference, sweetheart," he winked at me before he got back to digging.
SPN
After another hour, my brother was finally finished. Dean wiped the dirt and sweat from his forehead. "That's it. Next time, I get to watch the cute girl's house," he grumbled. He took the shovel and slammed it down through the wooden floor. Curious, I stood up and took a look in the deep grave. I could clearly see the man's remains not only from the bones but also his clothes. I scrunched up my nose in disgust. Dean threw away his shovel and lifted himself out of the grave.
"Can you hand me my bag, Emmy." I walked over and carried the heavy duffel bag to my brother. He rummaged through it and took a salt container, a match and lighter fluid. He made sure I was standing behind him after he salted the bones and poured some gasoline.
"Goodbye, preacher." He threw the match into the grave and I peeked from under his arm, watching how the flames burned the bones into ashes.
SPN
I trailed after Dean as he made his way through the hospital. After burning the man's bones, we got back to the motel so Dean could take another shower and to catch up on some much needed sleep. But early morning we got an urgent call from our brother Sam.
Two sheriffs stopped us from going further down the hall. "No, it's alright, we're with him. He's our brother," Dean persuaded. I noticed Sam standing at the doorway of a hospital room. "Hey! Brother!" Dean yelled.
The two sheriffs turned around to take a look, seeing Sam nod at them before letting us through.
"Thanks." Dean reached behind him for my hand before he lead us to Sam who was walking towards us. "You ok?" Dean asked.
"Yeah." Poor Sam, he looked really tired and shaken up.
"What the hell happened?" Dean demanded.
"Hook Man," he answered plainly. I gasped.
"You saw him?" Dean asked, equally shocked.
Sam nodded, running a tired hand over his face. "Damn right. Why didn't you torch the bones?"
Dean and I shared a confused look. "What are you talking about, I did. You sure it's the spirit of Jacob Karns?"
"It sure as hell looked like him. And that's not all. I don't think the spirit is latching on to the reverend," Sam reasoned with a hushed tone when a couple walked past us.
"Well, yeah, the guy wouldn't send the Hook Man after himself," Dean scoffed like it was obvious.
"I think it's latching onto Lori. Last night she found out her father is having an affair with a married woman," Sam explained.
Dean pulled up his shoulders, "So what?"
"So she's upset about it," Sam argued. "She's upset about the immorality of it. She told me she was raised to believe that if you do something wrong, you get punished." That's what pastor Jim always used to tell me too.
Dean sighed, trying to understand everything. "Ok, so she's conflicted. And the spirit of Preacher Karns is latching on to repress the emotions and maybe he's doing the punishing for her, huh?" he implied.
"Right. Rich comes on too strong, Taylor tries to make her into a party girl, Dad has an affair," Sam summed up, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Remind me not to piss this girl off," Dean huffed before having a confused expression again. "But I burned those bones, I buried them in salt, ask Emmy," he said nodding in my direction.
"He's right, he did." I looked up at Sam. "And it was disgusting."
Sam sent Dean an incredulous look. "Dude, you took her to burn a dead guy's bones?"
"Hey, what else was I supposed to do?" Dean shot back with a hushed tone.
"Leave her in the car?" Sam offered with a challenging tone.
"Oh yeah, great idea Sam. And what if his spirit or something was after her?" Dean discussed. Sam just shook his head, ignoring his comment. I silently looked up at them, alternating if I should come between them or not. But then Dean spoke up again, "Anyway, that still doesn't answer my question. Why didn't that stop him?"
"You must have missed something," Sam said.
"No. I burned everything in that coffin," Dean shook his head.
A sudden expression of realization appeared on Sam's face. "Did you get the hook?"
"The hook?" Dean and I questioned at the same time.
Sam looked at us weirdly before brushing it off. "Well, it was the murder weapon, and in a way, it was part of him."
"So, like the bones, the hook is a source of his power," Dean caught on. This sounded like a perfect Disney tale.
"So if we find the hook..." Sam started with a pensive look.
"We stop the Hook Man," they said simultaneously.
I giggled, earning a weird look of my brothers. Oh how missed when they did that.
SPN
I watched boringly as my brothers were looking through some files and books in the library. I was seated next to Sam with my head on the table, facing my brothers. My left cheek felt cold and numb from lying on the table for almost an hour. I was bored, playing with my hair by blowing strands away from my face. I regretted not taking my Harry Potter book with me.
"Here's something, I think. Log book, Iowa State Penitentiary," Dean suddenly spoke up. Reading from a book he said, "Karns, Jacob. Personal affects: disposition thereof."
Sam looked up from where he was leaning on his hand. "Does it mention the hook?"
"Yeah, maybe," Dean nodded and resumed quoting, "Upon execution, all earthly items shall be remanded to the prisoner's house of worship, St. Barnabas Church."
"Isn't that where Lori's father preaches?" I questioned, recognizing the church's name. My voice sounded muffled from being so close to the table.
Dean looked up surprised, almost forgetting I was even here. I've never been so still and quiet for an hour. "Yeah," he nodded.
"Where Lori lives?" Sam asked.
"Maybe that's why the Hook Man has been haunting reverends and reverends' daughters for the past 200 years," Dean said as he continued flicking though the pages.
"Yeah, but if the hook were at the church or Lori's house, don't you think someone might've seen it? I mean, a bloodstained, silver-handled hook?" Sam urged, almost sounding desperate.
"Check the church records," Dean said.
I groaned out loud. "Dean?" I whined, stretching out his name, "I'm bored and hungry … but mostly bored."
"Emmy, we're at the library, your paradise," he spread his arms. I rolled my eyes. "Go look for a book you can read or something."
"And what about my hungry stomach?" I pouted. Sam chuckled at my expression, rubbing my back like he was being compassionate with me.
"Can't you wait for another hour, sweetheart?" Dean asked, flicking through another book.
"No. If I wait any longer I'll die." I could've easily waited another hour but dang I was bored and I was just looking for a way to get out of here.
"Well, I'm sorry then you're gonna have to die because we can't leave right now," Dean smirked at me. "Deal with it."
Is he serious? "Ooooor," I started, getting both their attention, "I could go buy something in the diner across the street?"
Dean scoffed without taking his eyes from the book, "Yeah, I'm not gonna let you wander off all alone."
"But it'll literally only take five minutes," I tried again but he just shook his head, continuing reading his stupid book. "Please?" I begged, using my puppy dog eyes and pout. I saw Sam chuckle, shaking his head. What can I say, I learned from the best. Dean could never say no to this face but apparently he knew, that's why he was purposely avoiding looking at me.
"Not gonna work, Emmy," he said, shaking his head again. I huffed, slumping down into my chair, my arms crossed over my chest. He was so overprotective sometimes, he forgot I wasn't five anymore but ten… almost ten.
I could hear Sam sigh before he reached in his pocket. He handed me ten dollars and motioned with his head for me to go. I took the money hesitantly, sending Dean a look, but he didn't notice, he was too entranced by the book he was reading. Well that's definitely a first. I looked back at Sam and he put his finger on his lips for me to be silent. I smiled, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before making my way out of the library.
"Hey, were are you going?" Dean yelled after me and I heard the librarian shush him. "Where's she going?" he asked again to Sam, lowering his voice. I could hear the scrape of his chair, like he was ready to go after me if someone didn't answer his question soon.
"Dude, relax. She just has to use the bathroom." Sam's explanation was the last thing I heard before I made my way outside.
SPN
"Alright, we can't take any chances. Anything silver goes in the fire," Dean said. It was almost midnight and I found myself standing in front of the church, rubbing my arms from the cold.
Sam nodded, "I agree. So, Lori's still at the hospital. We'll have to break in."
"Alright, take your pick," Dean told our brother.
"I'll take the house," Sam choose.
"Ok," Dean went with it although he really wanted to be the one checking the house. We watched Sam's retreating back as he made his way over to the Sorensen's house. "Hey!" Dean called him back and Sam turned around. "Stay out of her underwear drawer!" Sam rolled his eyes and left.
I looked up confused at Dean as he put his arm around my shoulder, leading me away. "Why would he check her underwear drawer?"
Dean chuckled, "It's just an inside joke."
SPN
I watched as my brother threw everything silver into the fire. We were in the basement of the St. Barnabas Church. I wanted to help but Dean wouldn't even let me get close to the fire. I mean if you drag me into the case, then at least let me do something. I might as well have stayed in the car, it wouldn't have made any difference. I looked up when I noticed Sam coming downstairs with a bag.
"I got everything that even looked silver." He handed the bag full of silver things from Lori's house to Dean. Man, I hope the Sorensen's won't be pissed.
"Better safe than sorry," Dean said before throwing everything into the fire. I watched as the silver gradually melted until we suddenly heard footsteps above us and I felt my brothers squishing me in between them before pulling me upstairs. "Move, move," Dean pushed, drawing his gun from the back of his jeans.
Once we made it upstairs, I took a sneak peek under Dean's arm. My brother lowered his gun once we noticed Lori sitting on a pew alone, crying. Sam moved from behind me and walked over to her.
"Lori?" Sam asked in his soft voice as to not scare her.
Lori looked up surprised, "What are you doing here?"
My brother ignored her question. "What is it?" he asked instead.
I almost jumped out of my skin when I felt someone's hand on my upper arm, turning me around. I let out a breath when I realized it was just my brother Dean. He crouched down in front of me, I could still hear Lori and Sam talking in the background.
"Hey, I'm just gonna double check if we covered up all the silver. Can you stay here with Sam for a while?" he questioned with a hushed voice, trying not to interrupt my brother and Lori.
"Dean, I can help," I offered.
"No, no, no. Just stay here where Sam can see you. I'll be right back okay?" he was using his just do as I say-tone again and I knew not to discuss his order. I gave him a single nod before he ruffled my hair and made his way back to the basement.
I sighed, turning around to see my brother and Lori still talking. I didn't want to intervene, I wasn't really good at comforting people, always at a loss for words. But Sam, he was like number one in that department, he always knew what to say, what people wanted to hear from him.
Instead I decided to take a seat too, a little bit further from them. I leaned forward on the chair, I intertwined my hands and placed them on the back of the seat that was in front of me. Closing my eyes, I then placed my forehead on my fist, … and I prayed. Praying my family would catch the demon that killed my mother. Praying that my mother was somewhere in heaven, happy. Praying she would look down at me and be proud of who I had become. Praying that God would protect my brothers while they're risking their lives for others. Praying for my Dad to be safe and alive. Praying for God to give me a sign if he was okay. I wondered if he missed me as much as I missed him.
I miss you so much Daddy.
A sudden noise coming from the front of the church startled me. I looked up just in time to see the candles at the altar blow out. At first I thought that this was the sign I asked from God until I heard Sam's distressed voice calling my name. I hastily stood up, about to make my way to my brother but I already felt him taking my hand.
"Come on. We gotta go." He lead us away to the basement and opened the door but a silver hook suddenly pushed through the door, almost hitting my brother. I let out a scream, frightened. "Go!" Sam broke into a run, pulling Lori and I down the aisle and into a room at the back. I screamed again when I saw the hook man following us and smashing through the glass of another door.
Sam pushed me away when he swung at him with his hook but luckily missed. I looked around trying to hide before I crawled under an old wooden desk. My body was shaking from adrenaline but mostly from fear. I watched with wide eyes as the hook man chased them around the room until he hooked Sam in the shoulder. My brother let out a cry in pain.
"Sam!" Not caring about my hiding spot anymore, I crawled over to him but I never made it when an invisible force knocked my off my feet and dragged me away from my brother and Lori.
"Emmy!" I felt my head bang against the floor and just when my brother made his way over to me, he too got dragged away. I wanted to crawl to him but somehow I found myself nailed to the wooden hard floor. I could only move my neck, which I craned only to see the hook man standing in front of Lori.
"Sam, Emmy, drop!" Dean suddenly yelled, his gun aimed at the hook man. At the distraction, I could feel the invisible hold on my body release me. Before I could jump into action, Sam's hand already grabbed my arm, pulling me over to him to cover me with his body. I flinched when I heard the gun shot. Sam got off of me just in time for me to see the hook man disappear into dust.
"I thought we got all the silver," Sam panted.
"So did I," Dean said before his gaze went over me. "Come here, sweetheart."
Sam released his hold on my hand before he questioned again, "Then why is he still here?"
"Well, maybe we missed something!" Dean snapped. I slowly stood up, almost tripping over my own feet as I made my way over to my brother. "Whoa." Dean instantly wrapped his arm around my small waist. "You okay, sweetheart?" I meekly nodded, feeling a little dizzy from the hit on the back of my head.
"Lori, where did you get that chain?" Sam suddenly asked as Dean was checking the bump on the back of my head. He let out a breath of relief when there was no blood.
"My father gave it to me," she answered, taking the necklace between her fingers. I looked down at my own silver necklace, remembering how my mother was the one who gave me the jewelry piece. I wonder if Lori's also held some power to protect her or if it was just cursed.
"Where'd your Dad get it?" Dean demanded, his arm luckily still firmly around me because I was still seeing double.
"He said it was a church heirloom, he gave it to me when I started school," she explained with a muddled expression.
"Is it silver?" Sam asked.
Lori's eyes widened in realization, "Yes!"
Sam waited no other second as he ripped the chain off from around her neck. A loud scratching sound from behind us, made us all look at the sound's origin. The hook man was making a long scratch on the wall of the hallway with its hook. I felt my breathing quickening again.
Dean's arm suddenly wrapped around my legs as he lifted me up in his arms. "Sam!" He threw him the rifle and rock salt while Sam threw him the necklace. I wrapped my arms around Dean's neck when he hurriedly ran back downstairs. Once we were in the basement, he threw the necklace into the fire. I watched at the cross pendant suddenly broke off the silver chain and melted.
We went back upstairs to check on Sam and Lori, finding them on the floor, breathless. I looked around, searching for the hook man. "Is it gone?" I whispered.
Dean looked down at me, letting out long breathe in relief. He put me back on my feet but kept his arm around my shoulder. "Yeah, he's gone," he answered giving Lori and Sam a knowing look.
SPN
I winced when the paramedic gave me an ice pack to hold against the back of my head. "There you go, sweetie," she told me with a gentle smile, I gave her a tired smile back. Getting out of the ambulance, I saw Sam's shoulder was still being bandaged while he was talking to Lori.
"How's the head, cutie pie?" I heard Dean asking me from behind. I winced again when he peeled the ice pack away to take a look at the bump himself. He let out a pained sound when he investigated it. "I don't think you're gonna be able to sleep on your back for a while."
I shrugged. "It's just a bump. It could've been worse," I commented, glancing at Sam's shoulder, remembering how the hook man just plunged his hook through his flesh. I almost winced again just thinking about it.
"Yeah, well, you shouldn't been hurt at all," Dean said, looking guilty as we walked to the Impala.
I softly smacked him on his stomach. "Stop it," I chastised with a playful smile.
Dean opened his door, motioning for me to get in before he followed me. "What?"
"Stop being so protective all the time. I'm ten, not a baby," I told him as I adjusted the ice pack on the back of the seat so I didn't had to hold it all the time.
Dean snorted. "Okay, first of all, I'm your big brother. I'm supposed to be protective, it's my job," he started, sticking up his thumb as he listed off before adding his forefinger. "Secondly, you're not ten little lady, you're nine and eight and a half months." I raised my eyebrows at his precision. "And lastly, you're always gonna be my baby, Emmy," he finished, softly kissing the top of my head, being careful of my bump.
The passenger's door creaked as it opened and Sam got in, jostling the car with the added weight. He looked regretful and a little bit in pain. He silently massaged his bandaged shoulder.
"You okay, Sam?" I asked, feeling bad for him. Sam just gave me a smile that was supposed to be reassuring but I knew it was forced.
"We could stay," Dean offered but Sam simply shook his head. I caught Dean looking through the rearview mirror. Following his gaze, I saw a sad looking Lori. … Oh. Dean shook his head in disappointment and drove away. I wrapped my arms around Sam's, leaning my head on his unwounded shoulder, trying to offer him some support and comfort. I felt my brother sigh before he placed his hand on my knee, gently squeezing it.
A/N: I probably sound like a broken record, but thank you so frikkin' much for reading my fic and taking the time to add my story to your alerts. Please don't forget to review, let me know your thoughts, questions or things you don't like :)