Ellen's message was short and to the point: get the hell outta there. John didn't stop to question what that meant. He simply told Dean to pack up their stuff and got them the hell outta town. Sammy didn't understand what was going on but helped Dean get his few toys and things into a suitcase without making too much of a fuss.
Not knowing what he was running from made deciding on where to go difficult. The only place he could think of that might be safe was Elkins' place. He didn't stop until he reached Colorado. Daniel was standing on his porch when John pulled up. That he didn't look surprised to see them too John that whatever was going on, he knew about it.
"Why don't you boys go and play?" John suggested as he stepped from the car and nodded to Daniel. "Daniel and I need to talk."
He didn't have to tell Sammy twice. He hollered and whooped as he tore off towards the trees. Dean followed after his brother at a more sedate pace. John watched him sweep the perimeter, body taut and alert, just the way he showed him.
As proud as it made him to see Dean using the things he taught him, a part of him also died over him having to use it. He should be a normal kid, John thought as he joined Daniel on the porch. He should be running around and hollering at the top of his lungs. Or digging in the dirt with his bare hands for worms or other bugs like Sammy.
"That boy is sure on pins and needles." Daniel indicated for him to follow him inside the house. "Got a pretty damn good reason to be, honestly."
John's eyebrows forked as he followed Daniel into the kitchen.
"Why?" he asked. "What's going on?"
"Haven't you heard?"
"Heard about what?"
"A hunter by the name of Singer dropped in at the roadhouse a few days ago." Daniel grabbed two mugs from the counter and filled them with coffee. He passed one to John. "Did a job up around where you were living with the boys."
"Yeah?" John accepted the mug with a nod. "What was the job?"
"Seems like some people had gone missing." Daniel poured milk into his mug. "Singer thought it was the work of a shapeshifter or a rugaru."
John swallowed a mouthful of the coffee as he digested that information. None of it sounded out of the ordinary. Just a regular hunt. It didn't explain why Ellen sent him that note.
"What's this got to do with me and the boys?"
"Well." Daniel leaned against the counter, mug in hand. "Seems like it might have been something else killing these folk."
"What?"
"A ghoul."
"A ghoul?" John set his mug down. "Are you sure?"
"Well, you tell me." Daniel picked up a newspaper tossed on one corner of the counter and handed it to him. "You recognize the woman in that picture?"
The blood drained from John's face as he stared at the paper. The woman who smiled back at him was the same one that he wanted to throttle less than sixteen hours ago.
"That's Dean's teacher," he finally managed to croak. "Mrs. Crenshaw."
A/N: Hello, all! Hope this finds you well!
I'd like to thank Kathy, Sharzdah, and umbrella0326 for their lovely reviews! Your support is greatly appreciated!