June 9, 2006
It was shortly after midnight when the pair reached their first fork in the trail. "Of fucking course…" R.J. muttered, "Well, any ideas Sam?"
Sam appraised the two options. The left path led uphill past a few craggy rocks, the right path led down into darker forests. "Right. Even if it doesn't get us where we need, uphill gives us the chance to see our surroundings and check we aren't being followed."
"Right it is." R.J. led with his portable fire flickering at the edge of his arm as they began climbing uphill.
"Alright, thanks Ellen. Send my best to Jo and everyone else." Bobby hung up the phone. Dean was anxiously pacing the floor in the living room, having made a rut between the many scattered papers and notebooks as he waited for someone to have a clue. God forgive me for trusting these nutjobs, but I'm desperate…
"Well Garth says he might've found something. Apparently there's been a bunch of weird weather around a ghost town-Cold Oak. Now, given, the area's already supremely haunted, so for it to suddenly kick into overdrive is a red flag."
"Well, it's better than nothing." Dean muttered, not too confident in the lead, "Where is Cold Oak?"
"In the middle of nowhere South Dakota. It's been abandoned for over a century and is surrounded on all sides by forest. The perfect kind of place for demons to take someone if they wanted to make sure that there wouldn't be any intervention." Bobby grimly intoned.
"As remit as I am to trust you-no offense-" Bobby shrugged, "If any of this supernatural bullshit is real you are the one who is knowledgeable." Dean concluded.
"I'll get my shit. Be ready to go in ten."
The path upward was manageable under normal circumstances, but given Sam's state he had to take quite a few breaks. It was nearly two when they reached the top. The incline leveled off, affording a wide view of the forest and valley below. In the distance Cold Oak was visible, a cluster of rectangles in the distance.
"Okay, now what?" R.J. asked, flipping out his cell phone. "I still don't have signal, and I can't see anything in terms of real civilization for miles in any direction.
Sam was about to respond as a man suddenly appeared in front of the two of them. He was of average height, wearing a dark suit, and had thick black hair. "Tsk-tsk… Now what are we doing all the way out here?"
"Shit! That's the demon guy from earlier!" R.J. exclaimed, quickly taking a step backward.
"I have a name you know." He feigned disappointment, "But I suppose that doesn't matter too much right now." He smirked, "Sammy, it's been a while…"
"I don't know who you are." Sam stepped back, bumping into R.J.
"Well, you should. After all…" His eyes flashed yellow, "…I'm kind of a big deal."
"What the fuck do you want?" R.J. whimpered.
"Well… let's see…" He started walking toward them, "I want to figure out who the vessel's going to be. And given that you two aren't playing by the rules… I have two different options." He grinned maliciously.
"What are they?" Sam coughed.
"Well, I could kill both of you-y'know disqualify you for cheating… Or, I could have a little fun."
R.J. and Sam exchanged a brief terrified look, "What's the fun option?"
"Well, given that right now the only other pepped-up kids I've got to choose from are currently about to off each other in a Mexican standoff." He paused, looking to the wind, "Make that, just offed each other in a Mexican standoff… You two are the only ones I have left to choose from."
R.J. paled as he realized what was coming next, "And you want us to fight to the death so you can have a victor."
"There ya go Randy! See, I knew you were a bright one-even if you did flunk out of community college…"
R.J. scowled, "It's R.J. and there's no way we're fighting each other."
"Really?" The demon scowled, "Then I guess I'll have to raise the stakes."
The two of them were suddenly back in the center of Cold Oak on opposite sides of what was once the town square, the decaying buildings were lined with eerie figures observing the confrontation. In the middle of the town stood the demon, holding two pieces of paper. "As I said earlier, I'm a pretty important guy. I just so happen to have the authority and connections to do about anything I please. In my hands I hold warrants for your parent's souls. I sign this and they're dead within the hour."
"No way in hell those are real." R.J. said, trying to call the demon's bluff.
"Really, do you want to make that bet?" The demon rolled up the scrolls, "Because I'm more than willing to show you how they work." He pulled out a smaller scroll, "Your sister just had twins? Right?"
R.J. eyed Sam nervously, "Sam… I'm sorry, I can't…" He ignited his forearms, "Please, I promise I'll make it quick…"
Sam backed up nervously, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK… how the hell I am going to survive against the human torch?!
The Celica whizzed behind Bobby's pickup as the two approached the ghost town. Bobby wasn't kidding, this place was in the middle of nowhere… And in case this is all some elaborate trap to kidnap and do to me whatever he's doing to Sam, please God keep us both safe…
Eventually the road became too narrow to continue on, and the two had to dismount. "It's about four miles from here. The path should lead us straight into the town." Bobby said, referencing an ancient-looking map.
"So, what about all the demons and beasties you say are around here? Everything looks normal." Dean glanced around at the near-morning forest.
Bobby rolled his eyes, "Just take this." He handed Dean a canister of salt.
"Salt?" Dean raised an incredulous eyebrow, "What am I supposed to do with this? Throw it in their eyes?"
"No ya idjit. Make a ring around yourself. You have no idea how to fight these things, but if something comes after ya a salt ring will keep you safe enough."
"Alright…"
The four miles completed just as the sun was rising. In front of them the forest ended and a town appeared, surrounded by small meadows. The buildings were mostly rotted wood structures on the verge of collapse, with the church steeple appearing to have already begun to tip as the supports had rotted out.
It was shortly after they crossed the meadow that Dean felt something was wrong. It was as if all the hair on the back of his neck had stood up at once. Before he had a chance to speak Bobby shouted.
"Get down!"
Dean ducked as Bobby shot off a round from his shotgun. Something white hissed as it disappeared from the corner of Dean's vision.
Nope. Not a ghost. Nope. Come on Dean, keep it together man…
"Dean! Make that ring!" Bobby commanded.
He complied, quickly dumping the salt around himself in a solid circle. Within seconds a dozen different spectral figures appeared, each grotesque and gaunt in their own ways.
"Bobby… I may owe you an apology." Dean stated, standing awestruck and horrified.
"As much as I love saying 'I told you so'…"Bobby pulled out an iron blade, "I think it might need to wait a few minutes."
Half an hour, nine salt rings progressively nearing the center of town, and four sessions of deep breathing later Dean and Bobby had reached the middle of town. So far they'd seen a fair share of corpses-to which Dean nearly hyperventilated-and upon seeing the center of town he quickly went into a fifth unhealthy breathing pattern. Most of the buildings here were charred, with a small fire still smoldering in the saloon. Off to the side of the square Sam was lying on the ground.
"Sammy!" Dean quickly ran over to his brother, ignoring the potential dangers that lurked in the shadows.
Sam is cool. Almost cold to the touch, which is alarming given the warm weather around them. Dean quickly checks for a pulse. He feels one, barely. When he pulls his hand back from Sam is when he realizes the blood. Sam has a sizable puddle under him. His left arm is slashed and appears partially burnt.
"Bobby! He's alive! We've gotta get him to a hospital!" Dean carefully hoisted his unconscious brother onto his shoulders in a fireman's carry.
Bobby nodded, not taking his eyes off the spot where a particularly persistent female spirit had disappeared. He backed up to Dean and guarded the brother as he carried Sam out of the forsaken town, the spirits taking note at the two leaving.
