A/N: This letter will have two parts because of the length. Part II will be post tomorrow. Some may wonder why I use creature instead of monster in my title and that is because not all supernatural creatures are monsters. Thank you to all who are taking this journey with me. I hope you will find each one shot entertaining and exciting. Any guesses to what the creature might be? There is a hint in this part. I do like reviews if you have a moment, please leave one. NC


B

Part I

The small house they were renting didn't have air conditioning but at least there were a couple of ceiling fans and a portable fan. The air was humid and hot as a lone thunderstorm made its way through the area. A black Impala pulled up the gravel road to stop beside the house and a teenager jumped out running for the porch as the rain beat down from the heavens. A crack of thunder rumbled in the distance, the storm moving closer as a young man got out and jogged to the porch. He stopped long enough to shake the water from his jacket and hair before entering the house.

"Dean do we have any more bread?" Sam called from the small kitchen.

"Don't know; look, I gotta head back into work for a few more hours. Will you be okay here alone?" Dean asked his younger brother.

"Dude! I'm almost fifteen, I can stay by myself," Sam huffed coming from the kitchen with a plate that had celery and peanut butter and a couple slices of cheese. He sat a water on the end table and turned on the television in passing before settling on the old couch to watch one of the few channels they could pick up.

"I'll bring dinner home, any requests?"

"A salad with grilled chicken and maybe some fruit. Can you pick up a loaf of bread too?"

"You're going to turn into a salad one of these days Sammy," Dean sighed shaking his head sadly.

"I like them. They're good for you," Sam defended his choice.

"Stay inside and don't let anyone in. Where's your gun?"

"In the nightstand, you know I can't take it to school."

"Well, get it and keep it on you," Dean insisted, using his big brother voice. "I mean it Sammy; you need to protect yourself. You have my number if you need me."

"I know Dean, quit being a jerk."

"You stop being a little bitch and I will. You know we have to be careful with Dad gone." Dean looked over at his brother's pouting face before heading out the door, locking it behind him. Sometimes his brother was a pain in the ass, and Dean wanted to smack some sense into to him, but he knew it was Sam being a teenager. Instead of going through the terrible twos, Sam was going through the terrible teens.

They were lucky to have stayed in this small town as long as they had. Their Dad was letting Sam finish the school year out before they were heading out again. He was on a hunt with another hunter and wasn't sure when he would be back, so they got to stay a little longer.

Dean had dropped out of school at sixteen to start hunting full time but had gotten his GED. He worked in town at the garage part time to have money for food and other needs while their Dad was gone. John wasn't always helpful with money and Dean made sure they had enough for food even if he had to go hustle a pool game.

When their Mom had been killed by a demon when he was four, Dean had taken over raising six-month-old Sammy and became his protector, mother, father, friend and guardian. He made their father sign papers that would give him guardianship over Sam in case something happened to him when he hunted.

Both brothers knew what was out there in the dark and Dean had started hunting with his father when he turned twelve and had been doing it ever since. Sam was yet to go on his first hunt and that was fine with Dean. He tried to keep that part of their lives away from his brother. Sam was more the bookworm and had showed his ability to research cases for them. He was a natural at it and Dean was more than happy to let him carry that load. It wasn't that he couldn't do it, he just didn't like sitting around with his nose it a book. He was more an action kind of guy and didn't mind getting his hands dirty.

spn

Dean pulled the Impala up beside the garage and made a dash for the open bay where the owner was working on a car. He looked up and smiled seeing his best employee wiping the rain from his face.

"Hey Herb, how's it going?" Dean asked.

"Not bad, got two new ones over there if you want to get started."

"Let me change and I'll look at them."

"Thanks son," Herb nodded watching Dean saunter toward the back to change. He liked the boy. Dean was a hard worker and had a special touch under the hood of a car. Give him a broken engine and he'd have it running in no time. Herb swore the boy had magical hands and an ear that could hear the slightest ping or unusual noise in a running engine. He was glad of the day he walked in and asked for a job. It was money well spent since he was able to double his output and word got around quickly giving him more business.

When Dean came out, he flipped on a radio that he usually played while he worked and turned to the first car looking at the paperwork before sticking his head under the hood. Dean was in his element right now and he couldn't be happier. He was still a hunter at heart but to be elbow deep in an engine gave him a sort of peace that nothing else gave him.

spn

Sam had got all his homework done in his last period of school, so he chilled on the couch watching some talk show until he heard the rain slack and stop. It was stuffy in the house even with the fans going so he got up and went to the door. He paused with his hand on the lock hearing Dean's voice in his head to stay inside.

He went to the bedroom and got his gun, shoving it into the back of his jeans in the small of his back. Satisfied he was armed and could protect himself, Sam went back to the door and unlocked it to step out on the front porch. The air was fresh and clean smelling from the recent storm and the temperature had dropped a few degrees making it feel a little more comfortable.

He stepped from the porch and wandered down the driveway to the mailbox that was at the end of their long driveway. There were two other houses below the one they rented. One was empty with a For Rent sign, but he didn't know anyone who would want to rent it with its shape. The place was rundown, in need of a paint job, shutters hanging by one hinge, overgrown shrubs and vines crept up one side of it and the yard was knee deep with weeds and grass. It had not been taken care of over the years.

The other house an older woman lived in. He had seen her a couple of times when he took the bus home and walked by her house to his own. Her house was the total opposite of the other with the yard well kept and flowers blooming in the beds. The house was small and neat looking and inviting.

Since Dean worked near the school, most of the time he would take the bus to the garage and wait there until he got off work so they could go home. Sam checked the mailbox and found junk mail and a couple of bills with Dean's name on them. John had let Dean put his name on the rent paperwork in case anything happened while he was on a hunt so Dean could take care of it.

Sam looked in the other mailbox and removed the few envelopes to take to their neighbor so she wouldn't have to walk down to get it. He was just like that, wanting to help others. He headed back up the road, slowing at the empty house and looking it over before hurrying on up the driveway. That place had given him the creeps ever since they had moved here but he didn't know why. He always got an eerie feeling like something was off about the place but kept his thoughts to himself.

He came abreast of the other house and stopped, looking around the lot before opening the small gate that led into her yard. Sam walked down the stone walkway and up onto the small porch. He knocked on the door and stepped back away from it when it was answered so the person couldn't grab him. He looked up when the door was opened by the older woman he had seen in the yard working.

"Hello young man, can I help you?" she asked pushing open the screen door.

"I brought your mail," Sam replied holding it out to her.

"My goodness, thank you for doing that. Sometimes I don't get down there every day if my knees are aching too much. And the rain makes it worse," she told him. "My name is Grace and who might you be?"

"Sam, I live up above you with my Dad and brother."

"Oh yes, I've seen that black car your brother drives. That is one beauty and has been taken care of."

"Yes ma'am. He loves that car."

"Can I offer you some lemonade and cookies?"

Sam stepped back knowing what he had been taught and trained to do. His eyes darted around not sure what to do.

"Why don't I bag a few cookies you can take with you? I just took them from the oven so they're still warm. I've not seen anyone refuse a fresh baked cookie," she offered seeing the unsure look on his face not wanting to scare him. "Why don't you wait right here, and I'll get them." She stepped back inside and closed the door partway.

Sam fidgeted from one foot to the other knowing he would get hell from his brother if he found out he stopped by to deliver her mail. It wasn't but a few minutes before she stepped back out on the porch with a brown bag and offered it to Sam. At first Sam didn't take it, but then reached for it. He stepped back out of her reach before saying anything.

"Thanks for the cookies ma'am," Sam mumbled. "I should be going."

"It was nice to meet you Sam and you can call me Grace. Stop by anytime to see me, I'm sure I might have a cookie or piece of pie or cake you can help me eat. I always make too much for just me. If you might like to earn a little money, I could use some help around the yard and in my garden. I'm finding I'm not as young as I used to be, and these old bones seemed to ache a lot more these days."

"I'll think about it, goodbye Grace."

"You take care young man; I hope to see you again soon."

Sam nodded and stepped from the porch and walked down the walkway letting himself out the gate. He was strolling up the driveway toward the house when he heard a familiar rumble behind him and stiffened knowing he was going to get a tongue lashing from his brother. He didn't bother trying to hide or run knowing it wouldn't do any good; Dean had already seen him.

"What the hell Sammy! I told you to stay in the house," Dean growled at him as he pulled up beside him.

"I was…."

"Get in the car."

"Dean…"

"Car! Now!"

Sam hung his head and headed around the car and got in the passenger seat. He barely had the door closed when Dean pressed on the gas and sent the car on up the driveway to their house. He stopped and threw himself out of the car, his anger still showing in his body language. He carried a bag with their dinner in it inside, not bothering to look at his brother.

Sam got out slowly and followed his brother into the house putting the mail on the counter. He heard Dean in the bathroom and took a seat on a bar stool to wait on him. He wanted to get the yelling over with so they could have dinner. He was getting hungry and could smell the still warm cookies in the bag making his mouth water. He looked up when Dean stomped back into the room and picked up the white bag he had sat on the table. He moved to the counter with it and pulled out white containers dividing them between them. He sat on the other bar stool and opened his container for a bacon double cheeseburger and fries.

Sam looked at Dean's sandwich knowing what it was going to be before actually seeing it. Dean was a creature of habit and that was his number one dinner. He held his breath as he opened his own container knowing from experience that sometimes Dean didn't always get what you wanted. He had gotten used to it over the years and learned not to complain anymore. Sam sighed with relief when he saw a large salad, and some cut up chicken on top of it. He found the dressing in the bag and opened it to pour over the top. He used his fork to mix it up before taking a bite while glancing sideways at Dean seeing he was ignoring him. He continued to eat his meal letting the silence fill the room.

"Grace gave me some cookies," Sam offered once he had eaten what he wanted of his salad. He was going to keep the remainder for tomorrow.

"Who's Grace?"

"Our neighbor. I picked up her mail when I got ours and took it to her. I was trying to be nice," he shrugged not looking up as he talked.

"You shouldn't've been getting the mail in the first place Sammy. I don't like you being out alone is all. It could be dangerous, and you know it. I taught you better than that."

Sam could hear the disappointment in Dean's voice and looked at his fingers as they twisted together. "I'm sorry. It was stuffy and hot in the house. I just wanted some air," he said softly.

"Will you promise not to do it again?"

"Dean, Grace wanted to know if I could help her in the yard and garden. She said she'd pay me, but I don't want anything. I'd like to help her. She's a nice lady."

Dean looked at his brother knowing he meant well and was always wanting to help people. He watched him squirm in his seat for a moment as he contemplated his response. He knew it wasn't fair to Sammy to keep him locked up all the time while he was at work; especially since school was going to be out in a few days and he hadn't heard from Dad yet about moving on. He hoped maybe they'd stay here a little longer so he could earn some more money. He was building up a nest egg for emergencies that he kept to himself.

"Want a cookie?" Sam asked innocently giving his best puppy dog stare as he pulled a homemade cookie from the bag.

Dean accepted the cookie and took a bite arching his brows at the delicious taste. He quickly devoured the cookie and took another one. He didn't know their neighbor, but it seemed she was a good cook. He wondered if she could make pies.

"I'll go meet her and if I get a good feeling, you can help her," he finally gave in.

"Thanks Dean," Sam gushed happily as he bit into his own cookie.

"But you go nowhere else, and you will call me if anything seems off."

"I won't and I will. Maybe we could go down tomorrow and see her. I'll be out of school in a few days and I won't have anything to do while you're at work unless Dad calls for some research. Have you heard from him?"

"We'll see when I get home from work," Dean said. He only worked half a day on Saturday and was off on Sunday and half a day on Wednesday. "And no, Dad hasn't called me lately. Do you have homework for the weekend?"

"Not really. I'm doing some extra credit for one class, but it won't take too long."

"Good, you can clean the house tomorrow before I get home."

"We'll need to do some laundry over the weekend. I'm out of clean clothes."

"Alright, maybe we'll eat out tomorrow and go to the laundry mat."

"I want to go to the used bookstore. There's some reading I want to do this summer for school."

"Sammy, you don't have to be a nerd all the time. Give yourself a break once and a while."

"I like to read," he shrugged, finishing his cookie.

"I know bro. Yeah, we can go to the bookstore while we're in town. Why don't you do a supply list and we'll do that too?"

"Okay. I'll do it now." Sam got up and put his leftover salad in the fridge and grabbed a pad and pen to start a list. He knew they had to be thrifty and watch their money until their father got back. He still tried to eat healthy and they didn't cook much but he made do. He opened cabinets looking at what was left in them as he scribbled items down on the pad.

spn

Sam opened the gate to Grace's yard and waited for Dean to enter before closing it. He was excited as they walked up the pathway to the front door. Dean knocked loudly and waited for an answer. When no one came, he looked to Sam and saw the sad look on his face.

"Let's walk around back. Didn't you say she had a garden?"

"Yes, maybe she's working in it," he nodded quickly stepping back off the porch and moving around the side of the house to the backyard. He smiled when he saw Grace among the rows of her garden. "Hello, Grace," Sam called to her, waving to get her attention.

"Sam, hello," she greeted them moving from the garden toward them.

"Grace, this is Dean, my brother."

"So, you're the one driving that dreamy car. I got to say she is a beauty," Grace said. She removed her gloves and shook Dean's hand. "My Stan would have loved it. He liked to restore classic cars in his spare time. You two would have gotten alone very well. I lost him five years ago this August."

Dean smiled at her and already liked her. "Nice to meet you ma'am and sorry for your loss."

"Oh, please call me Grace young man. Would you like to come in for a glass of homemade lemonade?" she asked wiping the sweat from her face and catching stray strands of hair and pushing it behind her ears.

"That'd be nice Grace," Dean said.

The brothers followed Grace to her backdoor and inside to her kitchen. It was light and warm and inviting. They took a seat at the table while she washed her hands and then pulled three glasses from a cabinet and opened the fridge for a jug of lemonade. After pouring three glasses, she carried them to the table passing them to the boys.

"Sammy said you might need some help in your yard and garden," Dean started before sipping on the tart drink. It was very good, not too sweet and not too tart.

"Yes, theses old bones make it hard to do most of my work anymore. Don't get old young man, it sucks."

Dean laughed at her remark. "This is good lemonade and I know what you mean."

"It wouldn't be anything too hard, mowing the grass, weeding, helping with the garden. I'd pay him of course. I can't have him do it for free that wouldn't be right."

"You really don't have to do that. I'm sure Sammy would do it for free to have something to do now that school will be out."

"Wonderful," she clapped happily looking to Sam who smiled shyly.

"I could come by tomorrow afternoon and see what you need done," he offered.

"Why don't you two come down for Sunday lunch? I love to cook and haven't had anyone to cook for in a long time except when I makes dishes for elderly church friends in the area."

"That would be too much trouble."

"Absolutely not Dean. Cooking for two more won't bother me. I'll add another potato to the pot," she laughed. "Do you like pie? I could make an apple pie for dessert."

"Did you say pie?" Dean asked perking up. She had just won him over.

"In my day I might have won a few blue ribbons for my pies."

"Then I've got to try them."

"Why don't you come on down around noon. I should be home from church by eleven and that will give me time to finish cooking the meal."

"Alright. We'll see you tomorrow for lunch," Dean replied. "We should go, thanks for the lemonade."

"It was good Grace, thanks," Sam said. He got up and waited as Grace led them to the front door and opened it so they could leave. "I'll see you tomorrow Dean, Sam."

"Goodbye Grace," Sam replied.

They headed to the Impala and drove on to their house. Sam grabbed two bags of clean clothes while Dean looped bags onto his hands to take inside. He went back out to get the last few and started putting away the food. Sam took their clothes to their bedroom and sorted them, stacking Dean's clothes on his bed. They had to share a bedroom, but at least they had separate beds this time. He put his clothes away in one of the dressers and hung some up in the closet before heading to the kitchen.

"Thanks Dean, I like Grace and won't mind helping her," Sam told him as he took a seat at the counter.

"She did seem like a nice lady. Just don't let your guard down no matter what."

"I'll be careful, I promise. I knew when she said pie, she had you," Sam teased to get a dish towel thrown at him. "It's true, pie's your weakness and you know it. If it's as good as her cookies, then we're in for a good meal."

spn

Dean checked Sam over and patted down his hair with a hand he licked, to get slapped by Sam as he sputtered his disgust.

"Just want you to look decent dude," Dean said.

"I'm fine, quit fussing," Sam complained. "C'mon, we need to head on down to Grace's so we're not late."

"We've got plenty of time Sammy, the walk isn't that long."

"I know, but it's always good to be a little early." Sam picked up a bouquet of wildflowers he had picked that morning to take to Grace. He wanted to make a good impression because she was being so nice to them. They usually didn't make any friends because they didn't stay in one place long enough and this was a treat for him.

They walked down the road to Grace's house to have Sunday lunch with her. Dean knew this went against everything their Dad taught them about leaving the house and talking to strangers. He had a small vial of holy water that he was going to slip into Grace's drink and a silver ring for when he shook her hand to be sure she was human. Wasn't much he could do to see her blood and was going to have to let that one slide unless he saw a need for it. He couldn't just ask her to prick her finger or anything. Dean could sense Sam's excitement because he was sure it made him feel older, plus it let him help someone.

Sam knocked on the door and waited for Grace to answer it. He checked the wildflowers once again in his hand and hoped she liked them. The click of the lock being turned caught his attention and he looked with expectation waiting for the door to open.

"Right on time I see, come on in boys. I've almost got lunch ready," Grace greeted them.

"These are for you," Sam offered holding out his gift to her.

"Why Sam, honey, they are beautiful. And wildflowers are my favorite. Why don't we go on into the kitchen and I'll put these in some water? They will make a nice addition to the table."

"Something sure smells good ma'am," Dean commented taking in the aromas in the kitchen.

"Now Dean, please call me Grace, we're friends. I never thought to ask if there was anything either of you didn't like. I made lasagna, salad, garlic bread, iced tea and apple pie for dessert."

"That sounds great Grace, let me get the drinks for you. Sammy set the table," Dean offered when he saw dishes stacked on the table ready. He went to the fridge freezer and got out an ice tray to fill the glasses and looked in the fridge for the tea. Dean glanced at Grace who was busy at the stove and pulled out the vial and poured the holy water in one glass. He filled it with tea and took it to the table getting a bitch face from Sam who saw what he did. Dean gave him a no nonsense look and went back for the other two glasses.

"I have ranch, Italian, or French dressings for the salad. I hope you like one of those."

"Ranch is fine," Sam answered as he sat the silverware next to the plates.

"Alright you two, have a seat and I'll get things on the table."

"I can help with that," Dean offered moving to take a bowl of salad from her and sit it on the table.

Grace put a large pan of lasagna in the middle of the table and a basket of garlic bread. She put some fresh grated Parmesan cheese beside the dishes and took a seat.

"Alright boys; dig in don't be bashful. There's plenty for seconds but be sure to save some room for a slice of pie. It'll be done if a few minutes."

"Sammy, hand me your plate," Dean told him as Sam filled a bowl with salad. He cut a chunk of the lasagna and placed it on Sam's plate along with a slice of bread. He watched Grace sip her tea, waiting to see if there was going to be any reaction and let out the breath he was holding when nothing happened.

"Would you mind honey, you're doing a good job at serving it," Grace said.

"Of course, no problem." Dean served her and then himself, taking a couple slices of bread. He frowned at Sam when he offered him salad like it was poison and cut into his lasagna and took a bite. "Oh my god Grace, this is amazing!" Dean moaned with delight. He wasn't lying either, this was really the best he had ever eaten.

"Dean's right, this is so good," Sam agreed. "Everything is."

"Why thank you boys, you're making my head swell. It's been a while since I've had anyone to cook for and I am a bit rusty."

"If this is rusty, I can't wait to taste something when you're at your peak. I bet you could cook circles around anyone else. I'd marry you in a second."

"Oh, Dean, if I was fifty years younger, I might take you up on that," she laughed heartily patting his arm.

Sam snickered behind his napkin as Dean ate the attention up. He perked up and smiled broadly thinking she had to be a looker in her younger years and wasn't bad now. They talked about random things as the meal was finished.

"Are you ready for pie or would you like to wait a bit?" Grace asked them. "I have ice cream if you'd like some on it."

"My mouth's already watering in anticipation," Dean said rubbing his hands together. "Can I help?"

"No, you sit right there. You're my guest."

"Make mine a small piece," Sam said.

"At least let me get these plates out of the way," Dean told her stacking the plates and moving them to the sink to be washed. He poured two cups of coffee and refilled Sam's glass with tea before sitting back down.

Grace sat a dessert plate in front of each brother and went back for her own before sitting down.

"Oh, Grace, I think you have outdone yourself," Dean cooed to her after the first large bite. He cut off another bite and hummed in delight as he chewed. "Mmm… so good," he mumbled.

"Dean, swallow before talking," Sam whispered to Dean. "Manners."

"That's okay Sam, Dean's enjoying his food," Grace said.

"Since you did all the cooking, we'll do the dishes for you."

"That's okay; I can get them later."

"Nope, I insist. You cooked a fantastic meal for us, we can wash the dishes. Right Sammy?"

"Yes. You were kind enough to feed us, the least we can do is the dishes," Sam agreed.

They finished their pie and Sam went to the sink to start water for the dishes and Dean cleared the table and wiped it off.

Grace got out plastic containers to pack food for the boys to take home with them. She had a feeling their cooking was pretty basic. She had learned their mother had died when Sam was six months old and it was just them and their father now. It seemed he was away a lot with his job leaving the boys to fend for themselves. Maybe she could help with that now that she knew.

"I packed you two some dinner for tonight since I can't eat it all and there's plenty left."

"Thanks Grace, it will not go to waste that's for sure."

"When you get done, why don't we go relax in the family room?" she asked.

"That's fine. It won't take us long to get these done," Dean replied. "So…Where do they go?" he asked stacking the clean, dried plates by the sink.

"Cabinet to your right there and glasses in next one down."

"Got it." Dean put away the dishes and glasses while Sam let the water out and wiped down the sinks and counters.

The brothers washed and dried their hands before following Grace to the family room and took a seat on the couch.

"Do you boys like to watch sports? Racing? I'm sure there's something on it being a Sunday afternoon." Grace went to the television and turned it on searching the channels until she came across a NASCAR race. "Will this do?"

"That's fine," Dean said settling back on the couch.

"Mind if I look at your books Grace?" Sam asked seeing a large selection of books lining one wall of the room.

"Why of course dear, help yourself. If you would like to borrow any be my guest. Stan and I both were avid readers, especially after retiring."

"Thanks," Sam said. He got up and moved to the bookcase letting his fingers track over the spines of the books. He pulled one out and read the inside cover. Thinking it sounded interesting, he took a seat in the corner and began to read the book, ignoring the others.

"I see your brother enjoys a good book."

"Yeah, he's kind of a nerd," Dean chuckled seeing Sam engrossed in the book.

"So, what do you do Dean?"

"I work at the garage in town with Herb fixing cars."

"Herb's a good person to work for."

"He is. How long were you and your husband married?" Dean noticed photos scattered around the room of Grace and a handsome man in different stages of their lives.

"We met in college and it would have been fifty years the beginning of next year."

"Wow, it looks like you had a fulfilling life with him."

"We did, we traveled during the summer months when I wasn't teaching."

"Kids?"

"Three, two boys and a girl. They've all moved away now and have families and lives of their own. I go visit on holidays and we chat on the phone."

What did you and your husband do before retiring?"

"Stan was in finance and I was a teacher for twenty years."

"Nice. Sammy will be out of school in a couple of days so he can come down and help you out. He may be small, but he's tough."

"I'm sure he'll do just fine. When is your Dad coming home?"

"Not sure, sometimes his job takes longer than expected. We'll probably be leaving when he gets back."

"Sounds like you move around a lot. Guess that can be hard on you and Sam."

"We make do," Dean shrugged looking away at the television not wanting to talk about it.

Grace saw Dean put up his walls and knew that was a touchy subject and didn't ask about it again. They watched most of the race until Dean decided they should head home. Grace let Sam take the book he was reading, and Sam promised to come down on Wednesday morning when he got out of school and start helping her in the yard.

spn

Dean was heating their dinner and Sam turned on the television so they could watch it while they ate. He took his plate and sat on the couch as the local news came. A few words from the announcer caught his attention and he looked up with interest.

"Check this out Dean," Sam said.

'The medical community is at a loss over the strange cases that are suddenly popping up in the community. People are being brought into the emergency room barely conscious with no signs of trauma. The symptoms come on quickly; tired, weak, listless, until they lapse into a coma. There have been eight confirmed cases in the past week…'

"Does that sound weird to you?" he asked looking to his brother.

"You think it could be something supernatural?"

"It does sort of sound like something for us."

"I'll see what I can find out in town tomorrow."

"Alright, I'll check online while I'm at school. There won't be much going on since there's only two days left and one of those is a half day. I've done all the required work already."

"Alright. It's probably nothing, so don't worry about it."

Sam couldn't help but worry. If a supernatural monster was in this town that meant people, he knew could be in danger. Herb, Grace, his teachers, and others. It made it easier to deal with the monsters when the victims were strangers and he didn't feel a connection to them.

After settling down in an overstuffed chair by the window, Sam began to read the book that Grace had let him borrow. When he zoned out, getting lost in a book, everything else was shut out. He didn't hear the steady drone of the television that Dean was watching, or the questions Dean asked. He was lost in the words, lost in another world where he could pretend things were different. He could have another life, be like other people. He wasn't moving around from one town to the next as his father took on hunts.

He hated being the new kid at school all the time. Sometimes he wouldn't even be in a school but for a couple of weeks before he was pulled out and they moved on again. If he was really lucky, John would rent a place for a month or two and use it as home base so the boys could attend school and he could hunt. That was the case here. They had been here five weeks now and he hoped they stayed at least part of the summer now that he had a job working for Grace.

Dean could see it on his face when Sam didn't answer his question and he looked toward him. Sam was engrossed in the book he was reading and had shut the outside world out. Dean had seen him do this his whole life and didn't think anything of it. It was Sam's way of coping, he knew that. He still remembered the night that Sam read John's journal and found out what he really did and what was out there in the dark.

He fingered the necklace hanging around his neck and rubbed the funky head. Sam had given it to him that night because he was pissed at their Dad for lying to him and he hadn't shown for Christmas once again. Dean had put it on and hadn't taken it off since. His little brother was a genius, he was sure of that and didn't need any testing to prove it. He could see it every time he did research or worked out a problem on a hunt or could see the logical thing to do and not go in half-cocked. He didn't tell him enough, but he was proud of his little brother.

TBC