Rule Number 13: Never leave the Impala unlocked while going on a hunt

The vampire's head came away from its shoulders with wet schick sound as Dean's machete tore through muscle, bone and ligaments like they were made of butter.

"Sammy!" the hunter called to his sibling, unable to see the younger man but needing to make sure he was all right.

"Here!" his brother's voice cried a reply from deep inside the old farmhouse.

Dean grinned toothily and continued to slice and dice his way through the nest of bloodsuckers, adrenaline pumping through his veins and his heart pounding in response.

W

Heaving a deep breath, the hunter wiped his arm across his forehead and looked at the carnage he and his brother had wrought.

"Man, that was a workout," Dean muttered as he took in the bloodstained floor and walls, the decapitated corpses strewn around the farmhouse like props in a horror movie.

Sam nodded, his expression grim, sweat and blood dripping from his long hair.

"That's all of 'em?" Dean asked his sibling, stepping over a head no longer attached to a body.

"I think so," Sam replied and raked his bangs back from his brow with one hand, "It was a big nest."

Dean made a sound of agreement.

"Biggest I've ever seen," he added.

"Let's torch the place and then get out of here," Dean announced, "There's a long, hot shower back at the motel calling my name."

Exiting the farmhouse- careful to avoid slipping in the blood and stepping on the bodies- the brothers stepped out onto the wooden porch where they had left a can of gasoline waiting. Handing Sam his machete, Dean fished in his pocket for a book of matches.

As he waited for his sibling, Sam frowned and peered out at the field surrounding the farm. The crop, so yellowed and dry it was impossible to tell what it was, lay flat and brittle against the ground. The sky overhead grey with clouds, promising rain that would do nothing to quench the thirsty, forgotten crops.

Quickly, Dean splashed gasoline through the open doorway of the farm and onto the porch. Once that was finished, he and Sam stepped down onto the front lawn and he pulled a match from the pack, struck it and tossed it onto the porch.

Within seconds the old wood was burning, the flames traveling quickly to the interior of the building.

"C'mon Sammy," Dean took his brother's machete and held his brother's arm, guiding him down the dirt driveway to where the Impala was parked.

Sam opened his door and climbed into the passenger's seat while Dean tossed the machetes and can of gas into the trunk, slamming the lid before walking around to the front of the vehicle and climbing into the driver's seat.

Key in the ignition, Dean pulled out of the driveway, glancing in the rearview mirror to see the farmhouse now a ball of orange fire and smiled.

Sam leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes.

"Hey Sam," Dean spoke up, "Why don't you take first shower?"

The younger man didn't argue, "Okay, Dean. Thanks."

"No problem," Dean brushed off his act of generosity as though it was something he always did, "Maybe when we're done cleaning up we can get something for din-"

The elder Winchester's words were suddenly cut off when a figure rose up from the backseat of the Impala, its hands grabbing onto his sibling.

Sam let out a strangled cry as he felt strong hands claw at him, one racking its nails across his throat before finding purchase on his shoulder while the other twined its long fingers into his hair.

"SAM!" Dean shouted and slammed on the breaks, forcing the Impala to stop suddenly.

The vampire was thrown forward against the back of Sam's seat but she did not release her hold on the hunter, if anything, the jolt allowed her to tighten her grip.

Sam's eyes were wide and panicked, his hands grabbing at the vampire's fingers clamped onto his shoulder, trying to pry her away.

"Hey bitch!" Dean snarled and for a moment the vampire turned to face the older hunter.

It was a mistake she'd live to regret.

Dean slammed his fist into her nose, breaking it on contact and forcing her backwards. The vampire lost her grip on Sam's shoulder and slumped forward, barely conscious.

Well aware he didn't have much time, the elder Winchester shoved open his door and dashed around the front of the idling Impala to his brother's side, opening not Sam's door, but the rear passenger side door.

Grabbing the vampire roughly by both arms, Dean dragged her from the Impala, pausing only briefly to yank at her hand where her fingers were tangled in his brother's hair and puling out a good chunk of chestnut locks as he did so.

Sam, now freed from the vampire's grip, pushed his door open and staggered out of the car, one hand pressed against his bleeding neck.

"Make sure she doesn't get up," Dean instructed and unceremoniously dumped the vampire on the ground beside the car before grabbing his keys from the ignition and unlocking the trunk.

Sam watched as the vampire began to rouse, rising up on her hands and knees, eyes locked on his.

"Dean, hurry up!" he called as the vampire attempted to stand up.

Before the monster could attack the younger Winchester for a second time, her head was detached from her body, rolling across the dust ground to bump against Sam's boots.

"Shit," Dean growled.

"Yeah," Sam muttered.

Dean lifted his gaze to his brother's face and fear suddenly coursed icily through his body.

"She didn't bite you, did she?"

Sam shook his head, "I don't think so."

"Let me see," Dean said and stepped over the vampire's body, pulling his brother's hand away from his throat so he could assess the damage.

"Nah, just clawed you," the older brother confirmed and smiled, "We'll have to put iodine on that when we get back."

Sam wiped his bloodied hand on his blood-streaked shirt, "Good idea."

Tossing the machete back into the trunk, Dean once again closed the lid before settling into position in the driver's seat. Sam took a moment to peer into the backseat before closing the rear door.

"You coming, Sammy?"

"Yeah," the younger sibling replied and sat down beside his brother, slamming the door shut.

As Dean started the engine, eager to be off, Sam spoke.

"How did she get in?"

Dean paused, his hand still on his keys and suddenly turned an alarming shade of red.

"Dean? Are you okay?" Sam asked, concern in his voice.

"Uh…Yeah, Sammy," he coughed, "I'm fine."

The younger hunter eyed his brother suspiciously.

"I didn't lock the car," Dean admitted, "I thought it would give us a faster getaway if I didn't."

Sam said nothing for a moment.

"I didn't even think anyone would slip past us," Dean continued, "This has never happened before."

"I guess there's a first for everything," Sam muttered humorlessly.

"Next time I'll lock the car," Dean assured his brother.

"Next time you'll lock the car," Sam agreed, sighing and closed his eyes, leaning his head against the back of his seat.

Author's Note:

Thanks to mckydstarlight, jensensgirl3, whimsicalbarwench, reannablue, elliereynolds777, need2no, Jenjoremy, BranchSuper, and SamDeanLover28 for reviewing.

Please leave a review and a 'rule' if you have one! Much appreciated!