Chapter 2: Stars Common

Dean pulled into a parking lot next the Main Street Cafe. He looked over at Sam and saw that once more he was looking around and admiring everything. Dean had to admit, the small town was beautiful. Trees of all colors were everywhere, as were pumpkins and decorations for Halloween.

There was a small white chapel church across the street. Just down the block was city hall. The intersection had several antique stores along with the usual tourist attractions that small towns survived on. There was the Star Fudge and Taffy House, the General Store, a Country Store, Betty's Quilts and Fine Linens, along with a small arcade. Actually, Dean was rather hoping they could find and excuse to go into the arcade.

They went in the café and were seated by a pleasant looking woman. Even though she was too old for Dean he still flirted and charmed her anyway as she gave them the menus and listed the specials.

"This place is nice," Sam commented.

"Yeah, if you like this kind of thing." Dean knew Sam hoped to live this kind of life some day. Quiet town, pretty wife, 2.5 kids and a dog named Rover. Yep, Sam had the white picket fence dream and Dean honestly hoped his brother could have that one day. One day in the far distant future. Truth was, Dean was always a little nervous when they found themselves someplace Sam really liked. He was always afraid that Sam would decide to stay.

He thought that was going to happen when they saved Laurie from the Hookman. He saw the way Sam looked at Laurie, and one would have to be blind not to see how Laurie had felt about Sam. Dean had even offered to stay there longer. Sam would never know how relieved he had been when he shook his head no.

Dean wasn't ready to lose his brother again. Losing Sam the first time had broke his heart. Sam teased Dean for being antisocial, and he guessed it was true, but as long as he had his baby brother it didn't matter. Sam didn't realize that protecting him and looking after him had been Dean's whole life. Sam would never know how much his big brother loved him.

"Hi, I'm Patty. Can I take your order?"

"Hi," Sam said, "I'd like to get the turkey and stuffing with mashed potatoes."

"Soup or Salad? We've got chicken noodle or bean and ham."

"Um, I'll have the chicken soup."

"Okay, and what would you like?"

"I'll have a double cheese burger, chili fries, and a chocolate shake."

"Got it," Patty said and walked off to start their order.

"You know you don't have to worry about the job killing you. You're going to die from high cholesterol or a heart attack first."

"We all gotta go somehow," Dean laughed. He looked around the café and realized the place was dead. He looked out the window to the street beyond and realized the same thing. Today was Saturday. It was autumn time. Where were the tourists? Where were the town's people? Where were the kids running back and forth?

"Have you noticed we're the only people here?" Dean asked.

"Yeah, I have."

"There's also no one outside," Dean pointed out.

"Small town," Sam said. "Three murders in a place this size is a big deal. Maybe everyone is staying home."

Dean nodded in agreement. Patty came back and set down Sam's soup, a coke, and Dean's chocolate shake.

"Where is everyone?" Dean asked. "Is there a big town bonfire or something going on somewhere?"

"I wish," Patty said. "The truth is, people are scared. In the past couple of weeks three people have been murdered. Grisly things they were. Those boys had their heads cut right off their bodies. The town council is in an uproar. This time of year business should be booming, but with all this, well, it's going to be lean times ahead."

"Who was killed?" Sam asked gently, trying not to sound too morbid.

"Well, Jim Roberts, he owned the auto repair shop just outside of town, he was killed…as was Brian Dupree. He worked for Jim and was dating Sarah Beth, Jim's younger sister.

"Were they killed on the same night?" Sam continued.

"No. Jim was killed first, about two weeks ago, and then poor Brian got it just a couple of days ago. It's a real shame. A lot of people around here really liked them. They were good people, didn't deserve what they got."

"What about the other guy?" Dean asked. "Didn't you say there were three."

"Oh, yes. His name was Jacob Rains. He was the first to die. Not too many people around here will miss him much. He was an awful man, just mean to the core."

"Why?" Sam inquired. "I mean, what did he do?"

"Well, he's been fired from almost every place in this town. He was always stealing from who ever he worked for. Then last year the Miller's had their barn burned down. People say Jacob did it because Molly, their daughter, refused to date him. Jacob had fallen hard for her."

Dean loved how people from small towns loved to talk. It made his job so much easier. "So did this Jacob hang out with Jim and Brian?"

"Lord no, they wouldn't have wasted their time on the likes of him. I know Jacob was flirting with Sarah Beth a little while back, but Brian nipped that in the bud real fast."

"How?" Sam was starting to see a connection here. One look at Dean and he knew his brother was also connecting the dots.

"Oh, he just told Jacob to back off or he'd put him in a hospital," Patty said with a small laugh and a wave of her hand. "Well, I best go check on your food. If you need anything just let me know."

"Thanks, we'll do that," Dean said, giving his most charming smile. As soon as she was out of ear shot he looked to Sam. "We need to pay a visit to Sarah Beth Roberts."

"I agree. Everything that happened seems to come back to her."

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Dean knocked lightly on Sarah Beth's door. It had only taken Sam a few minutes to get the address off the internet.

The door opened but it wasn't a girl who said, "May I help you?" Standing at the door was a man who resembled a professional wrestler. He was as tall as Sam and as built as a football player.

"Hi," Dean started. "We're here to see Sarah."

"Who the hell are you?" the giant asked.

"Uh, I'm Dean Winters and this is Sam Haskle. We're reporters looking into the bizarre incidents that have been happening in your town."

"Yeah, well you can get the hell out of here. Sarah doesn't want to talk to you or any other reporters so stop hounding her."

"And just who are you?" Dean asked.

"None of your damn business!" With that the door was slammed in their faces.

"Well, that went well," Sam said as they walked down the stairs. "Now what?"

"Now we wait. We need to talk to Sarah. She's bound to leave her house eventually. When she does we'll question her then."

The two staked out Sarah's house for the next three hours. The sun was getting low in the sky when something finally happened. The big burly guy left the house and climbed into a big new pickup truck. He sent gravel and dirt flying as he raced from the driveway.

"Do we risk knocking on the door?" Sam asked. "We still don't know if she's alone."

Dean didn't get the chance to answer. Sarah stepped outside and headed for her car. Sam saw that she was very pretty. She was in her early twenties and had long brown hair that was pulled into a neat ponytail. From this distance he couldn't see if she had make-up on, but she had a nice figure.

She got into an old Dodge Neon and left her driveway. Dean carefully followed her down several winding country roads, making sure not to get to close to spook her, yet not getting too far behind and risk losing her.

Finally she turned into a cemetery. Dean also turned in and slowed to a crawl. He watched as she parked her car a little ways ahead of them. Dean went ahead and parked his car where they were.

"Let's leave the car here," Dean said. "I really don't want to spook this girl. We need her help." Sam nodded.

They got out of their car and began to walk towards Sarah Beth. Now that the sun was starting to set the air was growing colder and Sam wished he had a heavier coat. He pulled his jacket tighter around him and followed behind Dean.

Long shadows were cast by the blowing trees. Leaves rustled as they blew across the ground. They got closer to Sarah and saw her literally lying on top of a freshly filled grave crying her eyes out.

"Dean, stay here," Sam suddenly said.

"What?"

"Give me a minute," Sam said. He continued towards Sarah until he was finally standing right next to her. She was so lost in her grief that she didn't even notice his presence. Sam got down on one knee and called her name softly.

"Ahh!" Sarah gasped and sat bolt upright. "Who are you?"

"Don't be afraid. I'm not here to hurt you. My name is Sam."

"You're…you're that reporter. The one Tom ran off earlier."

"Yes, I am. I understand you don't want to talk to reporters, but I'm really here just to help. I understand how you feel. My girlfriend Jessica was murdered about five months ago and I'm still trying to learn how to go on. I think I can help you. I also think if you help me we might be able to find out what or who did this."

Sarah stared at him for a moment, tying to see if she believed him or not. She found herself looking into his sad puppy eyes and she felt she could believe this stranger, trust him even.

"What do you want to know?" she asked.

"Everything you can tell us."

"Us?"

"Yes, my brother Dean is over there. Will you talk to us?"

"Only if you swear you will believe me."

"I swear."