Chapter Three – Welcome to Wendy Falls
The drive had been a long one. Sam had to suffer the heavy metal music blasting through his ears and feeling the seats vibrate along with the screaming. Dean acted as if he was calmly listening to classical music.
They had seen the 'Welcome to Charlotte' sign about half an hour ago. Sam sat patiently in the passenger seat gazing at the large city.
It reminded him of Atlanta and Chicago. But the city seemed more peaceful. Less dangerous, in a way. Their buildings were less gray and had more color. Especially with Christmas just around the corner, red and green reefs with bright gold bows were hung over the doors of corporate buildings. Malls had great, giant Christmas trees that could be seen from the outside. Charlotte had the regular, winter weather. It was about twenty degrees outside, but it felt colder along with the wind.
More than likely, it would not be a normal Christmas for Sam. The last four Christmases had been spent with Jessica. The first one they had just been friends. But the next three involved the young couple happily standing underneath mistletoe.
But there would be no mistletoe this year. No Jessica.
Sam's first Christmas without her.
He remembered the vision of her standing in a white, flowing dress. It had been part of him letting go of her. It was also him giving up the burden of thinking it was his fault.
The young Winchester thought about his brother. Had Dean had decent Christmases? Sam knew that since he was eighteen Dean was mostly out on the road with their father.
He went back to one Christmas when he was sixteen. Sam had spent it with Amy and her family. Dean and John were out after a poltergeist. Sam had been sitting by the window, wishing his father and brother would come. But they never did. Granted, it had been a great Christmas. Amy had spoiled him rotten. It was nice that she was attended the university close to home in Lawrence. She had been like a sister to him. She made all the holidays and special occasions wonderful each time. Especially when Sam was usually left alone.
At least this Christmas would consist of his brother. Amy too.
But still.
No Jessica.
O.O.O.O.O.
She wasn't on the ceiling. She was standing right there in front of him.
Sam sat up in the bed. He had just come back from looking for his father with Dean. Sam remembered the image…Jessica had been on the ceiling…but…she wasn't now…she was standing right there in front of the bed…
Her silver nightgown was drenched in blood near her belly. Her golden hair seemed pale along with her skin. Her eyes were sunken in and gray.
"Sam…" she whispered hoarsely.
"Jessica…" Sam cried. He couldn't tell if he was screaming or not.
Before he could reach out to her, her body exploded into flames.
O.O.O.O.O.
Dean checked the map that was held in his hand while the other kept a grip on the steering wheel.
Sam was asleep, his head against the window.
Just fifteen minutes, Sammy…Dean thought. The hotel that Amy meant for them to meet at was marked.
Wendy Falls seemed like a decent area. It was a small town but it still had the city-feeling to it. People were greeting each other out of stores and cars were quickly making their way home and attempting to skip traffic.
His tired hazel eyes looked at Sam. He was squirming slightly in his seat.
"Hey," Dean called gently, his hand – with the map – reached over and slapped his brother's shoulder.
Sam awoke quickly, blinking his eyes and taking a deep breath.
"You okay, Sammy?" Dean asked gently. It had been a while since Sam had had a nightmare like this.
"I'm f-fine," Sam coughed. He looked around and noted, "We're in Wendy Falls."
"Yeah…" Dean replied slowly. Had it been about Jessica?
"Look, umm," Dean continued, "this Oakland hotel is about ten minutes away. We'll be there soon. Sit tight."
Sam nodded slowly and mumbled, "'Kay."
O.O.O.O.O.
The Oakland Hotel had been envisioned as a regular hotel that would have ridiculous Christmas decorations such as broken lights that only flashed one green or blue light and a reef that was crooked.
It was a five-star hotel. It reminded the guys of the Biltmore Estate.
It was made of beige stucco and on all six floors there was a beautiful reef on each window and gold or silver tinsel wrapped around the elegant balconies. The front entrance consisted of five different sets of black-framed glass doors and there were bellhops in front of each waiting patiently for arriving guests.
Sam and Dean, both wearing their rugged clothing, each carried a duffel bag that didn't include much but a few articles of clothing. And their gun.
"Is this the right place?" Sam asked, unsure.
Dean cocked his head and bit his lip. "If it is…I don't mind sleeping in a bed without a cockroach as its occupant. C'mon, lets check it out…"
O.O.O.O.O.
The inner hall was like a ballroom. A great Christmas tree reached the top floor's ceiling and was underneath a flamboyant chandelier. The floors were beige and white marble. The check-in desk to the right looked like bank tellers. About twelve people sat in their separate rectangular desks, checking in people.
Dean let out an impressed whistle as he looked at the grand staircase and the six different elevators – each with a reef by the buttons.
Sam and Dean walked in unison to one of the check-in desks.
A woman with her curly red hair in a bun and smiled – revealing a set of large, white teeth.
"Welcome to the Oakland Hotel, checkin' in?" the woman asked kindly.
Sam smiled and said unsure, "Umm, I'm Sam Winchester and this is my brother Dean…we're checking in…?"
The woman typed something at the computer by her desk. She nodded approvingly and reached into a drawer beside her. She pulled out two white cards with a black band. Each card had a similar room number.
"Well boys, you've been expected…Miss Cromwell told us earlier this morning you two would show up…here are your room keys…you're in Room 207-third floor" She handed them the two cards "Your room is conjoining with Miss Cromwell's. If you need anything, call room service. It is on her tab. Enjoy your stay at the Oakland Hotel."
Dean, staring strangely at his card key, looked up and nodded, "Thanks."
O.O.O.O.O.
The third floor had three separate corridors and hallways each with the doors spread apart. The walls were painted white and lovely Christmas decorations were hung all around. The reds and greens of the decorations really brought out the Christmasy feeling.
Dean and Sam looked at each door and finally came to Room 207.
Hesitant at first, Dean slipped his card into the card key detector. The green light flashed on.
Sam reached over and turned the gold handle.
They swung the door opened and allowed it to stay that way. Both men stared into the large room.
"Are we in the penthouse?" Dean coughed.
They walked inside, both dropping their duffel bags by the door.
Dean closed it behind them as they made their way out of the main foray.
Two queen-size beds, a mini-fridge, a mini-bar, a mini-kitchen, a large T.V. and stereo set, a balcony, two large drawers, a fireplace and a beautiful Christmas tree occupied the room.
"Remind me to marry Amy," Sam said slowly in a dreamy way.
"Yeah, me too…" Dean said in awe.
The room was perfect.
The Christmas tree and the other decorations in the room were set up nicely. The beds even had dark red comforters and green-covered mints on the white pillows.
Dean threw off his leather jacket and went to the first bed. He fell back and his legs dangled off the side.
"Mmm," Dean whispered, "this is the way to go."
Sam turned to his right and saw another door – not the door to the bathroom – but a regular beige door with a white note taped to it. The door was obviously the connection door with the next hotel room – Amy's.
He reached for it and pulled it off. Sam's eyes read the lines slowly and he read aloud:
"'Merry (early) Christmas Sam and Dean,
I'm glad you guys came. Sorry I couldn't be more detailed on exactly why. I am at an art conference at the nearby community college. I will be back tonight around nine. Make yourselves at home and I'll explain things later. I can't wait to see you guys! xoxoxoxo
-Amy-"
Sam smiled down at the note and gently placed it by a round white table by Dean's bed.
"Gotta love that girl," Dean sighed, his eyes already closed and preparing for bed.
"I think we should see her now," Sam observed.
"Now?" Dean whined. "It's six…she'll be back in like three hours…"
Sam threw a daring glance at his older brother. "You really want to wait three hours to see her?"
Dean, letting out a small grunt, sat up slowly in his bed and sighed.
"You're driving."
O.O.O.O.O.
The Hartsfield Community College was fifteen minutes away.
Dean was already fast asleep, his head leaning against the black leather cushion of the car.
Sam thought of Jessica. The nightmares had been gone for some time…
Jessica…
But the nightmare was different. Sam wasn't replaying the memory. She wasn't on the ceiling. Did this mean anything?
O.O.O.O.O.
The black car pulled in a crowded parking lot with a large sign with bold letters: HARTSFIELD COLLEGE.
Sam reached over and slapped Dean across his arm.
He awoke quickly and jumped in alarm. His eyes scanned the area and Dean let out an annoyed yawn.
"Hit me again, I'll kill ya," Dean warned.
O.O.O.O.O.
The college was relatively small. It looked more like a high school than anything else.
It was a large, rectangular building that had a clock tower in the very center of it. It's courtyard had thin, low, cut-green grass. It had an inner courtyard, allowing the school to form a square shape.
The lights were on within the school, and of course Christmas decorations were obvious to the eye.
Dean and Sam walked toward the entrance. One clear-glass door was opened and a large group of people were already seen inside.
"Great, I already see old people…" Dean moaned.
O.O.O.O.O.
"And it smells like old people…" Dean cringed.
Dean and Sam stood inside the main entrance of the college. The entire hallway was filled with adults in their thirties and older. Tables were set up along the walls – books, dissertations, and textbooks were being sold.
The older professors talked amongst themselves. Sam noticed a large auditorium at the end of the hall, emptying itself of its visitors. More professors came out of the theatre-like room.
Everyone had a name tag and the name of the university they were from.
"Well, it shouldn't be hard finding her," Dean cocked his head, "just look for the one who looks like she could be their kid."
Sam, being tall enough, was able to see above many of the heads of the older adults.
"I don't see her…" Sam shrugged. "Let's check it out."
The two pushed past some groups gently and Sam apologized as he bumped into an old lady.
The professors were talking – mostly about art – and the conditions of universities these days.
O.O.O.O.O.
Dean, giving a fake smile to an older gentlemen he had bumped to, tapped Sam on the shoulder and shook his head.
"We haven't seen her," Dean bit his lip, "maybe she left early."
"Wait, I think that's her," Sam smiled, pointing his finger ahead.
Sure enough, Dean and Sam were looking at the back of a young woman. She had long brown hair and wore a long black trench coat. The young professor was talking with an older couple.
The two walked quickly at the sight of her. Dean and Sam, stopped directly behind her, and Dean tapped the woman's shoulder gently.
She turned around.
She must have been in her early forties. The woman had wrinkles underneath her eyes and she wore glasses with red frames.
"Yes?" the woman asked.
"Oh, sorry," Sam said sheepishly, "we thought you were someone else…"
The woman gave Dean and Sam each a devilish glare. "Well, I really don't mind…" she whispered slyly. Her smile revealed white teeth stained with red lipstick.
Dean suddenly felt sick.
"Umm, we need to go and find our friend," Dean choked out. He nudged Sam's shoulder and the two turned back around.
"Well, that was…gross…" Dean shook his shoulders.
"Still not showing respect to your elders?" a voice laughed behind them.
Sam and Dean looked at each other for a moment and slowly turned back around.
Her hair had been cut; it was now beneath her chin and it was cut to encircle her face. Instead of her hair being the familiar brown, it now had streaks of two different shades of red-maroon and red wine. Brown eyes glimmered at them and her pink, glossy lips were smiling. She wore tight jeans, black boots, and a rough-looking brown leather jacket that had a high collar; the jacket was tight around her and it formed along her slender features. The white lamented card clipped to the pocket of her jacket read: Amy Cromwell, Professor of Art History, Northwestern University IL.
Sam was the first to move forward and wrap his arms around her. He scooped the young woman in his arms and held her tight.
Amy was laughing and giggling at the embrace. She was so happy to be in her friend's arms.
The two pulled away quickly and Sam eyed Amy up and down.
"You look amazing!" Sam exclaimed happily. "Man, look at you…!"
Amy imitated a curtsy and smiled. She touched her short hair at the ends and bit her lip. "It looks good?"
Smiling, Sam nodded and touched Amy's face. He kissed the top of her head, like he usually did, and laughed, "It looks fantastic. You're even more beautiful than the last time I saw you – if that's possible-"
"Sam…" Amy laughed.
She turned slightly and stared up at Dean. Her smile seemed to grow smaller, but it still revealed the joy she felt on seeing him.
He barely had time to open up his arms before Amy ran up to him and she collided against his chest. Dean held Amy in his arms and once again had her off the floor by a couple of inches.
Her hair still smelled of vanilla and strawberries.
The two pulled away shortly and Dean gave her a cocky grin. "I miss the long hair…"
Amy shrugged with a smile.
Grinning in his debonair way, Dean replied, "But this looks good on you too."
Amy took a step back and stared at Sam and Dean closely.
"You boys look great too," Amy noted, "no new scars or hideous disfigurements. I trust you guys have been far from harm since the last time we saw each other."
"No angry Egyptian princesses," Sam grinned.
"Yeah, ya know, a coupla crazies from an asylum…no biggy," Dean smiled.
"And evil bugs."
"And I got possessed."
"We'll explain the rest to you later…" Sam laughed.
Amy smiled widely and slapped her hands together. "Well, I'm glad you guys came. C'mon, let's get out of here…"
"I thought you don't get out of here until nine…" Sam asked.
"So I'm skipping, not like I haven't done it before," Amy grinned, giving Dean a quick wink.
The three walked together through the large crowd and found themselves exiting the college.
O.O.O.O.O.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! Glad people are checking in on my "series."
Spuffyshipper: I really like that idea about presenting a story in my "series" that involves Dean, Sam, and Amy going into the past and dealing with their younger-selves. Interesting…I'll definitely keep that in mind…I hope you don't mind if I turn that into an actual story for the Third Part.
Thanks to all who have been reading!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Reviews/Feedback REALLY appreciated!