Title: Moonstar
Chapter 6: Surprise
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. Get no money, only pleasure. Welcome to the world thru my eyes.
Summary: You know what it's about or you wouldn't be reading chapter 6.
A/N: Hand claps for JJ Phoenix who recognized the location of this story and knew the real name of the hotel and town! Also the other reviewers who thought they knew where this was, especially the one who googled, "hotel, morgue in basement" LOL. See, I wasn't lying. It really exists! Ta so much to everyone who is reviewing this story. Your comments on my writing style make me feel all warm and toasty Also ta to everyone who wished me not to die. Welcome new readers! Thrilled and flattered to meet you!
Dean guided the car a few more feet off the road and came to a stop, getting out to have a better look. He heard Sam's door open and close as Sam joined him .
The Moonstar may have been a faded jewel but you could still see her former magnificence even with scaffolding covering her exterior and various trucks and equipment marring her grounds.
She loomed five stories high, balconies and cupolas, leaning this way and that, sprinkling her exterior with seeming carelessness. Long narrow windows glared into the parking lot below. Dean frowned looking up at them, finding the blackness behind the glass unnerving. Her high pitched roof line sported long fingers of black wrought iron fretwork reaching into the cloudy sky. A wide veranda with a curved staircase like a tongue curled from the mouth of the entrance to the worn driveway. She was massive, sold granite, easily perched on the highest point around, dominating everything around her, growing straight out of the ground in haughty grandeur.
Despite the beauty of the location and the architectural wonder of the building itself, Dean found the air of the place oddly unsettling. There was a sensation of coldness, watchfulness, as if the building had taken notice of them. Notice of him. He tried to shake the feeling off, knowing it was silly.
There was a small parking area to the west and unkempt gardens wandered about the grounds, overrun still with weeds and unwelcome invaders. As they walked closer you could see the ground falling away at the sides and back and more buildings dotting the mountainsides around her, clinging precariously. The narrow strip of road slid drunkenly around the side and disappeared in the trees behind the structure. Dean thought he saw a bell tower just below.
Dean whistled. "Man. This place is kinda creepy. This Wilkins guy has his work cut out for him." He glanced at Sam who was smiling open mouthed, studying the granite façade.
Sam's eyes cut toward Dean. "It's beautiful," he commented.
Dean made a face and rubbed his arms. It was starting to get dark and the air was cooling off. "Yeah, well , each to his own, I guess. But it's sure as hell big." He shoved his hands in his pockets and followed Sam as he moved forward.
Sam wandered ahead, stumbling in the loose gravel, still looking up at the huge building. "It's gonna be pretty impressive when they get finished with it. We should come back and check it out." They walked past the scaffolding fastened to the front of the building, a few of the workmen giving them sidelong glances, a lot of them checking out Dean's Impala. They were packing away tools, obviously quitting for the day
"Yeah, maybe next Halloween," Dean commented under his breath. He wrinkled his nose and coughed. There was a strange scent in the air that was getting stronger the closer he got to the hotel. He looked over at Sam. "Man, what's that smell?"
Sam sniffed audibly. "I don't smell anything. What's it smell like?"
Dean shrugged. "I dunno, kinda sweet, but not in a nice way." He rolled his shoulders under his jacket and rubbed under his nose. They went up the stairs and into the lobby. The smell was much stronger in here, almost overpowering. Dean actually snorted to try to get rid of the odor in his nose and started breathing through his mouth.
"Maybe it's paint or something," Sam offered. "I can't smell anything but dust. Wow." he added as he took in the lobby. Even in the fading light, it was still impressive. The room wasn't large but still managed to appear massive. Heavily carved wooden panels encircled the room, along with a huge marble topped counter at one end. A monstrous stone fireplace sat to their right that stretched all the way to the top of the eighteen foot ceiling. The floors were granite. Double glass doors across from them opened outward into a narrow garden with another set of stone steps vanishing into the depths where the ground fell away.
Outside Sam could see the edge of what looked like a pool off to the left. Bags of concrete and stacks of wood and stone were everywhere. More scaffolding was mounted around the room. A wide staircase with a very low railing doubled back on itself on the far right and climbed toward the next floor. Closer inspection revealed it also went down another floor. The doors to an elevator were situated next to it. Hallways ran to the right and left off the lobby.
They were startled when a heavy set man about their dad's age, dressed in jeans and a paint splattered shirt came out from a room behind the counter. He wore glasses over bright blue eyes and his brows were drawn together over them.
"I'm sorry. This is a closed construction site. No unauthorized persons allowed." He moved toward them with a herding gesture clearly intended to make them leave.
Sam held up his hand, "We're looking for David Wilkins, "
The man blinked. "I'm David Wilkins, who are you?" He removed his glasses, rubbed his nose and slid them back on.
Sam smiled and reached out to shake. "I'm Sam Winchester. This is my brother, Dean." He gestured at Dean who was standing to the side with a sour expression on his face.
David's face took on a look of such relief it was startling. He grasped Sam's hand like a lost brother and pumped it enthusiastically. "God, I'm so glad you're here! It's great to meet you!" He turned and offered his hand to Dean. Dean smiled slightly and took his hand, widening his eyes at Sam.
"Sorry about a minute ago." He apologized. "We have a big problem with sightseers. We don't want anyone to get hurt and we don't need people just wandering around. Did you just get here?" He laughed. "That was stupid question. " He gestured them over to a pile of concrete bags. "Sit down for a minute, so we can talk." He looked at Dean quizzically. "You okay?"
Dean jerked. "Yeah," he waved his hand. "This smell's kinda gettin' to me." He walked over to the concrete and sat down opposite Sam.
David frowned. "What smell?" He looked around sniffing. "You don't smell smoke or anything do you?"
Dean shook his head, puzzled. "You can't smell that?" Sam and David traded looks and then shook their heads. Dean pressed his fingertips to his forehead. "Hell, maybe it's just me." He finally said to himself.
Sam spoke to David but watched Dean. "If you don't mind my asking, where do you know our Dad from?"
David laughed. "He never told you guys about me? Man, I haven't seen you boys since Dean was what? Maybe four? You'd just been born." He gestured at Sam. "You boys grew into a good looking pair. Your dad must be real proud."
The brothers exchanged glances. Dean lifted one shoulder in a shrug.
"I introduced you dad to your mother." David went on. Sam and Dean both looked stunned. David's eyes had faded into memory as he spoke. "It was kind of a blind date. I knew your dad from the marines and my date knew your mom so we each brought them along to meet." He shrugged, "The rest is history. I didn't even know they got married until I came through town a few years later and called your dad." His face sobered and he studied both young men for a minute. "You're dad's a good man. I was really sorry to hear what happened to Mary-- your mother. I know it must have been hard on all of you."
Sam bit his lip and shot Dean a look but Dean was staring at the floor. "Thanks," Sam said softly. The silence dragged on uncomfortably. They certainly understood now, what John Winchester, and they, owed this man.
Sam straightened and looked at David. "This is quite a place. So, tell us what's been going on around here. " He forced a stiff smile.
"Yeah, thanks, I'm real proud of her." It showed in his eyes as he looked around the grand room. "What exactly do you know about the hotel? I'm assuming you did a little research before you agreed to take this job." David wiped his hands on his jeans.
Sam nodded. "Checked out the history, local stories, enough to kind of know what's supposed to have happened here in the past. What kind of stuff have you been seeing?"
David was silent for a moment, appearing to collect his thoughts before he spoke. "We've had complaints from the workers about tools and equipment missing. I'd write that off to vandalism but what tools are found later are in such weird places it's kinda hard."
"Like where?" Dean asked, leaning closer. The smell hadn't gotten any worse but it wasn't sitting any better with him. Sam was glad he was interacting at least.
David lifted his eyebrows. "We were missing a sledge hammer for two days. When we found it, it was dangling from a weather vane on the highest part of the roof. That weather vane is fifteen feet tall." He shook his head and went on. "Voices from nowhere, some of the men have reported being pushed or have had things thrown at them. Last week, Brad, the rock laying foreman, one of his guys fell off the scaffolding and broke his leg." David lowered his voice. "He swears he was pushed. By a woman." His mouth tightened. "Who came out of the wall."
He laughed, but not like it was funny. Sam and Dean said nothing. "I know this place is supposed to be haunted. Frankly, that's one of the reason's I bought it. But, before, there was just odd little things, funny noises, maybe you thought you saw something out of the corner of you eye." He glanced back at Dean. "Sometimes, funny smells."
Dean grimaced, shoving his hands deeper in his pockets.
"It's an old building, there's a lot of history, that kind of stuff's not that surprising. But it's been getting worse and I can't afford to have people getting hurt or not showing up to work. I've got to get this place finished in time for the opening in March. That may seem like a long time, but trust me, even if we were 100 on schedule, which we aren't, it would still be touch and go."
Frowning, Sam cocked his head. "You said 'before'….before what? Did something happen?"
David moved his hands in a shrug. "Something's always happening, we tear stuff down, we rebuild it. But…" He massaged the back of his neck.
"But what?" Sam invited.
"The really weird stuff started when we started working in the governor's suite, after we found the passageway." Dean and Sam exchanged a look. David made a face before he went on.
"It leads all through the hotel, with exits at different points, all the way down to the basement. The original plans say nothing about it. I had heard that Dr. Becker had such a thing built but until we stumbled on it, I didn't believe it. It was just part of the legend."
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Look, maybe you should take a look around, kind of see for yourself. My wife can give you the tour. She knows the history better than I do," he stood, followed by Sam and Dean. "We can fix you up with a room here. We aren't open for business of course but it's handier to have some livable rooms here. My wife and I have been sleeping here when we aren't off on business about the hotel and a few others from time to time depending on what being worked on." He swept his hand toward the town below the hotel.
"Pretty much everything around here is within walking distance if it's in the old part of town. A lot of walking up and down but it toughens your legs." He grinned. "Or if you'd prefer, we can book a couple of rooms at the Spring Park. It's not fancy but the rooms are clean and it's a neat old building. Five stories and every one of them is on a ground floor." He laughed at Dean's squinted look of disbelief .
"How is that possible?" Sam said, laughing.
David winked. "You'll see. Let me get Linda. I'll be right back. Oh, you may want to just move your car into the parking area on the west side of the hotel. There's not much parking room downtown, I'm sure you've already noticed how twisty and narrow the streets are."
Sam nodded as Dean rolled his eyes. "We did notice."
Dean gestured at Sam.. "Let's go move the car and then we can have a look around. Be right back" He started toward the exit, anything to get into the fresh air again. His head was buzzing.
"I can't believe you can't smell that!" he exclaimed to Sam as they trotted down the wide steps. He coughed and cleared his throat several times.
"Dean, I didn't smell anything! We gotta go back in, if it's that bad—"
"It's fine, I just need some air." Dean walked up to the Impala and unlocked it, sliding in.
Sam got into the passenger side. It took a few seconds for Sam to realize Dean had been turning the key and nothing was happening. Not only did the engine not growl to life it didn't even attempt a gasp. Absolute and total silence.
"What the hell?" Dean tried it again. Nothing. He popped the hood and got out, leaning over the engine. Sam joined him, but as Sam's knowledge of mechanics would have fit in a pin hole and still left room to drive the Impala through the various things Dean was doing were a mystery to him. "Try it." Dean ordered, arm buried up to the elbow in the engine.
Sam obligingly got in and turned the key. Nada. The only sound was Dean swearing.
"Again." Dean called. Less than nada. "SHIT! It was fine when we pulled up!"
"Maybe the alternator went out or something." Sam leaned out the window. He ducked back in when he was blasted by Dean's exasperated gaze.
"You don't even know what a fucking alternator is!" Dean yelled.
"Ok, fine. It won't start. Let's just push it where he said to park it and leave it in the shade. Maybe it'll start later. There's nothing we can do right now." Sam had a point but whether or not Dean would choose to see it was another matter. Sam couldn't see Dean around the hood but after a moment, it slammed down.
"Fine! Take it out of gear." Dean went to the back of the car and started pushing while Sam steered. The parking area was about a hundred feet away and Dean wanted it away from the building so no stray stonework would chance to fall on it. He wasn't happy until it was tucked safely under the trees in the shade.
Muttering to himself as he and Sam went back to the hotel, Dean paused at the foot of the stairs, scenting the air. The smell was still there but had faded in intensity. Still high on the gag meter, but he was fairly sure he could at least tolerate it. Maybe it was him. He'd probably caught bird flu from that damned kid and weird smells were one of the symptoms.
"You didn't catch bird flu." Sam snorted. "Stop muttering to yourself."
"Stop listening when no ones talking to you!" Dean retorted indignantly.
I was gonna wait to post this yet but I can't stand it. Hopefully I didn't take liberties with John Winchester. I don't think they've ever mentioned how he and Mary met, so I figured what the hell. Darkness is about to descend……