Thanks for the reviews. I hope you like the story. I'm going on vacation for a few days and will post the next chapter probably on Wednesday.

Snow Beast

Chapter two

Two days later

They pulled up at the pick up spot for the ride up to the ski lodge and were surprised to see they were the only ones waiting. They figured the recent disappearances must have scared people off. The only way to reach the lodge was by Snowcat, a large tractor like vehicle which was the only thing that could get through the heavy snow. When it arrived they threw their ski equipment on it and jumped on board. They were told the ride would take a little over an hour so Dean decided he might as well question the driver about the disappearances on the ride up to the lodge.

"Hey, what's this I heard about people going missing up here?"

"People go missing up here all the time, its dangerous country. They stray from the marked trails and get lost, then end up falling off the cliffs and get buried by the snow." The driver looked over at Dean. "The snow falls fast up here, it can bury you in minutes."

"But three people in the last week from the same lodge, don't you think that's kind of strange?"

"It happens…"

"Could there be any other reason why these people vanished?" Sam asked.

"None that I can think of. … People get cocky out here, they think they're a better skier then they really are and take chances."

"I heard they never found the bodies."

"That's true, not a one."

"Isn't that a little strange?"

"Well…it's a big area and dangerous. The bodies will turn up eventually, probably in the spring when the snow melts."

"We uh….we heard stories about some kind of creature out here that's snatching people off the slopes."

The man gave a nervous laugh.

"You know how people are….they like to start stories to scare people."

Dean glanced at Sam then leaned forward.

"So then you never saw anything unusual up here?...No strange footprints, no odd odor…?"

"Well…I did see some weird footprints one time but…the snow's always changing up here…you know melting and refreezing, it does strange things to footprints. A kid's footprint can look like an adult's within a few minutes."

"Where did you see the footprints?" Sam asked.

The driver looked back and forth between the two brothers.

"Who are you guys? You seem more interested in these stupid stories then in where the best slopes are…. What are you, reporters?"

"No we're not reporters, just curious."

"Well I saw the prints near the advanced ski runs, right near where we think the people disappeared. Those areas are clearly marked dangerous because they lead to the cliffs and dangerous drop off areas. But of course you always have some jerk that thinks he's better then everyone and can ski that area."

Dean glanced over at Sam and swallowed hard as he sat back in his seat. He knew his brother was looking forward to the slopes but he wasn't. And more important he didn't know if he could handle the advanced course. He knew Sam could and that worried him. He didn't want his brother going off on his own trying to find this creature without him. Somehow he'd have to keep up with Sam, or break a leg trying. He looked out the window of the Snowcat and wished they had found something else to hunt. Sam looked over at Dean and could tell something was bothering him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Dean I'm not blind, I can see there's something wrong, what is it?"

"It's just …well I haven't skied for years…and I never really got into it the way you did…"

"Hey, you'll be fine. It'll come back to you." Dean didn't seem convinced. "Hey I'll tell you what." Sam said. "Maybe when we get there you can rent a snowmobile and I'll ski. That way we can cover more area. Hey maybe I can lure this thing out and we can get a good look at it"

"We stick together on this Sam or we don't do it." There was no way Dean was going to be riding around on a snow mobile while Sam was zig zagging between trees acting as prey.

"Okay, okay." Sam was taken back a little by Dean's tone. "I just thought maybe I could lure this thing out and get a look at it and see what we're dealing with."

"That's what I'm afraid of Sam. You know damn well I can't keep up with you on skis, and I don't want you on those advanced slopes without back up. Plus you know they won't allow snowmobiles on the ski slopes, they have their own course for them."

"Dean I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself."

"I already said no Sam, end of story."

"Hey, you're my brother not my father so don't you go ordering me around."

"Yeah, and you don't listen to him either." Dean snapped back.

"Dad's not always right Dean. Oh sure, he's had more experience then either of us but he's not always right. Why you can't see that I'll never know."

"And you know everything tough guy? Big college boy not afraid of anything."

"No, I never said that. I'm afraid of a lot of things. It's just that you and dad both think you can just order me around and that I'm suppose to jump when you do. Well it ain't happening Dean."

Dean shook his head and looked back out the window. He didn't feel like arguing, it never got them anywhere.

They rode the rest of the way in silence, both feeling bad about jumping on the other but neither one wanting to be the first to apologize.

TBC