A/N: I don't own the characters or the show Supernatural, and I'm using great self control not to read the spoilers for next season. Don't know how long I can hold on, though :)
A/N 2: Um, sorry about the wait, I went away for awhile and didn't get a chance to write, and then got busy catching up :) Thanks again to Beautiful Ally, rozzy07, pmsdevil01, talon81, pandora jazz, Raven524, Ghostwriter, and carocali for your reviews!
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The brothers drove back to the park, where things were once again serene. After filling their own packs with supplies from the trunk, they were walking past the welcome center when the kindly park official came bustling out, holding up a hand to get them to stop. Exchanging looks, they waited as he came up to them.
"Hello, you're looking better," he said to Dean, who nodded and pasted a smile on his face.
"And who's this?" the official asked as he glanced up at Sam.
"This is my brother, I found him, so you can, uh, call off the search." Dean said, looking at the man apologetically.
"Hi, I'm Sam, and thanks for helping my brother," Sam said as he shook hands with the park official.
"Not a problem and I'm glad you're safe. What a coincidence, the other missing hikers were found as well. They turned up out of nowhere, safe and sound, well a little dehydrated but otherwise fine."
"That's interesting, did they remember anything?" Sam asked.
"Why, that is the strangest thing. They remember hiking and falling into a hole and then waking up near the stream a short distance from here. The days they were missing were a complete blank, just like the other hikers' stories have been."
"That is strange," Dean said, and then added, "Well thanks for your help, my brother lost his cell phone and we're just going to go look for it. Bye!"
He started forward, Sam following but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. The park official looked at him worriedly.
"Just be careful, okay? There's been an increase in the poaching problem here, especially of the bear population, although there aren't that many bears in the park anymore and some tourists claim to have been accidentally shot at, though there was no proof so it hasn't reached the papers thank goodness. Say, didn't your brother say you were attacked by a bear?" the official added, addressing Sam.
"Um yeah, but I must have aggravated it somehow, anyway it let me go and I made my way back no problem." Sam said quickly, embellishing the truth. He didn't want the bear to get in trouble for being possessed.
"Well, that's good news at least. Would you boys like me to come with you and look for your phone? It would be no problem and I'd feel better than letting you go out there alone again, we're thinking of closing the park to tourists for awhile to upgrade some safety features. I'd prefer a pristine atmosphere but not if people are going to get hurt." the man said.
"Well, that's a nice offer but we'd hate to put you to any trouble. We'll be in the park and out before you know it, and will check back here on the way to our car, how about that?" Dean hurriedly said, not wanting the kindly older gentleman anywhere near them when they were busy burning bones.
"I suppose that's all right then, but do check back here, okay? I'd hate to call off the search and then put it back on again. The others haven't even arrived yet today to look for you; they had no success yesterday and are getting a late start."
"Sure, no problem," Sam said, glad that there were currently no search parties that he and Dean would have to dodge as they did their work.
"Well then, good luck and I expect to be seeing you soon," the official said, finally walking away and back to the welcome center.
Dean sighed in relief and continued forward, saying "Thought that guy would never leave us alone. Don't think he'd appreciate another bonfire in his park."
"He was just concerned. And what he said bothers me. Dean, those bear cubs were killed by a poacher. What if he's still out here somewhere? I don't want him to hurt the bear." Sam stated.
"From what you told me of your dream that mama bear scared the poacher and made him run away. Those guys are cowards, no way is he back here." Dean said confidently.
"Maybe not, but apparently they're having a real problem. We should be on our guard." Sam replied, looking around alertly.
"No sweat, like I told the guy, we get there, burn the bones, dispel the ghost and maybe find your phone on the way back. In and out."
"I hope you're right," Sam muttered as they walked deeper into the park, heading back towards what Sam hoped was the site of the burned down cabin where the ghost's bones were located.
He and Dean had spent time looking over a map of the area, pinpointing where the museum's display bodies had been found and then following a line back into the park to where Sam roughly thought the ghost might have come from. The bear's den was along that path and Sam figured that must have been how the two grieving mothers had met. He shouldered his pack and trekked on next to his brother, glad that they were both feeling better. He was even able to walk well on his ankle, thanks to the painkillers he'd taken earlier.
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On the phone in his office, the kindly park official didn't notice the old pickup drive into the parking lot, a tall bearded stranger with a hat getting out and lugging a long bag with him as he furtively looked around and then strode quickly into the park.
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Sorry for the shortness, but it's the filler chapter on the way to more action :) I also needed some inspiration so I watched a 2005 movie called "A Bear Named Winnie". It's the true story behind the inspiration for the "Winnie the Pooh" stories by A.A. Milne, and it's a cute movie if you have nothing to do one afternoon. It does have some war scenes, though. Thanks for reading, and have a great day :)