Soul Survivors

By

Valtira

Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural, Sam or Dean Winchester, like everyone else I wish I did.

Chapter 7 Intervention

The world fell away as the brothers bristled angrily at each other. Before they could launch themselves across the table heavy hands landed on their shoulders. In an instant their demeanor changed, ready to strike as one if the intruder proved dangerous to either of them. "Easy boys," the Sheriff chuckled. "Sit down, and let me introduce myself he told them sweetly, but the iron in his voice brooked no refusal.

Dean wanted to refuse, but Sam's slap across his arm made him think better of it. His voice was calm and level giving away nothing as he spoke, "What can we do for you?"

"Now that Mr. Magnum is the million dollar question isn't it."

Sam winced but Dean didn't bat an eye.

"I'm Sheriff Mike McCarty boys and I'd like to know what your plans are for staying in out little neck of the woods? This little town has seen enough sorrow in the last couple of days. I don't need you boys stirring the pot any."

"And just to make certain we get off on the right foot Mr. Magnum, I talked to the Erickson's earlier today.

Dean grumbled beneath his breath, but it was Sam who spoke first. "We're not here to cause trouble Sheriff."

"Ok, then tell me the truth."

"It's a long story Sheriff," Dean interjected. "I'm sure you have better things to do – like catch the guy who beat Melinda Thompson."

Mike's eyes narrowed at the taunt. "How do I know that person isn't you Mr. Magnum," the sheriff snapped?

Dean's reaction was instantaneous. He flew to his feet, ready to punch out the sheriff for even thinking he was responsible.

Mike and Sam leaped to their feet, Sam to restrain his furious brother, Mike to defend himself, his hand flying to the gun at his right hip.

"I didn't hurt those kids," Dean growled dangerously."

"Dean," Sam whispered, "Sheriff is only doing his job. Ease up!"

Mike was more than a little confused. For the first time, after talking to Christy and the Erickson's he'd though he had a lead on the perp. In a second he knew he was wrong. Righteous indignation fueled his suspects rage, it could have been an act, but some sixth sense told Mike he was telling the truth.

"I'm sorry Mr. Magnum," Mike offered sarcastically. "So why don't you sit and tell me what you are doing in my town?"

"Dean, just call me Dean Sheriff," the hunter spit out.

Sam brushed a 'cool it' look at his brother before he spoke. "Look Sheriff, you just have to believe that we aren't here to hurt anyone. Like you we want to know what is happening to these kids. Something is causing their illness."

"The doctors ruled out drugs and alcohol," Mike answered, "Blood tests came back negative, they ran them twice to make sure."

"We're not talking about drugs Sheriff."

"Then what the hell…" his words trilled off to a dawning silence.

"You've got to be joking. You think some ghost or goblin is sucking the life out of these kids. Now I've heard it all," he chuckled quickly dismissing their theory.

Neither Sam nor Dean said a word, they chuckled along with Mike.

Suddenly Mike turned deadly serious and took a deep breath. "I never believed in the crap before, but after everything I've seen and heard in the last couple of years I'm willing to listen." He swiped a hand across his face, tired and worn, at twenty-nine Mike had the weight of the world riding on his shoulders. This town was depending on him and he was lost.

Trying for a little levity, he chuckled saying, "So what are you guys Ghost Hunters, Vampire slayers or something?"

"Something like that, Sam mumbled quietly.

Dean threw his brother a disgusted look, the lunk head just couldn't seem to keep up the charade. He just had to tell the truth. Dean was cynic, and knew the Sheriff wouldn't believe them. In a few seconds Dean knew he'd have to come up with another explanation.

Mike had expected them to laugh or something - anything, he hadn't expected that quiet admission.

"You're serious," he replied quietly.

"Deadly serious," Sam answered quietly.

"Damn," Mike grumbled wanting to laugh, but couldn't, for some reason they thought they were telling the truth – maybe they were delusional, he told himself as an explanation. Deciding it didn't hurt anything to listen to their story he took a deep breath. "Tell me what you know," the sheriff asked quickly.

Dean was surprised. Usually the truth was met with sarcasm, but the Sheriff seemed to take the information in stride. Well maybe not in stride, but he was giving them the benefit of the doubt. "Only if you tell us what you've discovered so far Sheriff," Dean inserted.

Mike McCarty was at his wits end, the town had lost six kids in the last three years. He was at a loss to explain what was happening to his town. He came to a quick decision and decided trusting these two young men was the right thing to do – at the moment. Something about them made him shiver. There was a darkness that clung to them, but it wasn't something evil, he sensed it. He would learn soon enough what that darkness meant.

Sam started, filling the sheriff in on what he'd found in the library. "Whatever is doing this Sheriff is somehow connected to the Grayson's."

"The Grayson's," Mike asked in confusion? "Amelia died in that crash, her parents are dead."

"Exactly," Sam answered. "Her parents were beaten to death."

The sheriff sucked in a breath at the memory.

"Did you see the Grayson's crime scene Sheriff," Dean asked cautiously.

Mike answered slowly, "Yes," pausing slightly while he drew the memory to the fore. "The bedroom and bathroom were torn apart. It looked like someone had beaten them with a baseball bat, but there was blood everywhere, on everything. The Coroner couldn't get a clear picture of what had really killed them. Nothing yet everything, I remember hearing him say. I should have seen it." Mike swore beneath his breath angry at himself for not seeing the connection.

"It was a long time ago," Dean offered.

"We need to see the coroners report," Sam stated quickly.

"Its in my office, the whole file is yours gentleman." Mike stood pulling his wallet out and thumping a twenty down on the table.

"You don't have too…" Sam told him quickly.

Dean's words were cut off as Mike growled in frustration, "If you can figure this mess out boys, I'll buy you a hundred burgers."

Dean turned to Sam with a smirking smile, 'burgers', he whispered smugly.