Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…just having fun!
Den of Thieves
Chapter 5 – Comparing Notes
Sam woke up slowly. From the position of the sun in the window he guessed that he slept for most of the day. He stretched and groaned as his bruises were letting him know that he wasn't 100 percent yet. Sam sat up and took a look around the room…he saw Dean's jacket on the end of the daybed…but there was no sign of Dean.
"Hey sleepy head" came a cheery voice, followed by a grinning Dean. Dean had a tray of food in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. "Here you go bro' time to eat up, then you can take a shower…you know that "Ode de Fish" cologne you're wearing won't get you any chicks!"
Sam grinned and eagerly took the tray and cup of coffee. "So, what time is it anyway?" Sam asked as he took a large bite of the sandwich, washing it down with a large sip of coffee.
"Only 4:00 in the afternoon…Doc says that you should stay here and rest for one more night and then we can hit the road."
"Hit the road…why the rush Dean…I thought you wanted to commune with nature for a few days?"
Dean looked away briefly and shrugged as he went to sit on the other bed. "You know I hate camping…I was just doing it to yank your chain for awhile."
Sam looked thoughtfully at his brother…he knew that Dean was hiding something from him. "So, Dean…when are we going to start researching what is going on up there?"
"What do you mean, you were a little clumsy and fell into the river and other than a few missing items…what is there to investigate?"
Sam looked at Dean and shook his head "Dean…Dean…what did you find out about the area? I know that look, you are trying to protect me again…we talked about this remember…we go after these things together…right? So spill it!"
"Ok fine…but you first kiddo…how did you fall into the river in the first place and what did you dream about last night?…let's hear it!" Dean sat back and put his hands behind his head, waiting for Sam to start.
Sam took a deep breath as his appetite left him. He gulped as he remembered the nightmare, even now the feeling of fear and anguish at what he had found was strong. "Dean…look man, the dream was really fragmented…all I remember is a spooky looking house and the feeling that I didn't want to be there…then I felt myself falling until I…"
"Until you what Sammy…out with it. Remember, no more secrets, you promised after the incident in the cabin." Dean knew that Sam was hiding something, keeping something back from what he had seen in his dream. In the past he would not have pushed…but after Sam's near possession at the cabin…Dean now was afraid of what his freaky brother would do. He still didn't quite trust that Sam would'nt pick up and leave again…especially if he thought that he was protecting his family.
"You…Dean, ok…I saw you and you weren't moving" Sam said softly as he looked at the ground. He jumped when he felt a soft hand on his shoulder…he hadn't even heard his brother approach. Dean placed a hand under Sam's chin and forced him to meet his eyes.
"Sam…how many times do we have to go over this…it's my job to protect you and your job to watch my back…you've done a wonderful job on your end…but me, well, just look at you…I left you alone for a few hours and you came back battered and bruised…I know that it scares you when I am hurt in your visions…but so far, none of them have come true…I'm still here…maybe…just maybe because of your visions we are able to avoid or at least manage the damage." Dean sat back on his heals, watching as Sam gave him a shaky grin.
"Dean, it's not your fault…things happen. If it weren't for your quick thinking I wouldn't be here. It's just hard…you know…I don't know what I would do if…"
"Ok…Ok…enough with the chick flick stuff Sammy…I've told you…I'm not going anywhere. Now how about telling me what happened at the river?"
"I'm not sure, I remember a sharp pain in my head and then I slipped into the water…you know the rest."
"Hmmm…did you see anyone or anything?"
"No, but I felt like I was being watched and I had this feeling like there was something wrong…so what have you found out?"
Dean told Sam about his discussion with the doctor that morning. "It sounds like we may have been one of the lucky ones. Doc said that a number of people have disappeared from that area. The town people have searched, but no one is ever found…not even their bodies."
"Sounds like one of our cases Dean…so why the big rush to leave?"
"Sam…look…more than once when I brought you back here, you warned me that you had a feeling that we should leave, thatthere was danger…I've learned from the past, the your instincts tend to be right on the money…I just thought maybe this one time…we should listen to your instincts."
"Dean…something is going on here and we need to find out what it is…before anyone else gets hurt. Give me a few moments to get cleaned up and then I will see what I can find on the computer…can you get it from the car for me?
Dean waited until Sam had gone into the shower, making sure that he was steady enough on his feet before leaving him to get the computer. He was sure that something was off…probably some pissed off spirit…"Man I sure can pick 'em…maybe next year we should vacation at the bottom of a volcano…it would be safer!"
ooooooooo
Sam had started to research the area using his computer while Dean had left to go to the local library to look up past news articles that might help them figure out what was going on. Sam rubbed his tired eyes as he stood to get another cup of coffee. He was feeling pretty stiff and his ribs still hurt, but otherwise, he felt almost like new. He gazed out the window at the little town. He smiled when he saw his brother leaving the library at the end of the street and stop at what looked like the local bar. Dean could never resist a good bar…well maybe he would get more information from the locals...and a few more phone numbers on napkins to add to his collection.
oooooooo
Dean had spent a few hours going over the news articles at the local library. Sam normally did this kind of work, but Dean insisted that Sam stay and rest. Dean began reading an article that referenced the ghost town that Doc had mentioned. It seemed that the town had sprung up around a copper mine owned by Thomas Gallagher. The mine was prosperous and Thomas Gallagher was a very wealthy mine owner.
Dean did a quick search on the name, but was not able to locate any other mention regarding what had happened to the man or the town. Maybe Sam could find more on the internet…after all, it was a very small library. Dean printed off what he had found and put it in his jacket pocket.
As he walked down the very short main street…he noticed the bar. Smiling to himself, he decided to stop in for a quick drink and maybe get a little information.
Doc had returned and had given Sam a clean bill of health. He and Sam sat up for awhile, waiting for Dean to return. When Sam tried to get more information about the ghost town or its inhabitants…the Doc wasn't able to provide much more than what he had told Dean. Sam decided he may as well get some sleep and had just settled in when he heard his brother enter the house.
Dean entered the room, an excited gleam in his eye…the same look he always had when he was getting ready for a hunt. "There is something out there all right…and my guess is that it may be the spirit of Thomas Gallagher."
Dean pulled the article from his pocket and handed it to Sam...Sam sat up and turned on the light. As he unfolded the paper, he noticed a golden residue on the paper. He took a sample and placed it between his fingers, trying to figure out what it was. "Hey Dean…what's this gold stuff on the paper you just gave me?"
"I don't know…it must have gotten on the paper from my pocket…I noticed the stuff in my pocket when I reached in to get my keys…why, do you think it's important?
"Hmmmm…I'm not sure, mumbled Sam as he looked at the residue with a thoughtful expression on his face…maybe Dad's journal will help…why don't you see if it mentions anything about a Spirit that leaves a trail of gold dust…Dean? Sam noticed that panicked look that appeared on his brother's face.
"Shit…Sammy…I can't believe…I left it at the camp site…I was looking at it before your little swimming incident!"
"Well, Dean…looks like we don't have any choice now…first thing tomorrow morning, we need to go back…
TBC
