"Hook Man"

Content Warning: language, pre-smut and violence

DISCLAIMER: any words or phrases in bold in the story are not my own and are credited to the writers of Supernatural.

Jackson's hands were warm and wet with his daughter's blood as she laid lifeless in his arms. Drops had even found their way to her eyelashes and sat like waiting tears. Riley's blue eyes were still slightly open. The last thing she had seen before fading away was her killer.

Her father's cries were deep and painful. Jackson begged his beautiful girl to come back to him, cursing the heavens.

With a sharp inhale, Riley woke. Dean had been asleep beside her after they had fallen asleep talking. He quickly reacted to her.

"Hey, it's ok." He wrapped his arms around her in comfort. "Same nightmare?"

She nodded.

"You haven't had one of those in a while." He rubbed his hand over her arm, trying to calm her nerves.

"I'll be alright. You don't have to stay if you wanna go get some sleep."

"I sleep better next to you, anyways." He smiled. "I'm happy to stay if you want me to."

Riley was only trying to be nice, she didn't want him to leave her side. She grabbed the arm that held her and squeezed him in tight. They nuzzled back into each other as she laid with her eyes open, afraid to go back to sleep.

Next to a small coffee kiosk, Dean sat nursing his hot drink. Riley sipped at the straw on her iced coffee and Dean chuckled watching her.

"What?"

"Iced coffee? Really?"

"Hey, it's been cold for months, and I'm sick of hot coffee. You don't get to judge me." She took another sip with her eyebrows raised, full of confidence. Dean smiled and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. As they put their coffees on the table, he put his arm around her, rubbing her opposite shoulder.

Sam walked up to the table, frustrated. "I've tried everything. I've done license plate checks, looked for any traffic violations; nothing. There's no sign of him anywhere."

"Sam, I don't think dad wants to be found."

"Give him time, guys. Maybe he thinks he's doing the right thing." Riley looked at the brothers. She could feel their hopelessness in finding their father. Dean was thinking how he wasn't sure how long it would be till they saw him again. Sam had so much anger towards John, but still worried and missed him. Reading their minds came in handy from time to time. They were never good at sharing exactly what they were thinking. It helped that she was learning to hone her ability.

Sam pulled out his laptop and placed it on the table in front of him. "Ok, so I think I found us a case. Ankeny, Iowa. A mutilated body was found just off 9 Mile Road. They say they have no credible witnesses. The woman who was there claimed 'the attacker was invisible'."

"Well, we've gone off less and I'm bored outta my mind. I say we go." Riley hated sitting still for too long. Being on the road and solving cases is what kept her mind at bay.

Dean looked to Sam. "You heard the woman. Let's go."

After a long drive, Baby pulled up in front of the fraternity house of the dead college student. There was loud annoying music playing. Fraternity brothers came in and out of the house with beers in hand. Others worked on their terrible cars or tossed around a football.

As they walked across the street, whistles and catcalls came from the direction of the house. Dean's fists clenched knowing Riley was the focus of their attention. She ignored it. Stupid men never really bothered her.

"Hey. We're your fraternity brothers from Ohio State," Dean said as he pointed between him and Sam. "We just transferred here."

"And uh, who's your friend?" The frat brothers stared at Riley like she was a fresh piece of meat while looking at her up and down. One licked his lip and gave her a look that an animal gives its prey.

Dean's jaw clenched and he had to fight the urge to hit them both in the face. He took a step towards them looking in their eyes with an almost challenging look. "Look at my girlfriend like that again, and you're gonna need to be fixing more than your piece of crap car. Got it, brother?"

Riley had to contain herself from having a reaction to him calling her his "girlfriend". That was the first time he had ever said that. They had never agreed to put labels on their relationship, but she definitely didn't mind being his.

Dean took Riley's hand and walked her across the street back towards the car. Sam scoffed in surprise to his brother's words and waited across the street.

"Listen, sweetheart. I didn't even think before bringing you here. Frat guys are a bunch of douchebags and you're way too gorgeous to be around them. I know you could handle yourself in there fine. I just know I'm gonna end up knocking some asshole to the ground when they look at you wrong."

A small laugh escaped Riley as she looked up at Dean. "Well, it's a good thing my amazing boyfriend was there to defend my honor." She had her hands in her back pockets and she had a pleased look in her eyes.

"That's true. I am amazing." He leaned down, took her face in his hands and kissed her. He knew full well that their relationship was real now and nothing could make him happier.

"Go get some intel in the dirty man palace. I'll wait in the car. Don't worry about me, I was dreading going in there anyways. The place smells like bad life choices and dirty gym socks."

Dean laughed and gave her one small last kiss before opening the door for her and shutting it behind her. He jogged back across the street meeting Sam. Dean shot the guys at the car one last look of warning.

Riley watched "her boys" as they headed inside, bringing the biggest grin to her face. "Damn, did I get lucky."

The three hunters walked up a long driveway that led to the local church. It was made of stone and had stained glass in most of its windows. It was obvious it had been around for quite some time.

Sam filled Riley in on what they learned at the fraternity house. "So, apparently, the guy that was killed was with a girl named Lori at the time. She's the reverend's daughter. Pretty sure this is where we're gonna find her on a Sunday morning."

Dean pushed one of the large wooden doors open and held it for his partners. Sam was the last one in and didn't guide the door shut, so it slammed behind them. The entire congregation looked back at them and the reverend paused his sermon. Dean spun his head to give Sam a dirty look.

As the sermon continued, they found an open bench at the back of the church, trying to blend in.

"It is with a heavy heart we send our love to the family of the young man who has passed. I am grateful for his sacrifice, knowing he was protecting my only daughter. Let us pray for the safety of our children."

The sermon had finished and the parishioners filed out of the church. Reverend Sorenson stood draped in his green dress robes and shook the hands of those who came to him. A young blonde girl walked by him and kissed him on the cheek as she walked away.

"Excuse me, are you Lori?" Sam asked.

"Yeah. Can I help you?" Her voice was soft and sweet. She was definitely attractive. Dean could see his little brother was interested in her, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.

"I'm Dean. This is my brother Sam and my girlfriend, Riley. We're from Ohio State, looking to transfer here. We heard about what happened with Rich. I'm sorry."

"Thanks." Her head fell and she pushed her hair behind her ear. It was obvious she was still reeling from the murder.

Riley could see the sadness in her eyes and felt how deep her fear and confusion ran. She reached her hand out and put it on Lori's arm to comfort her. "I know this is a difficult time. No one should ever have to experience what you did." Lori looked up at her and could see a kind face looking back at her. She felt as though this girl understood her for some strange reason.

"Lori," Sam started, "I've seen someone get hurt. I know it's not something you just get over or easily forget. I lost someone too." His voice was soothing to her and she could feel how genuine he was.

"The cops, they don't believe me. They blame me for not giving a 'credible statement'. Maybe I was just seeing things."

"Just because they don't understand, doesn't mean it wasn't real." Sam tried to comfort the sweet girl.

"This has to be my fault. What if I'm next?" Lori thought.

Riley wanted to reassure her that wouldn't happen, but couldn't without giving away her secret.

Later that night, an empty pizza box sat on the motel counter. The second opened on one of the beds, with the last three slices remaining. A couple of empty beer bottles sat on the dresser. Sam was barely awake with headphones playing something that seemed to soothe him. Dean and Riley were trying to laugh quietly as they talked on the opposite bed with the leftover pizza. They each had a beer in hand; taking sips during the conversation.

"You are so full of crap," Dean laughed.

"No, I swear to god! Dad and I were on a hunt for a chupacabra in New Mexico. We knew it hunted in the same area, always by the same dive bar. When we showed up, this guy was completely wasted and fucking petting it thinking it was a dog!"

Dean threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, man. I would have let the thing eat him on principle alone." They both calmed their laughing and sat for a moment in silence.

Riley smiled up at him. "So…you called me your girlfriend today."

"I did. Had to let those assholes know you were off the market."

Her eyebrow arched. "Oh I am, am I?" she teased as she put her empty bottle on the table by the bed.

Dean scooped her up playfully and pinned her down on the bed. "Absolutely. Had to let them know you were mine." Riley grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and pulled him into her as he kissed her neck. She giggled as his teasing kisses tickled her.

Sam took off his headphones and turned to the couple. "Would you two go into Riley's room already? Some of us are trying to sleep." He put them back on and turned over.

They both looked at each other and tried not to laugh as they got up and headed into the room next door. Once inside, Dean tripped in the dark making them both started to laugh all over again.

Riley went to turn on the light and nothing happened. She groaned. "Are you kidding me?"

"Bulb must be dead. Gotta love shitty motels."

The light from outside that seeped through the blinds was just enough to see. Dean took her hand, walked her further into the room and turned around. He gently pulled her into him as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She looked up at him and put her hands behind his neck. The light illuminated his hazel-green eyes and his perfect smile. Riley played with his hair as they gazed into each other. It was moments like these where time stood still.

Dean put his forehead against hers. "You scare the shit out of me, woman," he whispered as he let out a breathy laugh.

There was a warmth coming from him. It wasn't from his body heat. It was coming from something else. It was love. It engulfed her and she submitted to the power it held over her. Neither of them had been great with "I love you's" in previous relationships. So far, those words had remained unsaid.

He pulled her tightly into him with one hand at the small of her waist, and the other cupped on the side of her face. Their lips came together and moved in perfect unison. Within only a few seconds, the intensity between them grew.

"I have never wanted anyone the way I want her." Dean's thoughts rang through Riley's mind. That was all she needed to hear.

She pulled at the base of his shirt and lifted it over his head. His breathing shook as he realized what was about to finally happen between them. He returned the gesture taking hers off as well.

Their lips came crashing back together. Dean picked her up and she threw her legs around him as he carried her to the bed. He laid her down and crawled on top of her before looking down into the face of the woman he loved. This was all he had wanted for months. Now that it was actually happening, he felt like a teenager about to be with a girl for the first time. He was both excited beyond words and terrified. There was a moment of silence as they caught their breath and he hovered over her. He could see the light twinkle in her crystal blue eyes as he brushed the hair away from her face.

"I love you, Riley," he said softly.

Her heart fluttered and her eyes nearly welled up hearing the words that meant everything to her.

"I love you too, Dean."

They came back together in a hunger for each other. She pulled at his belt and unbuttoned his pants while he went to unbutton hers. He pulled both of theirs off and returned to his spot on top of her. Dean reached around, undoing the clasp of her bra as he kissed her neck. She breathed into his ear as her hands grasped at his back.

Removing her bra, he pressed himself against her. Finally, after months of longing, they were skin to skin. They soaked up every second together and he finally connected them; never breaking their kiss. Riley released a gasp as Dean let out a small moan from deep in his throat.

Suddenly, Riley wasn't alone in her mind. There weren't words to explain what was happening. It was like they had come together to be one person. His emotions, pleasure, and love flew through her body like a current. His thoughts poured into her mind as if they were her own. It was more intense and intimate than anything she had ever experienced.

Being together was better than either had imagined. Neither had ever been so connected to someone as they lost themselves in each other. Love made this different from any other time, and nothing had ever felt more right.

The Ankeny library smelled of the wooden bookcases and the pages that filled them. It was quiet as the team found their way to the back. Riley, Sam, and Dean sat at a large table waiting for the box of records the librarian said she would find for them.

"Lori said she heard scratches on the roof and found the bloody body suspended, upside down over the car. Sounds like classic Hook Man legend to me." Dean rubbed Riley's back in the chair beside him, trying to piece things together.

Sam agreed with his brother. "Hook Man? That's one of the most famous urban legends ever. I mean, they have to start somewhere. What if that place is here? But Lori said the man was invisible."

"Yeah, but what if Hookman is a spirit, not a man." Riley's face looked pleased with herself for her response.

The librarian walked over carrying two large, dusty boxes. The dust flew as she sat them on the table. Dean coughed and fanned it with his hand. "Here's everything. Arrest records dating all the way back to 1851. Let me know if you need anything else." She smiled and turned to walk back to her desk.

"Of course this is how I start my week," Dean said sarcastically.

After nearly three hours of silent research, Riley spoke up. "Hey, guys. I think I found something. 1862, a preacher named Jacob Karns was arrested for the murder of 13 prostitutes. Some were found in their beds drenched in blood, others suspended upside down in trees. It was a 'warning against sins of the flesh.' And get this, the murder weapon? The preacher had lost his hand and it was replaced with a metal hook."

Sam leaned in to read the documents she had found. "And it all happened off 9 Mile Road. That's where Rich was killed."

Riley stayed back at the motel to keep digging into the lore of Hook Man. The boys had driven out to the scene of the crime. It was dark in the woods by 9 Mile Road. A light fog floated through the trees and only the chirping of insects could be heard. Dean grabbed a sawed-off shotgun from the trunk and some rounds.

"Uh, don't think that gun is gonna have much of an effect on a spirit, Dean."

"Rock salt rounds."

Sam let out a surprised, breathy laugh. "Salt is a deterrent to spirits."

"That's right." Dean put the rounds in the gun and cocked it. "It won't kill 'em but it'll sure as hell slow 'em down." He handed it to Sam. The trunk shut and the two set off to investigate.

"So…not that it's any of my business, but I woke up because something was happening next door last night." Sam's look of "gotcha" read loud and clear.

"You're right. It's none of your business."

Sam chuckled. "All I'm saying is, it's about damn time."

With a flashlight in hand, Dean guided the way. The youngest Winchester was ready and alert with the gun to his shoulder, ready to fire. A twig snapped nearby and both jerked around in its direction. As they walked towards the sound, an on-duty officer came through the bushes with a gun in hand. "FREEZE! Hands in the air! Drop the gun!" Sam and Dean complied. "Get on your bellies, hands behind your back."

"He was the one with the gun," Dean said blaming his little brother.

"You guys are so lucky. I was able to get the charges dropped." Riley found the entire situation hilarious and smiled. She and the Winchesters came out of the police station and walked down the steps.

"How did you manage that?" Sam followed quickly to her side.

A mischievous look grew on her face. "I told them you were my brothers. That you were new to the fraternity and had been hazed. They sent you out to the scene to 'hunt a ghost' and you went armed with a shotgun." She laughed.

Dean was surprised. "And they bought that?"

"No offense, boys. But you both kinda look like dumb pledges."

Both looked at each other slightly offended but knew she was right.

As they got to the car, officers ran out of the station to their cars. They had a call that had them out of there in a hurry.

Having followed the sirens, the three found themselves on the block of a sorority house. Lori's sorority house. Cops were everywhere and crime scene tape draped around the property. Girls from the house were on the lawn crying and consoling each other. Another college student had been murdered.

"Alright, so how do we get in? The place is swamped," Sam said looking for a possible entrance.

"Leave it to me." Riley grabbed a camera and put it in her jacket pocket as she got out of the car. "Be right back." Sam and Dean looked at each other in confusion.

Putting on her best act, she began to cry as she approached an officer on the scene. "Sir, I am just so heartbroken over losing our sister last night. The thought of her dying in our home. It's–it's too terrible."

The officer was uncomfortable; unsure of how to respond. "I'm sorry for your loss."

She sniffled. "With all this going on, I completely forgot that I have a paper due tomorrow and if I don't get it in on time, I'll fail the class. Could I please go inside my room? I need to get my bookbag or I'll never get it done in time." She continued to cry.

He sighed. "Look, you got 5 minutes. You go inside, get your stuff and get out. Don't touch anything else."

"Oh my god, thank you so much, sir." She wiped her face and headed inside.

After a moment, Sam and Dean looked up to the front window on the second floor. Riley stood there with two thumbs up.

"The girl is good." Dean smiled.

A few minutes passed and Riley came back out of the house, sneaking by the officers. She got to the car and got in. "Ok, I got some pictures of the room. It's not pretty in there." She handed the camera to Sam and they scrolled through the pictures she had taken.

He read the words that had been scratched into the student's wall, "aren't you glad you didn't turn on the lights? That's straight out of Hook Man legend." They continued looking until a picture of a strange symbol shown on the digital camera. It resembled a cross with smaller ones near the four corners.

Pulling out copies of documents they found in the library, Sam compared a picture of Jacob Karn's hook hand. There was a symbol etched in the side and it matched the one in the photos. "Ok, so we know it's Jacob Karns."

"Looks like it's time to find this guy's grave. Gotta salt and burn the bones and end this crap." Riley took the copied paper and studied it some more.

Sam continued, "after his execution, Jacob Karns was buried in a local cemetery; in an unmarked grave."

"Super." Dean turned the ignition roaring the car into life and put it into drive.

The local diner was small but inviting. The "small town feel" had Riley feeling in her element. She had already finished her fries and reached over, taking some of Dean's. His face looked playfully shocked.

"Did you just take my fries?"

Riley took a large bite from the multiple fries in her hand and chewed it all while looking at Dean in a smug manner.

"Oh, you're so damn lucky you're hot." Dean shook his head and she chuckled.

Spreading out more documents Sam had found, he began to go into more information. "Check this out. 1932, clergymen arrested for murder. 1967, seminarian wanted for 'hippie rampage'. There's a pattern here; a man of religion preaching openly about immorality. They then find themselves wanted for killings. All of them saying it was done by an 'unseen force'. And in everyone? The murders were all with a sharp instrument."

"So, wait," Riley had an idea. "What if Reverend Sorenson is the one that's involved? What if he's summoning Jacob Karns? Spirits can get attached to people and their emotions. Maybe he doesn't even know he's the one causing this."

"Someone needs to watch Lori tonight. Sam, I'll give you this one and you can go watch the cute girl." Dean gave him a naughty look. Looking back at Riley, he was getting a look from her and knew he had "stepped in it". He gave her a cheesy innocent smile.

Riley stole more of his fries in protest to his choice of words. "And Dean and I will head to the cemetery and look for that unmarked grave."

It was evening and the two hunters walked through the cemetery. The only light coming from the glowing moon. Their flashlights bounced from headstone to headstone. Dean had a shovel he held leaned against his free shoulder, and Riley carried a duffle.

"Hey! I found it." Riley pointed to a headstone that had no name but had the symbol from the hook carved into it.

"Hello, preacher."

"Well, get to digging. Maybe next time you'll get to be the one that gets to watch the cute girl." Riley crossed her arms and gave him a sassy look.

Dean sighed and stuck the shovel into the grave. "You know, I've never been whipped before. I'm not a fan."

Riley laughed as she leaned on a large nearby headstone.

After some time, a panting Dean finished digging. Finding the old wooden coffin, he broke it with the shovel. An old skeleton was tucked away inside. All the while, Riley had opened the duffle bag and taken out a large container of salt and a bottle of lighter fluid. She spread the salt all over the bones and liberally squirted the fluid.

Dean struck a match and dropped it into the grave, igniting what remained of the body of Jacob Karns. "Goodbye, preacher."

They stood there to watch; ensuring that the fire would do its job.

Sam sat outside Lori's house as she and her father could be heard arguing. After a few moments, she came outside and walked towards him.

"I saw you from inside."

"I was worried. Just thought I'd come keep an eye on things."

Lori went on to tell Sam how she couldn't help but blame herself for what was happening. "You should probably run away from me as fast as you can."

"Why would you say that?"

"I must be cursed or something. People keep dying around me."

"I think I know how you feel."

"I'm sure you could hear, things aren't exactly great at home. He's seeing a married woman who goes to our church with her husband. And he talks to me about religion and morality?" She wiped a tear from her cheek. "Dad raised me to believe that if you do something wrong, you will be punished. I'm just so lost, Sam." There's a moment between the two and Lori reaches over to hug Sam. As they break away, they share a kiss.

He pulled away and there was shame on his face. "Lori, I can't. I'm sorry."

She remembered their first conversation and it all made sense. "That someone you lost? …I'm sorry."

Reverend Sorenson opened the door and told his daughter to come inside. There's a moment of anger between the two and she yelled back, "I'll come in when I'm ready!"

As he stood in the doorway looking at Lori and Sam, a figure appeared behind him and shoved a hook into the Reverend's chest. Using it as an anchor, the spirit drug him inside as the door slammed shut. The cries of Sorenson came from the house.

Sam grabbed the shotgun from his bag and sprinted towards the front door. Following the echoing screams, he continued up the stairs. The door on the room down the hall closed and Sam hurried to kick it in. Mr. Sorenson was on the floor begging for his life. The Hook Man pulled back his hook, ready to plunge it into the terrified man. Sam cocked the gun and shot the spirit. Glass from surrounding windows shatter and the apparition dissipated in front of them.

In the hospital, Lori stood next to her father's bed. The reverend was unconscious and machines beeped around him. Sam stood in the hall and explained to the investigating officers that a large man with a hook attached Mr. Sorenson. He spoke with respect and tried to make the story sound as normal as possible.

Satisfied with Sam's answers, the officer hesitantly let him go. Riley and Dean were waiting down the hall.

"Hey, are you ok?" Big brother mode had kicked in for the oldest Winchester. Riley ran to hug Sam and she sighed a breath of relief as he returned the embrace.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It was Hook Man. Why didn't you torch the bones?"

Taking a step back, Riley looked up at a frustrated Sam. "We did! Are we sure it's the spirit of Jacob Karns?"

"Well, it sure looked like him," Sam replied. "And another thing, I don't think Karns is latched on to the reverend. It wouldn't have attacked him otherwise. I think he's attached to Lori. Last night, she found out her father was having an affair with a married woman. She was upset about the immorality of it. She told me she was raised to believe that if you did something wrong, you get punished."

Dean took a minute to think. "Ok, so she's conflicted. The spirit is latching onto Lori's emotions and doing the punishing for her."

Riley jumped in. "That makes sense. The frat guy came on too strong, her friend was apparently trying to make Lori into a party girl, and dad has an affair."

"Remind me not to piss this girl off. But Sam, we doused the bones in salt and burned them. That should have stopped him. We torched everything that was in that grave." None of this was adding up for Dean.

As her eyes grew, Riley had a realization. "We didn't get the hook! That was the murder weapon and in a way, it was a part of him. So like the bones, maybe that's a source of his power?"

"So if we find the hook," Sam started and then both brothers spoke in unison "we stop the Hook Man."

The redheaded hunter stared at the others. "You guys spend way too much time together."

After returning to the library, all three had their noses in book after book looking for clues. The only way to stop the Hook Man was if they found where the hook was.

"Oh, look!" Riley grabbed her book and put it in front of the boys. "Iowa State Penitentiary Log."

Looking further into the open pages Dean read out loud, "Karns, Jacob. Upon execution, all earthly items shall be remanded to the prisoner's house of worship, St. Barnabas' Church." He paused. "That's where Lori's father preaches and where they live. That explains why the Hook Man has been haunting reverends all these years."

Sam interjected. "Yeah, but if the hook were around, don't you think they would have noticed it? I mean, a blood-stained silver-handled hook?"

"Way ahead of you, guys." Riley retrieved another book and put it down. "These are the logs for the donations to the church made in 1862. They received a silver-handled hook from the penitentiary, but it was reforged. They melted it down. It could be anything at this point."

"You're right," Sam said looking at Dean. "She's good."

Getting out of the car late that night, Sam and Dean look around to see the quiet church grounds. As he closed his door, the youngest spoke. "So, Riley's gonna meet us here after checking on the Sorenson's? How's she even gonna get here?"

"She's resourceful. I'm not worried." As they walked towards the church, Dean went on. "So, I say we don't take any chances. We split up and go into the house and the church. Grab anything silver and it all goes in the fire."

"Lori's still at the hospital with her dad. There's no way in but to break into the house." Sam almost felt guilty for breaking in. He actually liked this girl no matter how much he tried to deny it to himself.

Coming down the road was the purr of a motorcycle. The Winchesters turned in surprise to see anyone there at that time of night. The cyclist pulled up to them and stood up; removing the helmet. It was Riley.

"What the hell? I didn't know you could ride a bike!" Dean was both surprised and turned on seeing her hair fall out of the helmet. "Where did you even get that?"

She smiled. "I told you, I'm always full of surprises. I had to find a ride. The bike was near the motel. I just have to get it back before the owner realizes it was jacked. By the way, Lori's not at the hospital anymore."

"My little delinquent." Dean had an excited look on his face. "Alright, Riley and I will take the church. Sammy, you take the house."

As they went to split up Sam turned around. "Remember to actually work, guys! No fooling around in the house of God."

"I make no promises." Dean took Riley's hand. "Oh and, Sam. Stay out of her underwear drawer." He began to jog away with his favorite motorcyclist in tow.

Down in the dark church basement, Dean had lit the furnace. He and Riley worked quickly; throwing anything silver they had and covering them in salt. Sam came down the stairs and joined them with a sack in hand full of his own finds.

"Don't even know if all of it's actually silver, but I grabbed it all."

"Better safe than sorry." Dean took the items out of the bag and chucked them into the fire.

There were footsteps upstairs that caused the old wooden floors to creak. Dust fell from the ceiling as the three looked up towards the noise.

"We gotta go," Riley said looking at her partners. They headed up the stairs as quietly as possible, guns drawn.

Peeking through the door into the chapel, Lori could be seen sitting in the pew, crying. Dean nodded for Sam to go ahead, while he and Riley headed back downstairs and closed the door behind them.

Sam walked down the main aisle that had a soft red carpet leading to the front. The rows were lined with dark oak pews that had a soft design carved into the sides. Lori was in the front, her head down in prayer.

"Lori, what's wrong?"

"I've been trying to figure out why all this was happening." Her face covered in tears and she sniffled, trying to compose herself. "Now that I know, I'm trying to pray for forgiveness. I'm the one that's to blame for all of this. I was furious with my father. I wanted him to be punished."

"It's not your fault." Sam could see the pain in her eyes and was desperate to give her some comfort.

"Yes, it is. I don't know how, but it is. Rich and Taylor are dead because of me. I'm why my father almost died. None of them deserved to be punished." She paused, "I'm the one that deserves it."

A loud noise came through the chapel and the lit candles were blown out. "We gotta go." Sam grabbed Lori's hand and they headed for the door.

The door had barely opened when they saw the Hook Man standing in wait. Sam quickly closed the door before the hook impaled through the old wood. "Go! Go! Run!" Grabbing her hand again, they ran in the opposite direction. Sam's only concern was to keep her safe.

They shut the door behind them in an attempt to hide. The Hook Man had caught up behind them, breaking the glass on the door. Lori screamed and Sam jumped in front to shield her. He dodged the hook that was being swung in his direction over and over.

As the Hook Man appeared behind Lori, his hook was raised, ready to maim the scared girl. Sam pushed her away to safety and the hook plunged into his arm. He groaned out in pain as an unseen force grabbed Lori and drug her away. The injured Winchester ran to her side and tried to get her off the ground. The spirit appeared at his side and hit him, sending him flying across the room and slamming into the wall. Using all the strength he had left, Sam sprung back to Lori's aid.

Riley and Dean came barreling down the hall, the shotgun ready in Dean's hand. "Sam! Drop!" Following his brother's instruction, he threw himself to cover the scared girl. The gun fired and hit the Hook Man. Salt sprayed across the room as the spirit disappeared once again.

"What the hell? I thought we got all the silver!" Riley was panting and went to check on Sam's injury.

Dean looked concerned and angry all at once looking at his injured brother. "Maybe we missed something."

Sam turned to Lori and saw a silver cross-like pendant hanging from a chain around her neck. "Lori, where did you get that necklace?"

Panic was running through Lori and Riley could feel it all. She never really got scared on hunts, but feeling the strength of Lori's emotions hit her hard.

"It was a gift from my father. It's a church heirloom," Lori replied.

Feeling their impending situation, Sam yelled, "is it silver?!"

"YES!" she shouted back as he grabbed the chain and pulled it from her neck.

The invisible spirit began to drag his hook along the walls surrounding them. The brothers swapped the shotgun for the necklace and Dean turned to run back to the furnace. Shots rang through the room as Sam shot in the direction of the carves in the wall.

Riley dropped next to Lori and held her close. "It's gonna be ok. I got you."

Before firing another shot, the Hook Man knocked the gun out of Sam's hand. He backed up in a final attempt to protect the girls.

The instant Dean tossed the necklace into the fire, the evil entity froze and his hook began to melt. Flames slowly began to swallow the spirit and burn away what was left of his broken soul.

It was early morning and cops surrounded the church grounds. Dean spoke to the officer in charge and did his best to normalize the situation. He explained that they had seen the man with the hook again and that they had fought him off. The officer looked at him with doubt and annoyance as Dean replied, "yeah, yeah. Don't worry, we're leaving town."

Sam sat at the edge of an ambulance as the EMT's tended to his stabbed arm. Lori came to check on him and thank him for saving her life. He feigned a smile and began to walk towards the waiting Impala.

Dean saw the sadness and confusion in his brother. "You know, we could stick around."

"No, it's time for us to go." He looked behind him to see Lori as she caught one last look at the man who protected her. "I can't. She just isn't Jessica." Riley's heart broke hearing her best friend's thoughts. There was no way Sam would ever make peace with what happened to Jess until they had answers. She leaned in and hugged Sam at the waist, leaning her head on his arm.

"Well, I think it's time I return that bike."

Dean pouted. "Do you have to? It's just so damn hot."

Riley chuckled, loving that she drove the handsome hunter crazy. "I'll meet you guys back at the motel." She kissed him before putting the helmet on. The fiery hunter sat on the bike and kicked the stand up. Before shutting the visor, she shot Dean a flirty wink. Revving the engine, she started back towards the motel.

"I am so in love that woman," Dean admitted as he watched her disappear down the road ahead of them.