UNL Campus
Lincoln, Nebraska

Dean parked the Impala two spaces away from Rachel's small compact car, stowing the keys in his pocket as he and Sam climbed out. Rachel stood by her car, her head buried in the file she held. "Looks like we've got four people," she concluded. "A sophomore named Stephanie Cromwell; her boyfriend, a junior named Todd Lewis; a junior mutual friend named Lucas Welby; and a junior friend named Kyle Thurman. According to their class schedules, it says here that Stephanie and Todd should be in chem lab together, and that Lucas and Kyle will be at the library at work study." She looked up at the brothers. "I vote we divide and conquer before they can match stories."

"Good idea," Sam said. "Dean—"

"—Will take the first two," Dean interrupted, finishing writing the names and notes down on his pad. "You kids go get the second two. Text me when you're done, Sammy. We'll meet back here." He smirked, giving Sam a wink before he headed off through the campus.

Sam's eyes widened as he watched him leave, drawing in a nervous breath as he turned back to Rachel. "Well, I guess we should go track them down," he said.

"Guess so," she replied, meeting his eyes for a moment. She looked away, heading down the walkway.

"Do you know where the library is?" Sam asked, falling into step beside her.

"I was here a couple times visiting Hailey, and I think I remember the rough location."

Sam glanced over at her. "I'm sorry about your cousin," he offered.

"We'll find her," Rachel concluded, a definite resolve thickening in front of him over any doubts or worry she held.

He nodded. He hoped it was true, but in their line of work, nothing was ever predictable or guaranteed. "So, how'd you get into hunting?" he asked.

Rachel swallowed, tucking a section of hair behind her ear. "My boyfriend was bit by a werewolf," she murmured. "At first, it was okay. We made it through a couple months with no kills. Then, he lied and managed to kill. I didn't find out right away, but when I did, the Alex I knew was long gone. And I had to …" Rachel rolled her shoulders, pushing away the memory.

"I'm sorry," Sam murmured. "It must have been awful." He recalled Madison, wetting his throat.

"Yeah. It definitely wasn't my favorite moment in life." She looked over at him, her eyes finding his. "He wasn't himself, though. There was no humanity left."

Sam examined Rachel's eyes. "I know what you mean."

"So after that, I decided to make a makeshift career of killing all the monsters that I can."

"Alone?"

"Sometimes. Sometimes I meet up with other hunters and tag-team."

"So, like now," Sam said with a smile.

Rachel laughed. "I wouldn't really call this a tag-team. It's more like I'm getting expert hunter charity."

"I'm sure you hold your own," he assured.

"I could use more combat training," she admitted, then smirked. "But I'm pretty good with a knife."

Sam smiled, reluctantly looking up from her, seeing the library doors ahead. Opening one for Rachel, he followed her inside, readying his badge in his pocket. He peeked at the photos in the file in the vestibule with her, then scanned the main area as they walked through the metal detectors. Lights and sirens blared, their guns triggering the system. Campus security rushed over, and Sam and Rachel held up their hands, Sam carefully fishing for his badge. "Agents Elliott and Markson," he said, showing them the I.D., "FBI."

Rachel took hers out and showed it. "We're just here to ask Lucas Welby and Kyle Thurman some questions," she explained.

The security guards gave them a quick nod, letting them pass despite their weapons. Sam tapped Rachel's arm, nodding to the counter area where Lucas was stacking books. They made their way over, Lucas turning around and looking them over. "Agents Markson and Elliott, FBI," Rachel said, flashing her badge at Lucas. The young man grinned, leaning back against the counter as he looked at her. "We'd like to ask you some questions about Hailey Jodiak."

Lucas smirked at Rachel. "You can ask me anything you want, cutie," he replied, receiving a hardened look from her in return.

"Cut the crap and pay attention," Rachel snapped, squashing Lucas before Sam could even get mad at him. "You were there the night Hailey went missing, right?"

"Yeah," Lucas said with a shrug. "I didn't do shit, though. She bailed on us."

"No one's saying you did anything," Sam corrected. "Tell us when you last saw her."

Lucas sidled up to the front counter, leaning toward Rachel. "At the bonfire," he said. "Three nights ago. We were hanging out, but she got pissed because Kyle didn't show right away."

"Why would she be mad at that?" Rachel asked.

"Because Kyle was bringing …" He glanced over at Sam, then back to Rachel. "He was bringing some snacks."

Rachel nodded slowly. "Uh-huh. Then what happened?"

"She left, we chilled, then went home." Lucas shrugged.

"You didn't hear her, or anything after she left?" Sam asked.

Lucas shook his head. "Nope. Kyle showed up a few minutes later, and that was that. Thought she went back to her dorm."

Out of the corner of her eye, Rachel saw a brown haired young man eyeing her. She looked over, seeing Kyle Thurman stacking books back on shelves. "Excuse me," she said, leaving Sam with Lucas, who looked up at him.

"Man, why couldn't you go?" Lucas grumbled.

Sam watched Rachel leave, then glared at Lucas. "So, walk me through every detail," he began.

As Sam continued talking to Lucas, Rachel followed Kyle around to another section of books tucked in the corner. "Kyle Thurman?" she asked, gaining his attention. She flashed her badge. "Agent Markson, FBI. I'm here to ask you some questions about Hailey Jodiak."

"Sure," Kyle said, calmly going back to reshelving books. "What would you like to know?"

"Did you see Hailey three nights ago?"

"I did. She was leaving the bonfire party, and we passed each other on the path."

"Did she say anything to you?"

Kyle shook his head. "Not that I recall. Only that she was going home. Said she was too cold to hang out anymore."

"So you didn't hear anything or see anything?"

"I'm afraid not," he replied, looking over at her. "I don't really know Hailey, to be honest. She seemed like a nice girl."

"That was the first time you met her?" Rachel asked, stepping closer.

"Yes."

"You never spoke to her before that night?"

He shook his head, a bit of panic on his face. "Am I … under some kind of suspicion?" he asked.

"No," Rachel replied. "We're just trying to be thorough. Thank you. We'll be in touch."

"Anything I can do to help," Kyle smiled, turning back to his work as Sam came to her side.

Rachel watched him for a moment as Sam came to her side. He seemed normal-no telltale signs of lying present. Maybe a little nervous from being interrogated, but otherwise completely innocent. She tugged gently on Sam's suit sleeve as they turned and walked toward the exit. He leaned in, taking the hint. "Kyle seems perfectly normal. So why can't I shake the feeling he's involved? Do I just want him to be, because it's easy?"

"Maybe," Sam murmured. He paused, positioning himself in a way that he could take subtle glances at Kyle. "We'll keep an eye on him, though." Without realizing it, Sam guided Rachel out of the library with a feather light touch to the small of her back. The intimate gesture lit her skin on fire. Outside, he pulled away with sudden urgency, like a kid caught rifling in a cookie jar. "I'll, uh, text Dean," he said, moving away and taking out his phone.

Rachel glanced back over her shoulder toward the library, an odd feeling surrounding her. She could feel someone's eyes watching her, but no one was there. She sighed; she needed to screw her head on straight, and fast. Hailey needed her to. Colossal failure wasn't an option, especially in front of the Winchesters.