Hand-made birthday cards seem to be my forte over the past few years. Dean's 24th birthday is only a week away, and I want to make it special for him. I'm not sure how, but I'll think of something. I know Dean will be grateful whatever the result is.

I carefully place the birthday card into my bag, as the school bell rings, signally the end of the school day. With my scarf wrapped around my neck, I made my way out of the main building, and headed towards the parking lot. However, I didn't see Dean or the Impala. I wrinkled my nose, and blew into my glove cladded hands.

"Dammit" I muttered, as I wandered back over to the front entrance.

It was snowing again, and had been doing so for the past hour. Mrs McKinney had resorted in shutting the blinds, as she stated that the snow was a distraction and we had to return our focus on the science lesson.

I plonked myself onto the stairs, as I waited for my brother, whilst drawing patterns in the snow with a pencil from my bag. It wasn't like Dean to be late in picking me up from school. That was more Dad's thing. Still, the weather was probably holding him back, or maybe a delay in traffic. I muttered to myself, as I was growing impatient. It was now three thirty. I briefly gazed up, and noticed a man standing across the street, just staring at me. Bored and cold, I wandered around the school building and ventured into the playground. What was that man's problem? Just standing there? In this weather, jeez he must be crazy.

My old boots were leaving imprints in the snow, whilst also making a crisp crunching noise. I tugged at my maroon bobble hat, making sure my now pink ears were covered. I smirked as I made my way to the monkey bars. Years ago, on starting Kindergarten, I made sure that any monkey bars I came across, would be established as my domain, and that no other kids would dare cross me. Sure, I got into fights and conflicts over this declaration. Yeah, it didn't always work, but I made sure I left my mark on this school. Last week I got in trouble for kicking one of the boys in my class in the privates, but he had it coming. He kept bullying a group of smaller kids, and stopping them from using the monkey bars. I wouldn't stop little kids from using the monkey bars. I'm no bully. I'm a defender of the people, so to speak.

I dropped my bag, and climbed onto the monkey bars.

"Don't fall," came a familiar gruff voice. "It's not wise to play on this piece of recreational equipment. The weather is most unsuitable. I don't want you getting hurt."

I rolled my eyes, as I then swung upside down, with my hands on my hips.

"Cas, you worry too much," I remarked with a smirk, confronting the trench coated figure that stood in the middle of the monkey bars. I was eye level with him. "I've done this a million times. I only landed on my head once, and that was years ago."

Cas frowned in concern, as he held in arms out, in case I fell. The cold weather made his blue eyes stand out even more. I giggled as I swung upside down, watching his attempts to catch me.

"Bet you can't do this, Cas," I said. "It was a brother of yours that showed me how to do this."

Cas frowned again.

"Which one?" he asked.

I shrugged, my scarf dangling.

"He never gave me a name" I replied. "I've known him as long as I've known you. I called him Lolly. He doesn't stay around for long, it's like he's hiding."

Cas looked bemused, but there was a glimmer of nervousness in his eyes and body language. I giggled at him, when suddenly I let out a gasp. The stranger from before was standing behind the chain link fence, staring at me, in a very leering and dark manner. Startled, I let out a small squeal and slipped on the bars, only to be caught in Cas's waiting arms.

"Hello, little girl" sneered the strange man. "Aren't you a pretty thing. Come over here."

I shot daggers at the stranger, and shook my head. The stranger then rattled the chain link fence briefly, before returning to his former position. Suddenly, I heard the blaring horn of the Impala. Dean was finally here. Thank God. Cas still held me in his arms, as he glared at the mysterious figure behind the chain link fence.

"Christina, run," uttered Cas, as he placed me onto the ground. "Go to your brother, now. Don't look back."

On his command, I hurried away from the playground, slinging my bag over my shoulders. Dean appeared at the playground entrance. He saw the strange man, but yet couldn't see Cas, who appeared to be invisible to him. Well, I've gotten used to the idea that Cas is a figment of my lonely imagination, so it makes sense that nobody else could see him.

Dean became very protective, as he knelt down to my level. He placed a hand on my shoulder, whilst the other cupped my face. He glared over in the direction of the mysterious figure, but the man had vanished.

"Chrissie? Are you alright?" he asked. "Who was that man? Did he say anything to you? Did he touch you?"

I shrugged my brother off, still nervous about what had just happened.

"I'm fine, Dean," I replied. "He was just standing there, watching me."

Dean cringed, as he began to usher me back to the Impala.

"Grown men who watch little girls like that are just sick," he said. "Remember what I told you, Chris, if any adult man…"

"Puts his hands on me in any way, I scream and give him hell," I remarked, finishing off my brother's statement. "I know, I know. And anyway, I'm not a little girl. I'm eleven, and I'm gonna be twelve in May."

Dean sighed, as he opened the front passenger door for me.

"Sorry to tell you, kiddo, but you're always gonna be a little girl to me" he said.

The journey back to the motel was slow, due to the snow and bad traffic. Whilst stuck in traffic, I glanced out of the car window, and at the snow covered street. My eyes widened, as I saw the same man from the school playground, sitting on a bench. As we made eye contact, he rose from the bench. He waved. My heart raced, and thudded against my rib cage, as his eyes flickered jet demonic black.

I couldn't hear him, but it was clear to me what he was saying.

"Hello, little girl."

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