The Blood You Drink

Chapter 2: Clan

The moon rose in the distance. Dean could feel it calling him, summoning him. He tossed and turned wanting to sleep, but sleeping at night was almost impossible for him. Yawning, he sat up and stretched. He turned his head and looked at his calendar. There was a large red circle wrapped around the square marking the day, that day. Dean rolled out of bed and grabbed his clothes.

Walking at night was always colder and lonelier. There were hardly any cars, if any at all. The sidewalks were bare. Dean walked by the park and could feel the emptiness. The silence was deafening. The only sound in the air was the squeaking of the swings in the park being pushed by the light breeze. Dean made his way through the park into the woods that were off limits. He maneuvered his way through the wired fence meant to keep people away. He managed to snag his heavy grey jacket on part of the fencing. God dammit. He ripped off a piece of his jacket as he sprung free and continued through the dense forest.

After a while of walking, Dean reached his destination. He stood in an empty part of the woods surrounded by shadows cast through the trees by the moonlight. One by one, more people began to show up. Not a single word was exchanged between anyone; silence remained. Suddenly everyone became tense. Footsteps crushing leaves could be heard as someone approached. A man with bright hazel eyes stood in the center of the circle made by the other people. His hair was brown and fell in waves just above his shoulders. He flashed a pearly white smile at everyone. Everybody was obviously afraid. The man with the hazel eyes loved it. "Brothers, sisters, it's good to see you all. How long as it been? Oh, right, it's been a month. It's the only time I get to see you guys. How's everyone been?" he asked. Nearby crickets chirped. "Oh come on," he turned to a young girl with curly black hair that fell below her shoulders. Her brown eyes gleamed with terror. "Ruby, how have you been holding up?"

Ruby shifted uncomfortably. "I've been fine, Sam," she said. Sam raised his eyebrows and forced the corners of his mouth to rise, encouraging her to continue. "My status report is one body a couple towns over. I drained him dry and kept the blood bags. I shouldn't have to kill again for a while."

"Very good," replied Sam. He approached Ruby and nuzzled the side of her neck. "I smell a bit more than just a few blood bags," he pulled away slowly. "You sure it was just one man?"

Ruby opened and closed her mouth a few times making stuttering sounds. "Well, there might have been a child." Sam glared at her. "I couldn't help it! They taste so much better young."

Sam wrapped his hand around Ruby's throat. Ruby started to choke and claw as his hand. Sam lifted her off the ground to where her feet were just barely hovering. "Your body count was 3 last month. You need to be more careful, or I'll have to take care of you," his voice fell into a whisper as he finished his sentence. Ruby nodded her head and tried to calm down. Sam dropped her. "Anyone else have anything that needs to be cleaned up?" Everyone was silent. "Good. Now for the more important business, mating season." Snickers could be heard from a select few amongst the group. Everyone else braced themselves. Finding a mate was no easy or clean task. "Just remember, this only comes once every ten years, keep the body count as low as you can, and choose wisely."

Dean scoffed. As if it was a choice. You knew exactly who your destined mate was, whether you liked it or not. Once you started dreaming of the person you meant to change, you had to do it. Desperate for blood and protection, the newly changed human would usually join the clan without question. However, occasionally the human would become hysterical through the change, and the clan member would lose their only chance at having a true mate, which left them alone until they were killed, committed suicide, or settled for another human because they were forced. Sam walked over to Dean after hearing him. "You think this is funny?"

"Oh it's just funny you present this whole mate thing like it's a choice," replied Dean with his hands stiff in his pockets. "You say choose wisely, when we all know you can't just pick a mate. You know who they are and if they die or go insane, you're screwed. So stop sugar coating it and be a real leader."

Sam took a step closer to Dean. He was only about 4 inches taller, but when he stood as close as he was, it emphasized the height difference, and the body mass difference. Dean was no small man, but Sam was built like a warrior from centuries of surviving. "You will show me some respect. I chose my mate. Sure, sometimes who you're meant for doesn't work out, but that's why you suck it up, and pick someone else." Sam turned and raised his voice for all to hear. "We have to keep our numbers up or we will die out. So whether the person is meant for you or not, you're running out of time." Sam swung his arm around a girl with long blonde curls. His mate, Jessica, was the most stunning woman in the clan; she was almost as old as Sam.

Everyone slowly made their way back to their homes. Dean turned to leave and was stopped by Sam's voice, "Little brother," he called out.

"Don't call me that," hissed Dean. "I'm your big brother and you know it."

Sam laughed and wrapped his other arm around Jessica. "Yeah, but I was turned first, and I lead this clan, which makes me the boss, the big bro, and the guy you will listen to or you will regret it." Dean's lip peeled back in a snarl. He hated being the underdog to Sam, his little brother. He turned and walked away before a scene would be made. Walking back home, he turned back only once to see his brother biting Jessica's neck, and her returning the favor. Exchanging ingested blood back and forth was a nasty, sexual act performed between vampires. Any blood drunk would stream through the veins of the vampire, which is why they needed to feed often. Dean wanted to tell them to get a room, but he decided to just keep walking.

As Dean walked home, his brother's words continued to anger him. He made finding a mate seem like such a simple task, when the truth was, this time of year was the bloodiest. Vampire's instinct caused them to fight for their mates. If the person was already in any type of relationship or had anyone keeping them away, the person in the vampires way would be slaughtered, their blood drank. The body count was usually so high that the clan had to move again, one by one, member by member. Dean was no social butterfly, but he had become comfortable in the small town. He had a decent paying job, and not having to buy food made life easier. He enjoyed attending church, which was something he did in secret. If any member of the clan found out, he would probably be killed. Worshipping God, to vampires, was like humans worshipping Satan. It was a disgusting act that was to be punished.

Dean arrived at his home and closed and locked the door behind him. He didn't feel like being bothered. He knew sometimes clan members would come by on Sam's behalf to make sure he was staying out of trouble. Sam always kept a close eye on Dean. In the past, Dean was the rabid one. He would go on rampages and the clan had to move around a lot because of it. If it were any other clan member, they would have been murdered long ago, but Sam made an exception for his brother. It all took place centuries ago, and Dean had learned to control himself long ago, but Sam never let him forget.

He lay in bed atop the covers just in boxer shorts. It was too hot in his room for anything more. He sighed as he thought about his mate. The truth was, he had known who he was meant for, for a long time now. Images of the churches priest flooded through his mind. Brown hair and crystal blue eyes. Dean had been watching him for a while, hoping nothing would happen, but what was he supposed to do? He was the only member of the clan with a same sex mate. Yet another thing that could get him killed, but he couldn't fight what he knew was right. Castiel, his destined mate, always so close yet so far, and he couldn't do anything. That was the problem. Dean had already acted on Castiel being his true mate, and he hadn't felt that guilty since the days of his rampages. Castiel had a girlfriend, Hannah Garcia, and Dean's instincts got the better of him. He attacked, he drank her blood, and he fled.

He didn't mean for it to happen, but she was in the way. Every time he saw Castiel with her, his entire being would flare up. Oh how he hated that poor girl, and that night came when she was alone, writing in her dairy, speaking the words out loud. Dean was already nearby since Castiel had just left her house. With his enhanced hearing, he could hear her as she spoke out her deepest thoughts.

Dear Diary,

I know Castiel is Catholic, and would probably never agree, but I want to give myself to him. We're both adults now, I don't see the problem. He might be upset, but I have to ask him. I'm ready to be with him.

Those words sent anger through Dean that he hadn't felt in years. His instincts took over. He climbed through her window and slaughtered her like an animal. It served her right, Castiel belonged to him; at least, that's what he thought at the time, but after seeing Castiel's reaction the next day, suicide seemed like a better option. That's when he started attending church, trying to get away from it all, but as the days passed, things around town changed, and Castiel became the new priest. That's when Dean knew. He wasn't meant to get away from it. No matter how bad it was, Castiel was his, and he was running out of time to make that final.

Dean's alarm sounded throughout his room and he awoke with bags under his eyes. He sat up and slammed his fist on the clock, glad he managed to hit the right button this time. He walked over to his mini fridge and pulled out a bag full of blood. Sinking his two needle-like fangs into the plastic, he drained it in seconds. The bags under his eyes faded and a little color returned to his skin. He wasn't feeding as much as he needed to, but he had to make due. He couldn't kill again, not after the other day. Matthew's death caused more panic than he had expected. With Matt being the douchebag everyone knew he was, Dean didn't expect so many people to be concerned. Unfortunately for him, word about "the vanishing murderer" spread quickly.

Dean tossed the empty blood bag in the trash and got ready for the day. He had work at the local pet store. The job was crappy at times, literally, but it had good hours and paid well for it. They were desperate to keep the few employees they had, and would do just about anything to keep them. Dean groaned as he brushed his teeth. Blood didn't come off easily.

He put on his blue, jean jacket and grabbed his umbrella. Another thing that he did that no other clan members did was go out in the sun. The other clan members had night jobs and slept during the day. That's what a normal vampire was supposed to do, but Dean was so stubborn to be different, he tortured himself with little sleep and risking burning every single day. Sometimes he wondered if his mate was the same sex purely because he was so determined to be different.

The walk to the pet store wasn't very long, but it was hot. Dean hated wearing his jacket, but he had to protect himself from the sun as much as possible. A few layers of clothing, and an umbrella to protect his face and hands, he could walk around like a normal human, but of course he always did the occasional strange stare from people. After all, what person carried around an umbrella in 100 degree California weather?

"Hey, Dean!" greeted the owner of the pet store, Ellen, as Dean walked inside.

Dean smiled as he folded up his umbrella and placed on a shelf behind the register. "Hey, Mrs. Harvelle," he said as he tied his uniform—a blue apron with his name tag on it—around his waist.

"How are you today?" asked Ellen as she walked over to him and hugged him lovingly, almost like a mother.

Dean hugged back for a moment then pulled away. He was used to the smell of blood, but tight embraces made it harder to resist. "I'm good, how about you?" he asked making his way over to the pet food. He started refilling any empty bowls in the animal's cages.

"Long night. I swear, Jo doesn't realize how much work it takes to close up shop without her," said Ellen as she handed Dean the cleaning supplies he would need. "That snake it the back has been vomiting up his rats again."

"Yeah," replied Dean as made his way over to the snake's cage. "He's not going to be around much longer." He placed the snake in another cage and began to clean the dirty one. "So Jo's been out with her friends again, leaving you here?"

"Yeah, but I feel bad making her stay home. She hardly ever goes out. I just wish she would stay back and help before she left."

"Mom," said a voice. Dean turned around to see Jo. Blonde hair and brown eyes, she was a spitting image of her mother. "In my defense, you said I could leave at seven."

"Yes, but you didn't even bother finishing cleaning the last cage on your list before you left," said Ellen handing Jo a bag of dog food. "Be gentle with the puppies."

Jo rolled her eyes, "I know. And I didn't want to be late. I had to get ready." She began to refill the dog food, and accidently spilled some on the floor. The little nuggets scattered everywhere and most rolled underneath shelves.

"Jo!" Ellen exclaimed. "Be careful, we can't afford to get bugs in here!"

Jo threw her head back in frustration. "Mom, half the animals in here eat bugs! It was an accident!"

"Hey, hey," interrupted Dean. "Ellen, don't worry, after I finish cleaning this I'll sweep it up. Let's just have a calm day of work, okay? Come on," he said with a smile. Both Jo and Ellen couldn't help but smile back and went back to their work.

As Dean swept the floor, Jo held the dust pan for him. She picked up what was swept and dumped it in the trash. "You know, you keep me and my mom from fighting better than my dad ever did," she said with a hand on her hip. "I think he fueled it worse," she chuckled.

Dean shrugged his shoulders. "Since I'm not family, it probably helps."

"Oh but you are family," said Ellen. She placed a leash in his hands. "The Colonel, please?" she asked. Dean glanced outside and saw the sun had reached its highest point, which meant it was at its strongest.

"Can it wait for a bit?" he asked.

Ellen shook her head. "No, dear, I'll need you back here until your shift is over. Please?" Dean couldn't say no to Ellen. She and Jo were the only two townsfolk that treated him like a normal person. He smiled and took the leash and went to the back kennels to get the dog.

"Colonel!" Dean shouted to get the dog's attention. He whistled. "Come on, boy!" Soon enough, a large German Shepherd sprung to his feet and pawed at the cage. Dean opened the cage and attached the leash to The Colonels collar. He walked him out to main part of the store and grabbed his umbrella. He unfolded the umbrella and stepped outside. Instantly, his skin started to burn lightly. He winced as he walked The Colonel around the block. The shade from his umbrella was doing little to protect his face from the rays. He could feel the skin on his cheeks flaring up. Hopefully it would simply look like sunburn.

As The Colonel happily lead Dean around the block, Dean started to think about when Castiel found him in the park. He knew he must have looked awful, red skin, steam emerging from any part of his body that was exposed. Castiel had looked so afraid. Allergic to the sun, Dean shook his head. What a stupid excuse. If Castiel believed that, he was destined to be with a complete idiot.

Dean brought The Colonel back to the pet store and put him back in his kennel. "Good boy," he said locking the kennel up. "See you tomorrow, buddy." He walked back out to the main part of the store and continued to take care of his responsibilities. Jo helped him with most of the cleaning, and after, Ellen would have him take over the register until his shift ended at 5:00 p.m.

"See you tomorrow, Dean," said Jo as Dean folded up his apron. "Don't forget my mom will be gone for most of the day, so you'll need to take care of the customers while I clean." Jo huffed at the word clean.

Dean put his apron away and unfolded his umbrella. "Alright. Well I'll probably be awake, so I'll come to work a little early, help you will some of the cage cleaning before people start showing up."

"You don't have to do that," replied Jo leaning against the counter. She twiddled her thumbs and bit her bottom lip.

"Eh, I don't mind. Hey, help your mom out before you leave okay?" he winked at her and opened the door.

Jo rolled her eyes and giggled. "Yeah, yeah, see ya." Dean smiled and walked out the door and headed home.

As Dean walked home, he kept his eyes on the passing by cars. He knew Castiel would probably be in the road home if he went out. Sure enough he spotted his old beat up car, but he didn't stop walking this time. He knew Castiel was probably still scared, and he knew his brother was following him. He made a right turn and walked down the road to the more remote part of town. It was close to where he lived, but it was far enough away that Sam couldn't sniff out the exact location. He sighed. "Give it up. I've known you for centuries; you don't think I can't smell you across town?"

Sam smiled to himself and stepped out in front of Dean. He held his umbrella high above his head, "Really? Is this what we've come to? We're supposed to strive at night. And here you are. Walking around in the sun like the other people in this town. Oh except you're not. The sun will kill you, so you have to carry around these things."

"Are you done?" asked Dean already extremely irritated. The sun wasn't as strong as earlier in the day, but he had already been exposed too much for the day.

Sam laughed. "You wouldn't have a problem if you just accepted who you are. Instead you walk around pretending to be normal, pretending to be human."

"Yeah, bite me. I bet you don't even remember what it's like to be human. You were thrilled when we were turned. Excited for the immortality, the strength, the speed, you couldn't wait to tap in to what you could do with other people's blood running through your veins. And even after all these years you still refuse to see that we don't have to be monsters!"

"We are monsters, Dean! You're the one that needs to open your eyes. I've been watching you. I know you found your mate." Dean's heart dropped into his stomach. "She seems nice. Jo, right? Cute girl. She'll be good for you."

Dean's heart would have been racing a million miles per hour had it still had a beat. What was he supposed to say? He couldn't tell his brother the truth, but he couldn't watch Jo and her mother get sucked into his undead life either. "She's nice," was all Dean could think to say.

Sam smiled cunningly. "I'll bet she's nice in the sack." Dean's jaw tightened. Jo was like a little sister to him, and he didn't like his brother, or anyone for that matter, talking about her like that. "If you expect me to believe you haven't taken it there, please. It's written all over you, Dean. You're falling for her, and you're going to change her into one of us."

"Just get out of here, Sam. Leave it alone." Sam took a step closer to his brother and knocked the umbrella out of his hand. Dean yelled out in pain and fell to the ground. He twitched in pain and scrambled around until he could reach his shield and guard himself from the rays. He slowly stood up and glared at Sam. He bared his fangs threateningly, even though he knew Sam couldn't be less afraid. The skin on his face and hands was red and covered in nasty blotches he knew would peel away very painfully until new skin grew underneath. Sam looked at him with disgust. "Pathetic," he lowered his voice into a whisper. "You don't tell me what to do. I tell you. And I'm telling you that very soon, you're going to take that little slice, and you're going to change her, or I will." Sam left without another word, leaving Dean to struggle walking home as his body felt like it was crumbling away in the heat.