Chapter 2

It was nearly two o'clock when Dean pulled into the parking lot of the Northgate Motor Lodge where, according to Ed, Leah had been staying when he last heard from her. The ancient-looking brick front building housed nearly thirty rooms and was in desperate need of repair. Not unlike most motels the hunters found themselves in.

While Sam went in to get them a room, Dean glanced around, checking out the surrounding area. There was a diner and small bar across the street. He was sure Leah would have visited them, asking questions and learning what she could about the local legends and recent attacks. There was also a small grocery store and they'd passed a library further up the street. Somebody, somewhere, had to know where Leah had gone.

Sam slid into the car a short time later, but with little information. "We're in Room 24. Blake's in 14. They're on the other side of the building. Leah's in 12 and that's in front at the far end of the building. Clerk didn't have much, but did say Blake mentioned something about heading up into the mountains on Sunday. He hasn't seen either of them since, but because the rooms are paid for through next week, he isn't worried. They haven't been gone that long, Dean, so that's a good sign. I just wonder why Leah didn't tell her dad she'd be out of touch for awhile."

Dean started up the car and headed for the back side of the motel. Going with a gut feeling, he didn't think things were good. "I don't know. Let's find her so we can ask. I say we check out their rooms real quick and if we don't find anything more specific, we go across the street. I'm sure they talked to somebody in the bar." He slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! I hope this Blake knows what he's doing. We're surrounded by a hell of a lot of woods, Sammy."

His brother nodded in agreement. "I know, but Leah's careful. I'm sure she's done a lot of research and I doubt she'd hook up with somebody who wasn't smart as well. And like you said, they must have talked to the locals. Someone should be able to point us in the right direction."

After parking the Impala in front of their room, the two made their way to Blake's. Dean made quick work of the lock and they ducked inside.

"We gotta be thorough, but fast. I want to be able to start looking for her before it gets dark." Dean said as he closed the door behind them.

Sam knew Dean was being extremely optimistic. IF they were lucky enough to get some idea of where to start looking, it didn't mean that was where Leah and Blake still were. They were scouting the area searching for a wood devil. That search could - would - take them all over the woods.

As they glanced around, both men grimaced at the mess before them. Clothes were strewn all over the bed and floor, along with empty food containers and beer cans.

"Dude! Looks like you two would make perfect roommates" Sam remarked as he kicked a couple of empty Styrofoam to-go boxes from his path.

"Funny. Let's get this done. I doubt we'll find anything. He's clearly not the organized type. I want to check Leah's room."

They dug through the mayhem, Dean continually having to stop himself from looking for anything personal of Leah's. He knew he had no right to be upset about her seeing other men. When he walked away he'd known there would be others. She was too damn beautiful, too passionate. Unfortunately, it hadn't gotten any easier over time. The idea of some guy's hands on Leah's body still left him feeling like his insides had been shredded.

"Let's hit Leah's room." Sam said after the search came up empty.

The two slipped out and around to the front side of the motel. While Sam kept watch, Dean picked the lock of Room 12.

As soon as Dean stepped inside, he could smell her perfume. The light scent lingered in the small space and he was immediately reminded of Leah's house in Oklahoma. The memory of waking up in her room, in her bed, with her long limbs wrapped around his body came rushing back. He noticed a few pieces of her clothing lay over the back of one of the chairs by the window and some small items were scattered over the dresser. The reality of what he'd given up hit him hard and he closed his eyes for a few seconds. It was all he could allow himself. He had to push the thoughts of the time they'd spent together aside and keep a clear mind if he was going to save Leah.

Sam moved toward the far side of the room to search the nightstand while Dean headed for the large dresser across from the bed. He ran his hand over the things she had set out on top of it, then turned to the clothing on the chair. His fingers brushed the softness of a light blue sweater and before he knew it, he was holding it up to his face and breathing in the familiar scent that was Leah. A scent he would never forget.

Jesus, Dean! He set it down quickly, wondering if Sam had seen him. He looked over, but his brother had his back to him. Relieved not to have been caught, Dean gave himself a mental shake and continued his search of the room, using extra care to avoid Leah's clothing.

Dean's actions hadn't gone unnoticed, though. Sam waited until he heard Dean moving around again before sitting down on the bed. He'd found Leah's journal in the nightstand and was about to bring it to his brother's attention when he caught sight of him with Leah's sweater. Thankfully he'd turned around fast enough so as not embarrass his brother. Dean would have been mortified to know he'd been caught doing something so incredibly sentimental.

"Dean. Here's her journal." He opened it and skimmed through the pages. It was similar to the one their dad had kept, filled with information from her hunts, sketches and clippings from papers.

Sitting down next to his brother, Dean watched for a moment as Sam flipped pages. He was edgy and anxious to get moving. Each minute spent in town was one less he had out in those woods to search for Leah.

"What the hell are you doing, Sam?" he snapped. Jerking the book from Sam's grasp, Dean went to the last page that contained an entry. Running his finger over the words she'd written, he did a fast scan of her notes until he found what he was searching for.

"Here. Crawford Notch State Park." He stood up and closed the book, slipping it into his coat pocket as he headed for the door. "Why didn't she take this with her? Something's not right about all this. Let's grab some supplies and find this park. I don't care if it's dark when we get there. I want to start looking."

Sam followed Dean out to the car. He was confused by Leah's actions as well. It seemed out of character from not only everything he knew about her, but from what he'd heard about her hunting style as well. He snuck a peek at Dean as they got into the car and could see the tension in his brother's face. Sam made a mental check list of everything they'd need before rushing off into the mountains. Clearly Leah had made some mistakes and if they were going to save her, they couldn't afford to do the same.

TBC