Chapter 6, The Woman in the Subway

They went down the stairs, eyes quickly adjusting to the dimmer lights of the subway. Swarms of people coursed past them, making discussion difficult. They didn't need words, though. The brothers' connection was strong, forged over the years on hunt after hunt. Dean didn't have to watch Sam, could feel him there beside him, tensed for the hunt. Though it pained him a little, Dean allowed Sam to take the point position. Tracking something that Dean couldn't sense, Sam scanned the crowd, all senses attuned for some sign that they were getting closer to their target. Sam pushed them forward, seeking a path through the crowd. Dean was just as alert. His eyes took in every businessman, assessed every crazy bum for a possible threat. Dean's protective presence allowed Sam to focus, to lead. The two of them moved with a confidence which came from a lifetime of experience, their faces sober with intimate knowledge of the consequences of one wrong move. They couldn't save everyone, but they were going to damn well try.

They were anything but relaxed as the subway car shuttered forward. At each stop Sam stepped up to the dirty window to scrutinize the platform, his eyes darting to the dark corners, the stairwells where flyers fluttered in the draft of the departing cars. A moment's hesitation, then he gave a slight shake of his head. This isn't it. Once they got out, Dean trailing behind as Sam strode purposefully over to a yellow poster for Pirates of Penzance. He stared at it for a long time, but when Dean finally demanded "is this the place?" Sam shook his head again and they moved on.

When the car pulled in at 103rd Sam stepped to the window. Dean watched his brother glare at the station, feeling the frustration building behind his tired eyes. He got no indication that Sam had found anything until Sam's head jerked to the right, his eyes riveted on a woman, hunched over and walking quickly from the car several doors down. Without hesitating, Sam stepped out of the car to follow her. Dean pushed his way past the college girls who eyed him hungrily as he passed. He slipped through the doors as they started to close.

Sam caught up to the woman quickly, his long stride soon bringing him near enough to pass. As he did so, he purposefully knocked into her roughly, brushing her purse from her shoulder. She bent down frantically to pick up her belongings which had spilled from her purse. Sam was a step ahead of her, though, apologizing profusely. He caught a glimpse of her i.d. card before he gave it up, name Erin Burke. Up close she was younger than her initial profile had suggested. A dark rope of hair peaked out from under her hooded sweatshirt. Her green eyes were wild with fear and she turned tensely to Sam, suspecting foul play. Dean was just a step behind, though, picking up Sam's lead.

"Hey man," He barked. "Watch where you're going, you friggin' jerk."

"It was an accident," Sam responded defensively. Dean almost laughed at the affected whine in his tone.

He turned his attention to the woman. "Are you alright?" He asked, offering her a hand up and flashing his trademark smile, still irresistible after all these years. "My brother's a lawyer." Dean continued, enjoying the irony. He shot Sam a dark look. "You should sue this creep for personal injury."

"I'm fine," She replied, but refused his help and scrambled upright unassisted. She was favoring her right side, though, revealing injuries that neither of the brothers had picked up on before. Sam immediately felt guilty of jostling her already fragile frame. Dean seemed confused by the coldness in her response, but a sharp look from Sam had him trying again.

"Are you sure?" Dean asked. She glared at him, but as she did she faltered, swaying from side to side. Dean's hands were immediately there to steady her. "Take it easy, okay. You're bleeding." His ministrations revealed a large gash in Erin's left side.

"Stay the hell away from me," She growled through gritted teeth.

"We're just here to help," Sam responded, dropping the charade as he sensed the situation becoming more and more critical.

"Who the hell are you?" She asked, suspicion still high.

"I'm Dean and the klutz is my brother, Sam." Dean supplied, but somehow this didn't seem to calm the woman's fears.

"What do you want?" She asked weakly, practically unable to stand without leaning heavily on Dean.

"For now we just want to talk," Dean assured her. "Maybe we better look for a somewhere to sit down." They were starting to get funny looks from the crowd.

Erin nodded weakly and Sam led the way to a bench that was out of the major flow of pedestrian traffic. His eyes were riveted on the far wall, standing watch while Dean began to pump their new acquaintance for information.

"Have you ever seen anything like this before?" He asked, showing her the sketch of the amulet that Sam had made earlier.

Erin grew even more agitated at the sight of the sketch, her hands clutching it convulsively. "Where did you get this?" She demanded, looking at the brothers suspiciously.

Dean hesitated slightly before answering, "My brother had a vision." He began, deciding to use their knowledge as a bargaining chip to bring the woman to the table.

Erin paused, letting this sink in. Her penetrating eyes turned to search Sam's face. "It's coming," She said and saw the confirmation in Sam's eyes before shrinking back. "You have to get out of here. It's not safe. It'll rip you apart."

"Sweetheart, please." Dean said with a cocky grin, "I'd like to see it try."

TBC

Author's Note: Seriously, y'all, review!