Nine
A spring dug painfully into her back causing Reggie to roll over onto her side as she tried to get away from it. The movement was enough to jog her brain and her eyes snapped open. Sam sat at the small dining table by the motel room window, bent over the information Reggie had gotten earlier that day.
"What time is it?" she asked, her voice still thick with sleep. She cleared her throat and sat up.
"A little before nine," Sam replied. He put down his pen and looked at Reggie, giving her a small smile. "You sleep okay?"
Reggie nodded and looked around. "Where's Dean?"
"He said he was going for a walk, but I think I heard the Impala pull out. I guess he went for a drive instead." Sam stretched and his back cracked, stiff from having been huddled over for so long. "There's food over here if you're hungry," Sam said, pointing to a paper bag sitting on the chair across from him.
Reggie yawned and got up, her stomach growling. It reminded her that it had been a while since the last time she ate. Thoroughly hungry now, she opened the bag and pulled out a clear plastic container filled with salad. She set it aside and started searching through the other containers. After finding a turkey sandwich and a fork, Reggie sat down to eat.
"This is really good," she said, swallowing down a large bite of sandwich.
Sam smiled at her and handed her a can of soda. "I tried to get an assortment of food since I wasn't exactly sure what you like."
"I'm not too picky," Reggie said and took another bite of the sandwich. She pointed to the list in front of Sam and swallowed. "How many do we have?"
Sam glanced down at the list and grimaced. "So far, thirty-two and I'm not even done yet."
Reggie shook her head and sighed. "It's going to take too long to find all those people." She put her fork down and reached across the table, pulling the list over to her. "If we can just find the one from last night, she can lead us back to the rest of them."
Just then, the door opened and Reggie and Sam looked up as Dean stepped inside. Water ran down his face from his dark blonde hair and he stomped past them to the bathroom to grab a towel. Dean peeled off his jacket, draped it over the top of the door to dry, and finally looked at Sam and Reggie.
"What?" he snapped, feeling uncomfortable under their stares.
"Nothing," Sam replied hastily.
Dean grunted and sat down on his bed, rubbing the towel over his wet hair. Sam and Reggie exchanged a quick glance and Sam took the list from her, going back to work. When Dean looked over at them, Reggie was staring intently into her salad, pushing the leaves around with the plastic fork.
"So what've you got?" Dean asked, trying to fill the silence.
"I was just telling Reggie that there are thirty-two names on the "Possibles" list so far. I still have another twenty names to check."
"The damn freaks are going to be finished with this town by the time we get through all of them," Dean growled, getting up and walking over to peer over Sam's shoulder. "There has to be something easier."
"I hate to admit it, but we may have to go with your plan after all, Dean," Sam said, sighing as he pushed the list away again. "Drawing one of them out with bait might be the only way to get them all."
"I knew sooner or later, you'd come around," Dean said, grinning at them. Reggie rolled her eyes and Sam groaned.
"I still think it's a bad idea," she grumbled. "But if we're going to do this, we're going to go in with a solid plan." Dean nodded and continued to dry off.
"I think we should try the bar. See if the one from last night shows up again," Sam suggested. He glanced up at his brother, already expecting that Dean had his own idea in mind.
"I think I should be the bait," Dean declared. Sam and Reggie both shook their heads at him, ready to argue, but Dean held up his hand. "Look, she was interested last night so why wouldn't she be again tonight?"
"I might have a better idea," Reggie stated. Sam and Dean both looked at her, waiting. "Ghoul-girl watched you leave with me, Dean. If you're right, and she knows I saw what she is, then she'll be expecting a trap. If we show up at the bar tonight she'll know we're looking for her."
"So what's your plan, then? Wait for her to take some other poor soul?" Dean snapped. He couldn't help thinking about the person who may have been taken last night. It made him angry to consider some innocent man had taken his place.
"No. That's not safe enough," Reggie replied, shaking her head. "If we set up surveillance and wait for her to slip off with a new victim, we take the risk the ghoul will kill them if she spots us."
"Okay, that's true, but what other choice do we have?" Sam asked.
"I want you to agree to my plan first before I tell you," Reggie declared, crossing her arms over her chest, waiting for them to respond.
"No way," Dean objected. "I want to hear it first before I agree to anything."
"Then I guess we're going to be sitting here for a while, because I'm not saying another word until you do."
Dean looked to Sam for help. His brother looked resigned and it made Dean even more irritated.
"Sam, you can't seriously be considering agreeing?"
Sam shrugged. "I guess I am."
Dean huffed and threw his hands in the air. "Fine, all right, you win. What's your freakin' plan?"
Reggie smirked at him and dropped her hands onto the table. "I'm the bait," she stated simply.
"No way!" Sam and Dean both cried in unison.
Reggie held up her hands, waving for them to calm down. "Wait, wait. Just listen to me for a minute. If the ghoul really does know that I saw her true form then she'll be looking for me. You said so yourself, Dean. Why not make it easier for her to find me?"
"That is the worst, most idiotic idea you've probably ever had, Reggie," Dean yelled.
"Come on, Dean. Just a second ago, you were willing to dangle on a hook for this bitch yourself? I'm just suggesting we use a different worm."
"She's got a point, man," Sam said. He instantly raised his hands protectively as Dean spun on him. "We can stick close enough to keep an eye on her. Make sure that if something goes wrong, she can get out safely."
Dean shook his head. "It's not an option. You're not doing this," Dean snapped, glaring at Reggie.
"Yes, I am. You already agreed, remember?" Reggie fought to hold off the grin pulling at her lips, knowing she would be victorious.
Dean continued to glare at her. "That's because you wouldn't tell us unless we agreed first. You knew I wouldn't like your plan." He could sense the argument was already lost, but refused to give up.
Reggie shrugged nonchalantly. "Because I knew how you'd react. You have to admit that it makes sense, Dean." He vehemently shook his head at her and she laughed. "It was you're plan in the first place."
"No. My plan was for me to be the bait, not you!"
"But your plan won't work anymore. We have to adjust, adapt to the situation. I know you can see that, even if you don't want to admit it."
"Why do you insist on putting yourself in danger?" Dean growled.
"Danger's the name of the game, Dean." Reggie grinned at him and got up from her chair. "There would be just as much risk if I was doing this job on my own. Maybe more so." She placed her hand on his arm. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm glad you two are the ones who are going to be watching my back."
Dean sighed, finally surrendering. "It doesn't, but thanks."
The road wound to the right ahead of them and Dean sped up, not wanting to lose sight of the Plymouth's taillights. "Easy, Dean. We don't want the ghouls to spot us and blow everything." Sam glanced at his brother. He saw Dean consider what he said for a second, before finally easing off the Impala's gas pedal.
The car slowed and the distance between them and Reggie stretched. Sam pulled out his penlight and opened up a small map he'd gotten the last time he was in the library.
"It's pretty much a straight shot into town now." He traced the thin blue line of Highway 81 with his finger.
"Do you think they'll try something before we get there?" Dean asked. His hands began to itch in anticipation and he rubbed them on the steering wheel.
"I don't know. I think Reggie's right and they'll be expecting a trap. They might decide to be preemptive or they might wait it out. See what Reggie does first and react."
"I still think this is too risky."
"Reggie knows what she's doing, man. She'll be fine."
Sam realized he sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as he was Dean. They drove in silence for a while, letting the space between them and Reggie grow until the taillights of her car were mere pinpricks in the distance. As they drove into the center of town, Dean slammed on his brakes.
"Where the hell did she go?" he snapped, looking around for the Plymouth.
Sam scanned the streets, looking for any sign of the woman or her car. "I don't know. Keep driving down the main street. She couldn't have gotten too far."
A few minutes later, they finally spotted the dark blue car parked on a side road, the engine still running. Dean pulled up behind it and got out, his stomach like heavy stone. When the driver's side door opened and Reggie got out, he exhaled and relaxed.
"I'm going to head over to the bar for a little bit," Reggie said as Dean and Sam walked towards her. "Check out the scene and see if I spot our friend."
Dean nodded. "Sam and I will split up and cover both sides, then. That way, if she decides to bail when she sees you, we'll be there to catch her." Reggie nodded and climbed back into the Plymouth. Dean and Sam walked back to the Impala and pulled back out onto the main street.
"Do you really think splitting up is a wise idea?" Sam asked as Dean drove slowly down the road. "We don't even know that the ghoul last night was alone."
"Would you rather sit in the car and wait?" Dean asked, pulling up to the curb a block away from the bar and cutting the engine.
"No, not really," Sam relented. They got out and jogged across the street.
Once they were close enough to hear the music playing inside the bar, Dean signaled to Sam and disappeared, heading around to the back of the building. Sam continued walking, pretending like he was just casually passing by. When he was sure there was no one outside in the parking lot, he crouched down and weaved through the lot between the parked cars until he had the perfect hidden vantage point to the front door.
Dean stepped into the dark alleyway behind the bar and pressed himself against the brick wall of the building beside it. He pulled his Colt .45 from where it was tucked, against his back in the waist of his jeans, and chambered a round. Making his way down the alley, Dean stepped over sodden cardboard boxes and garbage, before coming to a stop beside a large green dumpster. From there, he could see the bar's rear exit perfectly, and he leaned against the wall to wait.
It seemed like Dean had been waiting for hours when a figure stepped out of the exit. Dean lifted the hand holding his gun and thumbed the safety off. Crouching behind the dumpster, Dean listened to the approaching footsteps. The bartender from the night before stumbled past him and Dean eased back into the darkness, slipping the safety back on. He watched as the man weaved his way down the alley to the main street, disappearing around the corner.
Reggie stood at the bar, tapping her fingers on its top. She searched through the sea of people around her, trying to spot the woman from last night. So far she'd had no luck. She had been in the bar only twenty minutes, but it felt like much longer, the tension seeping into every muscle of her body.
Reggie was just about to take another stroll around the bar when the blonde spiky-haired guy from the night before materialized beside her, his face lit up in a wide grin.
"Hey there," he shouted, trying to be heard over the blaring music.
Reggie nodded and forced herself to smile back. "Hi."
"I didn't think I would see you here tonight."
"Well, here I am," Reggie said. She stood on her tip-toes, craning her neck in an attempt to see around the man's lanky frame.
"Can I buy you a drink?" He waved at the bartender without waiting for Reggie's reply.
"No, I'm good, thanks."
"Come on? One drink?" He pouted his lips at her, his blue eyes a stark contrast to his light complexion. He placed a hand on the small of her back and pulled her closer, still smiling at her.
Reggie'd had enough. "Listen...Doug, wasn't it?" The man nodded at her. "Well, Doug. You see...I'm a little busy right now. Perhaps another time?" She pushed his arm away and tried to shove past him. Doug grabbed her arm above the elbow in an iron grip and yanked her back in front of him.
"I really think you should stay and have a drink," he hissed, his smile becoming twisted and menacing.
Reggie reacted instantly, kicking her foot out and connecting with the shin of his left leg. Doug stumbled backwards and she used his momentum to break free of his grip, shoving him with her other hand to keep him moving away from her. A few patrons cried out as Doug bumped into them and one man, heavy-set with a long gray beard and several tattoos on his neck, shoved Doug back into the bar.
Reggie skirted out of the way and disappeared into the crowd, heading for the bathroom. She was just passing the pool tables when she spotted a woman with blonde hair talking to a short, black haired man dressed in a white polo shirt. She had her back to Reggie, her face hidden. Reggie immediately changed direction and headed for the blonde. As she got closer, she recognized the voice.
"Adrianne?" The woman turned and smiled at Reggie.
"Hey Reggie. I didn't think I would see you here tonight," Adrianne said.
"I was just looking for someone. I'm not planning on staying. What are you doing here?"
Adrianne shrugged and glanced around sheepishly. "I was actually looking for Sam," she finally admitted.
Reggie chuckled and shook her head. "I should have guessed you'd go for a guy like him."
"Have you seen him around?" Adrianne peered around Reggie, scanning the crowded room.
"Nope, sorry."
"I bet you've seen Dean, though," Adrianne said, raising her eyebrow and grinning at Reggie. Reggie blinked at her, confused. Then she realized the reason for the look Adrianne was giving her.
"Oh...no. Nothing happened. I just gave him a ride back to his motel."
"Sure," Adrianne giggled.
"How'd you know we left together last night, anyway?"
"I have my sources." Adrianne laughed and Reggie smiled awkwardly at her. "This is a small town, Reggie. People gossip. Especially about anybody new."
"Sam said you weren't feeling too well last night," Reggie said, changing the subject.
"Yeah. I had started to feel a little ill, but I'm fine now."
"Good, I'm glad." Reggie started scanning the crowd again, keeping an eye out for Doug as well as Dean's blonde friend. Adrianne glanced back at the man in the polo shirt, who was watching the two of them talk while he sipped his beer.
"Listen, I hate to bail on you, but that guy over there..."
"Don't worry about it, I understand. Besides, I told you, I'm just in here looking for someone. Go. Have fun." Reggie gently pushed Adrianne away, smiling at her.
"Talk to you later," Adrianne called over her shoulder as she walked back to the guy in the polo shirt. Reggie scanned the room again and spotted Doug making his way through the crowd toward the dartboard area. He had his arm draped over a tall red-headed girl who was smiling up at him as they walked.
"Didn't take you long," Reggie mumbled to herself. She decided to check out the bathrooms anyway and continued to make her way through the crowd. Reggie pushed open the door and stepped into the small bathroom.
The smell of disinfectant and perfume hung heavy in the small space and Reggie gagged at the overpowering odors. The room was empty, the music dulled greatly by the heavy door. Reggie stood at one of the sinks, looking at her reflection in the mirrored wall. Her green eyes looked bright without the red tinge of weariness she had become accustomed to seeing lately.
She yanked the hair tie out of her hair, letting it fall lose around her shoulders. Running her fingers through the curls to get out a few tangles, Reggie was just about to pull her hair back up when the bathroom door opened and a petite blonde woman walked into the room. Reggie recognized her as one of Dean's groupies from the night before. She glared at Reggie, obviously recognizing her too.
"Hi," Reggie said, giving the woman a small smile. She nodded back at Reggie, but didn't respond.
The woman strolled over to the sink next to Reggie and stared into the mirror, leaning forward to fix a smudge in her mascara. The light green top she was wearing pulled up from the waist of her skintight black pants and Reggie caught a glimpse of a tattoo at the base of her back. The symbol appeared to be some kind of Egyptian hieroglyph.
"I like your tattoo."
The woman glanced over at Reggie, then rolled her eyes back to her reflection. "Thanks."
"Does it mean something?"
"Yes," she answered curtly. The woman was clearly trying to remain oblivious to Reggie's presence. Reggie shrugged and turned to leave when the door opened again and one of the girl's friends entered.
"Sorry," Reggie muttered, taking a step back so that the girl could go by.
It all happened so fast; one minute, Reggie was stepping out of the girl's way and the next, she was flying backwards through the air She slammed into one of the bathroom stall doors and hit the cold tile floor, landing on her side. She cried out, more in shock than actual pain. Reggie started to pick herself up when she was hard kicked in the ribs, knocking the wind out of her. She rolled onto her back, gasping for air, and found herself face to face with the first blonde.
"Did we hurt you?" she hissed, grabbing Reggie's shirt in both hands and yanking her to her feet.
The woman slammed Reggie into the bathroom's cement wall and held her there. Both girls closed their eyes and inhaled deeply, breathing through their noses. The one holding Reggie opened her eyes, revealing crimson irises, and sneered.
"Not scared yet?" she asked. The woman tossed Reggie like a rag doll into the mirrored wall. It shattered from the impact and, as Reggie hit the floor, she was showered with falling glass. This time, it was the second woman who picked Reggie up and slammed her into the broken mirror.
"We know who you are, hunter," she hissed, her crimson eyes alight with rage.
"And I know what you are, bitch," Reggie spat. The woman backhanded Reggie across the face in a flash of movement.
"I still can't smell her properly," the first woman whined, appearing at her friend's side in an instant. "Why aren't you scared?" she asked, stroking Reggie's cheek with a long, cold finger.
Reggie laughed. "Sorry to disappoint you, but you're just a bunch of ugly bitches to me." She cried out as her head rocked back, ricocheting off the cement wall, as she was hit again.
"You have such a naughty tongue. I think it'll be the first thing I cut off when we start to eat you," the second blonde hissed.
Reggie blinked, trying to clear the stars from her eyes and saw the first woman raise her hand, palm up. She blew a dust into her face and Reggie could smell lilies and chrysanthemum flowers mingled with a strange spice and decay as the room dimmed around her.
"Cassandra will be pleased it was this easy," Reggie heard the woman say just before everything went dark.