Chapter 11: A Locket and a Willow Tree

Dean stared out the diner window, nursing his second cup of coffee and watching the small town come to life in the early morning hours. The small restaurant was full of the smell of bacon and sausage and fresh baked biscuit.

"So, what else did she say?" Sam asked.

"Something about a willow tree," Dean replied.

Sam frowned. "That's vague."

"It's all vague," Dean replied irritably, "and it's all confusing. I need to go and see that well again today, try to find Emily's grave."

"I'll go to the train station, maybe visit that construction site and some the victim's families," Sam offered.

Dean nodded, taking another gulp of the hot coffee.

"Just be careful," Sam warned, "I know you're sick of me saying it, but," he smiled, "it's a brother thing."
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Sam stood outside the train station once again, looking up at its gloomy, abandoned exterior. He let himself in as he and his brother had before. Turning on his flashlight, he traced the path he had taken in his dream to the door at the end of the hall.

He stood studying the different symbols on the walls. Some of them he recognized, but others he had never seen before. He swept the EMF around the room, picking up slight spikes in energy, but nothing phenomenal or noteworthy. He decided to look around for anything else. He was just about to give up on this task when something shining in the corner caught the flashlight beam.

"Bingo," Sam muttered as he bent down to retrieve the object.

It was a golden locket shaped like a heart. And on the front was engraved the word Emily.
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Dean got out of the Impala, not entirely thrilled by being back at the old church. He remembered his dream and it sent a shiver through him, even in the warm sunlight. Shutting his car door, he began pulling weapons and salt out of his trunk. Better safe than sorry, especially after he had been warned to stay away from here by a spirit.

Not really wanting to see the well just yet, Dean decided to find Emily's grave first. His heart gave an excited leap when he saw that her tombstone was under a willow tree.
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Sam opened the locket. Inside was a picture of the two girls, forever caught in a grin. Sam smiled at the happy look on their faces. How normal they looked...

But they weren't normal, Sam reminded himself, They had abilities like me. And still they were happy.

Sam pocketed the necklace, feeling a tinge of hope in his heart. He stood then, and swept his flashlight across the room again. He used his notebook to copy some of the symbols, then decided that there wasn't much else he could do there. He silently wondered if Dean was alright. He'd call if he was in trouble, right?

Somehow, Sam didn't feel any better even with that thought. He didn't like the idea of Dean being alone near that well. It was a gateway, after all. Sam sighed. Thinking about it wasn't going to help him stop worrying. He put his notebook back in his pocket and left the train station.
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Emily told me that she hid them under the willow tree, Dean thought, but what are they?

Before he could think about it anymore, his cell phone rang.

"Yeah?" he asked, seeing that it was Sam.

"Anything?" his brother's voice came over the line.

"Found a willow tree," Dean said.

"Really? That's great, Dean. It's a start."

"Yeah. You?"

"I found a locket in the station. It belonged to Emily."

Dean frowned. He didn't know how to fit that into the puzzle.

"Alright, well where you headed now?" Dean asked.

"I guess the construction site," Sam said with a sigh.

"I'll try to meet you there," Dean answered.

"Hey, Dean."

"Hm?"

"I think that..."

"Sam?" Dean asked as static invaded the line. "Sam?" There was no reply. "Sammy!" He waited a few more moments before hanging up the phone. "Shit."

A breeze came through the old cemetery, causing leaves to fall from the trees and scatter in the wind.

Dean...

Not again, the older Winchester thought as he turned to find the source of the voice.

As he turned, he noticed a person standing near the church.

"Who the hell?" he muttered, watching as the person started toward the path that led to the well. "Hey!" he shouted, "Hey, stay away from there!"

When the person ignored him and kept going, Dean was very irritated.

"Dammit," he breathed, running after the unsuspecting person.
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"Dean? Dean!" Sam shouted as the line went dead. "Shit. That can't be good."

Suddenly a pain shot through Sam's head, sudden and hot like fire, that caused him to crash to his knees with a cry. He was swept into the vision like it was a current, unable to fight it. Images flashed before his mind's eye.

He was running along the path that led to the well. No! He couldn't go there. He knew what was waiting.

Suddenly there were voices, screaming at him, calling him!

Come to us! Save us! We need you!

Screaming voices, screaming people, tearing at his senses, and he couldn't get away!! He was falling, falling into blackness, and though he thought that void was the well it was actually unconsciousness... Then there were other voices, human voices.

"Oh my God, is he alright?"

"Are you alright, young man?"

"Somebody call an ambulance!"

And then he was gone, washed into the black world of sleep by the vision that had overwhelmed him.