Dean, Sam, Graham and Daisy march down the aisle of the train car like a legion on a conquest. However, when they eventually reach the seat where the students were sitting, they find that May has still not returned: instead, her bag is missing.
"She might be on to us." Dean says. "Let's move fast."
"Oh c'mon Dean!" Sam laughs. "You don't honestly think that a 15-year-old girl is behind all this!"
"No," Dean answers. "But a demon could be."
"Hey wait a minute..." Graham leans over and inspects the seats. "Where's my bag?"
"Is it under the table?" Daisy suggests.
"No! What if May took it?"
"Why would she steal it?" Sam asks.
"Because...there's important stuff in there..." Graham mutters mysteriously. "Come on, let's track her down."
"You do realise that as soon as we exit this car, we're at the mercy of the demons." Dean notes. "Stay close."
He loads his pistol, as Graham and Daisy huddle closely behind him. Sam copies. The two brothers hold their breath as they open the door, and lead the pack into the next car.
After scanning the area, the car appears dark and empty. The door slams behind them, startling all four of them. Once the original panic settles, Dean and Sam lower their guns.
"She wouldn't have left the train." Daisy pipes. "May isn't that stupid."
"Well I'm staying well away from the bathroom." Dean says firmly.
"There she is!" cries Graham, and points to the door. Through the glass pane of the window, May's jet black hair is visible. Her head turns at the noise. Aware she is being hunted, she turns and runs in the opposite direction.
"Quick, let's move!" Dean commands, and dashes forward, when suddenly, there is a rush of black smoke outside. His eyes widen in horror. "Demons..."
"Go and get May!" Sam instructs him. "I'll stay here with these two!"
Dean sprints towards the door and into the next car. From there, he keeps running, despite the lingering smell of sulphur polluting his nostrils. When he reaches the final car, he finds May crouched at the end of the aisle, shielding herself with her backpack, while Graham's satchel is hanging around her neck.
"Stay away from me!" she screeches. "You're a psychopath!"
"Takes one to know one." Dean huffs.
Before he can continue, a trail of black smoke starts to seep through the vent above her.
"May, get away from there!" he warns; but May remains stubborn.
The smoke pours in, like an unstoppable stream, and shrouds her. May coughs uncontrollably. Dean stops to watch, when the smoke zooms towards him. He turns and bolts for the door. With barely seconds to spare, he flees to the next car, and slams the door shut. The black smoke strikes the glass and retreats. Dean leans his back against the door, panting heavily.
When he returns to the front car, Sam, Daisy and Graham are waiting anxiously for him.
"Where's May?" Daisy asks, her voice trembling.
Dean does not respond. Graham observes him closely as his gaze falls to the floor.
"They got her, didn't they?" Sam says finally.
Dean nods, and throws his pistol onto one of the seats. Daisy sobs into Graham's shoulder. Graham's expression remains blank.
"And what about Graham's bag?" Sam adds.
"Yeah, she had it." Dean replies, glaring at Graham. "Obviously whatever was in there, May thought it should be out of your reach."
Graham stays silent, but continues to hold his stare. Dean eventually tears his gaze away, and stretches his arms behind his head. "Sam, what are we gonna do?"
Sam sighs and shakes his head. "Honestly? I don't know, Dean. We're trapped. The demons have just warned us that they're still watching us, waiting."
"Waiting for what?" Daisy asks.
"Not 'what'." Dean says, lowering his arms. "But 'who'..."
"Dean-" Sam warns.
"What do you mean 'who'?" Daisy asks. "Are they waiting for someone on this train?"
"No-" Sam interjects, but is ignored.
"Was it May? Were they waiting for her to endanger herself? Or is it one of you two? Did they follow you guys here?"
"No." Dean answers, without looking up.
"It's me, isn't it?" Graham says suddenly. "They want me."
Dean glances up. Sam avoids his gaze, and chooses to examine the ceiling instead.
"Great." Graham grimaces. "All this time, I've been putting others at risk-"
"We don't know for sure." Sam interrupts. "All we know is that they've been following you since you entered the state."
"But why? Is it because I'm a hunter?"
"We said we don't know." Dean replies honestly. "We're not even sure if they're after you."
"So what do I do to stop it?" Graham presses on. "Do I give myself up? Sacrifice myself?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Sam says dismissively, still avoiding his gaze.
"If I do it, will people stop dying?"
"Maybe." Dean suggests. "But-"
"You're not sure, I get it." Graham finishes. "But it's worth a shot...right?"
Dean looks to Sam. Sam looks to Dean, and then to Graham.
"You can't go out there, Graham!" Daisy protests. "That's suicide!"
"Maybe so." Graham says. "But it's for a good cause."
"Dean, we need to talk." Sam murmurs.
"No!" Graham cuts in. "If you've got something to say, say it!"
Sam exhales. "This is a crazy, stupid sacrifice. You can't possibly put yourself out there for the sake of these people."
"What makes me so much better than them?"
"The demons want you." Dean speaks. "Because of that, it's up to us to protect you."
"Was that your plan all along?" Graham shakes his head in disbelief.
"Well we've done a pretty good job so far." Dean shrugs. "Who's to say we can't finish it?"
"At the cost of how many other lives?"
"I have an idea," Sam says promptly. "Though I can't guarantee it's fool-proof."
"If it means the kid gets to live, let's do it." Dean replies.
Graham smiles with intense gratitude. Sam raises his eyebrow in surprise. Dean frowns. "What? Am I not allowed to be caring from time to time?"
