Well-aged Like Swiss Cheese
Chapter 5: The Pack
Dean drove the Impala down the long circle drive and parked in the front of the house. Along the drive were ten, 7 foot tall pillars with figures perched on top. At first glance the figures appeared to be gargoyles similar to those found in old castles. However, if examined closely one would clearly see that the figures were grotesque half human half dog creatures.
"Nice art," Dean motioned to the pillars as the three got out of the car. Each instinctively checked their weapons, ensuring everything was in place, they started toward the oversized stair case leading into the mansion. "You think they're compensating for something?"
"I dunno what, I mean, they're much stronger then the average bear." Sam smiled.
"It's a bit creepy here if you ask me." Susan stood at top of the stairs overlooking the perfectly manicured lawn beyond the pillars. A lonely water fountain stood in the middle finishing off the picture-perfect scene.
The door abruptly opened behind her and an old man in a butler's outfit stood there, staring at them. His strangely long nose and small spectacles made him seem a bit odd and out of place at such a perfect estate. He peered over the top of his lenses, "You're here to see the misses?"
"Yes." Susan answered with hesitation.
"Oh, Belvedere. Please let my friend in!" Came a familiar voice behind the older man.
Dean turned to Sam, "Belvedere? Is that his real name?" He was grinning. The old man gave Dean a look that took the smile off his face.
Belvedere moved to the side, the girls hugged leaving the boys standing awkwardly on the doorstep. Sam stood looking at his feet. Dean took a few moments to check out the girls hugging and imagined them hugging in a seductive manner. Sam elbowed Dean standing with his head cocked and that silly little grin on his face.
The group was led into a stuffy sitting room and given lemonade. The servants were dismissed and left the room in a swift, stiff movement. The servants were perfectly trained. The responded quickly, accurately to all requests. They didn't linger in rooms when no longer needed. They answered their commands with militant efficiency. It was like stepping back in time.
"Well," Eddie crossed her legs and perched her forearms on her knees. Her black pencil skirt showed her shapely legs. "I would ask you what's new. But, I'm guessing you're here because Sara's not found and you've figured out my secret." Her poker face showed very little emotion regarding either statement.
"How is your mother? Is she recovering well?" Dean asked.
Right on cue, there was a muffled commotion outside the door. The sitting room door abruptly opened and a woman in her 30's quickly walked into the room. "I want to talk to you right now."
"You're her mother?" Dean raised an eyebrow. Sam's hand hovered over his gun.
"In the hallway right now," Her arms were folded and her thin lips were in a straight line.
"If you'll excuse me. I'll only be a minute." She stood up and followed her mother into the hallway.
The two women had been gone less then a minute when a servant came in the room carrying a wooden serving try. As he approached the three sitting in the antique sofa, he stated, "The misses requested these petit fours for you while you wait."
He set the tray down on the beautifully crafted coffee table. He then left the room without saying anything else. A dozen beautifully crafted petit fours sat waiting for the three to eat. Dean leaned over and took one, plopped it in his mouth. Sam gave him an Oh, My God look.
"What? These things are absolutely amazing! Here take one," he held his hand out with one, urging his brother to try it.
"I don't think so. It might be poisoned."
"It's not poisoned. They make them daily for guests and for her mom. Her mom loves them." Susan ate one. "Yummm… delicious as always." She licked her fingers.
"You two are…well, two peas in a pod. That's for certain." Sam watched as they each ate two more, practically smacking their lips.
Eddie quietly let herself in the room. "I'm glad you find those little cakes pleasing. They are the pastry chef's specialty."
Dean looked at Sam, "Did you hear that? They have a pastry chef."
She sat down across from them in her matching antique chair. "Yeah….Now where were we? Ah, yes. We were chatting about the reason for this little visit. Don't get me wrong, I love houseguests. But I do suspect that this isn't a social call."
Their lack of response, gave Eddie her answer. This was not a social visit. "You are correct I am a shapeshifter. Sara had discovered it about a week ago. She confronted me and I told her what I am going to tell you now. I was approached six years ago by a man who offered me life. Life was at that time, the one thing I wanted more then anything. He came to me as I laid in a hospital bed with a terminal brain tumor. I was dying, so weak I couldn't lift my hand to feed myself. I was weak emotionally. I wasn't ready to die. I took the deal." She took a deep breath. As she spoke of leaving her family to do this man's bidding; her eyes glistened over. "It may have the pain medications, but I didn't realize at the time that I would be leaving my family to live as a dog. Furthermore, I didn't realize that I would be killing another family. As time went on with the family who took me in, I knew there was no way I could hurt them. I revolted. I almost died. Mom found me bleeding and on the verge of death. She was rounding up others like me. Those who didn't want to live by the other's stupid rules." She paused and waited for the three to respond. "We're all good people here. We were tricked into this trap. Mom was dying of HIV when she met the man. My brother, living on the streets. We're all victims of circumstance. We are not evil. We are not hurting anyone. I certainly didn't do anything to Sara."
No one chooses to live near an asylum. Those who do live there, live there because it's cheap. The houses wear in poor repair. The yards were not cared for, they had old beer bottles, and trash laying around. She weaved through the yards until she found a sliding glass door that was open. She peered inside the living room, there were five people passed out in the living room. The room was disheveled from an obvious late night of partying. She slid in and quietly made her way down the hallway. She walked into the bedroom. She opened the closet and pulled out a pair of jeans, long-sleeved white t-shirt, and a grey hoodie sweatshirt. She then went to the mattress and ran her hand in-between it and the box spring. Damn. Nothing. She checked the other side and found what she wanted. A loaded pistol. On this side of town, you could be pretty certain of a few things. One of those is there will be a loaded weapon under the mattress.
She left the house as quietly as she entered. The cold metal of the gun pressed against small of her back. She pulled the hoodie over her head and zipped it up. She headed south; she knew a guy outside of town living off the grid. He'd always been good to her and she knew he would have supplies. His compound was her next stop and then, she'd be hunting.
"Do you think she was lying?" Dean looked at the other two as they walked to the car. "Because my gut is telling me that there's more to this story."
They reached the car and opened the doors. "When she lies, she gets an eye twitch. It's barely noticeable unless you know she does it. The only time she did that was when she talked about how long she'd been with her mom." They got into the Impala.
Dean revved the engine, "What I don't understand is why lie about that?" He glanced out his window at Eddie standing in the window. That's erie, her just standing there Watching us. He drove around the circle drive and headed toward the gate. The three left the manicured lawn behind with no intention of returning or seeing the pack again. Sometimes intentions are not enough.
Eddie watched the group walk slowly to the car and pause before getting in. They're standing there talking about me, about us. Probably trying to decide if we're trustworthy.
"Do they suspect anything?" Her mother stood slightly behind her but hidden from view of anyone outside.
"I'm certain they don't know. I hate lying to her. She's my friend."
"A friend who would slay you, is no real friend."
AN: Sorry this took a bit to get out, The hildays were busy around here. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks, as always, for reading!