Well-Aged Like Swiss Cheese
Chapter 6: The Arsenal Outside of Town
Clara slowly approached the compound. She moved from shadow to shadow to ensure she was not seen. She paused on a hilltop and crouched behind a row of bushes. As she squatted behind the bushes she scouted out the compound. She lay hidden on the North side. The Eastern border of property had enough broken down cars it could be a small junk yard. Not could, was a small junkyard. An open dirt field connected the Eastern border with the Western border and the entrance. Four trailers in various levels of repair lined the southern side. She saw her friend approach a patrol car. They had a brief conversation. The patrol car backed out and Jose waved farewell.
Clara waited thirty-minutes before she made her slow approach to the compound's fence. Jose saw Clara scale the fence from his kitchen table. "Shit." He got up and met her halfway across the dirt field. He grabbed her arm roughly and quickly pulled her to the trailer. "Are you crazy? Coming her like this." He opened the door and pushed her in. "Get in there." He followed her inside.
Dean and Sam sat in Susan's living room. Susan was making the boys chicken fettuccini with salad and garlic bread. She liked to crab load prior to hunting her dad. Some of the previous hunting trips had taken days before it was over. The hunts were always physically and emotionally exhausting. She'd long ago found that eating a lot of crabs not only helped give her physical energy but helped the emotions as well. There's truly nothing like a big bowel of fattening food to make one feel good. Susan hummed along to the radio as she cooked. Hey soul sister, ain't that mister, mister on the radio…..
"Is it just me or is she abnormally calm?" Sam whispered to Dean.
"I agree, the whole, let's eat dinner. Is a bit odd." Dean whispered back. "But it's not dark yet. And it's much easier to find a vampire in the dark."
"I still think it's odd." Sam watched Susan drain the water from the fettuccini with slanted eyes. "If she's crazy, which I'm thinking she may be. I'm blaming you."
Dean glanced over at her from the corner of his eyes. He was eyeing her backside, mostly her but. And remembering how good it felt to kiss her and run his hands down her body. "Crazy or not she's hot. I wouldn't mind if you'd take off for a bit so we could resume getting to know each other." Dean smiled slyly at his brother.
Sam threw him the you've got to be kidding me look. "Seriously. You're thinking about sex right now?"
The timer for the garlic bread dinged saving Dean from explaining himself, "Oh! The bread's ready!" Susan exclaimed.
The food was delicious which made Sam feel guilty about his earlier comments.
Darkness started to fall over Texas, as the three finished eating and cleared away the table. The plan to hunt down the vampire was about to start. Sam didn't like the plan; he never was one who enjoyed setting out bait. It was the only way Susan thought she'd be able to get to her father. She was going to be bait. She hoped it would work. She glanced out the window, staring into the falling darkness.
Jose didn't look Mexican despite being first generation American with Mexican parents. He had taken on the Spaniard look with his sandy blonde hair, pale skin, and green eyes. He tanned within minutes of being in the sun. His skin had the weathered look of someone who didn't believe in sun block. He was a handsome man in a rugged way. Clara and Jose had a romance several years back. That was before her so called mental break and before Jose had semi-settled down with Veronica.
Veronica was as opposite of Jose as night was of day. She had thick, jet black hair and high well-defined cheekbones. He skin was beautiful and even. She looked as if she'd not spent a day in adverse weather. Her eyes glinted with amusement and she laughed easily. Life was fun and enjoyable to her. Susan suspected that's why Jose hooked-up with Veronica. He needed someone who was soft and comforting. Something she couldn't give him.
Jose had an agreement with the local law enforcement. They didn't bother him as long as his business stayed out of town. He conducted business with most of the high-rolling, mobsters and gangsters. He had a several small arsenals and he sold and traded just about any kind of weaponry needed. Rumor had it, that the US army had sent a few Marines down to make a purchase a few years ago when they didn't have enough body armor for the troops.
Jose and Clara walked at a quick, steady pace toward the back of the compound where he easily located the hidden door. He pulled on the chain, forcing the door to slide open. Dust scattered in the air forcing Clara to cough and cover her mouth. Once completely opened, Clara ran her hands along the side of the pit, found, and pushed the red button. Stairs extended down; the one and only entrance to her personal arsenal. A slow, seductive smile crossed her face as she admired her toys. There was something sexy about the power contained in this cold, metal, and cement enforced arsenal.
"You want me to leave you alone for a while? So you can get re-acquainted?" Jose smiled at her. He stood at the top of the stairs with his thumbs stuck in his jean's belt loops staring down at her. He'd seen that smile before. At one time he could make her smile like that. But that was a helluva long time ago. His relationship with Veronica was complicated. He loved her and she made him feel good. But they were not 100% committed to each other. They joked and referred to their relationship as open, like all the movie stars are doing these days.
"Don't be ridiculous," She smiled at him and winked. "If you weren't a married man, I'd, well, you know what we'd be doing." She remembered the three months she'd lived her. Her girls were probably the happiest they'd ever been. She knew she was. The girls played outside while she and Jose played house. It was the closest she'd felt like she had a true family life following the incident. But, as all things must, it came to an abrupt end. This ending resulted in her being locked away and Jose moving on to another woman.
While her mind had drifted to the past, Jose had gotten quite close to her. His hands were on her waist and she could feel his warm breath on her forehead. Their eyes met for several seconds. They kissed. He lifted her up with his strong arms and carried her to a large wooden table where he sat her down.
"I'm not married," He said as the two embraced. He was on top of her with his hands under her shirt fiddling with her bra clasp when she pushed him off.
"I need to find my daughter. And this isn't helping."
"I'm sorry. I am. Here let me help you get your weapons ready."
The two worked in silence as the prepared Susan for battle.
AN: Thanks to the reviewer on the previous chapter. I do appreciate the feedback. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.