Chapter 4

Angela frowned slightly at Dean wondering what there was to be scared of. She was half expecting something like a vengeful spirit. She looked at Sam who was looking at his brother in confusion as he asked, "Dean, what is it?"

Dean was on one of the chairs that came with the room. He pointed at the bed and said, "Take care of it Angie. The thing is vicious and huge."

Angela looked at Sam with a questioning look. She may have drunk maybe two bottles of whiskey and was buzzed enough to drown away pain and things she didn't want to think about but now she was pretty sober at the sight of a full grown man pointing at a bed ad saying something was vicious. Was he seeing things? She asked, "What did you see Dean?"

"It was black, big and hairy and the squeaking," Dean rattled off. He was aware that he was acting like a girl, much like Sam and his clowns, but they didn't know what those things could do to you. He pulled out his Colt 911 and added, "Scare it out so I can shoot it."

Angela blinked slowly as if she were making up her mind. Sam thought that she was trying hard not to laugh considering the face she made had that look of tolerant patience. He thought that his brother may have lost it when he heard the squeak. He turned to see brother visibly jump in the chair he had taken refuge in and was nearly shouting, "See, there it is again. Scare it out Angie so I can shoot it. Or you kill it."

Angela had heard the squeak too and found it to be a little unusual. She tried to reason with Dean, "I don't think it is one of those things Dean. The place is pretty well…"

"I saw it and you just heard it. I know you did. You have ears like a bat."

Angela sighed and a glance at Sam told her that she was going to have to handle it. She glanced at Dean with a slightly annoyed expression, "Where did you see it?"

"Where do you think I've been pointing this at," Dean replied.

Angela took the hint and with a click of her tongue, she handed Absolution over to Sam for him to hold and walked over to the bed. She bent in half and did that yoga move to get down on the floor. She achieved it in one fluid motion and it actually felt good. Maybe she should do that and taper off the whiskey. It would certainly be better than accidentally admitting to something that she felt she wasn't ready to admit to.

Lying full length on the ground, Angela looked under the bed. She didn't need a light since she could see. She heard the squeak again and could hear Dean mutter and jump again. She turned towards the source and was prepared to use her fist when she got a good look. She paused and still looked she said, "Dean, you won't need to shoot it."

"Don't you be saying that it's the boogeyman or something Angie," Dean's voice retorted. There was a slight paused before he asked, "Why?"

Angela reached and grabbed the source and cradled it to her chest. Using one hand, she was able to return to her standing position in a fluid motion. She looked at Dean and upon turning towards him she replied, "Because your scary monster is just a baby."

In her hands was a tiny black kitten. It began squeaking and it was easy to see how it could be mistaken for another creature that made the same sound. Angela smiled softly as she cuddled the kitten in her hands and stroked it. It tickled when it tried to nibble on her fingers and then licked them.

Dean felt really stupid as he put the safety of his gun on and put it back in his jacket. Sam was trying hard not to laugh and Angela was just cooing over the beast. Well cooing wasn't exactly the right word but Dean knew she was enjoying this. He said, "It may be a baby but it was huge. How did that thing get in here?"

Angela looked up but continued to let her hands play with the kitten. She looked around and there was a window with a hole in the screen. She replied, "Well could have gotten in through the window or maybe it snuck in when housekeeping came through. It's a little young and probably lost."

"Oh no. I'm not having that thing share room space. It's a monster and no surprise considering this place."

"Dean it's just a kitten," Sam replied trying not to laugh.

"A black kitten. You know that stuff better than anyone Sam," Dean countered. He was not a superstitious person but he felt the need to point out a few things especially if they involved the thing that he hated the most. "The whole Hecate thing…"

"And according to Siglione in the old tomes, she was a bitch," Angela replied. "Dean it's just a cat and nothing more." As if to agree with her, the kitten squeaked and it looked at Dean with a pair of gold colored eyes.

Dean looked at the eyes and he saw that they were similar to Angela's. "Fine just the night and in the morning you get rid of it Angie." Dean jumped down from the chair to put his gun away. He walked right by Angela to head out and get the rest of the stuff when the kitten squeaked and then leapt out of Angela's hands and onto his shoulder. Dean didn't feel the claw marks but he felt the weight on the back of his jacket and turned to try and grab the cat but it was right where he couldn't reach and it was climbing.

It made it to his shoulder and started licking his ear. Dean didn't move except to grab the kitten and pull him off. He held the thing out towards Angela who took it in her hands. "Thing's a freaking monster. Shut up Sam."

Angela and Sam watched as Dean went past the Impala and down the street, probably to the tavern. Angela had her lips twisted in a grin and Sam had been trying hard not to laugh at the whole situation. Angela said, "My guess is that he needs a drink."

"Looks like it," Sam chuckled. He watched as Angela cuddled the kitten in her hands and let it suckle on her fingers. "Looks like he's hungry."

"No problem." Angela put the kitten in her jacket pocket. It took to the pocket instantly and stopped squeaking. "I'll grab it something. Let me know if any more are around in your guy's room." She gave a slight smile as she picked up her stuff and walked to her room.

It wasn't until after Dean came back with a pie and was chowing down on it that Sam went next door to ask Angela if she had everything she needed. She opened the door and Sam saw that she was dressed for bed and the kitten had taken refuge on her shoulder, perfectly balanced and it was evident that she was dressed for bed since she was wearing one of those thin strapped tops and flannel pajama bottoms. He said, "Sorry just wanted to see if you needed anything… for the cat."

Angela looked at the kitten who was sitting there. "He's fine Sam. Anything else?"

"No just making sure you're okay." Sam did a quick glance around. He didn't want to get all tough love if he happened to see whiskey bottles but he would if he had to.

"Well the entertainment sobered me up a bit. I think I may take up yoga the next time around," Angela replied as she locked her fingers behind her back and proceeded to stretch. Her movement didn't bother the kitten at all.

"That's good."

Angela smiled, "Don't try too hard Sam. I know you are worried about my excessive drinking. It will right itself."

Sam tried not to be too obvious. "Alright… well." He didn't continue for the cat jumped from Angela's shoulder and onto Sam, digging its little claws in and drew blood on his shoulder.

Sam thought the thing was a hellion and tried to pull it off but it only seemed to dig its claws in deeper and wouldn't let go. He tried releasing one paw at a time but even that didn't work until Angela gripped the cat and gently removed the offending claws. She muttered, "Little hellion."

Sam almost laughed when the cat squeaked in protest. She held it under one arm as she peered at the 'gaping' wounds and motioned for Sam to come in. She said, "Come on. Can't let you go back to Dean with gaping wounds. I think he's had enough hysterics for tonight."

Sam followed her in and was quick to obey her direction to sit. He watched as she pulled out her bag while still holding onto the cat. It was apparent she was 'punishing' it by carrying it. It certainly looked miserable. He said, "Let me hold him."

"You want to let the hellion that mutilated you sit in your lap?" Angela teased knowing that the scratches weren't that bad. She just liked making fun of Dean penchant for over exaggeration as far as Sam was concerned.

"He looks grumpy being held like that," Sam allowed with a slight smile. "It's fine. I think he just likes doing that."

Angela eyed the cat in her hand before coming to a decision. She handed the kitten over and it was dwarfed by Sam's large hands. "Watch out for your fingers."

Sure enough the kitten attacked one of Sam's fingers and chewed on it but then licked it. Sam replied, "It sure likes to attack things. I see that it hasn't attacked you yet." Unlike Angela, he was able to take off his shirt with one hand while holding the kitten who seemed content to suckle on his fingers.

Angela pulled out the antibiotics and rubbing alcohol. As an after thought, she pulled out a few of the self adhesive gauze bandages. She put them on the table as she replied, "It probably will when I least expect it. Then again I always had a thing for strays and orphans. Probably explains the hell mutt." She put some of the rubbing alcohol on cotton swab.

"Strays?"

"Stray animals and even people. Some of my partners were loners and orphaned. They didn't have anybody else so I took them in and they became hunters." Angela dabbed the swab on the exposed scratches. "I tried to talk them out of it but they insisted on the life."

"You are generous with yourself," Sam replied as he absently began petting the cat. It continued to nibble on his fingers and in the process it started purring.

Angela gave a naughty grin, "I'd be careful how you phrase things. It could be taken the wrong way."

Sam gave a slight frown and replied, "You know I didn't mean it that way." He winced slightly when the alcohol began doing its job in cleaning the scratches.

"Sorry. The little hellion has one deep scratch. Reminds me of a folk tale of a warrior," Angela replied as she turned her attention to the scratches. Now they were clean, it was time to apply the antibiotics. She picked up the vial and put a dab on her finger.

"I'm guessing its one of those from vamp history," Sam replied as she applied the stuff that Dean worshipped to high heaven. He had to agree that it was better than the ointment they used to suffer with.

"Yes. The warrior was actually the best from the order that guards one of the many temples dedicated to the goddess." Angela paused slightly before continuing, "You know that it isn't easy to kill a god?"

"I would think you would know that considering what we went through at Christmas," Sam replied not completely following.

"Of course there is lore about how to 'kill' them but in the end it just weakens them. True death for a god is when they lose all their worshippers. It's what keeps them alive. As long as there is one temple or one believer… they pretty much exist." Angela finished putting the antibiotic on the scratches and picked up the gauze. "Anyway the warrior guarded probably the most sacred of the goddess' temples and was a complete devote. He would attack in defense and attack in play. It was how he trained the warriors under him."

The kitten was purring up a storm in Sam's hands when he finally handed it back to her after she put everything away. He replied as he was putting back on his shirt, "Maybe you should call the hellion the name of that warrior." He shrugged his shoulders at the suggestion and watched as the kitten cuddled in her hands against her body.

Angela raised a brow at that. She could feel the rumbling of the kitten's purr with her fingers as it cuddled. She looked off into the distance as she thought about it. She made a slight click with her tongue and replied, "I think I will do that. Nice job Sam. You do realize though that by naming it, it stays."

"I kind of figured that you were going to keep it," Sam replied with a grin. He had noticed that the kitten took to her and she to it. It also occurred to him that maybe it was something she needed though she would never say it to his or Dean's face. It wasn't that she didn't like their company; he figured that she might need something that she could talk to and listen and not talk back. He had a nice memory of a furry friend when he was a kid.

Angela gave a slight smile. Sometimes Sam knew her too well. Dean had his moments too but Sam seemed to be able to read between the lines. "Then this little guy will be called Setna. I guess we'll tell Dean the bad news in the morning?"

Sam smiled as he left her room, "Only if you have some pie ready to cheer him up." He smiled when she gave a throaty chuckle.

Sheriff Talbert was worried. Earlier they had found Charlie Russ' patrol unit on the road towards the old coal mine. Charlie did say that he was going to check it out. When the unit was found, he had his guys search the area near the mine and he had to deliver the bad news to Nancy himself. He did try to tell her that he and his men would do whatever it took to get Charlie home. Right now he was checking out the main road and he had Derek Towers, his other deputy checking out the old back roads that led to the mine.

It was probable that Charlie had been going down those roads and ran into trouble. Not all of them were wide enough for a car so those were being searched by foot. Talbert wasn't taking any chances and he ordered his men to be on alert and have their weapons at the ready. If something happened to Charlie, they didn't need to get caught with their pants down.

Officer James Stark was searching those back roads. He had been assigned to the roads by Towers because he was the junior officer. It wasn't really a picnic but he had to do it for Charlie.

You do it probie because you're the probie.

Stark grumbled slightly as he recalled the logic Towers used on him. If the sheriff were around, Towers wouldn't have done it. He would have taken up the search and let him go in the car. Stark knew better though. Once the sheriff was gone, Towers went into full picking on the junior officer mode. Well he was going to show him.

Stark knew that Charlie would probably have checked out these trails and made sure that nothing was hiding out there. There were probably a few of the town bums hanging around that area since there were natural outcroppings to take refuge in during storms and the like. He hadn't come across any so far but he did stop by one outcropping and found the remains of a camp. It was still in use so they might be back.

Stark investigated the site and found some scraps of clothing. It looked like something with sharp claws has ripped the thing. It could be just a scrap of cloth and the like. Stark took a closer look and it was definitely something that had been ripped. Was it part of a shirt that one of the homeless wore?

Even though the town was small in population size, maybe about 500 people, there was still a substantial portion of those that were homeless. When the mine closed a lot of people lost their jobs and because some contracted black lung, they were unable to get another job and they went to living near where the old mining shanties used to be before those were shut down. Stark wouldn't blame them. The shanties were probably the only homes they knew, being passed on from generation to generation. This outcropping was actually a luxury since it had a roof and all that remained was to set up the rest of the shanty.

This one appeared to be inhabited but judging from the rags, Stark was able to conclude that someone from town was coming up here. There was no way a homeless would have been able to secure a name brand of clothing like this. Maybe someone from town was in trouble since it was ripped nearly to shreds. Stark fingered through it and dropped it where he found it. He couldn't do anything with it at the moment. He stood up and walked through, missing the fresh mound of dirt that was hidden near the rock wall.

Stark continued forward, casting his light. He didn't call out Charlie's name since he didn't want to risk spooking something out and then start trouble. Still he moved cautiously and looked around flashing his light. There was nothing so far but he knew Nancy and she was going to be worried if they didn't find anything new on Charlie. Heck the man saved her from the pit of depression and now they were happily married.

"Damn Charlie, you better not be playing one of your dumb jokes. Nancy is worried about you."

A noise rustled in the brush and Stark turned towards it. Maybe it might be Charlie and then again it might not. He followed the direction of the noise and approached cautiously. It sounded like the noise was moving all over the place because at one point he heard the rustling from another direction. It must be an animal. Stark knew that he was outgunned. If he came across something large, he was going to have to be smart about where he shot the thing.

It probably wasn't a good idea to be on his own and it occurred to him that maybe he should radio for backup. However he could hear Towers taunting him about being the probie that needed to have backup all the time. The unfortunate problem when it came to Towers was that he always managed to lose his sense of cool and become impulsive and that was whenever Towers egged him on about being a probie.

Stark walked forward with his gun drawn towards the source of the rustling. Suddenly something sprang out of the brush and even though it leapt over him, Stark still fell over. He moved his light with the thing that jumped out at him and found it to be huge, almost man like. However it was not a man. He distinctly saw a snout and he thought he heard animal growls.

The thing was huge and it was looking at him. Stark instinctively raised his gun at the thing as it bared his teeth at him. He didn't see a second one coming up from behind. All he saw was the thing in front of him and it charged.

Stark normally prided himself on being a good shot. Hell most folks in this town knew how to shoot since they were in a forest. However his shot either went wild or the thing was moving fast and he hit the thing in the arm. He had wounded it and it was pissed. That wasn't a good thing. It was a good thing that it ignored him and actually went for the thing behind him. It looked just like the first.

Stark sat up and watched as the two things collided. There were two of them? Stark couldn't believe his eyes as he scrambled back in fear. He froze when the one that he shot looked at him and roared an animal roar. Stark didn't need an invitation to start running.

He ran down to where he had left the unit he was riding in with Towers. It was a distance away and he could have radioed along the way. However with the combination of fear and disbelief, all that was running through his mind was to get to the car and get Towers and get back to the sheriff. It was probably the fastest he had ever run in his entire life.

Stark reached the car to find that the driver side door was open. That had him pause. Towers wouldn't leave the door open like that. "Towers? You there?"

Stark pulled out his weapon and edged his way forward. He pulled out his radio and called, "Stark to Talbert. Sheriff, have you heard from Towers?"

No. He hasn't reported in. What's your status?

Stark wasn't sure how to report that. He looked at the car as he edged closer. He replied, "Towers isn't here, Sheriff."

Have you tried his radio?

Stark replied, "No but the patrol car is here and the driver side door is open. There's no one around and… Sheriff I think there is something out here."

Probably just your imagination. I heard shots fired. What was it?

"Um it's hard to describe," Stark replied as he finally was close enough to peer behind the door. He saw a large amount of blood on the seat and on the ground. "Sheriff, we've got blood. Something's happened to Towers."

I'm calling for backup. Where are you?

There was some rustling noise and Stark knew that the thing followed him there. He tried to still his breathing even though he was tempted to panic. He held his gun up ready to fire as he heard the rustling get louder. Whatever it was probably killed Towers but there was no body. Was it the kind of thing to drag off its food?

Stark, where are you?

Stark put his hand to reach for his radio. He had his eye on the brush as he brought it up to his mouth and replied, "At the back roads of the mine. Near the old shanties. Boss I think we have something that is not normal."

Calm down son. I'm on my way and Bob is coming too.

The rustling was getting louder and Stark could hear growling noises. It or they or whatever it was sounded angry and maybe hungry. The sheriff wasn't going to be getting there in time. Even if he was driving at a neck breaking speed on those dirt trails, Stark knew he was toast. He panted and replied, "You better hurry sure because I think I made whatever it was very angry."

Stark you aren't making any sense. What is it that you saw?

Stark didn't answer. Instead he dropped the radio and raised his gun as the first creature came out of the brush. It wasn't the one that he shot. It was the other one and it looked like it wanted to kill him. He raised his weapon and took aim. He would have to be careful and kill the thing and he would die trying if he had to.

The thing charged at him and he raised his gun and fired a couple of shots. He didn't see the cuff that knocked him against the car. It stunned him but he was able to keep firing at the thing. One charged him just as he ran out of bullets.

A/N: Aww, a new 'baby' to join the family and Dean thought it was a rat. Two more cops are attacked and one is missing. What is going on here? Stay tuned for next time on Pack of Strays...