Chapter 12

Sam opened his eyes slowly when he was sure that the guy who called himself Joseph Turner was gone. After that last throw, he went still and pretended to be knocked out. It worked since the guy barked for someone and told whoever it was to make sure that he didn't die… yet. It didn't sound good then and Sam had a feeling he knew why. He could feel it.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he glanced around and found the room to be empty. That gave him time to assess his injuries. There was nothing too bad on the ribs and maybe a concussion and his back wasn't exactly gushing red; the bruises and dried blood from the cuts on his face were another story but not life threatening. His abdomen was something else.

At one point Sam decided to actually defend himself during the interrogation and the fight. He had figured it out that the guy was asking about Angela and was determined not to feed the guy ammunition. He knew he was going to get a big head slap from her for not saying anything but this was Angela. She was family.

During the fight, Sam found an old piece of wood that could have been the handle of a pickaxe or something. The head was broken off and could be used as a weapon. He took advantage of that and picked it up. It was awkward since his wrists were still shackled but he managed to get in a few good hits. That pissed the guy off though and he knocked it out of Sam's hands or rather took it. Now Sam was looking at the product of that.

The sharp end had been thrust into his left in the abdomen. He was lucky he caught it to prevent it to go any deeper but the damage was done. It had broken off and that was when he got tossed the last time and pretended to get knocked out. Looking at it, Sam knew he was going to have to pull it out but that could bring more problems. He had no choice though and taking a good grip on the stake, he pulled it out trying hard not to scream out in pain.

Panting from pulling it out, Sam looked at the bloody stake and dropped it next to him. Now he needed to put pressure on the wound. The exertion was hardly worth it but he needed something. Since he couldn't take his jacket and over shirt off the normal way, he reached up and ripped the seams so his over shirt fell away. Picking it up he wrapped it around his waist and tightened it with all the strength he could muster. He gritted his teeth and groaned out loud. It felt like getting sliced and his fingernail pulled out all over again but ten times amplified.

He tied it off and made sure the knot was nice and tight before collapsing on the ground to take a breather. He felt his breath coming out in gasps. He needed to conserve his strength if he was going to get out of here or if she dropped in and caused mayhem. Either way he was not going to let her or Dean carry him out. He could do it on his own two feet.

"You should've just told him that you knew her. He would have left you alone if you did."

Sam turned his head towards the voice and saw that it was the same girl he had met earlier. She was holding a basin of something. He wasn't sure if he wanted to find out. He replied, "And have him do something to hurt her? No way."

The girl studied the human. Even when he realized who Joseph was talking about, he refused to say anything. Why would he do that? Why would he protect the one with the sword of vengeance who would lead more like her to kill their kind off? To her, he didn't seem like the type to kill unless he had to and neither his brother.

She approached the human, afraid that he would try something but given that she had watched him exert himself to exhaustion treating his wound, she highly doubted it. Still she could always call for the guard and she could defend herself. She put the basin full of water nearby and with the cup she had brought she offered, "Water?"

Sam looked at the girl. She was a slight thing but he didn't have trouble believing that she could turn into one of those things. He propped himself on one of his elbows to peer into the basin. He saw that it was water and took the cup. The water tasted good going down his throat and he felt a little better. He handed it back and slowly began to sit himself up and he took a look around and took in the fact that the place looked like a hurricane went through it. He realized that the girl had started sniffing him and he asked, "What?"

"I don't think she is as bad as Joseph makes her seem. How could someone with a pleasant scent be so awful?"

Sam frowned in confusion and in slight embarrassment since she was, as Dean would put it, checking him out. "What scent?"

The girl looked at Sam and realized she was making the human a little uncomfortable. She apologized for that and said, "How can you be around her and not recognize it?"

"Not all humans have a good sense of smell," Sam allowed. He watched as the girl scampered around trying to clean up.

"Her scent is distinctive," the girl replied as she did what she had been told to do. The human wasn't going anywhere. Joseph did a number on him already and it looked like he was just getting started. "I don't understand why Joseph dislikes her so much."

Sam had little trouble wondering about that since he knew that most things with a beef on Angela didn't like her. He thought it was because they couldn't stand the fact that she was that selfless when it came to hunting things and saving people. Yet he knew that she thought that people should hate her and he was at a loss as to why. Maybe this girl could give insight. It would pass the time until round two. "What kind of scent?"

The girl looked at the human. He really couldn't smell it and it was that strong on him. It was a puzzle but then again he was right in that normal humans couldn't smell that good. It wouldn't hurt to tell. He did know the vampire. She replied, "Understand it is not normal for a vampire to smell like this. Usually they have blood and death and maybe something else."

"I can tell you now she's not a vamp."

The girl frowned. How can that be? Unless the human didn't see her as such. He was a hunter so he would be able to tell the difference. "Why do you say that?"

Sam shrugged. Any movement was good even though it was accompanied by pain. "She's half vamp."

The girl nodded as she cleaned up. She didn't quite understand but she would give time to think about it. She continued, "Then that explains why I smell nothing but roses."

Roses? It was an interesting thought to Sam. He wasn't going to argue since it was obvious that the girl had a better sense of smell than he. Thinking about it, it was actually sort of funny and sort of not. Certainly Sam had the right frame of mind to pick up on the fact that she would be the last one to think of herself as a flower. However he could see how the scent would make things that knew her crazy and she probably showed them mercy too.

"Wild roses."

"Excuse me?" Sam frowned at the girl.

"It's wild roses."

Sam continued to frown as he processed what had been told to him. It certainly would be fun to tease Angela with it but only if she didn't put herself down so much. The last thing he would want to do is make her feel bad. At least it was a secret he would carry to the grave. No way was he going to let Dean know about this.

He started contemplating on means of escape. His wrists may be chained but he recalled how Dean used them as a weapon. That was always an option. The thing was he was certain that there were guards all over the place and he was injured. He was going to need some help. The thing was he wasn't sure if he should trust the girl. After all she was probably only here on that douche Joseph's orders. He shifted slightly and winced because his shirt was tight around his middle and everything just freaking hurt.

"You shouldn't move. If you appear weak, he'll just kill you."

That was something to think about but that wasn't an option. He had to be able to move if he was going to get to Dean and that deputy. He had nothing else to say so he popped the question, "Why do you hang around here? It's obvious you're scared of the guy."

"Joseph feeds us and protects us. He prevents hunters like you from hunting us. Not all of us kill people. We just want to live and be free to exist."

"But why hang around people that are just as bad as the hunters you think me and my brother are?"

"We kill to defend ourselves," the girl retorted back. Well she didn't kill. She just had nowhere else to go. What did this hunter know?

"You don't," Sam asserted. He could tell right away that she was not like Joseph.

"You don't know anything you filthy hunter," the girl spat and left.

Well that was certainly worth the try, Sam thought to himself. He figured that she wouldn't respond favorably but she was a scared girl. She probably didn't have anyone else. It was something to think on since that seemed to be similar to Angela. What was it she said? She collected strays and orphans? The excessive thinking wasn't doing to well with his head but it was all that Sam could do as he observed and bided his time.

It paid off though when the guard came in. He was looking at Sam with a pleased expression and Sam saw that wasn't a good thing. Still he had the time to plan and while it was probably the most stupid, it was something. Even Angela couldn't fault him for trying though he was going to pay for keeping his mouth shut about her.

It's thoughtful but don't ever do that again Sam. I'm not worth it.

It was a fine time to think about that but it served to give Sam focus. He waited until the guard was in the right position. The guard reached down and grabbed the chains jerked Sam to his feet. He winced from the sudden movement and he wobbled a bit on his feet.

"Meek lamb and he hasn't even gone all out on you. Pathetic," the guard replied. "Come on. Time to go."

Sam took the opportunity and with a quick motion he kicked the guard in the gut and then used his shackles to grab the guard in a chokehold. He held on as the guard struggled to get him off. He grunted and held on when the guard tried backing into the wall. It agitated the cuts on his back and it didn't do his abdomen any favors either. Still he held on until the guard collapsed from the lack of air and was lying on the ground.

It was tempting to swoop in for the kill but Sam couldn't do it. Instead he took a deep breath and holding his side, he left the room. He had no idea where to go from there and decided to follow on luck… if Winchester luck was anything to go by. He picked a tunnel and went down it after finding something to be a weapon. He gripped his side and groaned. His whole body hurt. He wanted nothing more than to stop but he had to get to Dean.

Sam followed the tunnel he had chosen becoming hopelessly lost. He paused and listened for any sign or clue as to where to go. It was quiet but way too quiet. Sam figured something was up but being in an unfamiliar place was not doing him favors. Still he had to try. He continued through until he thought he heard something. He stopped to take a look around and listen. He then heard it again and it lifted his spirits.

Sam? Sammy!

That was Dean. Only Dean would call him that. Sam listened and when Dean called for him, he followed. It was probably stupid since it could be a trap but he could be cautious and take them by surprise. Taking a breath he continued forward holding his weapon. He made his way forward and followed the sound of his brother's voice.

He made it to an open area that was fairly well lit. He paused to look around. "Dean?"

It was enough for Sam to be taken by surprise. He found his feet swept out from under him. Sam landed hard on his back and groaned. His hand brushed against his injured side and he felt the wetness of blood. He wasn't distracted for long since he was kicked in the side and he rolled over. It was then that he heard cheering. He also heard one other voice.

"Sam!"

Sam looked up and saw Dean being held by two of those wolf man things and he looked like he had been through hell. He could make out the familiar streaks of red on Dean's chest and his brother's nose looked a little funny. All around were others cheering and laughing was Joseph himself. Joseph said, "Welcome to round two Sam."

The back roads were nothing but dirt and forest but the smell of damp earth was like breathing in rich oxygen. Angela relished in the smell and picked up new smells that she hadn't been able to before. It was rather strange but she could actually pick out different smells of different animals but the main one was the smell of earth.

Perhaps it was because she understood the richness soil contained. Maybe it was her vampire half that craved the warmth of the earth or some weird nonsense since they were the living dead. It was stupid nonsense that would have amused the princess. Right now she had more important business at hand.

Angela sniffed the air as she paused from her running through the forest. She could smell the faint scents of the Lupei that had been scouting and guarding. The faintness was alarming since that meant that the whole pack was in the mine. Well she could handle it and she had some backup.

"I thought you were on restricted duty."

Angela smirked as she inched her way forward while crouching. She could make out the back entrance of the mine. She replied, "I was."

Wosret grinned and kneeled next to Angel, "So I take it that the boys needed your help."

Angela sobered and replied, "They're in trouble. It's Lupei."

Wosret frowned as she struggled to remember what she learned when she was learning about being a goddess and how the world worked. She remembered hearing about Lupei but they were made out to be extinct. She whispered, "I thought they were extinct."

"Don't believe everything you hear," Angela replied as she surveyed the entrance. Taking a chance she sprinted towards the entrance. She hid beside the entrance to see if there were any guards on patrol.

Wosret caught up to Angela. She pressed herself against the wall next to Angela. "Well this is a surprise. How do you know about Lupei?"

"I tangled with a few. Made friends with one." Angela looked into the mine. She then looked at Wosret who was surveying everything. She could appeal to the goddess for help but even she knew that the gods never interfered unless it was a serious infraction. "Fine time to show up for some fun."

"Actually I've been watching and observing." Wosret looked at Angela. "I know that this wasn't what you expected and not what our mutual acquaintance expected either. I am sorry."

"Don't be. Right now I gotta get in there and get my boys. These Lupei are not the friendly kind." Angela frowned when she felt rain drops start to fall, first slow and then a downpour started. Nice thing to add a little rain. She looked at Wosret and said, "Tell our friend that I thank him." She then moved to slink towards the entrance.

Wosret watched Angela head towards the mine entrance. The rain didn't bother her at all. She whispered, "I will and good luck."

Angela made it inside the entrance. She was wet and it added extra weight to her clothes but she could make it. She stood there and looked around. She could go either left or right. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and began sniffing the air. Even through the rain she could pick out the smells. There were many so she focused on what she knew to be the boys' scents.

It was rather noxious with the wet dog fur smell and body odors. She thought she was good in telling the difference between human and demon. This was a whole new world. It was no wonder that Fang Boy has that habit of wrinkling his nose whenever he came by the salvage yard. Out of all the smells though she was able to lock onto two distinct ones and they went to the right.

She ran through the tunnel pausing so often to make sure she was on the right scent. A sound caught her attention and she slowed down. She peered around the corner and saw what looked like a cage like structure. A sniff confirmed that the boys had been through here. She was about ready to pass it when she heard a moan.

It was reaction and instinct to jump into a fighting stance. Angela looked around for any sign of activity before peering into the cage. She could make out a body next to one of the walls. She could tell it wasn't either of the boys but it looked like a victim of the Lupei.

"You might want to get a key."

Angela tried not to jump. She turned to see the thin face of Susan. It surprised her that the girl came. She replied, "You've gotten better at sneaking up on people."

Susan shrugged her shoulders. "I learned from one of the best."

"I don't know about that," Angela replied as she studied the cage. Susan was right. They needed a key. She looked around trying to find a solution. "So what are you doing here? I thought you weren't going to help me."

Susan began looking for a key too. She replied, "I care about him still and I know that you wouldn't do anything unless you had too and…"

Angela looked at Susan. She was about to reply when a gruff voice sounded, "What are you doing there?"

Both turned to see about seven guys coming towards them. Angela tensed since she was certain that they could sniff out her scent. Susan was probably safe since she was one of them. She had to hand it to Susan who tried to pull it off. Susan replied, "Bringing in a new one."

The leader of the gang looked at Angela and then at Susan. He didn't seem convinced as he replied, "Really?" He then moved in closer. He peered at Susan and then thrust his face at Angela and started sniffing like a crazed dog. He moved his head about the whole area around Angela's neck and took in all the scents. His eyes narrowed.

Angela saw the eyes narrow on the guy's face. She didn't need him to say anything to know that he knew she was not what she appeared to be. The guy's face contorted into a scowl as it turned to Susan and he took the opportunity to sniff her. He said, "She's not a human and you aren't one of us."

Susan couldn't say anything about that. She had hoped that by at least smelling similar to the others, she would be able to pass herself off as one of them. She had forgotten that Joseph had trained a few of his best to be adept sniffers. They would be able to recognize who was part of his pack and who wasn't and it had been a while. She would have had small changes in hers.

The nonresponse seemed to aggravate the guard more. Angela could see his appearance start to change. He said, "You don't belong here, especially you Vampire." He gave a grunt and a slight howl.

That was the signal for the group to attack. Angela didn't have time to pull out her sword so she countered using her forearms to block the strikes. There were quite a few of them and she noticed that Susan had started to utilize her abilities. Angela decided to try something.

Concentrating, she put her focus into one good strike. Utilizing her telekinetic abilities she made a swiping motion and the sheer force knocked the group off their feet. It stunned them and allowed Susan to make a full change. She glanced at the fully changed Lupei and grinned before giving a battle yell and sprung forward.

Several of the other Lupei had gotten to their feet. They had changed and had begun to charge. Angela grinned as she blocked a blow with her arm and reached out to grab another. She gave a few heavy hits until she was grabbed from behind. She hated that and reacted by trying to beat her captor with her fist and feet until she was suddenly released.

Turning around she saw Susan holding the limp body of the Lupei that tried to strangle her. Judging by the odd angle of the head, Angela surmised that Susan broke the Lupei's neck. Angela looked at Susan and she nodded at her. Angela understood that Susan' understood that sometimes, certain things had to be done.

Angela didn't want to kill Lupei. They had just as much right to live as any other creature and be subjugated to the same rules as everyone else. However those that aimed to kill and took pleasure out of killing needed to be either, captured and imprisoned, or they were to be killed. The look Susan gave Angela told her that she understood a little more where she was coming from.

Angela returned the nod and turned just in time to deflect the charge of another one. This one she used his momentum to careen her into the bars of the cage. To her surprise the gate came crashing down. It enabled her to pull out Absolution and she held it ready since the next few Lupei came out with the desire to kill in their eyes.

Susan growled and roared in response to theirs. She put herself between them and the human whom she recognized as Deputy Russ. It was like the days when she rode with Absolution. She crouched and took the charge of another one of her kind and absorbed the impact. It turned out to be a scuffle and Susan thought she understood how wrestlers felt when they grappled with their opponents.

Angela whipped Absolution and sliced at the Lupei. She watched as Absolution made contact with the chest of one of the Lupei. The cut wasn't deep but Absolution was made to kill just about anything supernatural. Angela knew that the Lupei felt the pain. She didn't expect him to make a loud roar and shout, "The sword of vengeance! She is here for them!"

Angela knew who the Lupei was referring to. She gave him a hard punch to silence him. Now they knew she was there and they would be out for blood.

"Go."

Angela turned to see Susan finishing up. The Lupei repeated, "Go. I will make sure the deputy gets out. Save them."

Angela nodded and took to running down the tunnel. She widened her nostrils to pick up the scent. They knew she was coming but they hadn't seen anything just yet. She would save them.

A/N: Looks like Sammy was trying the talking thing again and Angie is just getting started. Stay tuned for the next thrilling chapter of Pack of Strays...