The Next Morning

"So, we've gotta bunch of missing couples who've disappeared this time of year all traveling through Burkittsville."

"We should be in California," Sam mutters.

Dean sighs. "I thought we moved past this. We're going to Burkittsville. End of discussion."

"While dad's trail grows cold."

Dean glares over at his brother. "If dad wanted found, we'd find him. Now for once, can you just do what you're told? We've got lives to save in Indiana. Dad's got whatever's in California covered."

Sam frowns. "I still don't like it."

"Yeah, well, story of our lives," Dean remarks before turning down another two lane road he's followed since Illinois. The road is wet from recent rain, and Dean guides the Impala smoothly down the road. He spots a sign welcoming them to Burkittsville and takes the first right at the light.

"Not much of a town," Sam starts.

"Welcome to farm country, USA," Dean answers. He points to a small diner. "I bet they have awesome pies."

Sam shakes his head. "You're impossible."

"Yeah, I know," Dean grunts before exiting the car. "It's why you love me."

"Right," Sam snorts. "Hey, Dean, do you think we're here in time? We're one day behind."

"Don't know, Sam," Dean pulls out a missing flyer poster. "Only one way to find out."

Several no's later they walk up to a man sitting outside of Scotty's Café.

Dean waves a greeting. "Let me guess. Scotty?"

The man barely nods.

"Hi, my name's John Bonham, and this is my partner-."

"Isn't that the drummer from Led Zeppelin?"

"Wow. A classic rock fan," Dean grins. "No relation though."

"What do you want gentlemen?" Scotty frowns.

"Uh, well, we're just looking for our friends," Sam begins. He holds up a missing poster. "They may have come through here about a year ago."

Scotty shakes his head. "Never seen them before."

"You sure," Dean insists. "They called right before-"

"I said no," Scotty interrupts. "I suggest you try elsewhere."

"Okay," Sam smooths. "Thank you for your time."

Dean snorts when they're several feet away. "Friendly bunch. That's the same reaction we've got all morning."

Sam shrugs. "I guess if I was kidnapping and possibly killing people every year I wouldn't be too friendly to strangers."

"Yeah, thanks for the input," Dean nods towards the gas station. "Let's try there."

"Hi," Sam offers to the trio standing out front. "We're looking for a couple of friends, and we're wondering if we could ask you a few questions."

An elderly couple exchanges a look before the man smiles. "Of course. My name's Harley. What can I do for you?"

"Our friends went missing about this time last year, and we're just trying to track down their path. Do you remember this couple?" Dean asks.

Harley shakes his head. "No, I don't remember them. What about you, Stacy?"

The older woman squints at the poster. "No, I don't either. Are you sure they went this way?"

Sam nods. "But we're not sure where."

The youngest of the trio pulls at the poster. "Did he have a tattoo?" Dean nods. "I remember them. Don't you? They were on their honeymoon."

"That's right, Emily," Harley starts slowly. "They stopped for gas. Weren't here for more than maybe, oh, a couple of minutes."

"Do you know which way they went?" Sam asks.

Harley points. "I told them to head towards the interstate."

"So maybe it wasn't Burkittsville," Dean suggests a few miles down the road.

"Mhm, I don't know. The way everyone was acting towards us?" Sam shakes his head. "I can't believe they're not up to something."

"Gettin' a little suspicious in your old age?" Dean smirks. He stops when he hears a noise from the back seat. "What the hell?"

Dean reaches back and pulls out his EMF. It's bright with red.

They lock eyes, and Dean slows the Impala to a stop. He steps out and holds up the EMF. It whirls angrily.

Sam turns and scans his surroundings. He spots the orchard ahead and nods for Dean to follow. The EMF continues to scream as they step through the orchard. A tall scarecrow stands in the center, and the brothers surround it.

"Dude, you're fugly."

Sam snorts. "Wonderful critique, Dean." He reaches up and looks at the scarecrow. Dean, in turn, pokes at the side. "Quit poking at it."

"Stop telling me what to do," Dean retorts. He pauses and analyzes the scarecrow. His brows taut with recognition.

Sam watches his brother grab a nearby ladder and step up to stand squarely with the scarecrow. Dean reaches over and pulls up the sleeve.

Dean motions Sam over. "This tattoo look familiar?