The sun was nearing its peak in the sky when the Winchesters drove past the sign that said, 'Welcome to Lost Creek Colorado National Forest' and it was a welcomed sight. After having been cramped into the Impala for close to twenty-seven hours. They came to the conclusion to drive straight through into the night to make the best time.
Sure it had taken some convincing by the younger two that they were not going to crash Dean's baby but eventually, grudgingly, he handed over the keys and managed some shut eye. Of course that was only after nitpicking Spencer's driving for a few minutes. Each brother had taken a nine hour turn at the wheel so when they were actually pulling into the Ranger Station at one of the trail head, it was Dean that was driving again.
With the car in park, Dean and Spencer stepped outside the doors to stretch out their sore and stiff muscles. They sighed in relief when they could hear the pop of joints in their arms, in their legs and in their backs. Whereas the first thing Sam did was go running off towards the building his motive clear- 'I gotta pee, gotta pee, gotta pee!'
The other two took their time walking into the fair sized wooden cabin.
In the middle of the room they first entered, there was a tabletop map of the area with the ridge bulging out making the terrain legible.
Looking over it, Spencer was speaking absentmindedly, "Black water ridge is mostly rough terrain and dense forest."
Joining them, Sam added, "There are tons of abandoned gold and silver mines scattered around too."
"Hey," Dean said getting their attention. He was pointing to a picture of a huge brown bear with a man standing triumphantly over it. "Look at the size of this freakin' bear."
"And at least a dozen or so grizzlies. Something only extremists would like," Sam continued on.
"That one there was caught almost three months ago," a ranger said coming in the doorway that lead from the backroom.
"Must have put up quite a fight," Dean mused.
"All worth it in the end," he said setting a coffee mug on the counter. "What can I help you boys with?"
"Well, were environmental study majors from UC Boulder and we were working on a paper."
Looking the trio up and down, the ranger finally decided, "Bull! You," he motioned to Spencer whom furrowed his brows. "I could see maybe, but you two, no way. You're friend with Hailey or Ben aren't you?"
"Yes," Dean cut in. "Uh, Hailey, best friends."
"You want to tell her what I told her before? Her brother and his friends signed a permit saying they won't be back until the twenty-forth. Anything before the does not mean they are missing."
"I couldn't agree more, Ranger Wilkinson" Dean said quietly looking at his name tag. Then louder he asked, "Hey, do you mind if we could have a copy of that permit." Wilkinson gave him a funny look. "Ya' know, it might help her if she sees it and coming from a friend…" he trailed off.
Rolling his eyes like he might regret it, Ranger Wilkinson agreed and left to make a copy. While he was gone, Dean turned to his brothers a smug smile in place.
"You do know that we are here to find dad, right? Not so you can hook up with some chick?" Sam asked him.
The smile slid off his face. "I like to know what I'm in for."
"Since when?" Spencer asked. "From what I remember you and dad were always ready to dive in head first."
"Yeah," Sam agreed.
"And you," Spencer turned, "were always brains before brawns."
Sam shrugged. "Things have changed since you left us," he retorted his voice colder. At the same time, Dean mocked saying, "Yeah," to Sam.
Spencer was spared having to react as the floor boards beneath them creaked at the older rangers shuffle. He looked at the boys one more time before handing the papers to Dean. "Now, when you see Hailey, you tell her not to worry."
"Will do," he said with a nod.
"Thank you," Spencer said for the three of them, making sure that the ranger knew his help was appreciated.
Outside, Dean said, "I want to talk with Hailey."
When Sam frowned, about to protest, Spencer started, "Dean's right. It's always better to have some idea what's going on. There's no sense getting yourself killed for no reason."
"Fine," he huffed, practically throwing himself into the backseat.
Spencer looked at Dean. "What's his problem?" there was hurt in his voice.
Dean shook his head, "Not here. We'll talk about it later." He joined Sam in the car. Sighing, Spencer did the same.
"What do you think then, find a motel for the night and we can head out tomorrow?" Dean asked. A shrug and a nod were all he got for a response.
*CM*SN*SUPERMINDS*SN*CM
"Welcome to home for the night." Dean said with faux cheer as he opened the motel door. "I call dibs on a bed!"
He was followed by Sam then Spencer. Sam went directly to the other bed leaving the couch for Spence. The middle Winchester paused in the doorway taking in the familiar scent of dingy air. It was the same, always the same. Dully colored walls, stains on the bed sheets, the floor and just about anywhere else it could be imagined. They were never clean.
This particular motel had a wooden cabin type theme with a dark green walls and brown bedding. Even from a distance, he could see the couch was going to be lumpy and uncomfortable. With a spring sticking out here and there along with the cushion's stuffing popping out in places.
They had each carried a duffle in. Their duffels only held the essentials: sliver knife, holy water flask, salt, a lighter, fake IDs, and a few appropriate changes of clothes; the rest was left in the trunk of the Impala under the hidden compartment.
Both Sam and Dean took a turn in the dirty bathroom to change into a cleaner shirt and jeans while Spencer set up a laptop to make a general assessment.
"You coming, Spence?" Dean asked as he shrugged into his favorite brown leather jacket.
"Nah, I'm goanna stay here and find out more about the area," he replied already pulling up a search engine and typing 'Black Water Ridge.'
"Alright, we'll go talk to her and grab some grub on the way back," he grabbed the keys.
"Yep," he said without looking up. When he heard the door swinging open, he looked at Dean and said, "Hey, don't forget no pickles and remember the pie."
"Always remember the pie." Dean smiled and then they were gone.
A/N: Kind of an awkward place to stop but it's getting late and I wanted to post something to try and stay with my chapter a day update. So we will see more tomorrow.
Also, before I forget, I am on Facebook under SSAFunbar FanFiction. I'm only noting this so that I can give a warning if I can't update that day.
See y'all tomorrow! :)