Chapter 10

Sam tossed his phone aside as he pulled the Impala into a U-turn. West Brighton Mall was closer to the center of the city then the shrine. Since he could now rule out that Dean had teleported to the alley and was safe with Bobby instead, he could solve the monster problem and be done with it. Honestly, Sam hadn't been too eager to go back to the alley and confront the homeless man. He'd made a threat that he knew he couldn't go through with, even if it meant protecting Dean. Ruby would see it differently. She always did.

He glanced over to the empty passenger seat and sighed.

Determined to stay focused, Sam pushed both Dean and Ruby from his thoughts as he approached the heart of the city. He entered the parking lot for the mall, surprised to find it was mostly empty, save for a few cars parked in the rear lot. That was before he saw fire and ambulance parked outside the main entrance.

Dammit. He was too late.

Sam fumbled through the glove compartment and grabbed his best false ID. He'd have to make the most of it. It wasn't like he hadn't improvised on the spot before.

He flashed his badge as soon as he reached the main entrance. "Agent Scholz, FBI. I got word that there was an incident?"

The officers weren't too thrilled to see him. One of them snorted and gave a quick once over, while the other remained stone-faced. Sam resisted the urge to straighten his jacket. Usually, he and Dean didn't have a problem with the local officers, especially when it came to what they were wearing. The fact he felt like he was under a microscope unnerved Sam. He could only hope that the severity of the situation would prevent them from digging a little too deeply into the sudden FBI appearance.

"FBI is really letting themselves go," one of the officers said with the shake of his head.

"I'm in town investigating another issue," Sam explained. "My superiors sent me over immediately to see if there was any connection."

The two men continued to stare, though one of them didn't appear as intimidating as before. Finally, he sighed and motioned for Sam to join them. "You better take a look at this, then."

The three of them joined another group of officers in the main lobby of the mall. Sam stopped short.

Blood smeared the benches that lined the center of the lobby. The first few stores, as well as part of the food court, were taped off and blocked. Some of the blood traced a trail around a water fountain, a campy odds and ends store, and towards the security center.

This wasn't a one-on-one attack. This was a massacre.

"How many?" he managed to stay, hoping his shock hadn't bleed through his face.

"Most of the opening staff. Can't say I've seen anything like it." One of the officers stood beside Sam, shaking his head. "I thought maybe some kind rabid animal had gotten in, but what kind of animal has footprints?"

"And it bit them all in the same way," chimed in the other officer.

"Where?" Though Sam had the sinking suspicion he already knew.

The two officers guided him into one of the closed off stores, away from prying eyes. There were four bodies covered by white sheets in this small retail store, the red stain soaking through at the neckline. It was no surprise when the cops pulled back one of the sheets. The obvious markings of a vampire bite were still raw and fresh.

"The other fed says it could have been some cult group," said the first officer.

Sam straightened. "Other fed?"

The two men motioned over his shoulder. When Sam turned to look, it took everything in his power not to break character. Connor strolled over like he owned the place, hands in his pockets, his goatee even trimmed and neat.

"My little protégé," Connor said with a thin smile. "Didn't realize they put you on the case."

"The department's full of surprises."

He snorted and then gave a slight nod. "Gentlemen, mind if I have a moment with my colleague?"

One of the officers shrugged, but his eyes betrayed him. They were eager to get rid of the unconventional looking agents, if Sam could read him right. "Go for it. We got some work to do."

Sam waited for them to disappear before he leveled a glare at Connor.

The hunter chuckled. "Now, Sam. Don't be that way. Couldn't let you blow my cover. Besides, if anyone should be angry, it's me. You weren't on the receiving end of a gun."

Sam snorted. Right. "What're you doing here, Connor?"

"Monsters start ripping people apart, I'm here."

Despite all Connor's faults, this was the truth. When monsters came calling, Connor was there. Somehow, some way, he managed to worm his way into the case.

He was exactly what they needed on a job like this. Sam wished he was thrilled to see him.

Connor, on the other hand, looked ecstatic. "Gotta say. Surprised to see you here."

"Like you said, monsters. I couldn't turn my back on it."

"Suppose not." He nodded thoughtfully, as if absorbed in his own private conversation, before he came around. "Don't…don't see your brother here."

"He's taking care of some other business."

"Is he now? Hmm."

Sam decided he did not appreciate the direction the conversation was heading. It was time for a change. Now.

"So, what did you find?"

"Bites, blood, destruction. The usual. Nest of vamps, looks like." Connor glanced around. "Nest of hungry vamps."

"Vampires are usually more subtle."

"Guess there's a first for everything, right?"

Sam found himself nodding in agreement. Connor didn't have to know about the Watcher, but he also knew the fellow had to know that an all out bloodbath was unusual for a nest. Vampire numbers were low enough without risking exposure in such a careless way.

Connor shook his head and whistled. "Vampires and werewolves in the same town. Gotta be a first."

"And a rakshasa in the park."

Connor raised his eyebrows. "You don't say? Huh." He rubbed his chin. "Plus them angels, right? Can't forget them."

"Right."

"Something gotta be drawing them here."

And there it was. Sam knew it was only a matter of time for Connor to start to piece the truth together. He'd hoped to stall for a bit of time.

"There's definitely a problem," Sam admitted. He paused long enough to watch the police stack body on top of body as they carted them away. Watcher or not, the deaths couldn't continue. "Whatever it is, we got to take care of it fast."

"Something we can agree on." For once, there was no sarcasm in Connor's voice. "I got some friends not far off I can call in. Take all them suckers out. You and your brother in?"

"Absolutely." Of course, Connor didn't need to know that Sam was going to manage the problem before he did. But if Connor and his friends could hold back some of the carnage while Sam located the Watcher, maybe everyone could win.

"Let's meet at O'Malley's in four hours. Then we'll ice these bastards."

Sam nodded. By then, hopefully the Watcher would be safe and he and Dean could leave this mess behind.

Note: Thanks for your patience if you are still following this. I've been battling cancer for 2 years. I hope to finish this soon.