Dark Dreams

Author's Note: I do not own anything. All Characters belong Kripke. This takes place pre-series. Dean is 16, Sam is 12. When you see 'This' That is a characters inner thoughts. All that is "This" is the spirit. No the lore may not be correct but, this is my interpretation of it.

Chapter 3: Research and Investigate

John and Bobby took the impala while Ellen and Dean took her truck. "You gotta relax John, Dean is smart, tough and in good hands. Ellen is a mother so, she will protect him with that motherly instinct". Bobby said to try to relax and comfort his friend. John kept looking in the rear view mirror and saw no one sitting there. He was getting used to seeing one of his kids there. Now there was none since one was in another's car and one at his friends house. "I know Bobby, I know. I just got used to having him with me all the time. I kind of miss him". John looked to his friend. "Just don't tell anyone I told you that. Especially Dean, he'll never let me live it down". Bobby smiled since he knew he was right. Dean would tease Sam when he mentioned missing Dean or caring for him. Dean didn't do touchy feely chick flick moments.

Ellen and Dean were almost to the first parents house. "Now you mind your manners and be respectful. If they give us a hard time don't come out with some smart ass comments". Dean nodded "Yes Ma'am". Ellen turned to look at him for a moment. "Don't call me ma'am. That makes me feel old. Call me Ellen". Dean looked at her for a moment and then nodded. Bobby hated the "yes sir" and "no sir" that he was so used to giving to his father. He wasn't expecting other hunters to want to be called by their names and be nice. She was making this comfort zone crap easier.

John and Bobby were leaving the Precinct after talking to the Detective and Coroner. No one had any leads and were just confused. They had decided to put a curfew in place. The only problem with that was that some attacks took place in the day time. They wanted to lock the kids up till it was time to go to school the next day. They were hoping no kids were left out of an adults sight. It wouldn't be manageable and was just asking for a disaster. They had to find what was doing this and soon.

Ellen and dean were at their last house. They were on a farm belonging to a Mr. Teague. He had two sons. Main word was 'had'. His son Jason was killed several days ago and his other son Joshua was out there with him and saw the whole thing. "Good morning sir, my name is Ellen I am a grief counselor. This here is Dean my partner. He specializes in Youth grief counseling. May we come in and speak with you and your son?". Mr. Teague didn't know what to say for a second but then just nodded and showed them in. "My Son Joshua is out in the field, near the area where his brother was…". He couldn't finish the sentence and tears sprung to his eyes. "I'll um, I'll go speak with Joshua". Dean mentioned as he pointed to the field and the lone figure that stood in it. Ellen nodded. There was also a look in her eyes that said 'be careful'. He returned her silent look with one of his own of 'yes ma'am'. Dean made his way to other child and stood next to him. "Joshua, hi my name is Dean". Dean held his hand out for Joshua to shake. Joshua didn't move, didn't even acknowledge his presence. "I know you just suffered a horrible loss and I am here to help you through it. I'm a grief counselor and would like to help you try to move on". Joshua suddenly turned to Dean and had a look of hate and outrage on his face. "Move on? You want me to what, just forget him? Just move on with my life. Without him?". Joshua had tears streaming down his face. "You know when I was younger I also saw something horrible. I didn't know what to do, where to go or even what to say. I went mute for about a year. I started to speak and it was only to my little brother. I felt like no adult would understand me or even believe me. Not even my own father". Dean told Joshua hoping to gain some footing with him. "What I saw out there that day, it wasn't natural, it wasn't real". Dean looked at him for a moment and decided to put it out there. "I need to know what you saw Joshua". Finally the kid made a move and started to walk to the area they were in originally. "We were playing catch, something caught Jason's eye. A woman was just standing there. She kept flickering in and out. Then she floated closer and closer to Jason. I heard him call her grandma. Thing is, our grandmother has been dead for years. Plus I saw her face, she looked nothing like her. She didn't even look alive. She looked like she was decaying and he clothes looked old like, 1800's old. She also had a veil that she had over her face for most of the time. Then she reached out to my brother, never touched him but, it was like he was under a spell. He wouldn't or couldn't look away from her. She was hurting him but he still didn't move. He is a tough guy and wouldn't just sit by and let someone hurt him. He wouldn't put me in danger either. He just fell down like he was going to sleep but, never closed his eyes. Then she was gone, like poof. Like a magician and a disappearing act. Then where she was standing was cold, like ice. When I tried to find his pulse I found this black hand print on his chest. He was cold, his lips were blue and his eyes were almost white. White as fog, just like her eyes". Joshua stopped and looked down at the area he had found his brother laying there. Dean placed his hand on Joshua's shoulder. "It's hard man, I am an older brother. I couldn't imagine loosing my brother". Joshua nodded and then turned and hugged Dean. Dean hugged him back and wrapped his arms tightly around the kid.

Ellen was standing near by watching Dean work. He had managed to get all the kids talking and even comforted them with a big brother hug. "He's gonna be a great hunter". Ellen said as she headed back to the car to wait for Dean. Dean took out a small piece of paper. "Hey, if you need anything or remember something else call me. Okay". Joshua nodded and wiped his tears as he took the paper. "Are you going to find this thing?". Dean hadn't even mentioned anything like that to him but, he knew it is what he would want to know as well. "Yes, we are going to stop it". Dean placed his arm around the kids shoulders one more time and brought him close to his side again.

Dean made it back to Ellen's car. They were going to head back to Bobby's to compare notes and theories. Ellen kept looking at him. "You ok?". Dean was startled out of his thinking. "Yeah, I'm fine". Ellen smiled at the Winchester catch phrase. She had heard that from John plenty of times. Seems that Dean had taken on that trait. Sam had made it clear that he liked to discuss his feelings and be truthful when he wasn't ok. Dean was just like a John, a soldier.

When they all arrived back at the house, Ellen and Dean were the last to arrive. Sam ran out of the house and to his brother. He was nervous for him to be out there and was happy to see him back. Dean had excepted the hug and held Sammy tightly in his arms. Ellen knew he would be ok, he had the best comfort and all the comfort he needed.

They had been comparing notes and theories for hours. No one was sure yet what they were dealing with. Dean kept looking into different forms of spirits. There were so many aspects that fit in with their evidence. No foot prints, no finger prints, the flickering in and out and the floating. All of it pointed a spirit but, one that could go to different places and out in the open, was it even possible?.

Ellen had finally found the creature they were looking for. "Ok, we got our culprit". She placed a book down on the kitchen table everyone was gathered around. "We got ourselves a Woman in Black". Everyone looked at the book and the pictures. Everything fit, all the evidence and description. "That looks exactly like what Joshua described her as". Dean said as he noticed the picture. "Ever heard of a Woman in White?". Bobby asked. He received nods from all the others. "She is born out of infidelity, heart break and depression. A Woman in Black is born out of loss of an offspring and depression. She seeks out children to find comfort. Now it don't matter if she had one child or many, when she seeks a child, she always goes for the eldest. She never goes after a single child, she always goes for one with siblings. She wants to replace her loss of a child with another. Going for one with siblings means that they have more love to give. Her stare mesmerizes them and comforts them. She makes them feel safe and loved as she lays claim to their hearts. That is the black hand print. It is her mark that she has claimed or plans to claim that child". Dean looked confused for a moment. "So why not just take them at once, why lay claim and then come back?". Bobby pointed to a certain passage. "She'll lay claim and then leave if she is interrupted. Usually by an adult or the sibling".

John kept staring at Dean the entire time. He wasn't liking this hunt to be Dean's first with another hunter or possible separated and alone. He was considering pulling him off the case and making him wait here with Sam and asking Jim to come along instead. Dean would put up a fight but john felt that this would be for the best. He was the father and what he said goes. His decision was made, Dean was off the case. They had started to make a plan. The woman looked like she was from the 1800's so, they would look for women in that time period who lost kids. "I am taking Dean off the case". Dean looked at his father and knew his dad had said this in a way that was not for discussion. His decision had been made. Dean didn't know why but he opened his mouth and decided to fight this time.

"You can't be serious! You need all the help you can get on this one". John looked at his son and tried to convey the commander look. "Did I ask for your opinion?". John asked Dean as he walked over to him. Dean looked down, all the fight gone. For the moment. "No sir". Dean answered. "Exactly, I have made my decision. This thing is to dangerous to have you out there". Dean looked at the others for help and none would look at him. John was stubborn and intimidating. "Dad, the plan that you have needs all hands on deck. This could take weeks to find the right woman who is causing this. In the meantime, more kids could die. You have the perfect bait right here". Dean indicated himself and all the others looked at him. There goes that Winchester self sacrificing attitude again.