Sam
Sam walked along the beach, listening for the ping of his cell to signal word from his brother. He wasn't looking forward to telling Dean about Regina's threat. Dean probably would dismiss it, but Sam was more than happy to comply. Storybrooke had become a huge detour on the path to finding Lilith. Being kicked out of town was the best thing that could happen to them. The entire investigation was beginning to feel more and more like a wild goose chase and Sam was growing anxious. He would not lose his brother. Not when the two of them had become so close. Hunting was a dangerous business, this he understood. But for Dean to sacrifice himself to hell fire…Sam wouldn't let it happen.
Couldn't Dean see how trivial this Storybrooke case was? They had bigger fish to fry and it was as if Dean didn't care that he was going to die.
Stopping to face the water, Sam breathed in the salty sea air, and squeezed his eyes shut tight. Tears burned behind his lids.
"There's no better escape than the ocean, is there?"
Sam's head whipped around. A lean, scruffy-faced man grinned up at him. "You like the water, don't you?"
"Um, I'm sorry. Who are you?"
The shorter man smiled. "Oh, I'm nobody. Just a wandering misfit like you. Plagued by the knowledge of horrors that other people couldn't even begin to understand." After reading the expression on Sam's face, he added "I know that you aren't an FBI agent, Sam. Not that you and Dean are actually convincing anyone anyway."
Sam studied the stranger a moment. Leather jacket, faded blue jeans, and the exhausted eyes. "Are you a…hunter?"
The man laughed. "What, me a hunter? No. Definitely not. Though that would make quite an interesting twist, don't you think?"
"Twist to what?"
"Your story. Well, our story."
The corner of Sam's mouth twitched. Who the hell is this nut job? The nut job offered his hand.
"My name's August. Like the month." Sam stared at the outstretched hand like it had spikes jutting out of it. August's blue eyes twinkled. "It's just a hand. I left my hook back at home."
Cautiously, Sam shook hands with the other man. "How do you know who I am?"
August frowned. "It would be so much easier if I could just tell you, Sam, but I can't."
Sam's head jerked back in his incredulity. "You can't tell me."
"No. I can't. And I'm sorry, but there's no way you'd believe the truth if I told you. You aren't ready yet. Believe me, I'm working on it."
"Try me."
"No." And that was final.
For a moment both men stood in silence, watching green waves spill onto the sand.
"We're leaving tonight, Dean and I. So I'm afraid I won't be around for the reveal of your big secret."
August remained focused on the water but he gave a dry laugh. "Leaving? You can't leave."
Sam was done trying to hide his annoyance. "Actually, yeah we are. Mayor Mills told me herself. Well, threatened me. Either my brother and I high tail it out of here, or she'll probably have us arrested. I'm prepared to do the former. Dean and I have more important things to take care of."
"I doubt that." August grinned cheekily at Sam.
Sam's nostrils flared. "Look, you don't-"
"What? Know you? Actually, Sammy, I probably know you better than you know yourself."
This was getting too strange. "What do you mean we can't leave?"
"There are certain people who physically can't leave this town once they enter it. I have a hunch you and Dean might fall into that category." The words sounded ridiculous but the expression August wore was one of complete sincerity. "Don't even try, Sam. You might get hurt."
Sam chortled uncomfortably. "Right. And how do I know you aren't lying to me?"
Deadpan, the other man said "believe me, if I was lying, my nose would give me away." Then he winked one bright blue eye, turned, and walked away.
Sam stared after him dumbfounded. What the hell was that about? He rubbed his eyes with his hands and groaned. The whole ordeal was beginning to feel like an episode of The Twilight Zone. He checked his phone for any missed phone calls but there were none. Then a splash in the water caught his attention. He looked out and saw a young woman bobbing in the water. The way her flaming red hair caught the sunlight made her look like she was on fire. Sam had no consciousness of his legs moving him to the waters edge, but he stood there gazing at her. Not only was she breathtakingly beautiful, but there was something familiar about her. He knew her somehow, he was sure.
Her blue eyes were wide with curiosity, then delighted recognition. Then her lips moved but no sound followed. She repeated herself and this time Sam understood. Then his cell rang. He glanced down at Dean's name on the screen then up to look at the girl again, but she had vanished. But who was she? And why was she calling him Will?
A/N: Your reviews, favorites, and follows keep me going! Though honestly, I'm having a lot of fun so I'd continue on regardless. I've already started the next chapter, so I should have it posted by the beginning of next week. Thank you guys!