My hands shook so badly I nearly ripped my thigh highs as I pulled them off. I hadn't realized I was still wearing them under my towel. I unfastened the garters and balled them up, heaving the fancy lingerie in the corner. I was biting my lip so hard it nearly drew blood as I turned off the tub and started water in the sink as hot as it would go. The scalding hot water burned on my skin. I was relieved as the physical pain dulled the pain in my heart.
I scrubbed off the makeup until my skin was pink, tying my hair up in a messy bun. I yanked on black leggings, not bothering with undergarments, and had just fastened my bra when there was a knock on the door. I ignored it, pulling a black tank top over my head and slipping on tennis shoes. I didn't want to snap on anyone. Sam would just be trying to help, and if I admitted to Dean or Kirsti that I was mad, it would bring to light feelings I had worked bury for the sake of the hunt.
I dug my shoulder holster out of my duffle and slipped it on. I let Sam convince me that too much firepower was better than too little, and precaution was a must on an active case. I made sure each nine mm slip was full, one with silver, the other with rock salt. I strapped my silver knife to my back and shrugged in to a hoody, tucking my hair into a slouchy beanie to keep it out of my face. I was too mad to stay put, so I opted to be useful. I'd patrol the area around the resort for trouble and clear my head.
The main room was dim, most of the lights out for the night. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself alone. The fold out couch was not in use. Well, technically it was, but by Ninja, as opposed to Sam or Dean. His head shot up as I quietly slid my door shut. I guess there was no out ninjaing a ninja, and I sighed in defeat as his eyes begged me to bring him along.
"Come on then." I whispered. It was just about bar close according to the wall lock. I knew he wouldn't help deter most monsters, but over friendly drunks walking home from the bar would keep a wide berth when they saw him.
Ninja danced on his leash, excited to head out with me. He hadn't gotten much alone time with mommy in the last few days. I promised myself I would be more attentive when the hunt was over and I could leave the Dean Distraction behind.
The docks were deserted, boats bobbing on the mild waters. Most of the spots were empty, but the for hire boats all seemed exactly as I remembered, right down to the slips they were moored on. Other than a northern floating dead on the surface, stirring up Ninja, all was quiet. I half hoped to run in to whatever it was we were hunting. If we ganked it tonight, I could load up the truck and be gone before I had to face Dean again.
I was off of the resort grounds and in a stand of trees along the water line before I noticed anything odd. It was really late, and even most of the street lights were off, so I could hardly tell I was in civilization. Ninja and I made our way down a trail that led to the old boat launch when I noticed an odd sighing and moaning coming from the trees. I unhooked Ninja's lead. This wasn't his first rodeo, and I knew he stick close if danger struck. He sniffed around beside me as I followed the noise.
I slunk through the tree line. Judging by the volume and tempo of the noises, I was getting close (And so were they, whoever they were… wink wink, nudge nudge.) I'd probably find the source when the tree line broke a couple hundred yards ahead. I opened my sweater to have easier access to my weapons, just in case.
Ahead and to my right, I head a rustling. I was focused on tracking the sound of the noise. I nearly leapt out of my skin as a shriek pierced the night, right from the direction of the moans I'd been following. Ninja growled low in his throat and took off after the noise, just a split second before I did.
It seemed the trees were trying to hinder me as I tore through the underbrush. Branches reached out, trying to snag my clothes, scratching my face. I barely ducked in time to miss a low branch as I slid to a stop in a small clearing, briefly losing my footing. Ninja stood his ground, snarling at a man dressed in chuck Taylors, tube socks, unfortunately short shorts and a tank top. He was standing in the shallows of the lake, soaking wet, and his skin was tinted blue.
I scrambled for my rock salt loaded gun. Just on the other side of Ninja, a girl in her twenties was cowering on the ground, whimpering. There were leaves in her tangled brown hair, and her clothes were rumpled.
"Ninja! Down!" I ordered. The last thing I needed was my dog to get caught in the cross fire. I was surprised at how strong my voice was, considering the fact that coming face to face with any monster was terrifying. I was always pleasantly surprised at my composure (When I had any, anyways.)
Ninja obeyed immediately. The baddie that had attacked the girl spun, turning his attention to me. His eyes were sunken, and his pallid skin was waxy and bloated. I steadied my right hand with my left, my stance strong as I took aim. I was feeling pretty confident as I pulled the trigger…
And missed. The ghost let out a growl of his own, advancing on me as I let off another wild shot. His eyes narrowed as he plowed me into the ground. He'd knocked the breath clean out of me. I must have hit my head on the way down, because I felt dazed, and there was a dull throbbing just above my neck. As I fell, my gun went off, finally striking home. The ghost dissipated like it was made of smoke.
I was exercising the more colorful parts of my vocabulary as the terrified girl scrambled over to me. "Jesus. Are you okay?" I groaned as he voice hit my ears. Why was everything so loud? I slumped on the ground, hands empty, rock salt gun escaping in the recoil of my shot.
"I'm fine." I slowly struggled into a sitting position, digging around for the gun. Ninja trotted over, giving me a puppy kiss before sharing his affections with my fellow victim. She laughed, climbing to her feet.
"I'm Mandi!" She held out a hand and I took her offer of help as I grabbed my gun, checking the clip when I regained my feet.
"Let me guess. With an 'I'?" I sighed, reminded of the events of the evening.
"Yes, but not by choice!" She grinned, and I chuckled. "What was that?" She was brushing herself off, and I followed suit.
"That is bad news. Can you run in those?" I motioned to the girl's shit kicker boots as my eyes darted around, scanning the darkness for signs of our little friend.
She nodded. "Who can't run in boots?"
I was about to say something witty, but I cut off, hearing a bubbling noise coming from the lake. We both slowly turned towards the water, as if delaying our confirmation could change the fact that the water rioted just off the shore. The bubbles moved closer. I handed Mandi Ninja's leash. "Run towards town. I'll be right behind you. Ninja will be a big help finding the road. Don't turn around. Don't stop. I'll be right behind you, and if we lose each other, you just head for IdleWilde. Pound on the door of the cabin with the old cars. Someone will answer, probably a guy, and I promise they will NOT thing you're crazy. Tell them EVERYTHING." Her eyes never left mine as I gave her instructions. She nodded firmly. I think she knew I didn't plan on following her.
I peaked at the water. The bubbling was at the shore, a waxy hand clawing at the ground. I gave Mandi a push. "GO!" I faced the water, sparing a glance over my shoulder to make sure she'd left. I'd cocked my gun and smiled with grim determination as the drowned man pulled himself out of the water. He was smiling maliciously as he moved towards me.
"Hey, handsome. The wet t-shirt contest ended about an hour ago." He stopped, looking quizzical. "Tell you what. You can have the participation trophy anyways."
The water logged ghost chuckled darkly, and it was all I could do to keep my fear at bay as I leveled my gun on him. I wasn't going to miss this time.
"Bitch…" He spat, vanishing. I spun, hoping I'd pissed it off enough that it either focused on me or gave that Mandi girl enough of a head start to reach Sam and Dean.
My stomach dripped when I thought his name, but I couldn't afford the distraction right now. "Hey!" I yelled, trying to get its attention. "Why'd you run off? No one likes a wet blanket!" I was sort of thankful I was alone. I may have been scared, but I would have died in embarrassment if someone witnessed me cliche-ing at a ghost. "I thought you liked picking on women."
"Whore." I whipped around. The ghost grinned feraly at me, his face just inches from mine as he loomed over me. I could smell the death and decay on his body. I rolled to the ground, barely escaping his grasp. I didn't waste time trying to be Buffy-esque and sarcasm the damn ghost to the other side. That obviously didn't work. I discharged my gun somewhere in his general direction and sprinted as fast as I could along the water line. Mandi had headed into the trees and I wanted to keep Tall, Dark, and soaking as far from Idelwilde as possible, so I ran in the opposite direction. There was another resort less than a mile around the lake, and I knew they closed up until Memorial Day, so I could find a place to hole up without endangering anyone.
I could feel the ghost popping up behind me in that really rude way they have. The air around him felt heavy and wet, and I knew before his hand wrapped around my upper arm that he had me. I lurched to a stop, slamming into his solid, soaking chest as he whipped me around. I was going to die fighting, damnit.
His hands closed around my throat, the pressure slowly increasing as he tried to squeeze the life out of me. My vision narrowed, and all I was aware of was the rotten, moldy sent of him as his mouth neared mine, the reassuring weight of my gun still clutched in my hand.
My eyes widened. I could have slapped myself. Even as I got dangerously close to losing consciousness, I smiled. The ghost kept squeezing, but stopped the descent of his rotten mouth over mind for just a moment, confused, I guess. It took all of my remaining strength, but I swung my gun up, pressing the barrel into his jaw. As the rock sale ripped through him, he vanished, and I fell to my knees. "It's called a tic-tac, douche nozzle." I coughed, sucking up oxygen. I just couldn't resist the one liner, even though it hurt to talk.
I wanted to lie down and sleep for a week, but I knew the rock salt wouldn't keep the ghost from reappearing eventually, so I stood, massaging my throat. That was gonna leave a mark.
My knees were wobbly as I jogged towards the seasonal resort, eyes peeled. I knew I wouldn't be able to run full speed, and I needed to be vigilant. I reached the dock a few moments later, and I stopped to catch my breath. I was too tired for fear, and I groaned in frustration as the water started to move again, violently swirling and bubbling. "Just can't take no for an answer…" I muttered, forcing myself in to motion. I scurried up the stairs that led from the docks to the boat house. It smelled like dead fish, and I could taste it was I panted. My foot caught the top step, and I tumbled forward, unable to catch myself. I face planted. Thank god no one was there to see it. I shook the stars out of my eyes and immediately sought my gun. It had fallen just behind me. I turned and reached for it, snapping it in to my grasp as a pair of rotten chuck Taylors squelched on the top step.
I scooted backwards on my rear, gun trained on the ghost. I squeezed the trigger, and nothing happened. My eyes widened in fear as the ghost licked his lips, sneering. I froze in shock as the ghost crouched. "Bitch." He hissed.
"Your vocabulary is limited." I was breathless with fear that outweighed my exhaustion. I shrank into the ground, throwing my arms up to protect myself as he leapt at me. I squeezed my eyes shut, saying a brief prayer as I waited for the hammer to fall.
I waited for a long time before I peaked an eye open. The ghost was still on the stop step, looking frustrated. "Huh." I snorted, then laughed in giddy relief, despite the pain in my throat. The ghost couldn't leave the lake. I flipped him the bird and lay on my back, catching my breath.
"Oh, shit." I laughed and cried at the same time. It was nervous, high-strung, and neurotic in pitch. I cut off, coughing as my throat throbbed. I rubbed the ache with one hand and pushed myself up with the other. I'd been gone at least a couple of hours, and I had a long walk back to Idlewilde ahead of me. There would be time to rest, later.