Bloody Mary

This Chapter is pretty close to the 'Bloody Mary' episode in Supernatural. Although I changed things to fit my story, it's essentially that episode with Ellie in it. Hopefully it's not too confusing and you're able to follow it alright.

Again, please note: This is an edit of an old story, so please expect errors and although I'd prefer to take more time to edit and expand, I opted to post the chapters sooner due to time limitations.

I understand it is long and not as fast paced as some of my other stories, but hope it's enjoyable all the same.


Ellie was lost in thought staring out the back window of the impala when Sam suddenly broke her concentration. Sam cleared his throat and craned his neck to look behind him at Ellie.

"You need to use the bathroom, kiddo?" He asked in his friendly tone.

Ellie felt her body stiffen at the first break of silence in the car since Dean had 'tore her a new one'.

"Yes, sir." Ellie said dully and politely sitting up from her slouch position. Anything to get out of the car and away from these Hunters, even for a few minutes, would be a welcomed reprieve for the young girl who was still feeling the effects of her scolding. Besides, Ellie was not used to sitting in a car for long periods of time. Sure, she took road trips when her uncle had cases to work, but mainly she stayed at the Hunter's arm base property that her uncle owned or at Paster Jim's church. Occasionally, they would go on Hunts together when he thought it was necessary or 'safe enough' for her to go with him.

As soon as Dean pulled into the rest stop, Ellie nearly jumped out of the Impala ready to race to the restrooms, but instantly stopped her impulse as Dean got out of the driver's side door blocking her path to the restrooms. His large broad shoulders and solid mass of his body stood between the Impala and large SUV next to him. He had his back turned to her as he absentmindedly tugged up his dark washed jeans, his elbows pushed back his brown leather jacket that flared out to his sides that seemed to block the bright afternoon sun in the open area. Without turning to look at her, he casually walked up to the front of the Impala leaning his backside against the hood keeping his eyes fixed ahead of him.

Ellie bit her lip and slowly walked over to him keeping her eyes on his jeans feeling this annoying timidness as she approached him. Ellie stopped next to him waiting a beat before looking up at him silently asking for permission to go to the bathroom, being sure to keep her face neutral not revealing that she was affected by his words as much as she was. Dean glanced down at the young girl knowing exactly what she was asking.

Although it was not necessary in Dean's mind for her to ask to leave the Impala as they had stopped to do just that, it was nonetheless satisfying and reassuring to the worried Hunter who felt the weight of responsibility push down on his burdened shoulders. Perhaps his words had an effect on the girl and it didn't escape his notice that her face was very stoic, a glistening stubbornness in her brown eyes that reminded him of his cocky younger self, a willful streak that he was not looking forward to being on the receiving end of - Karma was a bitch. However, her actions gave him peace of mind, after all he did ask her to ask permission to go to the restroom at the diner yesterday and it seemed the young girl remembered, even if it was only because he gave her a crack on the backside and he tore into a few hours ago.

Keeping his face firm, Dean jutted his chin towards the restrooms. "Go, on." He said giving her permission. Ellie needing no further incentive to get away and began to rush towards the small building.

"But come right back to the Impala. You understand?" Dean called after her firmly.

"Yes, sir." Ellie expressed acknowledging that she heard him.

Once in the bathroom Ellie took care of her business then began to wash her. She looked into the dingy faded mirror at her reflection contemplating what would be the best course of action to make a break from the Winchester brothers. She obviously had to be smart about it and wait for an opportune moment knowing it wouldn't exactly be easy to give these observant men the slip. She clearly couldn't bolt now as she was in the middle of nowhere and she was sure Dean's eyes would be on her the minute she walked out of the restroom. And declaring her damning statement from earlier about wanting to be dropped off at a bus station was not very promising as far as wanting to remain inconspicuous.

Despite the Hunter's stern lecture and Dean's adamant sense of duty towards her. Ellie knew, it was no secret that they didn't want her around, she was burden, not to mention a 'pain in the ass' with a disrespectful mouth which was the last thing anyone wanted which made Ellie feel all the worse as she didn't strive to be difficult and unliked. But no Hunter in their right mind wants a child to tag along with them. They were only taking her in because they owed her uncle something. Ellie didn't rightly know what it was exactly, but they did not truly care about her or her problems. They had their own problems as all Hunters do. Ellie was convinced that all she was to them, was a sense of duty, or need to settle a debt or whatever it was that made them agree to take her in. When it came down to it, they would deal with their own selfish problems and leave her in the dust because that's what Hunters did. They look out for their own. She knew this and witnessed it many times, even in her ripe age of thirteen. Anyone that did not understand that fact was either naive or dead.

Ellie's face scrunched up into a grimaced as a small childlike whine escaped in her throat at the thought of how angry and utterly disappointed her uncle was going to be at her when she found him. However, in her young teenage mind, no matter how she looked at it, she just couldn't stay with the Winchesters. She had to find her uncle and help him because that's where she belonged. Ellie did not accept her uncle's reasoning to stay away from him and she couldn't help but feel the sting of abandonment and rejection in this time of crisis. They needed to stick together and fight this thing together as a family.

Despite everything, Ellie wasn't stupid, she knew the dangers of what she was planning, but that held little consequence to her naive mind, as everything they did was dangerous, it was the very nature of being in the Hunting business. She knew nothing else and wrongly accepted the consequences bravely because that's what a heroic Hunter did and that is who she was striving to be or, in her mind, technically, already was.

Ellie nodded her head firmly at herself in the mirror. When the opportunity arose, she was going to make a break for it and head to one of her uncle's safe houses or Hunter's joints, whatever was going to be closest at the time. Her uncle made her memorize all the 'safe stops' as he would call them. She's been to many of them before and her uncle has connections in every place. There was an anxiety beginning to swarm and dance in her stomach and adrenaline began to kick in as she began to plan her daring escape in her mind. She knew she had to be really careful around Sam and Dean, who seemed to be a bit more observant and aware of her then she initially suspected.

Ellie felt fear rush through her veins feeling her heavy chest rise and fall in short breaths. The young girl took a deep breath and let it out shakily repeating the action a few times until she calmed her anxiety down. Fear was natural and expected to the young teenager. However, the words of her uncle echoed encouragingly in her head.

Even when you're scared, you have to keep moving forward. You can't stay still. You can't give up.

Ellie swallowed her fears bravely, her uncle's words giving her courage. Ellie dried her hands with the brown paper towels and headed out of the restroom. The young girl immediately spotted Sam and Dean leaning up against the Impala's hood, their eyes fixed on her like she expected. Ellie took a deep breath and sighed as she trudged back over to them reluctantly the anxiety of leaving still fluttering in her gut.

The ride was long and boring and Ellie found herself nodding off. Ellie awoke to Sam and Dean talking about a new case close to them which made Ellie's ear perk up in curiosity.

"The article says Mr. Shoemaker's daughter found him in the bathroom. Get this….with his eyes bleeding." Sam said shaking his head at the disturbing article.

"Well, that sounds like our kind of odd." Dean said sounding intrigued thinking this could be a potential case to investigate.

"Yeah, seems like they don't understand the cause of death. They're viewing it as a possible stroke, but they can't seem to explain it. Never heard of your eyes bleeding out because of a stroke." Sam expressed doubtfully.

Dean shrugged. "Worth checking out. Gotta do something, I'm getting too damn antsy. Where's it at anyway?"

"Toledo, Ohio." Sam said closing the newspaper article.

"How far is that?" Ellie asked from the backseat startling the two men who flinched slightly at the unexpected voice which made Ellie's lips turn up ever so slightly. They obviously thought she was still sleeping. Had she been that quiet that they forgot she was in the backseat?

"Four and a half hours, kiddo." Dean expressed lightly answering her question. "Thought you were asleep." He said glancing at her in the rearview mirror. Ellie did not miss the hint of disappointment in his tone. However, she chose to ignore it.

"Nope. I'm awake." Ellie said somewhat perky, her voice elevating a bit. Ellie perhaps was exaggerating her lightheartedness a bit trying to pretend that she was over getting her bottom swatted and scolded. Which was somewhat true as the heat of the sting of it had dulled a bit, but there was this anxiety in the back of her mind that still annoyingly remained, not only because she was planning on running from them, but simply because the man was just intimidating which frustrated Ellie to know end.

Come on, Ellie. Don't be such a coward. Afraid of a spanking? Which was never going to happen she reminded herself as she wasn't going to stick around long enough to provoke him. Ellie pushed her annoying fears aside as she sat up a bit in her seat trying to show Dean that she was unaffected by his intimidation tactics. Also, the nap did seem to lift her mood a bit and she wanted the brothers' minds to be put at ease and not trigger their suspicions on her inner plans to bolt as soon as she could.

"You think it could be a witch? They have spells that make your eyes bleed, don't they?" Ellie asked inching her bottom to the edge of the leather seat so she could see over the front bench seat better wanting to be a part of the investigating. The young teen was genuinely intrigued by the case. She loved research and finding out clues about the cases.

Sam and Dean turned to look at each other for a brief moment surprised at her somewhat disturbingly knowledgeable question.

Sam's brows frowned in puzzlement and concern.

"I suppose they could. Although, I'm not really familiar on specific spells, curses and hexes." Sam explained carefully wondering just where she heard about something that specific pertaining to witchcraft knowledge. Even they were not detailed on such specifics. One would have to know how to read such satanic books. Perhaps her uncle told her about a particular case where that occurred.

"Where did you hear about a spell or hex that makes one's eyes bleed? They would only be in Grimoires or some seriously dark spells books, Ellie." Sam asked, not forcefully, but in a rather steady sternness, a hint of concern lining his tone.

Ellie instantly felt tightness grow in her chest sending a surge of alarm through her body as she unwittingly revealed her uncommon knowledge. She did not want them to know her connection to witchcraft nor her mother's association with the misjudged practice. Although, she was certainly not like those Satan worshipping lunatics that were evil in every sense of the word, any association linked to it was a major hazard to her. Hunters rarely saw areas of grey when it came to the supernatural and would not accept her wish to do good with it. Witchcraft was seen as evil. Period. There was no in between. Although, her father accepted some aspects of it due to his love for his wife. Her uncle was not so swayed and saw it as pure evil. So, she was explicitly forbidden from practicing and learning despite her desire to use it for good like her mother was skillfully able to. Therefore, Ellie didn't know much, but she did perhaps know more than she 'should'.

"Oh, uh, my uncle told me." Ellie said smoothly keeping her voice even and calm despite her rising apprehension.

"About specific spells?" Sam questioned a pinch of doubt in his calm tone.

"No, no. I was just kinda guessing cause it, uh, sounded witchy to me." Ellie explained casually and logically throwing truth in her statement making Sam nod in agreement taken a bit of his concerns a way. However, there was still a glimmer of doubt and discontentment that still lingered in the back of his mind leaving the astute man oddly unsettled.

"Well, there's no evidence of that yet." Dean chimed in making Ellie turn her attention towards him grateful, for once, to hear his voice save her from the conversation.

"And we're not going to guess until we have some facts to work with." Dean expressed not wanting to get to a head of themselves. Although, he did find Ellie's thought not too off the mark. It was plausible, but not certain and he couldn't help, but wish for something different as witches were connected to satanic magic and he had no desire to get involved with anything remotely close to demon activity. Not to mention witches creeped him out to a disturbing level.

"I can help you guys out with the case or just observe. The more I know, the better Hunter I can be." Ellie suggested hoping she would get the opportunity to perhaps get involved.

"Caleb's okay with you becoming a Hunter?" Sam asked sounding both worried and surprised.

Truth be told, her uncle never mentioned her being one thing or the another. He never expressed his desire for her to become anything different. He just constantly trained her for Hunting and survival. That's all young Ellie really knew.

Ellie let out a small innocent chuckle. "What else would I be?" She asked finding his question a bit odd if not somewhat surprising. Hunter's kids grew up to be Hunters. That's just the way it was. Nothing else ever occurred to her.

"Anything else." Sam said trying to show her there were other paths and other options for her to take that were far less life risking. "You don't have to become a Hunter, Ellie. I went to college and studied law for a bit."

"Then why are you Hunting again? Did you not like it?" Ellie asked a bit confused.

"No, I liked it…" Sam said softly.

"Then why did you stop?" Ellie pushed wanting to understand his reasoning.

"It-It's complicated." Sam's said a bit of sadness lining his tone.

Sensing Sam did not want to talk about it anymore and reveal his true reason, Ellie politely didn't push it as it sounded personal and perhaps painful.

Yeah, everything is complicated.

After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence Ellie thought of a burning question she had been meaning to ask them for quite some time.

"Um can I ask you something?" Ellie requested with a bit hesitantly.

"Shoot." Dean encouraged keeping his eyes on the road.

"Where is Mr. Winchester? Your dad, I mean. Uncle Caleb made plans with him to take me, but plans changed and he never really told me why." Ellie had been pondering this for a while and hated to be left in the dark on just about anything. She valued knowing all the details so she in turn could understand her situation fully and make the best decisions regarding herself like any bright young independent girl would.

Sam and Dean glanced at each other for a brief moment. There was a small pause of silence just long enough to make Ellie think they did not want to tell her before Sam spoke up.

"Our dad is missing. We don't know where he is, but he's sent us cases so we know he is alive, but he doesn't want anyone to know where he is." Sam explained in calm voice, but there was a bit of an edge to his tone that indicated his was not pleased with his father's decision.

Ellie inwardly huffed as she leaned back against the leather seat.

"Well, that sounds familiar." Ellie expressed gravely knowing exactly how it felt for a loved one to not want you with them.

0000

Dean finally pulled into a parking lot of a local hospital and Ellie sat up from her slouched position to look around, but her attention immediately snapped to Sam's slumped sleeping frame up front.

"Jess, no." Sam mumbled strainingly in his sleep, almost like he was in pain. His brows were in a deep frown of distress. It was clear the man was having a nightmare.

"Sam." Dean said glancing over at his brother with concern.

"No, no." Sam repeated his face scrunched up in pain as his face and neck muscles twitched with tension.

Ellie pushed herself cautiously towards the edge of the bench seat concern and anxiety beginning to spread within her chest as she glanced over at Dean with a worried look on her face.

"Sammy!" Dean repeated louder reaching over and giving his brother's shoulder a hard shake.

"Jess!" Sam bellowed jerking up with a start. Ellie flinched back slightly startled, her eyes wide with apprehension and alarm.

Sam looked confused taking in his surroundings then sighed leaning back in his seat putting his hand over his forehead rubbing his temples.

"I take it I was having a nightmare." Sam grumbled sounding worn out, his tone lined with discontentment.

"Yeah, another one." Dean sighed a pinch of concern in his voice.

"Well, at least I got some sleep." Sam said glumly sitting up trying to look at the bright side of that horrible torment.

"Are you okay?" Ellie asked in small worried voice behind him. Sam twinged slightly at the unexpected little voice. He had to remember there was a little girl traveling with them in the backseat.

"Yes, I'm fine. It was just a bad dream." He said in calming tone trying to reassure her that it was nothing more than a bad dream and nothing for her to be concerned about.

Well, that's putting it mildly.

"You know, sooner or later we're gonna have to talk about this." Dean expressed in serious tone as he finished jotting something down on the newspaper he was holding.

"Are we here?" Sam asked looking behind him past Ellie at the big brick building.

"Yep. Welcome to Toledo, Ohio." Dean expressed dully as they were not here on a vacation, but to see what happened to a middle-class man and a father of two who had his eyes bled out.

0000

Ellie sat on the hard stiff hospital chair outside the Morgue office as the two Hunters went in to take a look at poor Mr. Shoemaker's corpse. Ellie shifted and fidgeted against the hard seat that was poorly padded feeling her bottom go numb from the hours of riding in the car. She wished she could have gone in with them, even if it was just to get off her backside for a moment. However, she wasn't dimwitted. She knew that it would be odd to bring a young teenager in to examine a dead body and didn't hold much hope on the old 'bring your child to work day' ruse. Therefore, Ellie stayed put like the good obedient little dog she felt like after Dean's commands of 'sit', 'stay there' and 'we won't be long'. Ellie almost rolled her eyes in contempt at the man, but held back as she reminded herself that it wouldn't be long until she was on her own again and perhaps partially because he swatted her backside this morning, but Ellie didn't really want to admit to that.

Ellie turned her attention to the large window above the stairway. The only source of natural sunlight on the ground floor of the hospital. Ellie bit her bottom lip feeling an anxious impulse shoot through her like a surge of electricity to just get up and make a break for it as she was not in their direct sight. However, Ellie suppressed the reckless urge as she reminded herself to be patient and think things through like her uncle has taught her. To leave now would be a mistake as she did not have a solid plan in place, she didn't know where to go to yet nor she didn't have a means of transportation. Besides, if she was going to make her move, she had to make damn sure it was going to work the first time and not get caught. She needed a solid opportunity to give Sam and Dean the slip which meant she had to be smart, patient, and stealthy if she was going to be successful against these sharp Hunters.

Once they left the hospital, they made their way to the Shoemaker's home where they were having a funeral reception. As soon as Dean pulled up to the curb in front of the Shoemaker's house, Dean turned around half way to look at Ellie in the backseat.

"Alright, you're coming in with us." Dean stated curtly to the young teenager. Ellie felt her back straighten and her eyes focus in on the Hunter, something she subconsciously did every time she was about to be given orders on a Hunt. Ellie did not know what Sam and Dean managed to find after viewing the dead body as they did not disclose anything to her despite her asking. Therefore, she was surprised that Dean was allowing her to go with them, although she figured it was more because he did not trust her to be alone after she explicitly expressed her desire to be dropped off at the nearest bus station.

"But you stay right by our side the whole time." Dean said pointing a warning finger at her. "No wondering off, no talking or investigating. You let Sam and I handle that. Understood?" He asked in a deep serious tone his eyes narrowing in on her giving her weighty expression.

"Yeah." Ellie expressed impassively, purposefully testing him because she was a tried-and-true teenager.

Dean raised an eyebrow at her less than pleasing answer.

"Sir." Ellie added thinking he either wanted a respectful response or he just simply didn't believe her. Either way this man clearly distrusted her. Which he wasn't far off the mark as she was planning on running off on her own eventually, but, to Ellie, that was beside the point. She wasn't as bad of a kid as he was making her out to be. She could be respectful and do things right, but the fact of the matter was, according to Ellie's thinking, since they were not her uncle nor had any relation to her, they did not have any true authority to tell her what to do. Their adult status held little weight to her as she was told on numerous occasions to distrust adults, even other Hunters, because of not only the evil monsters they could turn out to be, but because becoming too trusting could ultimately lead to your demise in this line of business. All you can truly count on is family. And the demon problem and the Colt was her family's affair and absolutely none of their concern.

If she was a normal teenager and her life was comfortable, safe, and secure, she could afford to drop her guard and worry about making friends and being liked. However, the truth of the matter was she was not a normal teenager and the life she lived was difficult, dangerous, and unstable where respect and trust had to be earned over time. And she was not going to be with them long enough for that to even happen.

With one last stern look, Dean got out of the car and opened Ellie's door letting her out as he observed the nice middle-class home. As soon as Ellie's boots hit the pavement, Dean grabbed her bicep and guided her around the back of the Impala onto the walkway towards the house. Ellie was about to tell the Hunter that she could walk by herself, but thought better of it as it was clear the man was edgy and impatient. Although, Ellie didn't hold it to him as the feeling was mutual in terms of mistrust. He directed her in front of him up the pathway before letting go of her arm so she could walk ahead of them where they could keep an eye on her which made Ellie nearly roll her eyes in annoyance.

Ellie eyed the beautiful white suburban home as she walked up to the front door with Sam and Dean at her heels. The front door was wide opened and Ellie could see many people bustling around the entrance. Once they made it through the front door Ellie paused looking around at everyone in their black dress attire.

"Feel like we're underdressed." Dean expressed which made Ellie look down at dark washed overalls. She did not own one dress as it was not exactly practical for Hunting. Suddenly, she felt her ballcap being removed off her head. Ellie reached up to touch her uncovered head before turning half way around to look up at Sam who placed it in her hands. Without a word, Sam rested his large heavy palms on her shoulders directing her forward towards the back of the house. Ellie couldn't help, but look around at the attractive house and admire what she had never had. Ellie felt a pinch of guilt and frustration at herself for feelings of want and jealousy. Hunting was far more important than any fancy house or possessions. Saving lives and Hunting evil was what mattered and, unfortunately, Hunting was not a six-figure profession.

Eventually they were led out to the backyard by an older man with glasses who point out the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Shoemaker, Donna. Sam and Dean walked up to the young woman with short brown hair expressing their sympathies for her loss. Ellie stood a few feet behind them observing the young women noticing, in particular, the petite blood in the chair next to them was looking quite pleased with what she was seeing making Ellie have to stifle another eye roll.

After Sam and Dean introduced themselves as coworkers of Mr. Shoemaker, the eldest daughter looked surprised and doubtful, but seemed to buy it, all the same, despite her initial reaction. Donna looking back at them seemed to catch Ellie's eyes despite her best efforts to stay in the background.

"And who's this? Is she with you?" Donna asked seeming surprised to see young Ellie standing behind them listening to their conversation. It was obvious she did not recognize Ellie amongst her friends and relatives.

"Oh." Sam said looking over his shoulder at the teen, almost like he forgot she was there. Sam stepped back with his arm reaching out towards Ellie in a beckoning motion. Sam grasped a hold of her shoulder in a firm, but gentle grip and steered her to walk in front of him placing his sturdy palms on her shoulders once again.

"This is Ellie, my daughter." Sam expressed smoothly with ease. Ellie had to force herself to give a tight smile rather than a grimace at the falsehood.

"She looks just like you." Donna expressed nodding her head in agreement seeming to accept the lie.

Ellie couldn't help, but snort at the comment feeling her lips curling up slightly in amusement. Sam gave her shoulder a tight squeeze of warning making Ellie's body stiffen as she attempted to hide her emotions.

Sam gave a nervous chuckle. "Uh, yeah." He said flashing her a charming grin like he gets that statement a lot.

Ellie could feel Dean's eyes piecing into the side of her head, but made a point not look at something so unpleasant. Dean snapped his attention back to Donna.

"We're really sorry to hear about this whole thing…I mean a stroke…" Dean said trying to set up the conservation to ask questions and gain more information.

The blonde sitting next to Donna butted in and expressed that Donna probably didn't want to talk about her dad's death so soon after, but luckily for them, Donna insisted that it was okay. However, Ellie's eyes immediately went to the young girl sitting on the other side of Donna who had a pale wide-eyed look on her face while Dean was asking if there were ever any other symptoms that could have predicted a stroke.

The young girl immediately whirled around on the bench to face her older sister.

"That's because it wasn't a stroke." The girl expressed sounding adamant and certain.

"Lily, don't say that." Donna scolded gently shaking her head.

"What?" Sam pushed.

"I'm sorry, she's just upset." Donna apologized looking up at Sam and Dean.

"No, it happened because of me." Lilly insisted sorrowfully.

"Lilly, sweetie…" Donna tried attempting to calm her sister down.

Sam walked around to where Lily was sitting and crouched down to her level.

"Lily, why would you say something like that?" Sam asked gently with concern.

Lily's bottom lip trembled as tears began to glisten in the young girl's eyes. Then, all of a sudden, Lily bolted off the bench running towards the tire swing that was at the back fence line of the property away from everyone.

"Lily!" Donna expressed with concern as turned to watch her sister run way.

Dean grabbed a hold of Ellie's bicep securely and bent his torso down a bit until he was by her ear. "Go see if you can talk to her." He whispered briskly.

"I thought I wasn't supposed to…" Ellie began to sass, but was instantly cut off when Dean gave her a good shove of encouragement towards the tire swing. Ellie stumbling a bit looked over her shoulder at Dean giving an unappreciative glare before rolling her eyes upwards doing as she was told. Keeping the groan that was sitting in her throat, Ellie trudged over towards the distraught girl on the tire swing.

Ellie approached her cautiously. "Hey." Ellie began twisting her ballcap in her hands feeling awkward and not entirely sure what to say to distressed girl. However, it appeared she did have a bit of useful information that could aid them in what exactly happened to her dad so Ellie pushed herself to try.

The young girl said nothing as she kept her eyes glued to ground swinging slowly back and forth on the old tire swing allowing her tennis shoes to brush the patch of dirt. She had a despondent look on her pale face that seemed devoid of any comfort. Ellie's brows frowned in compassion feeling sorry for young girl who appeared to be only a few years younger than herself. Ellie knew what it was like to lose a parent, both, in fact, and understood the pain and heartache that came with it, something that, sadly, never truly goes away.

Ellie cleared her throat awkwardly as she fidgeted and shuffled her feet.

"Hey." She began again softly. "I'm really sorry about your dad. My dad would talk about how good a guy he was and all when they were working together." Ellie attempted to comfort her with a pleasant lie grimacing a little as it seemed to be lacking.

"It's all my fault." Lily choked her voice cracking as she looked in the opposite direction of Ellie towards brown wooden fence that aligned the property.

"I'm sure that's not true. How could it be your fault?" Ellie expressed sympathetically her brows frowning in confusion and concern.

Suddenly, the girl's head snapped towards Ellie looking at her for the first time since she approached her.

"Right before he died, I said it." Lily said compellingly, a condemning tone in her voice as she stared at Ellie with a guilty grimace.

"Said what?" Ellie pushed with interest.

"Bloody Mary, three times in the bathroom mirror." Lily confessed with certainty, a pained look on her fearful face.

Ellie's brows raised in shock as her mouth parted at the newfound information. Oh shit.

"She took his eyes. That's what she does." Lily said firmly leaning forward in the tire swing a bit.

Ellie shook her head in confusion as she considered it. "Yeah, but…she didn't take your eyes." Ellie said trying to wrap her head around the information and perhaps give the poor girl some comfort that it wasn't her fault.

"That's right, Lily." A sudden voice spoke up behind her making Ellie flinch slightly at the unexpected voice. Ellie turned half way around to see Dean standing behind her a bit off to the side wondering how long he had been standing there.

"There's no way it could be Bloody Mary. Your dad didn't say it…did he?" Dean asked attempting to get the facts straight and, again, help the kid relieve some heavy guilt she was feeling whether she was at fault or not.

"No…" Lilly said her face falling with realization. "I don't think so."

Dean pursed his lips and cocked his head to the side giving her an indication that she was wrong about Bloody Mary and her guilt. Ellie on the other hand looked up at Dean with a worried look of concern knowing that this was all too peculiar and that Mr. Shoemaker did not die of a stroke that was for certain. It almost always was never a medical phenomenon and the supernatural was involved in some way shape or form. Ellie had no idea if the Bloody Mary legend was the real thing, but this definitely was spooky and left an unsettling feeling in the pit of her gut which her uncle always said to always trust.

Donna went over to comfort her sister giving her a big embrace that Lily generously accepted. Dean grabbed Ellie's bicep for the third time today which was, frankly, getting on her nerves, but she bit back her urge to express her displeasure as she did not want another lecture or, worse, another swat on the backside for that matter which he showed he was not opposed to. Dean pulled Ellie back a few steps out of the sisters' ear shot turning their backs towards them. Dean hunched himself slightly so that he was more level with her.

"Stay with the sisters and talk with them. Keep them distracted while we check out the house. We won't be long." Dean encouraged finding Ellie to be a very useful distraction in the moment. He had not planned on involving the kid at all in the case, but it seemed, at the moment, she was a great asset and he just couldn't waste the opportunity.

Ellie suppressed a groan as she did not know what the hell she was going to talk to them about. However, there was a bit of unsuspecting glee that spark in her chest at being allowed to help in the Hunt, even if it was just being a distraction as she was used to that roll. It gave her a sense of purpose making her feel useful, respected, and appreciated which was something the young girl craved.

Ellie sighed lightly; she would come up with something.

"Yes, sir."

0000

Ellie had managed to keep Lily and Donna engaged by lying through her ass about stories involving her 'dad' and other BS she managed to think of on the spot. However, she did not notice Donna's blonde-haired friend, Charlie, follow them into the house. Luckily, Dean was not lying when he said they wouldn't be long and soon Dean came back to tell her it was time for them to go.

As soon as they were in the save confines of the Impala Ellie immediately asked the burning question that was sitting on the tip of her tongue.

"Is the Bloody Mary Legend true?" Ellie urged sitting on the edge of the leather bench seat.

"None that we heard of, kiddo." Dean expressed as he pulled the Impala away from the curb onto the road.

"Well, it can't be because Mr. Shoemaker never said it. Only Lily did and she is perfectly fine. It's gotta be something else." Ellie concluded leaning back against her seat her eyebrows pressed together in thought. She was becoming very interested and intrigued with the case as she racked her brain for conclusions.

"We're gonna look into it, kiddo. Next stop is the Central Public Library." Dean announced not sounding too thrilled with the idea of research.

To make matters worse, when they arrived every single computer had an 'out of order' sign on the screens. Ellie's jaw dropped as Sam concluded that this was going to be very annoying.

"How the hell are we supposed to look up anything?" Ellie asked looking up at the Hunters disgruntled faces.

Dean sighed heavily through his nose. "The old-fashioned way, kiddo. Books. Hard copies of local newspapers, public records as far back as they go. The whole nine yards." Dean said as he continued to look at the computers like he hoped, all of a sudden, the 'out of order' signs would disappear if he looked at them long enough.

0000

Ellie slouched against the worn booth cushions of the local restaurant; her brown eyes were wide as she scanned the Lore book that she had leaning against the wooden table in front of her.

"Hey!" Ellie exclaimed eagerly gaining the men's attention as she flipped the large book around towards Sam who was sitting directly across from her. Ellie leaned forward pressing her stomach against the wooden table straining her arms out as she presented the book to him.

"Check this out." She insisted as she pointed to a particular paragraph at the bottom of the page.

Sam leaned forward his green eyes scanning quickly over the paragraph.

"It says Bloody Mary's a witch." Ellie said sounding somewhat urgent and enthusiastic about her find. Perhaps her prediction about a witch being involved was right.

Sam's eyes turned up toward the young teen his eyes holding a gentle seriousness.

"That's just one legend. Another said she was a mutilated bride. There's like fifty versions of who Bloody Mary actually is. The things we need to be looking for is what all these legends have in common which is a woman named Mary who dies in front of a mirror. That's what we gotta look for in the local newspapers and public records to see if anyone named Mary fits the bill."

"Oh." Ellie exclaimed pulling the book away and leaning back in her seat.

"That makes sense." She said nodding her understanding sounding somewhat disappointed, if not a little embarrassed that she really didn't think it through before reading up on useless facts.

"But that's not something we're going to do while we eat. Put the book away, kid." Dean ordered in a level tone nodding towards her.

Ellie sighed as she pressed her lips together closing the book and setting it beside her on the seat. She was anxious to read and find out more information, but knew she would need food to help her concentrate. She was starving anyway. They had only snacked for breakfast and altogether skipped lunch due to their busy schedule since they arrived in Toledo.

"Take off the hat too, Ellie." Sam ordered jutting his chin towards Ellie glancing at her navy ballcap that sat backwards on her head.

This surprised the young girl that Sam was telling her to do something that seemed so trivial to the teenager. What was the problem with her wearing a hat now?

Ellie pushed her brows together in confusion and offense. "Why?" Ellie challenged genuinely wanting to know why her hat was such a problem. Ellie recalled him taking it off her when they entered the Shoemaker's residence which she supposed made sense considering it was a funeral reception and all that. Even though it was kind of old fashioned and uppity thinking to simple unpolished teenager, she understood it. But in a rundown cheap local restaurant where the booths were ripped and the tables were scuffed?

"Because it's polite." Sam explained simply in tone that was composed, but highly serious.

Although, it didn't seem like big issue for the young teen to wear a hat indoors and if she was with anyone else, he wouldn't think twice about it. However, the fact was that she was with them and, in Sam's thinking, while she was under their wing, she needed display basic manners. Not only because it was courteous and right thing to do, but if Sam was being honest with himself, it was partial because he surprisingly cared about the young girl and wanted her to conduct herself respectful knowing it would set her up for success. Sam did not really know what brought about this parental attitude towards Ellie, but, all the same, he did care about the young teen's welfare.

With her brows frowning, Ellie pulled off her hat without a word and set it on top of the Lore book next to her before bushing her palms over her head smoothing down her straight dark brown locks. Ellie didn't really understand why hat etiquette was being imposed on her, but all the same took it off as she felt a small pinch of embarrassment and offense. This was no fancy restaurant and she certainly was not a refined teenager by any stretch, but she didn't want to be seen as unmannerly or rude nonetheless. She wasn't completely uncivilized.

Just then, an elderly woman walked by catching Ellie's eyes, a pleased look cross her lined face seeming to perhaps hear the conversation concerning her hat. Ellie's lips pulled up into a quick polite smile before dipping her head down shyly. She was not used to interacting with a lot of strangers. For Hunting purposes sure, but just casually, not so much as she was often instructed to keep a low profile and not draw attention.

The elderly lady turned her attention to look at Sam seeming to like his young appearance and positions on hat etiquette. "Is that your daughter?" The lady inquired innocently the lines around her blue eyes crinkling into a pleasing smile.

"Yes, ma'am." Sam lied smoothly giving her a polite smile in return somewhat glad people were convinced she belonged with them. It would make their job a lot easier in the long run.

"She looks just like you." The lady commented sincerely.

Ellie snorted through her nose trying to suppress a giggle that building up in her throat as she put her head down pressing her lips together. The teenager found it utterly amusing that this was the second time today that someone thought she was not only related to Sam, but utterly convinced that she was his daughter. Ellie supposed it was a good believable lie as she shared similar features with her dark brown hair and facial structure. Although, he did not have light freckles across his cheeks and nose like herself, which she found him to be fortunate of being insecure about them, she did appear oddly similar to the man in terms of appearance.

Sam let out a nervous somewhat shy chuckle that was charming as he flashed her a pleasant grin. All the while giving Ellie's leg a soft nudge with his boot under the table warning her to keep it together. Although, the innocent older lady didn't seem to notice or care as her eyes were fixed solely on Sam's handsome face.

Dean even broke a small smile letting out a low chuckle seeming to enjoy his brother's discomfort in the elder lady's interest in him and the irony of her observation.

"Uh yeah, I get that a lot." Sam expressed kindly trying to keep his discomfort out of his voice. Just thinking about the prospect of being some kid's father was an unnerving thought to the man due to his young age of twenty-two.

"Well, enjoy your meal." The lady expressed ending the conversation seeming to not want to intrude on the 'family' dinner any longer.

Before Ellie had time to comment, the young blonde waitress came around the corner walking up to the booth. She smiled broadly showing her straight pearly white teeth, her large silver hoop earrings swaying slightly at her movements.

"Hi, I'm Tammy. I'm going to be your server for today. What can I get for you?" She asked in a friendly tone as she pulled out her notebook from her black apron pushing the side of her blonde bang back that framed her heart shaped face before readying her pen.

"I'll have a stout and a bacon cheese burger. Extra onions, sweetheart." He added flashing the young blonde waitress a charming smile which she seemed to enjoy as a shy grin spread across her pink glossy lips. A rosy blush seeming to appear across her fair cheeks as she absentmindedly brushed her bleach blonde bang to the side again.

Ellie grimaced slightly as her bleach blonde hair and artificial pink lips reminded her of a Barbie doll. It was a bit too much for the simple teen who wondered how anyone would feel confident like that. But was that what men found attractive?

"And for you?" She asked directing her attention towards Sam as she blinked her heavy mascaraed eye lashes at him.

"Just a water and the full chief salad with grilled chicken, please." Sam requested in his usual genial tone as he handed Tammy his menu giving her a tight, but friendly smile.

The young waitress then turned to the young teenager across from the men who knew exactly what she wanted even before she even looked at the menu. "A Mountain Dew, please, and chicken fingers with fries."

Tammy began to jot down Ellie's order on her notepad, but stopped immediately when Sam interrupted her.

"Actually, she'll have a water and could we substitute her fries for a vegetable?" Sam asked sounding far too confident in his choice to make significant changes to her order.

Ellie's jaw nearly hit the floor as she shot Sam an astounded accusing look of 'you can't be serious?'.

Ellie snapped her attention to Dean who seemed completely unbothered and indifferent to Sam's intervention to dictate what she ate which Ellie found rude and completely uncalled for. This man was not her uncle and had no right to tell her, an independent teenager who was to become a Hunter, what to eat like some little kid. These men were treating her like a damn child and it was downright frustrating, not to mention embarrassing which seemed even worse. Despite, her being a child as a simple fact of reality, the self-reliant teenager did not appreciate it nor was she used to this sudden boundary and limitation on her food. She was more than capable of making decisions about her food on her own without Sam intervention.

"Of course, we have carrots, green beans or steamed broccoli." The young blonde listed in an upbeat tone despite the obvious tension that was on the rise. She kept her soft blue eyes locked on Sam for an answer to her list of choices dubbing him as the dictator in the decision making much to Ellie's vexation.

Sam finally turned to look at Ellie for the first time since he unreasonable changed her order.

"Which one do you want?" Sam asked calmly utterly unmoved by her condemning glower she was pinning on him.

The Hunter's audacity astounded Ellie and not in a good way to say the least. Ellie pushed her tongue against the side of her cheek in irritation.

"French fries." Ellie muttered in a tight grumbling tone attempting unsuccessfully to keep the bitter annoyance out of her voice.

Sam immediately turned his attention back to Tammy seeming unaffected by the teenager's defiance.

"She'll have the green beans, thank you." Sam expressed swiftly and coolly deciding for the brazen teen.

Tammy nodded politely and smiled jotting the vegetable down on her notepad.

"I'll get that right in for you." She said swiftly before taking her leave.

As soon as Tammy left, Ellie wasted no time in expressing herself on the subject.

"I can order my own food, thank you." Ellie growled tightly in an accusing tone giving the tall Hunter quite hard glare of condemnation.

"All you've eaten for the past two days is junk food. You need some sort of nutrition, kiddo. It won't kill you to have some water and green beans with your dinner." Sam explained rationally in calm, but ridged tone seeming set and assured in his decision to feed her proper nutrition.

Sam could not think of one fruit or vegetable that Ellie consumed since she has been with them. He didn't even witness her drink much or if any water. It was either soda, or another variety of sugary drinks with no health benefits. If she was going to be with them for some time, she could not continue to consume junk. It was not only ungodly unhealthy for a growing thirteen-year-old, but irresponsible of him and not doing her no favors in the long scheme of things. They were Hunters and their job was physically and mentally demanding and being hyped up on sugar or sluggish on empty calories was not favorable to say the least, especially from a teenager. He wasn't asking her change her diet. Just add some nutrition to the empty calory junk she had been putting into her body which he was sure was not helping her edgy and jittery state.

"All he's eaten is junk food. Why don't you add green beans to his order?" Ellie declared belligerently pointing an accusing finger towards Dean expressing the unfairness of it all.

Sam's sighed heavily as he did not expect the young teen to complain this much over one vegetable portion. Sam would strongly bet that Celeb made sure she ate properly. Therefore, his only guess over her defiance was the simple fact that he dictated it. She for some reason she was having a real hard time accepting them as the authority figures which made sense as it was a huge adjustment for the otherwise independent teenager. However, that was just something she would have to get over quickly because whether she liked it or not, she was under their care and protection.

"I'm an adult, kid. Already grown. I can eat what I want." Dean declared bluntly with bite of annoyance in his voice at her combative and brazen attitude. "When you grow up you can too, but right now you need to eat what's good for you…and wipe that pout off your face. It's not a big deal." Dean added crisply declaring the end of the argument.

Of course, it wasn't a big deal to him. It wasn't his order that was unjustly messed with. They were not her uncle and had no right to tell her what she could and could not eat.

Ellie's frown deepened as she felt her teeth grit in aggravation straining as she locked her tongue in place. Ellie felt a biting desire to express herself further, but against all odds managed to remain silent. The thought of leaving them when the opportunity arose sat prominently in the front of her mind and soon, they would no longer have to deal with her. It was obvious they did not enjoy her company and although part of Ellie felt hurt by those thoughts, she pushed them down as ridiculous and needless. She wasn't trying to be liked, she was trying to survive and get back to her uncle where she belonged.

After eating their meals in silence for the most part, Sam spoke up snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Ellie." Sam expressed in a calm, but stern tone. Ellie lifted her head as she locked eyes with the man who had a ridged expression on his face.

"Eat the green beans too." Sam ordered in a level, but crisp voice that held an edge of warning.

Ellie felt a spark of annoyance ignite within her. It wasn't the green beans themselves that was the problem it was the principle of the matter.

"Why don't you eat 'em, you ordered them?" She grumbled under her breath unable to keep her opinion to herself.

"Excuse me?" Sam asked his tone dropping a few octaves making Ellie's chest tighten slightly. Damn his voice could turn intimidating quickly.

"I mean, why do you even care what I eat?" Ellie questioned in a tone that was far more respectful than before keeping her eyes on her plate as she felt a surge of nervousness come over her. She honestly wasn't trying to be difficult, but there was a lot of changes going on in her life and on top of that she was just scared for herself and her uncle. She was overwhelmed and couldn't help, but push back against their authority. Unjust authority, in her opinion.

"Because we do." Dean declared out of patience and not willing to give her a rundown on why specifically they cared. He wasn't even sure about that himself, but it turns out they did.

"Now do as your told." He ordered sharply done with the whole argument about some vegetable.

God if they ever said things like that to their father.


TBC

Thank you for reading!

More to come.

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