1973
Lawrence, Kansas. pop:-46,000.
::::::::::::::::
Mary Campbell hurried down the busy street, weaving her way through the swarming mass of early Christmas shoppers.
She hardly gave a passing glance at the decorations and bunting that bedecked the thoroughfare.
Holidays had lost all attraction for her.
Most times, when the good citizens of Lawrence were enjoying their time off, she and her parents were called on to work twice as hard.
A few yards further on she took a right turn into a small alleyway. It was empty, not a soul to be seen. Perhaps because the only store to be found was one dealing in occult paraphernalia, a place that the sober, god-fearing citizens of the town had no intention of frequenting.
Nevertheless, the proprietor had no lack of customers. His merchandise was very popular amongst an almost unheard-of community that kept strictly to itself. The hunting one.
:
Pushing open the door, she was greeted by a friendly smile from the young man behind the counter.
"Good morning, Mary. What can I do for you on this fine day?"
"Why are you always so god-damned cheerful? " Mary asked, rolling her eyes. "Working in a place like this should have you looking like a funeral director."
"Just because I deal in 'unusual merchandise ' doesn't mean I can't welcome my customers with a smile. You'd be wise to copy me."
He winked at the young blonde hunter. " Every time you come in, you look as if you want to stick a knife in me."
At his words, Mary couldn't halt the smile that curled her lips. "You're so corny, Jerry! But somehow your chirpy attitude works. "
"Now that we've got the intros over, let's get down to business. " Jerry declared with a flourish.
:
Nodding, Mary rummaged in her jacket pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. "My dad needs the stuff on this list. If you have it all, I'll wait, otherwise, I'll come back when you've got the lot."
Jerry gave a quick look over the list and hummed. "There's a couple of things I'll need to order, but it shouldn't take too long. How about you come back late tomorrow afternoon?"
"Okay! See you then," Mary said, pushing open the door and stepping back into the alleyway.
:
She shivered for a moment as the cold December air hit her cheeks.
Wouldn't it be great if the supernatural took a holiday at Christmas too, and let her and her parents spend the day together without interruptions?
But as far back as she could remember, monsters had taken Christmas Day as a free-for-all to stalk the humans who were so disorientated by the consumption of food and alcohol that they were even easier prey than the rest of the year!
From the gloom of the alley, the main street pulsed like some fairy-tale kingdom with its bright, gaudy lights and flashing Santas.
How she wished she was part of those happy, unaware townsfolks, focused only on buying gifts and planning Christmas menus, but she'd never be like them. This was exactly where she belonged, in this dark alley, not in the bright lights out there.
:
But, she swore to herself, as she stepped out onto the main street, it wouldn't be forever. One day soon, she'd leave the darkness at her back and embrace the light. She'd leave the hunting life and its horrors far behind.
So caught up in her thoughts was she that she exited the alley without paying attention, and when the muscular body hit her, she almost fell to the ground if not for the strong arm reaching out to hold her up.
" Sorry, I didn't see you, Miss. You just rushed out onto the street."
Mary pulled her arm away and scowled up at the man who'd practically bowled her over. " Maybe it's you who should be more careful when approaching an opening."
The guy stared at the alleyway, a perplexed frown on his face.
"I've lived in Lawrence all my life, but I never noticed that there was a back street here."
"Doesn't say much for your powers of observation then, does it?" Mary huffed.
:
The guy turned his gaze back to Mary. "Don't I know you? " he asked. " You seem familiar."
" I doubt it. I don't usually go to discos or whatever it is kids do to entertain themselves nowadays," she grunted.
"Hey. So much for trying to be friendly. Who jammed a stick up your ass?" the young dark-haired man snapped.
"Why you...!" Mary retorted.
"Ah. Now I recognize you," he said, clicking his tongue. " Stuck-up Mary Campbell. The untouchable prissy virgin of high school."
"Well... if it's not John Winchester," Mary shot back, her memory reflowering. "The biggest, cocky creep in school. Why are you here? I thought you were off fighting a war or something. Trying to play the hero."
"I see that you've remained every bit the bitch you were back then, Miss Campbell, " John scoffed. "Congratulations on growing up and becoming even more bitter than you were as a kid."
:
Mary fought hard to keep her hands by her side and not slap the moron's face. Of all the douchebags to run into, it had to be John Winchester. She hadn't seen him since her last year at high school, but he certainly hadn't learned any manners.
John went to move past her, and she glared after him. Too bad he wasn't a vampire or a werewolf. She'd have enjoyed taking him out!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neither of the two could ever have guessed that, in the shadows, a naked Cupid was listening to the exchange.
He tutted despondently before delving into his quiver for one of his special darts. From what he'd witnessed, getting these two together would require an extra-strong dose of the love potion contained in his arrowheads.
The Cupid never questioned his heavenly orders. Whatever the request, it was his duty to obey, but if ever two people were unsuited for each other, it was John Winchester and Mary Campbell.
However, Cupid had been informed that this was an issue of vital importance. The two had absolutely to wed and bear children.
With a sigh, Cupid placed the arrow on his bowstring, took aim, and let fly.
It firstly penetrated Mary Campbell's heart, then like a missile searching out its target, it zeroed in on John Winchester's.
It would take a short lapse of time for the potion to come into full effect, though there was no doubt it would.
:
Cupid continued to observe as the two moved off in opposite directions. The next time they met, however, the small spark of love embedded in their hearts would flare up like an inferno, and afterward, nothing could stop them from being together, not even death.
The End