Chapter 2: The Rules of the Hunt

When I woke up, I was sore and confused. It took me a few seconds to remember what had happened and where I was. As I shifted into consciousness, I heard soft voices arguing and smelled some type of pastry. I smiled, inhaling the delicious scent.

When I went to push myself up to get a better look around, the sharp pain in my rib returned, and I sucked air sharply through my gritted teeth. I shut my eyes, trying to breathe through the pain, managing to trigger the discomfort again. Suddenly, there was pressure from a hand on my shoulder and a distant voice asking me if I was alright, but I was unable to speak.

After my third calming breath I opened my eyes to see Sam standing there with his hand still on my shoulder looking worried while Dean sat tense and alert at the small table. I reached up and grabbed his wrist without thinking.

"I'm OK. I think I bruised my rib when Ste...the Shapeshifter threw me."

I let my hand slide back down to the bed while I tried to remember the details. I sat blinking as the night returned and quickly focused my awareness on Dean.

"Did you find the other one? Were there any other humans there?"

I sounded much more intense than I had intended to, but I guess it made me sound like I cared more than I did.

He shot Sam a look before replying, "The other shifter is taken care of. If there was anyone still alive, they weren't there anymore. I'm sorry."

I breathed out. Not really feeling bad. Dean seemed to be expecting me to react to them not finding my boyfriend. Steven was an abusive asshole, but at the same time I didn't really want him or anyone else dead. And there was the guilt again. A normal human would cry. Or yell. Something. But I felt nothing except for my own guilt of not doing or being enough. The only thing that made me almost smile was knowing there were three less monsters on the planet.

I could feel Sam and Dean staring at me, waiting for a reaction. But I just sat there quietly frowning before speaking again.

"I want to help you hunt."

The brothers looked at each other, clearly not expecting that response after telling me my boyfriend was probably dead. Dean spoke up first.

"Look, Stella. This is not just a hobby. This is our lives. This is what we do. We protect the human race, and nobody even gives a damn. We fight the things of your worst nightmares. We put ourselves in danger every damn day. And even though I wouldn't trade it for the world, it doesn't mean I would wish it on anyone else."

A sharp laugh escaped my lips, causing both Sam and Dean to be taken aback.

"I don't care about the danger. There's nothing in my life right now. And the events of the last 24 hours have helped me to feel something besides the bone crushing guilt that has taken over my life for the past three years. I want you to train me. I want to hunt. If you say no, I'll train myself. I'll find someone willing to teach me more. Don't tell me I can't."

Dean stood quickly and stepped towards me with anger and passion and stuck his finger in my face.

"You don't just get to tell us what we are going to do for you. We just saved your life! Besides, you don't even know the extent of what it means to be a Hunter. We have no friends. No family to go home to on the holidays. Everyone we love dies. All we have left is to protect each other while we keep the human race safe. IS THAT REALLY WHAT YOU WANT?!"

I pushed back the sheets and stood up to meet him, only to realize that he had a good 5 inches on me. I stretched as tall as I could while poking my finger in his chest and held my ground.

"Don't act like you know my life! I threw my friendships away long ago, and the only family I had lost their lives three years ago! I've spent my time since drinking away my pain and getting slapped around by different men. You don't intimidate me with your words, and I WILL be a hunter with or without your help!"

Dean relaxed back a little bit and shook his head. He held up his hand at Sam when he went to interject, and glared in my direction.

Sam remained on edge for a moment, his eyes quickly shifting between Dean and me.

I watched Dean calm his breath before getting back into my face and speaking with a calm intensity that was frightening.

"Alright, fine. If you hunt, you hunt with us. That means you follow our rules, and if you choose not to, then you're out. You will start you with learning lore. Only research, book reading, and training until I say you're ready to get out and help us on an actual hunt. You need to heal your rib, so you will start with light physical training. We will teach you how to wield different weapons and even make your own. You will not unnecessarily put your life in danger. You will not leave us without communicating where you are going. You will not lie to us or hide vital information from us. These rules are very serious to keeping you alive. And if you break them, you are dealt with in a physical manner to quickly get hard feelings out of the way and hopefully leaving a lasting impression that will keep you from trying it again. Do I make myself clear? If you can't follow these rules, then you can let yourself out. I'm not going to mess around with your life if you're not serious about it."

His passion rose again by the end of his speech. He was calming his breath again as I stood there a little dumbfounded. I quickly tried to process what he could mean by a "physical manner". Did he just threaten to spank me if I broke the rules? As I thought about it, I began to laugh, which only caused him to clench his jaw in anger. He looked like he was about to yell at me again, but I spoke up before he could say anything.

"Did you just threaten to...? I'm not a child!" I shook my head and sat back down on the bed. Before either of the boys could speak, I started again, "OK. Let's say I agree to your form of punishment. I'm sure it can't be that bad. I've been beat up by plenty of guys. Will you really train me?"

Dean looked at me like I had just punched the air out of him. He took a step backwards and frowned before speaking.

"Stella... What we do is not unnecessary beating to diminish our anger. It simply helps the one being punished to release guilt and responsibility so we can move forward, and the one punishing a chance to show true forgiveness. Never will we ever hit you out of anger. It will follow protocol. We discuss the transgression, and then we take care of it. You may have some trouble sitting, but your conscience will be clear. I know you've been with horrible people, but this is how we deal with things. And if you can't handle that emotionally, then you can't stay. I'm sorry. But that's the only way we can work."

His words seemed almost sad by the end. But his face was still hard. His eyes almost gave him away, flashing a hint of worry.

I sat there taking in everything that had been said to me. What did I have to lose? I could learn to follow the rules. And I had the smarts to learn the lore quickly. My martial arts training and background in dance would help me to train physically. And I was sure a sore ass was definitely something that I could handle. I mean, what did I have to lose? I stood and walked over to Dean sticking my hand out to seal the deal.

"I accept your rules and choose to follow them fully. You will deal with me the same way you deal with Sam, and I promise to do my best to learn quickly. When do we start?"

Sam looked a little embarrassed by my comment and shifted a little as I held myself proudly and prepared the best handshake I had. Might as well seal the deal with the one clearly in charge.

Dean looked almost upset by my accepting of the deal, but eventually he shook my hand and turned, "Sammy? Get started."

Dean opened the door and went outside. I could hear the Impala starting up as I turned my focus back to Sam.

He smiled and hugged me, "We've been arguing all morning about this. I wanted him to know that it would be a possibility that you might want to learn to hunt. I saw you ready to go back in for the next attack. You weren't afraid and you seemed capable enough. Dean was just focused on taking down the monster so he can't see yet what I already know. I'm glad you're sticking with us. I know it seems like Dean doesn't want you here, but he's just worried. He'll warm up to you. He's really just a big puppy dog with a strong sense of loyalty. He will go to great lengths to protect those he cares about." Sam paused for a moment looking sad. Then he cleared his throat before continuing. "But enough of that, shall we get started? I have some books and breakfast for you."

"Thank you, Sam. That sounds wonderful, but do you mind if I wash up first? It was kind of a long night, and I think I need start this day anew."

He smiled, "Sure. There's a clean towel by the sink. Take your time."

As I headed to the shower my decision started to sink in. What in the hell was I thinking? I had a job to go to. Well, that would be easily taken care of. They pretty much let me do whatever I wanted anyway. I picked up my phone and sent an email to a few people letting them know that I would be leaving for an indeterminate amount of time and thanked them for being so understanding. I had plenty of money from my parents to survive without working. I brushed my teeth as the shower was warming up and glanced at myself in the mirror. I looked different somehow. More confident. I spit for the last time as the steam started to fog the mirror and jumped in the shower. I must have been in there for at least twenty minutes. It felt wonderful. As I got out and dried myself off, I checked for signs of injury on my rib. There was definitely a clear bruise. I sighed and got dressed, eager now to get started.

As I finally emerged I found myself searching the room for Dean, but he hadn't returned. I was worried, but Sam didn't seem to be, so I went over to him.

"Ok. Let's get started."

He happily handed me a book and some breakfast and I started my new path to becoming a Hunter.