Chapter 7

Christina sat staring at her typewriter just trying to keep herself busy and going insane. She began to wonder what Gabriel was telling her brothers when three young men, around the age of nineteen walked inside looking timid as if they were afraid of getting caught. No one else seemed to notice them and Christina stood up and walked over to the group.

"You three alright?" She asked making one of them jump. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." She let out a chuckle before falling silent and seeing the terror in their eyes she knew something was wrong. "What happened?"

"Our friends... a... a bear took all three of them!" A young man with dark brown hair and soft hazel eyes said. "Please. They need some help."

Christina could see these boys were hiding something and she felt she knew the real reason they were needing help. "I'll help," she said pulling the kid close and seeing the tall tell signs of a hunter green to the gills. "But you must tell me the honest truth. What took your friends. I know that whatever this was, wasn't no bear."

"No we swear!" A young man with shoulder length blond hair and light blue eyes. "It was a bear."

"Then go see a ranger." Christina said her voice even as she looked at the three boys studying their body language. "Then you can add the death of an officer on top of your friends." She leaned in close to the leader of the three boys her voice cold but still full of sympathy. "If I had to take down a Wendigo and I was new to it, I would never forgive myself if I got more people killed."

Just as she expected, knowing they were new to hunting, all three boys looked surprised and sheepish as they stared at her. "You're... a..."

"Yes, I'm a hunter and I know what took your friends. If we don't hurry now, you won't have much of friends left."

The three boys lowered their heads as they knew, if they lost either one of their missing friends they wouldn't forgive themselves. It took them just a few minutes before they nodded.

"Alright, I'll come and help you. But you need to tell me everything that has happened and hopefully we'll be able to get your friends back before it eats them."

~DSCWIN~

Christina had left the station house with permission by Inspector Brackenreid, and brought the three boys with her back to her small room she had found. She had to explain to the landlady, who didn't like males in with single ladies, she made an exception as Christina helped her husband fix their tractor.

"Before we go, we need to do some introductions as we skipped over that back at the station house." Christina said as she unlocked her door and allowed the boys in.

"My name is John." John said pushing back his dark hair away from his hazel eyes. "Our friends names are Dominic, Sam and Vincent."

"Those are those that are missing?" Christina asked only to get a nod from John and his two friends.

"My name is Spencer." The boy with the blonde hair said. "This is my brother Toby."

"Nice to meet you three." Christina said then went to gather what she needed for this hunt. "Now tell me, how did you hear about this Wendigo being here?" She asked as she grabbed her street clothes and darted behind her small changing screen she thankfully had borrowed from Doctor Ogden.

"My friend's uncle had a cabin up here. We were staying there when he told us a story about a group of men that were trapped up here. Well my father was a hunter before he met my mother and he had told me stories about his first Wendigo kill when he was my age. I thought this was my way of honoring him as he misses doing this." John said.

Christina shook her head as she thought that reason was stupid. "Take my advice, leave this life. I've seen many a young ambitious hunter die because of pride. One of which was my father. So when this hunt is over, don't hunt again, unless it's for deer, elk or moose."

The group of boys had gone quiet and Christina peered over the edge to make sure they were still there. They were and all three was sulking on the bed.

"Trust me, your fathers would never be more proud then to see their sons become a father himself. So please promise me you won't hunt after this."

"I promise." The three boys said in quiet unison.

Christina walked out from behind the curtain in her jeans, a long sleeved shirt she managed to sew herself, with lots of help from her landlady, and her hiking boots. "Alright lets go see if we have any mines or caves."

"Is that where the Wendigo is?" Toby asked as all three looked confused at her strange clothes compared to what she changed out of.

"More then likely." Christina said but stopped when she stood by the door to her room. "I just realized I need a special weapon to get rid of this monster. We need to purchase some bottles of alcohol and some fabric. Needs to be able to break easily."

"None of us has the money right now. But we can send it back to you once we do." Sam stated clearly desperate for help.

"You'll be spending a lot more in paying me back if that's the case. Don't worry I can buy it. We just need to hurry before they close."

~DSCWIN~

Christina was happy the small shop owner liked her as she walked up and rapped at the window. The owner had been closed just a few minutes when she arrived.

"How can I help you Constable?" The owner asked seeing her in her strange clothes and urgent look in her eyes.

"I need an inexpensive oil lamp please? Or even have a towel with a bottle of any kind of Alcohol, the more proof the better."

"I think I have just the thing. Is everything okay? You seem different then last time I saw you." The owner worked on grabbing the towel and three bottles of dark amber liquid.

"Offical business, I'm afriad I can't divulge."

"Understand completely." The owner quickly rang up the order and smiled back at Christina. "That would be six dollars."

Christina nodded and paid the money before walking out with her purchase in her arms. "Alright take me where this cabin is. We don't have much time before that thing will eat."

~DSCWIN~

The cabin was tiny and Christina could see where the creature had gotten in. She was amazed that only three were taken as there wasn't a lot of places to hide. As they looked around the cabin, Christina saw deep tracks in the ground. She walked quietly still holding onto her purchase until they stopped just outside a small mine hidden in the mountain surrounded by trees.

She slowly knelt down and took out her knife she had hidden in the back of a pouch in her boot and cut two notches a few inches apart and quickly ripped them apart. She soon had three large straps of the towel and she opened each of the bottles, she poured about a third of the liquid on the ground before stuffing the large wicks inside. She had finished the last one when the three boys walked back to her.

"Who has the best aim?" She asked holding the three Molotov cocktails in her hand.

"I do," Sam said. "I could hit a squirrel in a branch from a few feet."

"Well I hope you do hit or your life's over." Christina said her voice not sugarcoating the extreme danger they were all in. "Which of the other two can aim?"

"I can." John said raising a hand and taking one of the bottles.

"Okay, you three need to stick together and keep an eye out. Also make sure you don't fall for anything this creature can throw at you. They can sound like your friends so make sure you pay attention. Stick close to me and be prepared to throw once this Towel is lit." She said pulling out a flip lighter she was happy she had purchased before ending going in the past. She flicked it and it instantly lit up. "You three ready?" All three nervously nodded and Christina nodded back. "Okay lets go."

Though it was a pretty warm day, once they entered the mine the temperature dropped considerably. All four huddled together as they slowly walked further into the mine. Christina's ears picked up distant screams of help and she shook her head as a precaution of it being the Wendigo. As the deeper they went the louder the screams became, once they rounded the corner three people were found hanging from their wrists from chains imbedded in the ceiling. All three were alive but badly hurt.

"Help... please." one of them weakly said and the three boys raced to help their friends.

"Don't worry, Dominic." John said as they all set down their bottles to help their friends. "We're gonna get you out of here."

"Who's... she?" Dominic, the boy with unkept brown hair and soft blue eyes said.

"I'm someone whose here to help get you out alive." Christina said though she was angry from the attitude the boy was giving her, she remained professional. "Where did that creature go?" She asked helping the other two friends down.

"I... don't know." Dominic said leaning on the John. "It just left us... not sure where it is."

Christina nodded and looked back the way they had come. She flipped on her lighter and could see a smaller hole near the back of the room. "Okay you six come with me. Make sure you have your Molotov Cocktails and get ready to carry your friends and hand me your bottles.

"What if we can carry them?" Toby asked as his friend, Vincent let out a moan as his head lugged to the side but he was still alive.

"Then we will stay and hope to God we can kill this beast before it kills us." Christina said harshly her eyes darker in the dim light. "We will not leave your friends behind you hear me?" a harsh roar echoed behind the boys. "Shit... go now!" Christina said moving to the back and getting her Molotov ready. She moved and threw the bottle smashing it amongst the rock wall and she saw the figure slowly stand up and let out a roar of pain as a few flames danced across it's legs as it sprinted across the fire.

Christina turned and screamed for one of the boys to hand it to her as they struggled to carry their wounded friends out of the mine with the Wendigo hot on their heels. She felt a bottle in her outstretched hands and she only had a second to get it lit when she felt sharp claws slice through her skin just below her breasts, causing her to fall to her knees. The Wendigo had stopped getting ready for a second attack which was its downfall when Christina had lit the Molotov as she fell and she tossed it breaking the glass and lighting the creature up in flames. Wicked painful screams echoed off the mine's walls until the smoldering remains lay in a heap.

Christina's mind was spinning as she struggled to stand up. There was no way she was going to die in a place like this alone. Hot tears streamed down her face when she stumbled down the dark hallways hoping the others were out safe. Though part of her she wished that they would return to help her since she did help them save their friends.

A rock hidden from view made her stumble. She lay there unsure if she had the strength to get back to her feet. As she lay there a figure slowly emerged through the soft haze of the smoke and they bent down and helped her to her feet.

"Hold on," John's voice made Christina smile when she felt safe with him even though he was way older and she wasn't from this century. "We're almost out. I have Toby going for help."

"Thanks." Christina said as she allowed John to carry her out of the mine. The sweet fresh air made both let out a deep breathe of relief and John slowly placed her on the ground. "John... Please keep your promise..." Christina said her eyes growing heavy. I wish Gabriel was here; she thought letting her head lull over to the side.

The sudden sweet smell of Caramel filled the woods that surrounded her. Her eyes weakly snapped open and she saw Gabriel appear in the distance and seconds later he was next to her seeing the extent of her injuries. Even though she was weak she saw the worry in his soft brown eyes. "You're just like your brothers." Gabriel teased before pressing his lips against her forehead.

For a brief second heat spread across her chest and soon she was no longer weak. Her shirt still was ripped but the large deep gashes that was about to take her life was completely gone. It was after all the pain and marks were gone, that Christina noticed that the area around her was frozen in time. She looked over at Gabriel and as soon as he came back into focus she threw her arms around his neck and held him close. He smirked before wrapping his arms around her and gently rubbed her in the back.

"It's okay. I'm here and it's okay to cry." Gabriel said his voice soft making Christina release and softly start to sob. "Sam and Dean are working hard to figure out who took you here and why. They miss you terribly."

"I miss them too," Christina sobbed muffled by his shirt. "I miss my clothes, my time... I miss not being so scared of loosing my life." She looked back up at Gabriel and he saw tears sliding down her face.

Gabriel smiled softly and brushed off the tear that dropped down her cheek. "It's okay to cry, and don't worry, this is our secret. Just like something else." He smiled and brushed his lips against hers. Christina sunk in deeper in the kiss before they broke apart. "Now, try and keep yourself alive long enough so that we can bring you home."

Christina looked up at Gabriel and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Maybe you can make it up, by taking me out on the town?"

Gabriel smiled and kissed her cheek gently. "We'll see but for now, I need to head back. Your brothers might think something bad happened since I told them only fifteen minutes, and Dean's been on my case about staying punctual."

Christina chuckled as she nodded in understanding. "Then I won't keep you."

"But once I'm back, I'll make it up to you I promise." Gabriel leaned in and they pressed their lips together making Christina melt against his body. "Now rest up and hopefully we can get you back before anymore nasty monsters show up."

"Me too." Christina grinned feeling suddenly drained of energy.

"I love you." Gabriel whispered in her ear before vanishing and the area surrounding them came back to life as if nothing happened.

"Christina are you alright?" John asked seeing her slowly standing up to her feet. "I thought you were injured."

"It was just a scratch." Christina said her voice a little hesitant to tell him the truth. "I never get hurt hardly ever when I'm with my brothers so I get a little dramatic." She laughed a she took in a deep breath and looked over at John. "Now please keep your promise. Don't go hunting again. Tell your friends as I don't want to hear you went on a hunt and never came back home."

John nodded. "I promise."

"Thanks. So John what's your name so I can look you up when I get back home."

"It's John Jacob Walker. My family lives in Enid Oklahoma. So if you need more information, I'm named after my father."

"I'll look it up. Thanks so much John." She chuckled. "John is a very popular name as my real dad was named John. He... was a great man. Wish I got to know him better. But I got my brothers to tell me more about him." She cleared her throat as she wanted to get back before other constables show up. "I better get going. I need to fix my shirt."

"Take care of yourself, and thank you again." John said as Christina shook hands quickly.

"You too John." Christina added before walking off to head back to town.

~DSCWIN~

Christina arrived at the Station house, still in her regular clothes and sunk into her desk's chair. She must have had a sight about her as Detective Murdoch and Inspector Brackenreid strolled up to her desk.

"Constable Winchester, we'd like to see you in my office." Inspector Brackenreid said his voice surprisingly soft and warmly.

"Y-Yes sir." Christina said afraid she may have just lost her job at the Station. She followed Detective Murdoch and Inspector Brackenreid into his office and she was offered a seat which she took.

"I have to say it's been an interesting development for you to be here." The Inspector started and Christina prepared herself for the dreaded "But..." however it never came. "Murdoch has been telling me of the professionalism you've been providing for us and even helping solving past crimes."

Christina didn't know what to think as the Inspector then took out three glasses and slowly poured some of the Brandy Christina had purchased into all three of them. "Sir, I don't-"

"No talking," the Inspector said a little rough then he wanted to. "I know you were only a Constable for a few short weeks, but I feel you're ready. Congratulations, Detective Winchester on your new promotion."

Christina's eyes went wide as she did not expect this happen. She looked over at Detective Murdoch who smiled at her. "Detective Murdoch?" she asked hoping he could shed some light on the subject.

"I believe you're ready, and with this promotion you'll be able to do your other job easier."

"I honestly don't know what to say. Except maybe thank you for this promotion." She picked up the glass and quickly shot the liquid back before gently setting it on the desk. "Oh, there was a group of young men that were lost in a mine..."

"Higgins and Crabtree had already taken care of that." Inspector Brackenreid said proudly. "They were impressed with how you were able to save all of them. You should be proud."

"I am sir," Christina said but not truly feeling the accomplishment. "Thank you sir."

"I feel your just tired from your heroics at the mine." Inspector Brackenreid boasted which wasn't usual by the way Detective Murdoch was surprised. "I will see you tomorrow at eight. You will be making one dollar more an hour."

Christina smiled and shook the Inspector's hand before leaving. She was now Detective, which meant she was about to get into some serious trouble.