Supernatural: A Long Winter's Night 2/5
Title: A Long Winter's Night
Author: Ada
Fandom: Supernatural
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Season One.
Characters: Dean, short-lived OCs so Dean has someone to interact with
Disclaimer: I make no claims to owning anything except the original content of this story.
Note: This is the sequel to The Art of Walking Away. This story is finished, I wrote it almost a year ago and it is part two in the trilogy.
Summary: Sequel to The Art of Walking Away. Two years, seven months, and 48 states he had searched for Sam. But he had no luck. After all, Sam was a Winchester, a hunter, and if he did not want to be found, then no one could find him.
Chapter One
A Long Winter’s Night
By: Ada C. Eliana
Chapter 2
“There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were happy.” - Dante
Dean kept his eyes firmly on the road, and tried to keep his mind on where he was going. He had been succeeding at that well for the last couple of house, but as he drove past a turn off for New Paltz his mind wandered. He remembered the last time he had been there, trying to stop the razor-wielding-painting-haunting ghost with Sam. That had been their last real solo hunt before meeting up with their father and then that night in the cabin; the last time he saw Sam. Things had been looking up at that point; the brothers were getting along pretty well, and Sam had even found a girl he was interested in, coming a bit out of the shell he had been in since Jessica was killed. Dean wondered briefly if Sarah ever thought about his little brother; wondered about what happened to them after they left. She probably didn’t, but still it would be nice to know that someone out there still cared.
It was unfortunate but their lifestyle left little room for friends; they would always just leave them behind anyway. There were some people…. They used to have Pastor Jim and Caleb, and there was still Joshua and Bobby, but the Winchesters pretty much made do with just each other.
And that had always been enough for Dean.
Of course it wasn’t for Sam, and he knew after Jessica died, spending every minute with each other was grating for the both of them. They had their fights, but Dean really believed they had gotten along well. Sam chose him over revenge twice; first in Indiana, and then by not killing their father to destroy the demon. They had been close again, and before that cabin in Missouri, Dean could see that Sam was being less broody and more genuinely happy. When they played those pranks on each other and on the wannabe ghostbusters it was just like old times, like before college and Jess - it reminded him of the good times; times he probably would never have again.
A black SUV swerved into his lane, shaking Dean out of his nostalgic thoughts, and rending a stream of curses from him. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and returned his focus to the highway and the stream of cars around him.
----------------------------------------
Snow was falling softly as he pulled off the Northway and into Saratoga Springs, sandwiched between two tractor trailers on their way into the city. Concentrating on the road, he followed the signs towards the college.
As he drove he passed a sign for a hotel that proudly proclaimed the availability of ‘color televisions.’ “Well that must be one classy place,” he laughed to himself - no one else was there to listen.
He scoffed as he drove by a row of mansions on his way to the college; all bay windows and fancy brickwork. The opulence some people lived in sickened him; they should be donating that money to a worthy cause, like to their local ghost hunter.
It appeared to have been snowing for a while, a thick layer of white covering the lawns and rooftops of the large homes. The sidewalks had been plowed earlier, but were now covered once again.
A moment later, surprise registered in Dean’s mind as he surveyed the twinkling mini lights and decorated fir trees on the properties of the houses he passed. He knew it was December, but any thoughts of Christmas had definitely never crossed his mind.
“Shit!” he shouted as he realized he was about to investigate a mostly empty college campus; everyone having gone home for break.
So much for questioning the residents now.
He turned into the campus anyway, hoping to sort out the problem quickly, and not need much help from the students. He just wanted to finish this so he could move on. College hauntings always bothered him; made him think of Sam and what his brother had done in those years away.
But if John were right (he better not be) and Sam hadn’t made it out alive from a confrontation with the demon, then he was even more glad that Sam had gone when he could; done what he wanted at least for a little while.
---------------------------------------------
Dean pulled the Impala over on the college loop road; a circular expanse that surrounded all of the campus aside from the apartments. A scattering of townhouses only a few years old and completely identical lay to his left. Surrounding the tiny village were the North Woods; dense trees and underbrush kept at bay by the snow-covered landscaping. The disappearances had been occurring for about four years, ever since the college decided to cut down part of the forest and build new apartments.
Dean figured that if it were supernatural, it could be some angry spirit that had been somehow constrained to the woods; unable to attack most of the student populace, but now that the woods were cleared could come into contact with people.
The door of the Impala squeaked as he pushed it open and climbed out into the snow, studying the area. He noticed smoke rising from one of the townhouses’ chimney, and smiled that at least someone was still on campus. He slammed the door shut and stepped away, cutting his own path.
He rubbed his hands together as he walked, not having thought to bring his gloves with him and not wanting to go back to the car now. Shoving them deep into his pockets he trudged onto the partially covered walking trail.
Breath puffing visibly in the air before him, snow stuck to his hair and jacket, and white specks flurried in the wind as testament to how bitterly cold it was. He quickly made it to the house, choosing from the selection of doors one where light could be seen through the opaque glass.
A cheery sign announced “Tessa, Jason, Joy, and Dan” in colored marker and had been taped to the door, the overhang above it saving it from destruction by the weather. Sounds of music and laughter filtered out to his ears, and without hesitation Dean pressed the doorbell and waited.
“I’ll get it Jason!” a female voice shouted loudly; a bit too loudly just as the door opened. A tall red-haired woman peeked out at him through the partially opened door; green eyes locking with his. “Can I help you?” she asked, her gaze drifting across him; looking him up and down.
“Yeah, my car broke down up there on the loop road, I was hoping to call for a tow,” Dean lied effortlessly, even though it meant wounding the pride of his sole companion - the Impala.
“Sure, come on in,” she answered. Dean stepped into the little mud room and storage area and then followed the girl to the kitchen. The apartment was nicer than any hotel he had ever stayed in, with a full kitchen furnished with stainless steel appliances and an island that doubled as a bar. Behind that a long kitchen table separated the eating area form a living room with matching couches and chairs.
Two people sat on the barstools, both of Chinese descent and hanging all over each other. Boyfriend and girlfriend, Dean surmised. “I’m Tessa by the way,” his guide said, and Dean took a moment to look at her, thin with curves in the right places, and slightly chubby cheeks spotted with pale freckles.
“Dean,” he responded.
“Hey guys, this is Dean, his car broke down, he needs to call for a tow truck,” Tessa announced to the pair at the counter, the furred hood on her vest bobbing as she made her way behind them.
“Hey, I’m Jason,” the guy introduced himself, fine dark hair falling in his eyes as he moved his head. His voice carried just the hint of an accent, and each word was spoken carefully and slowly.
“I’m Joy,” the petite girl said, extricating herself from Jason’s embrace and smiling politely at Dean.
“Must be annoying, getting your car broken down here, cell reception’s crap,” Tessa said as she led him to the phone on the wall. Dean followed the directions to call outside of the campus, and played it safe; calling an old hunting friend and having a one-sided conversation about his broken car with him. There was no sense in faking a call and having the phone ring in the middle of it. That was just a good way to get kicked out of this apartment, which was possibly the only place on campus with people hanging around.
After hanging up, Dean rejoined the group. “Mechanics say it’ll be an hour at least,” he shrugged, doing his best to seem put out and disappointed.
“You’ll just have to wait here then,” Tessa said. “No sense freezing outside,” she added.
Dean nodded, and let his gaze drift around the small townhouse, spotting a four-foot fake tree with twinkling lights, and other Christmas lights lining the walls and ceilings, interspersed with garland and pine boughs. A homemade sign read “Merry Christmas” and hung slightly crooked above the back entry of the apartment. The small TV displayed a roaring fire; from the “Yule Log” DVD and in the background Dean could hear Christmas carols played over a stereo. Feeling slightly crushed by Christmas cheer Dean almost fainted when Tessa pulled a tray of gingerbread men from the oven.
Wondering if he had somehow fallen into a sappy Christmas movie, Dean leaned against the counter and waited a moment for the Ghost of Christmas Past to pop up and tell him about all of the bad things he had done. That could be a long conversation, come to think of it…
However, the Ghost did not make itself known, just Tessa smiling at him. “So what brings you to Skidmore College?” she asked. She seemed so friendly and comfortable; didn’t she realize how dangerous he could be? What if he were a serial killer? And there she was standing in her Christmas-filled house smiling and welcoming him. The level of innocence and trust others had always astonished him. If they knew what was really out there; what evils lurked in the shadows and in people themselves… But then again, that’s why there were people like him around; to protect the naïve.
“I’m actually here investigating the disappearances that have been happening in the Northwoods,” he said.
“Police?” Joy asked, pushing a lock of pin-straight hair away from her face.
“I’m more of a private investigator,” he responded. “You all wouldn’t happen to know about the disappearances, would you?”
“Just that we’ve been warned to stay inside at night; and not go anywhere alone,” Tessa answered, her forehead creasing slightly.
“And to stay away from the perimeter of the woods,” Jason added. “People keep disappearing just outside of the apartment area.”
Dean nodded. “Thanks, I’ll check that out. So what does everyone say about the North Woods?” Dean asked. “Any rumors or legends?”
“Why would you want to know that?” Joy questioned, the too-long sleeves of her striped sweater fell down to her knuckles and she rolled them up. She was looking strangely at Dean, and he suspected this girl had some common sense in her, and didn’t want to just chat up the 30-year-old stranger in her kitchen.
“Well you never know what fact there could be in stories,” Dean shrugged, shooting her his best grin. “Besides, I’ve got an hour to kill,” he added, sitting on the barstool next to Jason. Dean’s attempt at flirtation to get Joy to overlook his weird line of questioning had fallen flat, and it wasn’t just because of the fact that he and her boyfriend were rubbing shoulders, but also because with her round face, small eyes and flat nose, she looked to be about twelve years old, and Dean just wasn't in to that.
Tessa looked between Dean and Joy, noticing the animosity that had sparked. Carefully, she answered Dean’s question, “Well… there is this like hut that’s out there, people say a Skidmore student built it to try and live there during the summer. I guess it’s not that far in, but it’s partially collapsed. The environment group here, they marked trails in the woods, you know, to keep people from getting lost, but it’s off from there.”
“A hut in the woods?” Dean asked. Tessa nodded.
“I doubt that would help you,” Jason offered. “Like she said, it’s collapsed, it’s not like this psycho snatching people could be staying there.” Dean surveyed Jason for a moment.
“So you’ve seen this place, though?” he asked.
“Yeah… couldn’t give you directions to it though, I just stumbled into it a couple years ago.”
“Okay, thanks though. Anything else?”
Tessa and Jason both looked at Joy, who had taken to studying a dried coffee ring on the counter. She noticed them watching her, and so lifted her head and pursed her lips before responding, “Well, there is this weird thing where sometimes when people are walking in the woods they say that they saw a man coming towards them; but couldn’t really make out any details, like he was always in shadow. But I don’t think that really helps you any,” she said.
“No, no, it does help, more than you know,” Dean said with a smile.
“Why are you doing this today anyway? It’s December 23rd, shouldn’t you be with your family or something?” Joy questioned unabashedly, deftly changing the subject.
“Christmas really isn’t that big of a deal for us,” Dean shrugged. And he was right; his father never had much need for the holiday, but Sam had loved it. “Why aren’t you three home?” he shot the personal question back.
“My parents went back to Hong Kong for a couple weeks, I didn’t really feel like another big family reunion holiday,” Joy responded. “I made Jason stay here with me,” she added with a smile, the irritation of a moment earlier seeming to have disappeared.
Everyone turned to Tessa. “Skidmore’s my home, until May anyway, there’s no other place for me to be.”
“That reminds me…” Dean murmured, reaching into the inner pocket of his leather jacket. He procured a small, worn photo and held it out to Tessa and her friends. “Have you seen this guy by any chance?” He had flashed that photo just about anytime he met someone new, on the off chance that they would provide him with the lead he so desperately needed.
Joy and Jason shook their heads emphatically and Tessa took the photo for closer inspection; staring at the picture of a smiling brown-haired man. “He looks familiar, but I just can’t place it,” Tessa said apologetically, handing the photo back. “He a friend of yours?”
“My little brother actually, he went missing about two years ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Tessa responded. Everyone looked around uncomfortably for a moment, and then Tessa marched up to the refrigerator and grabbed a carton of eggnog. Pulling out some glasses she poured everyone some. “This is the kind with alcohol,” she added as she pushed a glass into Dean’s hand. She then began opening various tins on the counters to reveal hordes of Christmas cookies. “Help yourself.”
“You really think you should be this nice to a stranger; there might possibly be a psycho on the loose you know,” Dean pointed out, swiping a peanut butter cookie and munching on it.
“Well let’s just say that I’m feeling possessed by the Christmas spirit.”
Hah, if the Christmas Spirit was really capable of possessing people then Dean would exorcise that bitch straight back to Hell. He took another look at his surroundings, past Jason and Joy who had relocated to the couch and were completely making out. If anyone he knew ever saw him, Dean Winchester, in the middle of this Hallmark card setting they would laugh their ass off. Sipping eggnog and chomping on little sugar cookie angels while surrounded by garland and lights… God how did these people not want to blow their brains out?
The worst part was he was sure his little brother would have liked it a lot.
Author: Ada
Fandom: Supernatural
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Season One.
Characters: Dean, short-lived OCs so Dean has someone to interact with
Disclaimer: I make no claims to owning anything except the original content of this story.
Note: This is the sequel to The Art of Walking Away. This story is finished, I wrote it almost a year ago and it is part two in the trilogy.
Summary: Sequel to The Art of Walking Away. Two years, seven months, and 48 states he had searched for Sam. But he had no luck. After all, Sam was a Winchester, a hunter, and if he did not want to be found, then no one could find him.
Chapter One
A Long Winter’s Night
By: Ada C. Eliana
Chapter 2
“There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were happy.” - Dante
Dean kept his eyes firmly on the road, and tried to keep his mind on where he was going. He had been succeeding at that well for the last couple of house, but as he drove past a turn off for New Paltz his mind wandered. He remembered the last time he had been there, trying to stop the razor-wielding-painting-haunting ghost with Sam. That had been their last real solo hunt before meeting up with their father and then that night in the cabin; the last time he saw Sam. Things had been looking up at that point; the brothers were getting along pretty well, and Sam had even found a girl he was interested in, coming a bit out of the shell he had been in since Jessica was killed. Dean wondered briefly if Sarah ever thought about his little brother; wondered about what happened to them after they left. She probably didn’t, but still it would be nice to know that someone out there still cared.
It was unfortunate but their lifestyle left little room for friends; they would always just leave them behind anyway. There were some people…. They used to have Pastor Jim and Caleb, and there was still Joshua and Bobby, but the Winchesters pretty much made do with just each other.
And that had always been enough for Dean.
Of course it wasn’t for Sam, and he knew after Jessica died, spending every minute with each other was grating for the both of them. They had their fights, but Dean really believed they had gotten along well. Sam chose him over revenge twice; first in Indiana, and then by not killing their father to destroy the demon. They had been close again, and before that cabin in Missouri, Dean could see that Sam was being less broody and more genuinely happy. When they played those pranks on each other and on the wannabe ghostbusters it was just like old times, like before college and Jess - it reminded him of the good times; times he probably would never have again.
A black SUV swerved into his lane, shaking Dean out of his nostalgic thoughts, and rending a stream of curses from him. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and returned his focus to the highway and the stream of cars around him.
----------------------------------------
Snow was falling softly as he pulled off the Northway and into Saratoga Springs, sandwiched between two tractor trailers on their way into the city. Concentrating on the road, he followed the signs towards the college.
As he drove he passed a sign for a hotel that proudly proclaimed the availability of ‘color televisions.’ “Well that must be one classy place,” he laughed to himself - no one else was there to listen.
He scoffed as he drove by a row of mansions on his way to the college; all bay windows and fancy brickwork. The opulence some people lived in sickened him; they should be donating that money to a worthy cause, like to their local ghost hunter.
It appeared to have been snowing for a while, a thick layer of white covering the lawns and rooftops of the large homes. The sidewalks had been plowed earlier, but were now covered once again.
A moment later, surprise registered in Dean’s mind as he surveyed the twinkling mini lights and decorated fir trees on the properties of the houses he passed. He knew it was December, but any thoughts of Christmas had definitely never crossed his mind.
“Shit!” he shouted as he realized he was about to investigate a mostly empty college campus; everyone having gone home for break.
So much for questioning the residents now.
He turned into the campus anyway, hoping to sort out the problem quickly, and not need much help from the students. He just wanted to finish this so he could move on. College hauntings always bothered him; made him think of Sam and what his brother had done in those years away.
But if John were right (he better not be) and Sam hadn’t made it out alive from a confrontation with the demon, then he was even more glad that Sam had gone when he could; done what he wanted at least for a little while.
---------------------------------------------
Dean pulled the Impala over on the college loop road; a circular expanse that surrounded all of the campus aside from the apartments. A scattering of townhouses only a few years old and completely identical lay to his left. Surrounding the tiny village were the North Woods; dense trees and underbrush kept at bay by the snow-covered landscaping. The disappearances had been occurring for about four years, ever since the college decided to cut down part of the forest and build new apartments.
Dean figured that if it were supernatural, it could be some angry spirit that had been somehow constrained to the woods; unable to attack most of the student populace, but now that the woods were cleared could come into contact with people.
The door of the Impala squeaked as he pushed it open and climbed out into the snow, studying the area. He noticed smoke rising from one of the townhouses’ chimney, and smiled that at least someone was still on campus. He slammed the door shut and stepped away, cutting his own path.
He rubbed his hands together as he walked, not having thought to bring his gloves with him and not wanting to go back to the car now. Shoving them deep into his pockets he trudged onto the partially covered walking trail.
Breath puffing visibly in the air before him, snow stuck to his hair and jacket, and white specks flurried in the wind as testament to how bitterly cold it was. He quickly made it to the house, choosing from the selection of doors one where light could be seen through the opaque glass.
A cheery sign announced “Tessa, Jason, Joy, and Dan” in colored marker and had been taped to the door, the overhang above it saving it from destruction by the weather. Sounds of music and laughter filtered out to his ears, and without hesitation Dean pressed the doorbell and waited.
“I’ll get it Jason!” a female voice shouted loudly; a bit too loudly just as the door opened. A tall red-haired woman peeked out at him through the partially opened door; green eyes locking with his. “Can I help you?” she asked, her gaze drifting across him; looking him up and down.
“Yeah, my car broke down up there on the loop road, I was hoping to call for a tow,” Dean lied effortlessly, even though it meant wounding the pride of his sole companion - the Impala.
“Sure, come on in,” she answered. Dean stepped into the little mud room and storage area and then followed the girl to the kitchen. The apartment was nicer than any hotel he had ever stayed in, with a full kitchen furnished with stainless steel appliances and an island that doubled as a bar. Behind that a long kitchen table separated the eating area form a living room with matching couches and chairs.
Two people sat on the barstools, both of Chinese descent and hanging all over each other. Boyfriend and girlfriend, Dean surmised. “I’m Tessa by the way,” his guide said, and Dean took a moment to look at her, thin with curves in the right places, and slightly chubby cheeks spotted with pale freckles.
“Dean,” he responded.
“Hey guys, this is Dean, his car broke down, he needs to call for a tow truck,” Tessa announced to the pair at the counter, the furred hood on her vest bobbing as she made her way behind them.
“Hey, I’m Jason,” the guy introduced himself, fine dark hair falling in his eyes as he moved his head. His voice carried just the hint of an accent, and each word was spoken carefully and slowly.
“I’m Joy,” the petite girl said, extricating herself from Jason’s embrace and smiling politely at Dean.
“Must be annoying, getting your car broken down here, cell reception’s crap,” Tessa said as she led him to the phone on the wall. Dean followed the directions to call outside of the campus, and played it safe; calling an old hunting friend and having a one-sided conversation about his broken car with him. There was no sense in faking a call and having the phone ring in the middle of it. That was just a good way to get kicked out of this apartment, which was possibly the only place on campus with people hanging around.
After hanging up, Dean rejoined the group. “Mechanics say it’ll be an hour at least,” he shrugged, doing his best to seem put out and disappointed.
“You’ll just have to wait here then,” Tessa said. “No sense freezing outside,” she added.
Dean nodded, and let his gaze drift around the small townhouse, spotting a four-foot fake tree with twinkling lights, and other Christmas lights lining the walls and ceilings, interspersed with garland and pine boughs. A homemade sign read “Merry Christmas” and hung slightly crooked above the back entry of the apartment. The small TV displayed a roaring fire; from the “Yule Log” DVD and in the background Dean could hear Christmas carols played over a stereo. Feeling slightly crushed by Christmas cheer Dean almost fainted when Tessa pulled a tray of gingerbread men from the oven.
Wondering if he had somehow fallen into a sappy Christmas movie, Dean leaned against the counter and waited a moment for the Ghost of Christmas Past to pop up and tell him about all of the bad things he had done. That could be a long conversation, come to think of it…
However, the Ghost did not make itself known, just Tessa smiling at him. “So what brings you to Skidmore College?” she asked. She seemed so friendly and comfortable; didn’t she realize how dangerous he could be? What if he were a serial killer? And there she was standing in her Christmas-filled house smiling and welcoming him. The level of innocence and trust others had always astonished him. If they knew what was really out there; what evils lurked in the shadows and in people themselves… But then again, that’s why there were people like him around; to protect the naïve.
“I’m actually here investigating the disappearances that have been happening in the Northwoods,” he said.
“Police?” Joy asked, pushing a lock of pin-straight hair away from her face.
“I’m more of a private investigator,” he responded. “You all wouldn’t happen to know about the disappearances, would you?”
“Just that we’ve been warned to stay inside at night; and not go anywhere alone,” Tessa answered, her forehead creasing slightly.
“And to stay away from the perimeter of the woods,” Jason added. “People keep disappearing just outside of the apartment area.”
Dean nodded. “Thanks, I’ll check that out. So what does everyone say about the North Woods?” Dean asked. “Any rumors or legends?”
“Why would you want to know that?” Joy questioned, the too-long sleeves of her striped sweater fell down to her knuckles and she rolled them up. She was looking strangely at Dean, and he suspected this girl had some common sense in her, and didn’t want to just chat up the 30-year-old stranger in her kitchen.
“Well you never know what fact there could be in stories,” Dean shrugged, shooting her his best grin. “Besides, I’ve got an hour to kill,” he added, sitting on the barstool next to Jason. Dean’s attempt at flirtation to get Joy to overlook his weird line of questioning had fallen flat, and it wasn’t just because of the fact that he and her boyfriend were rubbing shoulders, but also because with her round face, small eyes and flat nose, she looked to be about twelve years old, and Dean just wasn't in to that.
Tessa looked between Dean and Joy, noticing the animosity that had sparked. Carefully, she answered Dean’s question, “Well… there is this like hut that’s out there, people say a Skidmore student built it to try and live there during the summer. I guess it’s not that far in, but it’s partially collapsed. The environment group here, they marked trails in the woods, you know, to keep people from getting lost, but it’s off from there.”
“A hut in the woods?” Dean asked. Tessa nodded.
“I doubt that would help you,” Jason offered. “Like she said, it’s collapsed, it’s not like this psycho snatching people could be staying there.” Dean surveyed Jason for a moment.
“So you’ve seen this place, though?” he asked.
“Yeah… couldn’t give you directions to it though, I just stumbled into it a couple years ago.”
“Okay, thanks though. Anything else?”
Tessa and Jason both looked at Joy, who had taken to studying a dried coffee ring on the counter. She noticed them watching her, and so lifted her head and pursed her lips before responding, “Well, there is this weird thing where sometimes when people are walking in the woods they say that they saw a man coming towards them; but couldn’t really make out any details, like he was always in shadow. But I don’t think that really helps you any,” she said.
“No, no, it does help, more than you know,” Dean said with a smile.
“Why are you doing this today anyway? It’s December 23rd, shouldn’t you be with your family or something?” Joy questioned unabashedly, deftly changing the subject.
“Christmas really isn’t that big of a deal for us,” Dean shrugged. And he was right; his father never had much need for the holiday, but Sam had loved it. “Why aren’t you three home?” he shot the personal question back.
“My parents went back to Hong Kong for a couple weeks, I didn’t really feel like another big family reunion holiday,” Joy responded. “I made Jason stay here with me,” she added with a smile, the irritation of a moment earlier seeming to have disappeared.
Everyone turned to Tessa. “Skidmore’s my home, until May anyway, there’s no other place for me to be.”
“That reminds me…” Dean murmured, reaching into the inner pocket of his leather jacket. He procured a small, worn photo and held it out to Tessa and her friends. “Have you seen this guy by any chance?” He had flashed that photo just about anytime he met someone new, on the off chance that they would provide him with the lead he so desperately needed.
Joy and Jason shook their heads emphatically and Tessa took the photo for closer inspection; staring at the picture of a smiling brown-haired man. “He looks familiar, but I just can’t place it,” Tessa said apologetically, handing the photo back. “He a friend of yours?”
“My little brother actually, he went missing about two years ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Tessa responded. Everyone looked around uncomfortably for a moment, and then Tessa marched up to the refrigerator and grabbed a carton of eggnog. Pulling out some glasses she poured everyone some. “This is the kind with alcohol,” she added as she pushed a glass into Dean’s hand. She then began opening various tins on the counters to reveal hordes of Christmas cookies. “Help yourself.”
“You really think you should be this nice to a stranger; there might possibly be a psycho on the loose you know,” Dean pointed out, swiping a peanut butter cookie and munching on it.
“Well let’s just say that I’m feeling possessed by the Christmas spirit.”
Hah, if the Christmas Spirit was really capable of possessing people then Dean would exorcise that bitch straight back to Hell. He took another look at his surroundings, past Jason and Joy who had relocated to the couch and were completely making out. If anyone he knew ever saw him, Dean Winchester, in the middle of this Hallmark card setting they would laugh their ass off. Sipping eggnog and chomping on little sugar cookie angels while surrounded by garland and lights… God how did these people not want to blow their brains out?
The worst part was he was sure his little brother would have liked it a lot.