Visiting Smallville: 6a/21
Hourglass
For once, it was Chloe leaning over a newspaper at the Sullivan’s kitchen table.
“What are you doing?” Dean asked, his hands close to the paper. “When do you think you’ll be done?”
Chloe glanced up at him. “Whenever I find an interesting opportunity for 30 hours of community service.”
Dean groaned. “Great.”
“Come on, Dean.” She said slowly. “You know all Smallville High students have to do at least 30 hours community service.”
Dean grinned. “See, when I was at school, we didn’t have to do that.”
Chloe rolled her eyes and returned to looking at the paper.
“Dean?” Sam called quietly from the living room, but Dean ignored him, sniggering at Chloe.
A loud smash echoed through the house and Chloe looked up, pushing aside the paper and walking into the living room. Dean watched her leave, pulling the paper over quickly.
“Sam?” Chloe asked, staring at the young man.
He stood in the room, Dean’s phone at his ear and a lampshade smashed on the floor. Chloe watched for a few seconds before returning to the kitchen and grabbing the dustpan from the cupboard under the sink.
Dean looked up, groaning and standing up. He followed her into the room, watching Sam as he stood there in silence.
Sam frowned. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you.” He whispered, and Dean’s eyes widened. “We didn’t know where you were,” choked Sam. “If you were okay?”
He paused, listening to his father. “We’re fine.” He whispered. “Dad, where are you?” Dean smiled. “What? Why not?”
“Is that Dad?” Dean rasped and Chloe glanced at him.
“You’re after it, aren’t you?” Sam asked and Dean’s head shot up. “The thing that killed mom.”
Chloe stared at Sam in shock, knowing that their mom wasn’t around, but not knowing why. She glanced between the two brothers before pressing the dustpan into Dean’s hand and leaving the brothers alone.
Sam gasped. “A demon? You know for sure?”
Dean stared, gesturing to Sam to put on speaker as he closed the door. “What’s he saying?”
Sam grimaced, pressing a button and letting John Winchester’s voice into the room.
“I do.” John answered. “Listen, Sammy, I, uh... I also know what happened to your girlfriend.” Sam swallowed, looking down. “I’m so sorry. I would have done anything to protect you from that.”
“You know where it is?” Sam said quietly.
“I think I’m finally closing in on it.”
“Let us help.” Ordered Sam and Dean glanced at him.
“You can’t.” John said, severely. “You can’t be any part of it.”
“Why not?”
Dean suddenly spoke up. “Give me the phone.”
“Listen, Sammy, that’s why I’m calling.” John said quietly. “You, and Dean, you got to stop looking for me. Now, I need you to write down these names.”
“Names?” Dean asked. “What names -“
Sam interrupted. “Dad, talk to me, tell me what’s going on.”
“Look, we don’t have time for this.” John ordered. “This is bigger than you think, they’re everywhere. Even us talking right now, it isn’t safe.”
“No.” Sam whispered. “No way.”
“Give me the phone.” Dean instructed.
“I have given you an order.” John said slowly. “Now, you stop following me and you do your job. You understand me? Now, take down these names.”
Sam started to protest but Dean grabbed the phone and turned off speaker. “Dad. It’s me.” Dean said. “Where are you? Yes sir...Uh, yeah, I’ve got a pen...” He glanced meaningfully at Sam who passed him a pen. “What are the names?”
*
Sam watched as Chloe ran the names through the search engine, Dean leaning over her shoulder.
“So the names dad gave us, they’re all couples?” Dean asked.
“Yeah.” Chloe turned, grinning at them. “Three different couple. All of them went missing.”
“Are they from different towns, different states?” asked Sam.
Chloe scanned the page. “Yeah, New York, Washington and Colorado.”
“Do they have anything similar?” Sam asked.
Chloe typed furiously into the computer before turning and grinning. “They all took a trip cross-country. None of them arrived at their destination and none of them were ever heard from again.”
“It’s a big country.” Sam said. “They could be anywhere.”
“I know.” Sighed Chloe, glancing at Sam with worry. “That’s why I checked. Their route always took them to the same part of Indiana, on the second week of April.” She frowned. “One year after another.”
“This is the second week of April.” Sam realised and Chloe grinned.
“Yeah.” She closed the screen window. “I guess you guys are leaving then?”
Sam nodded while Dean grinned excitedly. “Sorry Chloe, but the hunt’s what we live for!”
Chloe raised an eyebrow as Sam sniggered. “I’m sorry, maybe I’d get that if I knew what you were going to do.”
Dean sobered. “We can’t tell you.”
He walked out the room and she turned to Sam. Sam frowned. “I’m sorry, Chloe.”
She shook her head with annoyance. “Well, I guess I’ll see you?”
“I’m not sure.” Sam admitted. “I don’t know if we’re coming back, we’re getting closer to dad.”
She looked at him in shock, the room suddenly silent. They could hear Dean packing in the next room.
“I have to find whatever killed my mom...” he whispered and she tentatively reached for his arm, trying to comfort him. “And Jess.”
He pulled Chloe into a quick hug before striding out the room. “Jess?” she whispered after him.
Dean came in, a bag slung over his shoulder. “See you Sullivan.”
“See you?” she raised an eyebrow. “Sam said he didn’t think you were coming back.”
“Well, Sammy’s Sammy.” Dean grinned. “I like having a home base, even if I have to put up with an annoying freshman.”
Chloe laughed. “Well, then I will see you.”
Dean patted her on the shoulder before walking out the house and climbing into the Impala. He waved through the car window with a large cheesy grin before he pulled away.
*
There was silence in the Impala. Dean drove, while Sam sat stiffly next to him.
“Alright?” Dean asked tentatively. Sam glared at him. “Missing Chloe?”
“So,” Sam said, frowning. “Dad’s sending us to Indiana to hunt this thing before another couple vanishes?”
Dean grinned at how he had avoided the question. “Yahtzee!” he exclaimed. “Can you imagine putting together a pattern like this? All the different obits Dad had to go through? The man’s a master.” He smirked. “If we had his skills, we’d have been out of Smallville a long time ago.”
Sam grimaced before grabbing the steering wheel from Dean and turning the car towards the side of the road.
Dean pressed the breaks, stopping the car, before staring at Sam in anger. “What the hell are you doing?”
“We’re not going to Indiana.” Sam said.
“God, Sammy, you’re not thinking of going back to Smallville are you?” Dean asked, confused.
“No. We’re going to California.”
Dean watched, shocked as Sam opened the boot and grabbed his bag. “Why?”
“Dad called from a payphone. Sacramento area code.”
“Sam.”
“Dean, if this demon killed mom and Jess, and Dad’s closing in, we’ve got to be there.” Sam said sounding choked with tears. “We’ve got to help.”
“Dad doesn’t want our help.”
“I don’t care.”
“He’s given us an order.” Shouted Dean.
“I don’t care.” Sam said back with a similar tone. “We don’t always have to do what he says. You don’t see Chloe obeying Gabe’s every order.”
“Sam, Dad is asking us to work jobs, to save lives. It’s important.”
“Alright.” Sam said, exasperated. “I understand, believe me, I understand. But I’m talking one week here. One week to get some answers, to get revenge.”
“Alright, I know how you feel.” Dean said slowly.
“Do you?” snarled Sam. “How old were you when mom died? Four? Jess died seven months ago. How the hell would you know how I feel?”
“Dad said it wasn’t safe. For any of us, I mean, he obviously knows something that we don’t so if he says stay away, we stay away.”
“I don’t understand the blind faith you have in the man.” Sam growled. “It’s like you don’t even question him.”
“It’s called being a good son.” Sam tightened his grip on the bag and Dean curled his lip with anger. “You’re a selfish bastard, you know that? You just do what you want; don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
“That’s what you really think?” asked Sam.
“Yes, it is.”
“Well, then this selfish bastard is going to California.” He pulled on his backpack, turning and walking away from his brother.
“Come on, you’re not serious.” Dean said, watching in shock.
“I’m serious.”
“It’s the middle of the night.” Yelled Dean. “Hey, I’m taking off. I will leave your ass, you hear me?”
Sam turned to face his brother, standing away from him. “That’s what I want you to do.”
Dean gazed at his brother with slight horror, before turning, closing the boot and sliding into the front seat of the Impala. “Goodbye, Sam.”
Sam watched as he drove away.
*
The sign read Scotty’s Diner. Dean glanced inside, seeing the friendly looking host, and grabbed some flyers that he had printed off.
He stepped inside. “Let me guess.” He said loudly. “Scotty.”
The portly man smiled. “Yup.”
“Hi.” Dean grinned. “My name’s John Bonham.”
Scotty frowned. “Isn’t that the drummer for Led Zeppelin?”
Dean blinked. “Wow.” He said slowly. “Good. Classic rock fan.”
Scotty smiled again. “What can I do for you John?”
Dean grimaced, taking two pieces of papers out of his pocket. “I was wondering, if, uh, you’d seen some friends of mine?”
He passed the fliers to Scotty. “Sorry.” Scotty answered. “Who are they?”
“Friends of mine.” Dean said. “They went missing about a year ago. They passed through somewhere round here, and I’ve already asked around Scottsburg and Salem.”
Scotty looked at him, before his open expression suddenly became reserved. “We don’t get many strangers around here.”
Dean nodded, a bit nervous of the man’s expression. “Scotty.” He said jokingly, trying to make the man laugh. “You’ve got a smile that lights up a room. Anybody ever tell you that?” Scotty stared at him and Dean chuckled. “Never mind. See you around.”
Dean shook his head, annoyed as he walked out of the diner, opening the door to the Impala. He groaned, leaning his head against the steering wheel in frustration.”
*
Sam frowned when he spotted a woman sitting by the road, a large bag beside her. She was bouncing her head along in time to the loud music she was playing loudly through her speakers.
“Hey.” Sam said.
She ignored him. Sam frowned, walking closer and laying a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, turning to him as she took out her earphones. Sam glanced at her quickly, noting her short blonde hair and wide smile.
He grinned back. “You scared the hell out of me.” She said jokingly.
“I’m sorry.” Sam said, glancing at her. “I just thought you might need some help.”
“No, I’m good, thanks.” She smiled at him.
“So where are you headed?” Sam asked, dumping his bag and sitting next to her.
“No offense,” she paused. “But there’s no way I’m telling you.”
Sam laughed. “Why not?”
“You could be some kind of freak.” She looked him up and down. “I mean, you are hitchhiking.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “So are you.”
She laughed, holding her thumb out as a van came down the road. The van honked before pulling over.
A middle-aged man leant out the open door. “Need a ride?”
“Yeah.” The two hitch-hikers answered.
The driver looked at Sam. “Just her. I ain’t taking you.”
Sam watched, shocked as the girl gathered her things and climbed into the van. “You trust a shady van driver and not me?”
She grinned. “Definitely.”
She closed the door and the van drove off. Sam groaned, slumping down by the road. He groaned, reaching for his phone and flicking down the contacts. He stopped at Dean’s name, frowning, before going up and hovering over Chloe’s name instead.
He pressed the green button, listening as her phone rang. He almost hung up, but then Chloe picked up.
“Sam!” she said. “Why are you calling?”
“Are you busy?” he asked.
“No.” he could hear her grinning. “Just last time you went on a … hunt, you were far too busy to talk to little old me.”
“Well… I’m not with Dean right now.”
“What?” she giggled. “Where is he then?”
Sam frowned. “Probably in Burkitsville.”
“What?” Sam grimaced. “Then where are you?”
“On a road somewhere.”
“What?”
“Hitchhiking.”There was silence on the other end of the phone and Sam gripped his tightly. “Chloe? I just want to find Dad.”
“Sam…” she sighed. “I completely understand.”
Sam snapped. “No! Chloe, you don’t! You don’t understand!” he choked. “He could die! I need to find him.”
“Sam…”
“I need answers… for Jess.”
More silence.
“Sam.” Sam closed his eyes, breathing heavily. “I don’t know much about Jess… so I’m guessing you don’t want to talk about her.”
“She’s dead.”
Chloe gulped. “I don’t know how it feels when someone you care about…” she paused. “Loved… dies.” Sam shook quietly as he listened to her. “But I do know what it feels like to look for someone and not find them.”
“No…” he protested weakly.
“Sam, I’ve been looking for mom since she left.” Chloe sobbed slightly. “If I ever got a call from her, of course I’d run off to find her.”
“So you know why…” Sam spoke quietly, alone on the highway. “..You know I have to do this.”
“I just think that if your dad told you to do this… he wants you to save the couples and not chase him.”
Sam growled. “Chloe…”
“I’m not telling you what to do.” she whispered. “But Dean obviously trusts your dad enough to do this, and you should too. There’s probably a reason he wants you in Burkitsville, not California.”
Sam sat, silent for a few seconds before slamming the phone closed.
“You don’t understand.” he said, standing up and hoisting the bag over his shoulders, starting to walk down the road.
*
“You sure they didn’t stop for gas or anything?” Dean asked, the flyer clenched in his hand as the man gazed at the people in the photo.
“Nope, I don’t remember ‘em.” The man said, watching Dean. “You said they were friends of yours?”
“That’s right.”
The man almost spoke, and then paused, turning to watch a girl walk down the stairs, carrying some boxes.
“Did he have a tattoo?” she asked and Dean inconspicuously glanced at the photo.
“Yes, he did.” Dean grinned.
The girl turned to what Dean assumed was her parents. “You remember?” Dean smirked. “They were married.”
The man frowned, quickly schooling his face into a look of realisation. “You’re right.” He glanced at his wife. “They did stop for gas. But they weren’t here for more than ten minutes.”
Dean sighed. “You remember anything else?”
“I told ‘em how to get to the Interstate. They left town.”
“Could you point me in that same direction?” Dean asked, frowning.
“Sure.”
An hour later, Dean was driving down the road, frowning as he gazed into the distance. He couldn’t see anything vaguely bad that could be causing the disappearances.
Suddenly his phone began to ring and he frowned, pulling over. He grabbed his phone, flipping it over.
“Hello?” he growled.
“Dean?” it was a Chloe, and she sounded like she’d been crying.
“What?” his voice softened. “Look, I’m a bit busy Chloe but, what do you want?”
“If you’re busy…” she paused. “Well, I don’t what happened with you and Sam but you need to make up and get him back to Burkitsville. He’s being a moron.”
Dean grinned. “Well, yeah, but that’s Sammy.” he listened to Chloe’s weak giggles. “Sometimes I wonder how he got into Stanford.”
“Stanford?”
“Of course, Stanford’s for geeks, so I dragged him with me.” Dean laughed. “Took some persuading but, look at him now.”
“Dean?” she paused. “Look at him now?”
“Yeah. Now he’s still a geek, but at least he’s got a gun on him.”
She laughed slightly. “Dean?” she asked again. “Who’s Jess?”
Dean frowned. “Where did you hear that?”
“She’s dead isn’t she?” She asked. “Who is she?”
Dean gaped, unsure what to say, and then he frowned, hearing a buzzing from the backseat. “Look, Chloe, I have to go.”
“What?” she gasped. “But Dean…”
“Look, it’s probably best that Sam tells you.” Dean said, before hanging up and bending into the backseat. He rummaged through his bag, grabbing the EMF. It was beeping frantically.
He sighed, getting out the car and locking it. He looked through the trees, before grimacing and starting to push through the orchard. Holding the EMF out in front of him, he walked into a small clearing. In the centre was a scarecrow. Dean stared at it, moving closer so that he could see its face.
“Dude.” he winced. “You’re fugly.”
Dean looked more carefully at it, his eyes tracing the sickle in the scarecrow’s hand. As his gaze moved onto the scarecrows arm, he paused, spotting a strange design on it. Grimacing, he looked round, spotting a ladder leaning against a tree.
He grabbed it, adjusting it so that it balanced against the scarecrow before climbing up. He flinched at the scarecrow’s face before moving the sleeve of its shirt so that he could see its arm. He stared at the pattern and then pulled the missing persons flyer from his jacket.
The symbols matched.
“Nice tat.” Dean growled, climbing back down the ladder and returning back through the orchard and into the Impala.
He started the engine and turned, heading back into Burkitsville.
Eventually, he pulled up at the gas station, stepping out the car and catching sight of the young girl from before. She was standing by the gas pumps, staring at him.
“You’re back?” she asked.
“Never left.”
Dean noticed the nametag hanging round her neck and grinned. “You mind filling her up there, Emily?” She nodded, grabbing a pump and starting to fill up the tank of the Impala. “So, you grew up here?”
She nodded again. “I came here when I was thirteen. I lost my parents.” she paused. “Car accident. My aunt and uncle took me in.”
“They’re nice people.”
Emily sighed. “Everyone’s nice here.”
“So, what, it’s like the perfect little town?”
“Well, you, it’s the boonies.” she smiled slightly. “But I love it. I mean the towns around us; people are losing their homes, their farms. But here, it’s almost like we’re blessed.”
Dean watched her take the pump out of the Impala. “Hey, you been to the orchard?” he asked. “You seen the scarecrow?”
“Yeah.” she glanced at him. “It creeps me out.”
Dean laughed. “Whose is it?”
“I don’t know.” she grinned. “It’s just always been there.”
Dean frowned, gazing round the community and wondering what was going on with the scarecrow. His eyebrow furrowed as he spotted a red van, something that hadn’t been there earlier. “That your aunt and uncles?”
“Customer.” Emily told him. “Had some car troubles.”
“It’s a not a couple, is it?” he asked. “A guy and girl?”
Emily nodded, and Dean frowned with worry, peering through the shop windows as he attempted to see the couple.
“Well, thanks.” he said, handing her a tip and getting back into the Impala.
*
“Sorry,” the clerk said, staring at Sam. “The Sacramento bus doesn’t run again til tomorrow.” She moved her gaze from his face and checked the schedule. “5.05 pm.”
Sam groaned. “Tomorrow?” he asked. “There’s got to be another way.”
She frowned. “Well, there is. Buy a car.”
Sam shot her an annoyed look before turning away from her, quickly glancing round the bus station. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, considering calling Dean and going to Burkitsville.
“Hey.”
Sam looked around, confused, spotting someone waving at him. His eyes widened in recognition and he put away his phone, striding over towards the blonde girl.
“Hey.” he greeted.
“You again.” she said.
“What happened to your ride?” he asked the hitchhiker.
“You were right.” she grinned at him. “That guy was shady. He was all hands.” Sam raised an eyebrow. “I cut him loose.” Sam zoned out, glancing round the room, disappointed that he couldn’t get to his dad, to California. She waved a hand in front of his eyes. “What’s the matter?”
“Just trying to get to California.” Sam sighed.
“No way.” she breathed, surprised.
“Yeah.”
“Me too.” she stood up, the top of her head at the same level as Sam’s shoulders. “You know the next bus isn’t until tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” Sam groaned. “That’s the problem.”
“Why?” she asked. “What’s in Cali that’s so important?”
Sam glanced at her, trying to decide how much he could trust her. “Just something I’ve been looking for.” he told her. “For a long time.”
“Well then, I’m sure it can wait one more day, right?” she grinned. Sam laughed. She extended her hand towards him and Sam grabbed it, shaking it. “I’m Meg.”
“Sam.”
*
Dean sat in the Impala, watching the new couple sitting in Scotty’s Diner. He frowned as Scotty handed them some pie, walking away from them. Dean frowned, finally getting out the car and stalking into the diner.
“Hey, Scotty.” he grinned. “Can I get a coffee, black?” Scotty turned towards him, a strange expression on his face. “Oh, and some of that pie too, while you’re at it.” Dean sat down on the table next to the couples, watching them carefully. “How you doing?” he asked them and they smiled politely, waving at him. “Just passing through?”
“Road trip.” the girl grinned.
“Yeah, me too.” Dean told them.
They nodded courteously, watching as Scotty refilled their cider and turned to Dean. “I’m sure these people want to eat in peace.”
“Just a friendly conversation.” Scotty growled, almost inaudibly, before leaving. “Oh, and that coffee too man. Thanks.” Scotty fidgeted, Dean turning back to the couple. “So what brings you to town?”
“We just stopped for gas.” the girl smiled again, seeming more eager to talk to Dean than her boyfriend. “And, um, the guy at the gas station saved our lives.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah, one of our brake lines was leaking.” said the man. “We had no idea. He was fixing it for us.”
Dean scowled, concerned. “Nice people.”
“Yeah.”
“So, how long until you’re up and running?”
“Sundown.”
“Really?” Dean concentrated for a minute, looking at the couple in confusion. “To fix a brake line?” The man nodded. “I mean, you know, I know a thing or two about cars. I could probably have you up and running in about an hour. I wouldn’t charge you anything.”
The girl glanced at him. “You know thanks a lot, but I think we’d rather have a mechanic do it.”
Dean grimaced. “Sure, I know.” he paused. “It’s just that these roads. They’re not real safe at night.”
“I’m sorry?”
“I know it sounds strange, but, uh - you might be in danger.”
The man rolled his eyes, looking annoyed. “Look, we’re trying to eat, okay?”
“Yeah.” Dean sighed, disappointed. “You know, my brother could give you this puppy dog look and you’d just buy right into it.”
He stared at the table, hearing the bell ring as the door opened and Scotty came out from a back room.
“Thanks for coming, Sheriff.” Scotty said.
Dean tensed, his eyes darting to Scotty and the Sheriff, and then he growled in frustration. Scotty smirked, whispering something in the Sheriff’s ear and pointing at Dean. The Sheriff nodded and walked over.
“I’d like a word please.”
“Come on.” Dean muttered. “I’m having a bad day already.”
“You know what would make it worse?” The Sheriff asked, having heard him. Dean nodded slowly, standing up and walking out of the diner.
The Sheriff escorted him to his car, then followed him out of Burkitsville, ensuring he didn’t come back.
Dean cursed, watching as the Sheriff finally turned back to Burkitsville.
*
Chloe arrived at the Beanery, one hand gripped around her phone. She glanced round, hoping for a sight of Clark.
He saw her first, waving to her. She grinned, running over. Then she frowned, noting that Lana Lang was with him.
“What are you doing here?” Chloe asked, trying not to sound upset.
“She’s upset.” Clark answered for Lana. “The old guy she was supposed to be looking after has gone missing.”
Chloe stared at Lana in shock. “What?” Lana sniffled. “You were working with the old people, like Clark and Pete?”
Lana nodded, and Chloe cast an exasperated look at Clark. He shrugged innocently, putting a hand on Chloe’s arm and leading her into the coffee shop.
“Lana.” Chloe said, looking at the ex-cheerleader. “It’s not your fault.”
Lana stared at her in shock as they slid into subsequent seats, Clark opposite the girls. “Do you know anyone who’s lost an entire old person in a wheelchair?”
“No.” Chloe laughed as Lana shot her a glare. “That’s pretty impressive, even by Smallville standards.”
“Maybe he was kidnapped.” suggested Clark.
“Who’d want to kidnap Harry?” Lana whined. “He’s just a harmless old man.”
Chloe grinned, leaning towards Clark. “Maybe a koi turned into a piranha and ate him.”
Clark smiled, shaking his head at Chloe’s joke. Lana just watched them, not sure what Chloe was talking about.
“You asked for my help.” Chloe raised her hands, her eyes wide. “I’m just thinking outside the box.”
“I like your theory.” said a boy opposite them and Chloe frowned. Clark looked annoyed that someone had eavesdropped, turning to look at the blonde boy.
“You know,” snarled Chloe. “You might want to work on your eavesdropping skills.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “Sorry. I’m new in town.” Chloe nodded slowly. “I just heard this is where young people congregate.”
Lana smiled, her hand covering her mouth as she tried to conceal her giggles. Chloe grimaced.
“Yeah.” she said, sarcastically. “We congregate here often.”
Clark glared at Chloe quickly, turning round in his seat to face the man. He held his hand out for a handshake but the man ignored him.
“Hi, I’m Clark.” he smiled. “The rude one’s Chloe and this is.…”
“Lana Lang.” he interrupted and Lana stared in surprise. “The nametag was a big clue.”
Lana looked down, seeing that she was still wearing her stick-on nametag from earlier that day.
“So…good luck finding your missing old person.”
Chloe exchanged uncomfortable glances with Lana, glad when the man was distracted by the waitress.
“Enjoy your coffee.” she said, amused. “They brought it in by burro this morning.”
“Thanks honey.” said the boy. “You’re a doll.”
Lana’s eyes widened and she stood up with a glance at the boy. Chloe joined her, and they walked out. “Are we leaving because of the weirdo?” she asked.
Lana nodded, allowing Clark to put a hand on her shoulder. Chloe stared. “Well, bye guys.” she grinned slightly. “I have to make a few calls and I’ll look into Harry.”
Lana smiled, waving goodbye as Clark nodded.
Chloe walked away from them, rubbed her eyes before sighing. She couldn’t believe Clark was hanging out with Lana. She knew he liked her but she never expected anything to happen.
*
“So, what, are you some kind of vacation or something?” Sam asked, watching as Meg laughed.
“Yeah, right.” She laughed, and Sam joined in. “No, I had to get away from my family.”
“Why?”
“I love my parents. And they wanted what’s best for me.” she glanced at Sam, who was watching her intently. “They just didn’t care if I wanted it. I was supposed to be smart. But not smart enough to scare away a husband.” Sam smiled. “It’s just … because my family said so, I was supposed to sit there and do what I was told. So I just went on my own way instead.” Sam watched her, amazed she trusted him. “I’m sorry. The things you say to people you hardly know.”
“No. It’s okay.” Sam held his phone tightly. “Remember that brother I mentioned, that I was road-tripping with.” Meg nodded. “It’s kind of the same deal.”
“And that’s why you’re not road-tripping with him anymore.” Sam nodded, grinning as Meg raised her beer bottle. “Here’s to us. The food might be bad and the beds might be hard. But at least we’re living our own lives. And nobody else’s!”
Sam tapped his own bottle against hers, drinking deeply.
*
Dean heard the screaming before he saw the red van. He swore, pulling over and leaping out the car. He grabbed his shotgun, pelting through the orchard until he saw the scarecrow chasing the couple.
“Get back to your car!” he shouted, and they stopped, turning to see the scarecrow approaching them. “Go! Go!” They started running again, past Dean, who cocked his gun and shot the scarecrow.
It stumbled but kept walking toward him. Dean cursed, turning to run, shooting one more time. He caught up with the couple, shooting a few more rounds over his shoulder. “Go!” he yelled, panting until they stumbled out to the road.
“What the hell was that?” the man asked, panting.
“Don’t ask."
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