Ghost Town - Magnificent 7/Supernatural - 5/8
Title: Ghost Town (5/8)
Author: strangevisitor7
Beta: Lyl_Devil and Pen37
Rated: PG-13
Fandom: Supernatural & The Magnificent 7 (TV series)
Characters: Sam and Dean Winchester; The Seven: Chris Larabee, Buck Wilmington, Vin Tanner, Ezra Standish, Nathan Jackson, Josiah Sanchez, JD Dunne; OMC - Mathew Tanner
Disclaimer: The characters you know and love all belong to their respective creators. Mathew Tanner is mine
Summary: Sam and Dean Winchester investigate the town of Four Corners and find that the ghosts of six men have been protecting/haunting the town for over a century.
Chapter Summary: After an unsuccessful attempt at salting and burning the six, the Winchesters regroup and try to find another way to deal with the ghosts of Four Corners.
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8
Chapter 5
Dean opened the door to the shabby motel room to see his brother bent over his computer in full research mode. Dropping his keys on the dresser, he settled into the empty chair at the small round table opposite Sam. “Hope you found something because the locals had nothing,” he said by way of greeting.
The day had been a bust. The brothers had gone back to Four Corners in the morning, wanting to get a feel for the town in the daylight, but security was in full force because of the news crews. It seemed the fight to save the town had started to receive some big time media attention and no one was being allowed near the crime scene.
Still, they’d seen enough to recognize that the buildings were in unbelievably good condition considering that most had been abandoned for over a hundred years. Figuring they’d come back later when the media frenzy had died down, the Winchesters returned to Cornerstone where Dean had dropped Sam at the library while he’d gone to check out some of the local hangouts. He figured that some of the old-timers might have more information about the legends than books and old newspapers could provide.
Dean had also wanted to talk to Mathew Tanner again, but the lawyer was scheduled to be in court all day. Frustrated, he’d returned to the motel hoping that Sam had found something worth pursuing.
“Did you find anything on our six ghostly friends?” Dean prompted again when Sam hadn’t responded.
Sam finally looked up and leaned back in his chair. “Only that they’ve never actually hurt anybody. Most of the stories involve people simply being scared off. They were telling the truth. They aren’t dangerous.”
“So say the unnatural spirits.” Dean was unconvinced. “But someday they could be and I aim to prevent that from happening. What about their anchor and what’s keeping them here? Anything on that?”
“Nothing, but I did find something interesting about the town.”
Dean waved a hand in his brother’s direction indicating that he should get on with it.
“Two years ago a land developer - ,” Sam paused to check his notes, “Alex Saunders, appeared on the scene with paperwork indicating that he owned Four Corners, and made immediate plans to demolish it. But I can’t find any record of previous owners. At least not as far back as the 1930’s.”
“So?”
“So, people were shocked. All the news stories from that time indicated that the locals believed that Four Corners was already a preserved site. Except, I’ve found nothing to suggest who was responsible for it.”
“Tanner? He seems pretty vested in keeping it around.” Dean offered.
Sam shook his head. “He’s interviewed in some of the articles and seems as shocked as everyone else; he insisted that the town was, in fact, already a historical site. I checked and the state has no record of the land being classified that way. It’s weird; like until this Saunders guy showed up the town existed in a bubble. People left it alone and no one questioned anything about it.”
“These ghosts have some sort of glamour over the town?” Dean suggested. “Maybe they’re the ones keeping it so well preserved and out of the public eye.”
“The pristine condition is certainly part of the reason everyone thought it already was a historical site and that was most likely due to the ghosts’ presence. As for glamour, I don’t think so. Honestly, I think nobody really thought about who owned the land until the city of Cornerstone grew enough that Four Corners’ proximity made it a desirable location for development,” Sam speculated.
“While this is a fascinating look at New Mexico real estate, it doesn’t tell us what’s keeping them from moving on,” Dean reminded him.
Sam nodded and shrugged indicating that he’d found nothing to help on that front.
Dean scrubbed a hand across the back of his neck trying to find inspiration. “Hey remember that doll we had to burn at your girlfriend’s to get rid of the creepy serial killer ghost girl. Maybe there’s hair or some other body parts floating around that we need to get rid of, too.”
“First, dude, Sarah’s not my girlfriend.”
“Coulda been,” Dean mumbled under his breath.
“Let it go,” Sam insisted. “And second, that was a special case because the doll was made to look like her and captured part of her essence. Think about it Dean; people get hundreds of hair cuts throughout their lives. No way you can burn it all and obviously we don’t need to or we’d never get rid of any ghosts. And as for body parts, they all seemed to have theirs.”
Dean nodded. “Makes sense. So maybe an amulet or some other object that all six are tied to?”
“If there is one, I’d bet Mathew Tanner knows what it is.”
“Except that he’s unavailable.” Suddenly, Dean sat up straighter smiling. “I know who else might know.”
Confusion crossed Sam’s face as he tried to think of anyone else involved who might have this type of information. “Who?”
“The ghosts.” Dean stood and started rummaging through his duffel. He pulled out a deck of cards.
Sam was incredulous. “You’re going to play poker with ghosts and hope they tell you the secret of their existence?”
“I can be very charming when I have to be.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “Only in your own mind.”
“Hey, you got a better idea?” Dean snapped.
Sam dragged his hands through his hair in frustration. “Actually, no.”
******************************************
The town had been deserted when they’d arrived after sunset. It seemed none of the reporters were interested in visiting the ghost town in the dark, so there was no longer any security at the site either.
Dean walked into the darkened saloon. His shotgun held loosely in the crook of his arm as he swept his flashlight around not sure exactly what he was looking for. Suddenly the lights flamed on and the room was illuminated in the soft glow of oil lamps.
“Come to grace us with your presence again, Mr. Winchester?”
Dean swung around to see Ezra holding court over an empty table in the corner of the room. The gambler was manipulating a deck of cards as he leaned back in his chair.
“Call me Dean,” he said as walked over to face the ghost. “I bring a peace offering.” He held forth a bottle of Jack which he set on the table and then pulled his own deck of cards from another pocket in his leather jacket. He laid his shotgun on a neighboring table but well within reach.
Ezra leaned forward to examine the bottle. “You are aware that I cannot imbibe alcohol in my present condition.”
Dean shrugged as he settled into the chair across from the ghost. “I figured it was the thought that counts.”
The gambler eyed the hunter with the gaze of one experienced at reading men and uncovering their tells. He leaned back and chuckled. “Last evening you came into my town and desecrated my grave. You barely spoke directly to any of us and you dispatched young Mr. Dunne because he annoyed you. And yet today here you are offering gifts and companionship. I can only surmise that you think me a fool simply because I am no longer among the living.”
Dean opened and closed his mouth as confusion lined his face when he realized that Ezra had not actually asked him a question. “I figured you might have some interesting stories to tell,” he sputtered out finally. “I’ve never come across such friendly ghosts and- ”
Ezra held up a hand to stop Dean’s ramblings. “I see that you are as articulate as my five companions. It appears that the educational system in this time is as sorely lacking as it was in my own.”
“Hey. I’m just trying to be friendly here. Make up for - you know - trying to dig you up. I can go.” Dean said as he reached for the whiskey in a dramatic gesture indicating he didn’t have to stay.
“Now, now - Dean.” Ezra said emphasizing the use of his first name. “This visit has nothing to do with you wishing to improve our acquaintance or even the challenge of a poker game.” Ezra flourished the deck of playing cards before setting it onto the table. “On the contrary, you wish to learn certain things from me that understandably I have no desire to tell you. Therefore you have to put aside your natural aversion for dealing with the unnatural in order to bluff the desired results from my personage. As I observed yesterday, you sir, can not bluff.”
“What hell did you just say?” Dean snapped, realizing that Ezra had totally sussed out his game plan.
A booming laugh came from his right as Buck Wilmington appeared. “That’s Ezra. Don’t understand half the stuff he says. We just nod and smile most times.”
“I feel the same way about Sam,” Dean grinned. Ezra might be on to him but he figured he’d make the best of the situation. Never knew what they might let slip
Ezra rolled his eyes as he watched the two connect at his expense. “Buck, I simply observed that Mr. Winchester-”
“Dean.”
“Dean - is trying to trick us into telling him how he can remove us from this place. I informed him that I knew what he was up to.” Ezra said patiently as he always did when having to translate his more refined speech for his companions.
“See what I mean.” Buck smiled a big wide open grin that Dean couldn’t help but return. “Even his explanations need explanations.” Buck caught sight of the whiskey bottle. “Do you mind?”
Dean made a gesture indicating that Buck should help himself. “But I thought you couldn’t drink liquids.”
Buck focused and grabbed the bottle. He pulled a glass from somewhere that Dean missed and filled it almost to the rim. “Can’t. But it’s satisfying jus’ ta see it there,” he said as he recapped the bottle and pushed it back over to Dean. “Don’t get me wrong it’s a good after life ‘n all but without whiskey and women well - ,” he shrugged.
“I echo your sentiments, my friend.” Ezra sighed.
Dean nodded sympathetically. “Definitely two things necessary to my definition of the good life.” He found himself genuinely warming to the big man and Ezra too, even though the gambler had an ego the size of Texas. But then again, Dean had always respected men with confidence.
“So,” Buck said as he slapped a hand down on the table breaking their musings about women and whiskey. “You know you ain’t getting rid of us?”
“Well it was worth a shot,” Dean admitted and wondered if Sam was having any more luck with his investigation at the town’s old newspaper offices. “So how about we play some poker, then? You boys can hold the cards right?”
“I shall endeavor to do so,” Ezra said smiling.
“Guess that means yes,” Buck chuckled.
Author: strangevisitor7
Beta: Lyl_Devil and Pen37
Rated: PG-13
Fandom: Supernatural & The Magnificent 7 (TV series)
Characters: Sam and Dean Winchester; The Seven: Chris Larabee, Buck Wilmington, Vin Tanner, Ezra Standish, Nathan Jackson, Josiah Sanchez, JD Dunne; OMC - Mathew Tanner
Disclaimer: The characters you know and love all belong to their respective creators. Mathew Tanner is mine
Summary: Sam and Dean Winchester investigate the town of Four Corners and find that the ghosts of six men have been protecting/haunting the town for over a century.
Chapter Summary: After an unsuccessful attempt at salting and burning the six, the Winchesters regroup and try to find another way to deal with the ghosts of Four Corners.
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8
Chapter 5
Dean opened the door to the shabby motel room to see his brother bent over his computer in full research mode. Dropping his keys on the dresser, he settled into the empty chair at the small round table opposite Sam. “Hope you found something because the locals had nothing,” he said by way of greeting.
The day had been a bust. The brothers had gone back to Four Corners in the morning, wanting to get a feel for the town in the daylight, but security was in full force because of the news crews. It seemed the fight to save the town had started to receive some big time media attention and no one was being allowed near the crime scene.
Still, they’d seen enough to recognize that the buildings were in unbelievably good condition considering that most had been abandoned for over a hundred years. Figuring they’d come back later when the media frenzy had died down, the Winchesters returned to Cornerstone where Dean had dropped Sam at the library while he’d gone to check out some of the local hangouts. He figured that some of the old-timers might have more information about the legends than books and old newspapers could provide.
Dean had also wanted to talk to Mathew Tanner again, but the lawyer was scheduled to be in court all day. Frustrated, he’d returned to the motel hoping that Sam had found something worth pursuing.
“Did you find anything on our six ghostly friends?” Dean prompted again when Sam hadn’t responded.
Sam finally looked up and leaned back in his chair. “Only that they’ve never actually hurt anybody. Most of the stories involve people simply being scared off. They were telling the truth. They aren’t dangerous.”
“So say the unnatural spirits.” Dean was unconvinced. “But someday they could be and I aim to prevent that from happening. What about their anchor and what’s keeping them here? Anything on that?”
“Nothing, but I did find something interesting about the town.”
Dean waved a hand in his brother’s direction indicating that he should get on with it.
“Two years ago a land developer - ,” Sam paused to check his notes, “Alex Saunders, appeared on the scene with paperwork indicating that he owned Four Corners, and made immediate plans to demolish it. But I can’t find any record of previous owners. At least not as far back as the 1930’s.”
“So?”
“So, people were shocked. All the news stories from that time indicated that the locals believed that Four Corners was already a preserved site. Except, I’ve found nothing to suggest who was responsible for it.”
“Tanner? He seems pretty vested in keeping it around.” Dean offered.
Sam shook his head. “He’s interviewed in some of the articles and seems as shocked as everyone else; he insisted that the town was, in fact, already a historical site. I checked and the state has no record of the land being classified that way. It’s weird; like until this Saunders guy showed up the town existed in a bubble. People left it alone and no one questioned anything about it.”
“These ghosts have some sort of glamour over the town?” Dean suggested. “Maybe they’re the ones keeping it so well preserved and out of the public eye.”
“The pristine condition is certainly part of the reason everyone thought it already was a historical site and that was most likely due to the ghosts’ presence. As for glamour, I don’t think so. Honestly, I think nobody really thought about who owned the land until the city of Cornerstone grew enough that Four Corners’ proximity made it a desirable location for development,” Sam speculated.
“While this is a fascinating look at New Mexico real estate, it doesn’t tell us what’s keeping them from moving on,” Dean reminded him.
Sam nodded and shrugged indicating that he’d found nothing to help on that front.
Dean scrubbed a hand across the back of his neck trying to find inspiration. “Hey remember that doll we had to burn at your girlfriend’s to get rid of the creepy serial killer ghost girl. Maybe there’s hair or some other body parts floating around that we need to get rid of, too.”
“First, dude, Sarah’s not my girlfriend.”
“Coulda been,” Dean mumbled under his breath.
“Let it go,” Sam insisted. “And second, that was a special case because the doll was made to look like her and captured part of her essence. Think about it Dean; people get hundreds of hair cuts throughout their lives. No way you can burn it all and obviously we don’t need to or we’d never get rid of any ghosts. And as for body parts, they all seemed to have theirs.”
Dean nodded. “Makes sense. So maybe an amulet or some other object that all six are tied to?”
“If there is one, I’d bet Mathew Tanner knows what it is.”
“Except that he’s unavailable.” Suddenly, Dean sat up straighter smiling. “I know who else might know.”
Confusion crossed Sam’s face as he tried to think of anyone else involved who might have this type of information. “Who?”
“The ghosts.” Dean stood and started rummaging through his duffel. He pulled out a deck of cards.
Sam was incredulous. “You’re going to play poker with ghosts and hope they tell you the secret of their existence?”
“I can be very charming when I have to be.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “Only in your own mind.”
“Hey, you got a better idea?” Dean snapped.
Sam dragged his hands through his hair in frustration. “Actually, no.”
******************************************
The town had been deserted when they’d arrived after sunset. It seemed none of the reporters were interested in visiting the ghost town in the dark, so there was no longer any security at the site either.
Dean walked into the darkened saloon. His shotgun held loosely in the crook of his arm as he swept his flashlight around not sure exactly what he was looking for. Suddenly the lights flamed on and the room was illuminated in the soft glow of oil lamps.
“Come to grace us with your presence again, Mr. Winchester?”
Dean swung around to see Ezra holding court over an empty table in the corner of the room. The gambler was manipulating a deck of cards as he leaned back in his chair.
“Call me Dean,” he said as walked over to face the ghost. “I bring a peace offering.” He held forth a bottle of Jack which he set on the table and then pulled his own deck of cards from another pocket in his leather jacket. He laid his shotgun on a neighboring table but well within reach.
Ezra leaned forward to examine the bottle. “You are aware that I cannot imbibe alcohol in my present condition.”
Dean shrugged as he settled into the chair across from the ghost. “I figured it was the thought that counts.”
The gambler eyed the hunter with the gaze of one experienced at reading men and uncovering their tells. He leaned back and chuckled. “Last evening you came into my town and desecrated my grave. You barely spoke directly to any of us and you dispatched young Mr. Dunne because he annoyed you. And yet today here you are offering gifts and companionship. I can only surmise that you think me a fool simply because I am no longer among the living.”
Dean opened and closed his mouth as confusion lined his face when he realized that Ezra had not actually asked him a question. “I figured you might have some interesting stories to tell,” he sputtered out finally. “I’ve never come across such friendly ghosts and- ”
Ezra held up a hand to stop Dean’s ramblings. “I see that you are as articulate as my five companions. It appears that the educational system in this time is as sorely lacking as it was in my own.”
“Hey. I’m just trying to be friendly here. Make up for - you know - trying to dig you up. I can go.” Dean said as he reached for the whiskey in a dramatic gesture indicating he didn’t have to stay.
“Now, now - Dean.” Ezra said emphasizing the use of his first name. “This visit has nothing to do with you wishing to improve our acquaintance or even the challenge of a poker game.” Ezra flourished the deck of playing cards before setting it onto the table. “On the contrary, you wish to learn certain things from me that understandably I have no desire to tell you. Therefore you have to put aside your natural aversion for dealing with the unnatural in order to bluff the desired results from my personage. As I observed yesterday, you sir, can not bluff.”
“What hell did you just say?” Dean snapped, realizing that Ezra had totally sussed out his game plan.
A booming laugh came from his right as Buck Wilmington appeared. “That’s Ezra. Don’t understand half the stuff he says. We just nod and smile most times.”
“I feel the same way about Sam,” Dean grinned. Ezra might be on to him but he figured he’d make the best of the situation. Never knew what they might let slip
Ezra rolled his eyes as he watched the two connect at his expense. “Buck, I simply observed that Mr. Winchester-”
“Dean.”
“Dean - is trying to trick us into telling him how he can remove us from this place. I informed him that I knew what he was up to.” Ezra said patiently as he always did when having to translate his more refined speech for his companions.
“See what I mean.” Buck smiled a big wide open grin that Dean couldn’t help but return. “Even his explanations need explanations.” Buck caught sight of the whiskey bottle. “Do you mind?”
Dean made a gesture indicating that Buck should help himself. “But I thought you couldn’t drink liquids.”
Buck focused and grabbed the bottle. He pulled a glass from somewhere that Dean missed and filled it almost to the rim. “Can’t. But it’s satisfying jus’ ta see it there,” he said as he recapped the bottle and pushed it back over to Dean. “Don’t get me wrong it’s a good after life ‘n all but without whiskey and women well - ,” he shrugged.
“I echo your sentiments, my friend.” Ezra sighed.
Dean nodded sympathetically. “Definitely two things necessary to my definition of the good life.” He found himself genuinely warming to the big man and Ezra too, even though the gambler had an ego the size of Texas. But then again, Dean had always respected men with confidence.
“So,” Buck said as he slapped a hand down on the table breaking their musings about women and whiskey. “You know you ain’t getting rid of us?”
“Well it was worth a shot,” Dean admitted and wondered if Sam was having any more luck with his investigation at the town’s old newspaper offices. “So how about we play some poker, then? You boys can hold the cards right?”
“I shall endeavor to do so,” Ezra said smiling.
“Guess that means yes,” Buck chuckled.