The two men sat slumped upon leather stools beside each other. The one with a shaggy mop of brown hair tilted a newspaper article he had ripped out the day before. The short spiky blonde cradled a tall bottle of beer, his eyes on the grubby counter before looking to his brother, Sam. They’d been on the road for awhile now, and he could see its wear on his younger brother’s face. Still, he had never been the same since that night. Dean didn’t enjoy seeing him like this, but he wouldn’t dwell on it. Not when there’s work to do. Not when there are things to kill.
“Sammy boy. Whatcha got for us?” Dean asked, his low deep voice sounded almost like a rumble, taking a swig of his sweet drink, waiting for an answer.
“Bodies.” Sam mumbled, curling the article so that the printed text was hard to read. He paused watching the confused glare from his brother in the corner of his eye. “This report says there have been quite a few mysterious deaths in these parts.” These parts meaning respectfully South Eastern Wisconsin. Sam hadn’t enjoyed the cold weather, but Dean was all for the splendid alcohol variety. “More importantly, they were all drained of blood.”
“So, are we dealing with vampires?” Dean suggested, keeping his eyes on his brother while he brought up the rip of the cool glass to his lip and lightly dipping the liquid into his mouth. He would be definitely in for staking some bloodsuckers. His lips curled with the thought.
“Maybe.” Sam replied while he thought silently, thinking of what other creatures could be lurking in the cold streets of this city. He lowered the clipping onto the dirty dark glass counter, placing it perpendicular to the edge. “Could be a demon, could be some crazy kids doing some sort of ritual.”
Dean grumbled, his hand lifted to wipe at his face. They were both worn out from the ride and would still need to find a hotel room before they fell asleep at the bar. He was just about to drag him and his kid brother to get his rest when a scream echoed through the dingy tavern. Dean’s eyes darted to the back exit, clamping a hand on Sam’s shoulder; he opened the door to a filthy alley. A young woman was held against the dingy brick wall, her eyes wide with fright. A redheaded man pushed against her, his tan hand held tight over her mouth while her shoulders heaved with desperation. Sam’s head popped beside Dean’s and they both moved in.
Stepping fast, Dean grabbed the back of the man’s plaid jacket, whipping around before he planted a powerful fist into his jaw. The man’s eyebrows furrowed a look of disgust on his face for these men before crumpling into a heap beside the bar’s dumpster. Sam kneeled beside the male, his eyes jumping to his condition to the wooden stake that had dropped beside him.
A short sob escaped the woman’s candy-apple red lips, her hands reaching up to her sickly pale face. The peeling green nail polish upon her slender figures matched the color of her fearful eyes that laid above cheeks of faint freckles. A short sweet mop of dark maroon hair framed her solemn face. A string of plastic pearls lay around her neck over a long black t-shirt with an intricate design of a rainbow and roller skate. Her legs shook under the skinny deep blue jeans and soon she fell into the musty corner of the alley, scared stiff. Her eyes dropped to her bright yellow shoes where she sat silently.
Dean squatted next to the thin petite girl who shrunk away when he got closer. He lightly frowned, but her nature didn’t stop him from holding a conversation. “Are you okay?” He questioned, thinking this could be a lead in their case or just another common crime. ‘Let it be a lead. Let it be a lead.’ he thought.
“H-h-he tried to kill me.” Her voice was rocky, leaping up with anxiety. The girl licked her lips quickly, practically not believing it herself. Her head tilted towards where her attacker laid, her eyes waiting for him to spring back for what he had came for.
“And I think I know why.” Sam interrupted, rising from where he kneeled. His eyebrows raised in mild surprise while he held the man’s wooden stake for them to see. He half-smiled knowing they were well on to something.
Dean shuffled back, standing beside his brother. He didn’t have his vast array of weapons on hand but he had enough to make a bloodsucker wench go down. “Good work, Sam.” He patted his brother lightly on the back; Sam was always on top of things.
The girl covered her face with both her hands, quiet cries escaping her fingers. She pushed her back against the wall and eerily slid up it, her arms dropping to her sides. The girl’s mouth opened and closed in shock while she gestured to the unconscious man. This was definitely a bad day. “But he. With the,” Her arm spastically motioned to the wooden stake. “But he was gonna kill me.” She trembled, fingering her stomach where the stake would have been protruding from if it hadn’t been for the blokes.
Sam chuckled, finding the situation humorous. “Dean. Dean. You saved a vampire from a vampire hunter. Oh man.” He grinned, scratching at his chin watching his brother become angry.
“Shut up, man.” He glared menacingly at his laughing partner; he wouldn’t let him get away with that. Dean moved closer to the girl with hesitation, instinctly she slid away from him. Her shoes shuffled over still burning cigarettes and broken bottles. Dean scoffed at her pathetic attempt to save herself before pinning her arms to the wall. The girl’s tiny frame moved jerkily to the left and right, but was easily pushed back by the man. She could feel his eyes on her, his blood surging through his veins, the beat of his human heart.
Sam moved forward frowning, urging Dean to let go. “Dean. C’mon. Don’t be so harsh. She’s a nervous wreck, bro.” Dean glared over at his brother, staring at the wooden stake that he still clutched. Sam followed his stare and shook his head furiously knowing his brother’s intentions. The girl craned her neck curiously, wishing she hadn’t.
“I didn’t do anything, I swear. I didn’t hurt anyone. I just wanna go home.” She pleaded, her body wiggling under his grip. She didn’t deserve this, did she? ‘Well, he thinks so.’ she thought, grumbling. She should have just stayed home. None of this would’ve happened. She should’ve just watched that history special on Civil War hookers.
Dean eyed Sam for a moment before letting himself snap at the girl. “You are our problem, missy. Too many bodies are showing up because of your kind, you bloodsucking b***h.” He scoffed at the girl, pushing himself away, disgusted with her nature. She in reply, crossed her arms over her chest looking at the remnants of a brochure that lay on the ground. Would they let her leave? Why was she their problem? These guys must be the vigilante type, taking care of evil. Like her. The girl cleared her throat, coughing lightly before muttering, “There’s prolly even more in that great lake of ours.”
Dean shot a glare of disgust at the girl and opened his mouth to say something, but the girl blurted before he could. “I’ll tell you, kay? I say that you buds get yer info and I leave here in one piece.” Her bright red lower lip pouted out, hoping they’d accept. Sam glanced at his brother, her generosity was suspicious.
“We don’t make deals with your kind.” Sam answered, keeping a safe distance from the girl with his brother. They seemed tense, expecting her to attack but she just stood there scowling. The girl took a big breath, letting her thumb trace up her jaw line where two fingers pressed upon her temple in thought. Her head tilted to the edge of the building that made the alley’s left wall. “So, how about you-” Dean began to suggest, before the girl shot a look at him, her eyes wide. She took her right hand and motioned across her neck wildly in an effort to silence them. The brother exchanged glances, eyebrows raised at her strange behavior. The girl seeing they had kept quiet looked back up at the sky expecting something. Soon enough, a man jumped effortlessly down. His dark short brown curls shook as he landed, grinning mischievously at the girl beside him.
“David, I’m busy. Get outta here.” The girl began to shoo him away, but he didn’t budge. That smirk stayed plastered on his face, while he looked at the brothers from the corner of his clear blue eyes. He leaned back surveying her catch, subconsciously brushing at his dusty brown vest. “I can see that, “he remarked, chuckling. He moved closer to the brothers, tilting his head to his friend. “Can I have one, Mar? Share the wealth, girl. Lemme take him.” He prodded his chin toward the younger brother who had a surprised look on his face. As soon as David had said it, Dean had stepped forward pushing him back with both hands. David stumbled back, his mouth a perfect “o”. The girl rolled her eyes at her clumsy friend, sighing with frustration. He should’ve just kept to his own business.
“No. No. Forget it. I want the feisty one. Please, girl. I’ll give ya. Give ya. Give ya.” David muttered, trying to think of a possession that would be worth anything to his bud. “I’ll give ya. Just whatever you want.” He turned his head, opening his mouth to display his hungry fangs that waited for an acceptance so he could take the delicious blonde home.
The girl cocked her pretty little head, maroon bangs falling into her eyes as she contemplated his deal. She could sense the fright in Sam of losing his brother, the fury in Dean of some twerp taking a go at him. Neither changed her decision. Her arm extended as her cold slender hand gripped the back of David’s neck, pulling him closer to her. “I told you. They’re mine. Get the hell out of here. I’ll see you. Later.” She whispered hastily, her chilling breath lashing upon his ill-looking skin. She released her grasp, forcing him away from her. His head bobbled around, mocking her in his head. David turned to look at her, sticking out his fat tongue before beginning to walk away. He stopped in front of the brothers, breaking out a fake smile while he remarked. “Have fun,” He paused, then forced out with energy. “Dying.” The brothers looked at each other, wondering what they had gotten into. The curly-haired man stopped by the hunter laying cold on the alley’s floor. He cracked a smile at his friend, taking a hold of the man’s legs. He flung them over his shoulder, adjusting him with a few heaves before starting off. “Bye, boys. Bye, Mar.” David chuckled loudly, turning a corner where he vanished.
The girl’s hands crumpled into fists dangling on the sides of her body. “David!” She hollered after him, waiting for him to come back, hunter and all. “David! You come right back here!” She let a gust of air escape her lips hurriedly in anger. Blankly, she stared at the brothers who practically stood in the same place the whole time. “Where? Where were we?” She said clearly for once, biting her lip.
“Where were we? Where were we?!” Dean grunted. This girl was unbelievable. First, she acts like a complete victim. She tries to strike a deal, as if she was just a normal kid. Though she wasn’t a kid, she had to be in her early twenties. But even her age was a lie, Dean reminded himself. “Sounded like you were planning to kill us, Mar.”
“Got.” She quickly responded, her right hand stroking the collar of her soft shirt. Her hand quickly moved to her neck massaging the right side of it. She glanced up to see their equal confused looks, before she explained. “Got. Margot.”
“Right.” Sam simply replied, he didn’t know what to think of this girl. She seemed sweet at first, like any other fine girl. But now she had become unpredictable. Even if she wasn’t a danger, they couldn’t trust her. Everything about this Margot was clouded by her race.
Margot quickly wet her lips with her tongue, taking a moment to figure out a way for them to believe her. It’d be a feat. “Oh, c’mon. I wouldn’t do such a thing to you buds. You saved my life. I saved yours. “She paused, noting their silence and continued. “Okay, fine. I saved you from a violent altercation with some freak. Though, in retrospect, I guess that‘s exactly what you wanted, boys. Isn‘t it?” She smiled sweetly, her expression made chills run down Dean’s spine. Her smile felt so wrong on such an evil being.
“Why would you rat out your friend?” Sam asked puzzled, he was too exhausted from the long ride here, from this girl, from everything. Dean had to be strung out as well, though he sure as hell wouldn’t say a thing.
Margot’s hand forced her jaw around, listening to the cracks and clinks as she tried to ease it into place. She wasn’t used to so much conversation in such a little time period. She was used to the glow of her computer screen, the silence of her home. When she had settled herself, her eyes stared sadly into Sam’s responding slowly. “He’s a vampire. I don’t befriend such scum.”
“We’ve wasted enough time with this girl, college boy.” Dean remarked, his lips twisted into a scowl. They had better things than shoot talk back and forth with this ridiculous girl. They needed to catch themselves a hotel room. A comfy warm bed to himself, that’s what he needed. Made of cold beer, he thought. He shook his head lightly, now that was ridiculous. “Let’s go.”
Margot frowned, her hands clenched together beside her face. She wiggled where she stood, watching as they began to remove themselves from the alley. Her left foot stepped forward, her right index finger pointing at the duo. Her eyes were bright as if she’d just understood something for the first time. “Hey.” The girl paused, noticing she had gotten the brothers’ attention. “You want quick? I’ll be quick. Extremely quick.” Her voice picked up into a fast ramble, trying to keep the men where she wanted. “I’ll find whatever you need. I’ll take you wherever you need to go. Just say the word. “She bit her lip, mumbling quietly as her mind reeled for words that would stop them.
The brothers stopped, looking into each other’s eyes. If she was true to her word, they could kill this thing and be out of here in no time. She watched as their lips moved slightly to each other, arguing through harsh whispers.
“She could be a lot of help, Dean. We just have to keep her in her place, make sure she’s not leading us in some trap.” Sam suggested, watching the girl for a moment before nodding at his brother.
Dean heaved the shoulders of his leather jacket, moving them while he consulted what Sam had said. He didn’t like the idea of relying on someone who could drain their bodies if she wished. “Fine. But she never leaves our sight, you understand?” He points his finger at Sam who nods in agreement.
“I understand.” Margot blurted, her sense of hearing gave her insight into a world she hardly lived in. She stepped carefully as if she expected the alley’s floor to crumble under her slender body. Dean looked at her with an agitated look, a scowl twitching at his lips. Her hand extended between the men offering it for a handshake. An excuse for human touch. Dean stared at her wavering hand, disgusted by her attempt to gain their trust. He spit on the dirty cement, turning away to walk out onto the sidewalk that laced the road. It sparkled with bright cars that whizzed past in both directions. He couldn’t believe they would be working with the enemy. He could still kill her in the end, he reminded himself.
Sam shrugged a weak dopey smile on his lips while he met her hand with his own. His tan skin contrasted with her porcelain complexion, but for only a moment. He pulled his hand back sharply, a shocked face meeting her worried one.
“You’re. You’re cold.” Sam mumbled, unexaggerated how icy her fingers had been around the warm back of his hand. Her chapped red lips mouthed a sorry, but he shook his head, brown bangs falling into sweet hazel eyes. He preferred this distant apologetic girl to what merciless soul could be laying just below the surface. “Let’s go.” He walked over to his brother, turning his head to see if she was following and she was. Dean was petting his callous hand along the roof of the black shiny car. Sam leaned his arm elbow beside where his brother’s hand laid. Dean shot him a look of rage to see his brother’s grubby coat brushing against his baby. Sam laughed, raising his hands up in the chilly night air and backing a safe distance from the car until his brother was satisfied.
“Get in the car.” Sam walked over to the other side of the car, sliding into the smooth passenger seat. Dean paused for a moment, eyeing the strange girl he had met tonight. It broke his heart to do what he had to. “You too.” He gestured to the back seat with a weak finger, turning quickly to get in the driver’s seat. Margot complied, shuffling into the middle of the stiff seating so she could see the backs of both of the men’s heads. Her hands wandered around, looking for something. “Hey, don’t touch anything!” The driver yelled, turning around in his seat to watch her.
“Juss lookin’ for the seatbelt.” She muttered, her hands reaching together in her lap while she clicked the shiny squares together. Sam chuckled; finding it ironic the undead girl would worry about safety. His brother didn’t say anything, turning back to turn on the car. It roared like a giant monster while he swerved into the busy road, his stiff eyes darting into the rearview mirror every so often to see what his strange passenger was doing. He only saw her pure green eyes staring back at his own, unblinking. He didn’t like that. Nosirree.
Margot twisted in her seat, her voice fighting over the classic rock that poured out of the car’s speakers. “Where are we going, boys?” Sam turned his head to his brother, wondering the same thing. Dean kept his eyes on the road, his hands clutching the steering wheel. Tall buildings blurred into a line of stony creatures through the glassy windows.
Dean took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “We’re all gonna get a hotel room. Get some sleep. I’m not keeping you outta my sight.” A menacing glare reflected in the rearview mirror. “In the morning, we’ll get on this whole vampire thing.” His eyes bored into the road, glimpsing to try to find a dumpy motel in such a busy city.
The girl pouted her mouth, thinking of something better than to stay in some hotel. She couldn’t hide there. Her eyes jumped, while she talked in a cheery voice. “No, no. That won’t do. Save some bucks and crash at my place.” She grinned, but it faded with the growing silence.
“Let’s.” Sam replied, turning to his brother wishing to sleep in a warm bed or even a comfy couch. Anyone’s home was better than an impersonal room. His mind wandered to what the girl’s house would be like, if she would make them a meal. No, no. He was being selfish.
Dean scoffed, irritated by Sam’s agreeing. “Fine.” His lips pursed, if Sam kept up with this she could be taking care of us next. In the corner of his eyes, he could see the girl’s genuine grin. “Which way?”
* * *