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COUGAR HOUND
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( Red Sky At Morning )
───── ◦'𖥸'◦ ─────
ALLISON was quiet and all she could think about was Chris and beginning to, her friends. She missed him so much but truth is, she didn't want to see him. She knew that he knew she was alive . . . in all honesty, she was pissed but sad. She stayed quiet. Sam and Dean share a look before turning to face the man known as Chris Argent. Bobby stands from his chair and approaches him, "Chris."
"Bobby." Chris greeted him with a handshake, clasping his other hand on top of his and smiled gratefully at him. Bek continued to stare, frozen at the man she once called dad . . . the man that raised her . . . the man who watched her die. "Boys," Bobby turns to the brothers and motions for them to follow him out the door to give the long lost father and daughter some privacy to catch up.
The Argents were speechless. They had no idea what to say to each other. It had almost been ten years since they've spoke, let alone seen each other. "Uh," Allison breathes out, shaking her head and looking down, "How'd you know where to find me?"
"Bobby," Chris replies smoothly as he takes a seat in the chair Bobby once sat in. "I'm sorry, I never called," she says quietly, looking away. "But you already knew that I was alive."
"I know . . . I thought you being with Bobby was for the best, Allison. I didn't think you'd get your memories back." He admits, making her scoff and shake her head.
"I wanted my father. I spent all those years wondering who my father was! What my life was like! Being sad and depressed and you didn't do a damn thing."
"I know." He says quietly. He was ashamed no doubt. "You had an escape out of this life . . . I gave it to you."
"You gave me to a hunter. That wasn't gonna happen and deep down you knew that." She retorts.
He stayed quiet, knowing she was right. He stared at her, admiring how much she had grown. Her hair grown out and was a darker color. She looked more like Victoria than him. She looks up at him and sniffles slightly. No matter how mad she was at him, she couldn't stay mad. She lunged forward and wrapped her arms around him.
"I thought I'd never see you again." He admits in her ear, squeezing her just as tight, if not tighter. She opened her mouth to reply but only a stifled sob came out. Chris gently pushed her away and crawled into the bed next to her, letting her lay against him.
"How long have you had your memories back?" He asks her, stroking her hair gently. "About a month." She replies, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. And then, for the rest of their time together, they spoke on what had been going on in Beacon Hills since she passed. She even told him about her life and the brothers and her job at the Roadhouse. Chris told her everything, but he didn't tell her about how much time he had left.
When Allison was released, she gave him a farewell hug before returning to the brothers who leaned against their car. At the sight of her, Sam runs and meets her halfway, hugging her tightly. "I guess I got my fairytale," she says and makes him chuckle. Dean waited for her at his car and when she saw him, her grin widened and she giggles. She walks up to him and he wraps his arms around her waist picking her up in the air. Chris watched this from afar. He seen how happy she was and how happy the brothers made her. It made him happy as he drove off and back to Beacon Hills. "So," Dean speaks up as he pulls away, "Are you going back with your dad?"
She shakes her head, taking a step back. "My life is here now."
SHE sat in the back of the Impala, fumbling with her hands. "So, I've been waiting since Maple Springs," Dean breaks the silence, "You got something to tell me?" It was obvious who he was speaking too.
"It's not your birthday." Sam trails off.
"No."
"Happy Purim? I don't know. I've got no idea what you're talking —"
"There's a bullet missing from the Colt." Dean cuts him off, "You wanna tell me how that happened?"
Sam makes a noise. "Allison, was it you? I know it wasn't me." Dean says.
"Nope." she shakes her head, popping the 'p'. "So, unless you were shooting at some incredible evil cans . . . You went after her, didn't you? The Crossroads Demon. After I told you not to."
Dean was angry and if made Allison sink in her seat. "Yeah, well . . ." Sam trails off.
"You could've gotten yourself killed!"
"I didn't."
"And you shot her?"
"She was a smartass."
"So, what? Does that mean i'm out of my deal?"
"Don't you think I might have mentioned that little fact? No, someone else holds the contract."
"Who?"
"She wouldn't say."
"Well, we should find out who. Of course, our best lead would be the Crossroads Demon. Oh, wait a minute."
"That's not funny."
"No, it's not! It was a stupid risk, you shouldn't have done it." Dean says.
"I shouldn't have done it?" Sam looks over at him, "You're my brother, Dean. No matter what you do, I'm gonna try and save you. And I'm sure as hell not gonna apologize for it, alright?" Allison pumped a fist in the air, agreeing with Sam.
───── ◦'𖥸'◦ ─────
AN ELDERLY WOMAN HELD a picture of a younger lady who had recently died, "But I don't understand, I already went over all this with the other detectives."
"Right, yes, but see, we're with the Sheriff's department. Not the police department, different departments." Dean struggled, making Allison roll her eyes. "I'm sorry, he's new. So Mrs Case . . ."
"Oh, please. Miss Case." She says, looking over at Sam, with a small smirk. "Miss Case, uhm, you were the one who found your niece, correct?" Allison continued to ask.
"I came home. She was in the shower." Miss Case nods.
"Drowned?" Dean questions.
"So the coroner says. Now, you tell me, how can someone drown in a shower?" Miss Case scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. "And how would you describe Sheila's behavior in the days before her death?" Sam asks and Miss Case looks at him with a confused look, "I mean, did she seem frightened? Maybe she said something out of the ordinary or . . ."
"Wait a minute. You're working with Alex, aren't you?" Miss Case questioned.
The three share a confused look. "Y-yeah. That's right. Alex and us, we're like this." Dean lies, crossing his fingers.
"Why didn't you say so?" Miss Case laughs, "Alex has been such a comfort. But i'm sorry. I though the case was solved."
"I'm afraid not." Says Allison, "So, anyways, we were talking about your niece."
"Well, yes. Sheila mentioned something quite strange before she died. She said she saw a boat. One minute it was there and then the next it was gone. It just disappeared right before her eyes. You think it could be a . . . ghost ship?" Miss Case looked worried, "Alex thinks it could be a ghost ship."
"Well, uh . . . could be." Sam hesitates.
"Well . . . you let me know if there's anything else I can do for you." Miss Case says, staring directly at Sam before reaching forward and taking a hold of his hand, "Anything at all."
THEY WERE WALKING ALONG a sidewalk, close to the beach, "What a crazy old broad." Dean laughs to himself.
"Is it because she believes in ghost?" Sam asks his brother, a smile not leaving his face as he stares at Allison who began to control her laughter. "Look at you. Sticking up for your girlfriend." Dean says.
"You cougar hound." Allison jokes with Sam, smirking up at him. "Bite me." Sam retorts.
"Not if she bites you first." Dean says. Bek bursts out into a fit of laughter, placing a hand over her mouth as she stumbles into Sam. "Who's this Alex? We got another player in town?" Dean goes serious, although he enjoyed seeing the brunette laughing.
"Maybe, maybe not. Doesn't change our job." Sam replies.
"And we're thinking its a ghost ship, right?" Allison asks as she calms down, placing a hand on her stomach. "Yeah, its not the first sighting around here, either." Sam tells her.
"Really?"
"Every thirty-seven years, like clockwork reports of a vanishing three-mast clipper ship out in the bay. And every thirty-seven years, a rash of weirdo, dry-land drownings." Sam explains.
"So, whatevers happening is just getting started?" Dean questions. "Yeah."
"Whats the lore?"
"Well, there are apparitions of old wrecks sighted all over the world. The S.S Violet, The Griffin, The Flying Dutchman, almost all of them are death omens." Sam claims.
"So, you see the ship and a few hours later, you pucker up and kiss your ass goodbye? Whats the next step?" Dean questions.
"I gotta ID the boat." Sam answers.
"That shouldn't be too hard. I mean, how many three-mast clipper ships have wrecked off the coast?" Allison asks.
"I checked that too, actually. Over one hundred and fifty." All three grimaced. They come upon where the Impala was parked, only to find that it was no longer there. "This is where we parked the car, right?" Asks Dean as he stands in the parking space.
"I thought so." Sam replies.
"Where's my car?"
"Did you feed the meter?" Allison asks.
"Yes, I fed the meter, Allison. Where's my car?" Dean grew angry, "Somebody stole my car." He walks back up to them.
"Hey, hey, hey, calm down." Sam says quietly.
"I am calmed down! Somebody stole my --" Dean went quiet as he began to gasp and he placed a hand over his chest. Sam and Bek walk up to him, grabbing him. "'67 Impala. Was that yours?" Looking up, Bela Talbot walked up to them with a sleazy smirk.
"Bela." They greet.
"I'm sorry. I had that car towed."
"You what?!"
"It was in a tow-away zone."
"No it wasn't!"
"It was when I was finished with it." Bela smirks at the older Winchester who looked at her very angrily. "What the hell are you even doing here?"
"A little yachting." She says.
"Alex." Allison realizes and Bela smirks at the brunette, "You're working with that old lady."
"Gert's a dear old friend." Bela says.
"Yeah, right. What's your angle?"
"There's no angle. There's a lot of old women like Gert around the eastern seaboard. I sell them charms. Perform seances so they can commune with their dead cats." Bela says.
"And let me guess, it's all a con. None of it's really." Dean says and takes a look over at Sam and Allison.
"The comfort I provide them is very real." Bela says and then turns on her heel. "How do you sleep at night?" Sam questions.
"Under silk sheets, rolling naked in money. Really, Sam, I'd expect the attitude from them. But you?" Bela seemed hurt.
"You shot me." Sam reminds her.
"I barely grazed you. Cute, but a bit of a drama queen, yeah? Much like you, Allison." Bela says.
"You do know what's going on. This ghost ship thing. Its real." Allison ignores her comment and crosses her arms over her chest. "I'm aware. Thanks for telling Gert the case wasn't solved, by the way." Bela says a little sarcastically.
"It isn't." Says Dean.
"She didn't know that. Now the old bags stopped payment and she is demanding some real answers. Look, just stay out of my way before you cause any more trouble. I'd get to that car if I were you . . . before they find the arsenal in the trunk. Ciao." Bela turns and walks away.
"Can I shoot her?" Dean asks.
"Not in public." Sam answers.
───── ◦'𖥸'◦ ─────
AFTER HEARING ABOUT another death, the three undercover hunters were quick to arrive at the crime scene. When they got there, Bela was already questioning another male. Dean approached and held up his badge, "M'am, i think this man's been through quite enough. You should go."
"I've got a few more questions." Bela says, offering a fake smile. "No you don't." Sam retorts.
Bela frowns and walks away, not before sending the three hunters a dirty look. "Sorry you had to deal with that. They're like roaches." Dean says the last part loud enough for Bela to hear.
"So, uh, we heard you say your brother saw a ship." Sam says and places a hand on his shoulder, "Yeah, that's right."
"Did he tell you what it looked like?" Allison questions. "It was, uh, like the old Yankee Clippers. A smuggling vessel. The rakish topsail, a barkentine rigging. Angle figurehead on the bowl." He explains.
"That's much detail for a ship your brother saw." Sam points out. "My brother and I were night diving. I saw the ship too." He tells them.
Allison turns her head, looking at Bela who was speaking to a few officers. "Excuse me, officers. I'm not sure those men and that woman are detectives." Allison clears her throat and looks back at the brothers. "Uhm, alright. Well, we'll be in touch."
THEY STAND AT THE back of the Impala, loading their shotguns full of rock salt. "I see you got your car back," Bela says, walking up behind them.
"You really wanna be here when I've got a loaded gun in my hands?" Dean questions her.
"Now, now. Mind your blood pressure. Why are yo even still here? You have enough to ID the boat?" Bela questions.
"That guy back there saw the ship." Sam says and they close the trunk of the Impala. "Yeah? And?"
"And he's going to die." Bek said in an obvious tone, "So, we have to save him."
"How sweet." Bela says with an amused smile.
"You think this is funny?" Dean scoffs at her.
"He's cannon fodder. He can't be saved in time, and you know it." Bela says. The three share a look before turning to get in the car. "Yeah, well, see, we have souls, so we're gonna try."
"Well, Im actually gonna find the ship and put an end to this. But you have fun." Bela says.
"Hey, Bela, how did you get like this, huh?" Dean asks.
Allison laughs, "Oh I can answer that. Daddy didn't give her enough hugs. Daddy didn't do a lot of things." Allison says approaching her, crossing her arms.
"At least my daddy didn't get me killed." Bela retorts. Allison tilted her head and within a second, Bela had stumbled on her feet and placed a hand on her jaw after a loud crack screamed through the air. Dean and Sam flinched, "Get her." Sam grabs ahold of Sam and puts her behind him.
"Oh, don't you look down on me, Allison. You're no better than I am." Bela grunts.
"We help people, Bela." Allison snaps.
"Coke on. You do this out of vengeance and obsession. You're a stones throw from being a serial killer. Whereas I, on the other hand, get paid to do a job and I do it. So you tell me, which is healthier?" Bela questions.
"Bela, why don't you just leave? We've got work to do." Sam says.
"Yeah, zero for two, bang up job." Bela says before sending one more glare toward Allison and leaving. Allison crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the retreating figure.
───── ◦'𖥸'◦ ─────
ALLISON HAD AN ICE pack on her fist, the one she used to throw against Bella's jaw. "Find anything?" Dean looks over at Sam who was currently looking through papers. They sat in front of the brothers house, "No not really. I mean, both brothers are Duke University grads. No criminal record. I mean a few speeding tickets. They inherited their fathers real estate fortune six years ago."
"How much?" Allison asks.
"Hundred and twelve million." Sam replies.
Dean whistles, "Nice life."
"Yeah, I mean, nice, clean, above board. So why did they see the ship? Why Sheila, too? What do they all have in common?" Sam thinks out loud.
"Maybe nothing." Dean says.
"No there's always something." Sam shakes his head, deep in thought.
"Hey, you!" Someone shouts. It was the brother. Dean sighs, "Looks like we have been made."
They get out of the Impala. "Are you watching me?" The brother asked. "Sir! Calm down." Sam says, jogging around the front of the car. "You guys aren't cops." The brother realized, "Not dressed like that. N-not in that crappy car."
"Whoa, hey. No need to get nasty." Says Dean.
"We are cops, okay? We're undercover. We're here because you're in danger." Allison tells him.
"From who?"
"Just settle down and we'll talk about it."
"Look, you guys just stay away from me." The brother turns and runs, getting in his car. "Hey, you moron! We're just trying to help you." Dean shouts at him when the gate stops them from entering. The car drives a little bit away before stopping.
"That can't be good." Allison comments. Dean goes back to the Impala and grabs a rock salt loaded gun as Sam and Allison take charge and jump over the fence running to the car. When they got to the car, the brothers head was leaning against the steering wheel and a ghost sat in the passenger seat.
"Sam!" Dean shouts running up to the passenger side. Sam grabs Allison and they turn away as Dean fires off the gun and the ghost disappears. Sam opens the door and pushes the brother back but he was already dead. Water poured from his mouth.
───── ◦'𖥸'◦ ─────
THEY WERE BACK IN the Impala, listening to the weather forecast before Dean reaches over and turns it off. "You wanna say it or should I?"
"What?"
"You can't save everybody." Allison took the words straight from Deans lips. He looked at her through the rearview mirror, staring at her for a moment. She stared out the window like she always did, her palm holding her hand up and her fingers dancing along her cheek.
"Yeah, right. So-so you feel better now or what?" Sam questions his brother.
"No, not really. You gotta under--"
"It's just lately, I feel like I can't save anybody." Dean and Allison both knew he was referring mostly to Dean, but the death of Peter made him feel somewhat worse. It was quiet the rest of the car ride.
THEY SAT IN AN abandoned home in town, reading up on legends that involved a ship wreck and since they got a good look at the ghost, maybe they would see a picture of him. There was a knock on their door.
Dean opened the little peep hole and revealed Bela. He opened the door and let her in. "Dear, God. Are you actually squatting? Charming. So, how did things go last night with Peter?" Her eyes went from Sam to Allison. Truth is, Allison and Bela got into many fist fights ever since they had met.
They stayed quiet. Bela looks back at Dean, "That well, huh?"
"If you say, I told you so . . . I swear to God, I'll start swinging." Dean says.
"No, I will and this time, I'll break her nose." Allison crosses her arms over her chest and glares up at the brunette through her eyelashes. "Look, I think the four of us should have a heart-to-heart." Bela says.
"Thats assuming you have a heart." Dean comments, walking past her.
"Dean, please. I'm sorry about what I said before, okay? I come bearing gifts."
"Such as?" Sam questions.
"I've ID'ed the ship." She placed a binder down and handed Dean a photo of the ship, "It's the Espirito Santo, a merchant sailing vessel. Quite a colorful history. In 1859, a sailor was accused of treason. He was tried aboard ship in a kangaroo court and hanged. He was thirty-seven." Bela explains.
"That explains the thirty-seven year cycle." Sam says.
"Aren't you a sharp tack? Theres a photo of him somewhere," she says, shuffling through the pile of papers, "Ah, here it is." Allison took the photo from her finger tips.
"Isn't this the customer we saw last night?" Allison asks, turning the photo toward Sam and Dean and they tensed up. "You saw him?"
"Yeah, thats him. Except he was missing a hand." Dean says.
"Yeah, his right hand."
"How'd you know that?" Sam asks Bela. "The sailor was cremated after cutting his hand. They made a hand of glory." Bela says.
"A hand of glory?" Allison questions. "I think I got one at the end of one of my Thai massages." Dean smirks
"The right hand of a hanged man is an occult object. Its very powerful." Sam comments.
"So they say."
"And officially counts as remains." Bek says, tossing the photo on the table. "None of this is explaining why the ghost is choosing these victims." Says Sam.
"I'll tell you why. Who cares? Find the bloody hand and burn it." Bela spats.
"Why are you telling us all this?" Dean asks.
"Because I know where the hand is."
SPANISH VERSION IS OUT!
-TheMan
edited on june 19th of 2022