"Sheriff. Hey." Sam greets Donna.
"Oh! You three are a sight for sore eyes!" Donna says, hugging the three.
"What, are you working all 10,000 lakes now? This isn't usually your beat." Dean says.
"Just Larsen County, what with the cutbacks and all. For the most part, it's been tater tots and lemon drops except for this doozy. I mean, when you get a call about a killer Easter Bunny, you know what to think." Donna says.
"Well, you think crazy." Dean says.
"Guy's real strong, too. Lashed out at several officers. Took a whole team just to get him into custody. But that's not the weirdest part. Bunny head won't come off." Donna says.
"What do you mean?" Sam asks.
"Tried everything short of a chainsaw, but it's really stuck. I mean, who knows. Could be nothing. Guy could just have a big melon like my Uncle Wally. But ever since I've seen what goes bump in the night... I'm not taking any chances."
"You did the right thing, for sure." Sam says.
"Maybe. I'm just still not 100% sure this is our kind of case. But if, uh, you got a wild hare... see what I did there?" Dean asks.
"Yes. And nobody's impressed." Larissa says making Dean's smile drop.
"It's good to see you three!" Donna grins.
"Who you got there, Sheriff?" A cop walks up.
"Gentlemen, lady, this is Officer Stover. He's lead on the case." Donna says.
"Agents Elliott, Savage, and Allen." Sam tells him.
"Huh. Nice to meet ya. And please, call me Doug." He says.
"These three fine folks will be helping out with the old hippity hop." Donna says.
"Oh. We're gonna need it. And not that Sheriff Hanscum isn't doing a bang up job. We're lucky to have her." Doug says, the five standing in silence for a bit. "Well, I better get back to it."
"Uh-huh." Dean nods as Doug walks off. The three hunters give Donna looks.
"What?" She asks.
"Hey, it's none of our business, but it looks like somebody might have a crush." Dean says
"I was born at night, Dean. Not last night." Donna remarks.
"What's the deal? He seems nice." Sam says.
"He is. But he's a cop... named Doug. I mean, clearly, I have a type, but no, thank you, ma'am. Won't be once bitten, twice Doug'd." Donna states.
"All right, where's the wascally rabbit?" Dean asks.
Donna leads them towards the cell that has the guy with the rabbit head.
"Any witnesses?" Sam asks.
"Yeah, vic's wife -- Fran Hinkle. Poor thing that she was next, but the bunny just up and walked out the door." Donna says.
"You ID him yet?" Dean asks.
"Nope. No wallet, no cell. Ran his prints, but no prior record. Couldn't even get our hands on him long enough to check for any identifying marks. Only thing we do know -- he's Caucasian, roughly 18 to 25. And terrifying."
There's a knock on the door and Doug steps into the hall.
"Clive's on the line. Said it's an emergency." Doug says.
"Just shoot a hoot if you need me." Donna says, her and Doug leaving.
"What's up, doc? Be easier all around if you just talk to us." Dean tells the guy.
"Careful." Sam quietly says as Dean walks closer to the cell.
"Yeah. So what happened, pal? Hmm? What, you dropped too much molly? Super glue your mask to your head, get paranoid, stab a guy? Hoo, I've been there."
"Let me guess, Rog. You were framed!" Sam says in a voice and smiles. Dean and Larissa look at him. "What?" Larissa gently pats him on the cheek with a gentle smile.
"You're adorable." She quietly says.
"Dean!" Sam shouts, seeing the bunny guy at the cell. The guy grabs Dean and they try to get Dean away from him.
"I got it. I-I got it." Dean says.
The bunny guy gets Dean in a chokehold and Sam splashes him with holy water.
"It's not a demon." Sam says.
"He is strong. All right." Dean says. Sam grabs the guy's arm and Dean gets himself out of his grip.
""Kylie Forever."" Sam reads the tattoo. "That'll work."
+++
"Better be here. Last Kylie on the list." Dean says.
"Excuse me. Kylie Jennings?" Sam asks.
"Yes?" She asks.
"You know this rabbit?" Dean holds up a picture.
"You found him." Kylie says.
"Who is he?" Sam asks.
"Mike Hooks. He's my boyfriend." Kylie says.
"Okay, well, you have any idea why your boyfriend would stab somebody?" Dean asks.
"Wait. What?" Kylie asks.
"How would Mike know Stan Hinkle?" Dean asks.
"Who?" Kylie asks.
"The victim." Sam says.
"Okay, hold on. This... this makes no sense. Why would Mike stab a complete stranger? I mean.... oh, God."
"What?" Dean asks.
"I don't know. I thought it was nothing, but he was acting really weird yesterday." Kylie says.
"Weird how?" Sam asks.
"Well, after class, we went to this thrift shop. We needed to buy costumes for a party off campus. And Mike found this super creepy bunny mask. I mean, it-it grossed me out which he just loved. But as soon as he put it on..."
"That's when the weird started?" Dean asks.
"Yeah. He just... stared at me. At first, I thought that he was just messing around, but then he walked out without paying. He left his cell at the register, so I had no way of reaching him, and... look, Mike's, like, the sweetest, okay? But I'm telling you, as soon as he put that mask on, it's like he was a completely different person."
+++
The three Winchesters and Donna are standing in a wooded area by the bunny head. Sam pours gas on it while Larissa covers it in salt.
"You okay?" Dean asks Donna.
"No, not really. A 19 year old kid is dead." Donna says.
"That's not on you or Doug. He was just doing his job." Sam says.
"I know, but... that kid was innocent. I mean, if the mask was cursed, then he was just a puppet, right? He was a victim, too." Donna says. Sam hands Donna the matches.
"No one else dies. Not like this." Sam says. Donna drops the lit match onto the bunny head, the four watching it engulf in flames.
+++
"Good news -- coach is still alive. Bad news -- he's in a coma, so we're not out of the woods yet." Donna says.
"Two masked psychos in two days. I mean, what are the chances?" Doug asks.
"My guess? Copycat killer." Donna says.
"Damn social media." Dean says.
"Uh... okay?" Doug says.
"Yeah." Dean says.
"Yeah, you know, did you guys talk to the kid yet?" Sam asks.
"Be my guest." Donna says.
"Thanks." Sam says, him, Dean, and Larissa going over to the guy.
"Hi. Agents Elliot, Savage, and Allen." Sam says.
"Brock Buckner."
"Well, um, Brock, what did you see?" Dean asks.
"Not much, man. I mean, I was just hammering my bi's, gettin' all swole, and next thing I know, Coach Evans is getting his ass kicked by the mascot." Brock says.
"And who is the mascot?" Sam asks.
"Why would I know? I'm the quarterback." Brock says.
"Oh, my--" Larissa rolls her eyes.
"Besides, his mask wouldn't come off. I couldn't believe how strong he was either. I mean, for a scrawny dude, he was as strong as me, and I hold the state bench record." Brock says.
"Oh, yeah? What do you bench?" Dean asks.
"Four plates." Dean shrugs. "On each side." Brock says.
"Oh. That's..." Dean mumbles.
"Okay, so other than the, uh, mask not coming off and the Jester hulking out, did you notice anything else unusual?" Sam asks.
"What do you mean?" Brock asks.
"Uh, power surges? Temperature fluctuations?" Sam asks.
"Uh, the weight room did get really cold." Brock says.
"Thanks." Sam says, the three walking away.
"Okay, you ever talk like that, I'm divorcing you." Larissa says.
"Talk like what?" Sam chuckles.
"Just say biceps. It's only two damn syllables. Please, I beg you, do not become some gym junkie. Work out, if you want, yes, but don't be obsessed with it." Larissa says.
"Oh, come on, babe. I gotta get swole." Sam says in a deep voice and he flexes his arms.
"No. No. Never do that again." Larissa says as Sam laughs.
+++
They're standing outside the cell and Dean has the EMF meter on.
"Hmm. Well... ain't a cursed object. Ghost possession?" Dean asks.
"Oh, for jeez. Ghosts can possess people?" Donna asks.
"Yeah. So, uh, Ghosts 101 -- somebody's spirit can attach itself to an object or a bunch of objects left behind. In this case, masks." Sam says.
"Right, so whoever possesses the object..."
"Gets possessed."
"But if we can't get the mask off, how the heck do ya possess someone?" Donna akss.
"Everything has a weakness, even ghosts." Sam says.
"They hate iron and salt. So all we gotta do is spook the spook with a little and, uh, maybe we could pry it off." Dean says. Donna pulls a salt shaker out of her fanny pack.
"My diet secret. One bite of dessert and then I dump salt on it. Kills the craving."
"And that works?" Dena asks.
"You betcha. On everything... except salted caramel." Donna says.
"Well, that's cute. But I was thinking something a little bit more like this." Dean takes out a sawed off shotgun.
"You said no one else was dying."
"Salt pellets." Dean fires the shotgun and the ghost leaves the person. The jester's mask fall off and they see a teenage girl.
"What's going on?" She asks.
~ ~ ~
They have the girl handcuffed and she's sitting by Donna's desk. The four stand a bit away.
"Poor thing doesn't deserve to be locked up." Donna says.
"So let her go. No one saw her face, right?" Sam asks.
"Yeah, he was a drifter, overpowered you, escaped." Dean says.
"Well, there's some female empowerment for ya." Donna says, the four walking over to the girl. "Don't worry, hon. Just gonna ask you a few questions, then you're free to go."
"I am?" She asks.
"Scout's honor." Donna assures.
"You remember attacking Coach Evans?" Dean asks.
"No, I swear. I went to pick up the new mascot costume, went to try it on, and the next thing I know... I'm in jail." She says.
"Did you even know him?" Sam asks.
"He was my P.E. coach last semester. I mean, he was kind of a hardass, but... that doesn't mean that I wanted him dead."
"Michelle, where did you get the costume? Was it a thrift store?" Dean asks.
"No, someone donated it to the school." Michelle says.
"Do you know who?" Dean asks.
+++
"Rita Johnson?" Sam asks.
"Yeah, who's asking?" She asks.
"Got a few questions we want to ask you about a case in town." Dean says.
"Who is it, mom?" A young boy walks up.
"Um, Max, why don't you go back and finish your homework?" Rita suggests.
"Why are the police here?" Max asks.
"Hey there, fella. You ever see a real cop car? I mean, if it's okay with your mom." Donna offers.
"Yeah." Rita says.
"Yeah. You can talk on the police radio." Donna tells Max while she leads him to the car.
"Really?" Max asks.
"It's pretty simple to figure out." Donna says.
"Mind if we come inside?" Dean asks. Rita and the three hunters go inside and sit at the dining room table.
"The costumes belonged to my brother, Chester. He was a kids' party performer before he passed." Rita says.
"And, um, how did-- how did Chester die?" Dean asks.
"Uh, my brother suffered from depression. He took his own life a couple months back. Jumped off a bridge." Rita says.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Sam says.
"Max begged me to keep the costumes. He loved them. He loved his uncle. I mean, he lived with us, so they were really close. But they made me sad, so I donated them to the local high school, the theater company." Rita says.
"Thrift shop?" Dean asks.
"Yeah, places like that." Rita says.
"Can I ask where Chester's buried?" Sam asks.
"He's not. He was cremated." Rita says.
"Would you mind making a list of his costumes? As many as you can remember?" Sam asks.
"Sure, but what does this have to do with your case?" Rita asks.
"That's what we're trying to figure out." Sam says.
"Uh, one more question. Did Chester have a falling out with Stan Hinkle or Phil Evans? Um, or anyone for that matter?" Dean asks.
"What do you mean?" Rita asks.
"Did he, um, did he have any unfinished business with anyone?" Dean asks.
"No, not that I can think of. I mean, I don't even-- I don't think Chester even knew those guys." Rita says.
+++
"I remember Chester's suicide. Real sad. So now that we know he's the ghost, how do we stop him?" Donna asks.
"Well, usually you gotta burn their bones, but he was cremated." Dean says.
"So we're up poop's creek without a paddle?" Donna asks.
"Not exactly. I mean, looks like he's tied to the costumes which means the only way to stop him is to burn them." Sam says.
"Then we're already ahead of the game. I had Doug go to the high school and collect the costumes." Dean says.
"Great. Here is the list of the rest. Think you and Doug can round 'em up?" Sam asks, giving Donna the list.
"Yeah. You betcha." She says.
"Now we just gotta figure out what Chester's beef was with the vics. Ghosts come back for something personal. Usually it's revenge." Dean says.
"All right, drop me off at the hospital. Lissy and I will check on the coach." Sam says.
"I'll see if I can find Stan's widow. Let's go." Dean says.
+++
Sam and Larissa are on the elevator, Larissa leaning against it and tapping her fingers on the railing in it. She opens her mouth to start a random conversation, but stops when the elevator doors open.
A person in a clown costume walks into the elevator. Larissa doesn't miss the bloody scalpel in the clown's hand or how Sam tenses up.
The couple share a look, Sam's eyes full of panic, and the clown slowly turns to face them. Larissa grabs the clown's arm and knocks the scalpel out of his hand. She slams the clown against the doors, but he easily slams her against the wall. She tries to fight him off, but the clown wraps his hands around her throat.
"Sam, now would be a good time to get over your fear." Larissa gasps out. Sam tries to pull the clown away from Larissa before remembering he has iron in his pocket. He takes it out, holding it against the clown's neck and the ghost disappears through the vent.
"You okay?" Sam asks his wife.
"Yeah. Yeah, no, I'm great." Larissa pants.
Sam takes the mask off the person to reveal an older man.
"Who the hell are you?" He asks them.
~ ~ ~
Sam and Larissa get to the hospital room as they wheel the coach's body out.
"Get a story out of Bozo?" Donna asks as Sam hands her the clown mask.
"Yeah, uh, name is Steve Buress. 60 years old, retired G.P. Apparently he was playing dress up with his grandson and the next thing he knew, he... doesn't even know how he got to the hospital."
"He "escape" too?" Donna asks.
"Yeah." Sam nods.
"I'm so losing my job." Donna says.
"I was on my way to Woodbury to pick up a woodpecker costume." Doug walks in. "Then I got the call about the coach."
"Yeah. This time... killer clown. Already put out an APB." Donna says.
"What the heck is going on in this doggone town?" Doug asks.
"Told ya. Copycat killers." Donna says.
"So this is a-a copycat of a copycat?" Doug asks.
"Come on, Doug. It's not that hard to wrap your noggin around, is it?"
"Whatever you say, Sheriff. I'm gonna go get the woodpecker." Doug leaves.
"What's the deal? Why don't you cut the guy some slack? I mean, I wouldn't be buying what you're selling either." Sam says.
"I don't have time for insubordination." Donna says.
"Or is it maybe that you're treating new Doug like old Doug and not even giving him a chance?" Sam asks.
"You know what I think? You need to mind your own beeswax. We have a case to solve." Donna walks out. Larissa lets out a low whistle.
"I wouldn't try to get in the middle again." She tells her husband. "Also if I ever think a bird is out to attack me, you are fighting it."
"Thank you again." Sam tells her.
"Yeah." Larissa walks out.
+++
"Killer clown? Are you serious?" Dean asks over the phone.
"No, Dean, I'm joking. Because clowns are really funny to me." Sam retorts.
"Did you take care of it?" Dean asks.
"Yeah." Sam says and Larissa clears her throat. "Okay, Lissy fought it, but I got it out of the dude."
"Well, least you didn't lose one minute of air because your wimp husband was frozen." Larissa says with a small smile.
"Okay, I'm not fighting any birds for you -- ever." Sam says.
"Hey, hey, hey, you two. Have your couple fight later." Dean says.
"Did you get anything?" Sam asks his brother.
"Yeah, turns out that Stan and the coach were besties from way back who accused Chester of crossing the line with their kids." Dean says.
"Oh. Wow." Sam says.
"Yeah. But they didn't wanna go to the cops cause they didn't wanna embarrass their kids. So they decided to track down Chester themselves. They went to his house and got Rita instead." Dean says.
"So she lied? Chester did know the vics?"
"Apparently. So Fran said that Rita told them to screw off. And... well, before they had a chance to confront him, he killed himself."
"So suicide led to a vengeful spirit. I mean, it's not like we haven't seen it before."
"Or maybe it wasn't suicide."
+++
Rita goes in her house with Sam and Larissa following.
"I don't appreciate you talking to my son when I am not home." Rita tells Dean.
"Hey, we were just trading some card tricks, that's all." Dean says.
"What are you even doing here? I told you everything I know." Rita says. Dean sends a pointed look at Max. "Okay, honey, go to your room." He does so.
"Look, we know that the coach and Stan confronted you about Chester." Sam says.
"That's none of your damn business. It has nothing to do with any of this." Rita says.
"Those men were murdered. And whether you believe it or not, your brother is connected." Sam says.
"How? Chester is dead. Killed himself." Rita says.
"You sure about that?" Dean asks.
"Oh." Rita rolls her eyes.
"Look, we need to know the truth. People's lives are at stake here." Sam says.
"Yeah. Maybe yours." Dean says.
"Maybe Max's." Larissa adds, knowing that'll get her to talk.
"Okay. Okay. A couple of months ago, Stan and the coach came by. They said that Chester was with their kids, did something... inappropriate. I got defensive. I mean... Chester was sweet, like a dad to Max. So I told them to get lost. IF they had a problem with Chester, they could go to the cops."
"But they didn't." Sam says.
"They didn't have any evidence. But then, I started to have my doubts. I mean, as much as I wanted to defend my brother... what they said really... got under my skin. Chester was always a little... off. Only got along with kids. That's why he became a party performer. I spent my whole life sticking up for my brother."
"But what if I couldn't see him for who he really was? And he and Max were so close. I mean... what if he was hurting him and I didn't know? Chester was my brother, but... Max is my son."
"So you wanted to protect him?" Sam asks.
"How could I look the other way? I had to suck it up and face my biggest fear. If not me, then who? But I should've talked to him. I just should've gone to him first instead... I called Stan back. And he said that they would take care of it."
"So one day when Chester was working, I told them where he was. They promised they weren't gonna hurt Chester. They were just gonna scare him a little bit. And I thought, you know, maybe a good scare... maybe that's all he needed."
"They didn't mean to kill him. They-They said... that it was an accident. But I wasn't there, so I don't know what to believe. And I wanted to go to the cops and explain what happened, but Stan said that we'd all go to jail. And I couldn't do that to Max. He already lost his father and his uncle. And he... he couldn't lose me, too. So I didn't say anything. Fear cripples you. It makes you do nothing. Or worse... it makes you do something that you regret. I should've trusted my brother."
Sam's phone rings and he answers it.
"How's it going?" Sam asks. "You didn't happen to see a-a deer head by chance, did you?"
"Oh, my God." Rita mutters. The others follow her gaze to see Max with the deer head on. Max hits Dean away, knocking him out.
"Max? Max?" Rita asks as he approaches her. "Max?"
Sam grabs the iron rod and tries to press it to Max's back, but he knocks Sam across the room, Sam crashing into the china cabinet.
"Max? Max! Max. Max, no! What are you doing? M-Max!" Larissa gets the iron rod and presses it to Max's back and the deer head falls to the floor. "Max?"
"Mom, what's happening?" Max asks.
Larissa grabs the deer head and sees Dean awake and she goes over to Sam who wakes up.
"Burn it now!" Dean orders.
"Hey. Hey, come on." Larissa grabs Sam's hand, dragging him outside. They get to the Impala and Larissa puts the deer head on the ground while Sam opens the trunk. They get the gas and salt out of the trunk and go back to the deer head.
While pouring it, Chester appears and tosses Larissa against the car, knocking her out. Sam tries to fight him, but gets thrown across the Impala and knocked out.
After a little bit, Sam starts waking up and he crawls over to the gasoline. He pours it on the deer head and pulls the matches out. He drops them onto the deer head and it lights up in flames.
While it burns, Sam goes back to Larissa.
"Hey. Hey. Babe, hey." Sam gently shakes her, waking her up. "Hey, you okay?"
"Ow." Larissa groans.
+++
"All right, I think it's, uh, time we gotta get out of here." Sam says.
"Here's hoping something less murderous brings you back to Minnesota, like Prince or cheese curd fest." Donna says.
"You had me at "curd."" Dean says.
"I-I don't know how you three do this, day in, day out. Figuring out who's possessed, who isn't. Your life's one big poop storm, isn't it?" Donna asks.
"Spoken like a true hunter." Dean says.
"Really? Hunter?" Donna asks.
"Oh, yeah. I mean, with three cases under your belt, I think you earned it." Sam says.
"Yay!" Donna cheers and hugs Sam.
"Okay." He lightly hugs her back.
Donna hugs Larissa before hugging Dean.
"Thank you." She tells them. "Bye."
"Bye." The three leave.
~ ~ ~
"I keep praying to God because if it is God -- and I know you think it isn't, but if it is -- then he's showing me something I don't know what to do with." Sam says as Dean drives.
"What?" Dean asks.
"The cage." Sam says.
"Lucifer's cage?" Dean asks.
"Yeah. What if he's telling me I have to go back? What if he's saying that's where the answer is to beating the Darkness?" Sam asks.
"Sam, no. No, okay. I don't know if these visions are coming from God or PBS or what. But we've been down that road. Anything having to do with that cage is-- it-- it's suicide. And you of all people know that. So, no. Just... not gonna happen."
"I'm with Dean on this." Larissa says.
"Okay." Sam says.
"Okay." Dean repeats.