Chapter 6 Dead in the water part 1
I was sitting on a stool next to Dean watching him circle obituaries in the newspaper.
I sighed in boredom and lowered my head onto my hand. The three of us were currently staying in a place called “The Lynnwood Inn”. Dean and I finished eating and we were just waiting for Sammy.
I continued to watch Dean circle obituaries when an attractive blonde waitress approached us.
“Can I get you anything else?” She flirted with a seductive smile on her face.
Dean, Dad, and I tried not to make too much of a fuss or a scene during a hunt. We didn’t want random people snooping in our business. It would only cause us more trouble. So Dean and I usually try to keep our relationship private. Because Dad didn’t want us to draw attention so we promised that in public we would continue to pretend to be siblings. It was just more convenient for us. Dean of course was never one to follow that rule.
I hated it when girls flirted with Dean and there was nothing I could do about it. It was girls like her that I couldn’t help but feel jealous of. She was blonde, in a revealing pink tank top, and wearing jean shorts that barely covered her bottom. She was beautiful. Man’s greatest weakness.
Before Dean could reply I lifted my head out of my hand, “How about the check? Thanks.” I replied snarkily with a smile.
“Okay.” She answered and walked away but not without taking one last glance at Dean.
I huffed and propped my head against my hand as I watched her walk away. I glanced at my clothes comparing myself to the scantily dressed waitress. I was wearing a plain white long-sleeve shirt, a black leather jacket, and a black miniskirt with leggings underneath.
I was brought out of my thoughts when I felt someone watching me and from the corner of my eye, I could see Dean staring at me. I turned my attention over to him. He was grinning from ear to ear with a pen in his mouth.
“What are you looking at?” I asked with my brows furrowed.
“You’re jealous.” He smirked.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I innocently said as I crossed my arms and turned away from him.
I felt his hand grab onto my shoulder and before I knew it he pulled me into his chest. I laid my head against his chest with his right arm wrapped around me. I tilted my head back to look at him.
“What are you doing?” I asked. He didn’t reply, he only lifted me onto his lap and made me face him.
My legs hung out from the side as he had one hand wrapped around my back and the other cradled my head, “You’re cute when you’re jealous.” He whispered.
“I told you I-” He pulled me into a kiss before I could finish my sentence.
He caught me off guard and I tensed when I first felt his lips but soon enough I melted into him. With a soft sigh, I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. My mind felt hazy, I couldn’t focus on anything other than the man in front of me. I felt shivers go down my spine as he continued to kiss me and caress my body. I placed one hand on his cheek and pulled back slightly to take a breath. I looked into his emerald eyes and couldn’t help but be drawn by them. No matter how many times I’ve looked into his eyes, I could be with him for an eternity, and I’d still get lost in them. He lightly pecked my lips but before he could go any further I heard someone cough from behind us.
I raised my head and I saw Sam standing behind us. I felt blood rush to my face. I quickly squeezed Dean’s shoulders and buried my face into his chest. I felt so embarrassed. I got so distracted by Dean I completely forgot we were in a public place. I immediately got out of Dean’s lap and scurried back to my seat.
I heard Dean sigh as I left his embrace. I was so mortified I wished the earth would swallow me whole. I felt Sam’s presence next to me as I wallowed in shame. I covered my face to hide from Sam’s penetrating, humiliating gaze.
“You know, Sam, we are allowed to have fun once in a while.” Dean groaned. “This is fun.” I felt Dean gesture toward him and me.
Once I had composed myself I brought myself out of my pit of shame and turned to face Sam and Dean.
“Here, take a look at this. Think I got one. Lake Manitoc, Wisconsin. Last week, Sophie Carlton, eighteen, walks into the lake, doesn’t walk out. Authorities dragged the water, nothing. Sophie Carlton is the third Lake Manitoc drowning this year. None of the other bodies were found either. They had a funeral two days ago.” Dean explained to us as he showed us the newspaper.
“A funeral?” Sammy questioned.
“Without the body?” I asked as I furrowed my brows.
“Yeah, it’s weird, they buried an empty coffin. For, uh, closure or whatever.” Dean clarified.
“Closure? What closure? People don’t just disappear, Dean. Other people just stop looking for them.” Sam scowled.
“What.” He snapped as he lightly glared at me. I couldn’t help but sigh and look away. I knew that this wasn’t about the case but about Dad.
“Something you want to say to me?” Dean asked as he looked at Sam. I slowly lowered my head. It was at times like these I hated sitting in between them.
“The trail for Dad. It’s getting colder every day.” Sammy said exasperatedly.
“Exactly. So what are we supposed to do?” Dean questioned as I sunk further into my seat. I ran my hand through my hair and sighed as they continued to argue.
“I don’t know. Something. Anything.” Sammy complained.
“You know what? I’m sick of this attitude. You don’t think I wanna find Dad as much as you do?” Dean snapped.
“Yeah, I know you do, It’s just-” Dean cut him off as they continued to argue. I could feel myself get more frustrated as they fought.
“I’m the one that’s been with him every single day for the past two years, while you’ve been off to college going to pep rallies. We will find Dad, but until then we’re going to kill everything bad between here and there, okay?” I knew I had to intervene before someone said something they would regret.
“Okay, that’s enough,” I said before they could say anything else and I lifted my head to look at both of them. They both stop and looked in the opposite direction of the other.
“Sammy, you need to show some respect to Dean. He’s your older brother and he’s only trying to do what’s best for you. Nothing is going to come out of fighting.” I explained as I placed a hand on his shoulder.
“As for you,” I said and turned to Dean, “Try to be nicer to Sammy. We might be used to this but Sammy is going through a rough time. This isn’t any easier on him.”
“Do I make myself clear?” I asked. I only got a grunt in response. Dean suddenly pulled me into his chest once again and placed his head on my neck.
I placed my hand on his head as I felt him lightly kiss my neck, “All right, Lake Manitoc. Hey!” Sammy called out trying to gain our attention.
“Huh?” Dean said as he lifted his head from my neck.
The three of us drove off and soon enough when I looked outside the window we passed by a sign that read “Welcome to Lake Manitoc WI."
Before I knew it we were pulling up in front of a house and Baby’s engine stops. Dean and Sam got out first but before I could even move Dean open the door for me and placed his hand out for me.
I reached for Dean’s hand as he helped me out of the car, "What gentleman.” I laughed as Dean placed a kiss on my hand.
Sammy coughed and gestured to the house, “Come on.” I said as Dean and I walked toward the house with Sammy.
Dean knocked on the door before someone came to open the door.
“Will Carlton?” Dean queried.
“Yeah, that’s right.” The man answered.
“I’m Agent Ford, this is Agent Hamil and this is Agent Fisher. We´re with the U.S. Wildlife Service.” Dean said as he held up his fake ID.
He looked to inspect the ID and once he was satisfied, he gestured for us to follow him. We followed him as he brought us to the lake. In the distance, we could see an old man sitting on a bench on the dock. I couldn’t help but pity the man as he stared at the lake.
“She was about a hundred yards out. That’s where she got dragged down.” Will told us as he looked at the lake.
“And you’re sure she didn’t just drown?” Dean questioned.
“Yeah, she was a varsity swimmer. She practically grew up in that lake. She was as safe out there as in her own bathtub.” Will replied, glancing at the lake every so often.
“So no splashing? No signs of distress?” Sammy inquired.
“No, that’s what I’m telling you,” Will said.
“Did you see any shadows in the water? Maybe some dark shape breach the surface.” Sammy continued to prod.
“No, I–Again. She was really far out there.” Will explained.
“You ever see any strange tracks by the shoreline?” Dean asked as I continued to take mental notes.
“No, Never. Why? Why, what do you think’s out there?” Will asked, concerned.
“Well let you know as soon as we do,” Dean replied and started to head back to the car.
Before I could follow Dean, Sam asked, “What about your father?"
I turned to look at the poor man sitting at the dock. He didn’t seem to be in the right state of mind. But who could blame him? He had just lost his daughter.
"Can we talk to him?” Sammy queried.
Will turned to look at his father before responding, “Look, if you don’t mind, I mean…he didn’t see anything, and he’s kind of been through a lot."
"We understand,” Sammy said before walking back to the Impala.
“Our condolences,” I whispered as I placed a hand on his shoulder before following Sam and Dean.
“Now, I’m sorry, but why does the Wildlife Service care about an accidental drowning?” The sheriff asked. The three of us were currently at the police station searching for more clues.
“You sure it’s accidental? Will Carlton saw something grab his sister.” Sammy questioned.
“Like what?” The sheriff queried “Here, sit, please. There are no indigenous carnivores in that lake.” He explained as we walked into his office and sat down.
“There’s nothing even big enough to pull down a person unless it was the Loch Ness Monster.” The sheriff jested.
“Yeah. Right.” Dean laughed as we glanced at one another.
“Sir, we just want to be thorough. You can never be too sure.” I lied with a professional smile on my face.
“Will Carlton was traumatized, and sometimes the mind plays tricks. Still-” He said as he sat down, “We dragged that entire lake. We even ran a sonar sweep, just to be sure, and there was nothing down there.”
“That’s weird, though. I mean, that’s the third missing body this year.” Dean mentioned.
“I know. These are people from my town. These are people I care about.” The sheriff whispered with a downcasted look on his face.
“I know,” Dean replied, his voice laced with sympathy.
The sheriff sighed as he leaned back into his chair, “Anyway…All this…It won’t be a problem much longer.”
“What do you mean?” Dean asked as I raised a brow.
“Well, the dam, of course.” The sheriff said nonchalantly.
“Of course. The dam. It, uh yeah, sprung a leak.” Dean stammered slightly as he improvised.
“It’s falling apart, and the feds won’t give us the grant to repair it, so they’ve opened the spillway. In another six months, there won’t be much of a lake. There won’t be much of a town, either. But as Federal Wildlife, you already knew that.” The sheriff clarified.
“Exactly,” Dean said in agreement as we heard a knock on the door.
“Sorry, am I interrupting?” I turned and stood up to see a young woman ask, “I can come back later.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is my daughter.” The sheriff introduced her as he stood up.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Dean.” Dean said as he walked over to her and put his out for her to shake with his signature smirk on his face.
“Andrea Barr. Hi,” She replied as she shook his hand.
I folded my arms over my chest and rolled my eyes at Dean, “He’s really pushing my buttons today.” I thought.
“They’re from the Wildlife Service. About the lake.” The sheriff told Andrea.
“Oh.” She whispered with a somber look. I narrowed my eyes and furrowed my brows as I looked at her. That was a weird reaction. As I was studying Andrea, a boy walked from behind her.
My eyes softened as I stared at the boy. I always wanted and dreamed of a child of my own one day. My dreams were eventually crushed when I realized that my lifestyle could never support them. when I was younger I prayed that I would be fortunate enough to one day be blessed to have a child like my parents. But I would never want an everyday life I was more than content and satisfied with the hunter life I was given.
“Oh, hey there. What’s your name?” Dean asked but the boy left the room without even uttering a word. I smiled sadly as I watched him walk off. Andrea soon followed the boy.
“His name is Lucas.” The sheriff answered.
From inside the office we watched Andrea gingerly give Lucas some crayons. Sammy then asked, “Is he okay?"
We turned to look at the sheriff for a reply, "My grandsons been through a lot. We all have.”
“Well, if there’s anything else I can do for you, please let me know.” The sheriff said as we all walked out of the office.
“Thanks.” Dean said before he turned around and asked, “You know, now you mentioned it, could you point us in the direction of a reasonably priced motel?"
"Lakefront Motel. Go around the corner. It’s about two blocks up.” Andrea turned around and answered.
“Two-would you mind showing us?” Dean innocently queried with a small smile.
Andrea laughed with an incredulous look on her face, “You want me to walk you two blocks?"
"If you don’t mind, of course. He isn’t exactly the best with directions” I said from behind Dean with a cheeky smile and a hand on his shoulder, “and having a lovely lady around wouldn’t hurt either.” I smiled.
“Then they definitely don’t need me with you around.” She laughed, “But I’m headed that way anyway."
Andrea turned to her father and said, "I’ll be back to pick up Lucas at three."
She then turned to Lucas, "Well go to the park, okay, sweetie?” she said and kissed his forehead.
Andrea walked passed us as she left the station. Dean waved goodbye as we left.
“Thanks again,” Sammy said as I took one more glance at Lucas before following them.
I walked next to Andrea, Dean, and Sammy right behind us, as she lead us along the street.
“So, cute kid,” Dean mentioned, trying to make small talk.
“Thanks.” She replied as we crossed a street.
“He seems like a sweet kid.” I chirped with a smile.
“He is.” She beamed at the mention of him.
“Kids are the best, huh?” Dean said trying to grasp at straws to make small talk. Andrea glanced at him and I couldn’t help but giggle as she ignored him.
“What’s it like? Being a mother I mean?” I offhandedly asked, sheepishly, “You don’t have to answer if you’re uncomfortable, of course.” I blurted out, slightly embarrassed.
“No, no. Being a mother is a lot of adjustments. You are no longer just living for yourself or your husband but for your child. You would sacrifice your entire being and gladly do it all over again just for them to be happy. There’s nothing else like it in the world.” She answered passionately as I just stared at her.
“I know that look.” She pointed out.
“W-what look.” I stuttered out, surprised as my eyes widened.
“The look. When do you plan to have children.” She queried as we continued to walk.
I could hear Dean choke on air from behind us. I sighed, “Uh, unfortunately, my career isn’t the most conducive for children.” I smiled sadly.
“That’s a shame. I didn’t think being in the Wildlife service would be that demanding.” She commented.
“Ah, y-yeah. It’s a tough job.” I mumbled as we finally came to a stop in front of a building that said ‘LAKEFRONT MOTEL’.
“There it is. Like I said, two blocks.” She said.
“Must be hard, with your sense of direction, never being able to find your way to a decent pick-up line.” She sassed as she looked at Dean and started to walk away. Unable to contain my laughter I bursted out laughing in shock.
“Enjoy your stay oh and by the way instead of trying your luck with me, you should keep a tighter watch on her.” She called back over her shoulder as she motioned to me. I raised an eyebrow, confused.
I giggled and leaned back into Dean as we watched her walk away. I felt him wrap his arms around me as I tilted my head back to look at him.
“Kids are the best? That’s the best you could come up with.” I chuckled.
“You don’t even like kids,” Sammy added.
Dean turned to look at Sam and exclaimed, “I love kids.”
“Name three kids that you even know.” Sammy retorted as I watched in amusement.
“I can see two kids in front of me right now.” I snickered as they both glared at me.
I turned my head and watched Dean as he racked his brain for an answer. When he came empty-handed Sammy waved his hand and started to walk into the motel.
“Im thinking!” Dean yelled out as he scratched his head. I giggled at his response and moved to follow Sammy when I was immediately pulled back into his arms.
“Oof! What was that for?” I breathed out, confused.
“You heard what the lady said. I should keep a tighter watch on you.” Dean smirked as tightened his grip around me.
“Ha ha very funny. You and I know that’s not what she meant. I swear you have been pushing my buttons all day.” I remarked as I rolled my eyes at him.
“Hey, I can’t help it. Look at this face.” He replied sarcastically
“Oh, don’t worry I totally understand,” I whispered as I snaked my arms around his neck.
I pulled him closer and brought his face down to my height. He was so close that I feel his breath and his lips were feathered over mine. I stared into his eyes and just as he leaned in I pulled away.
He looked at me confused. I ran one of my hands through his hair, the other traced his lips and I whispered in his ear, “Just remember I don’t share, and don’t expect any kisses anytime soon."
Once I felt his grip loosen I pulled out of his arms and started walking to the motel. I heard footsteps from behind me and Dean shouting, "What? Sweetheart!”
“That’s your punishment,” I said as I turned to look at him and continue walking to the motel, “Sammy wait for me!”
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