A Little Help - Chapter 4
“So get this” announced Sam amidst the busy typing of Tyler and Dean. They looked up from their glowing laptops to listen to Sam’s discovery. “Some guy in Colorado found dead in his locked apartment covered in bruises and deep cuts, no sign of break in”
“Werewolf?” questioned Dean.
“Couldn’t be, the heart was still there. Plus there wasn’t any bite marks, just cuts.”
“Well that would also cut back a rugaru.” added Tyler.
“Let’s check it out, if we leave now we should be there in a few hours.”
The trio grabbed their pre-packed duffels, stuffing their laptops in before zipping them up for the ride to come. As they walked out of the bunker, Dean switched off the lights and locked the metal door behind them. After tossing their bags into the trunk of the Impala, Dean sat himself down in the driver’s seat while Sam occupied the seat next to his. Tyler, once again made her way into the back of the worn-out vehicle. Dean cranked up the radio to his favorite classic rock station, blasting Aerosmith,” sweet emotion”.
Dean pulled out of the bumpy drive and onto the main road. Tyler lay down, stretching her denim-clad legs across the back seat as Dean watched her through the blurred rearview mirror. He looked to his right and saw Sam eyeing her supple body as well. Dean gave him a light punch in the shoulder and mouthed, hand’s off, she’s mine. Fat chance, Sam soundlessly returned, grinning.
“Don’t you dare get any dirty footprints on my baby.” Dean vocalized as he noticed Tyler watching them having their soundless conversation.
“I won’t hurt your girlfriend, I swear.” laughed Tyler.
Sam laughed as Dean continued to drive down the long highway leading to Colorado.
Dean attempted to find the least shady motel as they entered the small town of Hotchkiss, Colorado. After a few minutes of seemingly pointless driving, Dean pulled up into a slightly dilapidated parking lot in front of the Starlite inn. They exited the car and made their way to the front desk.
Dean rung the rusty bell sitting upon the linoleum countertop which was marked, “ring for service. Within a few short seconds, a middle aged woman wearing a floral apron appeared from the back room, tying back her obviously dyed, crimson hair back into a messy bun. Her face was weathered and had slight wrinkles around her maroon eyes. A deep blue name tag labeled “Irene” in silvery white letters peeked out from behind her apron.
“Sorry boys, pay by the hour room aren’t open till’ after 9pm.” Irene apologized, looking up at the clock which stated it was 8:28. Dean looked back at a confused Sam and a shocked looking Tyler.
“Umm, we just want a normal room for the next two nights.” Dean stated “She’s not a hooker and he’s my brother.” Tyler looked at the red-haired woman with an aggravated stare.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She blushed and began fiddling with the hem of her apron. “I’ll get you a two night room.” The poor woman began typing away on the dusty computer in front of her. Her face fell even further and she looked up apologetically. “We only have one room with two queens for the next few days.” She looked back at Sam and Tyler, shame climbing up her face like a pink flame.
“That’s fine, we’ll just go...” Dean started only to be cut off by Tyler.
“We’ll take it.” Tyler announced, trying to make a point to the already embarrassed lady. She stood up and placed a light wad of bills on the counter. Irene ducked down behind the counter, emerging with a silvery key with a small plastic tag labeled, “185.”
“Let’s go.” Tyler announced, swiping the keys off the table.
“We didn’t have to stay here.” Dean remarked as they grabbed their bags filled with the few necessities they needed for the night out of the back of the Impala. Sam had already gone to the room to do some more research about the vic.
“I wanted to prove a point.”
“What point were you trying to prove?”
“Just shut up.” Tyler playfully punched his arm and laughed. Dean closed the trunk with a loud “thunk.” The two of them joked their way to room 185. As they reached their room, the door next to theirs opened with a loud squeak. They heard some giggles as a young blond staggered out of the room followed by a balding man with a large beer belly. He handed a wad of bills to the girl as she blew him a kiss, tottering on her silver heels, her sequined purple dress barely making it over her thighs. The old man looked to Dean and Tyler and gave a short wolf whistle, looking her up and down.
“How much did that one cost ya?” guffawed the man, licking his lips.
“I’m not a fucking hooker!” shouted Tyler. “Why does everyone think that?”
“Well sweetie, you’ve got the body and the wardrobe. A bit of sexy rocker chick might do me some good.”
“Well fuck you.” She flipped him off as Sam opened the door to the ruckus outside.
“Oh, you wish honey.” He laughed and made his way to his car.
“Who was that?” asked Sam as the two of them entered the room, closing the door behind them.
“Just some asshole.” respond Tyler. “Tell me the truth, Sam, do I look like a hooker?”
“No.” Sam said a little too quickly. Tyler gave him a quick stare down. “Okay, maybe a little but that’s just because you’re hair is a little scrunched up and your makeup as well.”
“So you are saying I look I just had sex.” Dean laughed a little in the corner as Sam blushed. “So you think that’s funny, Dean?”
“Hey” Dean raised his hands in mock defeat. “Don’t look at me, Sam said it.”
“Whatever, I’m going to take a shower.” Tyler grabbed a few things from her bag and made her way to the small bathroom hidden in the corner of the musty room. “And guys, if you are going to get dinner can you grab me a burger and a chocolate shake? Oh yeah, don’t forget to bring me some pie.” She ducked into the bathroom and closed the thin, wooden door behind her.
“She likes pie.” Dean whispered to himself, smiling. He knew he was developing feelings for Tyler but then again, everyone he brought into his life either died or got hurt beyond his help. But then again, he thought to himself, she’s a hunter, she can protect herself.
“I’m going to get something for Tyler and me to eat, what would you like.” Sam asked, interrupting his inner questioning.
“Hmmm, what?”
“Do you want anything to eat?”
“Just some pie.”
“Nothing else?”
“Nope, I’m good.”
Sam shrugged and walked out the motel door just as Dean heard the shower turn on in the bathroom. As Sam closed the door, Dean sat down on the navy bedsheets covering the rough beds. Looking towards the closed bathroom door he couldn’t help but think of Tyler’s tanned skin glistening under the steamy water. He barely noticed the sound of running water coming to a stop.
A few seconds later the door creaked open and Tyler stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in nothing but a towel. Dean’s eyes widened as her dripping body bent down and picked a hoodie out of her bag, humming to an unknown tune. Dean realised that she didn’t notice that he was sitting on the bed so he let out a small cough. Tyler jumped, letting her towel fall a bit, revealing more of her shining back. White scars shaped like claw marks pierced her tanned skin. Ripped and jagged, starting at her tailbone and ending at the start of her left shoulder blade. She spun around to face Dean soon after he noticed the scars so he couldn’t get a good look
“Oh my God, Dean. I thought you left with Sam!” Tyler stated, quickly pulling up her towel. “I just need to get my clothes.”
“Sorry.” Dean mumbled looking down at his shoes.
“It’s fine.” Tyler laughed, hiding her obvious embarrassment which seemed to be more about the scars than nearly flashing Dean. She quickly stepped back in the bathroom, hastily shutting the door behind her. Dean began to wonder about what could have caused those scars until his mind wandered back to what Castiel had said earlier about Tyler having a rough start.
He didn’t notice Sam reentering the room with an armful of diner food until he announced, “Anybody hungry?”