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(11.1) ─ Scarecrow

𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫:
‧⁺˚*‧☾ 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐬☽‧*˚⁺‧

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"Dad?"

"Hey, angel."

"Where are you? Are you okay?" Carmen asked, leaning over and turning on the light. The light shined into Sam's face, fully waking him up, "Who is it? Is that Dad?" He asked as she nodded her head. "I'm fine, Carmen. I miss you and your brothers." He answered.

"We miss you too."

Sam grabbed the phone from her hands, she hadn't even noticed her had gotten out of bed. "Dad? Are you hurt?" He asked frantically, waking Dean up. "We've been looking for you everywhere. We didn't know where you were, if you were okay. We're fine. Dad, where are you?" Dean was not fully awake and is now sitting up on the side of the bed. "What? Why not?"

"Is that Dad?" Dean asked but Sam didn't reply. His head turned to his sister looking for answers which he got as she mouthed a 'yes'.

"You're after it, aren't you? The thing that killed Mom." Sam confronted their father. "A demon? You know for sure?"

"A demon? What's he saying?" Dean questioned.

"You know where it is?" Sam questioned ignoring his brother. "Let us help – Why not?"

Dean held his hand, now standing in front of his brother. "Give me the phone." Sam still ignored him, instead listening to the older man on the other end. "Names? What names, Dad- talk to me, tell me what's going on...No. Alright? No way."

"Give me the phone." Dean repeated and Sam didn't listen once again. So, Dean grabbed the phone from his hand. "Dad, it's me. Where are you?" He asked after placing the phone to his ear and waiting for a response. "Yes, sir. Uh, yeah, I got a pen. What are their names?" Dean asked, grabbing a pen off the nightstand and starting to write on his hand. Sam looked over at Carmen, disappointed that his brother was giving into their Dad. Carmen had no idea how to feel about what was happening, but was just happy to know her dad was at least alive.

💾

Sam was driving the Impala, while Dean was sitting in the passenger seat, and Carmen was in the back. "Alright, so, the names Dad gave us, they're all couples?" Sam asked. "Three different couples. All went missing." Dean explained. "And they're all from different towns? Different states?" She asked finishing brushing her hair out. "That's right." Dean agreed. "You got Washington, New York, Colorado. Each couple took a road trip cross-country. None of them arrived at their destination, and none of them were ever heard from again."

"Well, it's a big country, Dean. They could've disappeared anywhere." Sam suggested as she sighed, "Yeah, could've. But each one's route took 'em to the same part of Indiana. Always in the second week of April. One year after another after another." The oldest explained.

"This week is the second week of April." She pointed out.

"So, Dad is sending us to Indiana to go hunting for something before another couple vanishes?" Sam questioned. "Yahtzee! Can you imagine putting together a pattern like thing? All the different obits Dad had to go through? The man's a master." Dean praised. Only it seemed that Carmen noticed that Sam was annoyed and aggravated by the mere mention of how great their father was.

She watched as his jaw clenched tightly before he quickly pulled over, and turned the Impala off. The oldest frowned at him, "What are you doing?" He questioned. "We're not going to Indiana." Sam declared, causing the two to frown their brows at him, "We're not?" The two asked in unison. "No," He started, turning towards the two, "We're going to California. Dad called from a payphone. Sacramento area code."

"Sam,"

"Dean, if this demon killed Mom and Jess, and Dad's closing in, we've gotta be there. We've gotta help."

"Dad doesn't want our help." Dean stated, getting upset about the fact that he wasn't getting it.

"I don't care!" He protested.

"He's given us an order."

"I don't care. We don't always have to do what he says!" He snapped. "Sam, Dad is asking us to work jobs, to save lives, it's important." The oldested stated. "Alright, I understand, believe me, I understand. But I'm talking one week here, man. To get answers. To get revenge." He said trying to reason with brother.

"To get revenge?" Dean repeated looked at him as if he had grown another head.

"Sam, even if you go to California how do you know you'll get answers? Hell, how do you know you'll find Dad?" She asked finally speaking up but they didn't pay any attention to her.

"Alright, look, I know how you feel." Dean said. "Do you?" Sam asked in a tone that shocked the oldest.

"Sam," She warned but was once again ignored.

"How old were you when Mom died, four? Jess died six months ago. How the hell would you know how I feel?"

"Dad said it wasn't safe. For any of us. I mean, he obviously knows something that we don't, so if he says to stay away, we stay away." Dean explained. "I don't understand the blind faith you have in the man. I mean, even Carmen questions him from time to time." Sam protested. "Yeah, it's called being a good son. And sure Carmen does, but she's still a good daughter!" This was Sam's breaking point. He silently, and very angrily got out of the car. "Sam!" She called after him, while also getting out as Dean did as well. Both watched as he started unpacking his stuff from the trunk. "You're a selfish bastard, you know that? You just do whatever you want! Don't care what anybody thinks!" He shouted, gesturing at them.

"That's what you really think?" He asked as his brother nodded his head, 'Yes, it is." "Well, then this selfish bastard is going to California." He informed.Carmen could feel the lump in her throat growing tighter and tighter, so she bit her cheek trying to stop it. She couldn't understand, couldn't believe he was leaving, aging. She had just gotten him back, and here he was just leaving again. Slipping his arms through the straps, grabbing his duffel bag, and jacket. Looking at the two before walking away. "Sam," She whispered, not wanting to say a word. Afraid that if she did then her tears would follow.

"Come on, you're not serious." Dean said trying to reason with him.

"I am serious." He insisted.

"It's the middle of the night! Hey, I'm taking off, I will leave your ass! You hear me?" Dean threatened, causing Sam to stop walking and turn to them. "That's what I want you to do." Carmen looked between the two realizing they were both being serious. "Sam please," She pleased her voice was only able to be heard between the two.

"Goodbye, Sam." Dean said, shutting the trunk. "Carmen let's go." He said, not even glancing at her. Just walking straight to the driver's door and getting in.

The two looked at each other for a moment. Suddenly, her arms were wrapped around his neck, standing on the tips of her toes to reach him. "I love you, Bigfoot." She said feeling her eyes start to sting as her vision started to fuzz. "Love you too, Daria." He said, hugging her back. After a moment he was the first to pull away, "Now, go." He rubbed her shoulder lightly. She looked at him once more, her expression almost making him fail back on his decision. But he held it together watching as she climbed into the passenger seat and the Impala left.

She didn't sleep. How could she? After watching her brother leave them, leave her, for the second time. It was selfish of her to think that way, she realized it. Of course it was something she had no control over. Sam was an adult and can make his own decisions. And he was right even if what he said was very hurtful. Jess was only dead for six months by now, her death was still fresh to him. But dammit does it not feel right.

Dean's eyes were glued to the road, while hers were peering out of the window with her earbuds in trying to distract herself from everything that had just gone on.

Watching the scenery passing them.The different but same green fields, either being plain and empty, or fields with crops row after row. The sky turning from dark blues and grays, to a light blue just before the sky was awake. And finally making the orange and yellow of the morning.

"Carm," Dean called, not getting any response.

"Carmen?"

Nothing.

"Carmen," He said shaking her shoulder with one hand, which pulled the earbud from her ear. "What?" She asked with a deadpan tone.

Dean pulled into a spot on the side of the road. Local shops and bakers lined the streets on either side. "We're here." He said turning the Impala off and the two climbed out. Walking up to one of the cafés, "Scotty's Café." An older man was sat on the porch. "Let me guess," Dean said after looking up at the sign, then pointing at the man, "Scotty."

He looked at the sign, then to Dean, then to Carmen, "Yep."

"Hi, my name is John Bonham and this is my sister, Lauren Bonham-"

"Isn't that the drummer for Led Zeppelin?"

"Wow. Good. Classic rock fan."

"What can I do for you, John and Lauren?" He asked, going along with the names.

She pulled out the two missing persons flyers, Holly and Vince Parker. "We were wondering if you by chance seen these people?" She handed him both papers. He looked at them for a moment before shaking his head, "Nope. Who are they?"

"Friends of mine." Dean stated, making the lie more believe since Carmen was with him. Who would question how the two knew them, that would come off rude. "They went missing about a year ago. They passed through somewhere around here, and I've already asked around Scottsburg and Salem-"

"Sorry."

Carmen's bros frowned, but she quickly tried hiding her look of suspension. He handing the flyers back to her, "We don't get many strangers around here." The oldest nodded, "Scotty, you've gotta a smile that lights up a room, anybody ever tell you that?" Scotty stared at him strangely and Dean chuckled, "Never mind. See you around.

"Sorry, he forgets his manners." She apologized after feeling really off about the man in the chair. The two walked back down the steps and onto the sidewalk. After getting a bit away from the porch Carmen looked up at him, "You've got a smile that lights up a room?" She asked looking at him like he was stupid. "Shut up," He muttered.

💾

Next stop, Jorgeson General Store. The owners were a husband, Harley, and wife, Stacy, duo. Carmen gave them the picture, but to no avail. "You sure they didn't stop for gas or something?" The older woman shook her head. "Hope, don't remember 'em. You said they were friends of yours?" Harley asked, handing the flyers back to the youngest Winchester.

"That's right,"

A blonde younger girl came down the stairs with some small boxes in hand. "Did the guy have a tattoo?" She asked. "Yes, he did." She placed the boxes on the counter, before walking over to Carmen and looking closer at the picture of Vince. She then looked up at Harley, "You remember? They were just married." She passed the photos towards the older man. He thought about it for a moment, studing the picture. "You're right. They did stop for gas. Weren't here more than ten minutes." He remembered, sounding awful unnatural.

"You remember anything else?" Carmen questioned.

"I told 'e, how to get back to the Interstate. They left town." He added.

"Could you point us in that same direction?" Dean asked. "Sure," He agreed.

💾

To get to the Interstate, they had to drive past the Orchard. When they were driving past it a loud high pitch ringing was coming from the back seat. The same high pitch noised the EMF meter made when it techted something. "What the hell?" Dean questioned, putting the car over.

Carmen reached back, pulling out the handheld device that was beeping frantically. It was as if it was on the verge of exploding. The two exchanged confused and uneasy looks, before looking out the passenger window toward the Orchard.

Walking along the main path of Orchard was actually very beautiful. The trees were blooming with different flowers as they were getting ready for the upcoming harvesting season. If the meter hadn't gone off in a very small town, that probably only had one stop light. Then maybe Carmen wouldn't be so on edge as they walked father and father into the rows of trees. The two stopped at a scarecrow standing upright, tied to its post. "Dude, you're fugly." Dean remarked looking up at it.

"You're one to talk." She muttered, getting a small nudge.

Scarecrows were something that was always unsettling to her. It was something about it looking so human like, pants, shirts, shoes, hats. A lot of farmers would just stuff their own clothes with hay and use that. But the face was so hollow. As if it was merely trying to mimic a human instead of trying to be one. Then again that was the whole reason for them. Crows thinking that the thing was a human instead of really just being a body of hay. But it was just everytime she would look at one she never wanted to turn her back to it, and if she did she would swear it was staring at her.

In the midst of not wanting to take her eyes off the hollow thing she had noticed something on its arm. Along with something sickle lookin in its hand. "Huh. Now, what do we have here?" She muttered to herself.

Walking up to one of the nearby ladders, moving over so it was in front of the scarecrow. Dean quickly moved around so he was able to keep it steady watching as she climbed up each of the steps. She was now at eye level with it. Carefully pushing up a part of its sleeve, seeing the black design on its arm. "What'd you find?" Dean asked. She didn't say anything, instead fumbling into her jacket pocket and pulling out the folded up paper. Unfolding it and moving to the second page where Vince's flier was. Comparing the two designs to one another and saw that they were a match. "Think I found something!" She called down, not taking her eyes off the thing. "Nice tattoo buddie, where'd you think of it?"

💾

On the way back to the gas station Carmen told Dean everything that was thinking. Surprised that almost all of it wasn't a rumbling mess for once. He pulled up to one of the pumps and they both got out. "You're back." The same blonde girl from earlier said, now standing by the pumps.

"Never left."

"Still looking for your friends?" She asked and he nodded. "Can you fill it up, Emily?" He asked politely. Carmen raised a brow at him, confused on way he didn't refer to the Impala as 'her', something he always did. "Her." He corrected himself. There it was. "Can you fill her up, Emily?" She chuckled, walking up to the cover.

There was a pay phone near the side of the store. "I'll be right back." Carmen told him before walking up to the booth. Leaning on the side of the casing, so her back was facing the front of the store. She pulled out her phone, pressing on Sam's contact and held it up to her ear. "Hey, this is Sam–" And of course she would get his voice mail. "Hey Sammy, it's Carm. Just wanted to check in, make sure you weren't a new addition to a truckers bug collection." She chuckled lightly before pressing her lips together. Realizing she was running out of time. "So, um, yeah, call me whenever. Love ya."

If you are happy with your message please press 2.

To re-record your message please press 4.

She already knew what numbers did what. But still the machine was somehow at a defining volume. So when she didn't even have the phone near her ear she could still hear the voice. Pressing two and quickly shut her phone, shoving back into her jacket pocket.

"Had some car troubles."

"It's not a couple, is it? A guy and girl?" Dean asked just as Carmen walked back up to the two, "Mmhm." Emily nodded. He looked over towards his sister who raised her brows. Signaling she was on the same page as him.

💾

Dean filled her in on the netty little details as they walked down the street to Scotty's Café. Seeing the man himself talking with the couple whose car broke down. "Oh, hey, Scotty!" His smile faded quickly. "Can I get a coffee, black? And can she get an iced coffee, the colder the better." Dean asked, pointing between himself and Carmen. He nodded slightly before walking away. "Oh, and some of that pie, too, while you're at it." Dean called out as the two went and sat at the table next to the couple.

"Hey, how ya doin'?" He asked them with a friendly smile. The two waved and smiled softly at them. "Just passing through?"

"Road trip." The woman replied.

"Hm, yeah, me and my sister too." He said, pointing between the two, again. They nodded, clearly just trying to be friendly. Scotty walked over to the couple, refilling their cider, glancing at the brother, "I'm sure these people want to eat in peace."

"Just a little friendly conversation."

Scotty walked away, but not without a glance towards the oldest Winchester, "Oh and those to coffee's too, man. Thanks," He remained. Carmen propped her elbows on the table, crossing them, and leaning towards the couple, "So, what brings you to town?" "We just stopped for gas." The woman explained. "And, uh, the guy at the gas station saved our lives." The two siblings exchanged quick glances before Dean spoke, "Is that right?"

"Yeah, one of our brake lines was leaking. We had no idea. He was fixing it for us." He explained.

"Nice people."

"Yeah," He agreed, nodding before continuing to eat.

"So, how long till you're up and runnin'?" Dean asked. "Sundown," "Really," He muttered with a small frown. "To fix a break line?" He nodded in response. "I mean, you know, I know a thing or two about cars. I could probably have you ip and running in about an hour. I wouldn't charge you anything."

"You know, thanks a lot, but I think we'd rather have a mechanic do it."

"Sure. I know," He agreed with the woman. "You know, it's just that these roads they're not real safe at night."

It was now the couples turn to exchange looks. She looked back at Dean with a frown. "I'm sorry?"

"I get it sounds strange, but, uh–you might be in danger."

"Look, we're trying to eat. Okay?" The man said, obviously annoyed and unease by the oldest comments. "Yeah." He agreed, dropping the conversation, turning his attention back towards his sister.

That was until a bell rang from above the door. "Thanks for coming, Sheriff." Scotty said coming out from the back room. Carmen used her foot to nudge Dean's. She nodded towards where the two were talking, and his eyes followed. He was whispering something into the Sheriff's ear. Both not taking their eyes off either one of Winchester siblings. Dean rolled his eyes looking back towards her. She knew that look all too well. It was a lack of better terms for play your cards right and we won't get fucked.

The Sheriff walked over to the two, hands on his hips. "I'd like a word, please." He said looking towards the oldest. "Come on. I'm having a bad day already," He muttered. The older man slammed his palms onto the table, leaning towards Dean. "You know what would make it worse?"

💾

The Sheriff's car followed closely to the Impala. Make completely sure that they were leaving. Passing the sign to Burkitsville, signaling the city line. Carmen turned back, acting like she was looking for something, but peered through the top of her head to see the car turn around and start to drive back.

"He's going back." She started turning back to her seat. Her hand reached up and fumbled with her necklace.

"And so are we."