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(6.1) ─ Skin

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

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Carmen drove the Impala into the gas station, putting it into park before getting out. "I think I did a good job. I only hit two cribs." She said bashfully closing the door walking towards the front of the car where Dean met her. "Yeah, better than the ten last time." He replied moving towards the driver seat as she went to the back. "You didn't force me to pull over to the side of the road! I actually made it to the gas station!"

"Alright, I figured we'd hit Tucumcari by lunch, then head south, hit Bisbee by midnight." The oldest explained. "Sounds good," Carmen nodded, getting situated in the backseat, but Sam didn't respond, instead scrolling through his PalmPilot. "Sam wears women's underwear," Dean joked. "So that's where they went?" She added, making him laugh. "I've been listening', I'm just busy." Sam responded, rolling his eyes at the two.

"Busy?" She repeated tilted her head, "Doing what?"

"Reading emails."

Dean pushed off the car and started to fill up the tank. "Emails from who?" He asked while leaning in through the back window.

"From my friends at Stanford."

"You're kidding. You still keep in touch with your college buddies?" He asked. "Why not?" The youngest brother questioned. "Well, what exactly do you tell 'em? You know, about where you've been, what you've been doin?" Dean asked as Carmen rolled her eyes, "Probably catching them up on all the sightseeing he's been doing, and nice little dinners, and all the demons and monsters he's seen." She remarked sarcastically as Dean gave her a deadpan expression through the open window as she stuck her tongue out at him.

"I tell 'em I'm on a road trip with the two of you. And that I needed some time off after Jess." He explained ignoring the two's bickering.

"So you lie?"

"No. I just don't tell 'em... everything."

Dean nodded glancing back at the gas tank before looking back at Sam. "Yeah, that's called lying. I mean, hey, man. I get it, tellin' the truth is far worse."

"So, what am I supposed to do, just cut everybody out of my life?" He asked only getting a shrugged in response, "You're serious?" He asked with wide eyes. "Look, it sucks, but in a job like this, you can't get close to people, period." Dean replied. "You're kind of anti-social, you know that?" Sam said as Carmen nodded in agreement. "Yeah, whatever." He muttered pulling the nozzle out of the fuelhole as Sam continued reading his emails. "God... In this email from Rebecca Warren, one of my friends-"

"Is she hot?"

"I went to school with her, and her brother, Zack. She says Zack's being charged with murder. He's been arrested for killing his girlfriend. Rebecca says he didn't do it, but it sounds like the cops have a pretty good case." Sam informed after ignoring Dean's comment. "Dude, what kind of people are you hangin' out with?" Dean asked getting into the driver's seat. "It's the college lifestyle it drains you not only of your finances but your humanity as well." She remarked leaning on the front seat. "No, guys, I know Zack. He's no killer." He protested.

"Well, maybe you don't know Zack as well as he knows you."

"They're in St. Louis. We're going." Sam told him making Dean chuckle. "Look, sorry 'bout you buddy, okay? But this does not sound like our kind of problem." He said as Sam looked over at him. "It is our problem. They're my friends."

"St. Louis is four hundred miles behind us, Sam."

Sam didn't look away from him, giving his best 'puppy dog pleading eyes' that everyone knew Dean couldn't say no to. The oldest sighed before looking back at Carmen as Sam followed. She looked between the two smiling lightly, "I kinda wanna meet Sam's college friends, it sounds fun." He turned back towards the wheel, putting it into drive, "Fine." He gave in pulling out of the gas station and turning around back in the direction of St. Louis.

💾

Dean and Carmen stood on either side of Sam, who had rung the bell. Both looking around at the large picket fence house. Carmen had thought about living this type of life, wondering what it would be like. Wondering if she could and would be able to marry into this type of life, ultimately the answer would be no, it will always be no...but a girl can dream, can't she?

"Oh my god, Sam!" A blonde woman exclaimed after opening the door and realizing who it was. "Well, if it isn't little Becky," Sam teased making Rebecca grin, "You know what you can do with that 'little Becky' crap?" The two hugged quickly as Sam pulled away, "I got your e-mail."

"I didn't think that you would come here."

Dean cleared his throat, stepping forward and extending his hand, "Dean, older brother." She smiled politely at him as the two shook hands, "Hi," "Hi." He repeated returning her smile.

Sam looked between the two before glancing towards Carmen, "And this is Carmen, our little sister." He introduced draping his arm around her shoulder and pushing her into his side. "Carmen, hey, I thought you looked familiar." She said, making Carmen's head tilt as the two shook hands. "Yeah, Sam talked about you a lot." The younger girl grinned looking up at at her brother, "Oh really?" He quickly avoided her glances turning back to the blonde, pressing his lips together. "We're here to help. In Whatever way we can," She smiled softly, "Come in," The three followed her inside leaving Dean to shut the door, "Nice place," He remarked. "It's my parents'. I was just crashing here for the long weekend when everything happened. I decided to take the semester off. I'm gonna stay until Zack's free." She explained leading them through the house.

"Where are your folks?" Sam questioned.

"They live in Paris for half the year, so they're on their way home now for the trail."

"Do you guys want a beer or something?" She asked as they reached the kitchen. Dean smiled, "Hey–" "No, thanks, "Sam cut him off, making him shoot him a look. "We are good but thanks." Carmen spoke up trying to clear the air of the brother bickering.

"So, tell us what happened?" Sam asked, changing the topic. Rebecca shut the big silver fridge doors as her face softened at the touchy subject. Walking over towards them as both her and Carmen took a seat at the island while the two boys stood in front of them. "Well, um, Zach came home, and he found Emily tied to a chair. And she was beaten up and bloody and she wasn't breathing. So, he called 911, and the police-they showed up and they arrested him. But the thing is the only way that Zach could've killed Emily is if her was in two places at the same time. The police they have a video. It's from a security tape from across the street and it shows Zack coming home at 10:30. Now, Emily was killed just after that, but I swear, he was here with me having a few beers until at least after midnight."

"You know, maybe we could see the crime scene. Zack's house," Sam suggested as Dean confirmed, "We could."

"Why? I mean, what could you do?"

"Well, me not much. But Dean's a cop." Sam quickly lied as Dean laughed a little, "Detective, actually"

"Really?" She asked, tilting her head slightly as he nodded, "Where?"

"Bisbee, Arizona," Carmen answered, smiling at Dean, nudging his side lightly. The two had very eventful trip in Bisbee. Carmen got a piercing and a scar all in the same day. "Right, Dean?"

"Right, but I'm off-duty now,"

She glanced between the two nervously, "You guys, it's so nice to offer, but I just, I don't know." Sam leaned in closer towards her, "Bec, look, I know Zack didn't do this. Now, we have to find a way to prove that he's innocent." She smiled softly, "Okay, I'm gonna go get the keys." She gave in. Standing up and walking down the hallway and out of their line of sight. Dean whistled quietly as he turned looking towards Sam, "Oh, yeah, you're a real straight shooter with your friends." He commented. "Look, Zach and Becky need our help," He tried to reason as the oldest shook his head lightly, "I just don't think this is our kind of problem." "Two places at once? We've looked into less," Dean just sighed, not saying anything, but turning his head towards Carmen, "I'm curious," She added simply shrugging her shoulders.

💾

"You're sure this is okay?" Rebecca checked with Dean as the four were walking up to Zack's house after climbing out of the Impala. "Yeah, I am an officer of the law." The three Winchesters ducked under the police tape as they started to look around. The strange metallic smell hits them like a truck as soon as they walk through those doors. All the furniture, all the tables, every wall or surface area that was out in the open was covered in blood. Carmen glanced back and noticed that Rebecca hadn't followed them inside. Instead was still standing on the porch, "Hey, Rebecca if you wanna wait outside, you can?" She quickly shook her head and walked up next to her. "No, I wanna help."

Carmen glanced at Sam who nodded, "Tell us what else the police said,"

"Well, there's no sign of a break-in. They say that Emily let her attacker in. The lawyers, they're already talking about a plea bargain-" She cut herself off as she looked around at the scene with tears in her eyes. "Oh, God..."

"Look, Bec, if Zack didn't do this, it means someone else did. Any idea who?" Sam asked as she shook her head, but her eyes widened slightly as her head shot towards him, remembering something. "Um, there was something, about a week before. Somebody broke in here and stole some clothes, Zack's clothes. The police, they don't think it's anything. I mean, we're not that far from downtown. Sometimes people get robbed," Sam and Carmen walked towards the kitchen as Dean and Rebecca went about the house. Carmen looked over the counter tops, on the wall of them, anything that would give her anything. Her eyes landing on the silver double door fridge, seeing a few photos that had Sam in them. One where Rebecca stood in the middle with him on one side and a guy on the other. "This Zack?" She asked pointing at the picture glancing at Sam who nodded, "Yeah," He said softly as she stayed quite knowing it was a touchy topic. "So," Dean announced as he walked into the kitchen, "The neighbor's dog went psycho right around the time Zack's girlfriend was killed."

"Some animals can sense the paranormal," She reminded.

"Yeah, maybe Fido saw something,"

"So, you think maybe this is our kind of problem?" Sam asked with a small smile. "No, probably not. But we should look at the security tape, you know, just to make sure." Dean replied as Carmen and Sam glanced at each other as he chuckled, "Yeah?" He asked. "Yeah," Dean repeated.

Rebecca walked into the kitchen and over towards Sam. "So, the tape. The security footage, you think maybe your lawyers could get their hands on it, cause I just don't have that kind of jurisdiction." Dean quickly lied. "I've already got it. I didn't wanna say something in front of the cops." She replied as all three smirked, "I stole it off the lawyer's desk. I just had to see it for myself." She explained as Dean nodded, "Alright," They left making sure they didn't leave any prints behind.

💾

Now sat in the living room back at Rebeeca's house all four of their eyes were glued to the large TV that was currently playing the security footage. "Here he comes," The black and white tape showed Zack walking to his house. "22:04, that's just after ten. You said the time of death was about 10:30?" Dean asked. "Our lawyers hired some kind of video expert. He says the tape's authentic. It wasn't tampered with," She answered.

"Hey, Bec, can we take those beers now?" Sam suddenly asked changing the topic. "Oh, sure, is water okay Carmen?" She asked standing up and looking over at the youngest who nodded, giving her a smile. "Hey," Sam called after her as she was just about to walk out, getting her to turn back around, "Maybe some sandwiches, too?" The blonde woman chuckled, "What do you think this is Hooters?" She asked before fully leaving. Dean chuckled before muttering, "I wish,"

Carmen peered over her shoulder making sure Rebecca was far enough away before hitting Sam on the black of the head, "Ow," He said, holding the area looking at her concerned. "COuld you be any more obvious?" She asked, raising a brow. "What is it?" Dean asked as Sam nodded towards the screen while re-rewinding the tap, "Check this out." The screen was now frozen on a single frame. It was Zack looking directly at the camera, his eyes shining silver. "Well, maybe it's just a camera flare," Dean suggested. "That's not like any camera flare I've ever seen." Sam muttered. "The eyes are a window to the soul. You know, a lot of cultures believe that a photo could catch a glimpse of your soul." Carmen explained. "Right," Dean agreed as he nodded his head slightly, "Remember that dog that was freakin' out? Maybe he saw this thing. Maybe this is some kind of double of Zack, or something like him but isn't him." Dean explained. "Like some really fucked up doppelganger." She added getting disapproved looks from both her brothers. "Yeah. It sure explains how he was in two places at once." Sam agreed.

💾

"Alright, so what are we doin' here at 5:30 in the morning?" Dean asked, holding his coffee in hand. While Carmen leaned against him yawning widely while rubbing her eye. It was the next morning, the three were now standing at the back of Zack's house after Sam instead they had to go back. "I realized something. The videotape shows the killer goin' in, but not comin' out." He explained. "So you dragged me out of bed to tell us he ran out the back door?" She remarked clearly annoyed with how early it was. "So, there should be a trail to follow. A trail the police would never pursue. Come on, you both saw how much blood was in that house." He explained crossed the small road (the type that's large enough for a single car).

"Cause they think the killer never left. And they caught your friend Zack inside." Dean said as the two leaned against the hood of the Impala. Which he parked with them near the park so no one would see them. "I still don't know what we're doin' here at 5:30 in the morning." He mumbled handing her the warm cup of coffee.

"That's what I'm saying." She took a small sip before handing it back to him. Checking on Sam seeing some bright brown blood smeared on a nearby telephone pole. She whistled, getting their attention nodding her head towards the pole. "Old blood is brown. Someone came this way."

"Yeah, but the trail ends. I don't see anything over here." Dean said as the sudden sound of an ambulance sped past them. Each exchanging the same look before following it to the house it stopped at. Seeing an Asian man getting escorted out in handcuffs with a cop on either side of him.

"What happened?" Dean asked a nearby woman that was also looking at the scene, "He tried to kill his wife. Tied her up and beat her." She informed making Sam's brows knitted, "Really?" The woman nodded, "I used to see him going to work in the morning. He'd wave, say hello. He seemed like such a nice guy." They watched as they put him inside the car before watching the car drive away. The three looked at each other thinking the same thing. Dean nodded at them as he followed the two to the side of the house, looking around the area.

"What are we dealing with? I mean...how dangerous is this thing?" Carmen muttered to herself thinking out loud. Her head tilted slightly, finding a trail of blood to the back of the building.

"Hey!" Dean called from behind them, getting both of them to turn around to face him fully. "Remember when I said this wasn't our kind of problem?"

"Yeah," The two said at the same time.

"Definitely our kind of problem."

"What's you find out?" Sam questioned curious on his sudden change of heart. "Well, I just talked to the patrolman who was the first on the scene, and heard this guy, Alex's story. Apparently the dude was driving home from a business trip when his wife was attacked." He explained. "So, he was at two places at once?" She asked in a clearly confused tone. "Exactly. Then he sees himself in the house, the police think he's a nutjob."

"Two dark doubles attacking loved ones in exactly the same way." Sam said.

"Could be the same thing doin' it, too,"

Carmen's eyes shot to the ground as she started quickly filling through every type of monster she knew. Her head shooting back up as she held her hand up, "Yes, Carmen," Dean said surprised by her eagerness, "Shapeshifter," She suggested. "Yes and no. It's something that can make itself look like anyone." Sam replied. "But every culture in the world has a shapeshifter lore. You know, legends of creatures who can transform themselves into animals or others." Dean debated.

"Right, right, werewolves, Canada's bear walker, or Bulgaria's Vrkolak." She added.

"We've got two attacks within blocks of each other. I'm guessin' we've got a shapeshifter prowlin' the neighborhood."

"Okay, look I know I'm the one that suggested shapeshifter, but I have to ask. In all the lore we've read, can any of them fly?" They both looked at each other, looking back at her with confused looks shaking their heads. "Not that I know of," Dean spoke up. "Well, I picked up a trail here. Someone, or something, ran out the back of the building and headed off this way." She showed them. "Just like your friend's house." Dean said to Sam, "Yeah."

"And, just like at Zack's house, the trail just sudden;y ends. I mean, whatever it is just disappeared." She added.

"Well, there's another way to go-down," They all looked down seeing a manhole cover leading straight down to the sewer. Making Carmen groan loudly while making a disgusted face.

💾

Dean went into the sewer first followed by Carmen and by Sam, who was the only one between the two strong enough to cover the hole back up. "I bet this runs right by Zack's house, too." Sam remarked looking around. "The shifter could be using this system to get around." She added watching where she was stepping. "For once Shorty, you're right." Dean remarked as Carmen raised her brow shining her flashlight at him, "I while throw your ass down the sewer system like it'a a damn water slide."

"Guys, look at this," Sam announced seeing something on the floor. It was a sticky, stringy pile of blood and skin. "Is this from his victims?" Dean held his hand out towards the youngest. She reached into her boot pulling out the small butterfly knife and quickly flipped it open. Handing it over to him as he poked some of the skin onto the blade. "You know, I just had a sick thought. When the shapeshifter changes shape–maybe it sheds,"

"And that's my knife you're using to poke it with? That's great, just perfect," She remarked sarcastically while Dean put the bloody pile on the ground. Whipping the blade off on a lower part of his jeans before handing the knife back to his sister.

💾

Making their way back to the Impala, Dean opened the trunk taking out and going through some of the weapons. "Well, one thing me and Carmen learned from Dad, is that no matter what kind of shapeshifter it is, there's one sure way to kill it." Dean started to explain.

"Silver bullet to the heart,"

"Right again, Sammy." He replied as Sam's phone started to ring, "This is Sam," He answered stepping a bit away. Dean handed Carmen a large shiny blade. She took it fitling with the handle a bit as she glanced over at Sam and then back at Dean. "I know that look," He stated making her eyes quickly dart to the ground. "You're worried about him,"

"It's my job to worry," She pushed off the side of the car walking to the other side of him, safely tucking the knife away in her waistband while talking, "I worry about him, and I worry about you. And if I didn't, then that would make me a bodysnatcher, now wouldn't I?" Dean scoffed, shaking his head with a smile, shutting the trunk.

Sam shoved his phone back into his pocket as the two walked over towards him. Carmen took a notice of his expression, he was mad, no, disappointed. "I hate to say it, but that's exactly what I'm talkin' about. You lie to your friends because if they knew the real you, they'd be freaked. It's just- it'd be easier if-"

"If I was like you,"

"Okay, that's enough." Carmen announced standing in between the two. "Were are officially on a job which means you fighting like this will get one, or all, of us killed."

They both went quiet for a moment knowing that she was right. "Hey man," Dean said breaking the silences, "Like it or not, we are not like other people. But I'll tell you one thing. This whole gig–it ain't one without perks." He remarked holding up a gun. Sam chuckled a little taking the gun from him.