Time After Time

I slammed the door to my car, the gravel crunching under my feet. As I made my way in I noticed a sleek black car, a 67 Chevy to be exact. The make and model rang in my head as I thought about it. I shook the thoughts from my head and went inside. The place smelled like stale beer and greasy burgers. The booths were full, but I managed to get a seat at the bar.

“I’ll have a beer, please.” The bartender nodded and grabbed one from the fridge.

“$4.75.” I dug into my jeans pockets to give him cash.

“Don’t worry, I got it.” I rolled my eyes and gave the bartender my cash. “Where are you from?”

“South Dakota.”

“Well, you’re far from home.” It was true, I was in Minnesota for a case.

“There you are, I was looking for you.” I raised my eyebrows at the other man next to me. “Is there a problem?”

“No buddy, I was just talking to this pretty girl.”

“Yeah well buddy, she’s my girlfriend so I suggest you leave.” The guy scrambled away and I finally relaxed. “What’s your name, cutie?”

“Rosalie Wesson.” His eyes widened

“Yeah, that’s not possible.”

“What’s your real name?”

“I told you it’s Rosalie...”

“Yeah, you said that.” I was getting fed up with all the guys tonight. I hopped off the barstool and made my way to a booth that just opened. I sat down on the ripped leather bench and felt more people sit down.

“Sorry, I was here...” I looked at the two men in front of me, one was the same guy who saved me from the other man, the other I felt like I recognized him, the both of them.

“We’re the Winchesters, heard of us?” Winchester? The name sounded familiar but I couldn’t make any connections. “I’m Dean, and this is Sam.”

“What do you want?”

“Same as you, hunting.” Great, I hated working with other hunters.

“Do you know what it is yet?” I shook my head, I wasn’t sure either.

“Do you guys?”

“We aren’t really sure either. We talked to an eyewitness this morning, the mother thinks the kid just had a bad dream, he said the monster had this whining growl.”

“The local police ruled out foul play,” Sam said.

“So, maybe we were wrong.”

“Yeah, maybe. But Dean, check this out. Dad, he marked the area. Hunting grounds for a phantom attacker. Apparently, it grabs people and vanishes. He also found this, this county has more missing persons per capita than anywhere else in the state.”

“Don’t phantom attackers usually snatch people from their bed. Jenkins was taken from a parking lot.”

“Well, there are all kinds. You know, Spring Heeled Jacks, phantom gassers. They take people anywhere, anytime. Look, Dean, I don’t know if this is our kind of gig either.”

“Yeah, you’re right, we should ask around more tomorrow.”

“Right. I saw a motel about five miles back.” Sam pulled out his wallet and Dean laughed.

“Woah, Woah, easy. Let’s have another round.”

“We should get an early start.”

“Yeah, you really know how to have fun, don’t you, Grandma? Alright, I’ll meet you outside, I gotta take a leak.” Dean got up to leave and Sam followed closely behind him but he went out the door. I finished my burger and Dean frantically came in shouting for Sam.

“Have you seen Sam?”

“Not since he left to wait for you.”

“He’s not out there, I looked.”

“You don’t think...” I watched him sweep his arm across the table and the glasses shattered once they hit the floor. “We need to look for him.”

“I’ll help you find him, but as soon as that’s done, I’m out of here. You boys look like you can handle yourself.” Dean nodded and we walked out of the bar. He whistled as I got into my car, and I gave him a short nod.

“Just follow me to a motel.” I listened to the impala’s engine and Rocky Mountain Way by Joe Walsh blasted through the speakers of the car.

The Escabana Motel, the sign was barely lit anymore. I parked next to Dean and followed him to the motel office. “One room please.”

“Right away. You two on a road trip?”

“Yup.” I smiled

“We’re waiting for my brother to get here tomorrow.” We smiled at him and took our key. I yawned, “It’s getting late, we’ll start looking for him tomorrow.” I grabbed my shirt and shorts from my torn up duffel bag, I looked at my scarred legs and quickly slid into the bed. We were back to back and I fell asleep almost instantly.

No! Don’t!

I shot up from the bed. I was covered in sweat. “Rosalie? What are you doing?”

“Nothing, I’m fine.” He put his hand on my back, rubbing it.

“Are you sure? You’re shaking.”

“Go back to bed Dean.” I waited until I heard his light snoring, I took a shower to wake myself up and started to do some research on the town. I eventually fell asleep with my head on my laptop. I woke up to the shower running, I changed and brushed out my hair.

“You have an I.D right?” I shook my head yes. “Good, you’ll need it.” I watched Dean grab his keys.

“So where to?” Guns N’ Roses was playing softly in the back as I waited for my answer.

“The police station.”

“So, what can we do for you, Officer Washington, Officer Hale?”

“We’re working a missing persons.”

“I didn’t know the Jenkins case was being covered by the state police.”

“Oh, no. No, there’s someone else. Actually, it’s my cousin. We were havin’ a few last night at this bar down by the highway. And I haven’t seen him since.”

“Does your cousin have a drinking problem?”

“Sam? Two beers and he’s doin’ karaoke.” The officer, Kathleen, smiled. “No, he wasn’t drunk. He was taken.”

“Alright. What’s his name?”

“Winchester, Sam Winchester.”

“Like the rifle?”

“Like the rifle.”

“Samuel Winchester. So, you know that his brother, Dean Winchester, died in St. Louis. And, uh, was suspected of murder.” I raised my eyebrows and looked at Dean, he tried to look casual as possible.

" Yeah, Dean. Kind of the black sheep of the family. Handsome, though.”

“Well, he’s not showing up in any current field reports.”

“I already have a lead, the surveillance camera by the highway.”

“The county traffic cam?”

“What if the camera picked up whatever took him. Or, whoever.”

“Well, I have access to the traffic cam footage down at the county works department, but, anyhow, let’s do this the right way. Why don’t you fill out a missing person’s report and sit tight over here?” I watched Kathleen hand Dean a clipboard.

“Officer, look, he’s my family. I kind of look out for the kid. You gotta let me go with you.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”

Well, tell me something. Your county has its fair share of missing persons. Any of ‘em come back? Sam’s my responsibility. And he’s comin’ back. I’m bringin’ him back.” She stared at Dean for a while before finally agreeing. Kathleen took us to the county works department where she printed out photos for us. She handed me half and Dean half.

“This isn’t what I’m looking for.” I tapped him on the shoulder.

“Look at this one. De-.” I almost called him by his name, Kathleen didn’t think anything of it. “This photo was taken right before Sam disappeared. Look at the plates. they’re new.”

“It’s probably stolen.” I looked up from the papers, out the window a rusty van drove by, I Looked down at the photo again.

“Does that sound like a whining growl to you?” I nodded my head and Kathleen agreed. “I’ll be damned.”

“Let’s follow it,” I suggested, we followed her to her cop car.

“Sorry Officers, someone is going to have to sit in the back.” I gave Dean a stern look and stuck out my hand.

“Rock, paper, scissors. Best two out of three.” Dean stuck out his hand and chose paper both times, so I picked scissors each time. “Ha, I win!” I skipped to the front of the car and watched Dean get into the back, hitting his head on the way in.

“The next traffic camera is fifty miles from and, the van never went passed that one.”

“So it must’ve turned off somewhere. I don’t see any other roads.”

“Well, a lot of these backwoods properties have their own private roads.” The computer in her car dinged and Kathleen made a face. “So officers, I ran your badge number. It’s routine when we’re working a case with state police. For accounting purposes and what have you. And, uh, they just got back to me. It says here your badge was stolen. And there’s a picture of you.” She flipped the screen to the back where Dean was sitting, he looked surprised. The picture was of a heavyset African-American man.

“I lost weight, and I have that Michael Jackson skin disease.” Dean chuckled and I rolled my eyes.

“Would you get out of the car, please?”

“Look, if you want to arrest me, that’s fine. I’ll cooperate, I swear. But, first, please let me find Sam.”

“I don’t even know who you are. Or if this Sam person is missing.”

" Look into my eyes and tell me if I’m lying about this.”

" Identity theft? You’re impersonating an officer.” I jumped out of the car, Dean looked surprised.

“Kathleen, he’s not lying. Well he is, he’s not who he says he is, but I know Sam is missing.”

“You know that for a fact?”

“Yes, I saw those two at the bar last night, he’s a taller man. Trust me, my badge checked out didn’t it?”

“When we were young, I pretty much pulled him from a fire. And ever since then, I’ve felt responsible for him. Like it’s my job to keep him safe. I’m just afraid if we don’t find him fast—please. He’s my family.” We all got back into the car.

" I’m sorry. You’ve given me no choice. I have to take you in.” I watched her glance at a photo on the visor of the car. “After we find Sam Winchester.” I turned back to look at Dean and he gave me a goofy grin. We drove back to town and got some coffee.

“Officer look, I don’t mean to press my luck.”

“Your luck is so pressed right now.”

" Right. I was wondering—why are you helping me out, anyway? Why don’t you just lock me up?” Dean opened the back car door, and we were on the road again.

“My brother, Riley, disappeared three years ago. A lot like Sam. We searched for him, but—nothing. I know what it’s like to feel responsible for someone, and for them—Come on. Let’s keep at it.” The forest seemed to go on for ages, we hadn’t passed anything that looks even close to a driveway. I just caught it right before Kathleen missed it.

“Wait, wait, wait—pull over here. Pull over.” I shouted quickly pointing out the grey gravel road. ” It’s the first turn-off I’ve seen so far.”

“Nice catch, Officer.You stay here, We’ll check it out.”

“No way, you two are not going by yourselves.”

“You’re a civilian. And a felon, I think. I’m not taking you with me.”

“Well, you’re not going without me.”

“Alright. You promise you won’t get involved? You’ll let me handle it?” Kathleen asked him.

“Yeah, I promise.”

“Okay, shake on it.” I watched as Dean stuck out his hand and Kathleen stuck out hers, she put Dean’s hand in handcuffs and attached the other end to the car's door handle.

“Oh, come on. This is ridiculous Kathleen, I really think the both of you will need my help.”

" I think the both of us can handle ourselves.” I mouthed sorry to him as we walked down the road. He mumbled something about carrying paperclips, but we were too far down the road to hear. We passed a rundown barn, along with several wagon wheels strewn along the grass. We walked further up the road and we saw a dilapidated house. The stairs creaked as we walked up them. Hello? “Anybody home?” Kathleen knocked on the front door. A young girl opened it, she was covered in dirt and filth and her hair was unwashed and tangled.“Hi. Who are you?” The girl looked at Kathleen and I’s badges.

“Who are you?”

“I’m, uh, I’m Kathleen. I’m a deputy. This is Officer Hale. What’s your name?”

“Missy.”

" Missy. That’s a pretty name. Missy, is your mom home?”

“She’s dead.”

" I’m sorry. What about your dad?” Missy shook her head no. “No? Can we come in for a minute?” Missy started backing up toward the door. “We just want you to look at a picture. Have you seen that guy? Look at that picture.” I took the picture of Sam out of my pocket. Missy smiled wickedly at the both of us,

“That’s going to hurt.” I turned around to see an older man just as dirty as Missy, before I could react he hit me with a shovel.” I woke up in a cage with Kathleen. “Are you alright?”

“Sam? Dean is looking for you.” I sat up rubbing my head.

“Thank god. Where is he?”

“Um, well I handcuffed him to my car.” The barn door creaked.

“Sam, you in here?” The look on Kathleen’s face was priceless. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

“Yeah, it’s me, Rosalie, and an officer.”

“You hurt?”

“No.”

“There’s some sort of control over there.”

“Have you seen them?”

“Yeah, they’re just people dude.”

“And they jumped you? Must be gettin’ a little rusty there, kiddo. What did they want.”

“I don’t know. They let Jenkins go, but that was some sort of trap. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”

" Well, that’s the point. You know, with our usual playmates, there’s rules, there’s patterns. But with people, they’re just crazy.”

“Did you see anything else?”

“Uh, he has about a dozen junked cars hidden out back. Plates from all over, so I’m thinkin’ when they take someone, they take their car, too.”

“Was there a black mustang?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“It was my brother’s car.” Dean looked down at the ground a sad look on his face.

“Let’s get you guys out of here, then we’ll take care of those bastards.” Dean made his way to the control panel. “This thing takes a key?! Do you know where it is?” We shook our heads no. “I’ll go find it.” Dean turned to leave.

“Dean, be careful.” He nodded his head and left, leaving Sam, Kathleen, and I alone. Dean wasn’t back yet and it had been a while. The barn door creaked opened one of the men walked in, gun in his hand. He started walking towards my cage.

“Hey, what are you doing?” He unlocked my cage and aimed his gun. My foot hit something on the floor. I looked down and picked up the bracket on the floor. I hit the guy in the head effectively knocking him out. I pulled him into the cage and locked the door. I let Sam out and he tried to work the gun but it was jammed. I heard shouting, Sam and I hid in the hay, and Kathleen in the rafters.

“Lee! Where are ya?” The older man came into the barn, He finally saw his son, Lee unconscious on the ground. “Damn it, Jared, get the lights!” I smirked, I cut the power before they came into the barn. Pa, the older one started to climb up the ladder. Sam crept behind a hay bale, I watched Kathleen open a little cabinet but stopped. I crept behind another hay bale. I heard footsteps upstairs in the loft, and saw Kathleen jump onto Jared’s back. When she ended up on the ground Sam and I jumped out.

“Hey!” Jared turns to fire the gun and Sam and I both dodged but the oldest one got shot instead. We locked all the men in one of the cages, and Missy the little girl, Dean had locked in a closet. We all walked back to the police car, Kathleen radioed the police station as soon as we made it back.

“So, state police and the FBI are gonna be here within the hour. They’re gonna wanna talk to you. I suggest that the three of you are long gone by then.”

“Thanks.” Dean starts,” Hey, listen, I don’t mean to press our luck, but we’re kind of in the middle of nowhere. Think we could catch a ride?”

“Start walking. Duck if you see a squad car.” The three of us nodded our head.

“Sounds great to me. Thanks.” Sam said.

“Kathleen,” I started. “I’m sorry about what happened to your brother.”

“Thank you. It was really hard not knowing what happened to him. I thought it would be easier once I knew the truth—but it isn’t really. Anyway, you should go.” The three of us turned and started walking down the road.

“Don’t ever do that again.”

“Do what?”

“Go missin’ like that.”

“You were worried about me.” I saw the smirk on Sam’s face.

" All I’m sayin’ is, you vanish like that again, I’m not lookin’ for ya.” I walked down the road in between them smiling at their banter. We finally made it back to the police station, and the boys made it into their car and I turned to start walking towards the hotel. “Hey, Rosie!” I growled at the name. “Where do you think you’re going?” I heard Dean’s voice calling me.

“Back to the motel.”

“Get your ass in here.” I got into the back of the Impala for the short ride back to the motel. I got out and made my way to the drivers side where Dean sat.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“It was no problem.” He flashed me a smile and I blushed looking at the ground. “Maybe we’ll see you around?”

“Yeah, just maybe though.”