Without A Trace >> Dean Winchester

15 | When Everything Falls Apart

Clarissa let out an 'oof' as she landed on my back. A rustle of leaves and twigs sounded and she groaned. She eyed the machete, lying beside her on the ground. She reached over, and grabbed it. "Gosh, that was one hell of a landing."

She slowly stood up, stretching her limbs before looking around. Trees towered over her figure, as if to intimidate her. The air carried a misty fog— but that wasn't all. There was mysteriousness.

She took a sniff, trying to sense and get a hold of where she is. A gasp escaped her lips. This place just stinks of creatures! Probably more than a thousand—lurking around... and souls? Why are there souls here? Just where on earth am I? Forest? That can't be, a lot more power is radiating from this place.

A chill crept up her spine when she heard a low growl behind. She spun around to see pairs of crimson eyes staring her down, hiding behind the dark shadows

Realisation settled in the blonde, he mounts forming an 'o' shape as she bobbed her head in understanding.

"Well damn, I'm in purgatory!"

Before she could further say anything else, she was tackled to the floor. The man, laughed, wrestling her to the ground. Clarissa took a good look at her attacker, and the man hissed, his fangs protracting— that's when she knew it was another vampire. She grunted, kicking the it away before reaching for the machete that fell from her grip. A pair of feet came into her view and kicked the machete away. Her eyes traveled up to meet the hungry stare of another vampire. "You bloodsuckers just keep coming out of woodwork, huh?"

"Well, well, well. What do you know? A human." The vampire took a deep breath, "your blood smells wonderful! It's not human blood...I'm gonna enjoy devouring you to the last slurp."

Clarissa smirked, "ah, the bloodsucker wants more variety of blood to satisfy his exquisite taste buds!"

He hissed. Within a second, Clarissa kicked the knife away from his grip. With him distracted, she yanked herself away from the first vampire's grip and got up to her feet, running to where her dear machete has been kicked. She grabbed it and regained her composure.

She sauntered towards the vampire duo, twirling the machete. "Crowley sent me here, actually. Don't know why, but all I know is I'm killing you both."

"Crowley? What does he want?" The other spat.

"Calm down, Troy. Look, we have company."

Their eyes transferred to behind Clarissa. She followed their gaze when about ten more vampires were running towards them, their fangs already out, clearly longing for their teeth to sink in some flesh.

"Give it up, lady." Troy spoke, "we're so going to suck the life out of you."

The crowd of vampires circled around Clarissa, as if taunting her last moments, ready to pounce on attack.

"Honestly, how amusing." She licked her lips before effortlessly running a hand through her blonde locks. "Joke's on you. I'm Clarissa Hawkings— Guardian or Land."

She didn't miss the jaw drops and shocked looks registering on each and every vampire's faces. That's what she liked— seeing the fear before she eliminates the creature. The fear makes the killing task way more fun. Besides, she always goes for the theatrics.

Wasting no time, she chuckled and went straight to work.

x x x

At the Bunker...

Dean growled before pushing away the study lamp and files, sending them to the floor with a loud crash. "Dammit, Sam! We need to find her!!"

Sam heaved another sigh and could only helplessly watch as his older brother let out his frustration by breaking and pushing stuff away. He knew it was how Dean dealt with his emotions, but today was different.

"I p know, Dean, it's been eight months."

"We have to keep looking for her!!" He interjected loudly.

"She's probably dead, Dean."

The older Winchester sliced his younger brother with a cold look and stood up from his chair, the wooden chair creaking on the floor in the process making Sam slightly jump in his seat. "And why are you taking this lightly, huh, Sam?! You don't seem to care at all!"

At this, Sam balled his fist and mimicked his actions, standing up to meet his gaze. But because of his height, Sam looked like the dominant one, and Dean had to slightly tilt up his head to maintain eye contact.

"You think I don't?! Dean, we've spent day and night in the Impala riding around, searching for each corner of the state. We've summoned demons, tortured them to give up information. In the end, they don't. Going for the last, and desperate option, we've went around town, asking people to people if they have any chance of seeing her— and what do we get!? Them shaking their heads no. Each and every time! I'm trying to keep calm for your sake,
but seeing you go around like a mess with only two hours of sleep daily, and sometimes none, stresses me out too! You aren't the only one who's worried about Clarissa. She's like the sister we've never had. So if you won't stop whining around about how we can't find her, we'll never get anything done!"

Dean widened his eyes in surprise. Dean knew very well that Sam occasionally blew his fuse, and when he does, it's usually when all the anger has been suppressed inside of him. 

Dean sighed, plopping down on his seat as Sam did the same after a few moments. He buried his tired face in his calloused hands. "Right. You're right. Sorry, Sammy. I've been such an insensitive jerk."

"Damn right you've been." Sam said, attempting to lighten the mood.

Dean didn't chuckle though, like how he would always do when he was trying to cover up the pain. This, to Sam, was something big.

Sam took another look at his older brother, his brother was staring into blank space, his eyes so empty of emotion. Sam took note of how eye bags have piled up underneath Dean's eyes, and wow, how tired did he look. Sam wasn't used to seeing his older brother so broken; so fallen apart. He would never admit it, but Dean has always been his role model. He has always looked up to him and followed along his footsteps. But seeing Dean's current state, he couldn't help but wonder where the strong, brave Dean Winchester went.

x x x