The Drifter

Hitchhiking

It was sunset as she walked along the long stretched highway, it was getting cold. This didn't bother her much as fresh air and a view of the red sky were things she hasn't experienced in a while. Absent minded she watched the cars passing her on the road and enjoyed her new found freedom. Adrenaline was still fresh off her escape from the ward. Pushing the bitter memories of the place aside, Carla started planning her next move. After stealing some clothes and money, putting distance from that hospital was the most important thing. A car slows down and a guy starts talking to her. It's a black Chevy Impala, the handsome guy driving knew who she was and where she came from. He needed information on what's been going on at that asylum. 'Nice car', she said glancing over at him. Dean smiled and replied 'Can we give you a ride? It's getting pretty dark out there'. Carla paused for a moment to size him up and considered his offer. It was getting dark and she didn't want the police finding her and taking her back to the hospital. 'Sure'. 'Where are you heading?', Dean asked as she got in the backseat. 'No place special', Carla replied taking in her surroundings and the guy sitting next to him. 'I'm Sam, this is my brother Dean', the tall guy said looking at her with curiosity. 'I'm Melissa', Carla replied starring out of the car window to avoid his gaze. She didn't want them knowing much about her. The brothers exchanged significant looks and quickly turned away. They drove a few miles making small talk, Carla kept changing the subject whenever one of them asked a real question. 'You're pretty nosy', she replied with a smile avoiding another question. Dean smirked, 'Sorry my brother doesn't know how to act with girls, it's his way of flirting'. Sam rolled his eyes at him and continued talking to the girl. 'Just making conversation, you're pretty defensive', he said. 'Why you wanna know, do I look like a serial killer?', Carla replied teasing him. Sam laughed shaking his head.

They pulled up by an old car garage where there was a house. Carla stiffened, the reality of the situation and hitchhiking with strange men dawned on her. Dean turned around to face her 'We're just grabbing some food at our uncles before hitting the road again, you don't mind right?'. 'Nah, it's cool', she replied indifferently though pressing her hand against her pants pocket where there was a small knife and rubbed it subconsciously. It made her feel safer. 'You must be pretty hungry', Sam said as they got out of the car and walked up to the house. They were greeted by a middle aged man wearing plaid and a baseball cap. 'Hey boys, who's this?', Bobby asked as they entered the house. 'I'm Melissa', Carla said looking around the room full of books and trying to locate a window in case she needed to exit. People made her uncomfortable at the best of times, but she was starving and needed to put as much distance from that place as possible. Bobby looked at Dean for more information. 'We're working a case nearby, she's gonna help us out...aren't you Carla', Dean said standing in front of her. For a moment she looked at him in alarm and quickly moved her hand to the cup the knife in her pocket. 'We know you ran away from Bensert Asylum a few miles away. We need you to tell us about the unusual things going-', Sam said and was interrupted by Carla running past him towards the front door. Sam went after her and quickly grabbed her from behind before she could get through the door. Screaming and struggling violently against him, Carla felt like she was back in the ward again. 'Get the hell off me!', she shrieked in rage as Sam kept a hold on her arms and dragging her back to the living room. 'Hey! Calm down, look at me. We're not going to hurt you-', Dean shouted approaching her. 'What the f**k you want from me! I'm not going back there!', Carla yelled at him still trying to throw Sam off. 'We don't want to take you there, just calm down. We're not from the hospital. Look, we just want your help. Answer some questions then I'll drop you off wherever'. Dean said while keeping eye contact with her. She twisted and turned in Sam's hold, hair falling on her face. Dean could see how furious and scared she was, her eyes wild gazing intensely back at him. Dean wasn't scared, he recognized her rage in himself but he needed to find some way to get her to trust him. After a few moments of what looked like a staring contest and Bobby pitching words trying to convince her to calm down, Carla stood still and said 'Fine'. She was scared, searching his face for a hint of a lie and thinking how she could have been so stupid getting into his car. Though something about him made her calm down in spite of herself. Sam loosened his grip on her, Dean still maintaining eye contact pulled up a chair and addressed her 'Thank you, please sit down'. Carla scoffed at him. 'Or stand, whatever', Dean shrugged. Bobby handed her a bottle of water. Carla took it, she was parched. 'Got anything stronger?', she asked Bobby. 'I don't think that's the best idea, kid', the old man replied. 'Look you want my help, fine but I've had crazy day I could use something to steady my nerves'. Dean nodded 'Sure'. Carla took the glass of scotch handed to her and knocked it back in one. The liquid burned through her throat to her chest, it felt good and settled her nerves a little. She missed a drink and the way it made her feel. Handing the glass back to Bobby she sat on a couch next to the window. All three men standing staring at her. Dean moved to sit on the chair facing her while Sam took out a folder from his bag. 'Are you guys private investigators or something?',Carla asked them. The drink going to her head a little, she sat crossed legged analyzing the situation with one hand placed on the small knife in her pocket. Out of all the weird scenarios she's been in this was one of the most random. Carla wasn't really listening to what the guys were saying because all she wanted was to escape. Maybe if I stab the pretty-boy's kneecap and can break the window I can get out....

'Hey! You with us?', Dean said breaking her out of her thoughts. 'Or you thinking of stabbing me with that little knife in your pocket? Trust me it won't do any good', Dean said glancing at her hand cupping the pants pocket. Carla leaned back and giggled 'Well aren't you clever'. 'I said we're not going to hurt you. Just tell us what you know about these recent deaths that took place in the asylum', Dean asked gazing at her intently. Now it was his turn of taking her in. Carla's whole appearance was of someone who's been in battle. Her arms were covered in cuts and bruises and had sore wrists. Her hair was long and unkempt, her eyes were wild and bore a hint of madness yet Dean could tell she was frightened. He could still see beauty and a sweetness about her. She was wearing ripped baggy jeans and a small shirt, where he found himself looking at her bare stomach. Carla noticed this and smiled at him. 'I wasn't there that long, they moved me a few weeks back'. Carla shook her head as if shaking off her thoughts. Dean wanted to put his arms around her but she looked like she would probably punch him. 'They told us it was suicides', she replied trying to keep her voice steady. 'But you don't think it was?', Sam asked her looking up from the file he was holding. Carla shook her head again. 'It was a warden. He was killing us off one by one. Black eyes...red...blood everywhere'. She felt cold even though the temperature didn't change. Her head started to hurt like someone was kneading doe but the mass was her brain instead. Her breathing got shallow and she could see color spots more profound and tried to focus on what Dean was saying but all she could see was his lips moving, everything was overwhelming. 'Stop!', Carla shouted putting her hands over her face and her knees up as to protect herself. Dean moved to sit next to her on the couch and put his arms around her, feeling her cold skin shaking. Carla kept her eyes closed and tried to breathe slowly, feeling the wetness of her eyes and hating it. 'It's okay, just take deep breaths', Dean said while keeping a hold on her. All three men started having a conversation and from what Carla could make out, the word demons and exorcism, something about a blade...It was too confusing and overwhelmed with everything she focused on breathing. Dean's scent felt like a lifeline to her senses. After a while she looked up, wiped the tears off her eyes. Bobby handed her another glass of scotch. Carla gulped it down again and said 'You guys think I'm crazy, right'. Sam looked at her with empathy and said 'You may be, but we believe you about it'. They started explaining to her how they were hunters, that demons and monsters existed. Carla laughed dryly 'You're crazier than I am, and that's saying something'. She looked over at Dean who still had his arm around her and saw the sadness and seriousness in his face. Carla realized he was in a nightmare too, his demons were real, just like hers. Maybe she wasn't so crazy as everyone said. Carla sighed. 'I think we have an idea of what we're dealing with now. Carla you're welcome to have some food and crash on the couch', Bobby said to her with kind eyes. She nodded and they went to the kitchen.