Chapter One, Life Always Starts with a Dream

She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her head against his strong chest. "I don't want you to go," she murmured. He always seemed to be going for some reason or another. "You just got here," she whined, "don't leave me again." She reached up with one hand, running it through his soft hair.

His arms awkwardly settled on her shoulders and gently moved her back from him. "It's my mission. I must."

"You're choosing to," she cried softly. "Choosing to leave me."

"Arisa please let go." He had made her step back from him; her arms were still firmly locked around his neck. She could hear the strain in his voice.

"No!"

"Ari," he growled warningly. "I have to go. They're calling me."

"I call you too! You never come! But sure, you'll drop everything for them. The humans!" He pulled a knife from his pocket and she recoiled immediately with a cry. Why did he have that cursed thing? "Do you mean to kill me?"

He looked at her with those dark, piercing eyes. If she continued to be an obstacle, he would kill her.

With a startled cry I sat bolt upright, limbs flailing, breathing heavily. I put a hand to my forehead, trying to calm myself. I didn't know that man. But it felt so real, whoever he was. It seemed like he wanted me dead and he meant it, but something told me that it wasn't right. He would never do something like that. I couldn't believe that he would ever want me dead. But he was just a figment of my imagination. Just a nightmare if anything.

And I couldn't understand why that knife was so important to my dream self -although I was being called a different name, I saw everything from that girl's perspective. But it was very important and shocking. Absolutely horrifying. It meant danger, outright danger and death. Any knife could, but somehow my dream self was only concerned with that one knife that he possessed. Almost as though any other knife wouldn't kill me, which was a joke. I wasn't some immortal –I was very much mortal and my life was on the line and if someone drew a knife at me, I certainly wasn't going to let them get away with it.

I looked at my alarm clock, groaning. It wasn't even time for me to be at work. But I would be nice and early today. I reached over and turned the alarm off before standing up and stretching luxuriously. This was the first time I'd had that particular dream. Lately it seemed that dreams were plaguing me more often. They were just dreams, no matter what anyone said. My friend at work, Nicolai, he always said that there was more to dreams. I chuckled involuntarily as I pulled clothing from my dresser and tossed them on my bed behind me.

Thinking of Nicolai I had an idea of what he'd think of my dreams. He'd probably say something like: the knife means that you have problems with relationships, the presence of the neck signifies that you have to control your feelings and the reference to the man's piercing eyes alluding to how you observe the world. Something completely useless like that while he thought of it as helping me. He liked to study the meaning of dreams and even flowers which he would then try and present in some coherent manner. As far as I was concerned, it was full of lies.

I shoved my drawer closed and yanked on my usual clothing. Jeans and a t-shirt. Checking on the weather I brushed open my curtains and I found it to be a sunny and warm day. The same as any in this town. I wouldn't be needing a jacket today. I grabbed a pair of socks and pulled them on. I walked to work. Driving was too much of a hassle and owning a car was too expensive for me. And work was within walking distance. It was a refreshing walk.

I went out to my small dining room. In the last few years I'd gotten a loan from the bank and started up a daycare. I hired Nicolai, and we started working. In a few short years I'd paid off the loan, and a few more after that I was able to purchase my own house. Of course I had to pay the mortgage off, which would probably take the rest of my life. Or most of it.

I pulled out a small container of yogurt and eagerly devoured it. It was a quick and light breakfast. I had time enough today to make breakfast, but it was already habit to just eat yogurt, and I didn't want to start cooking. I didn't have enough time everyday so it was quicker to just eat yogurt. After having eaten it so often I was beginning to tire of it, but it was my choice to limit my time and to eat what I chose. I was settled on it.

Having eaten I set off to organize myself. I brushed my teeth thoroughly, as part of my usual routine, and then untied my hair from its confines. It was more manageable if I left it tied back during the night to prevent tangles and knots. I began the process of spraying in detangler and brushing out the tangles. Not that I usually wore it down, but it tended to get everywhere and was a hassle. Just not bad enough to make me want to chop it all off. I quite valued my hair, which was vain of me, but I figured that I was allowed one small selfishness. Once the tangles and knots were gone, I quickly and efficiently braided my hair back.

And then, as was my manner, I slipped into my shoes and was out the door after locking it and heading towards work. I liked to dawdle until the last minute possible. Well I would still be early, but I was in the habit of exactly how much timing it required to do each activity. I sighed –I really should have made some expansive breakfast today. Would have taken longer and then I wouldn't look like I was punctual. I liked being on time, but I also liked to appear like I was late. It was a bit of a contrast and sometimes difficult to manage but I did it. Arriving just barely on time, but on time enough to never be late yet almost appear so.

It was a ten minute walk, part of the reason why I chose the house that I was living in. I managed a daycare. I also worked there and helped out, as I liked children. Nicolai did too, which made it a lot easier to hire him. I had at least six little toddlers to take care of.

I got to work at half past seven, and was surprised to see that Nicolai was already there. He unlocked the door and let me into my establishment. It was a small enough building with a large backyard where some sandboxes and other playground equipment was set up. Inside we had cards and board games and blankets and such for the kids. The colors were moderate –I'd conferred with a friend of mine who was interested in designing and she'd advised me to select colors that weren't too vibrant or dull. I chose a perfectly medium purple, trimmed in gray with a boring white ceiling. And so far the toddlers didn't seem to be too crazy when they were here, but they were energetic children –some of them.

"Carissa!"

"Yes?" I asked my employee, smiling warmly. "Such a surprise to see me here early? Didn't think I'd ever shock you."

"I never thought you'd be early," he retorted, his gray eyes twinkling impishly.

I rolled my eyes. "How early do you even get here?"

"Ah, at about quarter after six or so, I think."

I stared at him for a minute before stifling a laugh. "That's when I get up."

He shrugged, "It's a long enough walk and I like to be punctual and fit. Works for me to be early."

"That's not early," I pointed out, "that's insanely early. No reasonable person would ever get to work almost two hours early."

"I do."

"Point and case."

"I'm sane –"

"You study the meaning behind flowers and symbols in dreams," I scoffed dryly. "That's scholarly behavior, friend, and it's not normal or healthy."

"Your lack of intrigue is what's truly frightening."

"Yet we were not discussing what was frightful," I snickered. "Failure to change topics effectively, Nico." Nico was my nickname for him –Nicolai was far too serious for my employee.

It was his turn to roll his eyes and with a preppy wave, I went into my office to do some paperwork until it was time for the daycare to open. Summer was fast approaching which would help my business increase as pre-school aged kids would be dropped off. It would be wonderful business. I looked at life that way, and there wasn't usually a shortage of children around. I offered services for four children during the school year. During any breaks where more parents dropped more toddlers off, I had a few other employees I called out due to the regulations. I had several part-timers to work during the school year and even outside of it, so it also helped keep within the regulations.

I settled on doing my paperwork while Nico prepped the snacks and toys and such. I paused and looked out the glass window at him, wondering how little I now even paid attention to his work. He'd been working for me when I first opened this place. He was a good, hard worker and he knew what he had to do. I smiled slightly and turned back to my fees. Nicolai had his quirks and flaws, but he was persistent and hard working –something that I admired in him. And as if he sensed my eyes on him, he turned to look back at me and he grinned and winked. Like he thought he was the hottest man in the world or something. I exaggerated the movement of rolling my eyes and looked at my far more appealing financial paperwork.

"Working hard Nico?" I called, scribbling down some numbers.

"Always boss –wouldn't think of slacking off."

I snorted. He was a good worker, but he could get distracted easily. He usually caught himself and went back on task, but sometimes it required a word or two. He never thought about getting distracted –it just happened.

We maintained our silence and distance and continued working. When it hit quarter to eight, I had Nicolai open the shop and we sat around and waited. It wasn't often that toddlers were late or early in being dropped off. Usually it was right on time with what I assumed was a working routine. However, I was surprised as I watched this ancient tin can drive by. I'd never seen a car like it before. It had to be one huge fossil fuel producer. The owners should recycle the thing. It wasn't environmentally friendly at all, as far as I was concerned. Old cars were never environmentally friendly.

What shocked me the most was when it parked in my daycare parking lot. I felt my entire body tense at that moment as I watched out a window. Two men got out and they opened the back door and a younger boy got out with them. I looked over at Nico. "Get the door," I said softly. My office door was open and voices carried well in here –in case some child ever got hurt it wouldn't be hard to hear them.

Nicolai got the door and he spotted the two men, both looking like they were in their late twenties or so. And then, there was the kid. He was young, about four or so by my guessing, as I bustled out of my office. I smiled warmly at them.

"Can I help either of you?" I asked brightly. Business was business.

"Uh, yeah," the shorter one said.

"We need our… nephew here, to be watched. And well, we're awfully busy, Miss…"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I currently don't have any more available room for children."

"You run a daycare don't you," again it was the shorter one's statement.

"Yes."

"Then look after the kid."

"I can't. For two employees I can only look after four kids. I'm sorry. Unless another customer doesn't show up today, then I can look after your… nephew."

"This is the last daycare we've come to," explained the taller man. "We really need someone to look after him."

I hadn't noticed that Nicolai was standing beside me until he gently set his hand on my shoulder. He bent down towards the boy, "What's your name?" he asked kindly.

"Thomas."

"And how old are you?" He held up his hand, five fingers spread. Nicolai chuckled, "I bet you're hungry, huh?" the boy nodded. "Let's get you something to eat."

I glanced at the men, my eyes narrowing. The kid should have eaten before they came here. "You should have made other arrangements prior to a last minute situation," I informed them stiffly.

"It was a last minute situation for us too, Miss," the tall man explained again. He was certainly more respectful than the shorter fellow.

"You should have fed your nephew before coming here. At the very least you should have known that!" I scolded. "And if it was such a last minute, unable-to-be-taken-care-of thing, you should have said no to your brother! I wouldn't suspect this even from an adolescent teenager and yet you're both adults who can't even feed a child!"

"You little bi –kitchen!" snapped the shorter man suddenly, looking in the direction of where our small kitchen was. I frowned at him, and then noticed that Nico and Thomas were within earshot.

"He likes kitchens. A lot," the other said lamely.

Riiiight, I thought, and I'm a fire breathing astronaut. There was something a little off about these two. I glanced towards their nephew. "What I said still stands, if one of my customers doesn't show, I'll look after Thomas." I turned back to my office, pausing before glancing at them. "You can sit… wherever." I entered into my office, and proceeded to wait.

It was a slow day and I only had one other child to look after. It was a long weekend so I wasn't too surprised. I didn't have anything to do, and I loved doing this job enough that I was willing to waste away weekends. Once Nico had the two kids distracted, I invited the young men into my office and pulled out a contact sheet which I handed to them.

"As his guardians I need to know what he's allergic to and who I should contact in case of emergency. Also is this going to be a recurring service or is it just a one-time thing?"

"We travel a lot –so it'll only be a one time thing."

I typed it into my computer. "Names?"

"I'm Dean Winchester," the shorter man said, "and that's my brother Sam."

I wondered how many misunderstandings had occurred for him to be so precise with an introduction. I added that. "All day care or just for an hour or two?" I'd had hourly service done before.

"All day."

I nodded and added that into the computer, complied the price and asked for it. The brothers traded a glance and Dean dug into his pocket, passing me the money. I placed it into my cashier and then counted the change back to them. I offered a tight smile. "Then I'll see you at five," I told them.

They rose and left my office. I watched them leave, but I didn't watch them head to their environment destroyer. Those two men were certainly odd. And I wondered why they hadn't taken care of the kid properly. Even teenaged or pre-teenaged children knew to feed their wards. Two grown men didn't? What was that about? I hoped the kid would fit in well enough, not that I expected his rude uncles to have rubbed off on him too much.

Dean set his hands on the steering wheel, and looked over at his brother. "I like kitchens," he quoted flatly.

"You were the one to choose it," he snapped. "What else did you want me to say?"

"Oh I don't know, but certainly saying that I was interested in kitchens wasn't it."

"I'll try harder next time."

He rolled his eyes and backed out of the parking spot. "Off to the morgue now that we've dealt with the kid."

"Yeah. The sooner we find out how they died, the faster you can be rid of the kid."

"He's a poor kid –losing both his parents to that demon." Dean shook his head.

"He's five years old, Dean."

"I know. And –?"

Sam sighed exasperated. "Nothing." Silence passed between them. "Think we should let Cas know?"

"Dunno Sammy, I'm thinkin' it's just a low grade demon and we'll finish this up nice and quick and be out of this cesspit of a town." He turned from the main road, "There's no decent bar here!"

"Bars aren't everything Dean. And besides, we're supposed to be responsible uncles to that kid. To be honest, I'm surprised he even went along with it."

"Responsible? I'm always responsible." Sam's brown eyes bored into his, seeming to ask since when. "Oh come on –I look after you don't I?"

"I'm old enough to look after myself," he replied tersely.

It was only three in the afternoon, and I was doing some paperwork in my office. It was important work that had to be done at that moment and as I was quickly writing down calculations and reports, I heard something. At first I discounted it and continued with what I was doing. Nico would be perfectly fine with only two toddlers to look after. As I was about to sign my name, on that lovely dotted line, I heard a distinct shout and I dropped the pen as I stood up, my chair scraping against the carpet.

The whole area was carpeted for children's safety. I jogged off, glancing through the interior trying to spot where Nicolai and the toddlers were. I found him in the main playroom, with the two boys cowering in the corner. There was another man standing in the room. Odd. I hadn't heard him enter earlier. Or maybe I had, and that was the sound that first distracted me. Nico cast a glance in my direction, and he must have noticed my confused expression as he stepped toward the man.

"You can't be here sir. These aren't your children –they already have loving families who will be back shortly to pick them up."

The man in question only raised one eyebrow and reached out toward Nicolai. I hadn't realized how close the two had been before. And before my very eyes, he had grabbed Nico by the throat and he threw my friend and employee towards the wall where he hit with a loud grunt and then he fell to the floor. And I couldn't tell if his crumpled, prone, form was moving or not.

I didn't have time enough to even cry out because before I knew it the tall man had rushed towards me, slamming his hand around my throat and flying to the far wall where he held me. I was dangling just above the floor, my feet couldn't find the soft carpet.

His golden eyes held mine the moment our gazes met and I struggled to lift myself from his grasp but it made no difference. He leaned closer towards me and I attempted to pulled back but the wall made that impossible. And then I was captivated by his eyes. There was something slightly different about them from before. I tried to kick at him, not understanding why any of this was happening.

"Let me go!"

With an inhumane hiss, he opened his mouth, fangs flashing. "He is my prey –they taste sweeter with sorrow," he added, with an unearthly, hollow, laugh.

No! He couldn't kill those children! They were my responsibility. I struggled against him, daring to raise my arm to hit him. Sadly I had been too entranced by his eyes to do anything earlier. His arm blocked it and slammed my arm above my head. I attempted to do the same thing with my free arm, but using the same arm that still held my other, he blocked my punch and forced my arms above my head. If I was shorter, my kicks might have amounted to something but as it was nothing happened.

"You are annoying," he growled, leaning in towards my unprotected neck. He slammed my head back against the wall and let me drop, pulling away with a sneer. The pain blossomed angrily, flaring around my head in what had to be hatred. "And worthless," he added.

Then the man turned towards the children, grinning evilly. I rose to my shaky legs, stumbling towards Nico –he had to be alright. I looked at the man as he approached Thomas and the other boy. I turned towards them, my hands shaking. "No," I whispered.

Nicolai or the children… Who was more important? I couldn't let them die. I couldn't let him die. I staggered towards him again, feeling weak and helpless. Useless. Worthless. I had to try and stop him. I hurried towards him –I couldn't let the children die. But the man knew that I was there. He didn't even bother to look back at me and swiped me along side the head, sending me crashing against the floor with an agonized cry.

I couldn't get up either. I tried, but the jolting bolts of pain wouldn't permit any movement. Tears of frustration and uselessness welled up in my eyes and I steadily blinked them away. I wanted to stop him more than anything but it hurt too much to move. And I hated that. I struggled against the pain, managing to sit up. It was horrible –I inhaled deeply and held it for a moment. I heard their screams and I fought to stand on weak legs that could barely support my weight.

But I was already too late.

He whirled to face me, blood dribbling down his chin. He grinned crookedly, "Sorrow tastes so sweet," he murmured, leaning towards me.

And then, what happened next, occurred in rapid succession. The door slammed open; two men ran in, and one headed towards my charges and one towards me. He held something in his hands, and he swung the blade and a splatter of blood erupted. The face that had been descending towards me, separated from its body and in a grisly shower of gore, I let out a piercing scream.

No attention was directed at me. Dean, as I could now recognize him, ran and grabbed the head, pulling the body behind him. He glanced at the kids and Sam, who left Nicolai to follow his brother. I fought against my fear to stay unmoving at the wall, and made my way towards Nico. I could see that he was breathing, and I heaved a sigh of relief and dropped to my knees. I hadn't realized how shaky I had been. I was pointedly ignoring the rancid odor wafting around. It smelled like rotten eggs that had been doused in vinegar.

I made my way towards the children and couldn't stifle a horrified cry form breaking past my lips. They were both dead. I had suspected they were when he came towards me but there was nothing I could do. I was completely useless. I couldn't save the children I had taken into my responsibility. What good was I?

I could faintly hear something, like the gentlest fluttering of butterfly's wings. And there stood a middle aged man. He turned to look at me and he seemed surprised and confused. I dimly realized that I was still covered in that monster's blood. He was wearing a trench coat. That was really the only feature about him that I found particularily defining. It was a very bland colored trench coat too. I felt a few tears fall unbidden and I turned away to look at Nico. He was at least alive. He hadn't died. Just my wards had.

"Dean? Sam?" I mutely pointed towards my office. I was fairly certain that they ran off towards that direction.

I had let their nephew die. They would never forgive me. It would be understandable that in my care children had been hurt. It was completely improbable for toddlers to die at a daycare unless a murderer came by. This may have been a murderer, but I should have done more.

I heard the crackling of a fire and I looked back towards my office. It was in flames. I could see my papers burning up. My mouth dropped open. How? Not this! I had worked all my life to get this building and to run this business. I would have lost my business anyways, but I could have leased the building or something. I couldn't if it was in ruins. If it was nothing but ruins I was out of a life.

I heard their voices and looked over at the three men all talking together. They directed their attention to me, and I felt something within me bubbling. "I'm sorry," I cried. "I'm sorry. Your-your nephew-!"

"He wasn't our nephew," Sam said quietly. "He was an orphan and we were trying to… catch whatever murdered his parents. We needed someone to look after him."

"Didn't think that it'd be a vampire with a sweet tooth," Dean stated, with a trace of humor. I stared in stunned silence at them, trying to stop my involuntary tears. "You, uh, might want to skip town for a while. The cops'll be crawling all over this place in a couple of hours."

"And where would I go?" I snarled angrily. "This is my home. With two dead boys on my hands, my injured friend and my office on fire!"

"You can either go to jail, seeing as you'll be unable to explain all this, or you can get out of town. And I mean fast."

I attempted to rise to my feet, but I couldn't and the pain that I hadn't been thinking about came up in one powerful surge. It crippled me, and I fell to my knees. And then, it hit again and I dropped unconscious to the floor.

Author's Comments:

I would have rather used asterisks to define the switching of POVs but they disappear and then the paragraphs merge together, so I've had to use line breaks to define the switch in points of view.

This story takes place in season five.

I have only seen each Supernatural episode once, and missed maybe a couple. I don't know too much about the show, but thanks to my wonderful friend who knows everything about it, I have been able to correct any mistakes that might have occurred. And writing Dean is hard for me. I guess it's a good thing that she's a Dean fan.

Also this is for you, dear friend, and you know who you are and you know why.

Happy Early Birthday!