The circus isn't set to open until the evening so I have a couple of hours to kill. Deciding that some pretty scenery would do me good, I drive down a winding gravel road and end up by the shore. As I hop out of the cab of my truck, I feel the salty air on my skin and a grin makes its way across my face. It really is the little things that fill you with the most joy.

I trek down closer to the water, feeling the soft sand give way under my heavy boots. Halfway down I kick them off and let my feet absorb the warmth of the sand. Eventually I plop down near the water, just close enough that I can stick my toes in it.

I decide to give Dean a call, give him all the new details on the case. I dial his number and it rings a few time before his familiar voice picks up on the other end.

"Hey there, girly. How's the case going?" he asks.

"It's good, I think I've got a solid lead." I explain the circus to him and the interviews I had with everyone. "That's enough of me, what big, bad thing are you guys chasing now?"

"Nothing at the moment, but there's been some suspicious murders in the Richmond area, so we're driving out to Virginia. We'll see if we have a case or not where we get there."

Sam shouts in the background. "I'm betting on werewolves!"

I laugh softy. "I'll let you guys get back to that. I've got a circus to go to."

Dean gets a slightly more serious tone to his voice. "Just be careful."

"Always." I respond with a hint of sarcasm. "See ya later Dean."

"See ya Maria."

He hangs up and I gather myself up to head back to the truck.

I arrive at the gates of the circus and fork over cash to the ticket salesman. A steady stream of people flow into the brightly lit area. There's a huge, main tent, where I assume the main acts will be. Scattered around are some rides, game booths, port-a-potties, and finally the freak show. People are walking everywhere laughing and talking among themselves. Kids are screaming and weaving their way through the crowd. Clowns make balloon animals and hand them out to the crowd. Flashing lights in every color dance around and loud music plays over server huge speakers. Its chaotic and colorful and everything a normal circus should be.

I snake around the various areas, searching for anything overly suspicious. So far, seems like just the normal amount of weird. When most people begin funneling into the big top, I sneak off to the freak show. A neon blue sign proclaiming "Freaks" lights up the opening to the slender, long tent. I'm the only one at the entrance so I walk on in.

I brace myself for whatever could be there but the dimly lit hallway is empty. I walk the gauntlet of freaks all alone. Each spot has a placard for the freak who goes there. I pass by all of them, the bearded lady, the strong man, the human pin cushion. I finally reach the last exhibit labeled "the man of a thousand tattoos". I assume this is the guy Mr. Schneider was telling me about. To my disappointment, the whole place is empty and completely clean of anything suspicious.

I let out a small huff of frustration and move to pull back the heavy curtain to exit the freak show. I feel a heavy hand grasp my shoulder and everything dissolves into darkness around me.