1x18 SOMETHING WICKED
Written by: Daniel Knauf
Directed by: Whitney Rasnick
Transcript by: Rebecca
Cleaned up by: Dana
TEASER
SUBTITLE
Fitchburg, Wisconsin.
INT. TARNOWER RESIDENCE; BETHANY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
A young girl, BETHANY TARNOWER, is praying at her bedside. Her father,
MILES, is watching her from the doorway.)
BETHANY
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. My angels watch me through the night, and keep me safe 'til morning light. Amen.
MILES
Amen.
BETHANY climbs into bed. Her father comes over to tuck her in.
MILES (cont'd)
'Night, monkeypuss.
He kisses her forehead.
BETHANY
Daddy, is Mommy coming home?
MILES sadly glances at a framed photo of himself, his wife, and his two daughters.
MILES
No, honey. She's spending the night at the hospital with your sister. Hey, you sleep tight now.
She slides under the covers. MILES shuts off the light in the bedroom and closes the door behind him.
INT. BEDROOM - LATER
The trees are tapping against the window. BETHANY is sitting up in her bed, unable to fall asleep. She gets up and shuts the curtains, then goes back to bed and buries herself under the covers. A moment later, the shadow of a long, bony hand can be seen through the window. The hand unlocks the window. BETHANY is scared. The shadow of a tall figure is seen walking to her bed. The hand pulls down the comforter. BETHANY turns and sees a hooded creature hovering over her. The creature takes a deep breath and its mouth fills with a white light. BETHANY screams.
END TEASER
EXT. ROAD - DAY
The IMPALA roars down the road towards the camera.
INT. IMPALA
DEAN
Yeah, you probably missed somethin', that's why.
SAM
Dude, I ran LexisNexis, local police reports, newspapers - I couldn't find a single red flag. Are you sure you got the coordinates right?
DEAN
Yeah, I double-checked. It's Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Look, Dad wouldn't have sent us coordinates if it wasn't important, Sammy.
SAM
Well, I'm tellin' you, I looked, and all I could find was a big, steaming pile of nothin'. If Dad's sending us hunting for something, I don't know what.
DEAN
Well, maybe he's gonna meet us there.
SAM
Yeah, 'cause he's been so easy to find up to this point.
DEAN
You're a real smartass, you know that? Don't worry, I'm sure there's somethin' in Fitchburg worth killin'.
SAM
Yeah? What makes you so sure?
DEAN
Well, because I'm the oldest, which means I'm always right.
SAM
No, it doesn't.
DEAN
Yeah, it totally does.
He grins. They drive past a sign that reads, "Fitchburg. Population 20,501."
CUT TO: STREET
SAM is leaning against the car. DEAN comes up to him, carrying two cups of coffee. He hands one to SAM.
DEAN
Well, the waitress thinks that the local freemasons are up to somethin' sneaky, but, uh, other than that, nobody's heard about anything weird goin' on.
SAM
Dean, you got the time?
DEAN checks his watch.
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DEAN
Ten after four. Why?
SAM
What's wrong with this picture?
DEAN looks where SAM is looking. Across the street, there is a playground. It is almost deserted, with the exception of a young girl playing. Her mother is watching her from a nearby bench.
DEAN
School's out, isn't it?
SAM
Yeah. So, where is everybody? This place should be crawlin' with kids right now.
CUT TO: PLAYGROUND
DEAN walks up to the girl's mother.
DEAN
It sure is quiet out here.
WOMAN
Yeah, it's a shame.
DEAN
Why is that?
WOMAN
You know, kids getting sick. It's a terrible thing.
DEAN
How many?
WOMAN
Just five or six, but serious, hospital serious. A lot of parents are getting pretty anxious. They think it's catching.
DEAN
Hm.
He watches the woman's daughter on the monkey bars.
INT. HOSPITAL
DEAN and SAM enter, dressed in suits.
SAM
Dude, dude, I am not using this ID.
DEAN
Why not?
SAM
Because it says "bikini inspector" on it.
(DEAN laughs)
DEAN
Don't worry, she won't look that close. Hell, she won't even ask to see it. It's all about confidence, Sam.
He turns SAM to the front desk.
SAM
Hi, I'm Dr. Jerry Kaplan, Center for Disease Control.
RECEPTIONIST
Can I see some ID?
DEAN, who is watching a few feet away, tries not to laugh. SAM glares at him.
SAM
Yeah, of course.
He takes the ID out of his jacket and quickly shows it to her, then puts it away.
SAM (cont'd)
Now, could you direct me to the pediatrics ward, please?
RECEPTIONIST
Okay, just go down that hall, turn left, and up the stairs. (SAM smiles at her. He turns to DEAN and glares at him again.)
DEAN
See? I told you it'd work.
SAM shakes his head.
SAM
(quietly)
Follow me. It's upstairs.
They walk away.
CUT TO: HALLWAY
DEAN and SAM are walking. They pass a room whose door is open. DEAN stops and looks inside. An old woman is sitting in a wheelchair. She turns to look at DEAN with cold, steely eyes. DEAN notices an inverted cross on her wall. The woman turns away from him.
SAM
Dean.
DEAN looks at SAM. SAM nods his head towards the end of the hallway. DEAN follows him.
CUT TO: SECOND HALLWAY
DEAN and SAM are talking with DR. HYDECKER.
DEAN
Well, thanks for seein' us, Dr. Hydecker.
DR. HYDECKER
Oh, I'm glad you guys are here. I was just about to call the CDC myself. How'd you find out, anyway?
DEAN
Oh, some GP, I forget his name, he called Atlanta, and, uh, must have beat you to the punch.
SAM
So, you say you got six cases so far?
DR. HYDECKER
Yeah, in five weeks.
(They watch a young boy who is in a coma)
At first, we thought it was garden-variety bacterial pneumonia - not that newsworthy. But now...
SAM
Now what?
DR. HYDECKER
The kids aren't responding to antibiotics. Their white cell counts keep goin' down. Their immune systems just aren't doin' their job. It's like their bodies are wearing out.
A nurse, BETTY, walks up to them.
BETTY
Excuse me, Dr. Hydecker.
SAM
You ever see anything like this before?
DR. HYDECKER
Never this severe.
The nurse hands him a clipboard, which he signs.
BETTY
The way it spreads - that's a new one for me.
SAM
What do you mean?
BETTY
It works its way through families, but only the children, one sibling after another.
DEAN
Do you mind if we interview a few of the kids?
BETTY
They're not conscious.
SAM
None of them?
BETTY
No.
DEAN
Can we, uh.. can we talk to the parents?
DR. HYDECKER
If you think it'll help.
DEAN
Yeah. Who was your most recent admission?
CUT TO: HALLWAY
DEAN and SAM are speaking with MILES TARNOWER.
MILES
I should get back to my girls.
SAM
We understand that, and we really appreciate you talkin' to us. Now, you say Mary's the oldest?
MILES
Thirteen.
SAM
Okay. And she came down with it first, right? And then...
MILES
Bethany the next night.
SAM
Within twenty-four hours?
MILES
I guess. Look, I already went through all this with the doctor.
DEAN
All right, now, just a few more questions, if you don't mind. How do you think they caught pneumonia? Were they out in the cold, anything like that?
MILES
No, we think it was an open window.
DEAN
Both times?
MILES
The first time, I don't really remember. But the second time, for sure. I know I closed it before I put Bethany to bed.
SAM
So, you think she opened it?
MILES
It's a second-story window with a ledge. No one else could have.
CUT TO: SECONDARY HALLWAY
DEAN and SAM are walking.
SAM
You know, this might not be anything supernatural. It might just be pneumonia.
DEAN
Maybe. Or maybe somethin' opened that window. I don't know, man, look, Dad sent us down here for a reason. I think we might be barkin' up the right tree.
SAM
I'll tell you one thing.
DEAN
What?
SAM
That guy we just talked to? I'm bettin' it'll be a while before he goes home.
He and DEAN exchange a knowing look and leave the hospital.
INT. TARNOWER RESIDENCE; BETHANY'S BEDROOM
DEAN and SAM are searching the room with different equipment.
SAM
You got anything over there?
DEAN
No, nothin'.
SAM
Yeah, me neither.
He goes to search by the window and seems to notice something.
SAM (cont'd)
Hey, Dean?
DEAN
Yeah?
SAM opens the window.
SAM
You were right. It's not pneumonia.
DEAN comes over to look at the window. On the window ledge is a long, black handprint.
SAM (cont'd)
It's rotted. What the hell leaves a handprint like that?
DEAN stares intently at the handprint.
FADE TO: FLASHBACK; MOTEL ROOM
YOUNG DEAN is looking at photos of the same handprint. JOHN enters the room with a rifle and a bag full of weapons.
JOHN
All right. You know the drill, Dean. If anybody calls, you don't pick up. If it's me, I'll ring once and then call back. You got that?
YOUNG DEAN
Mmhmm. Don't answer the phone unless it rings once first.
JOHN
Come on, dude, look alive. This stuff's important.
YOUNG DEAN
I know, it's just.. we've gone over it, like, a million times, and you know I'm not stupid.
JOHN
I know you're not. But it only takes one mistake, you got that?
(DEAN nods)
All right, if I'm not back Sunday night?
YOUNG DEAN
Call Pastor Jim.
JOHN
Lock the doors and windows, close the shades, and most important-
YOUNG DEAN
Watch out for Sammy.
He looks over at YOUNG SAM, who is watching television.
YOUNG DEAN (cont'd)
I know.
JOHN
All right, if somethin' tries to bust in?
YOUNG DEAN
Shoot first, ask questions later.
JOHN puts a hand on his son's shoulder.
JOHN
That's my man.
He leaves the motel room. DEAN shuts the door behind him and locks it. He continues to watch SAM.
FADE TO: PRESENT DAY; BEDROOM
DEAN
I know why Dad sent us here. He's faced this thing before.
(SAM looks confused)
He wants us to finish the job.
EXT. MOTEL
DEAN and SAM park the car and get out.
SAM
So, what the hell is a shtriga?
DEAN
It's kind of like a witch, I think. I don't know much about 'em.
He gets a few things out of the trunk.
SAM
Well, I've never heard of it. And it's not in Dad's journal.
DEAN
Dad hunted one in Fort Douglas, Wisconsin about sixteen, seventeen years ago. You were there, you don't remember?
SAM
No.
DEAN
Yeah, I guess he caught wind that the thing's in Fitchburg now and kicked us the coordinates.
SAM
So, wait, this...
DEAN
Shtriga.
SAM
Right. You think it's the same one Dad hunted before?
DEAN shuts the trunk and they walk to the motel.
DEAN
Yeah, maybe.
SAM
But if Dad went after it, why is it still breathing air?
DEAN
'Cause it got away.
SAM
Got away?
DEAN
Yeah, Sammy, it happens.
SAM
Not very often.
DEAN
Well, I don't know what to tell you, I mean, maybe Dad didn't have his Wheaties that morning.
SAM
What else do you remember?
DEAN
Nothin', I was a kid, all right?
He goes inside by himself.
INT. MOTEL RECEPTION
DEAN walks up to the front desk and rings the bell. An adolescent boy, MICHAEL, comes out from the back.
MICHAEL
King or two queens?
DEAN
Two queens.
MICHAEL sees SAM standing outside.
MICHAEL
(under his breath)
Yeah, I bet.
DEAN
What'd you say?
MICHAEL
Nice car.
He smiles. A second later, his mother, JOANNA, enters.
JOANNA
Hi.
DEAN
Hi.
JOANNA
Checking in?
DEAN
Yeah.
JOANNA
(to MICHAEL)
Do me a favor, go get your brother some dinner.
MICHAEL
I'm helpin' a guest.
She glares at him and comes behind the desk. MICHAEL nods towards DEAN.
MICHAEL (cont'd)
Two queens.
He goes in the back.
DEAN
Funny kid.
JOANNA
Oh, yeah, he thinks so. Will that be cash or credit?
DEAN
You take MasterCard?
JOANNA
Mmhmm.
DEAN
Perfect.
He takes a MasterCard out of his wallet and places it on the desk.
DEAN (cont'd)
Here ya go.
JOANNA takes the card and hands DEAN a notepad to sign in on. DEAN looks up and sees MICHAEL pouring milk for his younger brother, ASHER, in the kitchen in the back. DEAN watches them intently.
CUT TO: FLASHBACK; MOTEL ROOM
YOUNG DEAN is pouring milk for YOUNG SAM.
YOUNG SAM
When's Dad gonna get back?
YOUNG DEAN
Tomorrow.
He puts the milk carton down and picks up a pot from the stove.
YOUNG SAM
When?
YOUNG DEAN begins to pour Spaghetti O's into SAM's bowl.
YOUNG DEAN
I don't know. He usually comes in late, though. Now, eat your dinner.
YOUNG SAM
I'm sick of Scabetti O's.
YOUNG DEAN
Well, you're the one who wanted 'em.
YOUNG SAM
I want Lucky Charms.
YOUNG DEAN
There's no more Lucky Charms.
YOUNG SAM
I saw the box.
YOUNG DEAN
Okay, maybe there is, but there's only enough left for one bowl, and I haven't had any yet.
SAM looks at him sadly. DEAN gives in and takes the bowl of Spaghetti O's from SAM. He dumps them in the garbage and takes a new bowl. He grabs the box of Lucky Charms and slams them on the table. SAM looks in the box, takes out the prize inside, and holds it out to DEAN.
YOUNG SAM
Do you want the prize?
CUT TO: PRESENT; MOTEL RECEPTION
JOANNA
Sir?
DEAN comes out of his thoughts and sees JOANNA holding out his credit card.
DEAN
Thanks.
She hands him another form, and he begins writing.
INT. MOTEL ROOM
SAM is sitting on the bed, researching.
SAM
Well, you were right. It wasn't very easy to find, but you were right. A shtriga is a kind of witch. They're Albanian, but legends about 'em date back to ancient Rome. They feed off of spiritus vitae.
DEAN
Spiri-what?
SAM
Vitae. It's Latin - it translates to "breath of life". Kind of like your life force or essence.
DEAN
Didn't the doctor say the kids' bodies were wearin' out?
SAM
It's a thought. You know, she takes your vitality, maybe your immunity goes to hell, pneumonia takes hold. Anyway, shtrigas can feed off anyone, but they prefer-
DEAN
Children.
SAM
Yeah. Probably because they have stronger life force. And get this, shtrigas are invulnerable to all weapons devised by God and man.
DEAN
No. That's not right. She's vulnerable when she feeds.
SAM
What?
DEAN
If you catch her when she's eating, you can blast her with consecrated wrought irons, buckshots, or rounds, I think.
SAM
How do you know that?
DEAN
Dad told me. I remember.
SAM
Oh. So, uh, anything else Dad might have mentioned?
DEAN
No. That's it.
(SAM stares at him)
What?
SAM
Nothin'. Okay, so, assuming we can kill it when it eats, we still gotta find the thing first, which ain't gonna be a cakewalk. Shtrigas take on a human disguise when they're not hunting.
DEAN
What kind of human disguise?
SAM
Historically, something innocuous - it could be anything. But it's usually a feeble old woman, which may be how the whole witches-as-old-crones legend got started.
DEAN, looking interested, takes a map from his bag.
DEAN
Hang on.
SAM
What?
DEAN
Check this out.
(SAM comes over to look at the map)
I marked down all the addresses of the victims. Now, these are the houses that have been hit so far, and dead center?
SAM
The hospital.
DEAN
The hospital. When we were there, I saw a patient - an old woman.
SAM
An old person, huh?
DEAN
Yeah.
SAM
In the hospital? Whew. Better call the coast guard.
(He laughs)
DEAN
Well, listen, smartass, she had an inverted cross hangin' on her wall.
SAM's smile fades.
INT. HOSPITAL; HALLWAY - NIGHT
DEAN and SAM are walking.
BETTY
Good night, Dr. Hydecker.
SAM and DEAN stay close to the wall so they're not discovered.
DR. HYDECKER
See you tomorrow, Betty.
BETTY
Try to get some sleep.
DR. HYDECKER walks down another hallway. When he and BETTY have left, DEAN and SAM continue walking. They reach the elderly woman's room. Her door is closed. DEAN takes out a gun. SAM looks at him, confused, and DEAN shrugs. SAM opens the door and they enter the room. SAM also takes out his gun. The woman does not move. SAM stays behind her, while DEAN leans in closer. They watch her intently. Suddenly, the woman jumps.
WOMAN
Who the hell are you?!
DEAN jumps, scared, into a cabinet. SAM jumps also, and lowers his gun.
WOMAN (cont'd)
Who's there?
(SAM turns on the light)
You tryin' to steal my stuff?! They're always stealin' around here.
SAM
No, ma'am, we're maintenance. We're sorry, we thought you were sleepin'.
DEAN, still shaken, tries to calm himself down.
WOMAN
Oh, nonsense. I was sleepin' with my peepers open!
(She laughs)
And fix that crucifix, would ya? I've asked four damn times already.
DEAN turns and sees the cross on the wall behind him. He moves it back to its upright position. He and SAM exchange an amused but scared look.
INT. MICHAEL AND AHER'S BEDROOM
MICHAEL and ASHER are sleeping. A long, bony hand is seen unlocking and opening the window.
FADE IN: EXT. MOTEL - MORNING
DEAN and SAM park the car and get out. SAM is laughing hysterically.
SAM
"I was sleepin' with my peepers open"?
He continues to laugh.
DEAN
I almost smoked that old gal, I swear. It's not funny.
SAM
Oh, man, you should've seen your face, Dean.
He starts to unlock the door to their room.
DEAN
Yeah, well, laugh it up, man. We're back to square one.
He sees MICHAEL sitting alone on a bench nearby.
DEAN (cont'd)
Hang on.
He and SAM walk over to MICHAEL, who is crying. DEAN crouches down next to him.
DEAN
Hey, what's wrong?
MICHAEL
My brother's sick.
DEAN
The little guy?
(MICHAEL nods)
MICHAEL
Pneumonia. He's in the hospital. It's my fault.
DEAN
Oh, come on, how?
MICHAEL
I should've made sure the window was latched. He wouldn't have gotten pneumonia if the window was latched.
DEAN listens to him sadly.
DEAN
Listen to me. I can promise you that this is not your fault, okay?
MICHAEL
It's my job to look after him.
DEAN nods, understanding completely. A moment later, JOANNA comes outside, her arms full with blankets and a pillow.
JOANNA
Michael.
They walk up to her as she puts the items in the passenger seat of her car.
JOANNA (cont'd)
I want you to turn on the "No Vacancy" sign while I'm gone. I've got Denise covering room service, so don't bother with any of the rooms.
MICHAEL
I'm going with you.
JOANNA
Not now, Michael.
MICHAEL
But I gotta see Asher!
DEAN
Hey, Michael. Hey, I know how you feel, okay? I'm a big brother, too. But you gotta go easy on your mom right now, okay?
MICHAEL nods. JOANNA shuts the car door and drops her purse.
JOANNA
Damn it!
SAM
I got it.
(He picks it up and hands it to her)
Here.
JOANNA
Thanks.
DEAN
Hey, listen, you're in no condition to drive. Why don't you let me give you a lift to the hospital, huh?
JOANNA
No, I couldn't possibly-
DEAN
No, it's no trouble. I insist.
She thinks for a moment, then hands him the keys.
JOANNA
Thanks.
(She kisses MICHAEL's forehead)
Be good.
She gets in the car and DEAN shuts her door. He leans closer to SAM.
DEAN
(to SAM)
We're gonna kill this thing. I want it dead, you hear me?
He walks away.
INT. A.W. STOWE PUBLIC LIBRARY
SAM is doing research on the computer. He picks up his phone and calls DEAN. The scene alternates between the library and the hospital room.
DEAN
Hey.
SAM
Hey. How's the kid?
DEAN
He's not good. Where you at?
SAM
At the library, tryin' to find out as much as I can about this shtriga.
DEAN
Yeah? What do you got?
SAM
Well, bad news. I started with Fort Douglas, around the time you said Dad was there.
DEAN
And?
SAM
Same deal. Before that, there was Ogdenville. Before that, North Haverbrook and Brockway. Every fifteen to twenty years, it hits a new town. Dean, this thing is just gettin' started in Fitchburg. In all these other places, it goes on for months - dozens of kids, before the shtriga finally moves on. Kids just languish in comas, and then they die.
DEAN
How far back does this thing go?
SAM
I don't know. The earliest mention I could find was this place called Black River Falls back in the 1890s. Talk about a horror show.
He brings up a page from an old issue of The Fitchburg Chronicle. The picture features a group of doctors crowded around a patient's bed.
SAM (cont'd)
Whoa.
DEAN
Sam?
SAM
Hold on. I'm lookin' at a photograph right now of a bunch of doctors standing around a kid's bed. One of the doctors is Hydecker.
DEAN
And?
SAM
And this picture was taken in 1893.
DEAN is stunned.
DEAN
You sure?
SAM
Yeah. Yeah, absolutely.
DEAN hangs up. He turns around, infuriated, and looks at DR. HYDECKER, who has his hand on ASHER's forehead.
DR. HYDECKER
(to JOANNA)
Don't worry. Your son's in good hands. I'm gonna take care of him.
(He walks over to DEAN)
So, what's the CDC come up with so far?
DEAN
(trying to remain calm)
Well, we're still workin' on a few theories. You'll know something as soon as we do.
DR. HYDECKER
Well, nothing's more important to me than these kids.
DEAN
Mm.
DR. HYDECKER
Just let me know if I can help.
He walks away.
DEAN
I'll do that.
He is furious.
INT. MOTEL ROOM
DEAN and SAM are talking.
SAM
We should have thought of this before. A doctor's a perfect disguise. You're trusted, you can control the whole thing.
DEAN
Huh. That son of a bitch.
SAM
I'm surprised you didn't draw on him right there.
DEAN
Yeah, well, first of all, I'm not gonna open fire in a freakin' pediatrics ward.
SAM
Good call.
DEAN
Second, it wouldn't have done any good because the bastard's bulletproof unless he's chowin' down on somethin'. And third, I wasn't packin', which is probably a really good thing 'cause I probably would've just burned a clip in him off of principle alone.
SAM
Gettin' wise in your old age, Dean.
DEAN
Damn right. So now I know how we're gonna get it.
SAM
What do you mean?
DEAN
This shtriga - it works through siblings, right?
SAM
Right.
DEAN
Well, last night...
SAM
It went after Asher.
DEAN
So I'm thinkin' tonight, it's probably gonna come after Michael.
SAM
Then, we gotta get him outta here.
DEAN
No. No, that'd blow the whole deal.
SAM
What?
DEAN
Yeah.
SAM
Then you wanna use the kid as bait?
(DEAN raises his eyebrows in agreement)
Are you nuts? No! Forget it, that's out of the question.
DEAN
It's not out of the question, Sam, it's the only way. If this thing disappears, it could be years before we get another chance.
SAM
Michael's a kid. And I'm not gonna dangle him in front of that thing like a worm on a hook.
DEAN
Dad did not send me here to walk away.
SAM
Send you here? He didn't send you here, he sent us here.
DEAN
This isn't about you, Sam!
(He turns away)
All right, I'm the one that screwed up. It's my fault. There's no tellin' how many kids have gotten hurt because of me.
SAM
What are you saying, Dean? How is it your fault?
(DEAN is silent. SAM sighs.)
Dean, you've been hiding something from the get-go. Since when does Dad bail on a hunt? Since when does he let something get away?
(DEAN sits down)
Now, talk to me, man. Tell me what's goin' on.
DEAN does not speak for a moment.
DEAN
Fort Douglas, Wisconsin.
CUT TO: FLASHBACK; MOTEL ROOM
YOUNG DEAN is watching TV.
DEAN V.O
It was the third night in this crap room, and I was climbin' the walls, man. I needed to get some air.
YOUNG DEAN shuts off the television and heads for the door. He takes one last glance at YOUNG SAM, who is asleep in the bedroom. DEAN leaves the room and heads across the street.
CUT TO: ARCADE
YOUNG DEAN is playing a game when the shopkeeper enters.
SHOPKEEPER
Kid.
(YOUNG DEAN turns to look at him)
We're closin' up.
He leaves.
CUT TO: STREET
YOUNG DEAN is walking back to the motel.
INT. MOTEL ROOM
YOUNG DEAN enters and turns around. He freezes when he sees a white light coming from the bedroom. He cautiously enters the room. The shtriga is hovering over SAM, sucking out his life force. DEAN quietly grabs the rifle by the doorway and aims it at the shtriga. He cocks the gun, and the shtriga turns to him. A second later, JOHN enters the motel room.
JOHN
Get out of the way!
He shoots at the shtriga with his own gun, but the shtriga gets away and escapes out the bedroom window. JOHN rushes over to SAM, who wakes up.
JOHN
Sammy. Sammy. Sammy! Are you okay?
YOUNG SAM
Dad, what's goin' on?
JOHN
You all right?
He hugs SAM tightly. DEAN enters the room.
JOHN (cont'd)
(to YOUNG DEAN)
What happened?
YOUNG DEAN
I-I just went out.
JOHN looks horrified.
JOHN
What?
YOUNG DEAN
J-just for a second. I'm sorry.
JOHN
I told you not to leave this room. I told you not to let him out of your sight!
He holds SAM close, tearfully, as DEAN watches sadly.
FADE TO: PRESENT; MOTEL ROOM
DEAN reminisces, with tears in his eyes. SAM is now sitting next to him.
DEAN
Dad just grabbed us and booked - dropped us off at Pastor Jim's about three hours away. By the time we got back to Fort Douglas, the shtriga disappeared. It was just gone. It never resurfaced until now. Dad never spoke about it again. I didn't ask. But he, uh-he looked at me different, you know - which was worse. Not that I blame him. He gave me an order, and I didn't listen. I almost got you killed.
SAM
You were just a kid.
DEAN
Don't-don't. Dad knew this was unfinished business for me. And he sent me here to finish it.
They are silent for a few seconds.
SAM
But using Michael? I don't know, Dean. I mean, how about one of us hides under the cover, you know, we'll be the bait?
DEAN
No, that won't work. It's gotta get close enough to feed. It'll see us. Believe me, I don't like it. But it's gotta be the kid.
He stands up and walks away, with tears in his eyes.
INT. MOTEL; FRONT DESK
DEAN and SAM are talking to MICHAEL, who is holding the phone in his hand.
MICHAEL
You're crazy! Just go away, or I'm calling the cops.
DEAN
Hang on a second. Just listen to me. You have to believe me, okay? This thing came through your window, and it attacked your brother. Now, I've seen it. I know what it looks like. 'Cause it attacked my brother once, too.
MICHAEL puts the phone down.
MICHAEL
This thing - is it, like... it has this long, black robe?
DEAN
You saw it last night, didn't you?
MICHAEL
I thought I was havin' a nightmare.
DEAN
I'd give anything not to tell you this, but sometimes, nightmares are real.
MICHAEL
So, why are you telling me?
DEAN
Because we need your help.
MICHAEL
My help?
DEAN
We can kill it.
(He nods towards SAM)
Me and him, it's what we do. But we can't do it without you.
MICHAEL
What? No!
DEAN
Michael, listen to me. This thing hurt Asher, and it's gonna keep hurting kids unless we stop it, you understand me?
MICHAEL says nothing.
INT. MOTEL ROOM
DEAN and SAM are talking.
DEAN
Well, that went crappy. Now what?
SAM
What'd you expect? You can't ask an adult to do something like that, much less a kid.
There is a knock at the door. DEAN answers it. It is MICHAEL.
MICHAEL
If you kill it, will Asher get better?
DEAN turns and glances at SAM.
DEAN
Honestly, we don't know.
MICHAEL
You said you're a big brother?
DEAN
Yeah.
MICHAEL
You'd take care of your little brother? You'd do anything for him?
DEAN
(in a very heartfelt way)
Yeah, I would.
SAM looks touched.
MICHAEL
Me, too. I'll help.
DEAN looks back and SAM who's nodding, and they look at MICHAEL proudly.
INT. MOTEL; MICHAEL'S HOME
SAM is in the living room, watching a live feed from MICHAEL's bedroom, where DEAN is setting up the camera.
DEAN
(to MICHAEL)
Now, this camera has night vision on it, so we'll be able to see as clear as day.
(to SAM)
Are we good?
SAM
Hair to the right.
DEAN adjusts the camera so it is focused on MICHAEL's bed.
SAM (cont'd)
There, there.
DEAN sits down on MICHAEL's bed.
MICHAEL
What do I do?
DEAN
You just stay under the covers.
MICHAEL
And if it shows up?
DEAN
Well, we'll be right in the next room. We're gonna come in with guns. So, as soon as we do, you roll off this bed and you crawl under it.
MICHAEL
What if you shoot me?
DEAN
We won't shoot you. We're good shots. We're not gonna fire until you're clear, okay?
(MICHAEL nods)
Have you heard a gunshot before?
MICHAEL
Like, in the movies?
DEAN
It's gonna be a lot louder than in the movies. So, I want you to stay under the bed, cover your ears, and do not come out until we say so, you understand?
(MICHAEL nods)
Michael, you sure you wanna do this? You don't have to, it's okay. I won't be mad.
MICHAEL
No, I'm okay. Just don't shoot me.
DEAN
I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. I promise.
INT. MICHAEL'S LIVING ROOM - LATER
SAM and DEAN are watching the live feed of MICHAEL's bedroom.
DEAN
What time is it?
SAM checks his watch.
SAM
Three. You sure these iron rounds are gonna work?
DEAN
Consecrated iron rounds. And, yeah, it's what Dad used last time.
SAM says nothing for a minute.
SAM
Hey, Dean, I'm sorry.
DEAN is confused.
DEAN
For what?
SAM
(he sighs)
Well, you know... I've really given you a lot of crap for always followin' Dad's orders. But I know why you do it.
DEAN
Oh, God, kill me now.
(SAM smiles. DEAN notices something on the feed.)
Wait, look.
They can see the shtriga unlocking the window and entering the bedroom. They quietly pick up their guns. In the bedroom, the shtriga stands by the bed for a moment.
SAM
Now?
DEAN
Not yet.
The shtriga moves closer to the bed and bends down over MICHAEL, beginning to suck out his life force. A second later, DEAN and SAM burst into the bedroom.
DEAN
Hey!
(The shtriga turns to them)
Michael, down!
MICHAEL rolls off the bed and crawls under it. SAM and DEAN shoot the shtriga many times before it falls to the ground.
DEAN (cont'd)
Mike, you all right?
MICHAEL
Yeah.
DEAN
Sit tight.
He and SAM walk over to the shtriga and look at the bullet holes in its robe. DEAN looks at SAM, who lowers his gun. Suddenly, the shtriga bolts upright and throws DEAN into the closet across the room.
SAM
Dean!
In an instant, the shtriga comes over to SAM and throws him against the wall. He lands on the bed and before he can get up the shtriga pins him down, choking him. SAM tries to pick up his gun, but he cannot reach it. The shtriga lowers its head and begins to suck out SAM's life force. His face begins to lose its color and become somewhat distorted due to the loss of life.
DEAN
Hey!
The shtriga looks up and DEAN shoots it between its eyes. It falls to the floor again.
DEAN
You okay, little brother?
Breathing heavily, SAM gives DEAN a thumbs-up sign. DEAN stands up with SAM and they look at the shtriga. DEAN shoots it three more times, and it disappears into nothing. All that remains is a pile of robes on the floor.
DEAN
It's okay, Michael, you can come on out.
MICHAEL comes out from under the bed and walks over to them. SAM places a hand on MICHAEL's shoulder. MICHAEL smiles gratefully at DEAN, and he smiles back. DEAN continues to look at the robes on the carpet.
EXT. MOTEL - MORNING
DEAN and SAM are loading the trunk. JOANNA comes around from her car, just getting back.
DEAN
Hey, Joanna. How's Asher doin'?
JOANNA
Have you seen Michael?
MICHAEL comes outside.
MICHAEL
Mom, Mom!
JOANNA
Hey!
She hugs him.
MICHAEL
How's Ash?
JOANNA
I've got some good news. Your brother's gonna be fine.
MICHAEL
Really?
JOANNA
Yeah, really. No one can explain it. It's a miracle.
(DEAN and SAM exchange a look)
They're gonna keep him in overnight for observation, but after that, he's comin' home.
DEAN
That's great.
SAM
How are all the other kids doin'?
JOANNA
Good. Real good. A bunch of them should be checkin' out in a few days. Dr. Travis says the ward's gonna be like a ghost town.
SAM
Dr. Travis? What about Dr. Hydecker?
JOANNA
Oh, he wasn't in today - must've been sick or something.
DEAN
Yeah. Yeah, must have.
JOANNA
Mm.
(to MICHAEL)
So, did anything happen while I was gone?
MICHAEL
No. Same old stuff.
JOANNA
Okay. You can go see Ash.
MICHAEL
Now?
JOANNA
Only if you want to.
MICHAEL smiles and looks at DEAN, who nods knowingly at him. MICHAEL runs to the car.
JOANNA (cont'd)
I better get going before he hotwires the car and drives himself.
They smile, and she walks away. DEAN closes the trunk.
SAM
It's too bad.
DEAN
Oh, they'll be fine.
SAM
No, that's not what I meant. I meant Michael. He will always know there are things out there in the dark. He'll never be the same, you know?
(DEAN nods a little but doesn't say anything)
Sometimes I wish that..
DEAN
What?
SAM
I wish I could have that kind of innocence.
DEAN turns and watches JOANNA and MICHAEL drive away, he looks down and then slowly turns back to SAM.
DEAN
If it means anything, sometimes I wish you could, too.
He gets in the car. SAM follows a moment later. They drive away as the screen fades to black.