~*****~

"Thanks for lettin' us look around." Sam thanked the landlady as she led us into the apartment.

"Well, the police said they were done with the place, so...." The landlady huffed, walking Sam further into the room. I closed the door behind me, shifting my bag higher on my shoulder for a moment. I looked over at Dean with a shrug and we both ventured further into the room. Blood splattered across the carpet and pooled near the corner. "You guys said you were with the alarm company?"

"That's right." Dean confirmed.

"Well, no offense, but your alarms about as useful as boobs on a man," The landlady commented, causing a chuckle to erupt from my lips. I held up my hand, trying to stop full blown laughter.

"No, ma'am, you found the body?" Sam asked, going to check the window locks.

"Yeah."

"Right after it happened?" I asked after regaining my composure. Sam made his way over to me.

"No. A few days later. Meredith's work called- she hadn't shown up. I knocked on the door. That's when I noticed the smell." She replied, looking down and grimacing at the memory.

"Any windows open? Any signs of a break in?" Dean asked.

"No, windows were locked, front door was bolted. Chain was on the door. We had to cut it just to get in." She explained.

My eyebrows furrowed, and I propped my hands on my hips. "And the alarm was still on?"

"Like I said, bang-up job your company's doin'." She raised an eyebrow. I smiled to myself. This old woman still had her teeth, and she still bit as hard as any young woman would. I liked her attitude.

Dean's eyes searched the room. "Mmhmm. You see any overturned furniture, broken glass, signs of a struggle?"

Meredith shook her head. "Everything was in perfect condition- except Meredith."

Sam turned from the window. "And what condition was Meredith in?"

"Meredith was all over. In pieces. The guy who killed her must've been some kind of whack job." She exclaimed, pointing around the room. Dean crouched down besides the pool of blood to examine it better. "But I tell you, if I didn't know any better, I'd have said a wild animal did it."

Dean stood slowly and looked over to Sam and I. "Ma'am, do you mind if we take some time? Give this place a once-over?" Sam asked.

"Oh, well, go right ahead. Knock yourself out." She nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her. The moment she left, we moved around the room, looking for any signs of the supernatural. Dean bent down and removed his EMF reader from his toolbox.

"So, a killer walks in and out of the apartment- no weapons, no prints, nothin'." Dean mentioned.

"And you said it might just be a normal break in." I retort to Sam, making him scowl a little.

The EMF started going crazy. "I think I agree with you." Dean said to me, grinning wider as Sam's face contorted into his signature 'Bitch Face'.

"So, you talked to the cops?" Sam asked me.

"Yeah," I replied, giving Dean a glare. "I took over when Dean started speaking with Ms. Amy. A charming, perky officer of the law, as he so put it." I snapped. Sam smirked at his brother, who in turn whistled as if he were innocent.

"Yeah? What'd you find out?" Sam asked.

"Nothin' we don't already know. Except one thing they're keeping out of the papers." I state.

"Hm?"

"Meredith's heart was missing."

"Her heart?" Sam asked, stopping what he was doing.

"Yeah, her heart."

"Well, the landlady said it looked like an animal attack. Maybe it was a werewolf?" Dean suggested and I shrugged.

"No, not a werewolf. The lunar cycle's not right. Plus, if it were a creature, is would've left some kind of trace. It's probably a spirit." I explained. I looked down at the carpet, and from where I stood, it looked like a patter. "Hey, we got any masking tape?"

Dean tossed me a roll of duct tape and watched me kneel down. I followed the pattern of blood splatters until they all connected. It looked like some unusual symbol. I felt like I had seen it somewhere before.

"Ever see that symbol before?" Sam questioned to Dean and I.

"Never." Dean hummed.

"I think so... I'll have to do a little studying later." I step to the side, trying to see it at another angel. "I'll take some pictures and then we can skedaddle." I comment, holding up my phone.

~*****~

We hit the bar later, and Dean was currently fetching some drinks for the two of us. Though, poor Dean has the mental capabilities of a squirrel and ended up flirting with the bartender. Which actually really steamed me. I guess that's what I get for letting him take my virginity. A slow smile slipped onto my lips, though, I will admit. It felt really nice. I sat alone at our table, swirling my finger around the surface as I awaited for the moron to return. I looked up and smiled when I saw Sam finally making his way over to me, but at that moment, a hulking meat head took a seat besides me and wrapped his arm around me shoulders. I looked over at him, a glare set in my eyes. "Can I help you?" I snapped, shoving his arm off of me.

At that moment, a familiar arm wrapped around my waist and tugged me to his side. "Something wrong, babe?" I hear Sam ask. I smile softly at him and shake my head as the meat head stalked off. I let out a sigh and returned to my seat.

"Thanks, Sam." I sigh, pulling out Meredith's article and laying it on the table just as Dean finally notices us and stalks over with a satisfied smile on his lips.

"I talked to the bartender," Dean informed us as he sat down on my other side.

"Did you get anything? Besides the clap?" I asked, digging my nails into his thigh.

"You're the only girl for me, baby." He comments, smiling widely as I scoff and roll my eyes. "But I got her number." He admits, holding up a napkin. I snatched it and stuffed it down the neck of the beer I had. Dean gave me a pouty look before wrapping his arm around my waist.

"You mind doin' a little bit of thinking with your upstairs brain, Dean?"

"Huh? Look, there's nothing to find out. I mean, Meredith worked here, she waited tables, everyone here was her friend. Everybody said she was normal. She didn't do anything weird before she died, so-what about that symbol, you find anything?" Dean asked.

"Nope, nothing. It wasn't in Dad's journal or in any of the usual books. I just have to dig a little deeper I guess." Sam said, glancing around the bar.

"Well, there was a first victim, right? Before Meredith?"

"Right, yeah." Sam agreed, pulling out a newspaper clipping concerning the first death and showed it to Dean and I. "His name was, uh- his name was Den Swardstrom. Last month, he was found mutilated in his town house. Same deal- the door was locked, and the alarm was on."

"Is there any connection between the two of them?" I ask.

"Not that I can tell- I mean, not yet, at least. Ben was a banker, Meredith was a waitress. They never met, never knew anyone in common- they were practically from different worlds." Sam explained, shaking his ehad.

"So, to recap, the only successful intel we've scored so far is the bartenders phone number. Or we did anyway." Dean frowned, and I dug my nails into his leg again. Sam suddenly seemed interested in something across the room. Dean and I looked around to see what he had noticed. "What?"

Sam didn't answer. He got us and walked across the room. "Sam?" I called out. He didn't turn around, so I looked at Dean curiously.

"Don't look at me, I don't know what he's doing." He said defensively. I rolled my eyes and got up to follow.

"C'mon, Dean." I order, grabbing his hand and tugging him. When we got to Sam, he was talking to a young woman. She was petite, with a blonde pixie cut, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't her natural color.

"Well, they're not here right now, but what about you, Meg?" Sam asked the girl- Meg, I assume- just as we came to stand behind him.

"Oh, I did. I came, I saw, I conquered. Oh, and I met what's his name, something Michael Murrau at a bar." She smiled at Sam, ignoring Dean and I. Something was off about her. Like that English guy I met a coupla days ago. I was certain she didn't have a soul. I was sure she was a demon. But, I could just be imagining things.

"Who?" Sam asked, confused.

"Oh, it doesn't matter. Anyway, the whole scene got old, so I'm living here for a while." She explained. Dean cleared his throat, but she took no notice.

"You're from Chicago?" Sam questioned.

"No, Massachusetts- Andover. Gosh, Sam, what are the odds we'd run into each other?"

"Yeah, I know, I thought I'd never see you again." Sam shook his head slightly but smiled.

"Well, I'm glad you were wrong," She exclaimed and Sam nodded. Dean cleared his throat again, but this time louder. "Dude, cover your mouth." Meg snapped, finally looking to Dean and I. Dean's face turned from Smug to Shocked as he uncrossed his arms.

"Yeah, uh, I'm sorry, Meg. This is, uh- This is my brother, Dean. And this is Carlotta, my best friend." Sam introduced and Meg looked surprised.

"This is Dean and Lottie?" Meg asked and Dean smiled at her.

"Yeah." Sam answered.

"So, you've heard of me?" Dean asked with a smug look on his face.

"Oh, yeah. I've heard of you." Meg smiled, then her tone turned sarcastic. "Nice- the way you treat your brother like luggage." She spat, then turned to me. "And you. Sam's been in love with you forever and you're just going to ignore it?" She snapped.

"Excuse me?" I snapped, getting defensive. "This is the first I've heard of it, but maybe you should stick your nose where it belongs instead of my business."

"Oh, and you're any better? You practically throw yourself at his horn dog brother while he offers so much more. God, you're such a whore." She hissed, making my anger triple.

"Shut your mouth, you blonde bimbo. Spare me the details, but what gave you the right to assume anything about me? Or who I decide to put my interest in? I'm sorry, but it's like I said earlier, keep that big nose out of my business." I hiss back, taking a step forwards. "Soulless bitch." I comment. Her pupils dilated for a moment before a sick smirk wrapped onto her lips. Dean wrapped his arm around me waist and tugged me back

"Okay, awkward. We're gonna get a drink now." Dean said tugging me over to the bar as I kept glaring at Meg. "Damn, what was her problem?" Dean asked, seemingly appalled as he waved the bartender over. I stared back over at her, narrowing my eyes at the blonde creature. "Lottie?"

"What?" I snap, turning back to him. Dean just smiled and pushed a glass of Hennessy over to me, making me smile a bit. I sipped at the amber alcohol for a moment before sighing. "Apparently Sam's in love with me." I comment to Dean, crossing my leg over the other.

"I know." Dean hummed, leaning back in his chair and throwing an arm over the back of mine.

"What?"

"Yeah, he uh, he told me when we were dealing with that killer truck. And Cassie." He admitted, fingering the glass he was holding.

"That's what you two were arguing about?" I question, feeling a bit confused.

"Yep," He smirked, tossing back the rest of his drink. I shook my head and waved for more alcohol. "Besides, he admitted they had already faded."

"Oh, that's good. I mean, it's not bad, but-"

"I understand what ya mean." He stops me, chuckling when I fiddle with my many rings. "Let's get wasted." I whole hardheartedly agree.

~*****~

By the time Sam had finished his conversation, Dean and I were buzzing hard. We leaned against each other in an attempt to stay upright. "Who the hell was she?" I slur just a bit, feeling a bit angry.

"I don't know. I only met her once. Meeting up with her again? I don't know, man. It's weird." Sam furrowed his eyebrows and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"And what was she saying? We treat you like luggage? What, were you bein' a little bitch about us to some chick?" I glared. "And talking about me? To someone else like that? You really think I'm a whore?"

Sam sighed and began to apologize. "Look, I'm sorry guys. It was when we had that huge fight. But that's not important, just listen-"

"Well, is there any truth to what she's saying? I mean, am I keeping you against your will, Sam?" Dean cut him off, his voice raising.

"No, of course not. Now, would you listen?" Sam groaned.

"What?" Dean grumbling, coming to a stop and leaning against the car.

"I think there's somethin' strange going on here, Dean."

"Yeah, tell me about it. She wasn't even that into me." Dean sighed, looking away.

"No man, I mean like our kind of strange. Like, maybe even a lead."

"Why do you say that?" Dean asked, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"I met Meg weeks ago, literally on the side of the road. And now, I run into her in some random Chicago bar? I mean, the same bar where a waitress was slaughtered by something supernatural? You don't think that's a little weird?" Sam explained and I smirk.

"I don't know, random coincidence. It happens." Dean reasoned, shrugging.

"Yeah, it happens but not to us. Look, I could be wrong, I'm just sayin' that there's something about this girl I can't quite put my finger on." Sam frowned.

"Well, I bet you'd like to. I mean, maybe she's not a suspect, maybe you've got a thing for her, huh?" Dean suggested, making Sam look away with a laugh. "Maybe you're thinkin' a little too much with your upstairs brain, huh?" Dean pointed to his head and then suggestively down to Sam's pants.

"Do me a favor. Check and see if there's really a Meg Masters from Andover, Massachusetts." Sam ordered and Dean sighed loudly while rolling his eyes. "And see if you can't dig anything up on that symbol on Meredith's floor."

"What are you gonna do?"

"I'm gonna watch Meg."

"I bet you are." I commented with a laugh.

"I just wanna see what's what. Better safe than sorry."

"Alright, you little perv."

"Dude," Sam shook his head slightly with a bitch face.

"We're goin', we're goin'." Dean sighed and he and I crossed the road. "Wanna have some fun when we get to the motel?" Dean asks, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

I give him my best serious face, causing that flirty smile to drop. Then I beamed. "You have to ask?" He grinned and lifted me up, swaying, and basically hauled ass back to the motel.