One More Time

1.

I run the warm water over the knife, washing it off. As I'm staring at my reflection in the knife, I hear a knock at the door. I jump, and the knife slips out of my hand. I try to catch it, but I feel a sting on my finger. I suck in sharply, bringing my finger to my lips and sucking the blood off of the wound.

Who the hell is here at this time at night?

I grab a paper towel and wrap it around my finger, as I walk toward the front door. I open it, and my eyes widen when I see who's standing at the door.

"D-Dean?"

Dean was one of my best friends years ago. I haven't seen or talked to him in three years, not after I gave up hunting.

"Hey," he waves, awkwardly, offering me a smile.

"What--What are you doing here?" I question, confused.

"I was in the neighborhood. Thought I'd stop by," he shrugs.

"You haven't spoken to me in three years, Dean. In fact, the last thing you said to me was "you're a coward"," I remind him.

"Yeah," he starts, scratching the back of his neck. "Sorry about that."

"What are you doing here," I repeat, crossing my arms.

"Like I said, I was just passing through--"

"Okay, I know that's a lie," I cut him off, rolling my eyes. "What are you really doing here?"

"I need your help," he admits.

"What could you possibly need my help for? Especially after all these years?"

"Dad's on a hunting trip and he hasn't been home in a few days," he answers making my eyes widen.

"He's missing?"

"Yeah. Well, I think he is. I haven't heard from him in three weeks, and I'm worried," he explains.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Dean. Your father's a good man, but... I gave up hunting, remember," I remind him.

"I know, I know, and you had a good reason to, but I need your help," he says.

"I know, but... what about Sam," I suggest. "He's your brother. I'm sure he's willing to help. You don't need me."

"Actually, we do," he sighs.

"We?"

He steps aside, and I gasp when I see Sam approach the door.

Oh, my God... I haven't seen him in so long.

He looks so... different. He's grown a lot.

"Sam," I say. "Why don't you guys come in?"

Once they're inside, I shut the door, returning to the kitchen. I remove the towel from my finger to see that the cut is gone. I quickly toss the towel before speaking. "I, um, I thought you weren't hunting anymore," I say, glancing at Sam.

"I'm not, but Dean convinced me to help him find Dad," he admits. 

"If you're both gonna look for him, then why do you need me," I ask.

"Because we don't wanna do this without you," Dean says.

"Really," I question, looking up at Sam.

"Yeah," he nods.

"Look, I appreciate the gesture... but I can't go back. I barely got out alive," I shake my head.

"I know, but... we need you. I don't know how serious this is, and I don't wanna go in without everyone," Dean explains.

"Dean--"

"Please," Sam says. I look up at him, our eyes meeting. "Just one more time, that's all we're asking for."

"One more time," I say, glancing between them.

"One more time," Dean nods.

"Okay."