Heart of a Hunter

1: Into the Darkness

Blair staggered through the dense underbrush, her breaths ragged and shallow. The wind howled in her ears, carrying with it the scent of burning wood and the metallic tang of blood. The cold night air clung to her skin, but it did little to numb the searing pain in her side. Her hand pressed against her wound, the warmth of her blood seeping though her fingers. Each step was a struggle, each breath a reminder of the carnage she'd just escaped.

Her family. Gone. She couldn't even process it yet.

The only thing keeping her moving was survival. Whatever had attacked her home, whatever had torn through her life like a nightmare come to life, it was still out there. And she wasn't about to let it finish the job.

She stumbled again, catching herself on a tree, her bright red hair falling into her eyes. The world blurred for a moment, the overwhelming grief and pain making it hard to think, hard to see straight. Her green eyes, flecked with gold, scanned the dark woods for any sign of safety, but all she saw were shadows.

Then, out of nowhere, the distant rumble of an engine cut trough the silence. The headlights of a car sliced through the darkness, growing closer, brighter. Blair's heart leapt in her chest- fear, hope, desperation all colliding at once. She wasn't sure who, or what, was in that car, but it was her only chance.

She stumbled forward, waving her free hand, hoping they could see her through the trees.

The Impala screeched to a halt a few feet away from her, its headlights momentarily blinding her. Two figures emerged from the car. They were tall, silhouettes against the night, moving quickly toward her.

"Woah, woah, hang on!" One of them called out, his voice deep and concerned.
"Are you okay?"

Blair collapsed to her knees, too exhausted to answer, her legs giving out beneath her. The pain was too much, the weight of her loss too heavy. She barely registered the two men rushing toward her. 

The taller one, with broad shoulders and shaggy brown hair, knelt beside her, his hands hovering just above her wound, not wanting to touch it but clearly worried. His soft brown eyes met hers, filled with empathy.

"Hey, you're okay. We've got you" he said, his voice gentle despite his size. "I'm Sam. What's your name?"

Blair blinked up at him, barely able to focus. 
"Blair" she managed, her voice weak and hoarse.

The other man- shorter, but just as solid- approached, glancing around the dark woods like he was expecting an attack at any moment. "We need to get her out of here. Whatever did this could still be close." He said, his voice sharp and authoritative. His green eyes flicked back to Sam. "Can she walk?"

Sam looked at Blair, his brow furrowed with concern. "We'll help her" He said firmly before slipping an arm under her shoulders. His touch was surprisingly gentle for someone his size. As he helped her to her feet, Blair caught a glimpse of his face- soft features hidden beneath that rough exterior, a kindness in his eyes that contrasted with the strength of his build.

"Dean" Sam called out to his brother. "Get the first aid kit, she's hurt"

Dean nodded, already moving, his movements quick and efficient.

Blair swayed as Sam helped her stand. He was so tall, his presence almost overwhelming, but comforting in a way she couldn't quite understand. She had never felt so small in her life- her 5'4 frame dwarfed by his towering 6'3 height.

"Thank you," she whispered, leaning into him slightly as he guided her toward the car.

"You don't have to thank us" Sam replied softly, his voice thick with emotion. He didn't look at her though. His eyes were focused on the ground ahead, his jaw clenched as if he was holding back something- anger, grief, maybe guilt. "We couldn't save them, could we?"

Blair's heart clenched, and she had to bite back the tears threatening to spill again. "No" She whispered. "They're gone"

Sam didn't say anything but his grip on her tightened ever so slightly. It was like he knew, like he understood exactly what she was feeling.

By the time they reached the Impala, Dean was already there, rummaging through the trunk. He pulled out a first aid kit and tossed it to Sam, then glanced at Blair. His green eyes were hard but not unkind. "You're lucky we found you when we did" he said, his tone gruff but not unfeeling. "Things like this... they don't usually leave survivors."

Blair shivered at his words, the reality of the situation settling in her chest like a lead weight.

Sam helped her into the backseat of the car, his broad frame barely fitting as he slid in beside her. She winced as she moved, the pain in her side flaring up again. Sam immediately opened the first aid kit, his hands moving deftly as he prepared to clean and bandage the wound

"I'm sorry" Blair whispered, her voice barely audible

Sam paused, looking at her with surprise "Sorry? For what?"

"For being a burden" She said, her voice trembling. "I...I didn't mean to drag you into this."

Sam's eyes softened, and he shook his head. "You're not a burden, Blair. You've been through hell. Let us help."

Blair bit her lip, fighting back the tears again. There was something about the way he looked at her, the way his voice wrapped around her name like it meant something. She wasn't sure why, but it made her feel safer than she had since the attack.

Sam gently bandaged her side, she found herself stealing glances at him. His shaggy brown hair fell into his eyes as he worked, his expression focused and serious. He was so different from anyone she'd ever met- strong, but kind in a way that was almost disarming. She had to admit, there was something undeniably comforting about his presence. Something that made her feel like, maybe, she wasn't as alone as she thought.

Once he was done, Sam leaned back slightly, giving her space. "That should hold for now. We'll get you patched up properly when we get to a safer place."

Blair nodded, her body exhausted but her mind racing.
"What happens now?"

Dean, who had been leaning against the side of the car, arms crossed, glanced over. "We find out what did this," he said, his voice low and deadly serious. "And then we make sure it never does it again."

Blair looked between the two brothers, realizing for the first time just how dangerous their world was. But in that moment, she also realized something else. 

As long as they were with her, she had a fighting chance.

And maybe, she could survive this.