The Runt of the Litter

Murphy's Law

Anna is fifteen

Murphy's Law

Anna shivered in the cool autumn air, leading Kate toward the entrance of the bunker. Leaves crunched sullenly beneath their sneakers as the girls made their way.

Kate reached down idly to pluck a torn leaf out of her Converse while waiting for Anna to open the super heavy bunker door. The familiar squeal of the door was followed immediately by echoing voices, one of which was distinctly feminine and weighted with anger.

Anna grabbed Kate's wrist and pulled her friend swiftly inside the bunker, curiosity putting a zip in her step. They both hurried inside with Anna closing the door behind them. Simultaneously, both girls leaned forward against the railing at the top of the stairs, peeking over at the group of people down below.

"Who's that?" Kate whispered, though there was no need. The argument was clearly holding everyone's attention since they hadn't noticed the bunker door opening or closing– odd for a group of hunters.

"I don't know," Anna admitted, voice soft but not a full whisper. "I can't see his face."

"No, I meant the kid," Kate amended, pointing to a girl with a brown ponytail who was certainly short enough to be their age or younger. "You know her?"

"Probably."

"I didn't ask to come here!" the girl shouted in the war room. "I didn't ask to quit hunting! I didn't ask to start hunting! I didn't ask for any of it. So quit punishing me for your choices!" With that, the girl turned on her heel and stormed down the hallway.

"Is that our cue?" Kate whispered, looking sideways at Anna but still leaning on the railing.

"I think it is," Anna said awkwardly. She led the way down the staircase, where they only got halfway down before they were noticed.

"Anna, hey," Sam greeted, clearly surprised to see them. "Kate," he acknowledged. "Is it- Is it after three?"

"Almost four," Anna told him and did finger guns before looking anxiously toward their guest who had his face in one hand. "It's fine. Kate gave me a ride."

"Sorry, Runt. We had a- uh- situation," Dean explained, looking pointedly at the dark-haired man across the table from them. "You remember Murphy, don't you?" he nudged Anna.

Anna's eyes widened as soon as she heard the name. "Oh my god, yeah. I thought you guys were done, what happened?" she asked, then realized that it was maybe none of her business. "Uh, sorry," she said as Murphy raised his head, looking weary and a little beat up. "I mean, nice to see you. How- how... are you?" she trailed off when she felt both her brothers looking at her. She was definitely making a fool of herself.

Murphy looked her up and down, though, and smiled kindly. "You got taller," he observed.

Anna smiled awkwardly, fidgeting with her backpack straps. "Yeah, I guess," she allowed. "I mean, it's been, what? Two years?"

"Something like that," Dean agreed. "Kat and Murphy are staying with us for a few days," he explained then.

"We lost the house," Murphy added, then closed his eyes in what looked like grief. "Katrina ain't takin' it too well."

"Yeah," Anna murmured, remembering the girl who'd stormed out of the room earlier. She had renewed empathy for the outburst now.

"Well, we have more pressing problems," Sam pointed out. "Like figuring out what the hell has it out for you."

"Yeah, and takin' the son of a bitch out," Dean said, leaning one hip against the map table. "Anna, why don't you and Kate go see if Katrina's okay."

Anna knew a request to leave the room when she heard one. She shrugged and headed for the hallway without argument.