The Soul's Paw Print

3

Dean was muttering angrily under his breath as they drove towards Avera Heart Hospital, his hands flexing on the steering wheel.

"I hate that damn game." Dean mutters to no one in particular.

"You're the one who wanted to settle it the 'old fashion way.'" Sam said stifling a laugh. Even Cas was struggling to contain the smile that was spreading on his face.

"I hate both of you." Dean grumbled.

"I don't believe that to be true, Dean." Cas replies with a light chuckle.

Dean stared up at the rear view mirror to glare half-heartedly at the dark haired angel before shifting his focus back to the road. His eyes spotted an eroded sign that read 'AVERA HEART HOSPITAL: 1 MILE.'

"Hospital's just up ahead. Bring the silver bullets just in case we find this thing on the way in."

"Should I bring my angel blade as well?" Cas asked.

"Can't hurt to." Dean replies with a shrug. Dean caught a glimpse of the hospital behind a line of trees and forest. It appeared more abandoned rather than shut down. Another worn down sign came into view a bit further ahead of the road. Dean squinted at the sign, its fading lettering reading 'AVERA HEART HOSPITAL: WEST WING ENTRANCE.' He continued further up the road until he saw a strip of road off to the right and turned the Impala toward the entrance.

As they entered further into the wide parking lot, the bright red and blue lights of police cars and a lone ambulance were stationed near one of the main entrance doors that led into the hospital.

"What the hell?" Dean muttered under his breath. He pulled up just a little ways away from the police cars and parked the Impala.

"Was there another one?" Sam asked.

"Maybe. Here." Dean opened the glove compartment and pulled out three faux FBI ID's, giving one to Sam and Cas as they exited the Impala and made their way over to where the police cars were parked.

One of the police officers, a heavy set Hispanic man with an army cut hairstyle and a thick mustache, spotted them and said something to the other officers with him before moving to approach them.

"Can I help you three gentlemen?" He said gruffly. His voice hid an undertone of aggression, his dark eyes assessing them cautiously and his arms crossed in an assertive manner.

"Actually, yeah you can. FBI." Dean says, the officer's hostile attitude not fazing him. He flashed his badge, Sam and Cas doing the same. "Agent Cameron, my partner Agent Kent, and trench coat over there is Agent Cruxon. He's a rookie."

The officer's expression slowly morphed into what could be described as relief, his stiff posture deflating slightly. "Ah, I see. Name's Sheriff Isaiah Gomez." The officer replies in a much more inviting tone. He extends a hand to shake Dean's, then Sam and Cas'. "Sorry about the tone earlier. Last few days have been a mess and new people showin' up don't sit too well with me."

Dean gave a small nod in agreement, "Nah, I understand man. If I was in your shoes right about now I'd be pretty on edge too."

Isaiah nodded his thanks and motioned for the three to follow him over to where EMT's and Forensics Team were huddled over what looked like a body bag. "I assume you've been briefed on what's been happening the last few days so I'll just show you the newest one."

When the EMT's and Forensics Team were finished with the body they left the four to examine it further. What was inside could only be described as brutal and gore filled.

It was a Caucasian male with either dark brown or black hair, no other features beyond that could be recognized and his clothes were torn to absolute shreds. Where his face was supposed to be was marred with deep red claw marks that were at least three inches wide. Even more deep claw marks could be seen across the lower half of his body. The worst of them was a deep claw mark that tore open a good portion of his chest which exposed his ribs and another deep one that ran across his stomach and revealed his intestines which were also shredded. They also noticed his left leg appeared to be missing from the rest of his body.

"Did you find his leg, or was that...torn to shreds too?" Sam asked.

Isaiah nodded his head towards an EMT who was carrying the said limb; the skin extremely pale and with blood crusted around the edges where it was torn off .

Sam nodded stepping back to allow the EMT's to take the body and detached limb.

"We have no idea what to make of the entire thing." Isaiah says shaking his head. "None of the victims are related or have relations. The one we just found is a John Doe. No wallet, no ID. Nothin'. Could be a rabid bear, could be a sick psycho on the loose, could be anything but..." He stared distantly at where the body had been. "I ain't never seen somethin' so...brutal." He shook his head again. "Well, I appreciate your help on this. You can scope this place out further if you think there's anything else that'll lead to the person-or thing-that's killing these people. As of now, I'm lost one what's doing this." Isaiah says in a defeated voice.

"Thanks. We'll look into it." Dean replies with a curt nod.

Isaiah leaves the three with a final nod and hops into one of the police cars, driving off towards the exit parallel to the entrance they came through.

"So. We come back here at night and scope the hospital out?" Dean asks already knowing the answer.

"That's the plan." Sam replies.

"Alrighty then. Let's go hunt down ourselves a pureblood werewolf."