Gamble, Book One

Chapter 1

Sam and Dean Winchester were currently driving down a long stretch of road in the backwoods of Virginia after having just destroyed a den of vampires. The sun was setting, signaling the end of the day, and both men were dead tired. They were a few miles outside of Charlottesville waiting for the next hotel to appear and by the next morning, they'll be gone, onto the next case while they awaited any alerts from their father, John Winchester.

A steady silence took over the inside of the '67 Black Impala as Dean drove and Sam searched through news articles, looking for anything supernatural or out of the ordinary. Various buildings and shopping centers popped up beyond the horizon the further they drove and a sign advertising a college basketball game at the nearby university that week flashed behind them.

While Sam was more than willing to crash and sleep for the night, Dean on the other hand was itching for a drink having not had a taste of liquor in a few weeks. He hoped that along with a hotel there was a decent bar nearby.

"Up in Baltimore, there seems to be a string of disappearances from a handful of counties. All of them teenagers, but no other distinct patterns have been linked. A couple are from foster homes, another from a respected neighborhood-" Sam went on.

"Teenagers run away all the time, you did," Dean interrupted cheekily, glancing at his brother who rolled his eyes in response.

"Five in the last month alone Dean and they had promising paths ahead of them. What would make them run away?" Sam asked.

"Well, what made you run away Sammy?" Dean countered.

Sam sighed, "it's along the way, could it really hurt to check?" Sam asked softly as Dean turned into a parking lot. Letting the engine run, Dean smirked when his eyes spied neon lights on the other side of the parking lot, hypnotizing him.

"Let me have a drink tonight and we can check out whatever place you want tomorrow Sammy," Dean grinned. Sam followed his gaze and shook his head.

"Gimme a card so I can check in then," Sam said with his hand outstretched, not in the mood for a drink. Dean grinned and tossed a random card before shutting off the Impala. Getting out, Dean headed towards the direction of the bar.

"Dean!"

"Yeah?"

"Keys too," Sam stated with his hand open.

"Seriously?" Dean huffed and Sam just gave him a look that said it was non negotiable. With an exaggerated sigh, Dean pitched his keys, and turned away without another word.

A bold neon red sign that read 'Vertigo' loomed ahead. Loud music boomed from the place and groups of people scattered about. The bar itself was a hole in the wall, but at least it was spacious.

On the right side of the entrance, bar tables and stools were set around a raised stage and a small dance floor. To the left side was a blocked off room that marked a smoking section. Near the middle, three pool tables were placed, all taken, while a long bar stood against the back end of the wall where Dean pushed to first.

Flagging down a bartender, Dean placed a well deserved drink order. "Shot of Jack and a pint of whatever you have on tap," the bartender nodded and took a few moments with the order. Dean slapped a twenty on the counter just as the drinks were placed before him. Dean downed the shot and winced, letting out a breath. Before he could order a second shot, commotion at the nearest pool table made him turn.

Roughly ten people crowded around the table nearest to Dean, shouting and cheering. Craning his neck as the crowd cleared, Dean's jaw dropped. A very shapely female leaned halfway across the table to shoot. She was wearing black PVC pants that clung to her like a second skin and outlined a very full backside. A form fitting black tank top peeked beneath a long sleeved flannel that was tied around her waist.