D e a n

n i n e t e e n

L A S T   F R I D A Y

They found her . . .

Astrid sat on the floor next to her bed and nightstand in the darkness of her room, the screen of her phone illuminating her tear streaked face. An anonymous text sending chills down her spine. 'He knows where you live' Astrid instantly knew exactly who would have sent it. Memories of that horrible night flashed in her mind. The sounds, the smells—everything washed over her in an overwhelming wave. Silent tears ran down her flushed cheeks. A sickly feeling weighing down on her stomach.

She knew it would only be a matter of time before her past came back to haunt her, she just didn't think it'd happen so soon . . .

Suddenly, she heard the mechanics of the front door lock struggling repeatedly. She turned her head and held her breath, listening carefully as the door opened and closed in a cautiously quiet manner. When the sounds of footsteps neared, the floorboards outside her room creaking, she jumped up and ran to her door. Swiping a pair of scissors from her desk as she passed.

The door slowly opened.

When the tall silhouette of a man entered her dark room, Astrid shot out from behind the door and swung. Lodging the scissors deep into the side of their neck. She jumped back and pressed her back against the wall. Her wide eyes watching as the shadow stood. A low gargled sound echoed, the handle of the scissors wiggled.

They choked and stood for a long moment. Swaying on their feet. Until finally, to Astrid's relief, they fell to their knees. Astrid quickly ran around them to her phone. Just before she could dial nine-one-one, she gave him one more glance. And the longer she stared, the more she could make of their profile in the darkness. Her breath hitched in her throat as her lips parted. Tears filled her eyes again. She watched the handle of the scissors wiggle with each of her father's gargled chokes.

Frank raised a clawed hand. The wet sounds of the blades slipping out of his skin echoed in the room. She watched in horror as he pulled it out. Her bottom lip trembling. Her hands shaking. She just held herself back from screaming when he collapsed onto her floor—limp.

Dean's head tilted as he examined Franks body.

"Jesus," he muttered under his breath in amazement. Astrid was curled up in the corner with her knees pulled up to her chin. Her bottom lip trembling as she stared at the body. Dean slanted her a glance. "What the fuck did you do?"

Astrid could only shake her head with her lips desperately sealed to hold back her cries.

He wrapped the body in blue tarp and put it in the trunk of his car. Together, they drove on the outskirts of town to the woods. Astrid was silent the entire time. Motionless as she stared out the window. Dean had the radio on and even drummed his fingers against the steering wheel to the melody. At some point, he casually lit a cigarette. When he glanced at a visibly distraught Astrid, he reached over and opened the glove compartment. He pulled out a small vial filled with cocaine. "Here," he said as he offered it to her. At her unbending look, he rolled his eyes. "Take a hit. It'll calm your nerves."