Chapter five:
Main Street proved to be everything James Monroe had promised. Which, Deanna acknowledged, wasn't much. The buildings were mostly wooden frontend, with pitched roofs laden with snow and covered walkways in the front. A few were made of brick, and they drove past a bank constructed from big blocks of gray stone. Christmas decorations already showed in many of the shop windows, and the lampposts had been wrapped around with red ribbon. Samantha pointed out to the Wagon Wheel Cafe, which had a wagon wheel missing two spokes right at the one o'clock position, spotlighted next to a painted wooden sigh. It looked to be a standard town diner, like many the sisters had been in and occasionally thrown out of in the last year or so. She hoped they did see James there she definitely wanted to run into him again.
Two doors down only a neon open sign glowing in a blacked out widow gave any indication that the Plugged Bucket Saloon was occupied, but Deanna guessed that there were a handful of drinkers at the bar, maybe a couple making eyes at each other in a dark booth, and a jukebox well stocked with country music hits that were at least two years old. She imagined she could hear Shania Twain singing Man, I feel like a woman from here, although with a rush cassette pounding from the Impala's stereo, she wouldn't have been able to hear her if she was standing on the sidewalk with her full band.
She reached out and cranked the volume knob to the left. Any sign of the motel? Deanna asked her younger sister.
We passed the Bide- A- Wee on the way in, Samantha said. On my side. Because I didn't say anything because I thought we'd decided not to share a room with giant insects. Present company excluded. Replied Samantha Winchester.
What about that one James mentioned? Asked Deanna.
The Trail's End? Not yet. Replied Samantha.
Deanna scanned the street. A couple of trucks were parked along the sidewalks, but no people were in evidence. Have you seen a single human being? Asked Deanna.
Not a one. Replied Samantha.
You don't think... Deanna said.
What, we're too late? Something's already slaughtered the whole town? If that was the whole case, I think we'd see bodies, blood in the streets. I think it's just a small mountain town and people go home early. Replied Samantha.
Okay, Deanna said. I that plan better.
Up ahead, light spilled from a storefront that was set back from the road, with a parking area in front. Swanson's High Country Market. Here there were people, including a woman and her two kids, pushing a shopping cart towards a blue Jeep. See? Samantha said. Nothing sinister. And if we don't like the Wagon Wheel, we can stock up there. Replied Samantha Winchester.
Let's just hope it stays quiet, Deanna said. I wouldn't mind if we were wrong for once and there was nothing strange going on at all. It'd be a decent place for a vacation if we didn't have to worry about people being murdered. Replied Deanna Winchester.
That's what I like about you, Deanna, Samantha said smiling. Your eternal optimism. Always looking on the sunny side. Said Samantha Winchester.