After driving along the side roads for a while, I arrived at Crystal Lake, half-expecting to be greeted by a guy with a machete.
Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, there was no one around like that. But in this world, you can never be too sure...
I discarded my tattered clothes, which could hardly be called clothes anymore, and took a plunge into the lake. After cleansing myself, I cleaned my shoes too and decided to sleep in the car to unwind.
However, after waking up something changed... When I attempted to try on the clothes Leah had given me, I noticed my body looked more ripped for some reason.
Don't get me wrong I was already in excellent shape, but now my muscles appeared even more pronounced, without any flexing on my part.
It was quite strange, as this had never occurred before after I had stop aging. Regardless of how intensely I trained or what I ate, my physique remained unchanged.
Who would have thought that after nearly ten millennia, I would simply start to change?
Well, this or maybe I should have listened to my mother's advice and shouldn't have played with wild animals...
Man I really don't want to turn into Wolverine during full moons here... Why? Well because I don't exactly look great in superhero spandex suits. Trust me, I've tried.
I let out a sigh, and donned the clothes Leah gave me (fortunately, they fit well). They consisted of plain black boxers, grey jeans, and a black long-sleeve shirt that would be enough for now.
After rolling up my sleeves a bit, I returned to the car and continued driving until I reached some bar / steakhouse named Bunkhouse Bar & Grill. So I decided to grab a bite to eat and see if I suddenly developed a taste for raw meat.
However, after ordering a bloody and huge steak, I quickly realized that it wasn't to my liking. So I kindly requested the kitchen to grill it a bit more to medium.
After finishing my meal, one thing became evident: I'm still a glutton, but I prefer my food cooked rather than excessively bloody.
So I generously tipped the waitress for her patience with my requests, left the place, and settled into my car.
After taking a moment to breathe deeply, I delved into my being, to see my true nature. But as always, I found nothing... There was no soul or aura like everyone else possessed—only myself and my thoughts.
Then I used my silver knife to cut myself. However, there was no reaction other than the normal bleeding and instant healing that typically occurs when you cut yourself with a dull knife.
Well at least this proves that I didn't become a werewolf and only became more ripped for some reason.
---
Continuing my journey, I covered nearly 700 miles and arrived in Sioux Falls late in the afternoon. I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoyed the car, but listening to the radio the entire time almost killed me.
How on earth did Aiden drive this amazing car without having any CDs or cassettes?
After making a last-minute stop at the bank before it closed, I successfully cashed the check Elizabeth had given me, utilizing Aiden's driver's license. Fortunately, the transaction went smoothly, with no hiccups.
So, with $25,000 cash in a bag, I went to the nearest store and bought more clothes and other personal necessities, along with a wallet.
Afterward, I visited an outdoor shop and purchased a sturdy watch, ten bushcraft knives for various purposes, a tent, plenty of paracord, and leather outdoor shoes. I wanted to be well-prepared for my next trip to the woods.
The sun was already setting when I returned to my car and placed all the items inside, while hiding the money and outdoor gear in the trunk and changing into my outdoor shoes.
While shopping, I also asked some people about Bobby Singer. They informed me that he has a salvage yard on the outskirts of town and that he isn't the friendliest guy around...
After driving for a few minutes, I arrived at 2194 Kripke Lane, where the Salvage Yard stood alone without any nearby houses.
Driving through the open gate with the sign "Singer Auto Salvage," I parked my car in front of the old house, where a 1968 Ford F-350 truck was parked.
It seems hunters have a fondness for old cars... and I love it!
*Grrrrr*
As I stepped out of my car, I was greeted by the growl of a black Rottweiler sitting on the truck.
"Easy there, boy. I'm not a threat," I said to the dog, but it bared its teeth at me, while trying to intimidate me.
Accepting its challenge, I approached closer, and it began sniffing the air. But then it suddenly jumped down from the truck and rolled onto its back, exposing its belly to me...
That was surprisingly easy... Maybe I should consider a career as the Dog Whisperer in this world?
I knelt down and began petting the dog, much to its delight.
*Click*
"I would appreciate it if people didn't tame my watchdog," said a grumpy man behind me, who had been spying on me since I arrived, while aiming a rifle at me.
"I didn't tame him. He's simply a good boy, aren't you?" I said toward the dog, continuing to pet its head as it wagged its tail.
"Stop spoiling my dog and stand up, but do it slowly," said the man, placing his rifle against the back of my head.
I raised my hands and stood up. "I'm here to gather some information. Which should be right up your alley."
But he ignored me and reached into my pants pockets and pulled out my new leather wallet, opening it up.
"Information? You think I'm that stupid? I know Aiden and his car, and even though you look a bit like him, you're not Aiden. So, give me a reason not to blow your brains out!"
Yeah, I figured he wouldn't be pleased with me assuming Aiden's identity... and it looks like he won't cooperate willingly.
I let out a sigh, then swiftly turned around, grabbing the rifle. As I did so. Bobby appeared surprised and didn't react or couldn't react?
So I used this to my advantage and pushed him away to loosen his grip on the rifle. However, he suddenly flew backwards a few feet and crashed to the ground, unconscious.
This makes me scratch my head while holding his rifle... Well, it seems that my body didn't change only for show.
---
"So, Aiden is dead?" asked Bobby, while holding a frozen steak to his head.
After accidentally knocking him out, I surprisingly found it easy to drag him into the house. He wasn't exactly lightweight, probably around 230 lbs, but I had no real problem picking him up and bringing him inside.
It seems that Leah's bite gave me some unexpected enhancements. Normally, my body should simply reject anything that tries to invade and change it. However, this time something stayed behind...
I may not be able to toss cars around, but I believe I can now keep up with the speed and strength of a werewolf without relying too much on my perception.
While taking a sip from the silver flask he gave me I say, "Yeah, a crazy old lady with a ghost child killed him..."
The flask only contained salty water... who puts salty water in a flask?
Bobby sighs upon hearing the information but appears relieved after seeing me drink from it. "I already suspected something had happened to that idjit when he didn't contact me,"
He says, then takes a swig from his own flask and makes a face as if drinking something strong...
Was he testing me with the water? Is this some kind of hunter thing? I looked at the crest on the flask, and now I'm certain it's something used to test if I'm a supernatural being or not.
I place the flask down and say, "Yeah, sometimes things happen faster than you think..."
Bobby closes his eyes for a moment and says, "He was a rookie who always wanted to become a hunter, after some vampires tore his parents apart."
Great, now vampires... Is it strange that I want to meet some old ones? But only if they don't sparkle in the sun...
"Understandable. Everyone would want to avenge their parents," I say to Bobby, and he nods.
Then, I show him the flask and say, "Did I pass, and can get something normal to drink? Or do I need to eat garlic too?"
"No, I don't have any garlic right now, but you still haven't told me why you took his license and car after his death," Bobby says, still relaxed.
"That's a strange story..." I say, while scratching my head.
"Try explaining it. You're literally talking to someone who deals with strange things every day. I mean, I'm talking to you too."
Right in the feelings...
"That's true... Well, let's put it this way: an ancient tentacle monster destroyed my home and everything I owned along with it, so I needed a new identity.
And Aiden happened to bear a resemblance to me, so I took his after he died... But I also sort of killed the old lady and avenged him in the process, if that changes anything."
Bobby looks at me in silence for a few seconds after hearing this, then stands up, grabs a whiskey bottle and two glasses from a shelf, and places them in front of us.
Then says, "So, a typical Monday," and pours us both a glass of whiskey.