Hmmm, well I truly regret the amount of time that has passed between now and the last time I published a chapter. I tried to write and rewrite this chapter several times, but this is what I ended with. I want to thank all of you that have kept me writing when I thought I was done, I will try my best to keep going. I have 20 more pages to edit and publish so I will try to get that out soon. - SIO

Ketch stood on the outskirts of a thick forest. It was hot and buggy outside which didn't make his current attire pleasant. Sometimes he grew tired of the full suit and dress shoes, especially when trekking through the American wilderness. Frowning he starred down at his oxfords which were now marred with dirt.

At least he had no need for a Kevlar vest, he wasn't doing much hunting today. Not that there wasn't a target. Simply he wasn't the one doing the hunting.

Walking past the crate currently settled on the back of a large black truck he heard its contents growl. Stepping back, he eyed the creature. Of course, he couldn't see it, the hellhound inside. Yet he knew it was staring at him. It desperately wanted out.

Waving the piece of cloth again in front of the crate the hound snarled deeply. It had the scent.

"Good girl", he smiled.

He didn't prefer using the hellhound to hunt, however he had grown to like the creature and appreciated its ability to track its prey. Their target had fled into the woods once she discovered she was cornered. Hess ordered her to be tracked down following the death of Renny. They had followed her from Ireland and back to the states to a motel room in South Carolina.

Eileen Leahy would be the first of many hunters to be taken care of, following Dr. Hess's new orders.

The second if you counted Mick.

"Davies", Ketch muttered softly to himself.

He had to admit he missed the man, it was a shame he had to die in such a pointless way. But he didn't feel any guilt, in fact he thought of how Mick's body was now rotting in an unmarked grave. To Arthur, Mick was given mercy, more than most.

Unknown to Ketch, Mick was a short way away parked on the adjacent road.

Mick knew he was cutting it close. If he didn't act soon he would lose Ketch.

The Englishman wondered what could attract Ketch to this part of the states, wishing the reports he found disclosed more about the mission at hand.

Taking a shaky sip of water, he willed himself out of the driver's seat and to the trunk of the vehicle. It was hard not to admit he was nervous, he usually didn't act like this. Going head first into danger with a loaded gun and a barely fleshed out plan.

He pulled a black baseball cap over his head, carefully hiding his white bandages and covering the back of his head. It wouldn't do much but keep the stark whiteness of his bandages from keeping him camouflaged in the woods.

He then pulled a black coat around him and placed his knife in one pocket and extra rounds in the other with his keys in his jean pocket.

Mick finally took the gun in his hands and closed the trunk softly.

Surprisingly he didn't feel nervous anymore, he felt angry. Betrayed.

He imaged pulling the trigger, the bullet impaling Ketch. This anger felt unnatural...

For a minute he allowed himself to be consumed with rage, Ketch would die. Then he set off.

It was late in the night, there were no lights except the distant street lamps on the nearest road. The further in he went, the taller the trees were with thick roots sprawled across the dirt ground. The heat didn't help, soon he felt exhaustion as sweat dripped down his skin. Taking a moment, he stopped trying to ignore his own labored breathing.

Mick then quietly leaned against the bark of a tree holding his gun close.

He listened, his heart beating hard and fast.

Mick heard the chirping of crickets, a distant hoot from an owl and the trees creaking in the light breeze.

Then he heard something else, a snap of a branch and frantic breathing.

Looking around he saw something he didn't expect, it was a woman. She looked like hell, her clothes covered in dirt and mud. Her pants were torn at the knee and her arm was generously bleeding.

Mick then lowered his gun as he realized who it was. Eileen.

Last he saw her was days ago, yards away from the end of his pistol. Something he rather regretted. Mick never thought he'd see her again.

Suddenly Eileen turned around, facing an empty clearing. From the darkness he heard a bloodthirsty growl, but he saw nothing in the darkness.

She drew her pistol shooting several shots into the darkness. But none hit the invisible creature.

Mick scooted around the tree to get a better view near higher ground, but his foot caught on a root and he fell to the ground. Bracing his hands on the muddy ground he scrambled ahead.

Cursing he slowly pulled himself up, looking up to see several yards away now Eileen on the ground backing away from her assailant. His mind raced with what it could be, what invisible monster could this be?

There was no time to think. Eileen was trapped. And he couldn't just stand by-

Mick drew his gun jumping forward and firing his pistol into the forest. Whatever it was he hit the creature, it cried out backing off. But seconds later it returned.

He shot the creature several times moving closer to Eileen until she was safely behind him.

"Mick?", she said shocked.

He turned and grabbed her arm. She immediately fought against him.

"I'm trying to help you!", he said looking at her straight on hoping she understood.

She nodded, "How can I believe you?"

Mick kept dragging her along, "You don't have a choice. Here", he said pushing the car keys into her hand, "Go to my car up toward the road, go to the bunker! The Winchesters will know what to do."

Eileen looked shocked, "What about you?"

Mick shook his head, "I'll be fine, now go! Before it comes back."

She nodded and then looked at Mick one last time before running up toward the road.

Mick turned around, at this point he had figured out what the creature was. It had to be none other than a hellhound. Nothing could stop it, at least none of the weaponry he had at the moment. He hoped it wouldn't return soon.

But the real question was where the hellhound came from, and where was Ketch.

He moved in the direction the beast fled. It was then he heard a voice muttering.

"Where did that damn wench go-

It was Ketch.

Mick squatted down fumbling in his pocket for more bullets. His fingers grasped each bullet slowly clicking each one into the chambers of the pistol. He then heard a high pitch sound, like a whistle coming from the direction Ketch went.

Was he controlling the hellhound? That didn't seem possible.

Mick took a shaky breath out biting his lower lip before stepping out to the clearing. There he was, Ketch, out several yards in front of him. He had not seen him yet.

This was it.

He aimed and shot toward Ketch.

But Ketch was too fast, he dodged the shot. But just barely, cutting into his arm.

But just as he dodged his gun was out aiming right toward Mick.

However, Mick didn't stop, he shot every round toward him.

He felt tears welling in his eyes, as he shot at Ketch. The man had betrayed him, shot him and now all he wanted was Ketch dead.

His bullets ran dry. Ketch had retreated behind a tree.

"Ketch!", Mick yelled, "Show yourself!"

Arthur stepped out slowly, "Mick Davies? It can't be, I'm pretty sure I killed you."

Mick stepped forward fuming, "You shot me! Ketch how could you-

Ketch raised his gun causing Mick to stop in his steps.

Arthur kept his eyes fixed on Davies, "You were compromised. Which is obvious now. Hess was right, you aren't of any use to us."

Mick kept quiet looking down the barrel of the gun, Ketch had his gun aimed at his head. Point blank. There was nothing he could do.

"Then kill me Ketch. But know, the American hunters will stop you. The Winchesters will stop you", Mitch said lowering his now empty gun to his side.

Ketch chuckled, "Is that so? You should know better than that, we always prepared. The Winchesters won't be a problem for much longer…"

"What have you done?", Mick seethed.

Ketch shrugged, "Not me per se, you see your spot has been filled by our very own Lady Bevell. And I'm sure you remember her specific talents in psychological manipulation."

Ketch paused for a moment, "It wasn't easy, but necessary. Taking the Winchesters out is a pillar than must topple before the building goes and luckily we have someone very close to them."

Mitch felt his heart skip a beat. They had Mary.

"Mary? Why are you doing this?", Mick asked carefully, "Ketch, they're people. You can't control or hunt them like animals!"

"It is necessary. Just like finishing you", he finished raising his gun again.

Mick took a sharp breath thinking as quickly as he could under the circumstances. He needed to tell the Winchesters about Mary. He stared at Ketch carefully as the man walked closer to him, keeping his weapon level.

"Just curious", Ketch continued casually, "How aren't you dead? Might as well be, you look like utter shit."

Mick didn't respond instead he decided to make a move. He took the pistol left useless in his hand and threw it at Ketch who stepped back allowing Mick to throw himself forward.

Pulling the knife he had in his pocket he was able to bring Ketch to the ground stabbing at the man. Ketch fought wildly growling as Mick slashed into his shoulder.

Ketch caught his arm throwing the knife to the side to which Mick threw his punches, hitting at Arthur's face hard and fast. Mick ran on adrenaline feeling the skin of his knuckles break as it connected with Ketch's face again and again. Blood burst from a split lip splattering down his bruised face.

It wasn't enough, it took a moment for Ketch to grasp his arm and throw him to the side. Sitting up he watched as Ketch rolled over before taking his head and butting him hard in the skull.

Mick choked back a cry as pain radiated through his head. His vision darkened, and his body went limp. It was as if he was shot all over again. He writhed on the cold ground waiting for the pain to pass.

When he came to he was on his back against the ground, the weight of Ketch holding him down.

Looking up he saw Ketch's battered face was covered in blood dripping from his nose.

That's all he saw until punches came down upon his face, over and over again.

Ketch finally stopped, but by then he couldn't move or speak. His breaths came out in short wheezes, he could barely breath. He felt like he was dying.

Mick felt himself being lifted, his cap had fallen off, bandages ripped off his head.

"Mick you stupid fool. You should have stayed away", Ketch muttered looking at his healing bullet wound before throwing him back down.

Mick cracked his eyes open, struggling against Ketch's grip.

"Mick, what did you think you'd accomplish. Did you think you could really kill me?", Ketch chuckled wiping blood from his mouth.

"Yeah", he spat at Ketch, "I did you bloody bastard! We were brothers, and you shot me!"

Ketch shook his head, "I know, we were, but orders are orders. And now you've failed, and you will now wish I killed you the first time", he seethed before punching him straight in the gut.

Mick curled to his side as Ketch stood up and walked to his fallen gun before picking it up.

Slowly he walked back over aiming at Mick, "You made me do this, you betrayed the Men of Letters! How could you choose them over us? Those filthy American hunters!"

Ketch pressed the trigger shooting straight into Mick's thigh.

Mick yelled out, his body shaking and heaving. His fingers clawed at the stream of blood flowing from his leg.

Ketch waited for a minute, yet Micks eyes didn't close. He clung to consciousness staring daggers at Ketch.

"Now, now. I'm surprised you haven't passed out yet", Ketch chuckled, "How many shots can Mick Davies survive?"

Davies moaned in pain feeling unconsciousness closing in, his vision fading. He thought of Eileen, hoping she was able to escape.

And then to the Winchesters. They had tried so hard to bring him back from the brink of death and now here he was.

Another shot rang out.

Mick's shoulder exploded in pain. Every breath was a burden, his eyes closed focusing on breathing, but he knew it was ending.

"Goodbye Mick, stay dead this time, won't you?"

Walking past Mick he pulled out his phone pressing a few numbers, "Its Ketch, anyone have eyes on Leahy?"

There was a pause.

Ketch sighed, "If she left the perimeter there is no use sending the hound, we'll find her again. Tell Lady Bevell we lost her, she'll take point. I have some finishing up here."

The call ended.

Ketch walked up to Mick.

The man was lying awkwardly on his back, his face was bloodied and bruised. His leg was still dripping blood as well as his arm.

To anyone he would have looked dead except Ketch knew better, he crouched down and placed his hand above the man's mouth feeling for air.

After several seconds he felt one weak gasp.

"Bollocks", Ketch whispered incredulously.

Quickly he grabbed both of the man's arms and pulled him into the forest. He pulled him until his arms burned and then some.

Finally, he rested Mick against a large tree before taking one final look at him. It was dark out, he would be needing to turn back soon.

He should shoot him right there, end his suffering. Be sure this time.

His phone buzzed, it was Toni Bevell.

"This is Ketch", he answered.

"Arthur, where are you? Hess wants an update. Get back to the base", Toni complained, "I will leave you here."

Ketch cleared his throat, "Very well, I will be along shortly."

He hung up staring at Mick.

Ketch drew his gun, with full intention to shoot Mick between the eyes. It would be painless, quick. But found his gun lowering...

Ketch then left, deciding the animals would take care of him.

Eileen drove and drove until the car broke down.

For once she didn't know what to do. She couldn't call the Winchesters, not without her laptop. All her supplies were back at her motel room in South Carolina. She had no money and was stuck at the side of a highway miles from Kansas.

Her arm had stopped bleeding a while ago but it still needed care, there were no medical supplies she had at the moment.

Or were there?

She hadn't searched the car yet and had assumed it was empty. Taking out the keys she opened the glovebox and found a few water bottles and some sparse papers.

Quickly she drank one, thankful for the supplies. She got out of the vehicle going to the backseat where she found a backpack tucked under the seat.

Pulling it out she searched its contents. A paper map, a few rolls of gauze, change of clothes and a roll of cash.

She almost cried at her luck. Taking a minute, she hoped into the back seat and pulled off her mud stained shirt and jacket.

Quickly she pulled a plain white t-shirt on, it was much too big for her but it didn't matter.

She then cleaned out her bloodied arm and wrapped the wound. It would have to do for now.

She placed the roll of cash in her pocket and proceeded to the trunk.

Opening the lid, she found a tank of gasoline, it was a little light but not empty.

And in the back corner there was an old box of salt, some empty vials that probably once contained ingredients for a spell and a rusty old knife.

She picked up the knife, upon further inspection she found it wasn't rusty but tarnished. It was silver.

Better than nothing.

Sighing she thought of Mick, she wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him. But he had tried to kill her back when she was after Dagon.

When she shot that kid, Renny.

Eileen was still haunted by that event. She didn't mean to kill the boy, it was an accident and she wished every day that it didn't happen.

But it did happen and Mick, he didn't kill her. Eileen wasn't sure why Mick was there back in the woods in South Carolina but she was thankful. More so now realizing that Mick was likely now in danger himself.

Filling up the tank of the car she knew she had to find the Winchesters, and fast.

Drawing out her phone she saw its battery life dwindling, her finger running through her contacts until she reached Sam.

Quickly she sent him a text, better than nothing. He had to know about Mick.

Jumping into the driver's seat she jammed the key into the ignition. Praying she turned the key hoping the old vehicle would start up.

After several minutes of trying the engine came to life. Eileen took down the road, she would survive this.

I had to save Eileen, she really didn't deserve to die. There will be more of her in the future! And Mick really messed up... but he had a few more tricks up his sleeve. Please let me know what you think, your reviews keep me going! Thanks all! -SIO