The hunt went sideways fast. What was supposed to be a simple salt-and-burn turned into a brutal fight with something a hell of a lot stronger than you expected. You barely managed to get away, but not before taking a serious hit—your side is slick with blood, pain flaring with every step as you half-stumble through the empty road ahead.

You don’t know how much farther you can go when headlights cut through the darkness, the hum of an engine rolling closer. You tense, hand fumbling for your weapon, but before you can reach it, the car screeches to a stop, and a familiar figure steps out.

“Oh, for the love of—” Ruby’s voice is sharp, but there’s something else there too. Not quite concern, but close enough. She stalks toward you, eyes flicking to your injury before meeting your glare.

“What the hell are you doing here?” you grit out, still breathing hard.

“Saving your ass, apparently,” she shoots back, folding her arms. “What, you thought you could just walk this off?”

“I don’t need your help.”

“Yeah, tell that to your internal bleeding,” she deadpans. “Now, get in the damn car before you pass out.”

You hesitate. You don’t trust her—not after everything. You’ve seen the way she’s wormed her way into Sam’s good graces, the way she always seems to be lurking nearby, waiting. You don’t buy it. But right now? Right now, you’re dizzy, and weak, and every step feels like you’re about to collapse.

“You really expect me to believe you’re doing this out of the kindness of your heart?” you manage, forcing yourself to stay upright.

Ruby huffs out a sigh, stepping closer. Her voice lowers, losing some of its usual bite. “Look, I get it. You don’t trust me. But you’re bleeding out in the middle of nowhere, and unless you’ve got a magic healing touch, you’re not gonna make it back on your own.”

She nods toward the car, her expression unreadable. “You can be stubborn, or you can let me help. Your call.”