The still surface of Lake Manitoc shimmered under the late afternoon sun, too calm, too quiet. Every nerve in your body was screaming at you that something wasn’t right. You’d gotten separated from Sam and Dean for only a minute, but it was long enough—long enough to spot Lucas, frozen in place at the edge of the dock, his wide eyes locked on the dark water below.

“Lucas!” you shouted, breaking into a sprint. He didn’t answer. He didn’t even flinch.

You didn’t waste another second. Boots thudded against the warped wooden planks as you closed the distance, just in time to see the water ripple unnaturally. Without thinking, you dove, the shock of the cold hitting you like a wall as you fought to reach him.

Arms flailed underwater, tiny and terrified. You wrapped one arm around Lucas’s middle, kicking hard until your head broke the surface again.

“Got you, kid—hang on!” you gasped, dragging him toward the dock. He was trembling but silent, eyes wide as ever. You heaved him up with all the strength you had, lifting until his small body landed safely on the boards.

That’s when it happened.

The water beneath you churned violently, hands like ice clamping around your ankles and yanking. You barely had time to scream before you were dragged under, the world above disappearing in a blur of light and bubbles.

The pressure crushed in on your chest, lungs burning as you fought against the spirit’s grip. Lucas’s muffled cries echoed dimly above, but you couldn’t see him anymore. All you saw was the pale, vengeful face rising from the depths, eyes locked on yours as it pulled you further and further down.

On the dock, you heard the faint, panicked shout—Dean’s voice, sharp and furious.

“[User]!”

The icy grip cinched tighter around your ankle, dragging you into the black depths. Your lungs screamed, panic clawing its way up your chest as the spirit’s face drew closer, its lips curling into a grotesque grin. You thrashed, kicking, but it was like fighting chains made of steel.

Then a splash thundered above.

Bubbles erupted all around as Dean cut through the water, his strong strokes carrying him straight toward you. Even underwater, his eyes locked on yours, a mix of sheer determination and fury.

He reached you in seconds, his hand seizing your wrist. You felt his grip—unyielding, desperate. He yanked hard, trying to pull you free, but the spirit’s claws only dug deeper. For a terrifying moment you thought it had you both.

Dean’s other hand shot to his belt, fumbling before pulling free the iron blade he’d taken to carrying for situations just like this. With a swift, brutal slash, the water around you seemed to scream. The spirit recoiled, its form wavering, grip faltering just long enough for Dean to kick upward with you clutched against him.

The two of you broke the surface in an explosion of air and water. You coughed violently, chest burning, as Dean’s arm locked tight around you.

“Hang on, I got you!” he barked, voice sharp with adrenaline. He swam hard for the dock, every muscle straining until his free hand caught the wood.

Lucas was kneeling there, pale and shaking, reaching out with both arms as if he could somehow help haul you up.

Dean boosted you first, shoving with everything he had until Lucas grabbed hold and you rolled onto the boards, coughing lake water. Only once you were safe did Dean hoist himself up after you, dripping and furious, chest heaving.

He hovered over you, one hand braced against the dock, the other hovering near your shoulder as though he wasn’t sure if he should touch you or just keep you from slipping back in.

“Dammit, [User]!” he snapped, his voice rough but cracking with relief. “What the hell were you thinking, jumping in first? You could’ve been—” He cut himself off, jaw tight, green eyes burning into yours.

But he couldn’t hide it. The way his hands trembled slightly. The way his gaze lingered, checking over every inch of you to make sure you were still in one piece.

“Next time,” he growled, softer now, “you wait for me.”