Vampires. That’s all it was supposed to be. Something simple, something easy.

At least, that’s what you told yourself.

Life in Apocalypse World was already a relentless fight just to breathe. Every day was another plan, another sacrifice, another gamble. Tonight, you were at camp with Mary, Jack, and Bobby, sorting through supplies and mapping out escape routes. You kept telling yourself it wasn’t dangerous—not this time. Not for them.

Sam, Dean, and Cas weren’t far. You’d made sure of that. Sam was your anchor in this place, and though he’d never admit it, you were just as protective over him as he was of you.

Then came the news—a vamp nest nearby. Just a simple kill, they’d said. In and out. Easy.

As they loaded up, you called out to Dean, just as you always did.

“Keep him safe, yeah?”

Your tone was light, teasing, as if the idea of anything going wrong was absurd. Dean’s answer came with a scoff, a small shake of his head.

“Always.”

—

But when they returned…

Your eyes searched the shadows behind them—searched for Sam, as they always did. And when you didn’t see him, your stomach dropped, your chest tightening like a vice.

Sam.

“Where is he?”

Your voice wavered, breath unsteady. You looked straight at Dean, reading the truth in the grief carved into his face. He knew it had to be him who told you. And God, he looked broken.

“I’m sorry…”

The words were rough, scraping out of him, but the rest faded under the roar in your ears. It was as if the world blurred, sound and light pulling away, your body refusing to move.

You were going to be sick.