Dean turned and rummaged through the nightstand, pulling out a pile of crumpled newspapers and a yellowed phone book, then spread them across the table.
"I looked into it last night. There have been several recent 'animal disappearance cases' in South City, and people keep hearing crying from an abandoned hospital. There's a ninety-percent chance it's ghosts or demons causing trouble. I also still have the numbers of a few demon hunters. They must have plenty of intel on dark creatures."
Dean's face was brimming with excitement as he picked up the phone and began dialing. "Next up, it's time for our 'spring cleaning.'"
"Clear out all those bastards hiding in the shadows and gather enough life force to bring Dad back!"
The instant the call connected, his tone became serious. He expertly exchanged intelligence with the demon hunter on the other end, while Sam organized the clues from the newspapers beside him. The brothers' eyes were full of determination. After everything they had been through, they had finally reached the crucial point in saving their father.
They had to succeed.
Early the next morning, sunlight pierced through the clouds. Old Mike, wearing slippers and opening eyes red, swollen, and blistered from drinking, unlocked the motel's front door.
The rising sun cast a faint golden glow over the Old Mike Motel.
Dean and Sam pushed open their doors almost simultaneously, sharp light gleaming in their eyes. The surging power within their bodies made them impatient to test their skills.
After last night's fusion of power, they could clearly feel that facing an ordinary lone demon now—someone like Ruby—was no longer a grueling battle full of danger. It was a hunt.
"How do you feel?"
Dean rolled his wrists, his knuckles cracking crisply as a faint white glow flashed across his