Running Up That Hill Δ SPN [2]

005. DOG DEAN

"Wow." Dean says as he walks into the library where Sam and the girls are.

"What?" Sam asks.

"Kevin. Just poured some buffalo milk down his gob twice." Dean says.

"Buffalo milk?" Sam asks.

"Yeah, the hangover cure all. It's got everything in it. Except buffalo milk." Dean says.

"How is that kid still recovering from Branson?" Sam asks.

"What can I say? He's an amateur. The slippery nipple shots at the Dolly Parton Stampede nearly killed the guy." Dean says.

"All right. Well, uh, I got something that's gonna get us back on the road." Sam says.

"A case?"

"Yeah."

"You sure you're ready for that?"

"Why would I not be ready for that?"

"Aren't you kind of running on empty?"

"Yeah, but the last three nights straight, I had eight hours of shut eye. For a hunter, that's like 20. Trust me, Dean. I feel good."

"Well, that's great and all, James Brown, but you're still recovering from the trials. I think you ought to pace yourself, you know? And the sooner you heal..."

"Yeah?"

"I just want you back to your old self."

"I am, Dean. Look, Kevin's back on the Heaven spell. Crowley's locked up. We should be out there doing what we do best."

"Yeah..."

"You want to listen at least? Okay, great. Taxidermist named Max Alexander mysteriously crushed to death. Nearly every joint in his body dislocated, every bone broken. Poor guy is a human pretzel. You tell me what's got that kind of strength."

"A demonic luchador?"

"Shop's a couple hours away in Enid, Oklahoma. We should at least check it out. Unless there's some reason you think we shouldn't."

+++

"Okay, uh, that... symbol in the graffiti, it's... not wiccan." Sam says as the four are in the motel room, Sam on his laptop. "It's copywritten. Local animal rights group, Enid's answer to PETA."

Sam holds the laptop out to Dean who looks at the webpage.

"S.N.A.R.T.? You got to be kidding me." Dean says.

"Well, it makes sense that an animal rights group would have an axe to grind with a taxidermist." Sam says.

"Why? The animal's already dead." Dean says.

"Yeah, but hunters are what keep them in business. Now the question is, are those bleeding hearts actually witches or just hippies?" Sam questions.

"What's the difference?" Dean asks.

+++

"Necrosis?" Dean asks.

"Premature death of tissues -- that's why their eyes were all messed up. And it's not caused by mace." Sam says.

"All right. What caused it?" Dean asks.

"Right here. "Blunt force, radiation, venom."" Sam reads.

"As in "snake"?" Dean asks.

"The taxidermist was constricted. Olivia and Dylan heard hissing, and they were sprayed in the eyes." Sam explains.

"By venom." Dean says.