The First Time
SPN100 Challenge, word: burn.
Summary: Some memories burn a path in your brain that's leading straight to pain and terror – unless you find an exit. Pre-Series. 200 words on the dot.
The smell of sweat and earth and a hint of decay mingled with the sharp fumes of lighter oil. He tossed the matches into the grave and a roaring burst of fire burned a hole in the night, devouring the source of murderous hate and pain that Gordon Berkowitz had become after his violent death.
When he turned, the grim smile on his face faded like a ghost.
Where the Hell was the boy?
It took him fifteen minutes.
Fifteen minutes filled with swallowed curses and broken shouts, icy fingers of panic tearing at him from the inside, feet stumbling through row after row of mossy gravestones and silent angels, until he heard the sobbing and found his son, huddled behind a tree.
"Dean… dammit, I…"
He sank to his knees, cupping the small face with his hands, flinching as terrified eyes fought to focus on him.
"Dad? 're you okay? All those flames, I thought you'd… I thought…"
"I know. I'm so sorry, kiddo. I should've prepared you for this, should've explained how fire can be our ally. I'm such a friggin' idiot. Your mum would've…"
He stopped, clutching his son to his chest, the memory a red-hot pain.
A/N: "Burn" made me think of fire - and fire led to Mary burning on the ceiling and to the Winchester's famous salt and burns - and how can fire be your worst nightmare and your weapon of choice at the same time? Can't be an easy way to get there...
