"Dean..." John's voice sounded broken. "Please, let me in."
"D-" Dean stood at his motel room window, phone in hand. Disbelief contoured every feature on his face as he gazed at a silhouette meters away. "Dad?" His lips were set in a grimace. This had to be a joke. A sick, twisted joke.
"Yes Dean. It's me. Please let me inside."
"Who are you? Why are you pretending to be my father?" His voice was hurt and vulnerable.
"It's me Dean! I came back, just like you." His voice trailed off. John's form was covered in dirt and his hands were bloody. "I had to dig myself out of my own grave." He looked at his hands in sheer explanation, "Please let me in."
Dean shook his head, hoping to find that he was just having another hallucination of his father. The image still stood before him, however, once he looked back out into the dimly lit parking lot. "How do I know it's you?"
"How could you doubt me?"
Dean frowned then walked to the padlocked door, unbolting it slowly. He held a flask of holy water in his hands; salt was spread across all entrances into the small room. If anything, his father was possessed. "Dad.." Dean whispered to his father as the man outside slowly made his way closer to the doorway.
"Thank you Dean." John smiled a tired smile. "Here," He carefully took the water from the boys hand then drank from it.
Dean gave him a shocked look then nodded, "Come in." His voice was still plagued in disbelief.
John smiled at his son then gave him a rib crushing hug. "I missed you so much."
Dean felt tears roll down his cheeks then hugged his father back. "I missed you too. You have no idea how much."
John looked at his son, his voice turning gruff. "How've you and Sammy been holding up?" He paused, then added, "Where is he?"
"He's around somewhere… He and I have been quite distanced lately." Dean shrugged, trying to change the subject.
'I know' John's thoughts sounded sly in his mind but he spoke in a sad tone. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Dean forced a smile, and then invited his father inside to clean up and have something to eat. "You can stay here, if you like."
"Thanks son."