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'Camping Program. Camp in the wildness with this weekend program. Learn the basics of camping and have fun. Lead by experts.'
Castiel tore out the advertisement and read it again. It was a month until winter. It was cold. Why was this guide willing to go out camping? Maybe camping was what Cas needed. He was having difficulty getting used to his new apartment. There was a strange smell of cigarette smoke and laundry and his bed would creak when he touched it. And he couldn't remember the last time he went camping. In fact, he had never camped before. He didn't know how to fish, set up a tent or a fire, or tie a knot- anything outdoors related. Perhaps it was because his father always told him to stay away from forests when he was younger. Words from his childhood came back to him.
'It's dark in there.'
'Yes. Isn't it Cas?'
'What if I went in there and I accidentally was losts and monsters eated me?'
'I won't let that happen to you.'
Cas went online and found the website for the centre organising the activity. Because it was close to winter, they were doing it for free. There was a photo of the crew on the main page. There were nine people standing side by side. A bearded man with a trucker's hat. A woman of about the same age with long brown hair. A young blonde woman. A young man with a mullet. A short looking, slightly overweight bearded man wearing a hat with light brown hair. A thin scrawny looking man with a sock on his hand. A man with long brown hair, and as tall as a tree. A handsome man with large green eyes. What if he was the guide? Cas melted at the thought of it.
'I'm your guide for today.'
'It will be wonderful.'
'You have amazing eyes... Cas?'
'Yes, short of Castiel. The angel of Thursday.'
'Love the trench coat by the way.'
Cas lifted his head up again and shook it. No more fantasies.
The phone rang three times.
'Come on Dean!'
'Seriously Bobby? I've answered the last five calls! Ash you get it.'
'Jo.. What? Huh? Someone called my name.'
'Ash stop sleeping on the couch.'
'Is that the phone?'
'Someone answer the fucking phone!'
'Okay! Jesus! I'm getting it.'
Dean left the staff room and went to the front desk.
'Hello this is Winchester Outdoor Ed. Dean Winchester speaking.'
'Hi- I was just wondering.' The man paused to swallow. 'I'm considering uh, doing the camping program and I'd like to know when it is.. happening.'
'Oh.' Dean sat down in the office chair and began to slowly spin left and right. 'You mean the program you saw in the newspaper right?'
'Yes.'
'It's happening this weekend. So we leave, tomorrow.'
'And how long is it for?'
'Two nights. We leave at about 4:00, walk to the ground, I teach you how to set up camp and we start the fire. We relax a bit, get to know each other. The next morning we check out the area. Go for a walk, then we come back and eat breakfast. Then I teach you how to tie knots. We go to the stream and wash up, then have something to eat. For the rest of the day we-'
Whilst he talked, the man on the other end said 'mmm hmm' every now and then.
'In general we just have a lot of fun and learn new skills.'
'Well, it sounds great.'
'And we supply the tents and the needs for the camp fire and the cooking so you just need to bring clothing, sleeping bag, a pillow, you know. So do you want to do it?'
'Yes- I'd love to.'
Dean smiled.
'Great. I'll just get your details is that okay?'
'Yes that's fine.'
Dean took out a form and began writing down what the man told him. Or, what Castiel told him.
'Sorry for giving you the late notice.'
'No it's fine. It takes like ten minutes to gather what we need.'
They shared a chuckle over the phone.
'Oh- I need to ask you. Do you have any allergies?'
'No, I don't.'
'Okay. That means you'll be fine with whatever we cook right?'
'Sure.'
'Okay.'
'Okay.'
'Uh- I guess I'll see you here tomorrow. Do you need the address?'
'No, it's okay I have it.'
'Okay. Bye, Castiel.'
'Bye, Dean.'
'We have a camper.' Dean said, entering the staff room again. At the table sat Bobby, Sam and Benny. Lying asleep on the couch was Ash.
'Well done Dean.' Benny said, patting Dean's back.
'For free though.'
'He'll tell his friends.' Ellen said, patting Dean's hand.
'I hope so.'
Bobby shook his head. 'So what's this person's name?'
'Castiel. He's not bringing friends or anyone. Just himself.'
'Sometimes people needa ged' away.' Benny uttered.
Cas had already started packing. He chose a few sweaters and shirts, a couple of pairs of jeans, underwear, socks and walking shoes then stuffed them all into a compact bag. He had a small heart shaped pillow and a sleeping bag that wouldn't be heavy to carry, so he stuffed them into the bag as well. Lastly, he put a spare toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant and a hairbrush into a plastic bag. He was ready. But of course, there was still over a day until he would have to leave. Cas finally relaxed again.
T.V
Channel Up
Keanu Reeves, Constantine
Channel Up
John Travolta, Michael
Channel Up
Warren Beatty, Heaven Can Wait
Channel Up
Jeopardy
'Okay.' Cas thought. 'Jeopardy is okay.'
'Why are you googling images of, Castiel Novak?'
Dean jumped. Ellen stood behind him.
'We don't usually research the people who take part in the program.' She had a cheeky smile on her face. Dean blushed.
'Unless of course, you like him.' She poked Dean.
'No. No it's not-' He grinned, then realised Ellen wasn't going to believe him, and frowned.
'Somebody has a little crush.'
'No. Ellen, no.'
'Is that him?'
She pointed to the first image on the page. Dean clicked on it and it brought him to a website.
'Castiel Novak...Employee of the Month for Red Cross Illinois.'
'Do you think it's him?'
'It could be.'
The Castiel in the photo had short dark brown hair, blue eyes and tanned skin.
'I hope so.' Dean muttered.
'I heard that.'
'Shut up.'
'You should call him.'
'No! Leave me alone!' He shoved Ellen away. She sighed and left the front desk. No more than five minutes later, Jo returned and sat on the edge of the desk.
'Sooo..'
Dean looked up.
'Yeah?'
'Somebody told me that you have a small crush on someone.'
Dean's eyes went back to the screen and he huffed.
'And you may have found a photo of him.' She then went to Dean's side and looked at the photo he was staring at.
'Oooh, pretty.'
He minimised the page.
'Dean, imagine his blue eyes staring into yours.'
Dean's dimple began to show.
'See, I made you smile.' She patted him on the back and left.
Castiel woke up around 7:30. He had fallen asleep whilst watching T.V. The memories of that day came back to him. The exciting feeling of going camping for the first time filled him and he grinned. Camping. Outside. In a tent. He didn't mind if it was difficult, as long as nothing went wrong, he would have the time of his life. He cooked up a large dinner, since it would be the last one made on a stove for three days. With a side of garlic bread covered with butter, he made Greek salad with steak and fries. For the 107th time, he ate alone. The last time he had eaten dinner with someone was when he met his brother. And that was a dinner he wanted to forget. Cas was neither introverted nor anti-social. But, he did feel very lonely.
