(Disclaimer: Don't own anything Supernatural related; the following story and the characters of Finn and Caleb belong to me)
Through the Never.
Chapter One.
He pushed his small body as far back as he could, squeezing himself under the bed, ignoring the dust-devils and cobwebs that clung to him, sticking to his tear-stained face. He bit his lip as a large twelve-legged spider crawled over his shoulder; it's thick, hairy feet dancing across his scrawny chest before scuttling over the dirt-covered cobblestone floor, racing towards a shiny purple beetle that lay on it's back, its feet moving frantically as it saw death bearing down on it. He knew how the beetle felt but fear held him back from saving the small creature..
He'd heard the footsteps coming towards his room; he knew each emotion carried in his tread and this one thundered rage, so he took refuge in the only place he had. He knew his hiding would only enrage the man further but right now, his 'flight' instinct was stronger than his 'fight'. He squeezed his eyes shut as the key turned in the lock, the heavy wooden door flying open and crashing against the stone wall. His heart pounded loudly as he watched dusty black boots march towards the bed and he fought the urge to pee, his little head shaking a vigorous 'no' as his mind screamed in terror.
His spine pressed painfully against the wall at his back as a liver-spotted hand darted under the bed, long talon-like fingers clawing their way towards him and as they hooked into his tattered shirt, he finally let loose a strangled cry of fear as he was dragged from his futile haven. His head cracked against the bed-frame, the blood from the new cut staining his dark tangled locks and bringing fresh tears to his eyes.
His feet dangled uselessly as he was hauled roughly upwards, his face held inches from the wizened features of his captor; his terrified green eyes looking into furious dark ones that pulsed with a dangerous red glow.
"YOU DEFY ME?!" the man roared.
He held his tongue, speaking now would only mean a more severe beating and he'd only just recovered from the last one; but he couldn't stop the small cry of fear as he was pitched across the room, slamming into the wall and crumpling to the floor. He didn't have time to draw breath as spindly fingers wound painfully into his hair, pulling his head up and pushing the sheet of paper into his face, the paper on which he'd written his name over and over, the paper he thought he'd hidden.
"YOUR NAME IS SILAS KILPATRICK!" the man bellowed, his roar echoing round the small room.
The boy looked into the venomous visage, anger finally overtaking fear; and defiance raged through his tiny body as he yelled...
"MY NAME IS CALEB WINCHESTER!"
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The black night slowly faded, an iridescent blue taking its place, pale pink clouds littering the heavens as the sun began its sleepy rise over the horizon. Dean sat on the porch steps, coffee in hand as he watched the orb stake its claim on the land; the rays moving steadily towards his home, waking all it touched and bringing with it a warmth that would never reach him. He heard the horses whinnying in the distance and the soft calls of the sparrows that lived under the porch roof; another day was beginning, only this time, the day held hope.
He was still sitting on the porch an hour later when he heard soft footfalls at his back. A steaming cup of coffee floated over his shoulder as Finn sat behind him, her cheek resting between his shoulder blades as he took the mug from her, her arms slipping round his waist and bringing his first smile of the day.
They sat in a comfortable silence, Dean rubbing gently at her bare leg as they watched everything come to life around them; flowers opening gently as the sun hit them and dried the dew from the grass; a deer and her fawn edging out of the forest, nibbling on the moss-covered rocks as an eagle screeched overhead…life was going on without them.
"It was him" Finn whispered and Dean nodded slowly "We have to find him"
"Where do we start Finn?"
She rested her chin on his shoulder "I don't know" she sighed softly "I just don't know"
Dean nodded; they'd spent the better part of first two months after Caleb's disappearance searching every part of Larten Vola looking for their son ...but to no avail. He wasn't anywhere in that realm. The dragons and griffins were also at a loss. Sam had gone with the phoenixes to their realm but he had returned empty handed and with no answers. Caleb's guardian, 'Iksar' was nowhere to be found; like their son, he too had disappeared and they didn't know whether this was a good or a bad thing.
Dean had watched Finn; each passing day without their son slowly ate away at her and the more time they spent in Larten Vola the more they were reminded of their loss. Neither of them had wanted to live in the realm but they'd had nowhere else to go; Jonas' men had burnt Finn's cabin to the ground and then torched Mickey's bar for good measure.
So they'd stayed at the Palace, organising searches and researching what they could while Dean secretly organised the construction of a new cabin. He'd moved it close to 'The Crossing' not wanting to rebuild on the same spot and had done most of the work himself, telling Finn he was tying up loose ends in the mortal realm. She didn't question him, she spent most of her time scouring Ancient texts looking for anything that might give them a clue as to where Caleb had been taken.
It had taken him almost two months to finish the cabin; Sam, Seth and Jude helping when they could, but he'd wanted to do it himself, it kept his mind off Caleb and went someway to assuage the guilt he felt at being unable to protect his son and for letting down Finn.
He'd been nervous when he'd taken her to see it, he didn't know how she'd react, but when he'd removed the blindfold she'd stared at the cabin then turned to him and hugged him tight; her tears staining his shirt. They'd moved in that night and hadn't returned to Larten Vola; Sam bringing them supplies and any books Finn needed but she flat-out refused to go back and Dean didn't push her.
"We need to go back" he said softly and he felt her tense. He turned his head and looked into her eyes "We need to go back"
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They left that night, under the cover of darkness, wanting to avoid as many Ancients as they could; not out of fear for their safety, it was the stares, the ones filled with pity that often drove Dean into fits of uncontrollable rage. It was better this way. Safer.
They rode silently, their swords over their backs as the soft calls of the nocturnal creatures welcomed them; their horses snorting softly in reply. The soft breeze carried sweet smells to them and they looked up as a shadow passed over the lavender moon, both of them smiling as the dragon settled gently in front of them.
"Peluda" said Dean warmly.
The dragon bowed its head, its silver and purple scales shining in the moonlight Welcome back, Slayer it turned its golden, serpentine eyes to Finn and dipped its head Griffin
Finn smiled at the dragon "Peluda. You're well?"
I am healed
"I'm glad" she said.
He turned his eyes back to Dean We have continued our searching. We have yet to find the Little Slayer but we heard his call on the winds
"Can you follow it?" Dean asked.
It was but a whisper
Dean nodded "We're going to the Palace, tell Fafnir we'll speak with him tomorrow"
Peluda dipped his head I will come for you when the sun is at its peak
Dean nodded "We'll be ready"
Your path to the Palace is clear but ride swiftly, word of your arrival is carrying quickly. We will watch from the skies.
They nodded and Peluda bowed his head before shooting into the sky; circling once before rocketing back towards the Dragons Land. Dean and Finn kicked at their horses; Picasso and Bull responding and racing forward, their hooves thundering over the blue fields as they took the familiar route to their other home. A dark shadow flew overhead, soft leather wings beating a steady tattoo as it kept pace with them, the dragons keeping watch as Peluda said they would.
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The man felt the ripple as they returned to that hateful realm; the place that had stolen his last son from him; the place where he'd stolen his replacement. They were looking for the boy; he laughed malevolently, they would never find him, they would not be reunited with their son until the day he destroyed the realm they had fought so hard to save…the day the boy would kill them.
Then he and his new 'son' would unleash the fury of the elements on all the realms; nothing and no-one would be spared; they would yield or they would die. They would be a plague on all they touched; a vengeful scourge that would bring about his dominion over the realms.
He would be a God…the boy, his disciple…his successor.
Caleb Winchester would be the undoing of the worlds.
To be continued...
