Long Road to Ruin
"You think it's true?"
Sam Winchester glanced at his older brother as he tossed the last of the bags into the back seat of the Impala. "Huh?"
Dean turned, mirroring his brother's actions with his own armload of packages. He nodded his head toward the large neon sign glowing against the star filled Iowa night sky before turning his gaze to his brother. "The sign. 'Largest Truck Stop in the World.' Think it really is?"
Sam grinned at the wide-eyed look of innocent curiosity on his brother's face. Whenever Dean got that look on his face, Sam couldn't help but think of a little kid at Christmas. It was what he was going to miss most about his brother when he…
Sam cleared his throat and directed his attention to the sign, perched high above the throng of traffic moving down Interstate 80. "Biggest one I've ever seen."
Dean twisted his mouth in a satisfactory grin and bobbed his head in agreement. "I'll admit this place is huge. That store in the back had everything!"
They had decided to stock up on some supplies that had been nearly depleted during the last year, wandering into the I-80 truck stop to wait for Bobby to join up with them. At first glance the place had been nice, a lot of wood sculptures and touristy trinkets spread across the shops in the front of the mall like truck stop. As they'd ventured further in, past the array of fast food outlets, they had stepped down into what could only be described as a trucker's paradise.
The huge store took up most of the back of the building, filled from end to end with everything and anything a man on the road could possibly need. Of course there were the snacks and small items you could find at any convenience store, but further down the items became more specific to the industry ranging from clothing to mechanical parts to items such as television and sound set-ups that would make any Best Buy employee green with jealousy.
Sam has insisted Dean buy a new pair of boots as well as a couple of the flannel shirts to stave off the chilly Midwest spring. Dean had started to argue that what he had would last him and there was really no sense in wasting the credit card on things he probably wouldn't be around long enough to use, but one look at his younger brother's face told him that Sam was well aware of the approaching deadline and the protest had died on his lips. If making sure Dean had a new pair of boots would help Sam believe that he could still save his brother, Dean had no intention of shattering his brother's illusion.
It was the least he could do.
Besides, it's not like it was really their money anyway, right?
Dean slammed the back door of the Impala and leaned across the car, his arms folded against the shiny black top. "So, Bobby say how long before he was gonna be here?"
Sam shut his own door and thrust his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "He said he was still a few of hours out."
"Did he mention what kind of hunt he'd found us?" Dean was pretty sure the older hunter had concocted the need to meet up with them because of the nearness of the deadline of Dean's deal. Bobby had worked as hard as Sam to come up with some way to get Dean out of the contract and Dean was grateful to the man for everything he had done for them. He knew what was going to happen would hit Bobby hard. He also knew that the older man would do everything he could to help Sam get through it. Bobby had never said it out loud, but Dean knew he blamed himself for leaving after Sam had been killed at Cold Oak.
Despite the older hunter's guilt, Dean knew that nothing would have stopped him from trying to bring his brother back. The Deal was the only option he had, and he never regretted it for a minute. Even when he had finally confessed to Sam that he didn't want to die, he knew he had no regrets and in the same situation, he would do whatever he had to do to protect his brother.
It was his job.
It was who he was.
And he would never apologize for putting his family first.
Of course, that didn't mean he wasn't scared. They'd sent a lot of demons back to hell and Dean wasn't so naïve as to think they wouldn't all be waiting for him -- and he was pretty sure he wasn't going to enjoy their 'Welcome to Hell' party.
But he had saved Sam. And that was what mattered. As long as he knew Sam was still in the fight, he could take whatever they threw at him. Knowing Bobby would be around to look after his little brother took a huge load of his mind. Dean was sure Bobby wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
"So, if we still have to wait for Bobby, what do you say we go on in and try that buffet?"
Sam smiled and shook his head fondly. "Where the hell do you put it all, man?"
Dean returned the smile. "I'm magic, Sammy. Pure magic."
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They were seated in a small booth in the dimly lighted restaurant less than ten minutes later, plates mounded with food before them. Sam had decided to start at the amply filled yet diverse salad bar, heaping his plate with spinach leaves and vegetables before making his way to the main food bar selecting a juicy Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes. Dean, on the other hand, had opted to skip the rabbit food all together in favor of more appetizing fare. Balancing the fried chicken, roast beef, broasted potatoes and large slice of steaming lasagna had been a trick, but one the older brother was accustomed to and handled with practiced ease.
They both dug into the food with gusto, having eaten warmed up mini-mart burritos and chips for the last twenty-four hours on the road. After a second trip to the food bar and one to the dessert area, both hunters were satiated, leaning back into the cushioned booth, satisfied smiles on their faces.
"So," Sam breathed around a burp, "That's an hour down. We still have a while before Bobby shows."
Dean nodded, his right arm patting his expanded belly. "Think they'd mind if we just sat here for a while? I'm so full I doubt if I could move even if I wanted to."
Sam's grin widened. "Maybe that's because you just ate half the buffet all by yourself."
"You weren't exactly pecking at seed yourself, Big Bird. I noticed you keeping up with me plate for plate."
Sam chuckled and dipped his head. "Well, it's been a while since we've been able to just sit back and stuff ourselves." He shrugged. It had been a hard couple of weeks, both hunters trying hard to come to terms with the aftermath of their brief incarceration at the hands of Special Agent Hendrickson.
The bullet wound in Dean's shoulder had more or less mended without complications, as had the numerous bruises and cuts obtained in their battle with the demons. Unfortunately, the internal wounds hadn't healed quite as easily. They had made a silent agreement not to mention the devastation the demon Lilith had wreaked upon the small town sheriff's station, neither brother able to truly vocalize the guilt they felt for having brought the innocent lives into their war. Instead, they had both continued on, doing what they could to save lives despite the expanding desperation in their hearts.
Sam smiled at his brother. "Besides, the sign did say 'All You Can Eat'. I couldn't let you have all the fun."
"Good point." Dean let go a soft belch. "Man, I better go hit the head before I explode." At Sam's look of disgust, Dean laughed and pushed himself up out of the seat with a groan.
"Overdo it a bit?"
"Oh but it was so worth it, Sammy." Dean turned and headed out of the restaurant toward the restrooms as the waitress approached with the check.
"You boys can really put it away," she smiled warmly at Sam.
"Just trying to keep up with my big brother," Sam returned the smile. He pulled some bills out of his wallet and slapped them down on the table on top of the check. With a nod of thanks, the waitress took the cash leaving Sam to relax back into the corner of the booth and wait for his brother to return.
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Sam checked his watch, his brow furrowing as he noted his brother had been gone a good thirty minutes. Although it wasn't unheard of for Dean to make a lengthy pitstop – especially after a huge meal like the one they had just consumed – Sam was increasingly on edge after the all out attack in Colorado. The demons had begun playing by different rules, and Sam had decided it wouldn't hurt to begin being a bit more cautious even when things looked perfectly normal.
Normal.
That was rich.
When had their lives ever been normal?
The Winchester version of normal was being able to sleep in a moderately clean motel without waking up to a nightmare or one of a thousand supernatural baddies that wanted their heads. Currently, with Lilith's demon army on their tail, Sam had started looking for evil in every shadow, in every situation. So it was no surprise that his older brother's long delay in returning to the restaurant had triggered a growing concern.
Sam pushed himself out of the booth, snagging his coat along with Dean's. If the older man's absence was simply due to a prolonged call of nature, Sam could feign annoyance or impatience as justification for the interruption. But, with the way their luck had been running lately – he would rather be safe than sorry.
As soon as he stepped out of the dark restaurant, tho, Sam knew his concern had been warranted. A small crowd had gathered around the far end of the entranceway, just outside the public rest rooms. His height facilitated his push to the front of the crowd, his unease increasing as he saw the object of his concern sitting on the tile outside the men's room under the watchful gaze of a security guard.
Sam rushed across the small distance, his focus on his brother until a hand shot, impacting with his chest bringing an abrupt end to his momentum.
"That's my brother," Sam pointed a hand at Dean, who still leaned against the wall, his eyes closed, legs out in front and hands lying limply in his lap.
The security guard took a moment to consider, but finally gave Sam and short, crisp nod and dropped his hand.
"Dean?" Sam dropped to a knee beside his brother, his eyes quickly skimming the older man, coming to rest on the small trickle of blood curving down the side of his neck. "Hey, man. You with me?"
Dean swallowed and nodded, his eyes squeezing tightly as the movement obviously increased the pain apparent on his face.
"What the hell happened?" Sam's question was directed over his shoulder at the guard as he dug a napkin out of his pocket and began to dab at the bleeding cut directly behind his brother's left ear.
"I've radioed for a squad car to take him to the county lock-up."
"Lock-up?" Sam turned and stared at the guard. "Why the hell would you be taking him to lock-up? He's hurt! You should be worried about having a paramedic look at him."
The guard nodded. "They're sending a paramedic unit out, too." The guard sniffed and adjusted his belt. "They'll check him out when he gets to the Sheriff's office."
"Didn't we just leave this nightmare?" Dean moaned quietly.
Sam ignored his brother and focused on the guard. "Why exactly are you taking my brother anywhere but a hospital?" He shifted as Dean moaned again, finally noticing the silver handcuffs attached to his brother's wrists, partially hidden by the sleeves of his flannel shirt. "And why the hell is he in cuffs?" Sam's voice rose, the young hunter barely controlling his anger at he noticed the smug expression of the security guard.
"He attacked a young woman." The guard crossed his arms, not backing down in the face of Sam's irritation.
"What?"
"Sam."
Sam turned back to his brother at the sound of Dean's soft voice. The older hunter rolled his head against the wall until he could look up at Sam through squinted eyes. "She was a demon."
Damn.
Sam quickly nodded his understanding and took a deep breath, knowing he had some quick talking to do in order to keep the local authorities from taking his brother to jail. Hendrickson's last act had been to make sure the FBI stopped their pursuit of the Winchester brothers, he wasn't about to let any demon undo the man's final good deed.
"Look," Sam said as he slowly rose to his full height. He tried not to smile as the shorter security guard took an unconscious step back as he craned his neck to look up at Sam's 6'4" stature. "Whatever you believe happened, I'm sure my brother can explain. Trust me, he doesn't simply go around attacking people." Unless they were possessed by demons, he silently added.
He turned as he heard Dean groan, looping an arm under his brother's shoulder as the older hunter forced himself to his feet. "I'm sure we can come to some kind of understanding if you would just –"
The click of the handcuffs around his left wrist cut him off and he stared open mouthed as the guard quickly snapped the other end of the cuffs around Dean's right, directly above the cuffs already shackling his brother's arms together.
"What the hell are you doing?"
The guard smiled coldly, "My job. You want to make sure your brother gets the proper attention, by all means. We can make sure you stay with him at all times." He turned his head as the flashing red and blue lights began to flicker off the walls in the entryway. "Gentlemen, looks like your ride is here."
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It only took moments for the guard and the county deputy to herd the brothers into the back of the squad car. Sam had tried to protest, but was told in no uncertain terms that they would work everything out once they got back to the sheriff's department.
The cool night air seemed to snap Dean out of the slight daze he had been in inside the truck stop and he managed to make the trip from the entryway to the car without assistance. Once they were secured in the backseat, the officer returned to get a report from the security guard and Sam leaned forward to assess his brother.
"You okay"
"Yeah," Dean rolled his head. "I'm fine, Sam."
"What the hell happened?"
Dean took a deep breath and shook his head. "I was coming back from the john and this chick just slammed right into me. I was about to apologize – even tho it was no way my fault – when I looked up and saw her eyes."
"Don't tell me. Black."
"As coal," Dean nodded. "Next thing I know, I'm flat on my ass, my head is ringing like a bell and Barney Fife is slapping these bangles on me." He held up his wrists to emphasize the cuffs.
"How the hell did they find us?"
Dean shrugged and lay his head back against the seat. "Who knows. Maybe one of us is carrying some kind of homing beacon or maybe it was just shitty random luck. Either way, that bitch knows we're here and dollars to donuts she's gonna call in her book club ladies as soon as possible."
Sam nodded in agreement, his eyes rising to the entryway as the deputy shook hands with the security guard and started back to the car. "This is starting to get old."
"Tell me about it."
Their conversation stopped as the officer opened the front door and climbed in behind the wheel. "Welcome to Iowa, boys. I hope you enjoy your stay."
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"Damn." The officer pulled the cruiser to a stop in the center of the road, his eyes surveying the wreckage strewn across the narrow asphalt highway. With a sigh he shifted the car into park and cut the engine. He eyed the two prisoners in the back seat warily.
"I'm going to go check this out. You two don't move a muscle or I'll hog tie the both of you before we get back to town.
He was met with two sets of innocent eyes.
"Yes, sir, Officer," Dean replied with more than a trace of sarcasm in his voice. "Hog-tied, understood."
Officer Carter simply shook his head, his patience sorely tested by the loud mouth chained in his cage.
"Dean," Sam cautioned as soon as the cop had closed the door. "I'm really glad you're feeling better, but could you maybe try not to antagonize the guy with the keys to the cuffs?" He held up his manacled wrist, shaking the short links that connected him to his brothers set of cuffs for effect.
"Sammy, Sammy, Sammy," Dean grinned, bending his neck to watch the officer's progress toward the wreck. "You got to learn to have more faith, dude." He leaned a little lower, his hand reaching inside his boot. A few moments later, he withdrew it, a small silver pick clutched between his fingers. He rolled his head and grinned at his brother, waggling his eyebrows in confidence. "When have I ever let you down, Sammy? Huh?"
He quickly flipped the thin silver tool, making quick work of the cuff attached to his own left wrist.
Sam was about to make a comment about his brother's resourcefulness when a muffled scream from outside of the car caught his attention. He looked up to see a young woman standing directly outside the driver's door of the smashed up vehicle. Although the woman had blood running down her face and chest, she stood firmly, her arms outstretched holding the cop at least a foot off the ground.
"That can't be good," he muttered. "Uh, Dean?"
"What?"
"The demon chick at the truck stop, did she look anything like her?"
At his brother's question, Dean looked up from his task, following the younger man's line of sight in time to see a billow of familiar looking black smoke emerge from the wounded young woman and cram itself directly into the open mouth of the policeman.
"Please tell me I'm not seeing what I think I'm seeing."
"Okay," Sam responded, his eyes glued to the demonic transfer currently taking place on the side of the road. "You're not seeing what you think you're seeing."
"Oh thank God. 'Cause for a second there I thought we might be in trouble."
Both men stilled as the woman dropped bonelessly to the ground. The now possessed officer lifted his head and turned slowly, an evil grin splitting his face as he gazed at the two men shackled in the back of the cruiser through empty black eyes.
"Uh, Dean?" Sam's voice was low, his eyes on the officer who began to step back toward the car.
"Yeah."
"I think we might be in trouble."
"Son of a bitch."
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Just a little aside: I wanted to get this posted, even tho it is not complete yet, so I just wanted to let everyone know that I won't be posting a new chapter every day as I usually do with my stories. If you've been paying attention to the news, you've probably seen Cedar Rapids, Iowa and our lovely flood. It hasn't really affected me, but has a lot of my friends, so I'm trying to help them out. I promise to work diligently, tho and get this finished within the next few weeks! Posting the first part will help me to not blow it off indefinitely! Thanks for reading and thanks for your patience!!
Sue