"So you would rather take on the guy with legions of capable warriors just waiting around for a fight instead of the guy that is old and has legions of warriors that couldn't hit a tree in a forest? I think I'll take my chances with Palpatine!" Sam shook his head as he exited the car, his shaggy brown hair falling across his face.
Dean, his older brother, shut his car door and then paused, thinking over this tidbit of information. "I don't know, man. I mean, you're right about the stormtroopers, but Sauron a) can't move and b) doesn't shoot electricity out of his fingers." Dean grimaced and rubbed his hand across his chest, remembering the time that he had a few too many volts shoot across his body.
Sam waited for his brother to catch up with him before beginning their trek across the street to the local diner. "Well, maybe, but that's what the lightsaber is for. And the whole soul sucking eye stare thing kind of negates -"
Both brothers stopped and immediately reached for the guns hidden by the back of their jackets at the sudden sounds of growling and crashing that came from the alley by the diner. Sam pulled his gun around, held it close by his leg, and raised his eyebrows at his brother. Dean gave a sharp nod and the two silently moved into the mouth of the alley. Halfway down the alley was a group of four teenage boys semi circled around a mound of old dingy trash cans. The brothers watched as a fifth, and much smaller, kid slowly stood up from tangle of tipped over cans. The kid reached to the right and snagged a rope halter that was attached to the chest and back of a very large golden dog. The dog was snarling and spitting at the four large boys, probably the only thing keeping them from doing anything more physical than the push that had landed the smaller kid in the trash cans.
"There, you see, we're just helping you out! Now you don't have to dig through all the trash, it's all just dumped out right in front of you." The ringer leader, a bulky blonde boy with bad acne took a step forwards. "Isn't that right boys? We were just trying to help this little dumpster diver. Mommy obviously doesn't. Too busy spending the money on drugs, I'll bet."
The dog and his owner stepped back until they were pressed against the wall, the dog still growling and snapping and the kid standing tall. When Acne took another step forward and picked up a large soggy something from the pile of trash scattered across the ground, Dean and Sam decided that they had seen enough. Dean stuck his gun back in his waistband and began a slow clap that echoed through the alleyway, quickly capturing everyone's attention as he stalked down the alley. "Wow. Nice. Beautiful display of typical insecure high school "Alpha" dominance. I bet you are third string on the football team. Desperately trying to get the attention of some girl that won't give you the time of day? What do you think, Sam?"
Sam stepped forward and squinted towards the four larger boys. "I think that those letter jackets look awfully nice. I wonder how hard it would be to get the smell of dumpster out of those."
"Shove off, old man. Nobody asked for your opinion. We take pride in our town and it's time to clean up the trash that's been hanging around." Big and Blonde sneered and started to turn back to continue his torment.
Dean had the punk pushed against the far side of the alley, his hands twisted in the kids jacket, before the gang had even realized the older man had moved. "Listen here, Butthead. You don't get to decide who's worthy and who's trash. Not even in this podunk little town. Now get out of here before I do something that you'll regret!"
Sam had moved in between the three remaining letter jackets and the kid they were tormenting subtly flashing his gun. "Dean, I say we just ask the kid to let the dog go. Then we won't have to worry about bail."
Dean smirked as the face in front of him turned pale. "Good idea, Sam." He dropped his hands from the jacket and Acne took a few steps away before straightening his jacket.
"Yeah, whatever. Come on, guys. This thrift store throway isn't worth our time anyway." He began strutting out of the alley with his posse. The strut turned into a run when the dog lunged forward, dislodging his owner's hand, and gave chase, barking up a storm.
Dean and Sam laughed as they watched the four "big bad" teens yelp and take off. Their laughter tapered off as they heard the trash cans rattle again. Now that the situation had died down they were able to get a clear look at the smaller kid that they had defended. The clothes were old, almost colorless, torn, and, thanks to the bullies, covered with slimey garbage. The hair was mostly covered by a tattered billed beanie. The hat threw a shadow over the youth's face, but the bright blue eyes stood out against the smears of dirt.
The adolescent's fingers snapped twice and the dog quickly returned, tail wagging and tongue lolling, from the entrance of the alley. He nuzzled against the small frame and turned to root through the trash. He returned to his owner's side, carrying a bookbag in his jaws.
"Hey, Kid? You okay?" Dean grabbed two of the knocked over trash cans, righting them and setting them aside as he attempted to clear a path through the mess.
The dirty youth gave a tense nod and began moving away from the two older males, the dog following closely behind.
Sam cut them off, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Uh, um, were they right? Were you going through the trash for food?"
The teen's head snapped up, eyes bright with the fires of anger.
"I was just asking, because man, we've been there. My brother and I, well, we get it. Sometimes life sucks." Sam's hands were raised, palms out, in an attempt to pacify the youth. "Dean and I were actually just heading to the diner and -"
"And what my brother is trying to say is, we are going to buy you some food." Dean had finished picking up the trash cans and moved to stand next to his brother. "And we're not taking no for an answer," he said when he saw the kid's head start to shake. "What's your name, Kid?"
There was no response except for the tightening of two pale lips.
"Okay. Well in that case I'm going to call you Petey. And your dog is Fido." Dean laughed at the look of disgust that crossed the dirty face.
The kid's skinny fingers began move, bending and twisting and curling.
"Ahh," Sam said. He recognized the shapes from one of the classes he had in middle school. The teacher had used any free time at the end of class to teach her students the alphabet in sign language. They had learned a few more signs as well, but Sam really only remembered the letters. "R-O-W-A-N. Rowan? That's your name?"
Rowan's head bobbed an affirmative and then, after pointing to the dog, the fingers began again. This time only signing one letter.
"Q?"
"The dog's name is Q? Like from James Bond? That's awesome!" Dean slapped Sam on the shoulder ignoring Rowan's head shaking back and forth. "I like this kid. He's got good taste! So what do you want to eat Rowan? I figured I'd go order and then we'd take it to the park or somewhere to eat. I can't imagine they'd let Q into the diner. Is a burger fine?" He didn't even wait for an answer before heading out of the alley to the diner, calling back over his shoulder, "I'll get your girly salad, Sam, don't worry!"
Rowan looked up at Sam and just blinked. Sam laughed and waved the kid out onto the street. "Yeah, he can be overwhelming. Part of his oldest sibling personality, I guess. Let's head over to the park."
Heaving a sigh, Rowan rescued the bookbag from Q's mouth and followed Sam out of the alley.
Sam, Rowan, and Q had meandered down the street toward the park. Sam noticed that Rowan kept Q in between them and tried even harder to not come off as a creepy older man. He was able to get a little bit more information out of Rowan. No, he was not from that town. Yes, he had been on the road for a while.
Rowan answered the older man's question warily. Stranger Danger was a real thing after all. Q didn't seem to mind the oversized male and that helped calm Rowan's nerves a little. Q was a pretty good judge of character. Thankfully Dean arrived at the park, pulling into a parking space close to the table the trio had claimed, so further questioning was postponed as everyone stuffed their faces. Well, Dean and Sam stuffed their faces. Rowan sat on the ground next to Q with the food container and let the dog sniff the food and steal a few fries before picking up the burger and eating. Q had saved Rowan from eating a few nasty surprises before and Rowan always let the canine give the food a once over before splitting it between them.
Sam and Dean watched the scene play out before them and had a silent conversation with their eyebrows. Dean jerked his head toward the pair and raised a brow. Sam shook his head and glared with pointed eyes at Dean. The older brother simply rolled his eyes and took a bite of his burger. Sam huffed and cleared his throat. "Uh, Rowan? Do you have anywhere to stay tonight? Or any extra clothes to change into? I mean, yours are kind of covered in whatever crap was in those trash cans. Um. Yeah. Not to be creepy but you could come to the motel and shower and well, it's Dean's turn for laundry duty anyway."
Dean choked on his bite of burger and french fries and sent a look filled with death rays at Sam. Sam just smirked. If he had to ask the awkward questions, Dean got laundry duty again!
Rowan looked between the two brothers sitting at the table, blinking slowly.
Dean took this opportunity to jump in. "The motel is right across the street. So we could walk because, sorry. No dogs allowed in my baby." He flipped his thumb at the black car sitting near by. "Sam and I could do the laundry run while you get cleaned up. Then it's just you and Q in the motel and slightly less...creepy?" Dean winced. "We'll even leave the keys to the room with you. Then the only people who can get in are you and the manager. Which we probably don't want to happen since it's pet free."
Rowan's mind raced. A shower sounded awesome. Going to a motel room with two older guys, less awesome. But they wouldn't be there during the shower AND were handing over the keys to the room. The last shower had been so long ago. And Q would be there. Q could probably use a shower too. Clean clothes would be nice. But no way were they washing Rowan's. The shower! Rowan, Q, and the clothes could all be washed in the shower. Wouldn't be perfect but it would be doable.
Rowan slowly nodded and the two brothers smiled.
"Great!" Dean finished off the last of his burger and belched. "So how old are you, Rowan?"
Ten fingers flashed and the nine more.
"19 huh? I'm thinking, try again."
Rowan grimaced. Ten fingers flashed again, followed by six.
"Your fingers say 16, but your face says 'please oh please believe me' which means," Dean took a dramatic pause, "Try again."
Rowan scowled and quickly flashed ten then four.
"Now that's slightly more believable. You need to work on keep the lie off your face. Makes life a whole lot easier."
"Dean! Don't teach the kid to lie! Come on man!" Sam punched his brother before standing up to throw away his trash.
"Alrighty. Let's move on. Do you have clean clothes in your bag?"
Rowan shrugged a shoulder before reaching in the bag and pulling out a small packet of laundry detergent.
"So no clothes, but you come with your own detergent. That's pretty handy. You can save that for some other time. We have some in the trunk of our car."
Rowan's head moved back and forth while the right index finger pointed back towards the kid's chest.
"No? No you're not saving it? Do you have sensitive skin or something?"
"I think he means, no, you aren't washing his clothes?" Sam looked to Rowan for confirmation. Rowan gave him a nod.
"Oh-kay. Fine. Whatever. We'll spot you some clothes until you get yours washed. Nothing we have is even going to remotely fit, but I think I have some old sweats that are clean. Sam, you have any of your old shirts? You're out of luck on underwear though. They'd just slip right off. I'll stop by the story and see if I can get some smaller ones."
Rowan's head began shaking faster and faster at the last comment.
Sam's eyebrows furrowed. "I can take you to the store, Rowan, and you can run in and get your own."
Dean pushed off the table and started digging in his pocket. "No, it's okay. I'll go. Here's my room key, Rowan. You and Sam can head on over. He'll get you hooked up and I'll be back with the rest. My sweats are in my duffel, Sam." And he was gone.
Sam could see the panic running across Rowan's face. He decided maybe some distraction would help. "Let's go across to the motel. We've got to figure out how to sneak Q past the manager's office."
Rowan nodded shakily and threw away the remaining trash before grabbing ahold of Q's harness and once again following Sam.
They managed to get Q in by actually walking past the motel and then looping around the back to get to Dean and Sam's room. Sam quickly dug through his brothers duffel to locate the sweat pants and then through his own to find a couple of shirts that would fit the small teenager. Sam was a big guy, so none of the shirts would fit well, but maybe a few of the older ones would at least stay on the kid's shoulders and not look like a dress. Dean sweat pants would have to be rolled several times and they would still probably drag on the floor. The kid was tiny! And obviously way out of his comfort zone. Sam watched as the young boy stood silently just inside the door, hugging his arms to his chest and doing his best to just be invisible.
Kid's had a tough life, Sam thought as he grabbed the pile of clothes. "Okay, Rowan. The bathroom is through there. There's some soap and shampoo in the shower. We have some good stuff, or there's the free crap from the motel you can use. The door locks and everything. I'm going to set my key on the table. You have Dean's right?" Rowan jingled the key on it's ring. "Right. Well, I guess we just wait for Dean to come back. Sorry again, about him. He means well. Really. Shoot! We forgot socks! Dang it. Well maybe you and I can go again later and you can pick your own stuff."
Sam knew he was rambling. It was just hard when the kid was obviously uncomfortable and also nonverbal. He sighed and then just let the silence reign.
Q was wandering around the room, sniffing at everything. He finally stopped at the corner furthest from the door and laid down. Rowan moved to the dog's side and sat down leaning against the wall.
When a knock sounded on the wall, Sam looked up from where he'd been fiddling with the clothes and made eye contact with Rowan. The kid gestured towards Sam, a question obvious on his face.
"What? What do you want to know?"
Rowan fingerspelled again. You. Him.
"You want to know about us?" An affirming nod. "Not much to tell really. We grew up in a single parent home. Well, single parent motel room. Moved around a lot. Dad had a lot of...odd jobs that would take him out of town. Dean was in charge a lot. Made sure we had food, clothes, heat in the winter. Some days were easier than others. We get what you are going through, Rowan. Maybe not 100% of everything, but we do understand."
Rowan nodded, thinking over these new bits of information as the room once again lapsed into a temporary silence. It was broken by a quick banging on the door. Sam opened it to reveal Dean, holding a bag and smiling triumphantly.
"Got the undies and the socks! We almost forgot socks! Hope they fit, Little Man." He tossed the bag to Rowan. Rowan dug inside and pulled out a package of size small boxer briefs and black no-show socks. "Wasn't sure if you were a boxer or briefs man, so I went middle of the road. The socks are okay right?"
Rowan just nodded. The assumptions that some people make. Oh well, Sam said they could go back out later. Rowan gathered up the packages, took the clothes from Sam, grabbed a chair from the table and took them into the bathroom.
"Hey man, what's up with the-" Dean broke off as Sam shoved him and gave him the "Shut Your Face" eyebrows.
"Okay Rowan, we're going to go do laundry now," Sam said as Rowan came back out of the bathroom. "Lock the door behind us. We'll knock when we get back but we'll just wait outside until you let us in." The please don't leave us outside all night went unsaid. It wouldn't be the first time they had slept in the car and it wouldn't be the last.
Rowan nodded and then the brothers were gone, the door closing solidly behind them. Rowan turned the lock and slid the deadbolt before returning to the bathroom.
"Man, that kid is weird! What's with not letting us do his laundry. I mean I would love for someone to offer to do my laundry. Not wanting to take a shower with us there, okay, understandable. Smart even. But laundry!? We're all guys! So what if we see his underwear! Speaking of underwear, the look on his face when he saw the underwear! He looked like I had just handed him a pile of dog poo. Underwear is underwear! It does it's job and everything is hunky dory! And a chair. In the bathroom. I mean, come on…." Sam tuned out his brother's rambling rant at the strange young man that was in their motel room. While Dean was right that the kid was strange, Sam thought there was more to the story than just a kid being overcautious. The panic that crossed the young face when Dean mentioned buying underwear, the hope when Sam had said they'd go buy some later. The small size of the boy, obviously underfed from being on the streets but still so small. The mutism. Selective? Learned? Physical damage? So many questions with so few answers.
Rowan locked the bathroom door and then pushed the back of the chair up under the handle. Nothing wrong with being safe. Nothing at all. Two locked doors and a very large dog. Perfectly safe, perfectly normal. Rowan quickly stripped out of the nasty trash slimed clothes and her binding and left them on the floor before ushering Q into the shower and turning it on. The motel soap and shampoo was used on the dog while the teen scrubbed her face and hair with the nicer toiletries provided by the brothers. After clearing the soap suds from both bodies and getting Q out of the tub, Rowan scooped the clothes off the floor and started filling the bathtub with clean water. After pouring in the detergent, the dirty clothes including the billed beanie got a nice hard scrubbing. The water quickly turned brown so Rowan emptied the tub and let in more clean water, scrubbing the clothes again. This time the water stayed mostly clear and Rowan hung the clothes across the shower bar and side of the tub to dry. Q was next to be dried. Using a towel and the cheap, mostly worthless, built in hairdryer, Rowan was able to get the dog mostly dry. Finally Rowan was able to pull on the clothes that the brothers had so kindly loaned out and rubbed a towel over her head. It would be harder to keep her secret without all the layers she was accustomed too, but she could do it. She had to do it. They were looking for a 14 year old girl, not a 14 year boy. She'd leave the binder off for now, it was kind of a relief to not have to wear it, but she'd slip it back on when the two men came back. Before Sam took her out to buy real underwear. She shook her head. At least she knew she had them fooled.