Chapter 1
Dean looked warily around at the cheerful looking three story Tudor. It looked out of place in the mountain setting. The perfectly manicured gardens and cobblestone pathways didn't fit the description of a hunter hospital. Then again, Garth had referred him to this place. He said they only took patients by referral, for the safety of the other patients. As long as they could help Sam it shouldn't matter what it looked like, Dean tried to remind himself. Cas wearily climbed out of the Impala to join Dean on the front walk.
"This is the place that Garth described. He assured you they can help Sam, keep him alive and safe while we find a cure," Cas said.
Skeptically, Dean glanced over his shoulder into the car at his shattered, broken brother sleeping in the backseat. He tried to ignore the pressure in his chest that had been building since Sam had collapsed three days ago. Before he could make up his mind to turn around and leave, a woman came down the walkway. She was in her late fifties, square, dark and commanded attention without saying a word. Even Cas stood straighter.
"You the Winchesters?" she asked bluntly.
She stood with her arms folded glaring at Dean. Dean nodded his assent.
"Then I am sure you won't mind then," she smiled with mock sweetness.
Unfolding her arms, she splashed holy water on both of them and sprayed cleaning solution on their hands. When they passed that test she handed them each a silver knife. Cas and Dean took turns cutting their arm. The woman handed them each a bandage after passing that test. At last she smiled.
"I'm Wendy; welcome to Sunnydale Retreat. Come on in, but wipe your feet. Bring your brother."
Oddly reassured by her gruff demeanor, Dean opened the door to the Impala. He gently shook Sam's shoulder.
"We're here, Sammy," he said softly.
Gingerly, Cas helped Dean carry Sam up the walk, up the stairs, and onto the porch. Wendy had a wheelchair waiting. From the porch Dean was able to see that the garden and pathways were laid out in a giant Devil's Trap. He was slowly feeling better about Sam getting help and being safe here.
An hour later after telling Wendy exactly how Sam had been injured in the trials and detailing his symptoms, Dean followed her to the room Sam had been taken too. It was lined on one wall with books with a large bay window on another over looking a pine tree covered mountainside. Sam was resting in a double bed covered by a patchwork quilt.
"I promise to come back and check on you regularly. I'll call every day. You do what they say and get better soon. Don't hit on all the nurses," Dean said ruffling Sam's hair.
Sam glanced up at Dean. He had a hard time focusing on Dean. His vision was blurry and the exhaustion wasn't helping.
"I promise, only the cute ones," Sam wheezed.
"It's the Winchester Way, Sammy," Dean said.
Dean choked back a sob. It was so hard to see his little brother in pain when there was nothing he could do about it.
As he drove away with Cas, he checked his rearview mirror one more time. He thought he saw…but it couldn't be she was dead.
If this sounds familiar, i entered it in a fan fic contest on a Facebook fan page summer of 2013. It has been posted on two Facebook pages. Please review!