Dog Day Afternoon Ch. 2
Disclaimer: See chapter one
Waking at 3:45 the next morning, John sat up in the bed and stretched to get the kinks out of his back from having slept on a hard mattress, one of the negative aspects with staying in motels. Glancing over to his boys, he smiled at the sight of Sam snuggled up close to Dean; Dean's right arm thrown protectively over his baby brother. They might fuss a lot with each other, but in the end, he knew that each would protect the other to the very end.
Deciding to get a quick shower before waking his boys, he walked into the small bathroom and stripped off his gray Army t-shirt and boxers. Turning on the shower, he set the temperature to a lukewarm setting and then stepped under the water and reveled in the jet spray hitting his sinewy muscles. It was just what he needed to wake him up.
Showering quickly, he turned off the water and then stepped out of the bath, drying himself with a towel before tossing it on the floor and walking out into the motel room to get some fresh boxers and clothing.
Dressing quickly, he glanced at his watch to see it was nearing four in the morning which meant it was time to wake his boys, as much as he hated to.
"Rise and shine boys, it's time to get dressed," John voiced loudly as he flipped the switch on the wall, bathing the room in a bright light in hopes of getting his boys to awaken quickly. His hopes were immediately dashed however as Sam rolled over towards the wall, and Dean pulled the comforter up over the both of their heads to drown out the fluorescent lighting.
"Oh no you don't," John groused as he reached out and grabbed the comforter and top sheet, yanking both off his boys, leaving them lying in the bed in just their t-shirts and boxers.
"Damn Dad, did you have to do that? It's freaking cold in here," Dean complained as he jumped up from the bed and rushed to the bathroom to take care of morning business before taking a quick shower, much to his father's amusement.
Looking back at his youngest, John's mind was taken back in time as he watched Sammy rub his eyes with his fist to get the sleep out of them. It was something his child had done many times when he was little and John's heart ached to have that innocent little boy back.
"You okay, Dad?" Sam queried through a yawn, having caught his father staring at him, as he stood up and tugged on the same pair of jeans he had worn the previous day since all of his other jeans were a little on the dirty side. They would have to stop and wash clothes somewhere soon.
"Yeah, I'm fine Squirt," John answered as he tussled Sam's sleep-mussed hair. He couldn't help but be surprised when the 14 year old didn't object to the minute show of affection. "You know, you really do need to get this mop cut.
"I like my hair the way it is, Sir," Sam voiced softly in hopes that his father would let the subject of his hair drop.
"That's because you are such a princess," Dean voiced, exiting the bathroom after having showered quickly, brushing his teeth, and getting dressed, in time to hear his brother's statement. Of course, sometimes he couldn't help but wonder if Sam used those long bangs of his to hide from the world and it concerned him a little.
"Shut up," Sam groused as he nudged Dean out of the way so he could go brush his teeth. He hated the 'cottony' feeling that always encompassed his mouth upon waking up in the morning.
"Make it quick Sam, I want to be on the road in ten," John informed his son as he stuffed his journal deep into his duffle bag. "Otherwise, we'll be late meeting up with Joshua."
"Yes Sir," Sam groaned, knowing that he wouldn't have time for a morning shower also. But then again, his big brother had probably used up all the hot water anyway.
Watching as Sam entered the bathroom, John felt a sudden shiver at having his youngest out of his sight. 'What the hell?' He wondered, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. He would most definitely keep a close eye on his youngest during the coming hunt.
"Dean, grab your brother's duffle while I get the rest of our stuff," John told his eldest as he grasped the weapons bag and his own duffle before surveying the room to make sure nothing was left behind.
Striding out to the Impala and opening its trunk, he tossed their hunting gear in first and then his duffle, which was quickly followed by those tossed in by Dean.
"Load up boys," he voiced as he watched Sam stride over to the car and toss in his toiletries bag before closing the trunk.
Keying the ignition, John smiled as he heard the rumble of the engine. The Impala was the only real home he and his boys had now (the only one Sammy had ever really had) and it was great knowing that she never let them down.
"We're going to be on the road for a while. Why don't you boys go back to sleep," John instructed as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the road.
"You don't have to tell me twice," Dean retorted, as he slid down in the seat just a bit and propped his head against the passenger door window. Thank goodness it was still dark outside.
"Sammy?" John queried as he glanced into the rearview mirror to see his youngest glancing out the window."
"M'okay Dad. I'm just not tired anymore," Sam answered as he let his mind drift back to Katie and what could have happened at the homecoming football game. His life really did suck sometimes.
~~Approximately 8 hours later~~
"Welcome to small town Wisconsin," Dean grumbled as they drove through the quaint village of Amherst, the gravel road lined on both sides with modest looking stores, ramshackle houses and small hardware store.
"What's the matter big brother? You afraid you won't be able to work your charm on any of the single local ladies?" Sam snickered from the back seat as he watched Dean visibly shudder while they drove slowly down the road, John taking note of everything going on around them.
"What single ladies?" Dean queried as he watched a few children run down the street into an ice cream parlor followed by their mothers. "Damn, is this town straight out of the 1800's or what? It doesn't even have a McDonald's! How am I supposed to get good food or have any fun?"
"We're not here to have fun," John informed his eldest sternly as he parallel parked beside the only bar in town.
"But Dad, a guy has got to have some fun sometimes. Little Dean needs…"
"Finish that statement, and you'll be polishing the guns for a month," John warned before glancing back at Sammy. The last thing he wanted to even think about was Sam contemplating sex at such a young age; unlike his big brother Dean who had lost his virginity on his sixteenth birthday, something that he had yet to forgive Caleb for. If he hadn't taken Dean to a bar that night…
"Spoil Sport," Dean mumbled under his breath as he thrust open the door and prepared to walk into the only tavern in town; maybe he could find a little action inside. Of course, that intent was nixed with his father's next statement
"Sorry Dean, but I need you to stay out here with your brother since he is too young to go inside, and Dean…"
"I know, watch out for Sammy," Dean finished as he leaned against the Impala. He just hoped it wouldn't take his Dad too long to get the information he was looking for.
"Hey Dean, think Dad would care if we walk down to the ice cream parlor and get a sundae? Sam asked hopefully as he stuck his head out the window once John had walked inside the drinking establishment. He hadn't eaten much when they stopped for breakfast earlier and his stomach was rumbling.
"Ya know what, who cares if he does? Come on kiddo, I'll get you a double scoop," Dean answered as he waited for Sam to climb out of the car. The kid deserved to have a treat after having to leave the way they did and missing the football game with his girl.
"Awesome, thanks Dean!" Sam voiced excitedly as he climbed out of the muscle car and stood beside his brother.
"No sweat Squirt, just don't order any of that girly syrup to go on top and ruin my macho image," Dean stated as he threw an arm over his sibling's shoulder and started to lead him down the street.
"Jerk," Sam mumbled affectionately as he elbowed his brother lightly in the ribs.
"Bitch."
Meanwhile, back at the bar
"So what are we looking at?" John questioned of Joshua, smiling his thanks as the barmaid brought him a cold brew.
"Well, according to the local townspeople that I have talked to, they think a rabid dog is out hunting in the woods just off of the Tomorrow River State Trail," Josh answered before taking a swig of his own beer. "So far this 'rabid dog' is thought to have killed seven hikers over the past three months.
"Any idea of how we are supposed to kill this thing?" John queried with a whisper, as a local bar patron passed by.
"According to lore, they can be killed by poisoned bread, but Bobby said that's a bunch of hogwash," Josh replied. "He says the only thing that will kill it for sure is a silver bullet to the heart, just like your regular shapeshifter."
"Sounds easy enough," John voiced, glancing at his watch.
"You would think so," Josh acknowledged, "but with its ability to accurately impersonate virtually anything with its shapeshifting, finding it is going to be one big pain in the ass."
"Any ideas on how to attract this thing?" John asked before taking another swig of beer.
"The only thing that comes to mind is tricking the damn creature into thinking we're easy prey, basically making ourselves an easy target…dinner handed to it on a silver platter," Joshua surmised thoughtfully. "You ready to pitch camp?"
"Dean isn't going to be too happy about that," John reciprocated knowing how much his eldest hated hunting.
"I'll just make some smart-assed remark about him being a pantywaist or something and I'm sure he'll jump right on board with the hunt," Joshua guffawed, knowing that Dean would most likely knock him on his ass when the hunt was finished.
"Speaking of Dean, how is Sammy doing?" Josh inquired, "I haven't seen the Tiger in quite a while."
"Kid's happy one minute and full of piss and vinegar the next. Lord help me, I don't know if I'll survive his teenage years or not," John answered with a sigh. He loved his youngest with all his heart, but raising the boy sure could be challenging at times.
"Sounds about right for most teenaged boys," Joshua surmised as he finished the last of his beer and then pushed himself up from the table. "Guess there's no time like the present to get this hunt started."
"Yeah," John agreed, pushing himself up from the table also. Besides, he knew his boys would be getting bored about now so he needed to get them up to the campsite before they found some trouble to get themselves into.
TBC The action will start soon, I promise.