A Simple Salt And Burn.
Summary . . . . . . "A simple salt and burn" Joshua had stated, but when had anything ever been simple for the Winchester's? The brother's first hunt since Gordon's death and Sam's latest new found ability, takes an unexpected turn as they hunt something that they have never hunted before, and Sam's ability isn't as controllable as they thought. Sequel to What Goes Around Comes Around.
Disclaimers . . . . . As always all mistakes are my own; alas the Winchy's are not!
A.N. . . . . . I'm so very sorry for such a long wait for an update, I started a new job and just haven't been able to get back into writing again. I have to give a huge shout out to Darksupernatural, with out her constant support and words of encouragement I think I would still be tearing my hair out trying to get motivated. So this one is for you!
The sun had just set over the horizon as the Impala finally rumbled its way out of Bobby's yard with its two occupants, leaving Bobby relishing the peace and quiet that was to come yet at the same time apprehensive about the boy's first hunt back. Dean was also feeling apprehensive, the negative feelings about Joshua's simple salt and burn he had been feeling kept gnawing at him, intensifying with every mile that past them by.
This was reflected in the drive from Bobby's to Jacksonboro, South Carolina; a drive that Dean would normally take two days to make had turned into a four day journey with stopovers every night. In his head he tried to convince himself that the stops were so that Sam could rest, he was after all still recovering from his injuries, but that was only half the truth. This hunt was bothering him, but for the life of him he couldn't place why.
Sam, if he felt anything different, odd about the drive stayed quiet about it, spending most of the time instead reading through the numerous pages he had printed out about the area, trying to find some more details to go on; so far though he had come up with nothing.
"It's weird Dean, there's nothing written anywhere to give us any clues as to what we are dealing with. The Dalton's moved to the Jacksonboro area at the turn of the 19th century, built the plantation from scratch, worked hard and treated their workers well. There's no suspicious deaths related to either them, or the house, or the grounds. After the war it lay in semi ruin. The only thing that is mentioned is the fact that the current owner, Amy Dalton, has recently restored the house to its former glory and changed some of the insides, making it into a guest house."
"You think that they could have disturbed something? Or someone? Pissed off some dead people? You know these old plantations; people came looking for work all the time. Who would really notice if some of them suddenly went missing? They would just presume that they had run off, just left."
"I just don't get the feeling that is what has happened here. As I said the Dalton's were genuinely nice people who treated their workers better than anyone else did, why would they run away? There's even rumors that they had an under ground rail road, if that's true then there's no reason for anyone to have run off. Plus given all the hate that was flying around at that time, why would you hide killing anyone? They could have done it in broad daylight and no one would have battered an eye."
"Well okay Einstein, what are we dealing with here? If not an angry spirit, then what?"
"That's just it Dean, I really have no clue. All signs point to an angry spirit, but then again the last two deaths reeked of a wendigo. The police report photos showed deep lacerations to the torso and arms, but wendigo victims are rarely found so that rules that suggestion out."
"Not necessarily Sam, remember that old guy we interviewed. . . . . "
"Dean, Mr. Shaw survived."
"Yeah I know that, but what if the last to victims had been left behind but their injuries were just too severe that they succumbed before they could be found?"
"That's one hell of an assumption Dean, but I have nothing else to go with so I guess we'll go in prepared for a wendigo and hope for the best."
"Guess so, unless your geeky brain can come up with some more information before we get there."
Both men had quieted down afterwards, Dean concentrating on the road once more, looking for somewhere to stop for the night; Sam looking again through the printouts, hoping to find something that he had missed.
They had turned off I95 and onto secondary road 65 making the last leg of the journey when Dean spotted the diner and motel. Pulling into the busy car park, he parked his baby up, shut her off and prepared to get out; unaware that Sam was watching his every move a look off confusion written on his face.
"Dude, what are you doing?"
Dean looked around a bewildered look crossing his face. "Stopping for the night and to get some food, what does it look like?"
"Dean, it's only 8 o'clock, it's still early. We should keep driving and get a look at the plantation tonight."
"No!"
"No! What do you mean no?"
"I mean no. I'm tired and hungry. I want to go into the hunt fresh, so that means checking your back and knee and getting a good night sleep. We're stopping."
"But Dean. . . . ."
"Sam, we're stopping so cut out with the whining and get your lanky ass out of the damn car. I'll go and check us in, you go grab a table." Dean went to get the bags out of the trunk, smiling to him self as he heard the Impala's door creak open and Sam's grumbles as he got out. As his brother started to head for the diner, concern suddenly washed over Dean and he quickly shouted out. "Be careful Sam."
Sam knew what his brother meant; Dean rarely let him go any where on his own nowadays. After the Benders, yellow eyes and Gordon had all managed to get to Sam whilst he was alone, Dean now felt he needed to be with him twenty four hours a day. He looked back over his shoulder and tried to give Dean a reassuring smile. When that didn't seem to work he lifted the back of his jacket so that his brother could see the gun nestling in the waist band of his jeans.
The diner was pretty crowded as Sam walked in but he managed to grab a booth at the back with a view of the whole diner and no chance of anyone creeping up behind him. Folding his tall frame into the small space, he picked up the salt shaker and idly played with it whilst waiting for the waitress, his mind thinking of the hunt and his brother's seeming reluctance to get it started.
He was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't hear the waitress approach, or hear her ask if he was ready to order, only realizing that she was in fact there when she touched his arm, the resulting shock and jump sending the salt shaker skittering from his fingers and shooting for the end of the table. Sam's hand shot out to save it at the same time the waitresses did, both missing the shaker completely their fingers instead connecting with each others.
A jolt of electricity coursed through Sam, images of death, misery and great sadness pounding his mind. The connection lasted barely a few seconds before the smashing of the salt shaker broke through the connection, those few seconds though were enough to leave Sam ashen faced, and trembling in both pain and fear, what the hell had just happened?
"Sir, Sir, are you okay? I'm sorry that I startled you. It's only a salt shaker though, no need to worry. Sir?"
Dean had walked in as the shaker had smashed, his senses immediately going on high alert. He wasn't surprised when he found that his brother was somehow involved in what ever was going on, striding over he took in the broken glass, the spilt salt, the nervous waitress. They were all forgotten though as he finally caught sight of Sam, shaking, pale and completely out of it sat in the booth.
"Sam? Sammy?" Dean's fears increased when no answer was forth coming. "What the hell happened here?" He shouted at the nervous waitress, bringing tears to her eyes.
"I don't know. I startled him, the shaker fell, that's all. Is he going to be alright?"
Dean ignored the question, choosing instead to try and get through to his brother, Sam's eyes were wildly unfocused, a soft sheen of sweat gracing his forehead, all color drained from his face. "Sam, c'mon snap out of it dude." Dean crooned, as he gently rubbed his brother's arm. He watched from the corner of his eye as the waitress left not really caring, he just wanted to know what the hell had happened. All signs were pointing to another flash back, but Dean couldn't figure what would have triggered it.
A loud gasp coming from Sam had Dean breaking from his thoughts and focusing on his brother once again. "Sam, hey are you okay?" Dean finally asked as Sam's eyes began to focus once more. "What happened, bro?"
Sam glanced nervously around the diner before settling his eyes on his brother. "Nothing, I just got startled. Can I have the room key? I'm not that hungry anymore, I think I might just turn in."
"Sam!. . . . . "
"Dean, I'm okay. I guess the trip has just caught up with me. I'll just go to sleep and get refreshed for tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll order out and come with you."
"Dean, stay. I'm fine really. . . . ."
"The hell you are Sam, you're as white as a ghost, you're sweating and you're shaking. What the hell is wrong? And what just went on?" Dean lowered his voice before adding. "Did you have a vision?"
"What? No! Dean, honestly I'm just tired and got spooked." Sam replied, smiling briefly trying to alleviate some of his brother's worries. "Listen if you don't want to stay, then come back with me, but I am just gonna shower and then crash."
Dean decided to let it drop for now, knowing that Sam wouldn't be able to keep what was bothering him inside for very long. "Okay Sam, I'll eat and then come back. We're in room 18."
Sam hated lying to Dean but what could he really tell him? He didn't even comprehend what had just happened himself. Raising him self up on shaky legs, he reached out with an equally shaky hand and grasped the key that Dean was holding out for him and shuffled out of the diner. His head had started to throb mercilessly and all he really wanted to do was lie down and forget these past few minutes had ever happened.
Dean watched as Sam slowly left, his already high feelings of trepidation growing with every one of his brother's steps. As the door closed softly behind Sam, Dean made up his mind, if Sam was still troubled with this in the morning they would abandon this hunt. Something that Dean was beginning to hope they would have to do.
A.N. . . . . Well that's it, hope it was worth the wait. Before I forget, I really have no idea how long it would take to get from Bobby's to South Carolina so I guessed, also I don't know if there are plantations in Jacksonboro, I just like the name. Thanks as always for reading, I hope to catch you soon, Peanut x