Usual Disclaimer: Own nothing, just playing =)
Author's Note: Thank you to reviewer Becci. I know there was a lot of mistakes last chapter, I reread it and was like Wow. Lol But thank you so much for telling me, that's also the kind of reviews I like to get because I know you're honest. I hope there is not so many in this one. =P And thanks to everyone else who reviewed so far! I love you more then you know! =)
Chapter Three
Henry and Toby
For once in Sam Winchester's life, he was glad to be surrounded by darkness: in his sleep, yes, but never more happy to see it. In his memory though still hid the shining bright light that, when awake, made his eyes burn and ache. He had kept that little secret from Dean. But now he found that the pain subsided when he slept. He was grateful when Dean had told him to get some rest. His head was pounding and even the light sun that was rising was making him squint and flinch from the pain it caused his eyes. But he couldn't tell Dean…he was nervous already about saving their father and his little headache would only make Dean's stress rise.
And Sam was peaceful…as long as he was asleep, he concluded. He awoke once on their journey to rescue their father and the sun had almost killed him! He immediately scrunched up in the seat and put his hands to cover his eyes. He had to bight his lip to hide his pain filled hiss. Luckily he was welcomed back to unconsciousness easily and the pain drifted away instantly. And Sam took used this sleep to his advantage. With his pain and worries gone, and attentively aware as in an empty dream, he had time to think.
His gnawing feeling for a home hadn't abated much, even through Dean's rant about the Impala being their home. It was true: the Impala being like a mobile housing unit but it didn't give Sam that spark of the homing feeling. But for Dean it was probably different: he spent all his time in the Impala that he could. I don't think there was a time since he got the thing that he decided to walk the short distant or ride with their dad for easier routes. No, for Dean his baby was the most important thing to him…that and girls of course. But Sam fit in that list somewhere didn't he? He should make at least top five from the way Dean hounded on him about his eyes. He thought to himself: Top five, at least.
~D~S~
Dean's List of Importance: 1. Sammy 2. Family all together 3. The Impala 4. Chicks.
Dean was happy with his list. He'd been thinking of it on the whole ride. Of course Sammy came first….always had. And then John was second along with keeping the family together. That was what the priority was now. Going to save John's ass and keep his family strong. But Sam was definitely not pushed to the side on this one. His eyes…oh his eyes. They scared Dean. He noticed when Sam woke up, the way he flinched and instantly he knew Sam was in pain. He was going to ask about it but Sam fell back asleep. Luckily Sam's face seemed at ease while sleeping.
He figured his brother was probably in one of his normal dreams. In the lives of hunters, they don't have scary dreams like normal people do. Since they fight vampires, werewolves and everyday scary things they don't have much fear to dream about them so they tend to dream about normality things. Dean once had dreamt of his normal life if he wasn't a hunter. It was choppy and unclear but he noticed freaking out about not being able to pay the mortgage.
Reaching the motel, Dean was astonished that Sam had slept the whole way. At least he would be well rested, he thought to himself as he pulled up to the old building. He left Sam alone while he went and asked about John' room. Flashing his fake FBI badge to the nerdy man behind the counter, Dean asked for the room and key for fugitive John Hennas. The nervous man passed the key over quickly and Dean gave his best 'thank you, sucker' smile and headed back towards the Impala.
He returned to a fully awake Sam, but yet not fully aware. Sam stared out the front window as if seeing the biggest dog in the world and yet seeing nothing. Tapping on the passenger window, Sam jumped and caught his breath. Then shot his brother a glare, through his still beat red eyes as he climbed out of the car.
"What?" Sam asked simply though Dean could hear the crudeness behind it.
"What's up with you?" Dean asked as he turned to head to John's room.
Sam followed. He had woken up and it took him a while until he could learn to ignore the pain. The motel neon lights seemed to be purposely bright just for him. Once figuring out how to push pass the pain Sam waited for his brother to return. While sitting there he found the world around him shimmering in and out of focus. That was why he was staring blankly. He couldn't concentrate on one thing at a time and Dean had scared the shit out of him.
"Nothing. I'm just tired." Sam finally explained as they reached the door.
"Tired? How can you be tired? You slept the entire way here?" Dean exclaimed dramatically as he opened the door and entered.
Sam shrugged but gave no more of a response as he followed his brother into the room.
The conversation was forgotten as the boys entered the obviously 'John Used' room as papers were taped to the wall everywhere, books scattered across the table, bed and floors and salt lined ever nook and cranny of the small area.
"Whoa," Dean whispered and Sam nodded greedily in response.
Dean went further into the room and immediately started to dig through the research. "Look for anything that mentions and address, name or momentum area." Dean ordered and Sam went straight to work.
"Dean look at this," Sam said as he pulled a newspaper page off the wall and turning to his brother.
Dean stood from his crouched place on the floor and walked over to his brother.
Sam read sections from the article. "Brothers Jonathan and Kenneth Richardson are accused of abuse of Jonathan's sons Henry, age 14 and Toby, age 8. The abuse was apparently noticed by a student teacher first seeing it with Henry and then investigated the younger brother. But once the boy's father and uncle were bring a noticed from child services and the police they ditched town. Pictures below, please contact if seen," Sam read. Dean and Sam looked down at the pictures. One showed a man in his late 40's, way after due stubble, deep hair and threatening dark eyes. Another showed a younger man, light blond hair, about mid 30's, hollow light blue eyes. Both looked to be license picture. The third picture was a free shot of what looked like a school event. Though kids were scattered around them it was pinpointed on two boys sitting on the blanket. The eldest one had dark brown to black hair that hung in his eyes, his thin and frail body looking pale, even through the colors of the black and white newspaper. The little boy next to him had pitch black hair that was roughly spiked up. His body though was thicker in appearance, was lacking nutrition and it made Dean wonder when teachers couldn't notice the neglect.
"I'm guessing poor Toby never got to ditch with them," Sam sneered in sadness.
"Does it give an address?" Dean asked, pulling his keys from his pocket.
"Yeah, 233 West Oak Road." Sam said, tucking the paper under his arm and following his brother quickly to the car.
They barely pulled back onto the road when Dean's phone vibrated in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw his Dad's number and swallowed hard before answering.
"Hello?"
"Uncle Kenny," The voice sniped.
"Toby," Dean confirmed.
"Yeah. Are you almost here with Henry?" The boy asked. Though the boy sounded completely evil to Dean, he couldn't help but feel bad for him. Who knows what happened to him.
"Yeah Toby. We're almost there. How's your Dad?" Dean asked.
"He's learning a lesson." Toby snickered.
Dean sighed. "Listen Toby. I know what he…what we did to you was unforgivable but you have to let him go."
"No!" Toby screamed from the other end then sniffled. "If I don't have him then you'll have no reason to give me back Henry! You have to stop hurting us Uncle Kenny! Just leave us alone!" The boy cried.
Dang, that kid's bright. Dean though to himself.
"Okay I promise we'll leave you alone and give you Henry if you let your Dad go first." Dean deled out.
"No. Henry first or you'll both pay!" Toby screamed and the line ended.
"Damn it!" Dean yelled as he slammed the phone shut.
"What the plan?" Sam questioned, sensing his brother's frustration.
"We save Dad's ass." Dean responded, pushing the gas pedal down to the floor.
"Well that's a great goal Dean but it won't help him if we get our ass's beat." Sam said as he rubbed his eyes.
Ignoring Sam's question, Dean stared at Sam as he rubbed his eyes. Once he pulled away he saw how the redness seemed to get thicker. "How are you feeling? And don't you dare lie to me." Dean demanded.
Sam flinched and slid closer towards the door. "Dean. I'm fine. A little tired, but that's it." Sam lied through his teeth. Even if something was wrong, it could wait until after they save their dad.
Dean wasn't quite sure if Sam was telling the truth and that made him nervous. Usually Dean could pick it up quickly if Sam was lying or not. His words had a hint of fault in them but also had determination in it so Dean was at a lost.
"Okay," Dean finally spoke. "Just tell me immediately if anything changes. And as soon as we get Dad, we're taking you to the doctors." Dean said.
Sam was about to deny it but shut his mouth. His eyes still ached and just then they started to burn, that's why he rubbed them. He could also feel water building in them, but he wasn't sure if it was another reaction or the pain was finally getting to him. He glanced out the window as watched the road wave in many directions and he blinked rapidly to get his mind straight. His vision evened out momentarily only to darken on him. Sam closed his eyes once again, letting the darkness settle his pain set mind. Opening them once against the road was once again normal and straight.
Dean pulled into the old and bumpy driveway. Pulling close up to the house, Dean could just sense horror. Though the house didn't look that old, it looked worn out and had the creepy feeling that every house with an evil entity gave Dean.
"Got a plan yet, hot shot?" Sam looked at his brother with that 'look'.
"You know it. Just stay behind me and shoot anything that's not human," Dean instructed as he climbed out of the car and headed for the trunk.
Sam nodded and stepped out also. He went to go to the trunk as well but his vision flickered and his balance left him as he slumped against the car door. Closing his eyes once again and pinching the bridge of his nose, Sam tried his hardest to get it together. He was not going to cause this hunt to be screwed up.
"Sam?" Suddenly Dean was in front of Sam, his hand supporting him by the shoulder.
Sam opened his eyes and look at Dean. At first he saw nothing, but then his vision blinked back and Dean's worried face stood before him.
"I'm okay." Sam assured with his best smile.
Dean looked at him oddly, but then shoved a gun in his hands. "Let's go." Dean said and headed towards the house.
Nodding, Sam followed in behind Dean as they entered the house. At first glance, you would think it was an ordinary abandoned house. But looking further you could smell sour smell and the air was chilled. The main entry way was large and had a grand stair case with a tall balcony.
"Dad?" Dean whispered. Nothing. Dean pointed up the stairs and bother brothers made there way up the dust seeking stairs. Looking around, Dean saw a trail of disturbed dust. Bright kid? Yeah right? Dean couldn't help but chuckle. Following the trail to the right they were led directly to the back bedroom. Sensing no ghost near, Dean opened the door.
There, all bloody, beaten, bruised, cut and everything else sat John Winchester. He was bound and gagged to a wooden chair and sat hunched over in the seat.
"Dad." Dean gasped, immediately dropping his gun and running to his father's side.
"Dad?" Dean repeated and shook his father's shoulders slightly as he removed the blindfold and gag.
John stirred awake and found himself looking into the eyes of his eldest son. "Dean?" John stirred.
"Yeah Dad. Don't worry. We're going to get you out of here." Dean assured and started to untie the tight ropes. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me." John responded.
John took a well needed breathe and leaned back against the chair. He knew Dean would find him, especially when he saw Toby leek a lot of information out to him over to phone. More then one John had tried to convince his new ghost friend that he was indeed not the father that had once abused him. And more then once he had tried to escape. But that had only made the ghost angrier and caused more 'lessons'. John had dealt with many kinds of torture and though this was nothing compared to a lot, it was still horrendous. The beating, the cuts, the abrasions. Everything was almost continuous, only stopping when the sun came up. During that time John had tired escaping and tried to contact Dean. But all attempts had gone unfulfilled and left him to be more tortured.
Sam watched from the door. Or more like he watched flickers of what was happening. His vision kept seeping in and out and he knew he had to tell Dean. But not now, he kept telling himself. Sam was strong so he could at least make it back to the car, right?
A sudden chill raced through the room and Sam caught his breath.
"Henry!" The little boy's voiced called happily from no where. Suddenly Sam felt cold arms wrap them selves around his thin body and pull him back down the hallway. Instantly he dropped the gun from the pressure around his arms and yelled out "Dean!"
Just as Dean finished untying his father, he turned to his brother's cry and watched in horror as his brother was being dragged down the hall by a pale force. Sam's face looked scared as hell and his feet pressed hard against the wood in efforts to stop his travel.
"Sam!" Dean yelled, grabbing his brother's dropped gun and racing down the hallway.
Toby dropped his grip on Sam and Sam dropped to the floor with a loud thump.
Dean raised his gun and fired, watching the young boy scream and disappear. Dean raced to Sam's side as he pulled himself to a sitting position.
"You okay?" Dean asked.
"Yeah, I think so." He said as he looked around frantically. Dean sensed something else was the matter but let it pass as he felt his father's presence.
"Boys, lets get out of here now," John mumbled and both boys turned to see John limping his way down the hall with Dean's gun in his grip.
"Yes sir," Sam and Dean said in unison as Dean helped Sam to his feet.
Unlucky for them Toby returned directly pulling Dean away from Sam and throwing him to a wall. Dean's upper body collided with a window and a deep gash was left on his left forearm. He fell down on his hands and knees and it took him a moment to get his thought back.
"Stay away from him!" Toby yelled. Sam stayed, half up and half sitting on the floor, staring at the frustrated little boy. His body looked similar to the way it did in the picture. Though his skin was ghost-pale and the cuts seemed deeper and the bruises fresher.
John raised his gun to fire but Toby flew him backwards. John flew back wards down the stairs, landing on the first landing and crashed against the railing and going unconscious.
With no weapons and his vision continuing to flicker Sam looked up to Toby in fear.
But Toby turned and his expression was different. It was sincere and kind. Almost like the looks Dean gives him sometimes.
"Don't worry Henry. Soon we'll be together." Toby reached forward with a thin hand, aiming for Sam's forehead. Sam slid away but knew soon Toby would over power him. Sam closed his eyes.
Dean got back to his feet, aimed at the ghost that was reaching for his brother, and fired.
As the ghost disappeared, Sam's body took flight. Dean watched as Sam's head flew back and practically did a black flip over the high railing. Dean dove to the edge.
Sam reached out and grasped the bottom of a railing pool with all his might. Sam hung desperately on the edge of a high drop. One that could do serious and permanent damage. "Dean!" Sam cried out.
"Sam?" Dean lent over the railing. He reached out and Sam moved his grip to his brother hand.
Dean was half falling over himself as he pulled with only one hand his brother, but Sam wasn't making any progress. Dean was only keeping him from falling, not pulling him up!
Dean looked over and saw his Dad still unconscious on the landing. Great, Mr. Almighty is knocked out cold. Dean snapped. He needed help and it wouldn't be long until either Sam or Dean would get exhausted or Toby would return.
"Dean?" Sam looked up to his brother and squinted. His brother was surrounded by the bright light.
"It's okay Sammy. I've got you." Dean assured but his own faith was falling through the cracks.
Both Dean and Sam watched as the large gash on Dean's arm seep fresh blood and slowly seeped down his arm. Sam looked up to Dean desperately but there was nothing Dean could do. The blood eased its way down and soon found its way into his and his brother's fingers and instantly Dean lost his grip on his little brother.
Sam gasped as he felt his fingers slip through Deans. Sam clawed at the air desperately, searching for something to save him. But there was nothing as Sam continued to fall. He saw Dean watch in shock, his mouth wide open, his eyes pleading. But then Dean flickered and when Sam hit the ground his vision, along with consciousness, disappeared.
Author's Note: I am super sorry for the late update. I actually wrote this chapter over three times but I kept deleting it because I was unhappy with it. But I decided to just sit down and write it! That last part was my original idea for the story and I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. Reviews are still appreciated, adored, loved, ect. =) Thanks a lot!
Miss Dassy =P
