Beneath the Bleeding - Chapter Four
Warnings: child-abuse (not on the boys), swearing and innuendo
Disclaimer: No matter how many birthday wishes I waste on it, I still don't own Supernatural
Author's Note: Happy New Year, everyone!
Sam couldn't look up at John as he walked through the motel door. How was he going to explain his vision? How was he going to explain Erin? Sam just wanted to run away and never look back.
"What's going on, Dean?" John asked. Of course, his hunter's instinct would flare up and deduce that something was wrong. Mainly because there were noises coming from the bathroom and Sam and Dean were both in the main room.
"Um…Dad," Sam started, but Dean cut him off. He explained what happened in the last few hours. The vision, the demon and even explained how and why a girl named Erin was currently getting changed into some pajamas in the bathroom. The only thing he, thankfully, left out was Sam's feelings for Erin.
For the most part, John was silent as he sorted through the many emotions he without a doubt had. The silence that remained, however, suffocated Sam. He wanted—no, needed—John to say something, even though Sam was worried to no end on what he was going to say.
"Please, say something, Dad," Sam practically pleaded.
"I'm not happy about the vision," John admitted. Well, it was a start. "But, it obviously worked out for the better, since you did stop the demon and save that girl's life." He sat down at the kitchenette, a look of configuring on his face. He was trying to think of what to do about Sam's visions and about what to do with Erin.
"Do you know if the girl has any family?" John asked.
All eyes were on Sam now. He'd be the only one who would know, besides Erin. However, she seemed to be smart enough to stay in the bathroom.
"I don't know," Sam said. "She never really talked about her family…."
John considered his youngest son's words. "We can figure this out in the morning," John said, standing up. "For now, she can stay here tonight."
Sam didn't let his relief show. At least John wasn't so heartless that he was going to make Erin fend for herself, especially with the state she was in.
"But, first, we need to figure something out," John said. Of course, there was going to be a catch. There is always a catch when it comes to John Winchester. "Can you go get the girl, Sam? We need to get a few facts straight."
Sam nodded and crossed the short distance to the bathroom. He knocked gently, trying to get Erin's attention. There was some muffled reply, and Sam debated on what she actually said.
"Um, listen," Sam said, his eyes darting between the oak door and his family over by the kitchenette. "My dad's here and…and he needs to talk to you."
Erin slowly opened the door. She was dressed in plaid pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt. The cuts and bruises along her arms made Sam cringe, but he hoped he didn't physically show it.
"I'm scared," she mouthed. Sam understood. Even though she had never met the man, one can't help themselves but cower next to a man like John Winchester. He had a strong aura to him—and mostly not in a good way.
But, despite all that, Sam still reassured Erin by mouthing, "Don't be."
Sam walked back towards the kitchenette, helping Erin since she couldn't even put any weight on her injured ankle. When he stopped in front of John and Dean, Sam realized that he should at least try to give formal introductions. "Dad, this is Erin. Erin, this is my dad." Talk about awkward.
"I'd say I'm pleased, but…" Erin tapered off. If Sam had to guess, he was pretty sure she wasn't really planning on saying something but felt the need to.
"No, I understand," John said. He looked just as uncomfortable. Many times he had to tell children that their parents were killed by some bad mofo. However, this hit a little too close to home for John's liking. "We just…we just need to figure out a few things."
Erin nodded, crossing her arms protectively over her chest. She looked like she was going to be sick. Sam subtly squeezed her shoulder for mental support. She was definitely going to need it if she was going to have to answer any of John's questions. This was definitely personal to her, especially with her father's death involved.
"Okay, first off, we need to figure out why Sam had a vision."
"Whoa, wait, vision? What vision?" She looked at Sam expectantly. He was the only one who was going to be able to explain this to Erin. There was no falling back on Dean this time.
Sam, slowly and carefully choosing his words, explained how he had a vision about her dad killing her. Well, what he thought was her dad later on ended up being a demon using her father as a meatsuit, but that wasn't important at the moment.
"Okay, first you have a vision and then my dad was a demon? Someone better explain to me how The Shining and Buffy the Vampire Slayer are suddenly real?"
Sam cringed. He forgot that, in trying to figure all this out, that he would have to explain the Winchester family business to Erin. Thankfully, John jumped into the long explanation. Of course, he didn't get very far. He was explaining how Mary died in Sam's nursery when he was five years old. Erin rudely stopped him and said, "Wait, my mom died exactly the same way."
"Pinned on the ceiling?"
"Yes."
"In your nursery?"
"When I was six months old. I always thought my dad was insane when he went on his drunken rants about how he found my mom like that. Now, maybe he wasn't so far-off after all."
Sam's heart was lodged in his throat. The turning point that ruined his life forever happened to Erin—sweet, innocent Erin. He couldn't believe that something like that would happen to her. It just didn't seem right. No one else should have gone through what he, Dean and John had to deal with on a daily basis.
Many emotions crossed John's face. Bewilderment, sadness and…fear? Yes, fear was definitely in the mix. Something John normally did not show—ever.
"Well, at least we figured out why the demon was trying to kill Erin," Dean said, breaking the deafening silence. "Not that that's a good thing, or anything."
"I guess this is a lot more serious than I thought," John said, running a hand down his face in thought. "It seems that you two have some sort of common ground."
Sam didn't like the sound of that. He didn't like it at all. He didn't like the fact that Erin was part of this world that has haunted Sam right from his earliest memories. All he wanted was to go out on a date with her. He felt solely responsible for this happening to her. Even though it technically wasn't his fault, he still felt guilt as if he was in control of Erin's fate.
"There's some research I need to do—people to call," John looked up towards Sam and he shied away from his father's gaze. "Why don't you kids get some rest? We head out in the morning."
John was heading out the door when Erin asked, "What about me? What are you going to do with me?" She sounded like John was just going to leave her to fend for herself. If he did, Sam was definitely going to fight this. There was no way he was going to allow that to happen to Erin.
"You'll head with us," John said, casually. "For now, I think it's the best." With that, he walked out of the motel room, already reaching for the cell phone in his pocket.
Sam just stared at the door John just closed. He looked at Erin who looked as shocked as he felt. The two of them met less then forty-eight hours ago and now Erin was going to travel with them as they figured out what caused their families so much pain.
After an hour or so, John came back into the motel room. Sam eventually convinced that Erin should go to bed to help with her recovery, so she was reluctantly sleeping in the bed farthest from the entrance. Dean lounged on the other bed with a car magazine in his hands, but Sam doubted that he was actually reading it since his eyes haven't moved and he has never turned the page.
"What did I tell you boys?" John demanded, his façade when Erin was awake was gone. He was certainly not in the mood to take any crap from his sons.
"To go to bed," Dean said, blandly. "We're just a little confused on the sleeping arrangements."
That much was true. Normally, Sam and Dean would share a bed and John would get his own. But, now that Erin was put into the equation and the fact that she was a girl…
"Dean, you take the couch," John commanded, pointing to the deformed, leather piece of furniture. "I trust Sam to share a bed with Erin then you."
Dean looked like he was about to make a comment on how Sam was the one who was infatuated with Erin, but Sam vigorously shook his head to stop Dean. It wasn't like Sam had planned on doing any funny business with Erin. He just didn't roll that way.
"Fine," Dean said instead. He stood up from the bed and headed over to the couch.
John walked into the bathroom and Sam hesitantly climbed into bed opposite Erin. He was afraid that the jostling movement would wake Erin. She squirmed a little as Sam settled under the covers, but she remained asleep.
"Remember Sammy, Dad and I are in the same room," Dean chuckled. "Don't even think about doing anything."
Sam rolled his eyes. "I wasn't, jerk."
"Bitch," Dean muttered, turning off the lights and the room enveloped into darkness.
Sam couldn't sleep. He kept his back to Erin; afraid that she'd think he was a creeper if she woke up to find him facing her. He was increasingly questioning his every move when it comes to Erin. He still wasn't sure on her feelings towards him, if she doesn't already think of him as a monster.
He eventually started to doze off, but a gentle hand touching his arm made him flinch. He turned around in the bed to face a wide-awake Erin.
"Oh, sorry," she whispered. "Did I wake you?"
Sam shook his head. He looked around at the room. John was still in the bathroom and Dean was completely out for the count. For a while now, Erin and him might be safe to talk.
"I'm really sorry, Erin," Sam said, giving her an apologetic look. "I never wanted you to find out what I'm really like."
"A psychic supernatural hunter?" Erin questioned. She probably meant it to be a joke, but Sam was far from amused. He gave her a faint smile, just so she doesn't feel bad for making that comment.
"Well, the psychic thing is kinda new," Sam admitted. "But, yeah, I'm still a supernatural hunter-in-training." For some reason, it felt good to tell Erin all this. He was never allowed to tell anyone else about the family business beyond those in the family business. He only had Dean and John to talk to, and he couldn't tell them half the stuff that he could tell Erin. "It sucks, really—traveling around, seeing so much death every day. I'm sorry you had to be dragged into it."
Erin sighed deeply. "It was kinda inevitable."
"I'm still sorry about it."
Silence fell upon the duo. They just looked at each other, as if they were having a mute conversation with their eyes alone. Sam just wished he had someone to translate for him.
"Can I tell you something?" Sam asked Erin. It was like earlier in geometry class. His mouth was moving before his brain could think of something to say.
"Sure," she said, studying Sam closely in the dim lighting. Sam began to panic that she wasn't going to agree with what he was about to tell her.
"I really like you," Sam finally said, wishing more than life itself that he could take it back. It was stupid of him. The girl just lost her father. She was almost killed by a demon. There was no selfless reason for saying what he just said.
"I-I'm sorry, Erin, that was—" Sam was immediately silenced by Erin placing her finger firmly on Sam's lips.
"Don't be sorry," she said. "I like you, too."
Relief flooded Sam. As if he was moving on automatic, he moved closer to Erin and she didn't object. She snuggled closer to his chest and they wordlessly lay there, holding each other for the rest of the night.
