August Part III

Sean woke up momentarily forgetting where he was. He was shivering as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his sweatshirt. He took a moment to recall what had happened and why he was in a plastic tube instead of in his bed at home. It hit him like a ton of bricks threatening to turn his stomach once again. He climbed out of his safe plastic cocoon and stretched his cramped legs. He pulled his phone from his pocket and couldn't believe it was four in the morning. He also saw that he had fifteen missed calls and several text messages all wrapping around the theme of his current location. Sean looked around at the darkness and contemplated his situation. He wanted to call Sam who wouldn't kill him immediately but figured his dad and Dean had the vehicles and Sam would be at home in case Sean were to come back. His second choice would be Dean but he would only call John. So with some serious trepidation he speed dialed his father.

John holding the phone in his hand nearly dropped it as it began to vibrate. He looked at the window which read Sean. He flipped it open with shaky hands and cleared his throat in time to hear the words he had prayed for, "Dad."

"Sean are you okay?"

"Yes sir."

"Where are you?"

"The playground on Oak Street," he said a slight hiccup in his cadence.

"Okay I'm on my way, we'll talk while I get to you. Are you alone?"

"Yeah."

"Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm okay." At least until you get to me Sean thought privately. He would deserve this one. But it would be worth it if it helped those poor kids who had suffered from more horror than one could ever imagine. Sean knew he would experience some misery of his own, but his would stem from love not hatred.

"Are you near a light?" John asked.

"No," Sean admitted looking around spotting a streetlight in the distance.

"Can you find one?"

"There's a streetlight by the corner, I'll walk over there and wait for you. It's at Oak and Langston."

"Okay," John said keeping his voice even. He was trying so hard to stay calm, he just wanted to see his son with his own eyes and hold him in his arms.

"Daddy, I'm sorry," Sean whispered.

And John knew he was. Sean hadn't called him Daddy in years. "We'll talk all about it as soon as I get to you."

"Okay," Sean said his voice barely audible.

John was prepared for things not to be as Sean portrayed them, but so far the boy hadn't used their codeword, 'whatever' to indicate any trouble. He sighed deeply his breath hitched with emotion. He couldn't imagine what would cause his son to take off in the middle of the night, but he would certainly be finding out. "Okay son I see you," John said pulling up to the corner.

Sean looked so small and beaten down. John moved to get out of the truck but before he could Sean had hopped in. John looked over his son appearing to be in good shape. "You okay?"

Sean nodded looking away. John realized his phone was still on and he quickly snapped it shut closing the line. "Oh your brothers, you call Sam and I'll call Dean to let them know you are okay."

Sean opened his phone and made the call speaking to a very relieved Sam. They each concluded their conversation and a heavy silence took over the cab of the truck. John alternated looking out the windshield and over at his despondent son.

"Are you preparing your story?"

"I'll tell you the truth, all of it, but can it wait so I just have to say it once?"

"Sure," John agreed.

They pulled to the front of the house just as Dean turned the corner. "What the hell kid?" he asked as he cleared the front seat.

"I'm sorry," Sean apologized again.

"You're gonna be," Dean threatened as John held his hand up.

"You want to let me handle this?"

"Then handle it Dad."

John wasn't sure what to say to that. His emotions had been on overdrive for the last hour or so and he just didn't have the energy for a snappy rejoinder. He pointed for both of them to go into the house. Sean trudged up the stairs his eyes on the ground while Dean was right behind smoke practically coming out of his ears. Sam had tugged the front door open and was waiting for his family with relief written all over his face.

"You okay?" he asked Sean.

"He's fine Sam, just a little game of midnight hide and seek," Dean snapped.

"No it wasn't, you don't even know," Sean yelled out.

"In the house both of you," John hissed.

Once assembled John was able to find the routine that his lungs knew by heart that is until one of his sons pulled a stunt like this. The fluttering stopped and his breaths became the typical constant that allowed his head to clear. "Dean be quiet and Sean start talking and don't leave anything out."

So Sean began his chronicle ensuring he showed remorse but was eager to help those in a world only he could comprehend. He portrayed their pain as raw and unending, his urge to help burgeoning as each week passed not allowing him any distance. His face shown of recent tears and strife his body still unsettled with a slight tremble.

John sat on the coffee table across from his silent demeanor not tipping his unreadable face. He listened to every word as if he was in a state of meditation. Dean on the other hand hadn't been still for a second pacing back and forth not understanding how John could be so calm.

"I can't believe you went in there by yourself at night what is wrong with you?" Dean yelled.

"You can't understand you will never understand," Sean retorted.

"Dad you can't let him get away with this," Dean said stopping his stress walk.

"Dean relax, he's not getting away with anything. I just need to know exactly what were dealing with. I'm the dad and in charge and will deal it."

"Funny cause I don't see it happening," Dean said feeling a bit miffed as he recalled sneaking out one night when he was Sean's age and the retribution was quick and painful. But of course he hadn't been doing recon on a haunted house, but that in his opinion should only make it worse.

"Why don't you two go to bed," John instructed his eldest sons.

"Unbelievable," Dean said on his way out of the room.

"I'm glad you're okay," Sam said putting his hand on Sean's head.

Now alone with Sean John moved over and sat down next to the boy on the couch. "What you did was dangerous and stupid and yes you already told me your reasons but it still doesn't change those facts."

"I know, just don't do anything with the house without me knowing. It has to be right or it will all be for nothing."

"Okay we'll talk about it later after we get some sleep," John said. "I know you understand what's coming but I just want to say if you ever do this again…" John voice faded. He reached over and hugged Sean tightly holding on for dear life, he then lifted him up and flipped him over his knees landing several stinging smacks. He righted him and pulled him into a sitting position on his lap. "That is just a down payment, you'll see some more after we get through all this."

"Kay," Sean mumbled.

"Go to bed," he instructed. "And stay there," he added.

The next morning Sean came out to see John elbow deep in all kinds of notes and papers. Dean was moving around the kitchen and Sam had his head bent over the newspaper.

"Well the prodigal pain in the ass is up," Dean quipped.

Sean stuck his tongue out as he shoved his brother aside in an effort to get to the refrigerator. "Better watch it dude," Dean warned shoving him back.

"What is your problem?" Sean asked.

"I guess I'm just tired since I had to drive all over town looking for you."

"Whatever Dean, he punished me already."

"Yeah right, not close to what you deserve."

"You guys want to stop the pissing contest over there and come help," John said.

Sean scurried over to the table sitting down next to his father slightly tender from the night before.

"Why don't we just burn the house," Sam offered.

"Because, I don't think that will drive the evil away and that place is so big and such a magnet for human kids that I don't think we can 100% sure that it will be empty," John explained.

"You can't burn it. It's not the kids fault for what happened. They want to go but he won't let them," Sean jumped into the conversation.

"He being one Albie P. Jones," Sam said.

"Guess I'd be pretty pissy if my name was Albie," Dean said setting his coffee on the table.

"He was hired to help out the nurses with moving the patients and the heavy work," Sam explained. "It looks as though from what Sean saw he was the worst of the bunch."

"Most of the patients suffered from some kind of brain damage, some were violent but most weren't," John said yawning.

"We need to burn his bones, then everybody else will be free to go as they please. They couldn't leave or they were too afraid he would follow them forever," Sean explained.

"Sounds like a good plan to me," John confirmed. "We'll go tonight. Dean make sure we have all the supplies we'll need. Sam you finish up the research. Sean you come with me."

Dean smirked as Sean slowly got up and went to his room to get dressed.

John drove out to the playground where he had picked up Sean the night before and parked the car at the curb.

"I suppose you're a little big to push on the swings."

"Yes sir."

"We used to have the greatest conversations while you flew into the sky. You used to tell me you were flying."

"It felt like it, like I could touch the sky. Dad I'm sorry and I'm willing to accept any punishment you decide on."

"Though I'm happy to hear that, I don't really need your approval."

"Yeah true. Why is Dean so mad at me?"

"Because he was worried about you. He loves you kid and we were all freaking out when you were missing."

"But Sam doesn't act like that."

"That's because Sam freaks out in a different way, but he was just as scared."

"He is a little more sedate I guess."

"He's a thinker Dean's more of a doer."

"Did I mention I was sorry?"

John smiled, "yes you did about fifty times. I know you did what you did for a reason and I am proud of you for that but at the same time what you did was incredibly stupid and dangerous. You had no back-up and we had no idea where you were."

Sean wanted to say that he tried to have back up, but then realized he would involve his friend and John would just tell him that's what he gets for involving a civilian. "You're right, I screwed up big time."

"Yes you did, but your heart was in the right place, its just sometimes you get carried away."

"I know, so what's the road to punishment filled with."

"There will be plenty of time to go over that after we finish the job."

After their little talk they arrived back at the house to prepare for the evenings events.

"Eat your vegetables Sean," John said as the boy picked at his dinner.

"Don't you think that statement is a bit ridiculous? I mean we are going to a haunted house in a couple of hours and you're worried about me eating my broccoli?" Sean asked.

"Yep," John said.

"Okay so how did all these people, mostly kids die in this house?" Dean asked.

"They didn't die in the house Dean, they left when the house was closed down. They died later in life in different places. But the evil that happened to them there pulled them back in and has held them hostage. Now can you see why I risked so much to help them? Their afterlife is just a merry-go-round of torture."

"I guess you have a point."

"Damn straight I do."

"Okay that's enough, finish you broccoli then you can get ready," John said pulling out the shotgun.

Sean rolled his eyes but stabbed the small tree and exaggerated his chewing motion as he finished his dinner.

John turned the key silencing the rumble that was the Impala's soul. He turned around to face Sean who was sitting wide-eyed in the back seat. "Now listen to me son and listen good. You are to stay in this car and not move unless one of us comes to get you. If you leave or come into that house uninvited you will not sit until you are in your twenties. Do you get my drift?"

"Got the drift, staying in the car, no problem," Sean replied.

The boys had already grabbed all the gear and were waiting for their father. They all took one last look at Sean and headed into the den of torment. The three entered the premises with John's flashlight on the map drawn by Sean. He quickly found the basement steps and hoping that any teenager that had decided to brave a trip into the house would be at least smart enough to stay out of the basement.

They all trooped down the stairs the EMF meter was already off the charts. The plan was simple; dig up Albie, salt, burn get the hell out. But nothing was ever that simple.

Sean was already restless as he waited in the car but fought his agitation and stayed put. His nerves were on fire and he wished he could help, but he had retained the lesson from the Griffon incident and remained where he was told.

"According to Sean the body was buried at the western wall," John said looking at the map and notes.

"But there's a huge cabinet thingy over there," Dean pointed out.

"Yeah I can see that," John retorted.

"I imagine it was placed there after Albie was interred to help cover it up. When Sean had his vision of course the cabinet wouldn't have been there." Sam walked over and tapped on it. "It must be solid Oak, they don't make stuff like this anymore."

"Great Sam, when you grow up you be that antique dealer you always wanted to be, but right now we need your muscles to move the damn thing," Dean said beginning to lose his cool.

They knew it was risky for all three to pour their efforts into moving the furniture but there was really no other way. "How did they get this thing over here," Sam grunted.

"They built on the site," John said shoving with his shoulder.

As they scooted the massive piece of furniture the EMF meter continued to spike. Dean glanced over his shoulder and gulped as he noticed they were no longer alone. "We need to speed this up," he said as he pushed with his legs.

They took a break and looked at the gathering in the basement. There were kids as far as the eye could see, sadden by their ghostly state and mourning what they have been denied.

"I think they are trying to tell us something," Sam said.

"Great, but I don't speak ghost," Dean retorted.

"Yeah but Sean does, Sam go get him," John ordered.

Sam climbed the steps two at a time and ran out to the car. He approached the Impala rapidly his heart in his throat, not for what he had just left but because he could not see Sean in the vehicle. He looked around and didn't see him in the yard and feared he was in the house alone. He spun and began to run back to the house when a thought occurred to him. He returned to the car and peered inside and released the breath that he had held captive. Sean was lying down in the backseat his eyes closed his face serene.

Sam yanked the door open startling Sean. "So I take it you are giving me permission to leave the car?" he asked as his head hanging out the back door.

"Yeah, come on!"

Sean jumped up and followed Sam's ridiculously long legs to the house and down the basement stairs. "What do they want?" John asked.

Sean looked at the assembly and ran to them trying to understand. Sam joined his father and brother and finally finished the great travel of the Oak cabinet. John instantly began to dig.

"They are warning us that he is coming. They are trying to keep him away, but he is coming," Sean yelled. He then joined hands with the victims and they all looked ahead of them at the far wall.

"And I take it he will be coming from that direction," Dean said. "How can Sean hold their hands?" he asked as he began digging next to John.

"They are gaining strength from the fight and from Sean, they can see the light at the end of the tunnel," John explained.

The shovels landed and Sam had a pick ax and was trying to loosen the compact soil. "Hurry," Sean yelled as Albie made his appearance and was looking none too happy about this attempted conquest.

The air turned cold and Albie started at one end of the line touching each child in the face as he went. He got to Sean and stopped, the wickedness written all over him as he reached out and caressed the boys face. The chill instantly went down to his toes as Dean screamed out they need to hurry.

John and Sam continued their efforts even more intense in the wake of the latest arrival. Albie had walked no further after finding Sean. He merely stood with admiration at the arrival of the one who dared take him on. He went to reach for Sean but Dean stepped in the way and shot him with rock salt. He then renewed his request for his father and brother to hurry.

Sean seemed mesmerized by the entire scene and was somewhat surprised when Dean picked him up and pulled him from the line of children and towards the back wall. John and Sam were slowly making progress but it wasn't near fast enough as Albie returned. Dean fired one more time knowing that it would never buy them the time they desperately needed. The spirit evaporated once more as Dean shoved Sean to the ground and covered him with his own body.

"We're almost there," John grunted finally seeing the glint of bones.

Dean didn't dare look up, the cool breeze was all he needed to know that the evil had returned and only had eyes for his young brother. Dean held Sean firmly pressing him into the dirt floor. Sean could feel the weight of the protection above him and was grateful for it, now understanding the burden of the consequences that he had brought down upon them all. His immaturity did not lend to him the grave possibilities of what might lay ahead if things didn't go their way. At this moment he understood why his eldest brother had been so upset in his concern for his well being. As his face pressed into the dirt he felt more admiration for his brother than he cared to admit.

Dean's heart was pounding as he felt the ice cold fist enter his body. The chill traveled straight to his heart and his breath left him in a rush. He just needed to hold on a little longer, keep this monster from his brother just a bit more.

Sean could feel Dean's weight getting heavier as he twisted in pain. Sean couldn't hold his tears back as he realized Dean was bearing what was meant for him. There was no doubt if they got out of this he owed his brother big time.

Dean was left with his last bit of strength when the flames warmed his ice cold soul. He quickly warmed and realized he was squashing his brother. Now released from his temporary imprisonment he leaped up and hauled Sean up quickly noticing the tears.

"It's okay kid, it's over," Dean said as Sean wrapped his arms around him.

"You protected me, you saved me," Sean said holding tightly.

"Of course I did you knucklehead. Do you understand now why I was so upset, why Dad gets on your case when you pull this crap?"

Sean could only nod.

The Winchesters looked around them. There was a collective joy in the room that once held only fear and hatred. The anchor that once held them to horror had been given its release, leaving behind a calm that hadn't been known in a very long time. Their freedom now at hand those souls who were no longer tied to their keeper spread as much warmth as they were capable of as they simply followed the gentle light that they had been waiting an eternity for.

The basement now empty save for the Winchester family seemed finally at peace. As John covered up any evidence of their visit Sean had wandered towards the middle of the room. Dean who had kept a close eye on his brother followed him and sucked in a deep breath as he saw a kindly woman in an old fashioned nurse's uniform gently pat Sean on the head and kiss him on the cheek. Dean ran over but she was gone leaving behind an old rusty shovel. He raised his eyebrows as Sean smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

"Anybody ever tell you that you are a pain in the ass?" Dean asked.

"Yeah you every day," Sean retorted.

"That's cause it is so true," Dean said grabbing his brother and running his knuckles over the boys head.

"Let's go guys," John said as he and Sam heaved their equipment over their shoulders and began the climb up the creaky stairs.

John called the school the next morning saying Sean wasn't feeling well as they had gotten home after two in the morning. Plus it had taken some time to get the boy settled down enough to sleep. Though he was thrilled they had taken care of business and freed the souls of so many in need John was afraid that it had uplifted Sean a little more than he hoped. The boy was on cloud nine and couldn't wait to do it all over again another time. They would have to keep a very close eye on the lad, a very close eye.

"What's this?" Sean asked as he munched on his brunch that afternoon.

"You decide, you can be grounded for a month or grounded for two weeks with the labor stipulations I wrote on the paper," John said sitting down opposite his son.

Wash dishes every night

Laundry duty

Vacuum and sweep every other day

Dust twice a week

Clean windows

Wash the car and truck once this week and once next week

Clean the bathroom as needed

Plus any other duties assigned

"Is this legal?" Sean asked in alarm.

The corners of John's mouth twitched. "Take it or leave it."

Sean took a moment to contemplate and finally decided to take on the shortened grounding with the extensive chore list as John knew he would.

Sean got up taking his plate to the sink and headed to the couch. "I don't think so kiddo, start on your list. This place could use a good cleaning," John instructed.

"That's it?" Dean asked as he came from the back bedroom. "A few chores and two weeks restriction?"

"That's a lot," Sean argued.

"Please I had to do that even when I wasn't in trouble and come on Dad if Sam or I pulled even half of what he did…repeatedly going somewhere he knew was forbidden, taking off in the middle of the night among other things," Dean said glaring at Sean, "you would have wasted no time in letting us have it."

"Dean this is different," John began. Now that the terror of that night had passed and Sean was safely at home he had lost his desire to do anything more physical than what he already had.

"How is it different? Huh you want to tell me how it's different Dad?"

"He is more susceptible Dean he sees what we can't and just like what happened last night he can't turn a blind eye. It draws him in, its not fair to compare him to you or anybody else."

"That's crap Dad and you know it. Sean pushes the boundaries a lot and yes he does have some special circumstances but that is only more of reason to clamp down on him. He is walking and often crossing that line and now you are going to roll over and let him do it."

"I'm not rolling over Dean he has a lot ahead of him the next two weeks. I believe I'm the father here and it is my call," John said his face stern and unapologetic.

"This is the same world Sam and I grew up in, the world that you spared nothing to keep us aware of where we belonged and where we didn't belong. I think that line is getting blurred here and I find myself not believing it."

John opened his mouth to counter his eldest son but stopped as he saw Sean appear belt in hand. He hadn't even realized the boy had left the room. "What are you doing?"

"You're fighting because of me and Dean's right. I screwed up and he was the one that had to protect me."

"You're right he protected you and I was very impressed by his actions but this is my call," John explained.

"I must be nuts," Sean said sighing as he looked at the floor. "The night I was out when I got home you told me it was only a down payment, Dean's right I push the boundaries too far. The only reason I stayed in the car last night was because I knew you would back up your threat." John stood quietly wondering when the hell his son had grown up. "But this is for Dean to do," Sean said handing him the belt. "Just be reasonable, I have a lot of chores to do," he said looking up at his big brother.