Chapter Six
Dean opened his eyes and lifted his head, looking over at Sam. The kid lay twisted in the covers, clutching the stuffed animal. As Dean sat up on the edge of the bed, he looked over to see Bobby still asleep.
Thank God I woke up before him.
Dean approached the small bathroom, taking his shower before Sam woke up. As he tousled his wet hair with a towel, he approached Sam again, checking on the bruises on his face. They were a little darker, but were healing. As Dean threw the towel back into the bathroom, Sam moaned and rolled over, staring at Dean.
"Hey, Sammy," Dean said as he sat next to him on the bed. "You sleep okay?" Sam just stared at him, frowning. "What's the matter? You have a bad dream?"
Sam still frowned as he opened his mouth to answer. "There was girl."
"A girl?" asked Dean. "What kind of girl?"
"Hair like you," Sam explained.
"Okay, she's blonde," Dean deduced. Dean hesitated suddenly. He knew of only two blondes in Sam's life: Mom and Jessica. "What was she wearing?"
"Nothing."
Dean's eyes widened at Sam's innocent answer. Oh, man, I don't want to hear this.
"Why she not wear anything, Dean?" asked Sam.
"Uh…I-I…don't know," stuttered Dean. "Maybe she was hot." Oh, kill me now.
"She in trouble?"
Dean looked at him. "Why would you think she's in trouble?"
"She scream."
Just rub it in my face, will you?
"Sam, she's not in trouble," explained Dean. "It was just a dream. Everything's fine."
Sam sat up in the bed, stomach rumbling. "I hungry."
"Well, what do you say we go to the diner?" suggested Dean. "That waitress Jessica might give you another special treat."
Ah! Somebody stop me right now!
"Come on," Dean said as he dragged Sam to his feet. "Go take your shower."
Sam grabbed his change of clothes from Dean's arms and headed for the bathroom, closing the door. Dean approached Bobby's bed.
"Hey, Bobby, wake up," Dean said, prodding Bobby's shoulder. "We're headed to breakfast."
"Alright," said Bobby as he sat up. He glanced up at Dean. "Do you mind?"
"Yeah, sorry," said Dean as he turned and absorbed himself in research so Bobby could change.
Five minutes later, he heard the sounds of Bobby's wheelchair making its way across the room. Another five minutes, and Sam came out of the bathroom, clothes in place and hair wet.
"Hold it right there, mister," Dean told him. "Brush your teeth."
Sam went back into the bathroom and brushed his teeth. As Sam stood by the door and waited for Dean to put his jacket on, Dean turned towards him.
"Hey, by the way, how old are you?" asked Dean.
"Five," Sam answered with a smile, plucking up his stuffed animal.
Dean looked at Bobby, smiling. "Well, it's progress." Dean unlocked the door and opened it, letting Bobby wheel himself out. Sam followed Dean out, clinging to his big brother's arm. Dean turned towards Sam, laying a hand on his shoulder. "You thinking about those bullies?" Sam nodded, eyes wide and terrified. "Hey, listen to me. If anyone is ever mean to you like that, you fight back." Sam's eyes widened at that. "If anyone hurts you or wants to hurt you, you hurt them. Okay?"
Sam nodded at that as Dean led him to the Impala.
"Oh, my gosh! What happened?" Jessica exclaimed, setting her order pad on the table and crouching next to the table, putting a gentle hand on Sam's shoulder.
"We were at Walmart, and this group of punks got a hold of him, teased him," Dean explained.
"Well, I hope you got a hold of them," said Jessica.
"He did!" Sam beamed suddenly. "He hitted them good! Dean kick ass!"
They all laughed at that.
"Well, I bet they deserved it," said Jessica.
"Mommy!"
A five-year-old ran up to Jessica and held out a picture colored in crayons.
"That's amazing, sweetie!" said Jessica, wrapping her arms around the boy. "Being a good boy?"
"Yeah, Mommy," the boy giggled before running back to a booth to color some more. Jessica stood up.
"Cute kid," said Dean. "He's yours?"
"Yeah," said Jessica. "His father is, uh…not in the picture." She paused, staring at the floor. "He was never in the picture."
Dean caught her meaning, eyes softening. "I'm sorry. They ever catch the guy?"
Jessica nodded. "Just before Michael was born…not that it did me much good at that point." She looked back at her son. "Not that I regret it. He's a good boy."
"He is," said Dean.
Sam suddenly got to his feet. Dean was about to follow when Bobby put his hand on Dean's shoulder. Sam walked over to the booth that Michael sat at, stopping next to him.
"Hi," said Sam.
"Hi," said Michael.
"I Sammy," said Sam.
"I Michael," the boy answered.
"Can I play?" asked Sam.
Michael smiled. "Yeah."
Sam smiled and sat down opposite Michael, grabbing a piece of paper. Michael handed Sam half of his crayons, and the two went to work.
Jessica smiled. "Looks like they've made friends."
"Yeah," said Dean. "Uh, go ahead and give Sam two pancakes, eggs, bacon and a glass of chocolate milk."
Dean felt a small touch of guilt for letting Sam eat all this junk food, but the kid ate nothing but salads and health drinks. He can afford to pig out for a few weeks.
"I'll have the special, side of bacon and a coffee," said Dean.
"Same here," said Bobby.
"Okay," said Jessica, heading to place their order.
"Sam's doing okay," said Bobby. "I think what you did last night helped."
Dean rolled his eyes and dropped his head into his hands. "You were supposed to be asleep."
"Relax," said Bobby. "Just 'cause you comforted your brother when he was scared doesn't make you a girl."
"Yeah, whatever," muttered Dean.
"That my brother," said Sam. Dean looked over to see Sam showing Michael a picture he drew. It was a stick figure in what appeared to be a brown leather jacket next to what was supposed to be a black Impala. "He protect me. He best brother ever."
Dean smiled as Jessica brought their food out. "Hey, Sammy, come eat."
Sam looked up at Dean and back at Michael. "I see you later."
"Okay," said Michael.
Sam got up and sat back down at their table, digging into his food.
"Hey, Sam, what do you say we go to the park today?" asked Dean. Sam's face lit up as he tore into his food with a new fervor. "Whoa, slow down, kiddo. You don't wanna choke, do you? We have plenty of time."
Sam slowed down at Dean and Bobby laughed.
"Yeah, Sammy, you got it!" exclaimed Dean as the soccer ball rolled past him.
"Yeah!" Sam yelled, smile on his face.
Dean got the ball, kicking it towards Sam. Sam took the ball, running towards Dean as he kicked it. Dean made a fake lunge for the ball, letting it sail past him.
"Aw, you got it past me again!" said Dean.
"Ha, I bestest!" exclaimed Sam.
Dean laughed. "You sure are. Better than me."
Sam stopped suddenly, smile disappearing. "Really?"
"You bet."
Sam lit up, smile reappearing. "I bestest!"
"I'll get the ball," Dean told him. He ran over to the tree where the ball had come to rest. As he turned around, he spotted an empty field. "Sam?" Dean dropped the soccer ball.
Oh, I am not in the mood for hide and seek.
"Sam!" Dean called, searching the trees lining the field with his eyes. "Sammy!"
Dean reached the spot where Sam had been, spotting something in the grass. Dean bent down, picking up a piece of paper, that read:
Say bye to Sammy.
Dean put his finger to a residue on the edge of the paper and brought it to his nose.
Rotten eggs…
"Sulfur," Dean muttered as he looked around the field.
The demons had finally gotten word that Sam was vulnerable…and were taking him to see Lucifer.