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"Yeah, okay, thanks Garth. Yeah, I'll miss you too. Okay, bye," Sam hung up the phone with a vague expression of chagrin on his face.
"So, that was Garth and he, get this, finally got them to his houseboat."
"Garth has a safe-houseboat?"
"Dude, don't even ask questions anymore."
It was the next morning and Sam and Dean were sitting by the table while Castiel was going through Sam's stuff; that really should've irritated them but for some reason, didn't. Thankfully, the day before had been so stressful that Sam had slept with no nightmares resurfacing; Dean hoped it would stay like that for a while. Hey, a guy could dream.
"Great, well with that taken care of, sit down and eat."
Sam got up and went to the bathroom while mumbling, "not hungry."
Dean sighed and got his food to eat; Sam might not be hungry but Dean was. Dean also knew he had to keep an eye on Sam to make sure he ate.
Dean was so lost in thought that he didn't hear when Cas got up and got startled when he sat by him. Dean kept eating after he got over being surprised but couldn't really eat because Cas was staring at him expectedly.
He put fork down and asked, "Something bothering you?"
"There's something wrong with Sam," he stated with certainty.
"What makes you say that," he decided to play dumb.
"Well, while both of you Winchesters tend to feel self-loathing, angst, and troubled, Sam seems to have multiplied that by a thousand. Of course, now there's also fear, which seems strange as he only seems to feel that particular emotion when you are in trouble. There's also anxiety, depression and self-condemnation. It's coming off of him so strong I can feel it for miles and miles away."
Dean gulped, God, he really needed to find a way to help Sam because, unlike his insistence that he was 'fine', he was clearly suffering.
Dean stared at Castiel and asked, "He doesn't feel like hurting himself does he? He's not suicidal?"
Cas gave a confused look and answered, "No, he's just feeling overwhelmed."
"I should go talk to him. Oh, and Cas, if you really want to know I suggest you ask Sam. It's his story to tell, not mine."
Cas gave a small nod, "Of course, I should've considered that but, I'm positive his words will be 'I'm fine', as it seems you Winchesters have basically coined that phrase."
Dean rolled his eyes and walked towards the bathroom door; he had to talk to his brother.
OoOoOoOo
After Dean got Sam out of the bathroom he set him down so he could eat his (cold) breakfast.
"You want me to heat that up for you?"
Sam looked up at him and stared at Dean with a blank expression before he looked down to his food, "Oh, ah… yeah sure. Thanks."
He handed his food to Dean and went back to staring at space. Dean frowned and went to heat up the food. While the food was heating up he stared at Sam, who was so out of it he didn't even notice. He was worried.
Sam seemed to be getting worst and worst. He locks himself into his memory and when asked what's wrong…well, the usual response is given.
Apparently, he wasn't the only one who noticed because Cas would look away from the TV every once in a while to frown at Sam, then he would look straight at Dean with questions in his eyes. The only thing Dean could do was shrug.
He put the food in front of Sam who didn't notice. It takes Dean saying his name three times for Sam to even acknowledge that Dean's been calling his name.
When he does notice he stares at Dean and then the food as if he's confused of what he's supposed to do.
"Oh, ah, thanks for, you know," he gesture towards the plate of food, "yeah."
He didn't really eat his food, he was mostly picking it. After half an hour and with Sam's plate still being three-quarters of the way full, he got up and put the food away.
"I think we should maybe stock up on supplies here. Maybe stay for a few days to," find out what's wrong, to talk, to scream, anything but the deafening silence you've been giving out these past two days, "rest. Wanna come with?"
"Uh, you know, I don't really feel like going out much. I want to do some research. Maybe find the next case."
"Kay, Cas, wanna come?"
Castiel looked up and shook his head.
"No, I want to stay here. Maybe catch up with Sam. I haven't seen or talked to him for over a year, after all." Castiel sent a smile towards Sam who just looked down with a sad smile on his face.
"Yeah, sure."
Castiel looked up and stared right at Dean as if asking him for permission. Dean knew exactly what he was asking for and, though it annoyed Dean because Sam was his and they only ever needed each other, he thought maybe Sam would open up to Cas without feeling embarrassed.
So he gave Castiel a nod and announced, "be back in a few. Don't wait up you crazy kids."
OoOoOoOo
After Dean pulled up to the first store he was going in he took out the paper Crowley had given him. He stared at the number for a few seconds before taking his phone out. He waited impatiently for someone to pick up and just when he was going to hang up he heard a female voice say, "hello."
"Yes, yes. Hi, am I speaking to Mandy?"
"Who wants to know," came the guarded reply.
"My name is Dean Winchester. You know my brother, Sam. I believe you helped him out a few months ago."
"Oh yeah, Sam, I know him. So he finally found you. I'll tell you what that kid almost went crazy looking for you. I told him to keep in touch but it's been months, almost a year. I told the little bugger call but he never did. He's fine, right?" She asked with concern entering her tone.
"No, yeah, he's fine for the most part. I'm just calling because after Sam talked to you he came in contact with some hunters. I think one of them is called Fred. I was wondering if you knew them and could tell me where to find him."
There was silence on the other line and Dean thought that Mandy had hung up when he heard her say, "Yeah, I know Fred and I would never send Sam to him, so the question is, how does he know him?"
Dean ignored the last question and asked hopefully, "So you know where to find him?"
"Of course I do, he's my brother."
Yay, chapter seven. Sorry for the long wait, I've been busy at school and instead of studying for finals here I am doing this.
Hope you liked this chapter. Sorry for it being so short. I'll try to update soon since my finals are all on Monday but no promises.
Any errors are mine, have no beta.
