Chapter Six
The room was ridiculous. Dean felt strange just sitting there. It was just so…soft. Plushy. Its bright colors contrasted so much with the world of District 12, just a few feet away. It was almost laughable.
Sam and Dean sat in awkward silence in an awkward room.
"Why?"
It was so quiet, Sam almost didn't hear it.
"What?"
"Why'd you volunteer?"
"You volunteered too!"
"I know but…I mean, I get that it was Jo, but what about me and Dad? You know how he was after Mom died. I knew that I was being stupid. But you…you're the smart one, always have been. So what were you thinking?"
Sam sighed.
"I couldn't just let them die. I mean, Mom died. Our friends have died. I guess this was just the last straw. I figured, if I went up there, I could at least save someone. Have some kind of control in our lives. Do some good. Of course I remembered the rule, but I figured someone else might volunteer too. This sacrifice thing is a kinda family trait you know."
"So you knew I'd sign up." It wasn't a question.
"I was hoping you wouldn't actually."
"So what, you wanted to drag poor Adam to Hell with you?"
"It was a very rudimentary plan Dean!"
They chuckled a little before falling into silence. Before fear for each other set in.
A knock sounded at the door and John Winchester stepped inside. He walked over to his boys with quick, heavy steps before wrapping them in a tight hug. They remained that way for a few moments before John pulled away and slapped them both upside the head good-naturedly. No one said anything. There was nothing left to be said.
Too soon, a demon came in to say their time was up. Stealing one last look at their father, they saw forbidden tears dancing in his eyes and felt pangs of guilt. They had done what they knew was right, but they were still leaving him alone.
John smiled down at them. It said so many things.
"I'm so proud of you. You can get through this. You're idiots. I love you."
And then he was gone.
The Harvells entered moments later. Jo stalked right up to them and slapped them both across the face, silent tears slipping down her cheeks.
"Why?" Her voice broke as she spoke through clenched teeth.
Dean stepped forward slowly, hands up in a placating gesture.
"Jo-Jo—"
"Don't call me that! You don't get to call me that! Not now! Not when you…You…"
She broke down sobbing. Dean unsteadily wrapped his arms around her, almost fearful of the small girl. She leaned her head on his chest, breathing raggedly. Dean knew of the feelings she harbored for him; and though he didn't return them, not in that way, he wanted to comfort her, and so he leaned down and gently kissed her cheek. She let out a little gasping sob and balled her fists in his shirt before turning away from him to face Sam. She enveloped him in a bone crushing hug and Sam let out an involuntary whimper of pain. She released him with a startled laugh and stood away to regard her surrogate brothers.
Tom stood behind his mother, looking at his shoes. He was ashamed. So ashamed. The boys that his mother had all but adopted were sacrificing themselves for him, and he was glad. He was glad that they would die in his place.
Dean read the thoughts on the boy's face, and knelt down to address the kid.
"Hey, what's with the face. I'm gonna think you've already given up on us."
Tom looked up with a watery smile.
"Just look after your sister and your mom, okay?"
Tommy sniffed. "Okay."
Dean stood and faced Ellen, who looked positively furious, hints of tears in her blazing eyes. She was, if possible, more intimidating than her daughter.
"Morons, the both of you. If your Mama was alive she'd kick your asses. I might just do it for her."
Sam joined his brother, looking at Ellen sympathetically. She'd nearly lost her two babies, and in saving them, lost the boys she'd taken in. The boys she'd promised their mother she'd look after. Guilt swam in her eyes as she took in their every last detail. When she couldn't look anymore, she closed her eyes, anguished, wrapping her arms around them. Hugging her back, Sam ran a soothing hand up and down her back.
Dean, too, closed his eyes, hating to ask, but knowing he must.
"You'll look after him won't you? Dad?"
"Of course," she breathed back. "Always."
And then they were gone.
No one else came.
There was no one left to come.
