Fall River Hospital
Sam had three bruised ribs, a sprained wrist, and the large collection of bruises mixed with deep cuts. Dean's arrival would have been to late had it not been for Lizzie. Sighing, Sam walked gingerly down the hospital hallway towards his brother.
Dean turned and spotted Sam tenderly making his way down the crowded hospital hallway. The two brothers stood a few feet apart, Sam's eyes glittering with undying gratitude. Dean felt a lump moving up his throat, threatening to overcome him as he viewed the bandages all on Sam. He turned his head, hoping Sam wouldn't see tears brimming at his eyes. 'I let Sammy get hurt, what kind of brother am I? I should've known what was coming…I should have…' Dean thought, ashamed of himself.
Sam rested his bruised hand onto Dean's shoulder, understanding his brother's guilt. He noticed a small teardrop stream down his older brother's face, but ignored it as he steered Dean through the doorway.
"Damn, got something in my eye," Dean said, pretending to itch his eye.
Sam shook his head disbelievingly at how easily Dean could pull himself together. He always seemed to want to say something, but would stop for fear it would make him "wussy". Dean opened the Impala's door for Sam before heading over to the driver's side.
"Wait!" a female voice called.
Dean looked up and was greeted with the joyful face of Mrs. Mercer, closely followed by Anthony. Mrs. Mercer came over to Dean with tears in her eyes.
"I never got a chance to thank you. Anthony means the world to me and my husband," she said, hugging Dean.
Sam watched with a grin on his face, he wanted to whisper a remark to Dean through the crack of the window, but was interrupted with a light tug on his jacket sleeve. Sam turned, meeting the shy face of the real Anthony.
"I'm sorry, Sam. All those things I said…I'm so sorry," Anthony choked out.
"Hey that wasn't you saying that, it was the specter. I know you didn't mean any of what you said," Sam said gently to Anthony.
Mrs. Mercer had come around again and tugged Anthony back so Dean could pull out of the parking space. Dean slammed the door shut, started the ignition, and with a final wave drove out of the parking lot. He caught Sam's eye, Dean could tell his brother had some smart-ass remark in store.
"Go ahead Sam, say it," Dean said scowling.
"All I have to say is: Thank You, Dean," Sam said earnestly.
"Really? I mean, you're welcome. You know I'd always come for you, Sammy," Dean said, surprised at the non-smart ass remark.
"Oh, and you got bitch slapped by a teenager who was smaller than you," Sam laughed as Dean lightly shoved him.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh now, but the minute you get out of those bandages your ass is grass," Dean muttered ominously.
The black Impala roared down the lone strip of paved road, scenery stretching into the distance on both sides as they went. Sam grinned and looked out the window to see the 'Now Leaving Fall River' sign whiz by as a faded green blur. However, they had gone by so fast that they'd missed a faded shadow standing close to the sign.
"Thank…you…," the shadow whispered faintly before fading into nothing.