Clothing [Very Last Scene to this Chapter!] – 'Dead in the Water 3'
Supernatural Fanfic | The Family Business | Dead in the Water – Part 3
Soon after the sudden death of Mr. Carlton, the Winchester siblings were whisked away to the Sheriff's office for questioning. But the siblings could tell something was going on with the man; he had secretly held a passive look when he thought they weren't watching – he knew they were lying about their identity, or at least they thought he did. It was just the thought of what he was going to do with this information that troubled them.
As soon as they walked through the front door; Andrea and Lucas caught they're attention – the two of them sat in the waiting room chairs, Andrea held packaged take-away food in her arms.
Andrea's head snapped over to the door; her eyes looked a tiny bit worried but they didn't exactly know why. "Sam … Katherine." She exclaimed, seeing them walk in with her father. "I didn't expect to see you here." She really hadn't; all she was doing was bringing her father some food – kind of like a bribery for her father; to get him to tell her exactly what happened to Mr. Carlton today … and the status of what's been happening about that lake.
To the side, Lucas began to rock a little – his eyes darting to many places around the floor. His breathing started to harden and brims of water tricked into the whites of his eyes.
The Sheriff tried to hide his displease at the fact his daughter and the liars were so chummy. "So, now you're on a first name basis." Looking between the three. He walked over to her, both Sam and Kathy following close behind. He glanced at the food she placed on the seat by Lucas; watching her get up from her chair. "What are you doing here?" Although he was sure the answer had already formed in his cranium.
Andrea smiled slightly to him, seeing her father look exhausted, "I brought you dinner." Gesturing over to the wrapped up chicken curry from across the street.
Jake's face started to morph into a sorry look, he was about to apologise to her. "I'm sorry sweetheart … I really don't have the time right now." He made her sigh in defeat.
Andrea crossed her arms, looking uncomfortably between the siblings and her own father. "I heard about Bill Carlton." She shifted in her stance anxiously. "Is it true?" The questions started to pour from her mouth, looking worried. "Is there something going on with the lake?" They literally live by that lake, just like Bill … had, if they were in any danger - she needed to know.
The Sheriff glanced back to Katherine and Sam before saying the vague truth, "Right now, we don't know what to think." He replied, looking uncertain. "But, I think it's best that both you and Lucas went on home."
Something seemed to flash through Lucas's eyes at that, he jolted up from his seat in a panic – seeking out Katherine before running over to her – his face was full of fear; it looked like he wanted to cry but the tears didn't come. Lucas's grabbed Katherine's arm, pulling her down to him with a tight grip – trying to get her to understand what he knows … he was desperate.
Kathy was shocked for a moment, not knowing what to do – but her instincts soon kicked in, "Lucas – wait, what is it?" She questioned, frowning in worry at his sudden state – her body bended lower so her head was nearer to his height.
Andrea was just as shocked as her – she had never seen her son act this way before. "Lucas." She went over to him, trying to pull him off the other woman, he was gripping her arm really tight. She started to feel a little embarrassed about this scene but she was more concerned by why her Lucas was acting like this. Jake was startled, he had never seen his grandson react this way, even after Chris's death. It was strange, yet it made him apprehensive for how the day may pass.
Lucas started to whine in fear, feeling his mother try to pull him away – Katherine tried to console him the best she could. "It's okay, Lucas." She told him in a soft tone, a comforting one that a mother would use – she wasn't his mother, but it was starting to work. He was starting to calm down from his episode, "It's okay, Lucas. It's okay." This time she did bend down enough so that her knee hit the floor – she placed her free hand on the side of his face gently, "Everything's going to be okay, Lucas." She promised. She had a bad feeling in her gut all of a sudden; like something was going to happen soon – and will succeed in happening if it wasn't stopped in time. He was almost fully calmed down by this point; there was still something lingering in his face but he had essentially let go of her all together now.
"Let's go home." Andrea coaxed to her son, holding him to her body like a mother would do to protect her child. She held him, walking him towards the door – ready to just take a bath and get some sleep, hope that all these deaths were just a dream.
Katherine never looked away from Lucas as he was taken away home – he kept looking at her, as she did with him – he never looked away for one moment until the front door closed behind him and his mother. That feeling in her gut was growing more intense … and she didn't like it one bit. Sam glanced to his sister with a concerned look; she kept gazing out that door even as the Sheriff slammed his jacket down on one of the tables with a frustrated sigh.
Kathy remembered that look Lucas wore – this kid was so scared; his face was filled with horror. It's the same one she had worn on the day of her mother's death, when she realised her mother was gone for good …
…
Not even five minutes later; Katherine and Sam were sitting in the exact same seats as before in the Sheriff's office. The Sheriff being the one to sit on his desk; really questioning the statements that were given – and also the fact that everyone that he has questioned, have all said the exact same thing. He didn't believe any of it…
"…you see something attack Bill's boat…" The Sheriff was saying to them, his voice was hard – he didn't like strangers, let alone liars who were strangers. "...sending Bill, who is a very good swimmer by the way … into the drink … and you never see him again?" He raised an eyebrow, not impressed by what he was repeating from their very own words.
Kathy took a glance to her brother, shrugging in approval, "Yeah," She nodded, that sounded about right to her. "That's pretty much it."
The man narrowed his eyes to the both of them, "And, I'm supposed to believe that?" He paused. "Even though I've already sonar-swept that entire lake a dozen times, and what you're describing is completely impossible?" He made a sarcastic grin, "And, you're not even with the Wildlife Service – neither of you are." He narrowed his eyes even further with accusation.
Katherine couldn't help but be a little startled at that – she never thought the man would have really checked up on them, although – she did notice him looking at them differently for a while. She really should have expected this earlier on … oh, well – nothing could be done about it now. She noticed her brother's jaw literally drop – he obviously wasn't expecting this at all. Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later in their hunting life…
"That's right." Jake nodded, looking impressed with himself. "I checked." But this wasn't a laughing matter. Pretending to be an official wasn't a joke. "The Department's never heard of you two." Sam locked his jaw back up, looking just stunned now.
Kathy tried to play it out a bit, "Well," She made a nervous huff, "You see, I can explain-" She was quickly stopped by the man, "Enough." He said, putting a bit of bite into his last word. He shook his head, almost with exasperation. "Please." He was just so god-damned tired of everything – there were just so many deaths coming to the people he knew – he was just afraid of his Andrea and grandson dying too.
"The only reason you're breathing free air…" He started to explain, looking a little pissed at the same time. "…is because one of Bill's neighbours saw him steering out that boat before you did." Katherine was looking at him, trying to read his facial features – trying to figure out what he was going to do with them. "So, we have a couple of options. I can arrest you for impersonating government officials and hold you as material witnesses to Bill Carlton's disappearance." He didn't like that idea anyway, too much paperwork involved. "Or, we can chalk this all up to a bad day." He liked that better, at least they'll be away from his town for-good. "You get in your car and put this town in your rear-view mirror..." He started to look slightly aggressive, pointing towards them in a threatening manner. "…and don't you ever darken my doorstep again."
Sam cleared his throat uncomfortably after a moment, "Door number two sounds good." He tried be was cool with the situation – but inside, he just knew he and his sister were damn lucky to even get the choice to leave as free people.
The Sheriff liked his answer. "That's the one I'd pick too." Katherine never said a word, she just glanced towards that door again, the one that Lucas had walked out off – she just knew they couldn't leave him, leave this town – not until this case was settled and that little boy was okay again.
…
Katherine decided to humor her brother in leaving, but the pull for staying was getting tougher and tougher each mile they passed. That awful feeling just wouldn't go away, them leaving was a big mistake in her mind. It wasn't until they got to the 'Milwaukee' county sign that her thoughts started to jumble together – she couldn't focus on anything but the terror she saw on that little boy's face. The car halted at the red light, seconds ticking by in which seemed like minutes.
"Green." Sam jolted her out of the mind-boggling thoughts, making her head turn to him – a confused look crossing her face.
"What?" She frowned, not looking over to him – she just stared ahead at the road that led back into town. If she drove that way – they'd be back in town within twenty minutes – be back at Andrea's by thirty.
"The light's green." Sam repeated, turning to her with another worried look – his sister looked completely out of it, maybe he should have driven?
Katherine knew in her heart, that if they left now – she'd regret it for the rest of her life – she couldn't get Lucas's episode out of her head, it pained her to see a little boy hurt … an innocent child ….
Without even a second thought, Kathy put her foot on the gas and steered right – driving down the road towards the town they had originally left. Sam was puzzled, "The interstate's the other way." He told his sister, why was she going back into town? Did she want to get thrown in jail?
She let out a breath in reply, "I know." Nodding her head. She looked at him for a second, "But something doesn't sit right with me, Sammy." She revealed, shrugging her shoulders a little helplessly. "I don't think this is over."
"But," Sam started, shaking his head – not seeing what she could possibly mean, he couldn't see anything more. "Kathy, I really do think it's over. Bill Carlton's dead – the spirit got what it wanted."
"I don't think so, Sam." Katherine shook her head again, not so sure on that – why was Lucas so petrified when the Sheriff told him and Andrea to go home? It was like he was scared to go back to that place … something was about to happen … and they needed to stop it.
"If Bill murdered Peter Sweeney, and Peter's sprit got revenge … case closed." He summed it up nicely … too neatly if you asked her. "The sprit should be at rest."
"Okay," Katherine begun to say, her tone in between sarcastic and questionable, "So, what if we leave … and this thing isn't done?" She cocked an eyebrow, looking over to him as she awaited an answer. "What if we've missed something and it'll get a lot of people hurt in the process." Emotion started to carry into her words, and Sam could see that.
Sam clearly didn't understand the internal debate she had been having since Lucas left the station, "But why would you think that?" He exclaimed.
Katherine gritted her teeth in aggravation – couldn't he just go with her on this one? "Because … Lucas was down-right terrified."
Her brother raised an eyebrow – that's why they were going back – because of how the kid reacted earlier, "That's what this is about?" He blinked at her, she truly looked worried for the kid.
She sighed, "I just don't want leave until I know that little boy is okay."
This person in front of him, did not look like his sister – she didn't sound or act like his sister at that point in time. "Who are you … and what have you done with my sister?" He was joking around, he knew when his sister was real or not, it's just … he's never really seen this side to her. He liked it though; it was her coming out of this hard shell of hers and he was glad for that.
Kathy glanced to him, seeing that small grin on his face. She rolled her eyes in protest, "Oh, shut it, twerp."
…
Katherine had quickly parked outside the Sheriff's house; the place where Andrea and Lucas have been living for several months. That feeling in Katherine's gut was growing stronger, the air was silent as Sam turned to her, "Are you sure about this?" He asked, wanting his sister to be sure. He looked around, it was past 11pm, way past bedtime. "It's pretty late, man."
"I'm sure." She replied, putting her finger on the buzzer. The sound hadn't even gone through for a second before the front door swung open from the inside with force – standing in the doorway, gasping for air was Lucas – his eyes were riddled with full-blown panic.
Katherine was suddenly on high alert, her eyes widening at his state – "Lucas?" She bent down to his height quickly, "Lucas?" She grasped his shoulders gently, trying to get him to stay still and calm down – but all that did was make him bolt back inside without a word. Kathy glanced behind to her brother, he seemed to mirror her exact worriedness. Without even another thought for the two – they started sprinting after the little boy; following him up the stairs as fast they could, trying to keep up with his little legs. "Lucas?!"
Water began to pour down the stairs, gallons of it just rushing under their feet – they had to hold onto the wall slightly so they wouldn't slip down the steps. As they reached the top of the stairs – Lucas was banging on the first-left door, the one the excess water was coming from … the bathroom.
Kathy's eyes widened looking at the door, 'Andrea!' She thought, all this could only mean one thing. The spirit wasn't done.
"Sam, hold him." She ordered over to her brother; moving the Lucas away from the door in a rush before taking a step back – she thrust out one of her legs towards the door, effectively ripping it off its hinges. Sam was holding the little boy back, he struggled in the older man's arms.
As soon as the door was wide open, Sam and Kathy switched places – Sam rushed into the bathroom, heading straight over to the overfilled tub – the water was literally pouring over the edge, his arms reached into the tub, grabbing a hold of the Andrea's body stuck under the water. He grunted with effort, something very strong was using all its effort to resist his pull. Kathy was having a hard time trying to keep Lucas in her arms, he tried to get out of her grip – trying his hardest to run into that bathroom to help Sam. She knew it wasn't safe for him to be in there, she didn't want him in danger – and she was sure, as a mother, Andrea wouldn't want him in danger either.
The sound of Andrea's heaving broke the surface, her head was out of the water but only by a few inches – it had taken Sam a lot of effort to just get there, but he wasn't going to give up this easily – or at all. Another grunt left Sam's lips as Andrea was plunged back under the dirty liquid. The tub water was grimy and filthy, nothing like how bath water should be like. With another strong heave, Sam was able to gain enough strength to pull Andrea out completely – they fell backwards onto the floor tiles. The female spluttered with tears falling down her cheeks, Sam's arms were around her, trying to protect her modesty with his arms as the woman drew in that needed air she was deprived off for several minutes.
Lucas suddenly went quiet again, he stopped struggling in Katherine's arms – he just stood there with something that looked to be relief in his eyes. He leant back into the brunette, as if needing comfort from that person – and Katherine did this, she wrapped her arms around him tightly, letting the small boy lean in her body – both of them were relieved that Andrea had been saved … this was a win for them, and a blessing.
All that Sam could think was, that his sister was right – if they hadn't come back to this house … Andrea would be dead … and Lucas would have lost his mother in the process and possibly his own life.
…
The next morning when light had appeared in the sky – Sam, Andrea and Lucas were downstairs; Sam was talking with the mother to see what she had heard/seen during her traumatic experience. Katherine on the other hand, was looking through the family's memories in the back room – there were many books and pictures to do with this family. There were stacks of Andrea growing up, some of Lucas since the moment he was born – but the one's Kathy was interest in, was the Sheriff's childhood. It's the only real logical thing she could think of – he would have been about the same age as Bill at the time of Peter's disappearance. She didn't want to speculate until the facts were in, but an idea was beginning to form in her head about this case.
It wasn't until she reached the second bookshelf that she found the exact thing she was looking for. There was an old book with photos and awards in it – the cover of it was called, 'Jake – 12 years old'. She flipped through several of the pages, just to be sure … and she found the particular picture she was looking for. She knew this was the one…
…
Katherine walked over to Andrea and Sam who sat at the kitchen table near the window, she placed the book of pictures in front of the woman, pointing to the picture she found earlier. "Do you recognise the kids in this picture?" Pointing to the one where 16 scout explorers were lined up in a group, looking happy towards the camera. Kathy placed her hand on the table, leaning her body down a little as she looked to Andrea – waiting for an answer. She needed to make sure Jake, Bill and Peter were in this picture. She had found Bill and Peter already – it was just Jake that needed to be confirmed.
"What?" Andrea looked startled at the question, not really understanding too why this picture was so relevant to her traumatic experience - one that she had been explaining to Sam at that moment in time. "Uh," Her eyes glazed over the line of boys, spotting one that was familiar. "Well no, I mean expect that's my dad there..." She stated, point to a boy standing next to Peter, "He must've been about 12 in these pictures." Not realising that this book contained all of her father's twelfth year memories.
Katherine sighed at that, shaking her head as she looked over to her brother, "All these drownings, they weren't just connected to Bill Carlton – it must have been the Sheriff too."
Sam nodded, looking surprised they hadn't figured this out earlier. "That makes sense." He agreed with her. "With both of them involved and having the same connections – it's why we didn't figure it out sooner!"
Andrea looked between them with a confused yet sad frown, "What about Chris?" Not understanding a word they were saying. "M-My dad? What are you talking about?"
Kathy didn't listen, she noticed Lucas standing by the back door – the little boy looked out of the window with his head tilted to the side. "Lucas?" She frowned, slowly getting up from her slightly bent posture. She watched him concerned as Andrea twisted in her seat to see what her son was up too. After last night, she didn't want him leaving her sight for not even one moment. "Lucas, what is it?" Kathy asked again, hearing no answer – yet she never expected too the first time. They hadn't heard one word come out of his mouth since they had come to town – and since his father had died. Lucas ignored her, he reached for the door handle and twisted it – opening it and strolling through it, knowing the adults were going to follow him.
…
Sam, Andrea and Katherine continued to follow Lucas all the way up a small hill – he moved a little further before halting in one spot, looking down below him for a couple of seconds. The three adults stopped to watch him; Lucas lifted his head towards Katherine – looking into her eyes. Katherine knew right then what he wanted them to do next – something was buried here, and they needed to find it. She nodded to him before glancing over to Andrea, "You and Lucas get back to the house and stay there, okay?"
Andrea still didn't understand but nodded slowly, reaching forwards to grasp her son before trailing him away to leave the Winchester's there.
"We're gonna need those shovels from the trunk, Sam." She said to her little brother, almost telling him to go and get them – they had some work to do and probably with little time to do it.
…
Katherine had taken off her jacket and thrown up her long hair into a loose bun before they got to work, both she and Sam were digging in the spot Lucas had pointed out to them. Kathy had stayed there to basically mark the spot with her body, they didn't want to be digging up in the wrong place after all they've been through with this case.
They continued to dig for ten minutes before the sound of Sam's shovel hitting something appeared. Both Winchester's looked down at it for a moment just before getting onto their knees, using their hands to scrape away the surrounding dirt away from the object – there wasn't much point in using the shovels anymore at this point, most of the soil had already been taken away.
They were able to dig up some kind of handle, with both they're strength – the object was pulled up and out of the soil … they uncovered an old bike that had half of it's body full of rust, but yet you could clearly see that the paint had been red before it's burial.
Sam recognised the bike, "This must be Peter's bike." Kathy nodded, making that conclusion as well.
"Who are you?" A gun cocked behind them, a male's voice emerging. The siblings head's turned around to the man with his gun pointed to them in a threatening manner – they glanced down at the weapon anxiously, neither of them were carrying their weapons – Sam's was in the car, and Katherine's was with her Jacket hanging up on a piece of a tree.
Sam gulped a little in his throat, "Jake, put that weapon down." He told the Sheriff; slowly placing the bike back onto the ground – not wanting the guy to take a shot at them.
The Sheriff's body was shaking, the gun wasn't in a solid position to make a clear shot – the bullet could literally go anywhere if he were to press the trigger – but the weapon was leaning more towards Katherine more than Sam, making a little fear reach into Sam's gut for his sister's safety. "How did you know that was there?" He ordered them to tell him, needing to know how he was found out. He couldn't even look at the bike; it was bringing back too many painful memories, one that he had kept buried for over 35 years.
Katherine tried to ignore the gun, "What happened?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow, "Did you and Bill kill Peter?" She questioned, already knowing the answer but maybe they could get some kind of confession. "Did you drown him in the lake; burying the bike afterwards to try and forget what you did to an innocent child." She could tell Jake was getting even more pent up by her words, "You can't bury the truth, Jake." She stated, full-on knowing what all that felt like. She could never forget one single bad moment … a single bad decision of her life and sometimes it killed her inside – but, it was something she and everyone else in the world had to live with. "Nothing ever stays buried." Ignoring the fact that her words basically told her inner mind that, her secret would one day come to light – and that would be the day her world was destroyed all over again.
Jake swallowed hard, they seemed to know everything … "I don't know what you're talking about!" He insisted, lying through his teeth. They were going to ruin everything he had – even though Peter's spirit was in the middle of doing that already.
"You and Bill killed Peter Sweeney 35 years ago." Sam stated this time, a hard note in his tone. He didn't like dealing with humans killing other humans – this hunting gig was easier to deal with, easier to handle when he at least knew that when he killed a demon … he was doing something right in the world. Something that would most-definitely save lives in the future. "That's what we're talking about."
"Dad!" Andrea's voice came running towards them; her father glanced at her approaching movements before keeping his eyes on the siblings – his eyes narrowing towards them, as if daring them to move a muscle.
Kathy glanced towards her too, but finished off what her brother had been saying. "And now, you have one seriously pissed-off spirit."
"It's going to take Andrea, Lucas and everyone else that you love … and then, you'll be the last one on its list." Sam was looking straight to Jake, as if trying to get him to understand what his actions had caused – they needed his help now, to find Peter's body – salt and burn was the only way to truly kill a spirit. "It's going to drown them, and it's going to drag their bodies god-knows where … just so you can feel the same pain Peter's mom felt." He paused, "It's already done it to Bill … now it's your turn."
The Sheriff didn't seem to believe them, "Yeah?" He scoffed, "And, how do you know that?"
"Like my brother said," Kathy stated, "Because it's already done this to Bill Carlton."
"Listen to the both of you … you're insane!" The gun was now in a steadier hold.
Katherine just straightened up and shrugged, not feeling at all threatening by the gun anymore. "So? Both of us have had our fair share of names and to be honest, I couldn't give a rat's ass about any of them – from them or you. What you think of us – it doesn't matter. All that we care about … is saving people and hunting the monsters who end people lives too early."
"Now," She continued, "If we're going to bring down this sprit once and for all … we need to find those remains, salt them and burn them into dust." Anger started to build up in side of her, "Tell me you at least buried Peter somewhere – not just dumped him in that lake and went on your merry way?"
Andrea didn't know what to think – Katherine and Sam were basically making it look to her that her father had committed a murder … and that all these deaths, they were his fault because of this murder. "Dad…" She looked to her father anxiously, "…is any of this true?" She didn't want to believe this from her own father … she couldn't.
"No." He insisted, glancing over to her for a moment. "Don't listen to them … they're dangerous." He tried to convince his daughter.
As he spoke, something in Andrea snapped – she could suddenly hear it in his voice – he was lying. "Something tried to drown me." Her voice cracked, "Chris died on that lake just like so many others … now, please tell me that you didn't kill anyone." She felt like crying that her father had been lying to her the whole time … that he might have been the one who had gotten her husband killed … and nearly her too, leaving Lucas an orphan with only a lying grandfather left. She watched as her father looked away from her, shame written all over his face. "Oh, my god." She gasped with emotion, she couldn't even look at him – her lips trembled.
Jake looked down, water starting to top under his eyelids as the memories started to come back. "Billy and I were at the lake." He began, he couldn't look towards anyone at that moment but his gun started to lower. "Peter was always the smallest one, we always bullied him. But … but, this time … it got rough." He noticed her looking at him, only just. "We were holding his head under the water…" His daughter stared at him with horror, "…we didn't mean to … but we held him under too long … and he drowned."
The man finally looked over to the siblings, "We let the body go." Answering their previous question as to where Peter's body ended up. "And it sank."
Katherine ran a hand through her hair in frustration, "Shit." She muttered, cursing at the fact that they couldn't destroy this spirit – the only thing that was going to stop it now … was if that lake was all dried up … and that was months away from even being achieved. But even then, the spirit could somehow survive from that with the amount of revenge built into it. Sam seemed to feel the same as her, his jaw clenched – this man was impossible!
Jake turned back to his devastated daughter, "Oh, Andrea … we were kids … we were so scared. It was a mistake." She couldn't look at him again, she couldn't look into those eyes after knowing what he had done. "But, Andrea, to say that I had anything to do with these drownings … with Chris … because of some ghost?" He was practically begging her to understand, he needed her and Lucas in his life – they were all he had left. "It's not rational!"
"All right, listen to me, all of you." Katherine finally cut through his speech, having heard enough of his sorry excuses for one day – they needed to get out of there – or more specifically; Lucas, Andrea and unfortunately … Jake did. She was able to get both adults looking towards her and Sam, "We need to get you three as far away from this lake as possible … right now."
Andrea turned to the side, towards the water and gasped. Lucas was standing on the dock from what she could see – bending down … leaning over the side on the balls of his unstable feet. Jake turned to that direction upon hearing her frightful gasp, his eyes widened in horror. "Lucas!" He yelled in fright – seeing his grandson nearing the water's edge. If what these two were saying was true … his grandson was about to be the next victim. "Lucas!" Without even a second thought, he took off in a run – the others following him close behind.
"Lucas!" Andrea screamed desperately towards her son, "Baby, stay where you are!"
"Lucas!" Both Sam and Katherine repeated the name, but the little boy was ignoring them like usual – but this time, it was like he couldn't even hear. They broke the tree line just as Lucas fell into the water – Jake stumbled to a stop upon seeing a head pop out of the water, just enough so the top of the head could be seen along with the eyes … it was Peter.
The other three ran past him, both Katherine and Sam didn't even pause for a second before diving into that lake – intent on bringing Lucas back up and away from that spirit. Lucas was quickly running out of air, he didn't have long. "Oh, my god!" Andrea screamed in anguish, she started to take off her cardigan but Sam stopped her. "Andrea, stay there!" He told her, as he came back up for air – Kathy was still down underneath.
"No!" She immediately denied, "Lucas!" Her eyes darting around the surface of the water – praying to see some sign that her baby was still alive.
"We'll get him," Sam insisted, water dripping down his face in buckets after having coming up out of the water, "Just stay on the dock." He took another deep breath, going back under the water.
Both siblings came up for air another thirty seconds later … still no sign of Lucas. Katherine turned to her brother, her breathing hardening, "Anything?" She questioned him, her hair falling down and sticking to the side of her face. The hairband that held up her hair was long gone.
Tears began to fall down Andrea's face, "Lucas!" She shouted in pain, "Where are you?!" She prayed to whatever god that was out there … that this spirit, or whatever it was would let her baby go … she needed him back. She needed her little boy back.
Jake glanced at his daughter from the shore line, then to the two Winchesters that were fighting so hard, diving under and try to find his godson. It was like a lightbulb had popped into his head – a moment of clarity forming in his chest … he knew what to do. Quickly, he stripped his Sheriff's jacket off, beginning to walk into the water – fear radiated underneath his skin … but he didn't let that take him over … he was going to save his grandson and end this horror he began with Bill 35 years ago. "Peter!" He started to call desperately, "If you can hear me, please … I'm sorry."
Andrea turned to watch her father, hearing him talking to 'Peter', he was walking into the water, going further and further out, so much that there was no way he could touch the ground. "Daddy?!" She exclaimed, horror at the notion of losing both people she had left running through her mind, "Daddy! No!"
"I-I'm so sorry," Jake had to ignore his daughter, this was the only way to save Lucas – even if it was going to cost his own life. He's lived his … Lucas and Andrea needed the chance to really live they're own. "Let me – Lucas, he's just a little boy … please, it's not his fault … it's mine." He started to choke up, "Please, take me!" He begged.
Katherine and Sam had come back up to the surface by this point, feeling exhausted but were still strong to continue, "Jake, no!" Katherine tried to call over to him, but it didn't work. If he wasn't going to listen to his daughter … there was no way in hell, he was going to listen to her.
"Daddy!" Andrea screamed once again, seeing her father suddenly dragged down below beneath the surface, "Daddy! No!"
Katherine shook her head to herself, Lucas has got to be down there somewhere. "Damn it!" She swore to herself, not being able to save Jake. She took one last deep breath before diving back under – her lungs were screaming for air, her body was over-exerted and her limbs ached with exhaustion. But she kept on going – she went deeper, and deeper and deeper. And it paid off; she found Lucas – his small body was struggling in the water like he couldn't swim, he was trying to get to the surface but nothing seemed to work. She quickly grasped him, wrapping one of her arms around his body – pulling him up with her as she swam towards the surface as fast as she could. She didn't know how long she had been holding her breath … but she was sure it had been over a minute or two, and even then – it had been longer for Lucas.
Sam watched as his sister broke the surface, her mouth taking in a huge amount of air at the impact – her skin was a shade lighter from the lack of air-filled blood in her system … but Lucas was held against her … and this made Andrea cry with relief. Lucas was now fully awake, he too was spluttering for much needed air … he coughed away while Sam helped the two of them back over to the dock. He was too overjoyed to see his sister okay and alive. She had been down there for a near two minutes which was unusual for her to hold her breath for that long, his heart had thumped with fear … it felt like she had been taken by that Wendigo again … he again didn't know what would have happened if she had never come back up for air … or brought Lucas with her for that matter.
…
The next day was the Winchester's official last day in town; neither of them honestly wanted to come back … mostly because someone had died on their watch. But this death was hitting Katherine more than it was for Sam; she had been looking glumly and less cheerful since then, realising Jake was dead – that they couldn't save him from the spirit. She knew that sometimes they couldn't save everyone, but sometimes she just couldn't accept that … it was just hard for her when someone died on a case she was on … it always hit her hard whether she realised it or not. It was a part of being human after all.
They strolled out of 'The Lakefront Motel' after checking out, walking over to the Impala that was parked across the street. Katherine opened up the door to the backseat sat behind her, chuckling in her gym bag – she had worn more comfortable items of clothing today – less professional, and so did Sam. On the way to the next town, they really needed to stop somewhere and wash their clothes – they would do it at the laundry place just over the road here, but both of them really just wanted to leave this town for good. Sam dumped his bag next to hers, his head turning towards her with concern – Kathy looked more emotional than usual – she had done a lot actually during this case, it was hitting her a lot harder than him.
"Look," Sam sighed, seeing her head down, jingling the keys in her hands. "We're not gonna save everybody we ever meet – we never will. You know that better than anyone."
Kathy glanced to him, nodding – she knew that already. "Yeah," She sighed also, "I know." Doesn't mean she had to like it one bit every time it happened.
"Sam!" A voice called to them from the side, "Katherine!" Andrea came up in their vision, she and Lucas were jogging over the road to meet them – smiles plastered on their faces.
Kathy started to smile a little seeing them, glad they were going to see the pair one last time – and she was really happy to see Lucas before they left. "Hey." She and Sam met them on the sidewalk.
"We're glad we caught you." Andrea told them honestly, looking down at Lucas who held the homemade sandwiches they had made this morning for the two travellers. She couldn't thank either of them enough for saving her little boy … it was the least they could do for them. "We just, um, made you lunch for the road." Gesturing the very large plate held in Lucas's grasp. She grinned again, "Lucas insisted on making the sandwiches himself." She was happy beyond belief, her son was starting to talk again … he finally acknowledged everything going on around him … it was just like before Chris had passed away in that lake.
Lucas let out a small smile, looking up to his mother in question, "Can I give it to them now?" Katherine and Sam finally heard him speak for the first time. The siblings exchanged their own smile – relieved Lucas had started to talk again even after everything he had been through … again.
Andrea kissed the top of his head, "Of course." She replied.
Katherine took this chance to spend some last time with Lucas, "Come on, Lucas … let's load this in the car." She directed him towards the Impala, leaving Sam and Andrea to themselves to talk.
Sam glanced to Andrea, "How are you holding up?" He asked, wondering how the night had been for her. Just yesterday her father had died … Lucas had nearly drowned and so had she.
Andrea huffed a little, already looking exhausted at the question. How was she … really? "It's just going to take a long time to sort through everything, you know?"
"Andrea," He began, remembering about her father … the one who gave up his life to save the grandson. "I'm sorry." Like Kathy, he felt guilty about not being able to save Jake … he just seemed to hide it better than she did right now.
Andrea just gave him a gentle smile, one that said she didn't blame him or his sister for anything that had happened. "You saved my son." She stated, more glad about that than anything right now. And now she was able to watch him grow up – the Winchesters had saved both her and Lucas yesterday … and for that, she was extremely grateful. "I can't ask for more than that." She shrugged with thought growing in her features, "Dad loved me … he loved Lucas. No matter what he did, I just have to … hold onto that."
Over by the Impala; Katherine was sitting, turned outwards towards Lucas who stood in front of her. "All right." She started, looking to the little boy seriously, "If you're gonna be talking now, this is a very important phrase." Her tone was serious, "So, I want you to repeat it back to me one more time." She had been trying to get him into saying something specific.
Lucas grinned, "Zeppelin rules." He said back to her, not really sure what this 'Zeppelin' was.
Kathy nodded approvingly, "That's right." She raised one of her hands, "Up high." He smacked his palm against her, looking jolly. She just looked at him for a second before sighing, 'She would have been his age by now…' The thought came to her sadly, making her happiness of the talking boy dimmer slightly. It was then she realised Lucas was looking at her, tilting his head in confusion. She cleared her throat, "Alright," She started, trying to look happier after her brief moment of remembrance, "You take care of your mom, okay?"
The boy nodded, "All right." He said with meaning just as Andrea and Sam came over to join them – getting Kathy to stand up from her seat.
Andrea reached over the opened car door, hugging Katherine tightly. "Thank you." She said thankfully, releasing the other woman from her grip.
Katherine nodded to her, glancing to Lucas with one last smile, "Okay, Sammy." She spoke over to her brother, moving around the car to get into her seat, "We're gonna run out of daylight if we don't hit the road now." As the car started up with the two siblings inside ready to go, Lucas and Andrea gave them one last wave good-bye. And with that, they were off … wondering what their next case would be, and in which state…
Note: I was finally able to get it done even with my busy schedule. Now I did have to be awake by 6am this morning, meaning I was able to finish the draft last night … but not the edited version until now. (I have to get enough sleep to even get through the working day) But, here we are… I finally have a day off tomorrow after nine days of working non-stop.
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