Are the dreams made real

dreaming of Mercy Street

in your daddy's arms

dreaming of Mercy Street

Peter Gabriel – Mercy Street

When I Was Young

Many people have that moment in their life that defines them. My life could have always been considered traumatic but back when I was young I still hung onto a few beliefs. I thought my family could make everything bad go away; I thought everything evil was in some way predictable. Back when I was young my faith was so much stronger and I believed in my fellow man. After my defining experience passed I no longer held faith in man and I was no longer young – I had forever aged; I was 5 years old.

"Daddy come play with me," Sean begged John.

John smiled at his little boy and told him as soon as he finished his notes they would play. Sam and Dean were working on some fighting moves while Sean wandered around the backyard. John was so focused on the task before him he didn't even hear Emily come into the yard.

"Earth to John," she said smiling. "What has you so engrossed?"

John turned the book so she could see. "Hmm Demonology, how can I possibly compete with that?" she laughed. "I brought over some books that I thought Sean might like. Where is he anyway?"

John's head snapped around the yard. "He must've gone inside. Sean where are you?" John yelled with just a tinge of alarm.

Emily followed John into the house while Sam and Dean ceased their activity and looked around the yard. All four looked intently and all four came up empty.

"Sean, you answer me; you are going to be in so much trouble when I find you," John's voice now steeped in panic yelled.

"Yeah that will make come out," Sam said snidely.

"Watch it kid," John snapped at the teenager.

The four divided up and began a street long search.

*******A week earlier*******

"Can I go to Noah's house?" Sean begged his father.

John glanced up at Emily looking for some help.

"Noah is a classmate; a sweet kid. I've met his mother and she seems very nice; a bit preoccupied but nice," Emily filled in.

"I guess for a few hours," John agreed.

That Monday after school Emily waved goodbye to Sean as he climbed the bus steps with Noah for a play date. She went back to her now spirit free apartment to cleaned up before heading over to spend the evening with John.

The boys were busy playing in Noah's room. "What's this?" Sean asked holding up a boat full of animals.

"It's Noah's ark," Noah said.

"Like your name," Sean said.

"Yeah I was named after Noah. My dad thought it was a great name since Noah listened to God and he and his family was saved from the flood."

"What's with the animals?" Sean asked.

Noah filled him in the complete story but seemed sad as he finished.

"What's wrong?" Sean asked his friend.

"My grandma gave me that toy and she used to tell me that story all the time; but she died last month," Noah said nearly crying.

"I'm sorry that she died but she is okay and still checks on you all the time," Sean said.

"What how do you know?" Noah asked.

"She's standing right over there smiling at you," Sean pointed to the corner.

"I don't see her," Noah said.

"I know, most people can't but I can. She is wearing that broach that you gave her on her last birthday, that one that looks like a rose. She misses you too, but wants you to know that she feels no pain and is still around you."

Noah just sat there taking everything in. "How can see that stuff?" Noah asked in astonishment.

"I just do; I was born with it."

"Ask her where I used to hide when we played hide and seek?" Noah asked with excitement as was enjoying this exchange.

Sean just turned and smiled saying, "behind her living room curtains, but she pretended that she didn't see you."

"Wow," Noah said.

The boys continued to play and enjoy each others company until John came to pick up his youngest son.

"Did you have fun?" John asked.

"Lots," Sean said.

As the Winchesters climbed into the car they didn't notice the curtains shift in the upstairs window.

Isaac was distraught and paced the room. Who was it this boy that come into his home? What did he represent? Was this the one that his mind had warned him about? The one sent by Satan himself? Ever since Isaac's fundamentalism slipped into hysteria he began losing more touch with reality. He was forced to resign from the church he ministered and his wife was on the verge of leaving with their son. Even Noah practically cringed when Isaac came near. Why couldn't everybody else see what he did and hear what he did? It was just screaming in his head.

Sean went to Noah's house another day later in the week and had a great time but said Noah's father had come home while he was there and kind of creeped him out. Then by Friday Noah had been pulled out of school and Emily broke the news to Sean that he wouldn't be coming back. Sean was saddened by the news but something else seemed to be lurking in the air; something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

*******Back to the present*******

The search for Sean yielded nothing and John called for back-up; both Bobby and Pastor Jim were on their way to help in the hunt for young Sean.

"We need to call the police," Emily said in anguish.

"We can't," John snapped immediately regretting his tone. "I'm sorry, but you know how complicated our lives are. We just can't get the police involved. First of all if this is supernatural in nature they will only get in the way and second if we are all arrested then I won't be able to do a damn thing for my little boy, John fumed.

"I don't understand John," Emily said close to tears.

"We have more weapons in our vehicles than the local armory, there are fake ID's all over the place, we move constantly and our trail is often violent. The police start poking around Sean will be the last of their worries," John stated.

Dean was staring off into space and Sam was sitting on the couch his body rocking back and forth. Restless, John took off in the Impala to see if he could find his little boy.

Bobby had arrived first driving like a bat out of hell to get to his surrogate family. Pastor Jim Murphy wasn't far behind and was making attempt to settle the troops when John returned. Neither man had ever seen the senior Winchester in this much anguish. Dean's mind was flashing back to the weeks after his mother died; he had seen the same look on his father's face then. He knew what that loss did to John and what it drove him to do. He also knew John didn't have enough left in him to survive another one.

"We all know what Sean is capable of and that whoever has him probably has no idea what the boy can do," Bobby said to the defeated looking group.

Sean sat in the small basement his hands and feet bound. He knew the man that took him was Isaac, Noah's father though he still hadn't seen his face. What did this man want with him? Was he so mad that Noah was gone he wanted Sean to take his place? Why did he keep calling him the Devil's child and the anti-Christ? Sean put his head down so it rested on his knees. He wanted the strong arms of his daddy to hold him; to pull him from his personal hell.

Sean awoke to the sounds of someone coming down the steps. It was dark outside the window and only light he had had was a nightlight in the basement. As the sound neared the shadow stopped at the bottom of the stairs the string was pulled at the base of the light bulb allowing light to fill the small space.

"I know who you are; you are Noah's dad. Why did you take me and why is there such darkness around you?"

"The darkness is you; it is what you brought. You took my wife and son away; you made me lose my job it is all you and your wickedness."

"How can you blame me for all that; I'm just a little boy?"

"You may look like a little boy but that is just a guise you are immoral you are evil. I've been warned about you. Others have told me you would be coming. When I figure out how to kill you I will get everything back. You are the key to it all," Isaac then turned and retreated up the stairs.

Sean did his absolute best to remain calm, but he was truly terrified. He needed his family and he needed them quickly. If this man was anywhere as obsessed as John was he would have the method of killing him sooner than later. Sean had to figure a way out of this mess. He pushed himself up and saw the window over his head it was still dark but he managed to make out some kind of sculpture outside. It was big and when Sean took a closer look it appeared to be an angel. As he stood quietly he could hear the breeze blow and the tinkle of wind chimes. He felt a rush of hope as he had some kind of markers to go by, but it was quickly dashed as he realized he had no idea what to do with them. He leaned his back against the wall and slowly slid down until he was once again sitting. This time he couldn't keep the tears from falling and for the first time in his young life Sean Michael Winchester felt absolutely hopeless.

John was exhausted so was everyone in the room but sleep wasn't possible. He paced and sat and paced some more. "WHAT DO I DO, TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" John yelled to no one in particular.

"Is Sean powerful enough to send thoughts to any of you?" Emily asked.

John just looked at her with disgust. "Maybe but none of us is powerful enough to receive them," he snapped.

Dean got up and walked over to Emily giving her a tight smile and placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Sarah could; what if we could summon her somehow and she could be a medium for us?" Sam offered.

"Because you can't use a spirit as a medium and besides she only comes to Sean and that isn't very often. I think she is afraid she will open him up to danger if she is around him too much," Dean said.

"Well we can be pretty sure he's in a lot of danger already," Bobby said.

Jim just sat trying to make some kind of sense from the ideas that were suggested.

"Maybe if we could get someone relaxed enough and open to suggestion Sarah might be able to contact them," Jim suggested.

"Do any one of us looked relaxed or like we could relax?" John yelled.

"Not on your own but with my help," Jim said.

Sean didn't feel tired but his eyes kept drooping. He finally decided to give in maybe his dreams would give him some answers. His head snapped up and he wasn't sure if he was awake or asleep. His surroundings were dark but he thought he could make out something in front of him. He squinted and tilted his head to get a better look. He quickly drew his breath in as he saw a hand reaching out to him.

"John it should be you; you are the link between Sean and Sarah and you would be the one who Sean would be crying for," Jim said.

Everyone cringed at the thought of Sean crying. Was even in still alive? Was it man or supernatural? Would any of them survive this if Sean never came back?

John shook his head but complied by leaning the recliner back and closing his eyes. Jim started out slow by having John breathe deeply and relax; before long John was completely hypnotized. He saw only darkness until something broke up the dimness; it looked like a hand reaching out to him.

Sean smiled as he realized the hand belonged to his mother. John smiled as he realized that the hand belonged to Sarah. She was the bridge that would connect the son with his father and the father with his son.

Sean focused hard; bringing up images of the concrete angel outside the window, wind chimes in the background and as Sarah squeezed his hand a flash of pain brought the street sign with Mercy reflecting in the light. John felt as though his head was going explode as he saw a green sign with white letters spelling Mercy, the sound of wind chimes and a concrete statue of something next to a white house. And just like that it was over; Sean slumped over as John sat straight up coughing and gagging feeling totally wiped out.

Sean blinked back to consciousness to see Isaac standing over him. "Sunrise young one; it will be done at sunrise."

The 5 year old allowed his bravery to falter and he gave into the rush of tears that had been lined up waiting to fall. He had to face that he was going to die and his family was going to have to face another horrific loss. He was going to let the world down; he hadn't been strong enough to battle a man; a simple human being. He had no idea what his job was to be in the world but it didn't matter now as he wasn't going to fulfill it. He always saw himself touching the sky with his wings one day but he certainly didn't believe it was going to be this early in his life.

Sean was hovering between sleep and consciousness's when he felt a pressure on his feet as the rope slipped off. In the darkness he couldn't see who or what it was. The ropes loosened on his hands and likewise fell to the floor. He saw only dark cloth and then a whisper in his ear, "we are forever linked." Sean knew with certainty it was neither Dean nor Sam in that basement with him but before he could even comprehend what had happened he was again alone.

John was in the truck at the start of Mercy Street while Dean started at the other end in the Impala. Sam and Emily rode together in her car several blocks ahead while Bobby and Jim were staggered on the long street. All had their cell phones at the ready and every one of the men had their guns loaded and ready for a fight; a fight they refused to lose.

Sean knew going upstairs wasn't possible so he looked around for something to climb on to get him up to the window. There was now light beginning to filter through the glass and Sean knew he was out of time. He looked over to see a table across the room and with newfound strength he pushed it over to the wall beneath his avenue to freedom. The five year old scrambled up and amazingly enough with the slightest push the pane swung outwards. Sean slid through the small opening promising never again to complain about his small stature. He made a promise right then and there if he survived he would leave the world a better place. As he got his body through the opening he heard Isaac screaming and the window being opened again. Sean dove behind the concrete statue as a shot rang out sending splinters of the substance outwards hitting Sean above the eye causing the boy to bleed profusely from the cut. Sean breathing hard and absolutely terrified hugged his body close to his current savior.

In the end it was Bobby who rolled slowly past the white house with the wind chimes and concrete statue. He immediately started the phone tree that would inform everybody in only seconds. Sean's army pulled up silently guns drawn in the early morning light. Emily was the only who remained in a vehicle as even young Sam was part of the pack weapon out and ready to go.

John had just begun to wave everybody into position when they heard the shot ring out. This added quite a sense of urgency and the men scattered to cover every angle. Rain began to fall as they found their places. Just as John took a step towards the house he saw his young son clinging to the statue with blood pouring off of his face dripping with the rain off of his chin.

"Sean!" John screamed just as he saw Isaac come around from the back of the house.

Isaac had his gun drawn and pointed right at Sean and was closing in fast. Sam, Dean, Jim, Bobby and John all put their sights on the enemy as Sean who was responding to John got up and began running towards him.

"GET DOWN!" John screamed as loudly as he could, hoping he could be heard over the rain and adrenaline.

Sean turned and looked behind him and then returned his gaze to his family. He allowed his momentum to carry him forward and down to the ground. He threw his hands out as he landed on his stomach near the curb. He turned one last time and quickly covered his head and ears as all 5 guns unloaded their cache. He looked back to see Isaac stagger but he didn't go down he once again pointed his gun at the youngster and pulled the trigger. The gun shuddered and exploded in his hand; all 5 guns went off in unison once more finally bringing the sick and confused man to his death.

John ran over to Sean picking him up and running to Emily's car while Bobby and Jim loaded up the deceased player in Bobby's car. Sean was soaked and bloody John searching for the wound while Emily was nearly frantic with fright. Dean and Sam stood in the yard looking at the statue that was the one solid landmark that most likely saved Sean's life. They looked at the placard at its base; the statue was of the Archangel Michael. The brothers looked at each other blinked slowly and returned to their waiting vehicles.

John rushed into the house carrying his trembling son. Dean began to run a warm bath and Sam was throwing warm towels into the drier and looking for Sean's favorite pajamas. Emily just sat down in total shock not knowing what to do or what to think.

John gently got Sean's clothes off and set him in the warm bath. Dean grabbed his clothes looking for any bullet holes as Sam helped John look over the boy's body for any wounds. Sean just stared off into space the only interruption being his eyes slowly blinking. When he was satisfied that the only wound was that over Sean's right eyebrow John pulled his little boy out of the tub wrapping him up in a warm towel and dressing him once he was dry.

Dean had gotten Emily a cup of coffee but she was still shaking too much to hold it without spilling.

"This is why I don't get involved with anyone. I tried to warn you, I told you it wouldn't be a good idea. Everybody thinks they can handle it, but they never can. This is my life and it is often nothing but heartache and pain is that what you want? Did you think I made this stuff up?" John said curtly.

Emily only looked at him blankly. "I'm sorry, I didn't understand, I didn't think…" she began as her voice trailed off.

"You are welcome to stay here if you need to but Dean can drive you home if you want some privacy," John told her.

Emily stood up and blindly made her way to the door. Sam followed so they could leave her car. John just sat and rocked his baby.

Dean, Sam, Bobby and Jim all arrived back at the house at the same time. John was still holding Sean who was wrapped in a blanket and appeared to be sleeping.

"Nobody will find the body," Bobby said.

"What the hell was that all about?" Dean asked.

"Evil comes in all forms boys; remember that," Pastor Jim said. "How's he doing?"

"Unresponsive," John answered.

"I'm okay Daddy, I'll be okay," Sean said as he opened his eyes. "Did you get my message?"

"I did, your mom gave it to me," John smiled at his son.

"I think somebody else helped me too," Sean said.

Both Sam and Dean thought of the statue, but as Sean continued their theory went by the wayside.

"I was tied up in the basement and somebody took the ropes off and said we were linked. If the ropes hadn't been untied I wouldn't have been able to get out the window in time."

"Maybe it was Sarah," Bobby offered.

"No I would know her; it was somebody else," Sean said his eyes drifting off into space again.

John sat there and hugged Sean tight having a good idea of who it was that had helped his son.