Chapter 11

Sam couldn't quite believe his eyes. This place was amazing and way out of their league. Usually his dad found the most decrepit and questionable accommodations available. This seemed to be a luxury resort of some sort. His dad had just pulled into a parking spot in front of a small, two story condo. There had to be some mistake. He knew he had fallen asleep for a while, but not long enough for his dad to find a luxury resort on the ocean. No, it was still cold….this had to be a large lake. The largest lake they were close to was Lake Superior. Sam decided they were somewhere on that lake.

Sam couldn't help himself any longer and finally had to ask.

"Dad?"

"What?" John threw the car in park and cut the engine. He was just about to get out when his youngest started in with the questions.

"Where are we?"

"North of Two Harbors, Minnesota."

"Okay. But what about this place?"

"Carver Cottages on Lake Superior."

"Yeah but…..what kind of place is this?"

"I did some work for the people who own this place. I thought it would be a good place to rest up for a couple days."

"Yeah…but….we don't usually stay places like this. I was just a little, I don't know, confused I suppose."

"Sam, enough with the yeah buts. This was a dumpy campground the last time I was here. I had no idea the people who owned this place turned it into such a nice lakeside resort. Don't push your luck, kiddo. We are staying at a nice place for a change. Enjoy." John smiled to himself as the Impala door squeaked open and he got out of the car. The condo in front of him was sided in a light beige. He could only imagine that the view of the lake inside was spectacular. He hoped the kids were able to enjoy it. Accommodations like this were definitely few and far between.

Fran felt like she was trapped inside a gauze cloud. She could hear people talking and tried her best to concentrate on what was being said. She heard words like 'Lake Superior…rest up…..confused…." Yeah, confused. Now that was a word she could relate to. She wondered where her parents were, neither of the voices sounded like her mom or dad.

The more she became aware of her surroundings, the more she wished she wasn't. Every inch of her body screamed in pain. Her head throbbed. Her back was on fire. Her wrist was white hot agony. She had flashes of seeing her uncle with black eyes, hearing Artie Anderson laugh at her after she was thrown into a closet, Dean being nice to her and taking her home to talk to his dad. Everything was a jumble of visions and sound in her head. Her stomach was rolling and her head was throbbing. She tried to push herself up but was reminded of the fracture in her wrist. She gasped and let out a pain filled whimper.

"Shhhhh," Fran felt a gentle touch pushing the hair off her forehead, "it's okay Fran. Can you open your eyes? We need to get you inside."

"Dean, are we going to have to carry her?" Another voice said. The fuzziness in her head was starting to clear. Dean, she was with Dean. The other voice was his little brother….Stan…no Sam, Dean had called him Sammy. She tried to open her eyes with limited success. One eye didn't want to work too well. That whole side of her face was throbbing.

"Let's just give her a minute, Sam. Why don't you help dad haul our stuff inside and scope the place out. Then you can come out and help me."

Good idea, Fran thought, I definitely need a minute to figure out what the hell is going on here. She heard the squeak of a car door and felt a blast of cold air fill the car. That certainly helped clear her head. She breathed in the fresh, cold air and tried again to open her eyes while taking deep breaths to help settle her stomach.

Sam carefully wiggled out from under Fran's feet and hopped out of the car. He met his dad at the trunk and they loaded up with as much as they could carry from the trunk. John used the key card, another sign they were staying at a high end place, pushed the door open and stepped inside. He couldn't help himself, he whistled at the amazing surroundings.

"What's wrong Dad?" Sammy asked, trying to get a peak around his father and the mountains of stuff he was carrying.

"Nothing's wrong Sam, get a load of this place!" John stepped aside so Sam could see the inside of the condo.

"Wow! We are really going to stay here for a couple days?" Sam staggered inside a few steps and dropped his bags. Off to his left was the master bedroom suite, complete with king sized bed.

"Holy cow! Dad that bed is bigger than the last motel room we stayed in!" Sam's mouth hung open as he took in the amazing surroundings. The entire two-story wall facing the lake seemed to be made of glass. The view was amazing. There was a see-through fireplace dividing the living room area from the dining area. Another bedroom was off the dining room on the other side of the cabin. The kitchen sported new chrome appliances and expensive looking cookware. Beyond the kitchen were steps leading to the loft which overlooked the living/dining room. Sam couldn't help himself, he darted up the stairway ahead of his dad.

John was too stunned himself to stop Sam from checking out the upper floor. Normally he would never dream of letting either of the boys take off in an unsecured room. However, this was hardly one of the seedy, rodent infested places they usually stayed. John closed his eyes and pulled his hand over his tired stubble covered face. He actually shook his head in an effort to reset his focus. The first order of business, he needed to get everyone inside and secure the room. Second, tend to the wounded girl. Third, come up with some sort of idea what to do with the wounded girl. He looked up to see Sammy leaning over the loft rail.

"Dad! This place is awesome! There is another giant bed up here and the bathroom….it is HUGE! The shower is big enough for ten people and it's all glass. Why would you need a shower that big?"

John laughed. "Some day you'll figure that one out Sammy. I'm going to go help Dean, you pick the room you want to share with your brother and haul your stuff in here."

"Really? I get to pick? Cool!" Sammy moved so fast John could hardly believe his eyes. If only the kid had that kind of excitement for training. Sam all but flew down the stairway and ran into each room, comparing what they had to offer.

John left his youngest to his decision and headed back out to the car, only to find Dean already standing in the doorway of the condo, trying to support a barely conscious Fran without causing her further injury.

"Hey, did you guys forget about us?"

John hurried to help support the young girl. "Sorry kid, this place kind of took our breath away, didn't it Sam?"

"Dean! You aren't gonna believe this place! One bedroom has its own fireplace and a giant whirlpool tub! Upstairs is the biggest bed I …have…ever…seen!"

Dean helped his father carefully deposit Fran onto a stool by the kitchen island. Fran leaned heavily onto the island and groaned.

"Right now I'm only interested in the bathrooms. Point me in the right direction Sam." Dean's bladder had been pushed beyond his limits.

"Follow me – we are sleeping in the loft." Sam placed so much emphasis on the word 'loft' it made Dean laugh as he followed his brother up the stairs.

John sat on the stool next to Fran and tried to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. She flinched at the touch and looked back at him with tear filled eyes. The hardened hunter's heart softened a little at the tear-filled look of pain and fear she was giving him.

"It will be okay Fran. You will be safe here." He tried to use his most comforting growl.

"Where is here?" Fran asked between hitching breathes.

"We are staying at a resort on Lake Superior. Let's get you comfortable so I can take a proper look at your injuries." John attempted to help the young girl to stand but she pulled away from him.

"Why didn't you take me to a doctor? Why are you keeping me here?" John could see that Fran was going into shock, giving in to the panic and fear she must be feeling.

"Fran, do you remember what happened?" He could see the girl trying to make sense of the last 12 hours, the play of emotions crossing her features was astonishing. John tried again.

"Fran, you are safe with us. You aren't dreaming. Your uncle was possessed by a demon. He tried to kill you. I didn't take you to a hospital because it was too dangerous. Your uncle is dead. What do you think would have happened to you if you told anyone at the hospital what happened. Did anyone believe you when your family was killed? It would have been worse this time. They would have locked you up and thrown away the key."

Fran was desperately trying to make sense of things. No one had believed her after her family had been murdered. Part of her knew Mr. Winchester was telling the truth but it was just so hard to believe. She had been attacked by a demon, a demon who was trying to kill her because it was part of a deal her dad's business rival had made. She was holding on to the counter in front of her, to keep the world from spinning and to keep her life from spinning out of control.

Dean and Sam quietly made their way downstairs, having overheard part of the conversation from the loft. Dean slowly approached his new friend, thinking he couldn't recall the last time he had seen someone look so scared and alone.

"Frannie, you are safe with us."

Fran looked at the family in front of her. Family…..God, but she missed her family. "What…what is going to happen to me?" She finally squeaked out, her voice hitching as tears descended.

Dean, Sam and John all surrounded the girl, unsure of how to comfort her as she sat before them with her head bowed and weeping softly.

John finally spoke. "That's what we are going to figure out….together. Right now we need to get your injuries taken care of." Without any warning John gently scooped up the girl and carried her into the master bedroom on the main floor. Trying not to aggravate her injuries he placed her on the king sized bed. "Sam, I need you to bring in the first aid kit. Dean, I want you and Sammy to head into town and get some groceries for the next couple days. You need to get some things for Fran too, some clothes, shoes, toothbrush….you know, whatever she might need. Grab a cheap backpack or duffle for her." John fished out his wallet and handed his son several large bills.

Dean stared at the cash in his hand. "Whoa, Dad! Where did you get this kind of coin?"

"Consider it Uncle Gerard's contribution to his niece's future. Spend it wisely."

Dean turned to leave but then stopped. His dad's words running through his mind. Stuff for Fran….whatever she might need. "Ummmm, Dad?"

"What is it Dean?" John was trying to figure out how best to deal with the girl's injuries.

"How do I know what to get…you know…..girl stuff?" Dean's face was flushed with embarrassment.

John chuckled. "Dean, improvise. Keep it simple, we will worry about fashion later. Right now she needs to be warm and comfortable. Sweats, socks, toothbrush, hair brush, deodorant, some….um….feminine hygiene stuff just in case. Just pretend Sammy was a girl who had absolutely nothing, what would you get then?"

Dean was dreading this shopping trip. Just then Sam came in with the first aid kit. "What's going on?" The youngest Winchester could tell something was making his big brother uncomfortable.

"Nothing squirt, Dad was just telling me to pretend you were a girl. I told him no problem, you already act like one. Ouch!" Sam pinched Dean in the arm, hard. "Proves my point, he pinched me…just like a girl."

"Dean, there is a washer and dryer in that front hall closet, be sure to get some laundry detergent. We'll probably be here for five days-tops. Now get going." John was anxious to get the boys out of the condo.

"Come on Dean, let's get going." Sam grabbed his jacket, happy to have something to do.

"Yeah, yeah." Dean grabbed an extra hoodie to wear over his layers and headed to the door.

John yelled after his sons, "Be careful!"

Dean gave him the thumbs up and closed the door. John was officially alone with an injured, frightened, teen-aged girl. Heaven help them both.

wwwwwwww

A curtain fluttered back into place as the sleek black car drove by. Margery Carver spoke quietly into the phone. "Yes, I'm certain it is John Winchester."

"Is the girl with him?" Came the anxious voice on the other end of the line.

"His son helped someone into the cabin, it looked like a girl. I'm assuming it was her."

"We have to know for certain. Call us back when you know for sure." With that the line went dead.

Julian walked up behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't worry, darling. Winchester won't suspect a thing."

Margery turned and returned her husband's embrace.

"Can you believe our good fortune? When we turn over that girl we will be set for life."