Chapter 12
With the pain meds kicking in and a little food in his stomach, Dean let the head of the bed down so he could rest.
Bobby was heading back to the motel for the night and didn't even bother to wake Sam, knowing full well he wasn't leaving his brother's side after his panic attack this afternoon. He left both boys resting quietly.
Dean's dream.
Smoke was burning his eyes and making him cough as he made his way to his baby brother's bedroom. He could see dancing shadows on the hall wall as he inched closer. Suddenly his father was in the hall and pushing something into his little arms. He was telling him to run, to get out of the house now. More smoke billowed from the door as his father went back in the room.
He looked down at the bundle in his arms and saw it was his baby brother. Dad had given him an order and he had to be brace and do what he said. Turning quickly and holding his brother tightly, he ran to the stairs and one step at a time made his way down the stairs, being careful not to drop his brother. He had never carried him like this before and wanted his parents to be proud of him for being strong enough to do it.
Dean jerked and mumbled in his sleep as he saw the boy carrying a baby out of a house.
"I got ya 'ammy." he mumbled clutching at Sam's head with his fingers.
"Dee?" Sam asked trying to shake the sleep from his brain. He looked up at his brother's face when he heard the words again.
"I got ya 'ammy." Dean repeated again opening his eyes and looking down into Sam's face confused at what he just said.
"Dean, you ok?" Sam asked raising up slowly and stretching his back. "Did you remember something?"
"Was there a fire when you were little?"
Sam stopped short and looked closely at him. "Our Mom died in a fire." Sam looked down at the cast on Dean's arm afraid to look at him. After a minute, he looked sideways at him checking his reaction to the information.
Dean was in deep thought as he massaged his temple trying to bring back the memories he had seen. He knew everything was there, it was a matter of opening them up and viewing them. He was sure that his name was Dean, but Whitmire seemed wrong. It wasn't right, that wasn't his last name. This bothered him more than he wanted to admit. Had he been a criminal or someone bad? Was that why he couldn't remember, because he didn't want to? He looked at the kid and saw his sideways glances waiting on his reaction.
"Think I can have something to drink?" he asked thinking it better to change the subject for now. That dull throb behind his eyes alerted him to ease off and not press his luck.
"Sure what would you like?" Sam asked jumping up and checking his tray. "I can get a soda from the nurse or crushed ice again."
Dean's mouth twitched watching the kid go spastic for a moment. "Water's good."
"Here you go."
Sam made sure there was ice still in the cup and it was cold before bringing it over to his brother. He held it carefully as Dean drank several long swallows before signaling he had had a enough. Sam pushed the table out of the way eyeing the food on the tray. He looked at the jello and wrinkled his nose.
"I'll have to tell them you don't like green jello, only orange and red." he remarked more to himself than to Dean. "Anything else you need?"
"Naw I'm good, want to check and see if there's anything on the tube?"
"Sure."
Sam made himself comfortable in the too hard chair and turned on the television that was mounted on the wall where it could easily be seen from the bed. He began to flip through the channels looking for something that might interest his brother.
"How 'bout this, you always liked these movies?" he asked stopping on an old western.
"Sure." he replied taking the kid's word for his likes and dislikes. He noticed that Sam, yeah that was his name, leaned in on the bed making sure he was touching Dean in some way. It was almost like he was afraid Dean would disappear.
"You know you don't have to stay here, it's not like I'm going anywhere." Dean told him. "Go get you some rest."
"I'm good, the nurse is going to bring in a cot so I can sleep here." Sam replied trying to get comfortable.
They looked toward the door when it began to open. Dean automatically went toward his back for a weapon that wasn't there. He frowned trying to figure out why he did that. John walked into the room looking at both his sons. Sam stiffened when he saw his father and this didn't get past Dean's watchful gaze. There was definitely something not kosher between these two; it hung heavy in the air. He would try to get the kid to talk about it later.
"How you feeling Dean?" he asked walking closer to his bed.
"A little better." Dean said still not use to be calling Dean.
"Good to hear, Sam."
"Dad." Sam acknowledged.
"The weather is letting up, so Bobby and I are going back to his place before it gets dark. Figured we'd get the Impala put back together before Dean comes home."
"Ok."
"You staying here tonight?"
"Yes."
"Call one of us if you need us."
"I will."
"Son you take care, we'll be back later tomorrow."
"Alright." Dean replied watching John stand there nervously before finally patting Dean's leg before leaving.
Dean saw Sam's body relax when John left. An orderly brought a dinner tray for Dean and set it on the table. Sam busied himself getting it ready for him and pushing it over where he could reach everything.
"Wow, appealing." Sam grimaced as he uncovered something he thought was soup, crackers and green jello again. "Let me see if I can get another flavor of jello." he said rushing out to catch the orderly.
"It's..." Dean tried to head him off, he really didn't want jello anyway but Sam was gone in an instant.
"So I got some vanilla pudding instead." Sam smiled with triumph putting the bowl on the tray.
"So, what you goin' to eat kid?"
"I'll go get me something later."
"How 'bout now, you need to eat." Dean insisted as he sipped his tea.
"Really, I'm good." Sam assured him.
"If I'm your big brother, you should listen to me, now go get something to eat." Dean ordered him.
"Fine, jerk." Sam fussed.
"B*tch." Dean answered back.
Sam quickly looked around at Dean with surprise and hope on his face.
"So I take it I've called you that before." Dean asked not sure why that slipped out, it was like an automatic response he couldn't stop.
"Yeah among other things."
"Go on now, I expect you to eat, no faking it, got me?"
"Ok, I won't be long." he said giving Dean one final look before heading down to the cafeteria to eat. Even if he didn't remember who he was, Sam still felt the need to do what he said.
Sam returned thirty minutes later to find Dean had ate some of the soup, crackers and the pudding. He moved the table out of the way and made room for the cot that was brought in.
"You need anything?"
"Naw, 'm good." Dean yawned. "How 'bout getting the lights?"
"Think I'll try and sleep some too." Sam mumbled turning off the lights and burying himself into the blankets.
"Right there with you." Dean sighed turning the volume on the television down, but leaving it on.
It wasn't long before the brothers were asleep, each beginning to sink deeper into a dream world each his own. Sam saw that dingy motel room, the one they were staying in when he announced he was leaving and going to college. He heard and felt the sting and emotional distraught his father's words had on him again. But the one thing that was burned into his retinas was the look of hurt on his brother's face just before he walked out the door.
Flashes of memories rushed through Dean's mind, of a previous time, of him comforting a small boy when their Dad didn't come home, of giving the last of the cereal to the boy because he couldn't say no to him, of a shiny black car, a classic, driving it, darker images, fighting, shooting, blood, pain. He couldn't seem to sort them out, they're coming too fast, to jumbled, he can't control his thoughts when suddenly he loses control the car flips, he's being tossed, suddenly everything goes black, all else cease to exist, he's floating in nothingness, cold, empty, alone. Dean tosses in the bed jerking himself awake. He looks around the room trying to figure out where he is until he remembers he's in a hospital. His eyes light on the sleeping guy beside his bed who rolls over and wiggles deeper into the covers. He leans back and lets out a deep breath, trying to wrap his mind around the memories; some were so vivid and others just fleeting thoughts. He couldn't comprehend some of the images. He could of sworn he saw a vampire and some type of ghosts or spirits. Those things weren't real, why the hell was he dreaming about them, they weren't real, why would he dream of fighting them?
Exhaustion over took him and he drifted back to sleep hoping the monsters would stay out of his dreams this time and allow for undisturbed sleep.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter as we continue on the journey. Thank you so much to everyone for reading and please review.
NC
