A.N. So, here it is, the penultimate chapter! If you're still with me in this, give yourself a pat on the back (or a cookie) for your tenacity and patience! The final chapter will be up during this week, then I am definitely going to take the break I promised myself after my last story!
Oh, and just in case you're wondering, the little shit who broke into my home and stole things that I can never replace, as well as doing who knows what to my dogs (as you might know, I had to have my beloved boy put to sleep a week later) is in custody on remand whilst the police compile the evidence and the CPS decide whether there is enough to take him to trial. I've already told them that I want Restorative Justice, but not the usual kind. I have a much better idea of what Restorative Justice should be! As expected, no sign of the things this malfunctioning product of disease riddled sperm stole.
"Out of Control"
CHAPTER 14
Whilst the emotionally exhausted younger man slept on a comfortable hotel bed for a change, Bobby kept at his job doing what he did best, research. After some hours of following convoluted links which had him pulling up sites and information that the vast majority of lay people wouldn't even dream existed; Bobby took a break. He stood and stretched, then headed into the ensuite. Splashing cold water onto his face, he looked at himself in the mirror.
"Hell fire, Singer. These two kids are putting years on you!"
Coming out of the bathroom, he looked longingly over to the super king bed where Sam lay under the fresh clean sheets, sending out soft snoring noises. Bobby sighed and wandered back to the sofa placed by the hotel room window. The coffee table was scattered with sheets of paper bearing Bobby's scrawled notes. Various screwed up and discarded sheets lay on the soft oriental rug the coffee table stood on. Turning to the tall sash window, Bobby stood for a while just looking down at the main street, watching townspeople passing by, going about their daily business. Eventually he returned to his place on the sofa and stared at the latest screen that he had up. Bobby hit "home", cracked his knuckles, and prepared to start over.
He decided to keep it simple this time, and eventually he sat back, staring at the web-site his key word search had lead him to. An animated skeletal hand beckoned to him with one finger, inviting him to enter the site of the "Necromancers' Guild".
XXX
It was early evening when a hand gently shook Dean's shoulder and a voice which was becoming familiar called on him to wake. Dean's eyes gradually opened in response, and he smiled when he saw his uncle's face peering at him. With a lifetime of memories wiped clean, his uncle was now becoming the only constant and recognisable thing in Dean's world.
"Hi."
Martinson smiled.
"Hello yourself, young man. Your doctor is on his way to see both of us. He has your test results. Shall I help you to sit up a little more?"
Dean scanned the doctor's face carefully when he first came into the room, looking for any signs that the news was bad. He tried not to let his hopes raise too much when the man smiled as he greeted Dean and his uncle. Dean watched his uncle who had stood to greet the doctor, and noted his neutral expression. The doctor sat himself down at the bottom of Dean's bed.
"Right Dean, I have good news for you. Neither the EEG nor the MRI detected anything abnormal at all. Both tests came back perfectly clear. Obviously, that does mean that we haven't identified any physiological reason for your amnesia."
Dean frowned slightly, not quite certain whether that was good news, or not.
"So...what now Doc? Is my memory ever going to come back?"
The doctor patted Dean's leg.
"Well. I would say that, because you don't have any brain trauma, there isn't any physical reason why it shouldn't. Our hope is that over time, and especially once you are home surrounded by familiar things and people, things will begin to trigger memories until you, finally, have full recall."
"Over time?"
"I know, it sounds vague and I'm sorry I can't be more specific. If it helps, there are cases similar to yours where, once the person goes home, something triggers and the whole of their lost memories return all at once."
Dean and Martinson glanced at each other briefly.
"So…in that case...how soon can I go home?"
The doctor grinned broadly.
"For some reason, I thought that might be your next question. Let's see...The bruising and swelling to your face will, eventually, heal of it's own accord. You will need to have those stitches removed in a couple of weeks, but you don't need to have that done in hospital. The bruising to your torso will also disappear over time. We did have some concerns about potential fractured ribs, that said, we don't wrap them anymore. It's not considered helpful and can restrict your breathing to the point whereby you may go on to develop secondary respiratory problems. So, fractured or not, there's no real treatment other than pain control. We re-aligned your dislocated jaw whilst you were in theatre. The major issue is the abdominal damage. Any abdominal surgery is regarded as major surgery Dean. You have to remember, we've had to slice through your stomach muscles in order to find and deal with the bleed site. Because of that, we generally like to keep patients in for around five days. That is, assuming no other problems develop. Even if things go on just fine, what you are able to do for yourself is going to be very restricted for the next three months. So, for example, you won't be allowed to lift anything more than the equivalent weight to a cup of coffee for five days, after which you can start to slowly build up your tolerances over the next twelve weeks. Seriously Dean. Don't think you're going to be walking out of here even when you are discharged. Just you wait until you have to cough or sneeze, then you'll understand why! Obviously, the other thing we need to do is ensure that you don't develop any infections in your wound sites. Oh, and we'd need to see you eating without vomiting, and to be certain that your, er…..eliminations are ok. I am also having the Morphine pump disconnected later and I'll be prescribing it in tablet form. Finally, just to really cheer you up, the local police would like to speak to you. I've told the Sheriff that you are suffering total amnesia, but they'd still appreciate seeing you. I've arranged for them to be here tomorrow morning. Ok?"
Dean gave a long sigh before looking at the doctor with pleading eyes.
"Please….is there any way I can get outta here sooner? "
Martinson grasped Dean's hand.
"Dean, the doctor knows best, you and I can talk about this later.
XXX
Weary and worn out, needing Sam's help but not wanting to wake him just yet, Bobby had crawled onto the bed and lay on top of the bedding next to Sam, allowing himself a couple of hours sleep. When he woke, Sam was still out of it. Bobby let the younger man sleep on whilst he made coffee, then taking a cup over to Sam, he nudged the boy awake.
"Sammy? C'mon, rise and shine, coffee's ready and I'm gonna order room service."
Having booked just himself into the hotel, Bobby had then sneaked Sam into the room. That made it necessary for Sam to stay out of sight in the bathroom whilst the food and drinks Bobby had ordered was delivered. He waited until Bobby rapped on the door, giving him the all clear, before coming out of hiding. Once the pair were settled, Bobby logged back onto the guild site, turning the laptop so that Sam could see the screen.
"I need a hand accessing this site. It'll only let me get so far, then after that it's registered members only; but you can't register on line anywhere, you have to request permission to attend one of their meetings, and that means being able to pass yourself off as a Necromancer."
Sam stared at the title on the webb page Bobby brought up.
"What the f…? This's gotta be a joke, right?"
Bobby shook his head.
"Nope, no joke. There seems to be two separate layers to the site. There's the public pages, all well and good. But behind that? That's where I'm guessin' things get more interestin' to the likes of you and me. I couldn't hack my way into the system. Wondered if you'd give it a go?"
"Sure. Any idea what you're looking for?"
XXX
Dean thumped his head back against his pillow in frustration.
"Five freakin' days? Shit!"
Martinson removed his glasses and looked at Dean consideringly.
"What? Why're you lookin' at me like that?"
"Do you trust me Dean?"
Dean was surprised by the question.
"Of course I do. You're the only person I trust. Why?"
Martinson leaned closer to Dean.
"How would you feel about sneaking out of here tonight?"
Dean stared at his uncle with even greater surprise.
"You…..you'd help me do that?"
"I think the sooner I get you home, the better. I can arrange for a private nursing team to take care of you. You can lay in bed just as easily at home as you can here. I already have my staff close by ready to take us away from here. What do you say son?"
Dean grinned.
"Hell yes!"
"That's my boy. I will leave you for now but I will be back just after midnight. I am so looking forward to getting you home, where I can take care of you properly."
Dean shook his head in amazement.
"Is this wicked side normal for you? 'Cos I'd never have guessed it!"
Martinson stood and looked down at Dean.
"Oh yes. There is a lot you don't know about me Dean, but I am certain it will all come back to you very soon."
Martinson was delighted as he left Dean. The fool being so compliant made things so much easier, he wouldn't need to bother incapacitating him now that Dean was a willing participant. As he made his way back to the relative's room, Martinson replayed the conversation with Dean, chuckling at how completely Dean had believed the crap about being cared for at home. Oh yes. He would be taken care of alright, very much so! Martinson licked his lips. By this time tomorrow night he himself would be fully immortal, invincible; and what was left of Dean Winchester would be dead.
XXX
Bobby paced the room whilst Sam continued to look for a way in to the private area of the guild site. Sam looked up at him.
"That pacing? Not helpful Bobby. Isn't there someone you could call on who might know something?"
Bobby stopped in mid stride.
"Actually, that's not a bad idea! Not just a pretty face, are you? You ok if I go out for a bit?"
Sam tilted his head, looking curiously at Bobby.
"Yeah, sure. Mind sharing what you're up to old man?"
"Like you said, there's a call I think it might help to make. As well as that, I figure if we're getting' Dean out of the hospital tonight, there's stuff we're gonna need to have ready. Reckon I'm going shoppin', kinda anyway. Turn your cell on, only answer if it's me. Keep at it with that web site. You're looking for any info on ways to protect against, or at least counter, Necromancy spells."
Grabbing his jacket, Bobby headed toward the door, stopping again before he left.
"Oh….an' if it happens to give us any other ways to kill one of them bastards, that'd be good too! I'll be back way before then, but what say we aim to be at the hospital around midnight ready to get your brother out. That's normally when the wards are quietest. Ok?"
Sam nodded.
"Midnight. Fine by me. Don't get caught up in any trouble while you're out. Call me once you're on your way back and, don't be late, or I'll be goin' to get Dean without you!"
Bobby smiled broadly.
"Stop yer fussin' boy. Just you think on the fact that we'll soon have your brother snatched from under fake uncle's nose, and safely back at my place."
xxxxxxxxXXXxxxxxxxx
A.N. Just so you know, there is a genuine web site for "The Necromancer's Guild"! Came across it when I was doing some background research for "The Way of the Dead".
Reviews help get the final chapter written quicker ;P
Chick xx