Salvation
1x21
A Year Ago
John sat immobile in front of the laptop. A soft glow illuminated his tired face. He had been waiting for the email all day, and now that it was here, he could hardly believe it. A hunter in California had been checking out some cattle mutilations for him, and here were his findings.
It fits.
John could hardly breathe. It all fits. It's a pattern. Finally.
It was it, the thing, the monster.. It had to be. He wasn't sure when it happened in Arizona, and had more of an inkling from the incident in New Jersey, but this time, after the latest fire in California, it had to be it. He had to go check it out. Needed to see for himself if there was anything left after the one in California. It was the closest site after all. He glanced across the motel room, and found Dean sprawled over one of the beds, snoring lightly.
John found himself torn. Should he wake his son? Explain that he had finally found a trail? Dean would want in on this. Want to help find the thing that killed Mary. John's stomach lurched, as it always did when he thought of Mary. It had been over two decades and he never felt any differently. His entire world ended that night in November 1983, and he was finally on track to enact vengeance for all he lost. He couldn't do it if he was worried about Dean getting hurt. This thing, demon possibly, whatever it was, would stop at nothing. It had already proved how dangerous it was. No. He wouldn't bring Dean into this if he could avoid it. The kid had already lost enough.
John's thoughts turned to Sam. At least he was safe. He looked happy the last time John had swung by Stanford. Happy in a way that John had never seen. It hurt John that they had parted on such bad terms, and so much time had passed now, it seemed like opening old wounds to pick up the phone and call him. He wouldn't want any part of this hunt anyway. Might as well not tell him anything, not until it was all over.
John's skin itched. He needed to get to get to California as soon as possible, but how to do so without making Dean suspicious?
He flicked through his journal, and landed on a couple of notes he made concerning what sounded like a spirit in Jericho. Bingo. California. That sounded like it would work. He needed another case, something on the other side of the country preferably, something that Dean could do. Something simple. Something that would keep him out of the way until John was in the wind.
He scoured the internet, and within the hour had something that he thought would hook Dean. Hoodoo. New Orleans.
Perfect.
It was 7 a.m. John packed his bag, slipping his journal into his front pocket.
"Dean."
Dean's eyes snapped open instantly. John watched his son's hand move reflexively under his pillow, knowing that Dean's hand had closed on his pistol.
"Dean. It's fine." John said, softly. "Just new cases."
Dean relaxed, and sat up, yawning. "Cases? As in plural?"
John nodded. "Yeah, they both need looking at. That is, if you're up for it?"
John felt a small, old, stab of guilt when Dean's eyes lit up. Dean crossed the room, and sat easily into the chair opposite John, who handed him the few meagre notes he had made about the possible case in Louisiana. Dean read silently, as John poured two cups of coffee, placing one in front of Dean.
"Seems straight forward." Dean was frowning. "You're not coming?"
"I have to go check out this one in Jericho, California." Lying to his children was nothing new to John. Didn't mean he liked it. Necessary though. "I'm leaving now."
"Now? Why?" asked Dean, surprised. He took a sip of coffee. "Are you taking the car?"
"No. You are." John smiled. Dean loved that car, and now seemed as good a time as any to give it to him.
Dean placed his coffee cup heavily back onto the table. "Seriously?" He was incredulous.
"As long as you take care of it."
Dean narrowed his eyes. "Why? You love that car."
"So do you. And I'm going to California, you're going to Louisiana. One of us is gonna have to acquire a car. Might as well be me. Consider it a gift." John said nonchalantly.
Dean was silent. He's suspicious, John thought. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys. He slid them across the table.
"Seriously, Dean. Take it."
Dean looked at the keys, and then his gaze landed on John. "You'd tell me if there was something up?"
John cleared his throat. "Yes. Go to Louisiana, Dean."
They sat in silence for a few moments, before John stood up. He picked up his bag, and turned to his son. "I'll call you when I finish up in Cali."
Dean also stood. "Be careful, Dad."
"Always am, son. Always am." John smiled as he left, throwing a little wave at his oldest child, who stood alone in the motel room.
I'm coming for you, you evil son of a bitch. You're gonna wish for death by the time I'm done with you.
John shouldered his bag, and walked out of the almost deserted parking lot.
He had work to do.