WARNING: Actually, zero spoilers in this one. ;)

Author's Note: This is for mb64 who requested a drabble using both the word "uneasy" and the word "sunrise". This one takes place pre-series, around the time Dean is 8 and Sam is 4. I want to thank GuestJ, AJTish, Zana Zira, LeeMarieJack, jojospn, reannablue, judyann, Lewlou15, mb64, and TG for their recent reviews and support. And thanks to every reader! :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.


Dean sat on the end of the twin bed staring at the motel's window. The shades were drawn shut, but the grey-blue light of the approaching morning was slowly becoming more visible.

At this early hour the boy should have been fast asleep, tucked safely in bed alongside his little brother. But the uneasy feeling in his stomach had kept him from a peaceful slumber. In fact, the child hadn't slept the entire night.

He had been on guard through the dark hours, shotgun always within arm's reach.

He had even grabbed it more than once when hearing a noise outside. The horn of a passing truck on the highway, a drunken man stumbling past their door around 2 AM, and a motorcycle backfiring had all raised alarms in the boy's mind, leading him to raise the weapon as well- ready to defend his sleeping sibling at all costs.

After all, that was his job now more than ever before.

When John had left the previous day he made it quite clear that protecting Sammy was top priority. As if Dean had actually needed reminding that his brother should be looked after…

Still, Dean wouldn't belittle those instructions because this was not like most times when Dean had watched over the child.

This wasn't a time when Dean would hold Sammy's hand as they walked through a crowded shopping center, or a time when Dean would keep the kid entertained for a couple hours while their father left to attend to his work.

For the first time in all of Dean's life, he was alone and responsible for Sam all through the night as well.

John had left them, telling Dean he wouldn't be back until the following morning. At least twenty four hours of absence, but Dean was old enough now that his father trusted him to "man the fort", as the adult had phrased it before walking out the door.

Yet Dean was not a man.

He was a boy of only eight years, but he bore his duty of guarding the small sleeping figure curled on the bed behind him with all the determination of a dedicated warrior, waiting out the night on full alert.

Now as the first light of a sunrise crept across his world, peeking through the gap in the curtains and bringing with it a sense of comfort, Dean breathed a sigh of relief.

He had made it through the night with Sammy safe the whole time, and though he had a foreboding feeling that nights like these would become more common for him, he now had a little more faith in himself that he could handle this new part of his job.

Dean stifled a yawn and hoped his father would be proud.


Secondary Author's Note: Thanks for reading! This was designed to try and show young Dean from a (hopefully) more realistic perspective. In other words, I wanted to show that for all his determination to take care of Sammy, he would probably have initially been a bit scared by having such a big responsibility all alone at night. At any rate, please do feel free to leave feedback or requests. Both are very welcome! :D

Special Note For GuestJ: I got your review to "Tried To Do What's Right", and first off, thank you so much! :) Also, I made a note of your request. I can make no promises about when I'll write it, since I'm off Spring Break and back to school soon. :P However, it is on my list and eventually I will get to it. lol I definitely like the prompt! ;)