Stepping into the line of fire
Chapter 25
It was not the sounds of birds that woke the troop up that morning.
John wanted an early start and he started the day banging a wooden spoon against a worn-out pan.
It had a better effect than a "reveille"! all at once the hunters emerged from their tents. Bleary eyed and not a little pissed off.
"What the hell' John!" bellowed Bobby. "you scared the shit outa me'!"
"What's up dad?" Sam chorused more politely but with the same degree of indignance in his tone.
Dean and Angela just lay in their tent filled with panic and agitation. Dean turned to his honey and told her to keep quiet by putting a finger against his mouth. He made his way out quickly.
"Is everything good sir?" he questioned tentatively.
John stared at the assembly and just ordered them to get at it and sort breakfast. He then casually made his way to the washing area. This allowed Dean to pop back into the tent and tell Angela to leg it back to hers. This she did immediately. Sam and Bobby had clocked the move but said nothing. Sam did not ever want to rat on his brother and Bobby wanted to keep out of family disagreements. He knew from experience that they never bore well for his beloved boys. Dean smiled gratefully at the both of them and started to make his way to the supplies. Hid dad did not seem in a good mood and a good breakfast might help soften his ol' man. He got hold of some sausages and beans and got to work on the fire. Meanwhile Angela had got herself quickly washed…thank god for wipes! and dressed. She emerged from her tent looking far better than a person should after so little sleep. Dean grinned at her appreciatively and beckoned her forward.
"That was a close call honey!"
"I know. I almost wet myself."
"I'm glad you didn't" Dean quipped giving her a hug. "That tent is bad enough without the smell of piss haunting it!" Angela groaned but understood that there was no malice behind the quip.
When John re-emerged from wherever he had gone, breakfast was on its way and the rest of the party was waiting, sitting around the fire.
"Good. I'm glad we're sorted. Thanks Dean for sorting' out the chow." John announced cheerfully.
They all looked at him as if he had deeply offended them but said nothing. All in all, the ex-marine was probably right. They could not afford to lose any daylight. The hunters ate heartily, as the meal tasted nice. It would fill them up until lunch and they needed all the energy they could get. Angela and Sam started the washing up and Dean went off to wash. Bobby joined him soon after. At six they were ready to track.
"So, John. What next?" asked Bobby. "What's the plan?"
"We move towards those caves. That's south-east. We need to keep a low profile. This is a tracking op not an attack. Remember this." John turned to the rest of his entourage. "We are trying to establish the best place to lay the stones. That's the brief."
"What about if Ugoliant doesn't follow the brief dad?" Sam asked in a smart-alecky way. John frowned but chose to stay calm. It was a good question after all.
"We're taking Nazil and some of the blood son. If he comes for us that will weaken him. I hope he doesn't because he will know our strategy but it will save our asses. Bobby has holy water in his rucksack and Sam…you know the incantations for the spell don't you boy? We'll be just fine."
Sam huffed but agreed. Soon the hunters were on their way. This time John led the way followed by Sam, Dean, Angela and Bobby. The weather had been kind and the sun made the journey more pleasant. It was still difficult to see through the trees but possible, John knew what he was doing. It took about an hour to reach an area that Angela suddenly recognised.
"John" she yelled.
"What?"
"I've seen this before."
"What d' you mean you've seen this before gal'?"
Angela cringed and Dean stepped to her rescue. "Dad, Angela sees things in her dreams." John stopped walking and turned around.
"What d' you mean boy?" at this pivotal point Bobby decided he should intervene.
"Now Look John. Keep calm. I told ya' she came from a long line of psychics." Bobby then turned to Angela. "Tell me Miss…sorry Angela…what did ya' dream about?"
"Bobby, I saw a path leading to a cave hidden by tall beech trees. I tried to enter the cave in my subconscious mind and I did a little. I really hoped to see Ugoliant but I didn't. The only thing I know is that he is there. I felt him. I'm good like that. I feel things." Bobby looked deep into her cornflower eyes and saw sincerity.
"Thank ya' Angela for sharing this intel". Bobby turned to John.
"I told ya' she could help you idjit!"
John nodded and turned to Dean. "Did ya' know this son?"
Dean looked his father in the eye and replied daringly. "Yes sir. I did." There was no point beating around the bush he thought, "last night."
"When?" John asked.
"In the early morning sir." Dean replied valiantly.
John thought for a while and chose to ignore the breach of the rules. "Why did you not tell me son? This is important." Dean gulped and stayed silent. John never stood for that sort of disobedience.
"Dean, report" he ordered. Dean looked at his Ange and then at his father.
"Sir. Ange had a bad dream and came to see me last night. She needed to talk to somebody. I didn't want her in trouble. That's all."
John looked at them both and told everybody to sit down. "We need to talk. We need to get our intel straight. This hunt is beginning to really piss me off".
His authoritative tone made everybody obey. Dean and Angela looked at each other but instead of fear they suddenly experienced incredible strength. They had a secret weapon. Its name was Angela. Could it be more powerful than Nazil? They could see a steely glint in John's eyes. He knew it too.
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