Chapter 18

"I think you really should have taken the backseat." Sam said in an annoyed tone glancing at Dean who was slouching in the passenger seat with a blank face though his eyes were filled with myriad emotions. Dean could try all he wanted but Sam knew he was in pain and also furious.

Dean could never hide anything from him. Sam could see right through him but why Dean still try was beyond him. He was too not in pain but definitely furious. They had argued about the seating arrangement for about five minutes and at last Sam had decided that apparently arguing with Dean was like talking to a brick wall. You just can't win.

Dean would have been far more comfortable in the back as he would have more room to lie on which would have taken some pressure off his sprained ankle and injured shoulder. But no sir ! According to Dean backseat was for kids. So Sam was partially angry at his brother for once again not listening to him and partially angry at the kids. Even though he could understand the reason behind what Collin and Ryan did but it didn't change the fact that anything could have happened today. Considering the Winchesters' luck it could have easily be something worse. They had been damn lucky.

"And I think you should just shut up and drive." Dean retorted. He was in pain though he would never admit it loud. And he was angry as hell. Today could have been far more worse. Anything could have happened to Ryan. And again he was thinking the same thing , 'Are they even equipped to handle two kids ?' Not any kids but the kids who have been so badly abused in the past that they seemed unable to trust any adult besides eachother.

Collin could feel the tension that hung thick in the air. They had been driving for over an hour. This was the most Sam and Dean had spoken to eachother during the entire drive. They were both looking pissed and Collin was afraid to even breath loudly in fear of breaking the silence even the uncomfortable one that had once again settled in the car. He looked at his brother who was asleep with his head resting on the window. He was once again indebted to the Winchesters. If Dean hadn't found Ryan when he did. Collin didn't know what he would have done without his brother. He reached across the seat and ran his fingers through the silky strands of Ryan's hair and pushed them gently away from his face and tucking them behind his ear. The kid needed a haircut. He thought absently while looking at the passing scenery.

DWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSW

Sometime later in the afternoon Ryan woke up. He had fallen asleep soon after they started driving. He noticed that they were still on the road. Collin was dozing with his head resting back on the seat with his mouth open. He and his brother both had been exhausted from today's events.

He was still feeling a lot guilty. He glanced at Dean. He couldn't see much from his position on the backside and he sighed. He looked out the window and sighed again when there wasn't much to see outside except the long never-ending highway. He was starving. He hadn't eaten anything since dinner yesterday. He was feeling really afraid of the Winchesters right now because both of them were looking really angry. And they were all in this mess because of him so he decided to shut his mouth. He didn't deserve to eat. He had made his brother and Sam worried and he had gotten Dean hurt.

But his stupid stomach had other ideas and it grumbled loudly.

"You hungry ?". Dean asked turning in his seat and then immediately regretting the movement when it pulled at the stitches on his shoulder and his ankle. But he quickly schooled his expressions somewhat back to normal when he noticed Sam glaring at him. Maybe backseat would have been better.

Was it a trick question ? If he said 'yes'. Would Dean and Sam taunt him to even think about food after what he had done ? And if he said no that would mean lying. Which was always worst. So what should he do ?. But Dean was looking at him expecting an answer and now Sam too.

"I dunno. I guess ?" He mumbled freaking out a little.

Sam sighed. Dean pinched his nose and breathed deeply. For a moment neither of them said anything to Ryan. The kid was afraid. He always was no matter what. And neither of the Winchesters were in a state to put him at ease. They were far too bad in a mood for that.

"I am sorry. I am not hungry. My stomach is just stupid." Ryan said in a rush. Ofcourse they wouldn't give him food after what he had done. He knew that the Winchesters were nice but he had made a really big mistake. He would definitely be punished. They looked angry too. It was just a matter of time before they made a stop and took out their belts. He shuddered at the thought.

"Tell you what. As soon as I see a diner or any food joint. We stop and eat. I am hungry too. Okay ?" Sam said softly looking once in the rearview mirror at Ryan and giving him a small smile before directing his attention once again on the road ahead.

Ryan just nodded. He couldn't do anything else.

DWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSW

"Alright kids. What do you want to eat ?" Sam asked as he saw a McDonald about thirty minutes later. He figured they could pick something at the drive through since Dean wasn't in a condition to enter the place without drawing some unwanted attention. What with all the bruises covering his face. Along with his injured shoulder and ankle.

Dean noticed the kids looking at eachother. It wasn't a confused expression on their faces as if they were confused as of what to order. It was again that slightly terrified one that Dean hated. Now it wasn't a math problem that Sam had asked. It was a pretty simple question. He waited a moment for the kids to answer and then another. He glanced at Sam who was also looking at the kids but unlike him his face was all calm. But unfortunately he didn't have as much patience as his brother had.

He knew that the kids would take time to trust them but didn't today's events proved that they could trust them. Atleast a little. Didn't he had the conversation with the kids , alright , it wasn't a conversation more like Dean was yelling at them but whatever. The point was that they were different than all the assholes the kids had met in the past. But whatever they did it seemed there was just no progress. Ryan always looked spooked and Collin while he presented a strong front for Ryan's sake. Dean knew he wasn't better either. It irked Dean that it seemed they were out of options as to how to help the kids.

"Sam , turn the car back onto the road." Dean said shortly. He might hate himself for what he was doing but it would be worth it. He was taking a page from John Winchester's parenting book. And he just hoped it would help.

"Dean ?" Sam was really confused. Did Dean had a concussion ?. They were all hungry. And they were in the drive through of McDonald where they could get food. So why turn back.

"Sam. Do. It." Dean said forcefully. Sam looked at Dean but did as he was told. He didn't know what was wrong but something definitely was bothering his brother. He got an uneasy feeling that he always got when something was bothering Dean and he didn't have a single clue whatsoever.

Sam couldn't help glancing at Dean every five minutes or so in order to get a clue as to what was going in his brother's head. It was another ten minutes on the road that he saw a signboard of Taco Bell. Dean turned towards him and just motioned his head towards the drive through of the food joint without saying anything. Now Sam was a little confused , a little curious and a lot more worried as to what Dean was doing. But again he did as he was told.

"What do you want to eat kids ?" Sam asked finally when it became apparent that no one was going to say a single word.

Dean was looking at the kids from the rearview mirror. He had noticed Sam giving him funny looks but he ignored them. Sam would understand what he was doing on his own. It was just a matter of time. Again when he was met with the same terrified expressions as earlier from the kids. He gritted his teeth and turned towards Sam.

"Lets go." Dean said just the two words. And if Sam had a doubt that Dean had a concussion it was dissolved right then and there. Because his brother had one. Because what the hell. Nobody just drove in a drive through of food joints to just bolt from there without getting anything. Not to mention the fact when they were hungry.

"Dean ?" He asked but his brother shook his head and motioned towards the road. He clenched his jaw tight but did as he was told.

Collin was afraid of the Winchesters in general. And a lot more especially after today's events. Since he had tried to attack them earlier. When in return they were the ones to save his brother once again. But now he was really confused. What was Dean doing ?.

DWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSW

Sam saw a signeboard of Wendy's and this time without waiting for any directions from Dean. He turned towards it. Wendy's was the fourth food place that they were stopping at now. And he hoped that this time they would leave with some food.

"Could we have two burger patties with cheese ? Please ?". Collin stated his order without waiting this time for Dean or Sam to ask him and Ryan. Was he afraid ?. Yes. But more than that he was hungry. He knew his brother was too. Hell even the Winchesters had to be too. Everytime when they took too much time to order in fear and wondering whether they were really given some food or was this some kind of a test in the end of which they would be mocked at and left to starve. Dean had ordered Sam to leave but this time as soon as Collin had seen Wendy's signboard. He hadn't waited just said his order even before Sam had fully parked the car.

Fucking finally. Dean would have pumped his fists in victory if his shoulder hadn't been shot. His lips twitched a little. That's what he wanted. It took sometime but people say its never too late for anything so there ya go. He couldn't help turning in his seat and giving a small but genuine smile to the kids then he turned towards Sam and said ,

"A double bacon cheeseburger for me. Throw in some fries too. Some milkshakes for the kids and a soda for me."

Sam was shocked and beyond impressed. And his brother said he was the one who was perceptive of the two of them. Dean could be a freaking psychologist. So that's what Dean wanted to do. To get the kids to order for themselves. And it took sometime but they did. He looked at his brother and nodded. His own smile showing. His expression conveying that he had gotten now what Dean had been doing. Dean rolled his eyes but Sam knew Dean knew that he got it.

"Ya know they aren't gonna read our minds. Right ?. Go order." Dean grumbled and Sam flipped him off.

"A chocolate milkshake ?" A voice came from the backseat so soft that it was easy to miss. But as experienced hunters the Winchesters didn't miss it.

"You bet." Sam replied reaching out to ruffle Ryan's hair. Ryan flinched but relaxed and gave a nervous smile but a smile nonetheless. Dean just kept looking forward but he was smiling too.

"What about you , Collin ? You want chocolate milkshake too ?" Dean asked.

"Yes sir. If that's okay." Collin replied softly. He didn't understand what had happened but one thing was sure. When travelling with the Winchesters you gotta order quick and without hesitation. And also you aren't punished by taking away your food no matter what you did. You could eat whatever you want and it didn't even matter how much you eat. You would just get encouraging smiles in return instead of taunts that he was so used to. It all seemed surreal but it was true. He would remember that from now on.

"Chocolate it is." Sam said while Dean nodded. They got their food and drinks. And then they parked at a corner to just sit and eat.

DWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSWDWSW

I hope you like it. Please review. I know it has been long.

Try my other story "All We Need Was Dean" and let me know what you think by dropping a review.