AN: I apologize for missing a few days of posting. Never fear - the story is completely written, so I won't disappear on you entirely. I went on a mini staycation and we didn't have internet (although I was told that we would.) So here are a few more chapters to make up for it. Thank you to everyone who has read so far!
"Wake up." The hissed words barely registered, but the rough shaking that followed woke him up fully. "Noah, come on. Mother will be mad." Leah checked over her shoulder as if the woman would appear out of thin air. Sam shook off the last remnants of sleep and pulled away from the girl who had been annoying him awake. Looking around he'd been hoping for a gas station or a diner, any place with a phone, but all he saw out the window of the van was a field of tall grass. Based on the sun, it appeared to be mid-morning, and Sam felt a bit ashamed that he'd slept through the rest of the trip. Still, the rest must have done him good because his breathing felt much easier this morning.
"Father told us to go to the barn with the other kids." Now that he was moving, Leah seemed less worried and more excited. He could tell she wanted to run ahead, but she patiently waited for him. Despite sleeping in the back of the vehicle, he wasn't stiff or sore. Benefits of a child's body, Sam supposed. Yawning, he climbed out of the van and stretched. The air was cool and crisp with the smell of baking bread reminding him that he was hungry again. But first, one thing was paramount - he badly needed to pee.
"I, uh, I've got to use the bathroom," he confessed, strangely embarrassed to say as much to a little girl. Leah just shook her head fondly and grabbed his hand.
"I'll show you." Together they made their way around the van towards several buildings. One was a large farmhouse. It was almost cliche in how much it looked exactly as that sort of home should. From the white wooden siding to the wide wrap around porch, to the dog asleep next to the steps, it was idyllic. There was an undeniable Rockwellian vibe to the house, but Leah was skipping beside him towards a modest sized barn instead. This structure was painted red, but it was a much more modern building when compared to the house. Made of corrugated metal, it seemed incongruous to the rest of what he had seen.
Just inside the barn, Leah pushed him towards a door clearly marked as a bathroom. After he'd used the facilities, washed his hands and straightened his clothes, he rejoined the girl. Through a door there was what looked like a school. Instead of stalls or pens, the inner room of the barn had a series of tables set up in rows facing a blackboard. More surprising than the set up was the number of children in the room. Sam guessed that there had to be almost 30 kids ranging in age from about 15 to several toddlers. Some were playing, some were running around and a lot of them were chatting in small bunches. Three girls separated themselves from the throng and rushed over.
"Leah!" the blonde one exclaimed before hugging Noah's sister. The other two took turns until Leah was well hugged.
"Noah, you remember, Abigail," the blonde giggled at him. "Miriam," the brunette just blinked in his direction as she chewed the end of her long braid. "And Priscilla." The redhead gave him an assessing look then whispered something in Abigail's ear that made both girls burst out in giggles. Sam felt himself blush. He'd never been that great with kids, even when he had been one himself and he felt awkward and stupid in this child body. However, they didn't seem to need any kind of response which was good because of course Sam had never met these girls before.
"We thought you'd never get here," whined Miriam as she grabbed Leah's hand and began to drag her away. With a quick wave Leah left him to join her friends. Sam put his back to the wall and tried to think. This was the first time he had been left to his own devices since he woke up in the hospital in Noah's body. Now was the time to slip away and find a phone. He'd been gone for almost a day at this point and Dean must be frantic with worry.
The last time he'd seen his brother, Dean had been really beat up, with at least a few broken bones and a likely concussion. The thought that Michael had made good on his threat and killed Dean crossed his mind, making him queasy and Sam rejected it immediately. Dean couldn't be dead, he just couldn't. No, Sam refused to even entertain the idea. Right now, Dean, Cas and Jack, maybe even Mom were probably crowded around the library, making a mess of his stacks and doing their absolute best to track his sorry ass down.
Sliding along the wall, he snuck back out the door. Outside it was easier to think clearly and shake off his fears and worries about his family. Making his way stealthily, Sam figured his best shot at finding a phone was in the house. Circling around the back, he avoided the busy kitchen and eased himself in through an open window. The room he found himself in was set up as a study with a solid wooden desk, a myriad of bookshelves and a set of stern looking wooden chairs. Adorning the walls were a variety of frames holding needlepoint works espousing a variety of biblical verses. There was also a large, ornate Bible sitting on the desk. It reminded him strongly of days spent with Pastor Jim in his rectory when Dad dragged Dean off for some hunt. The good man would write his sermon while Sam read anything and everything. Jim was one of the few people who never teased Sam about his love of books.
This room differed from the cozy office where Pastor Jim had worked, in that it was relatively austere. Other than the religious needle works, there were no pictures on the walls, no curtains on the windows and no rug to warm the floor. Even the desk chair was a hard, oak straight-backed version that looked uncomfortable. Disappointingly, there was no phone on the desk. Being careful to stay silent, Sam went to the partially opened door. Down the short hallway, Sam could hear several male voices, including that of Abraham. The man's cadence was distinctive, and Sam took a moment to listen.
"Damaris is a good and pious woman, Simon," Abraham said with a tinge of reproach in his tone.
"That may be true Abraham, but she has only given you two children. Perhaps it is time to set her aside and take on a younger wife. One with whom you can grow your flock." The comment was given in polite words, but Sam recognized the insult anyway.
"God has chosen to bless me with few children, Simon, but perhaps quality is more meaningful to the Lord than quantity." Sam could hear rustling and low angry murmurs until a third, voice cut in.
"Gentlemen. God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God. Let us not question His wisdom." There was a ring of command in the older man's voice and the muttering died down. It sounded like this speaker was the leader of this gathering. "Abraham, why don't you tell us of the miracle you say delayed your arrival."
"Of course, thank you Enoch. We were travelling here when my son Noah became sick." Sam wanted to linger and listen to Abraham's story. Maybe there was some clue as to how he ended up stuck in the kid's body, but he didn't have time. With so many people around, it was a wonder that he hadn't been missed already. Edging down the hallway, Sam kept his eyes and ears open. He was rewarded when he finally saw a phone. It was on a small table very near the entrance to the living room where the men were congregating. Moving as quietly as possible, Sam was able to reach the cord and slowly drag the phone towards him. Once he could grab it, he carried it into the nearby closet. The small space was filled with woolen coats.
Sam was settled uncomfortably on several pairs of boots, the heavy smell of lanolin and mildew thick in the small space. Quickly he dialed Dean's number. Eventually it went to voicemail which heightened Sam's worry over his brother. Trying not to think the worst, he left a message.
"Dean, it's Sam. I'm okay, but I'm in somebody else's body again, so the person next to you isn't me." How screwed up were their lives that not only did that sentence make sense, but it was the second time this had happened. "I woke up in Idaho, but I'm not sure where I am now." Frustrated, he hung up and dialed again, trying Dean's second and third phones, only to get the same result. Just as he was about to try Cas' cell, the closet door swung open, and Noah's mother glowered down at him.
"Just what do you think you are doing young man?" Her blue eyes were snapping as she snatched the phone out of his lap with one hand and yanked him out of the closet by the collar with the other. With a shove, she forced him into the living room in front of her. Sam stumbled but managed to keep his footing and not fall on his face. All conversation stopped at their arrival and self consciously Sam straightened and smoothed his twisted shirt.
"Enoch, my apologies for the interruption." Damaris practically bowed to the oldest man in the room. As he'd been trained, Sam did a rapid assessment of his potential adversaries. Not counting the woman looming behind him, there were 10 people in the room staring at Sam. Three were teenagers who had looked somewhat bored until Sam's unexpected arrival. They were smirking at him, openly happy to see him in trouble and eager to witness what would happen next. Three of the men looked to be in their early twenties. Abraham was standing with two others who seemed to be around his age. Funny, since Sam doubted that Abraham and his friends were much older than him. Seated in a large chair was the eldest of the group. This was the person Damaris addressed. Enoch looked to be in his early sixties. He had shoulder length hair and a beard like Abraham and the others, but his whiskers were luxuriously long and streaked with grey.
"Of course, Damaris," he responded politely "How can we help you?" Behind him he could feel Noah's mother shuffle her feet, nervous with the sudden attention. Her hand was like a pincer on his shoulder, and he was reasonably sure he was going to have a bruise from how tightly she was gripping him.
"I uh…, was just hoping to speak with my husband if it's not too much trouble?" Even with his back to her, Sam could sense her discomfort. It was obvious that she would rather go somewhere more private, but Abraham either didn't recognize her unspoken want, or chose to ignore it.
"What is it?" Abraham asked impatiently. Everyone was staring at them, and Damaris fidgeted indecisively then nudged Sam a little further away from herself, literally distancing herself from his supposed crime.
"Noah was in the hall closet with a telephone!" She blurted the accusation as if she were afraid that she would be blamed for his transgression. "He was told to be in the barn with the other children." Now that she had let go of his shoulder, Sam almost wished she hadn't. He felt very exposed standing in front of these dour looking men. Abraham frowned.
"Noah, explain yourself," he ordered. For a split-second Sam felt like he had as a child when Dad would want a detailed report after a hunt. Abraham was severe, but he had nothing on John Winchester who had intimidation down to an art form. Sam might withhold certain details from his father, but he would never lie. However, he had decades of experience lying to everyone else and no compunction about being deceitful in this circumstance.
"I was going to make a prank call." Sam hoped he had schooled Noah's face into something that looked contrite. Rather than Abraham, it was Enoch who spoke next.
"Thank you, Damaris, you may return to the kitchen." The woman swiftly retreated from the room. Once she was gone, Enoch turned his attention to Sam.
"Did you think it would be funny to bother some poor soul with an unwanted telephone call?" Nodding seemed to be the best course of action and Enoch smiled at him kindly. "And how did you learn about making prank calls?" The question was a trap, and Sam knew it. He had no idea how much exposure Noah would have had to popular culture, but he knew whatever answer he provided would look bad on Abraham.
"I saw it on TV," he stammered, hoping that he wasn't stepping into a bigger problem.
"I see," said Enoch, whose smile turned thin. "Abraham, how is it that your son, the one you just finished telling us was evidence of God's favour, was watching secular television?" Now, it was Abraham's turn to look discomfited.
"I'm not sure, Enoch. But it certainly isn't something I allow." Abraham was practically scowling at Sam. Enoch drew out the moment, looking around to include all the men in the conversation.
"The Bible says, 'He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive.'" The men all murmured agreement and Enoch turned back to Noah's father. "So perhaps you are not managing your household as well as you think, Abraham?" Although Abraham didn't respond, the part of his face that was not hidden by whiskers turned red with shame and anger. "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him," Enoch continued. Sam recognized the quote from Proverbs and a flutter of apprehension ran through his small body.
"Yes Enoch," Abraham was able to choke out. Enoch smiled benevolently while some of the other men smirked behind his back. Crooking a finger at the spectators, Enoch called one forward. "You may use my shed to discipline your child. Simon will show it to you." Abraham grabbed Sam's arm so tightly it felt like the bones were being ground together, but he obediently followed Simon out the door. Once they were in the hallway, Simon didn't bother to hide his glee as they left the house.
"Your pride has brought you low, Abraham," the other man said spitefully as Abraham practically dragged Sam across a scrubby patch of lawn towards a small outbuilding. When they reached their destination, he made another snide comment. "I'd be happy to teach your boy how to obey his elders for you?" There was a dark promise in that question that made Sam wonder exactly what type of people he had ended up with. When Abraham paused, real fear froze Sam for a second.
"No, thank you Simon." The creepy guy looked disappointed for a moment. "Remember Simon, 'The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.'" With that he turned his back on the other man, pulled Sam into the small shed and shut the door behind them.
Sam wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but this place seemed benign. He saw a low bench by the door, a few buckets in the far corner, a well-used broom, and several crosses hung on the wall. The only disturbing item was a leather strap hung on a peg by the small window. Abraham sat heavily on the bench, releasing his iron grip on Sam's arm.
"Why would you disgrace me like this?" He didn't wait for a reply, but continued his rant, getting more agitated as he talked. "I have trained you in our ways, taught you God's holy word and yet you chose to defile yourself with secular garbage. I am ashamed of you, Noah." There was a short knock on the door before it opened to reveal Damaris and Leah.
Noah's sister looked sick with fear. Her mother had her by the back of her shirt collar and practically shook her like a scruffed dog. Closing the door, Damaris tossed Leah at Noah's feet, then stood blocking the exit, a formidable guard. Leah looked up at him teary eyed, and Sam felt his heart break a little. There was only so much he could do to protect her from the two angry adults, but he would do what he could. With venom in her voice, Damaris pointed a finger at them.
"You, Noah, know better than to behave so scandalously, especially here in Enoch's home. And you Leah, why didn't you stop your brother? You're just as guilty as he is since as soon as you saw that he was gone, you should have come and told me. How are we to betroth you to one of Enoch's grandsons if you act like godless heathens?"
'Betroth' thought Sam in shock. The girl was only eight for heaven's sake. Now he felt even more protective over the poor child. What kind of parents would even consider such a thing?
"It wasn't Leah's fault. She didn't know that I'd left the barn," Sam tried to explain when Abraham's blow caught him by surprise. Sam stepped in front of Leah even as his face stung from the open-handed hit. He would do whatever he could to shield the girl.
"Silence!" roared Abraham. "I will not tolerate disrespect from my children." Striding across the small room, he dumped the contents of one of the buckets over the floor. Rough gravel spilled out, covering much of the area. "Now kneel!" Sam was puzzled, but this appeared to be familiar punishment to Leah, because she scrambled to obey. Kneeling gingerly on the gravel, she kept her back ramrod straight and held out her hands in front of her. Abraham pulled one of the wooden crosses from the wall and pressed it into her palm. She shot Sam an imploring glance, before holding the cross up at shoulder height, elbows locked.
"I told you to kneel, boy," Abraham ground out from behind his clenched teeth. Reluctantly, Sam copied Leah, getting on his knees on the sharp rocks. The gravel bit into his skin, even through his pants, but he ignored the discomfort. Abraham shoved a cross into his hands too. "Arms up straight. Now you are to stay here in this position until I tell you to stop. Do not lower your arms or sit back on your legs. And don't leave this shed or you will be very, very sorry." The growled threat was enough to make Leah sob, but Sam bit his tongue over the injustice of the physical abuse. The adults turned to leave, but not before Abraham gave them one more admonishment.
"Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.' Take this time to consider your sins and repent." When the door slammed behind them, Sam strained to hear if they had moved away from the building. He was more or less certain that they had, but he couldn't be sure, so he stayed in the uncomfortable position for a while yet. Beside him, Leah shrugged her shoulder to wipe her tears on her shirt.
"Look, I'm really sorry. I had no idea that you would get punished too." Sam apologized, for whatever good it would do.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going?" she said reproachfully. "You know that if you get in trouble, then I get in trouble too." The truth was that Sam had never even thought about it. Slipping away unnoticed was like second nature and he'd been so eager to find a phone that he didn't consider the consequences for the girl if he got caught. It never occurred to him that she would be made to pay the price.
"Well, you shouldn't be. It's not your fault and you couldn't have stopped me anyway." Sam resolved that when he was able to reach Dean, that he would do what he could get her away from these people. Who knows what they would do to her if he just disappeared? She sniffled in response.
"What did you do?" she asked.
"I just wanted to make a phone call." Said out loud, it sounded like such a small thing to be punished for, but Leah gasped in amazement.
"Who would you even talk to?" For that, Sam had no answer. He still had very little idea about Noah's life, who he might know, or what his past experiences might be. His own childhood would be called unconventional at best and crazy at worst, but at least he had Dad and Dean who loved him. This family lived a strange life and there didn't seem to be much love or affection. After all, they were about to arrange a marriage for an eight-year-old.
"It doesn't matter." He'd have to come up with a new plan on how to reach Dean or Cas, but right now his thoughts were drawn back to the little girl next to him. "Did you know that they were going to uh, betroth you to someone?" Surely, she wasn't okay with this, although she was so young, she might not fully understand what that might mean for her future. She shrugged.
"Yeah, I guess. I heard Mother talking to one of the other women. She said that if I was promised to Enoch's grandson David, then our families would be tied together. It seemed important. The other lady said that it was an honour to be given to David, but that she wouldn't want to be me in four or five years." The girl was honestly puzzled, but Sam found it sickening, especially that last part. Bartering children like possessions...gross.
"Leah," he began gently. "You don't belong to anyone. You can grow up and be anything you want. You don't have to marry David or anyone if you don't want to."
"That's not what Mother and Father say." This conversation was far too profound for a child of her age, and Sam knew it, but he couldn't let it go. Dropping his arms, he reached out to put a hand on her delicate shoulder.
"I know it doesn't seem like it, but no one, not even your parents, get to tell you what to do. Only you can decide who you are and what you want to be." Although he meant what he said, judging by the squint of confusion on Leah's face, Sam could only hope that she would file that away until she was old enough to make sense of it. She sniffed, and then out of the blue let out a hiccup that startled them both into laughter. Slowly with a worried glance at the door, she lowered her arms too.
"Thanks, Noah," she sighed when the giggles stopped. Sam tugged lightly on one of her braids and smiled at her. A noise from outside had them both lurching back into their previous position. Sam could see the girl's arms were starting to shake. If he had his usual body, this test of endurance would have been far easier, but in this one, he could feel the ache begin in his back and shoulders. As it was, he was hungry, his face and knees hurt, and his arms were on their way to feeling like spaghetti. He had to come up with a new plan, one that wouldn't put Leah at risk a second time.