Chapter 16

The years seemed to fly by, and Dean turned thirteen on a bitter, cold January day. He graduated from the nineth grade, middle school, that spring. He would be starting high school in the fall and knew that was a big step for him. Molly was moving away this summer to another state, and he was going to miss her. Her mother remarried and her stepfather had gotten a promotion at work, but that meant relocating.

Dean had several growth spurts over the past few years, and he was up past Bobby's shoulders now and had put on weight and muscle. He was quick and agile like an animal of prey and could sneak up on just about anyone, but Bobby. He was still taking karate lessons and played on the baseball team at school.

Bobby had him training harder and was going to start him learning to shoot and throw knives the upcoming summer. Dean was excited about the aspect of that and knew that meant he would be allowed to go on hunts with Bobby soon. He had mastered the exorcism spell and several other rituals and incantations. Bobby was seeing him as hunter waiting to be set free and could not be prouder of him than if he was his true son.

When the weather warmed enough, Dean started getting up early and running before he had to get ready for school. His endurance was getting better and after a few days would add a little more time to his run. Even the baseball coach could tell the improvement in Dean and picked him as one of the star players at the end of the year.

Bobby had started Dean's training with handguns by having him take them apart and put them back together until it was second nature to him. He had Dean cleaning all his guns to be comfortable with various kinds and how to break them down. Bobby showed Dean how to sharpen knives and how to handle them without getting cut. Dean was getting excited about learning to shoot and couldn't wait for summer to get here.

spn

The weather was warm, and a slight breeze blew across the salvage yard a week into summer break. Dean woke early and got up to go run before breakfast. He was excited because Bobby was going to start his weapons training today. He had quickly learned how to break a gun down for cleaning and was more than happy to keep all of Bobby's guns oiled and clean and he learned to sharpen his knifes, machetes, and anything else he could get his hands on.

Now that Dean was older, he got to talk to other hunters that would stop by for Bobby's help or to visit if they were near. He would sit and listen to them talk about hunts and monsters they had encountered. They even let Dean sit in on some hands of poker, even though they were warned by Bobby to not get mad if Dean cleaned them out, which he usually did. He was a card shark and knew when to bet and when to fold. He could read the tells of the other hunters and used that to his advantage. Dean was racking up a nice little sum of money from allowances, being paid when he helped in the garage, doing some yardwork for what few neighbors were nearby, and poker. He was saving to buy a car since it wouldn't be long before he could get his learner's permit.

Dean was eating cereal for breakfast when Bobby came in from the garage.

"Are you ready to start training with a handgun?" Bobby asked Dean as he finished his breakfast.

"Yes!" Dean said excitement in his voice. He got up to rinse his bowl and leave it in the sink.

"Okay, let me get a handgun and we'll go out in the field behind the yard."

Dean waited by the backdoor for Bobby to come back with a handgun and ammo. They headed outside and walked through the stacks of crushed vehicles to the back gate. Bobby led them out into the field and to the far side where an embankment about fifteen feet tall made a good shooting spot. There was a small shelf dug out that Bobby placed empty tin cans for targets.

"Alright Dean, put these in your ears because it's going to be loud," Bobby told him holding out ear plugs. "Now, first rule, don't point a gun at anyone unless you aim to shoot them. Keep it pointed to the ground in case it accidently goes off. Second rule, always assume the gun is loaded." Bobby handed Dean the gun and shook out bullets for him to load it. "Open the cylinder and put the bullets in and close it." Bobby waited for Dean to do as requested and held the gun at his side, keeping it pointed to the ground. "The gun is an extension of your arm. Hold it out and use your left hand under the butt cradling your right. Widen your stance slightly and aim at the can you want to hit. When you're ready, draw in a breath and hold it, then squeeze the trigger, don't jerk it," Bobby explained as he watched Dean do as he said.

Dean looked down the barrel of the gun, sighting a can before taking a breath and pulling the trigger. He jumped slightly with the loud noise and frowned as the bullet struck a few inches from the can.

"Not bad for your first try, why don't you empty the gun and see how you do?"

"Okay," Dean nodded. He aimed again and was determined to hit the can. On his second shot, Dean hit a can and smiled at his accomplishment. Once he got the feel of the gun, Dean hit two more cans before the gun was empty. He took the bullets Bobby offered and emptied the gun to reload it.

"Let me go set the cans back up, keep the gun pointed at the ground." Bobby walked to the embankment and sat the cans back in place once again. He walked back to stand beside Dean and studied him as he prepared to shoot again. This time Dean hit four out of six cans and beamed as he unloaded the spent rounds.

"Now that's good shooting for your first time son. You'll be a crack shot in no time."

"Thanks Bobby," Dean beamed knowing Bobby didn't give out praise unless it was earned.

Bobby let him shoot a few more times and he got better with each shot. He had Dean pick up the empty casings before they headed back to the salvage yard.

"After you clean the gun, we'll see how you are at throwing knives."

"Great! I'll have the revolver cleaned in no time." Dean got out the cleaning kit and sat at the kitchen table and began to disassemble the gun and cleaned it before putting it back together.

"Since you seem comfortable with that revolver, that can be your first gun," Bobby told him as he watched him finish.

"Really! Thanks," Dean exclaimed looking at the gun he had just put together. He turned it over in his hand and held it thinking it felt good in his grip.

"Do you wanna grab a drink before we head back outside?"

"Yeah, that sounds good." Dean got up and went to the fridge for a Gatorade. He opened it and took several long swallows before sitting it back in the fridge. "Okay, I'm ready."

Dean followed Bobby to the small gym he had set up for him. One wall had been covered in plywood and cork to use for practicing throwing knives. Bobby went to a cabinet and pulled out a wrapped bundle of knives.

"These are throwing knives Dean. You can see the difference from other knives that it doesn't have a handle on it. It's all metal. What you need to be careful about is not cutting yourself when you throw it. You want your throw to be smooth and precise. It's almost like throwing darts, now watch me first." Bobby picked up a knife and faced the target drawn on the wood. He brought the knife back and flicked it, hitting the target toward the center. He threw a couple more times showing Dean how to control his throws. "Alright, your turn."

Dean accepted the knives and hefted one in his right hand getting the feel and balance of it. He gripped it by the tip of the blade before drawing back and throwing it. It flew straight and true hitting inside the drawn circle. He took another and drew in a slow breath as he concentrated on the circle and sent the knife flying, hitting the circle three inches from the other knife.

"I told you playing darts would pay off," Bobby praised him. "That's real good son. Why don't you practice some more and then workout? We'll work on hand to hand with a knife when you're comfortable using it. I've got a car that came in yesterday I need to work on."

"Okay Bobby. I can fix us lunch when I'm done."

"Alright. Dean, be careful, you hear me?"

"I will Bobby. I promise," Dean assured him.

After Bobby left him alone, Dean continued to throw the knives, even trying with his left hand but wasn't too good at it yet. His fingers started getting tired and when he nicked two fingers decided it was time to stop. He found bandages and taped the fingers that were bleeding. Once that was done, Dean started his workout routine. By the time he was finished, sweat was dripping freely down his face and body. He grabbed an old hand towel to wipe away the sweat before putting everything in its place and heading inside. He was going to get a shower and then start lunch for them.

spn

Since it was warm weather, Dean decided to put together a chef salad for their lunch, along with crackers and the remaining pie that was left over from the night before. He got out eggs to boil, deli meats, and the fixings for the salad. Dean turned on the old radio on the counter to fill the kitchen with music. After he put the eggs on to cook, Dean began to chop the vegetables that would make up the salad. He hummed along with the songs as he chopped and continued to fill a bowl. He added the cutup eggs and deli meat last and gently mixed the contents before deciding it was finished.

Dean looked up when the backdoor opened, and Bobby stepped inside.

"I was getting ready to come let you know I have lunch ready," Dean greeted him.

"How did the knife throwing go?" Bobby asked as he stepped to the sink to wash his hands.

"It went fine."

"How many cuts?" Bobby questioned glancing over at Dean who quickly looked down at the floor. "It's okay Dean. You're just starting so I expect you'll have a few scars."

"Two," Dean finally admitted holding up his right hand to show the bandaged fingers. "I just nicked them. They didn't hardly bleed."

"Better than I expected. How ya feeling about your first day of training with weapons?"

"Good. I think it went better than I expected. Do you want Ranch or Italian dressing for your salad?"

Bobby took a seat at the table and let Dean sit the bowls filled with salad at two places, putting the crackers between them.

"Ranch is fine. Do we still have tea?"

"Ummm…Yeah, there's enough for lunch for both of us. I'll fix some more for dinner tonight." Dean pulled the last of the tea out and put ice in two glasses before pouring tea in both. He took them to the table along with the Ranch dressing.

"Looks good Dean," Bobby commented as he forked a bite of salad into his mouth.

"Thanks," Dean replied as he bit into a cracker and chewed thoughtfully. They were partway through their meal before Dean voiced a question. "Bobby, I know I've just started training with weapons but when can I go on a hunt with you?"

Bobby looked up at Dean as he chewed the food in his mouth before he answered him. He had been expecting the question, so it didn't surprise him.

"The key word is started Dean. You need to work on your training and get better at it before we have that conversation. I know you are anxious to go on a hunt, but I'm not letting you go until I think you are ready. I don't want any harm to come to you."

"I know Bobby," Dean sighed. "I'll work hard on honing my skills and I'll be ready before you know it."

"I think you will son, you've got that drive and I've gotta say I see a natural born hunter in you. Just give yourself time Dean, don't rush it."

"Thanks Bobby, I understand," Dean nodded giving him an understanding smile. It always pleased him when Bobby would tell him he was doing good because he knew Bobby meant it. "Bobby, could you help me find a car?"

"Aren't you getting a little ahead of the game here? You still have a couple of years before being able to drive."

"I know, but I want to see what's out there and find something that's special. My Dad had a shiny, black car that he loved. I can't remember what it was, but he said it was a classic and that they didn't make cars like that anymore. It was a four door." Dean explained. "I've been saving my money and I think I have enough now. I don't want any of those new cars that are on the market. I'm thinking more of an older one like what my Dad had."

"Alright son, I'll be on the lookout for something and let you know what I find," Bobby finally agreed.

"Thanks, I appreciate that."

"Do you wanna help me finish up in the garage?"

"Yeah, I can do that."

They finished their lunch and headed out to the garage to work on the cars. They spend the afternoon out there repairing the cars so they could be picked up by the owners.

A/N: Dean is starting his training with weapons, and it won't be long before he is hunting with Bobby. Hope you like this AU and how Dean became a hunter. Thanks for coming on this journey with me. Reviews/Comments would make my day. NC