Dark Side - Chapter 7 - Gaining Control
Caleb placed a hand on Dean's chest pushing him back to shield him from the creature. Dean didn't say one word and didn't even flinch over the sight. But the fear he radiated was overwhelming. The psychic's protective senses overrode all of his panic. He thought of his combat knife he had attached to his belt this morning. This would not be perfect but better than nothing. He didn't take his gaze from the monster for a second, whispering to the pastor, "Jim, do you have any weapons with you?"
Jim whispered back, "My gun is in the saddle bags. Don't move, he will attack as soon as we show any weakness in our formation."
Caleb felt Jim was moving carefully behind him. "Tell that to the horses," he answered quietly.
The dog bared his fangs and saliva dripped slimy wet from his lips. Where it hit the ground, the snow melted with a sizzling noise. It began moving its huge paws in their direction. Strong muscles around his torso stood out uncharacteristically for a dog. With a hateful glare it slinked slowly and self-confidently closer to its prey.
Caleb slowly moved his hand to his blade, gripping the handle hard. The teen didn't even dare to brush the cold rain from his forehead. "He is moving, Jim, this would be the perfect time for any action from our side," he whispered, not moving an inch.
The horses were still trying to escape Jim's grip. Caleb could hear nervous whining, their hoofs rising and smashing back to the muddy ground. If they should take off, their only real chance for an escape would be gone with them. "Easy girl, easy," Jim tried to get Apple Pie to calm down so that he would be able to reach for the saddle bags.
Jim's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Caleb, you need to buy us some time. Connect with it! I know you can master it."
Caleb's heartbeat sped up. To connect with Fat Chance had been raw enough. He couldn't imagine connecting willingly with a supernatural monster. Because this was obviously no ordinary dog!
Jim was the Guardian, and he trusted the man. He had given him an order and Caleb would do whatever Jim would ask from him ‐ whatever was necessary to save Deuce. He tried to focus on the link he had felt before. Caleb tried his best to follow the link of the dark presence. The raw emotions hit him like a punch in the gut. But he forced himself to dive deeper into the connection, sneaking into the creature's mind.
He found the overly present hunger for tasty coppery blood. Warm flesh between his teeth and the feeling of a full stomach. Caleb shivered over the thoughts of the creature. They would not end up as his lunch.
He had to stop him. This was the time when he could prove to himself that he could really control it. Searching for the powerful intake of breath he found the breathing of the dog. He tried to focus on it to stop but lost the connection twice. The conversation he had with Jim came for a split second to his mind. 'He listens always.'
Desperately Caleb prayed, 'God, if you are listening, please this would be the perfect time to help us. Help me!' Caleb knew this was in no way how a prayer should sound but he trusted the words of Pastor Jim. If there was a God and he was their father he would know what Caleb needed and he would not care what colorful language he had used to call out for help.
A new wave of energy rushed through Caleb's mind. A glimmer of hope. He tried again.
Mac had a discussion with him about the way this new ability worked. Caleb had shown no sign that he can muster any way of telekinesis, which brought the Scholar and neurosurgeon to muse about what caused the breathing to stop. He had lectured about the anatomy of the brain and had spoken of signals which came from the brain to the vegetative nerve system which controlled the breathing. At least this was what Caleb recalled from the speech. It had been Mac's explanation how Caleb was able to influence the breathing as he was able to sneak into the memory center; he was probably able to intercept these signals of the brain too. It had been the breakthrough of their training in the Hunterstomb because Caleb knew better now what he had to do and the results got more effective.
Focusing again the psychic searched for the right signal on the highway of emotions and orders. He found the right one and reached out. He had to gain control - he had to stop it!
Caleb felt the panic exploding in the creature's brain. Air. He felt the urge to breathe. He heard labored primeval intakes of breath.
*** Brotherhood ***
JIM
He saw how Caleb concentrated like in the Hunterstomb. This would hopefully keep the Black Dog occupied long enough. Apple Pie was still uneasily dancing and Jim grabbed Dean's shoulder with his free hand. "Dean, hold the reins!"
Dean managed to take his eyes off the creature and took over the reins. Jim sent a prayer to heaven that they would get out of this situation unharmed. The boy seemed to have the horses under control as much as the situation made it possible.
Jim was glad he had packed his gun out of habit. He would have never thought that a Black Dog would cross their way. He grabbed his Glock and turned ready to do his job - to defend his family and future Triad. He saw Caleb sinking to his knees together with the Dog still in the teen's mental grip.
"Caleb!" Dean shouted to the teen. Jim saw that Dean was unsure what to do, to hold the reins or rush to Caleb's side.
"Stay back, Dean. I got it covered," he told the kid.
Raising his gun, taking aim, Jim was ready to shoot and kill the beast. He hesitated for a split second. The Black Dog was damn close to Caleb. The former sniper had a calm hand, no tremble was to be seen, though his heart pounded violently. "Lord, lead my bullet," he silently prayed while raising pressure on the trigger.
*** Brotherhood ***
CALEB
Caleb felt the exhaustion taking him over. He would not have the strength to hold on for much longer. A pounding headache began to irritate his mind from his target.
Suddenly a shot echoed through the air and Caleb felt a firework exploding in his mind. He screamed in horror and pain - a mental overload. Pressing his palms to his temples, the Psychic bent forward unable to sense or see anything. Blackness surrounded him mixed with red and white spots.
Then everything was silent and black.
There was just nothing.
No single noise.
He was dead and this - this must be hell.
It was not like he had expected it. No fires were burning, no hell creatures running around. He was just alone. It was pitch black around him. He felt nothing, not a single piece of his body seemed connected to him anymore. Caleb didn't even feel the coldness from earlier. Sheer panic was all he felt but this wasn't a feeling it was a thought. This was worse than he had ever expected hell to be.
It felt like ages had passed when there was a warm spot on his cheek. Then a name. "Caleb". This was him - his name. He remembered the voice. It was Jim. With a wave of energy, all feeling came back to him all at once: all pain, all noises, and hurting flashes of light, though his eyes were still closed.
He wasn't in hell.
Jim wouldn't be in hell.
He wasn't dead. His body hurt too much for that.
"Caleb, my boy. Caleb!" Jim was right next to him. Then he felt even Dean's small trembling hands grabbing his jacket.
"Are you hurt? Damien, say something!" Deuce's voice, frightened and trembling, forced Caleb to open his eyes. Sparkling lights kept him from seeing clearly. Caleb heard Deuce sucking in a breath. He groaned as he tried it again, rubbing his aching eyes and temples. He felt something wet and warm all over his face.
Dean looked shocked as he turned to Jim, "Pastor Jim, what is wrong with his eyes?"
Caleb's fear rose, his breathing now fully back and about to speed up. What was wrong with his eyes? Did he go too far? Did he touch the dark side too deeply by connecting with the monster? Did his eyes turn black? Had this been the strange feeling of darkness - his transformation? No - no! This could not happen! Not now, not here, not with Deuce in reach!
He still didn't see clearly. Dots of lights and dark stains shadowed his vision. He hid his eyes from the reflection of the bright snowy landscape around them.
Jim's hand connected with his cheek offering some comfort, "Easy, my boy. It's alright. You're gonna be alright. You did well. The Black Dog is dead."
Panic and fear had a hard grip on Caleb's heart. Jim must see it now, he was evil - a monster. Barely a whisper was heard as he choked out, "But my eyes, Jim. Something is wrong with my eyes! I don't wanna turn into a demon. Help me, please!" Caleb clawed his hands into the pastor's jacket, tears now wetting his cheeks and nearly freezing on their way down his chin.
"Easy, son. You won't turn into anything. Your eyes are just bloodshot."
Bloodshot - okay - he could deal with that. He tried to calm his ragged breathing and bring order into his thoughts. Caleb tried to focus on Jim's calming hand stroking his cheek and the warmth Dean's presence radiated. He found their link in his mind. Calming blue and green presences were the only ones he felt at the moment.
"I … I connected with it. I found the signal for his breathing and stopped it. There was a shot that ripped the air apart and then - pain - I couldn't see anything but lights and red. Then darkness followed and I was all alone. It was so … so … I don't wanna be alone!"
"Okay, calm down, my boy. I can't see any injury except for your eyes. Can you see anything?"
Caleb nodded. "Yeah, yeah it's all a bit stained though."
"Okay, we need to get back home. It will be dark soon and I want you two out of the open before nightfall. Can you get up, Caleb?"
He managed with Jim's help to stand. A bit shaky but on his own feet he tried to focus on the ground before him. It became clearer and he could even see Jim's shape. Dean wasn't at his side anymore. "Where is Deuce?"
"He's here. He is with Apple Pie. He is fine. The Black Dog is dead. No one got hurt though Fat Chance and One-In-A-Million took off when I shot. We will search for them on the way back."
*** Brotherhood ***
DEAN
Dean felt the adrenaline still running through his system. The dog's shape lay struck down only a few feet away from them. Still holding the reins with one hand, he clutched them like a lifeline. Apple Pie had finally calmed.
Dean was scared. Was Caleb alright? He had blood all over his face and his eyes were bloodshot as Jim had called it. But besides the scary Halloween makeup, he had never seen Caleb so shaken. It made him unsure. Usually, Caleb was his solid rock in the storm. Always with a snarky reply on his lips. Sometimes the teen was teasing, moody, or broody but never like this. It scared the boy to an extent that he didn't know what to say. So he stayed silent and alone with his panic.
Jim turned his head at him. "Dean, bring Apple Pie over here. Caleb and you will ride on her."
Dean needed a moment before he woke from his stun but then guided the mare nearer to his friend.
Jim helped Caleb mount the horse then turned to him, "Now you, get up." The pastor offered a helping hand for Dean to get up in front of Caleb. Unsure he looked at Jim.
"You will sit in front of Caleb so that he has something to hold on to, okay? Can you do that, Dean?"
He knew the pastor wanted an answer from him. The words were on his lips but he just couldn't speak them out loud so he just nodded.
All was wet from the continuing dripping of cold raindrops from the trees. Their pants were instantly soaked. Thank God the wind had lessened. But they were ice cold in less than a minute. Jim jogged next to the horse with the reins in his hands. They exited the grove through the shortest way out to the fields. Jim led them to the nearby path similar to the one they had taken before. The daylight already began to fade. Dean didn't want to be out in the dark. The only thing that provided comfort and warmth was the close presence of his friend who had one arm wrapped around his waist and the other on the horn of the saddle.
"You okay, Deuce?" Caleb whispered unnaturally weak into his ear.
Dean nodded instantly.
"Lost your words? It's gonna be okay. We made it. The thing is dead. Trust me, I sat in the first row of the show."
They made it for around ten minutes at the same pace. The rhythmic rocking of the horse let Caleb soon fall into some kind of slumber. Dean felt his head fall to his shoulder now and then until the weight got heavier. Caleb would fall if he didn't do something - or said something. Caleb's hand slid from the horn and the hold around his waist lessened.
"Ho, Apple Pie. Stop!" Dean brought out loud and clear.
Jim turned to the boys realizing that Caleb was about to slide from the horse. "Woah, easy, Caleb. I got you." The Guardian caught his fall and brought them both a little bit rough to the ground. "Caleb?" Jim began patting Damien's cheek.
A slight groan was all Dean heard from the ground. He looked around them checking for any sign of help. The twilight changed to darkness now. Somewhere in the distance, he made out some lights, maybe from the farms they had passed earlier.
Jim still tried to wake Damien with slight pats, his voice more concerned now. Caleb whispered something to Jim but he didn't move.
This was not happening! Damien was strong, he had to wake up. He had to. Dean got desperate already feeling the tears in his eyes and a big lump in his throat made it even more difficult to bring forth a single syllable. Dean heard a noise, whirling around in the saddle he stared into the dark behind them.
*** Brotherhood ***
MACKLAND
The doctor paced the area between the kitchen and the living room for over ten minutes now. "It's nearly dark, John. They should be back. Jim said he would be back before sunset."
"Damn it, Mac, would you please sit down? It is only four thirty. They probably searched for shelter from the storm somewhere along the road. Jim knows his way around here. What could probably happen in the middle of bumfuck nowhere Kentucky just around the corner of a pastor's little farm?"
Mac shot him an unbelieving glance. "Are you serious? That is exactly the point. Jim may be a pastor and is friends with the locals around but he is also the Guardian and has enemies too. Have you ever thought of the possibility that some supernatural thing we hunt down could have some kind of pack or group or partner? The words were barely spoken as John changed his cool demeanor.
"I hope you're not right. I'm gonna drive." John took Sammy from his lap where the boy had shown John his drawing earlier. Snatching jackets and the Impala keys from the table he turned to his little son. "C'mon Sammy, we'll pick up the Cowboys from the road."
They were in the Impala in under five minutes. Mac had grabbed his black doctor's bag and sat next to John leading the way. "They started northwards. We will search the same road we took last time we rode out with Jim. He said he always takes this way and follows it northwards up to a small grove where the way leads around it and another leads back to his property."
John mumbled, "Great. At least he told you this."
They found the grove in a twenty-minute drive along the small muddy road. The rain had stopped and a clear night sky appeared when the clouds were gone.
They rounded the grove and found the road that led back south. A few minutes later they saw a shape on the edge of the road illuminated by the Impala's lights. Dean's scared face was turned to them, sitting on top of the only horse to be seen.
"We found them. Something's wrong, where are the others?" John stated. He killed the engine though he left the lights on. Mac was out with his bag even before John opened the driver's door.
"Dean! What happened? Where are the others?" Mac began to run to close the short distance between them.
"Mackland!" Jim's voice came from the side. "Thank God you found us. It's Caleb, he is unconscious."
John came from the car with his gun in one hand and a big Maglite in the other, prepared for every possibility now.
Mac now saw Jim and his son in the pastor's arms on the ground next to the horse.
Mac's heart sped up. "What on earth happened?"
"Long story short, we searched for shelter from the storm in the grove and met a Black Dog. Caleb connected with it and I shot it while they were connected. He seems uninjured. It's the Dog's blood. But his eyes … they are bloodshot like after he hit something with full force."
Mac swallowed hard. The doctor in him took over where the father faltered. "Hey, Caleb. Can you hear me? C'mon open your eyes, it's Mac. Please, son, open your eyes," he tried, already feeling for the pulse. He found it quickly and let out a first relieved breath. He found no reason for Caleb to be unconscious. It had to be for the cut-off psychic connection he had with the dog when Jim had killed it.
*** Brotherhood ***
CALEB
Mac's voice reached his mind. "Hey, Caleb. Can you hear me? C'mon open your eyes, it's Mac. Please, son, open your eyes."
He felt so endlessly tired. A pounding headache threatened to kill him. He just wanted to rest. He remembered feeling cold before but at the moment his aching head over trumped everything else. He had been on the horse with Deuce. He had taken comfort in the physical connection to him. That feeling was gone now.
A groan was the only answer he managed. He had to open his eyes but they hurt so badly. He knew how scared Mac was when he was hurt. The pleading tone hadn't escaped his mind. He forced them open once again though he managed only small slits.
"There you are. Good boy. Are you in pain, son?"
There was light somewhere. It hurt so bad that Caleb wanted to shut his eyes instantly again but he saw the frightened look in Mac's gaze, illuminated by a flashlight, and decided he had at least to answer the question. "My eyes … and head … headache."
Caleb could no longer keep his eyes open. He turned his head away from the light. He heard Mac rummaging for something, he assumed in his doctor's bag. Assumingly anything in his doctor's bag. Then Mac touched his eyelids and gently tried to force them open for examination.
"Argh. No!" Caleb brushed Mac's hand away, trying to wriggle out of the embrace he had been in. He made it to all fours and tried to escape. Hands grabbed him again. Smaller ones. Deuce. He reached for them now realizing his ice-cold hand touched the boy's warm ones.
"It's okay, Damien, Mac wants to help. Keep still. We will be home in no time. Dad came with the Impala." Dean said close to him now.
The kid's presence calmed him more than he had thought possible. He stayed in Dean's embrace, feeling the kid's trembling through the wet winter jackets they both wore.
"Son, let me see your eyes for just a moment so as to decide if we need to drive to the hospital."
"No! Please, no, Dad. Don't bring me there again. Please, no! I'm fine. I will do anything you order. Please." Caleb grabbed Dean's forearm fiercely in full panic mode now. He had no strength at the moment for any kind of coolness. He was just exhausted, in pain, and scared like he was four again like Sammy.
Sammy! Where was the kid when all others were with him? He was much too young to stay at home alone. "Where is Sammy? Is he safe?"
"He is in the car, Junior. Now do as your father says and let him look at you. We will not bring you to a hospital. We will drive straight back home to the farm to warm you all up."
John spared him the 'suck it up soldier', which told Caleb exactly how bad he must look. He only nodded, letting Mac continue.
Caleb hissed when Mac brought the hated lightstick to his eyes. It hurt. But Mac hurried and took it away quickly. "Do you see anything, son?"
Caleb nodded, turning his eyes away from the light. "The lights hurt and I see red stains everywhere but I can see."
Caleb could tell by the sound of Mac's breathing that he was not happy with just bringing him home but sighed defeated. "Okay, let's bring you home first. We'll see how this develops."
To be in the Impala felt like heaven. Warmth welcomed him and he found himself next to his father, hearing Deuce talking to Sammy on the bench seat in front of them. Drained and tired he let his head rest on Mac's shoulder, feeling safe in his father's embrace.
The sound of the gravel and crunching snow of Jim's yard woke the teen. The engine of the Impala died and doors were pushed open and closed again. Mac softly shook him awake too. "We're here. Come on, you need to get some warm and dry clothes on you."
With his hands, he tried to find the Impala's door and his way to the farmhouse. His father brought an arm around his waist and guided him safely to the porch. Already at the veranda door guided by Mac, he heard more than one horse somewhere nearby. "Who is it, Dad?"
He felt Mac turn around to look at what was going on. "It's Jim. He rode home on Apple Pie and obviously found the other horses. It's all right, now everyone is at home. You have nothing to worry about now but to warm up."
The warmth inside made his skin burn. Mac placed him on a chair at the kitchen table and Caleb relaxed somewhat.
"I'll get some dry clothes for you boys. I'll be back in a second," Mac said and climbed up the stairs.
Caleb shielded his eyes with his hands and tried again to open them a crack wide. He saw the surface of the old oak table. The lights were dimmed but still, red stains disturbed the picture. Sighing he closed them again.
"Go upstairs to change, Dean. Then come back down with Sammy. We will have some warm tea ready for you, and I'm gonna warm up a soup for you boys." John's voice, usually in a drill manner, was noticeably softer today.
"Yes, Dad," Dean replied.
There was movement on the stairs. He heard Mac coming back down. "Okay, Caleb, let me undress you. You are soaked through."
Mac had changed him into dry warm sweatpants, warm socks, and a thick hoodie. His father guided him to the couch whhere John pushed a cup of warm tea into his hands. Soon he was accompanied by Sammy and Dean on each side and a blanket had been placed around the kids.
With not even trying again to open his aching eyes Caleb just listened. Sammy asked about their adventure and Dean told his brother the story though he made the unholy creature just a huge dog with rabies Jim had to shoot. Caleb finally relaxed a bit on the couch, eavesdropping on Jim, John, and Mac's heated discussion at the other side of the room.
"Why did Caleb connect with the beast? And how can a Black Dog be this close?" Mac asked, troubled.
Jim answered Mac, "I'm sorry Mackland. It is my fault. I ordered him to. I saw no other chance to buy us enough time to get my gun from the saddle bags. The horses shied. I hadn't thought of what it would do to him when I killed the beast while he was still connected. Will he be okay?" the pastor asked worriedly.
John entered the conversation. "He is not made of sugar, it is not as if he was shot or anything. It probably is more like a shock, right, doctor Ames?"
Mac spoke now angrily. "He is not in the army. Let me decide as his father and a neurosurgeon if he is okay. And he is obviously not able to see properly. They have to warm up and I would feel much better if I had some brain scan results in my hands. I'm worried that he could have a bleeding in his brain. Even though it was a mental connection it could cause severe problems. We don't know enough about such connections and the reaction of the brain when a trauma such as sudden death occurs to one of the link partners."
Caleb could imagine Mac brushing over his mustache in concern like always. He flinched over the thought that Mac would drag him to the hospital again even if it was only for the brain scan he had talked about. He tried to check on his body if he felt something off except for his vision and the usual headache after too much psychic stuff. But there was none.
His father approached them. "Hey, how are you two? You alright Dean?"
Caleb felt Dean nodding before he answered. "Yes, Mac, I'm okay. Nothing happened to me. It's Damien I'm worried about."
Mac shifted. Caleb could tell by the noise his clothes made by the movement. "Caleb, let me check your vitals, okay? You have warmed up a bit and I want to make sure you are okay. Like Dean, I'm worried about you. Do you feel any different? Anything numb or hurting except your headache and the eyes?"
Caleb shook his head slightly. "No, I'm okay. My eyes will heal on their own, won't they?"
"Probably yes. But please let us go to have a few scans to be on the safe side."
Caleb knew how this fight would turn out. Mac was his father, his friend, but he was also a doctor who trusted in facts too. He would ask as long as he would give in and he had no strength to fight left. The scans they had in Louisville and New York concerning his kidney had been not too bad. And Mac had kept his promises and had taken him home every time. So Caleb nodded. "Okay, Dad. But we'll go home right after that. Promise!"
He heard the relief in his father's voice. "Yeah, okay, I promise I will do all within my power to take you home with me again."
*** Brotherhood ***
CALEB
Caleb was again on the way to the hospital. He couldn't believe he had accepted. He felt sick to his stomach with every mile they neared the building. Mac sat right next to him. It was just a check-up. He would take him home again. No one would tie him down or force an injection on him. But still. He felt like he had to throw up as they walked through the entrance doors. The brightly illuminated room hurt his eyes immensely which made him hiss in pain.
For a second he had the urge to just turn and run. It was exactly in that second when Mac placed a comforting hand on his shoulder pulling him into a warm hug. "Everything will be alright. Nothing is gonna happen to you. I swear, I will not leave without you, Son."
Caleb looked at him miserably through the curtain of his hair. "I … I know. It's just," he began to breathe faster. His lips trembled and it felt so hard not to cry. His feelings were a total mess. This day had been just too much. Mac's comfort finally opened the gates and Caleb cried in his father's arms clinging desperately to him.
"Shhh, it's okay." Mac waited a moment before he patted his back. "Come, let's sit for a minute over there." Mac led him to the row of plastic chairs. Squatting in front of him to look into his eyes shielded with long dark strands of hair, his father brushed them back. "Here, try these," Mac offered a pair of sunglasses.
The gesture was such a small one but for Caleb it was so much. How was it possible that he had found Mac and that Mac even wanted him to be his son? How could the man deal with all the shit he put him through and still be so loving and caring? Every other man who had been his legal guardian would have screamed at him - would have dragged him in a hospital by force - or would have just thrown some painkillers at him, waiting for what would happen. Not so Mac. He didn't know what the man's secret was but there had to be one. Caleb could not believe that the man just loved him like his own son without demanding anything in return.
"Jim will sit with you for a minute, okay? I need to talk to the nurse at the counter there" Mac said in a soft tone full of concern.
Caleb nodded, brushing the tears from his cheeks before putting on the sunglasses. A moment later Jim sat down next to him.
Pastor Jim sighed exhausted like he had just yet found a moment of time to think about everything that had happened. After a short pause without any talk, he began, "Caleb, my boy, I'm sorry that I commanded you to connect with it. I shouldn't have done that. Forgive me."
This was the last thing Caleb had thought the pastor would say to him. He hadn't even questioned the pastor's request for a split second. Of course they had to use every opportunity they had to get rid of the Black Dog. There was nothing to forgive. "It's alright, Jim. It was the only thing we could do to buy us time. It was the right decision. I'm only sorry that I didn't kill the thing myself."
Jim let out a weak laugh. "I was not sure if you could do that and I didn't want to leave anything at chance."
"Yeah, you were right. You had to shoot or the Dog would have killed us. I know what he wanted. The thing hungered for fresh meat and blood. It was … scary."
Jim looked at him. "It seems you have gained the control over your ability and have even given it a good purpose - you saved us! There is no better use for a weapon like your gift."
Caleb hesitated for a moment before he spoke. "Yeah, Mac's guess seems to be right with the signals I have to stop. Though I did something different this time too."
Jim turned to him, interested. "And what was that?"
"I prayed," Caleb said with a shy grin, looking at his boots.
Both were silent for a moment. Caleb saw the smile on Pastor Jim's face. Maybe there was really a caring father in heaven. And maybe he was the reason he had found a caring father and a family on earth.
*** Brotherhood ***
24th December 1987 - Jim's farm
JIM
Jim, humming, decorated the Christmas tree. Samuel was allowed to decide what to hang on the tree. Caleb was occupied with Dean over a puzzle. John and Mackland were in town to do the last errands for the evening.
The facade he kept up did not let anyone see how the pastor felt under the surface. He still felt guilty. Jim thanked the Lord every day that Caleb would do a full recovery. No damage had been done to his brain and his eyes were much better, though maybe even on the boy's birthday in a few days back to normal.
Jim gave himself all the blame for what had happened no matter if Caleb said he had been right with his order. How could he be so careless to ride out with the boys so far? He had never thought of a monster encounter. And then he had ordered Caleb to connect with the Black Dog. But at that moment the Guardian in him had taken over and had given one of their hunters an order. God, Caleb was just a kid - a teenager! He would only be sixteen. How could he have done something this dangerous to their charge? Mac was right to scold him about this.
His friend had been on the edge when they had found them along the track with a hurt Caleb in his arms. Mackland had been worried before about all the things that had happened to the small family over the past few weeks and Jim only had added more worries to it. Though beside that, he had the feeling, Caleb had finally found a positive thing about his new ability. He had been able to help - to save them. Without the kid's help, Jim would not have been able to kill the Black Dog fast enough to prevent them from harm.
Once again he glanced over to the two friends, who were laughing and joking at the coffee table. Jim remembered how Caleb had protectively stepped in front of Dean and Dean had been able to calm Caleb when he had been on the ground, completely panicking in that grove.
They were good for each other. Indeed, Caleb looked more at ease than he had been over the last few weeks.
Jim was always in awe over their deep friendship. Such a strong bond between Guardian and Knight was rare - and a sign for a great Triad.
Jim was so glad that they had found Caleb in that psychiatric hospital in New York, like he was glad that John had accepted the offer to join the Brotherhood. He was sure - Dean and Caleb belonged together. Jim was curious what their Triad would be like but without any doubt it would be something incredibly powerful.
Ripping him out of his thoughts, the four-year-old asked, "Pastor Jim, can we put the star on the top of the tree?" holding the big, golden star up to him.
He turned to the little boy, "Of course, Samuel. But this is the last thing we will add."
Samuel was allowed to switch the lights on and the tree shone in colorful splendor in Jim's home. Proudly Jim placed a hand on Samuel's small shoulders to look at their work. "Thank you for your help, Samuel. Without you, I would have been lost."
The little boy looked up at him with a frown. "But you said the Lord is always with you and helps you, Pastor Jim. So you wouldn't have been lost." With A confident look on his innocent face, Samuel smiled up at him.
Jim was always surprised by the boy's smart words and it made him even more curious if an impressive smart Scholar was added to this set of Guardian and Knight. "You are absolutely right, Samuel. The Lord is always with us. Never forget that." Padding the little one's cheek he asked, "How about we prepare a hot chocolate and I read us a story?"
"Yeah! That will be awesome! I'll tell Dean, he loves chocolate!" With that Samuel ran to the others, leaving Jim looking after him.
The pastor whispered, "Oh Father, be their shelter in the storms they have to face."
THE END
A/N: Thank you for reading. Please leave a little review if you made it to the end of the story. It would give me a bit feedback and comfort for the writer's soul.
Yesterday I thought about a story with Juliet, Dean, JT, Max, Jimmy and Caleb. Would anyone be interested?
Otherwise I'll work further on the backstory of Mike Campbell (The Knitght between 1820-1838) and Diana Wilmington. Maybe this will be my next project. You'll never know ;-)