Guys, guys, guys, GUYS

This is the chapter I've been WAITING FOR

We're going to get answers!

Not all of them.

Not yet.

But some.

And I'm very very excited to see what you think lol

So because of this I'm going to let you get to reading :)

Please enjoy!

~TH~

Dean couldn't remember the last time he was so at peace. Maybe even happy. Maybe.

Sonny's was nice. There had been some peace but nothing like the inner feeling of okay that he currently felt.

Then there was the Farm. Especially the lake at the Farm. It had always brought peace. But it was different. That one didn't numb the hurt like this place did.

Well, this place or these pills. He didn't care. All he knew was that he like it. And he like Mr. Whiteman. And he liked Carlos. And he liked the other kids. And he liked the food. And not having to worry about what would happen the next day. And not having nightmares. And no yelling. And responsibility being split up among everyone with age appropriate tasks.

He liked the Castle.

And he wasn't sorry about it.

At least until the drugs wore off and he was left with only his thoughts and no pleasant buzz of peace.

But he was getting a routine where there wasn't much dead space without them. And the time he was supposed to take them was getting closer.

He hoped Whiteman didn't mind him coming to their meeting a few minutes early but he could already feel the anxiety creeping in.

Dean knocked on the large office door. It was solid oak. It was a beautiful door. Dean didn't normally care about that type of thing but it was just… beautiful. Caleb would appreciate it.

Great. If he was thinking about Caleb then the pill was wearing off faster than he thought.

The door was opened and Dean took a step backwards. Whiteman smiled, "Ah! Dean, come in."

He lead the way for Dean to be seated in front of the desk. It was the first time Dean had been in the office. Some of the other kids had come but he had never been invited until now.

If he was being honest, he kind of felt uncomfortable. Panicky. Every self preservation instinct was going off.

But that's why he needed to this meeting.

That's why he needed more pills.

He needed to shut off the hunting part of his brain. The part that lived in fear of abandonment and danger.

Dangers he never should have been exposed to.

"How are you finding it here, son?" The voice brought him away from his dark thoughts.

"I like it." He answered honestly. "Things here are… are good."

"I'm glad, Dean." The man smiled. "I know when you came you were… skeptical of us."

Dean shrugged. "It's not at all what I thought it would be."

"Dean," the man's face had become serious, sincere. The boy felt a chill run up his spine. "You once described this place as a cult. And while I prefer not to use words with such a connotation, there is a, how should we say, deeper level than simply a shelter."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Yeah he'd definitely stumbled upon a cult. But was that a bad thing? What made a cult bad? The fact that Caleb hated them? Well if the Brotherhood hated them than they couldn't be all that bad.

Whiteman stood, "Come with me."

Hesitantly, Dean followed the man to a door in the office. The room was dark. Candles offered the only light in otherwise pitch blackness.

The man turned around, making direct eye contact with the boy.

"Dean, I'd like for you to join us. To become one with us."

"I-"

"Not everyone is offered this, and few so quickly. But I know you would fit well with us. I've watched you. Join us, and never have to worry about life outside again."

His brain was screaming cult cult cult cult CULT. And yet he didn't run. The anxiety and wrongness was warring with the overwhelming desire to agree.

"What does this 'joining' involve?"

Whiteman smiled, pulling a container of pills out of his pocket. "These are some of our most loved benefits."

Dean took them, shaking them nervously. "And the payment?"

"It's not much, not really. I simply ask for your blood."

"My-" Dean felt all of his senses shoot through the roof. Okay this was more than even he expected. "Why do you need- I'm sorry I gotta go-"

"Dean." And he couldn't help but stop at the voice. "I will speak truthfully to you. Truthfully in a way that few would appreciate. No one has the same understanding as you do. Not everything here is quite as… natural I have led you to believe."

"I knew it!" Dean shouted, venom in his voice. His hands were shaking with both adrenaline from the mess he'd gotten himself into, and with anger from once again being lied to. "I knew this was some freaky cult! What are you? Devil worshiper? Or maybe it's you. Maybe you're some sort of pagan god?"

"Now Dean, it's not nice to namecall." Mr. Whiteman answered. "The term pagan can be quite offensive. But if you insist then yes, I suppose I might be considered a pagan god. I prefer the term 'entetee' as it is less limiting."

"I'm getting out of here! I'm not taking part in any of your freaky rituals!" He started for the door but the older man's voice stopped him.

"You are more than welcome to leave, Dean. You always have been. I will never stop you from making your own decisions, but where will you go? When was the last time you were truly happy? Truly allowed to make your own decisions? You have a family here. One that will let you leave if you so choose, but will never force you out. Can you say that of your Brotherhood? Of your family?"

"How did you-"

"I know many things, son. I know and I hear. Because I care. But in all that I know, have I ever used it against you? No. When even your friends use their psychic abilities against you I have never used anything against you. As I said, you are free to go. If offering a small amount of blood is truly worth going back into your old life, then you are free to make that choice. But I'm sorry to say that you'll never find those pills on the street." He motioned towards the bottle in Dean's hand. "You may keep those as a parting gift, but only I can provide them for you. I'm not trying to influence your decision, I simply want you to be aware of all of the ramifications of leaving."

Dean shifted slightly on his feet. He looked at the bottle in his hand. These pills made him happy. These people made him happy. These people didn't judge him or expect anything from him. Even Mr. Whiteman, did it really matter what he was? Afterall, wasn't his best friend, by all accounts, a demon? Was this really so terrible? And maybe a blood sacrifice wasn't the best idea, but if it bought him a time of happiness did it really matter? What other option did he have? Returning to the streets? Returning to his Dad? It was getting colder, not warmer. What could it hurt…

Making his decision, Dean slipped the pills in his pocket and took a deep breath.

"If- if I did stay, how-?"

The entetee smiled. "It is all there for you. Simply use the knife to release your blood. I will help you gauge the amount. It's a simple trade. Blood for blood in a sense. You see the pills you hold come from me. I'm in distant relation to a djinn. Similar ideas except while djinns cause false world's of peace, I cause peace in the real world."

Dean nodded slowly. It made sense. It did. He just wouldn't think too hard on what the pills were just how they made him feel. He rolled up his sleeve, feeling so wrong and yet so sure, and took a step towards the golden bowl. Picking up the knife, he made a cut across his forearm, watching the blood pour into the bowl. When it was about half filled, Mr. Whiteman put a gentle hand over the cut. It sealed, the white line of a scar still remaining.

"A reminder of your sacrifice." The older man smiled. "You've made the right decision, Dean. But if you ever wish to pull out, the door is always yours to walk through. I will never keep you by force or demand you do something that makes you uncomfortable. I know it may seem unlikely, but I care for you, I care for all of my children."

The gentle touch remained and Dean felt his emotions begin to break through. He wasn't going to cry. Not now. It had been weeks and he hadn't cried since the night his father told him to leave. The first sob broke through unbidden, more followed and the combination of emotion and blood loss brought him to his knees.

Mr. Whiteman brought his arms around him, keeping the boy from hitting the floor, making soft shushing noises. "It's okay Dean, it's alright. We all want the best for you here. We'll make you better, I promise. We're not like them. We actually care for you."

He wasn't sure how long it was before he stopped crying. Dean pushed to his feet, face flushing brightly. "I'm sorry for acting like such a girl." He mumbled, wiping his eyes.

Whiteman frowned, "Never feel embarrassed to release your feelings, Dean. I'm sorry if people in your past have made you feel that way." He gave him a small pat on the shoulder, "Now go on to bed, I know that sacrificing can cause great exhaustion. Do not feel a need to make an appearance until you are ready."

"Yeah… and, uh, thanks for letting me stay. I know I kind of… freaked out…"

The entetee smiled kindly, "Less educated people than you have reacted far worse. After all you've seen and been taught, I was expecting the display. There's no need to feel guilt. I am simply glad that you decided that your place was here with us."

Dean nodded, feeling the lump in his throat return. He opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn't force any words out. He offered another nod before turning and making his way back to his room. He was tired. But he didn't regret it. With the pills in his pocket and the approval of Mr. Whiteman, he now knew more than ever that he was going to be okay.

~TH~

*cue maniacal laughter*

So?

I know you're all mad that Caleb was too late but that's how it be sometimes. But we'll see Caleb in the next chapter.

Oh boy will we see him.

And you're going to hate me even more hehe

ANYWAY

Thoughts?

Theories?

Threats?

Thank you so much for your kind comments I just don't have the energy to respond to them all right now. Ya'll are the best tho and just know that your comments (at least the positive one :) make my day and I love you all!

Also... Be looking for a new fic tomorrow (or late tonight depending on my mood). It's what I like to call my "Exam mania fic" where I write an intense and random fic to procrastinate studying/destress. I have six chapters written so far and plant to post a chapter every day. This one will still update weekly.

Personal life has been rough lately so would appreciate and some solid comments lol.

Love you guys!