SHOUTOUTS\ANSWERS
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DISCLAIMER
Supernatural belongs to the WB. Takes place directly after "Scarecrow". Evansville, Kentucky's a real place, though I've made up the name of the orphanage.
Immediately, Sam and Dean turned in the direction of the scream. A girl came running down the stairs, with a man brandishing a whip chasing after her. The girl quickly hid behind Sam. The man started for her, only to be intercepted by the younger Winchester.
"Don't touch her," Sam snarled, grabbing the man's wrist in a vice-like grip.
"That little brat mouthed off," the man accused.
"So you're gonna whip her? I don't think so, freak," Sam snarled again. Dean stared at his brother in shock. He had never seen Sammy like this.
"Young man, this is my establishment and I say what goes on around here," the woman told Sam. Dean turned to her.
"You condone this?" he asked.
"She's the worst," the girl behind Sam spoke up.
"Lizzie, what have I told you about speaking?" the woman demanded. Sam could feel the girl shaking.
"You're a witch. These kids trust you and you just hurt them," Sam shot back. Without warning, the woman reared back and arm and swung! The impact of the slap caused Sam to let the man go.
"Why, you---" With a growl, Sam started to lunge.
"Sammy!" Dean cried, restraining his brother.
"I would advise you two to leave," the woman snapped.
"No! Don't leave us here!" Lizzie cried fearfully. Sam turned around and knelt down so that they were eye-to-eye.
"We'll come back. I promise," he told her. She flung her arms around him and he held her tightly. Then, reluctantly, both let go of each other and Sam followed Dean out of the orphanage, where they got into the Impala and headed for a hotel. Sam was silent the whole way and didn't even say a word as they checked in and brought their belongings into the hotel room. Dean looked at his brother, and then sighed.
"Okay, what is it?" he demanded.
"We never should've left those kids there," came the answer.
"Sammy---" Dean began to say.
"You saw what that man was going to do to that girl and how terrified she was! And that woman didn't even try to stop it!" Sam shouted.
"Sammy, this is out of our league. This isn't like hunting down a werewolf or a spirit. This is a problem for the police," Dean said calmly.
"They'll never find any evidence! That man and woman have those kids scared to death!" Sam cried.
"Sammy, there's not much we can do," Dean stated. He stared at his brother, wondering why he was freaking out.
"Man, you're just like everybody else," Sam scoffed incredulously. "Those kids are in danger, and you don't even care!" he accused.
"Now wait a minute! I never said I didn't care!" Dean shouted, getting angry himself.
"Then why aren't you doing anything?" Sam demanded.
"Because I told you: it's out of our league! We need to take this to the professionals!" Dean shouted.
"And what if they don't believe the kids, huh? Have you even thought of that?" Sam tossed back. Dean blew out an irritated breath and messed up his hair with his hands.
"You are being such a such a punk," he snapped. Enraged, Sam grabbed Dean's shirt and shoved him against the wall.
"Don't call me that," he said thickly.
"Sammy," the older man said in surprise. Somewhat shocked, Sam let Dean go.
"Dean, I---I'm sorry. I---I didn't mean---" he stammered.
"What's going on with you, Sam? Why are you acting this way?" Dean demanded. Sam's throat constricted and he averted his gaze. Dean stared piercingly, his arms folded in his classic "I'm waiting" stance.
"Because---" Sam licked his lips nervously. Oh, man. I can't believe I'm gonna admit this, he thought to himself.
"Because why?" Dean prodded. Sam finally looked at his brother and the pain in his eyes caught the older man off-guard.
"I know how those kids feel," he whispered. Dean froze.