Disclaimer: I own Lucy and Charlie. Nothing else.
Author's Note: Okay, I know this is a short chapter and it's definitely not my favorite, but I'm trying to get this story started again and it's slow going after not writing anything for a couple of months. I'll do my best to make the next one longer and better. Enjoy!
"Where is he?"
"Have you seen him?"
"Is he alright?" The Winchester siblings asked Charlie at once. For a second, they forgot about Lucy's predicament and remembered that they were, in fact, looking for their father. The anxious looks on their faces made Charlie feel suddenly sad.
"Sorry, kids," he said sympathetically. Now that he had calmed down, they could hear a soft southern drawl in his voice. "I got a phone call from John two days ago. He sounded tired and hurried. All he told me was that his baby girl, who I was assuming is you, Lucy, was in danger and that Michael was in Lemon Grove, California." The siblings glanced at each other. "I had no idea what it meant, but John is a dear old friend of mine and I wanted to help out in any way possible. I live about twenty minutes from here, so I came down, hoping to find some clue to his cryptic message. I will never, for the rest of my days, forget what I found when I got here." He suddenly became pale and shuddered. He closed his eyes and his breathing increased.
"Are you okay, Charlie?" Lucy asked worriedly.
"I-I'm fine. Just…shaken by the memory is all." His complexion didn't change any, but he attempted to steady his breathing. It then became apparent that he was unable to do so. He leaned forward in the chair until his forehead nearly touched his knees, gasping for air.
"What can we do for you Charlie?" Sam asked frantically.
"We need to get him to a hospital or something!" Dean said.
"No! I'm sorry!" Charlie gasped. He grabbed his neck and fell off of the chair to convulse on the floor. Sam and Dean tried to hold him still, but he managed to punch Sam in the face, undoubtedly giving him a nice shiner. "Don't-don't be fool-fooled," Charlie gasped. "When you…least expect it-it, he'll have power over you. Aaah!" Charlie cried. He took a deep breath, and was suddenly still. His eyes remained opened and unmoving. The Winchesters were silent for a moment, taking in what they had seen and heard.
"What the hell just happened?" Dean asked. No one had the answer. But now they knew for sure that they were dealing with something big.