Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural, but I wish I did. It would be so much fun!
Hunted
John Winchester is hunted by more then just demons.
Chapter Twenty One
"Those boys are worried about you," Missouri told him. "They think you are hurt or worse."
"I know but it would be too dangerous, if the demon caught us all together..."
"John, they need you, especially after last night. What you are doing to them… it's wrong."
"Their alive," John replied simply.
"And you think that's enough?"
"It has to be… for now." John sighed, "Look Missouri, I promise I'll figure something out. I'll find a way to let them know I'm okay and still keep them safe."
That was all Missouri wanted. She knew that when John said he'd do something he'd do it.
"Missouri… is Mary… Is she still there? Can I see her?" John asked with a pain filled voice.
Missouri sighed. She knew this question was coming and she hated what the answer was going to do to him. "No."
"Why not?" he asked quietly.
"John, I'm sorry. She sacrificed herself when she destroyed the poltergeist."
John said nothing after that, but a single tear slid down his face.
"You need some sleep. The guest room is already made up for you."
John shook his head, "I can't stay."
"John, you're tired. You've been awake for more then twenty four hours and you hurt. I can feel it."
"I can't stay. It's too dangerous."
"You know my home is protected."
"Not good enough. I'm not sure normal protections are going to work with this one Missouri," he said, "I shot it point blank with consecrated rounds filled with holy water. It didn't even flinch. I can't take the chance on you getting hurt. I've been here too long already."
"John…"
"No. I'm leaving," he said standing. He stopped at the door, turned to her and said, "Thank you for taking care of my children Missouri."
She nodded at him and said, "Come back John, when ever you can."
He didn't reply as he walked out the door got in the truck and drove away. Damn she was right though, he was tired. He would need to find a motel soon, but not until he was well away from Lawrence.
He didn't mean to, but before he even realized what he was doing he had put the car in park and stopped in front of his old house. Closing his eyes he whispered, "I'm sorry Mary. I should have been here to protect them; to protect you." He felt his heart breaking all over again. Just like it did when she died and tears rolled down his face unchecked.
Several minutes passed before John raised his head and looked once more at the home he had shared with his wife. She was gone, completely gone this time. She had done what he was trying so hard to do. She had protected their boys with every fiber of her being. He would not fail her again he would make sure the boys stayed safe. He would destroy the demon no matter what the cost to him.
Putting the car in gear he drove out of Lawrence, never wanting to return.
A few hours later he found it necessary to check into a motel and get some much needed sleep. Eight hours later he woke to the ringing of his phone. Checking the caller I.D. he was surprised to see Jefferson's name. He flipped open the phone and said, "Hey Bill, it's been a long time."
"Almost a year John," Jefferson said.
"What's up?"
"I just talked to your boys," Jefferson said, "Caleb told me what's going on, but you should know those boys, they're worried about you."
"I know Bill,"
"You need to talk to them, Sam's ready to call the feds in on the search. I told him to wait a bit, but I'm not sure he's willing."
"Damn. That I do not need right now."
"Yeah, they'd just make things worse. I could call them back and let them know I spoke with you."
"No, that would only hurt them more. I'll take care of it. Thanks Bill."
"Sure thing and John, you need anything, you let me know," Jefferson said before he hung up.
John took a shower then sat down with the laptop to search the web while he considered how to let his children know he was fine while also staying far enough away that they were safe.
"Damn," he said to himself reading one of the stories his search had generated. It involved the Roosevelt Asylum, in Rockford Illinois. Something shady was happening there again. A cop had responded to a call at the asylum then went home and killed his wife and himself. It needed to be checked into before someone else got killed. Unlike place in Albuquerque this one really had been an asylum and it had housed some of the worst of the criminally insane before it had closed it down.
An idea came to John then on how to let his boys know he was okay and still keep them in the clear. Hell they were probably closer to Rockford anyway and this was something he knew they could handle.
Not one to hesitate once he made up his mind John immediately set things in motion. Finding the coordinates for Rockford he picked up his phone and typed a simple text message. All it said was: 42, –89. He sent it to Dean. He would know it was from John and that would ease their minds enough that they didn't call in outside help.
John had found something else in his search that needed to be checked out up in Oregon. The more miles between them when he spoke with them the safer it would be. He smiled at himself. It'd be safer for him too. He had no doubt that if he was too close when they spoke they'd find a way to track him.
A/N Please read and review.