Author's note:Thanks for the love! Its hard to explain the feeling you get when you see you have new reviews! There might be a hint in this chapter relating to Emily's panic attacks. I know some may wonder why I included them. Anxiety is something personally I deal with. I think what Jared Padalecki is doing with his Always Keep Fighting campaign is amazing. I love that he gives hope to people who struggle. So always remember you guys are NEVER alone in your battles.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Emily.
Most people think bars are nasty places. That they're full of trashy women and dirty old men. But for me they're familiar. They're comforting. Everywhere we go there all different but the same really. I can easily pick out the troublemakers from the friendlies. Winchester's just sorta fit in with the bar scene, maybe that's a bad thing to some people, but not to me. This bar isn't anything special. Its stocked, its smoky, its full of leather jackets and boots. But it's nicer than some other's we've been in.
This town we're in has had a string of disappearances for the last 10 years. No leads. No bodies. Nothing.
Just last week another guy went missing, poor kid said he saw his dad get taken in the parking lot but didn't see what did it. I felt bad for him. He was young. We have done research all day with not a clue as to what's going on... So we do what we do best. Hit the bar.
Dean and me are tossing darts for an hour now, he's kicking my ass of course. Lucky bastard conned me out of 50 bucks. I should have known better by now. Its fine. I'll just grab it out of his wallet the next time we stop at a gas station for a food run.
"Don't phantom attackers usually snatch people from their beds? Jenkins was taken from a parking lot." Dean asked as Sam tried to come up with a theory.
"Well, there are all kinds. You know, Springhill Jacks, phantom gassers. They take people anywhere, anytime. Look, Dean, I don't know if this is our kind of gig either."
"Yeah, you're right, we should ask around more tomorrow."
"Right. I saw a motel about five miles back."
"Whoa, whoa, easy. Let's have another round Sammy."
I took this opportunity to snatch a dart from his pile and throw it poorly. He busted me. I grinned as innocently as possible.
"We should get an early start." Sam tried to convince Dean.
"Yeah, you really know how to have fun, don't you, Grandma?"
I crossed my arms and glared at him.
"Alright, I'll meet you outside, I gotta take a leak." He walked off.
"I gotta pee too Sammy. I'll meet you outside."
"Okay kiddo I'll get the car warmed up for you."
I smiled at him, "That's why you're my favorite." I said with a wink before walking away.
When I walked outside I went over to the impala…. Umm.
Where's Sam? Dad's journal and his laptop are on the roof of the car, the keys on the ground.
"Okay Sammy. So not funny…. Where are you?" I looked around but saw him no where.
"Oh my god… Sam! SAM!" I started to run around frantically screaming his name.
I come around the side of a truck and ran straight into Dean.
"Whoa! Damn kiddo slow your roll.."
"Dean he he he's gone… I.. I can't find him." I stuttered still looking around, spinning in circles.
"Em what are you talking about.."
"Sam! Dean I lost Sam! I went to pee after you and he said he'd meet me out here and he's gone!"
"What?! No.. no he's not. Get in the car. I'll go get him." Dean said as if me saying Sam was gone was as unbelievable as saying the impala turned into a unicorn.
He walked me to the car and I grabbed Sam's stuff off the roof, I watched as Dean walked off yelling for Sam. He got louder with each passing minute… he was realizing I wasn't lying. I couldn't sit here anymore.
I walked towards Dean who had become frantic himself… "Dean.. Where is he?" my lip started to quiver.
"I don't know.. Dammit! I don't know!" he threw his hands up and held them behind his head, turning still searching with his eyes. I did the same.
"Em. Look.." He pointed to a traffic cam at a light right outside the parking lot.
"We can't do anything more tonight… we're gonna have to wait till morning."
"What? Dean no.. I can't leave without Sammy." I looked to him with a broken expression. Ready to burst into tears any second now.
Dean leaned down and took my face in both of this hands.
"Listen to me Em. We're gonna find him. Okay? We're gonna get him back. Tomorrow… but right now we need to go back.. Okay? I promise. I'm gonna get him back." His face was determined, probably trying to cover his own terror of having to leave without Sam.
Dean had his arm wrapped around me the whole way to the impala. I sat as close to him as I possibly could. The motel room was silent. Neither of us saying a word. Just laying in bed… Dean in his and me in Sam's. I wrapped up in a sweater from his bag. I laid my head on my arms and just closed my eyes taking in his smell. I have to get him back. A few tears rolled, but I didn't want Dean to know, I didn't want him to come lay with me. I didn't want his scent to contaminate Sam's. I just wanted Sammy back.
The next day Dean and I drove towards the police station. Dean had a plan but I didn't like it.
"Dean you're gonna get busted. You're supposed to be dead, and if they see you aren't dead they're gonna arrest you for murder. You don't need to be walking in here pretending to be a detective. You were busted last time. You'll get busted again. And then I'll truly be on my own." I laid it out for him and he seemed frustrated. Probably because he knows I'm right.
"Then what the hell do you suggest we do… Huh? Got a plan there Em?"
"Actually… yes."
He scoffed, "Yeah.. Okay. And what would that be?!"
"Let me do it… let me go in, I'll be me. Sam's sister, but I'll bring the older ID so they don't call child services. I'll say that he disappeared and I noticed a traffic cam and wondered if they could pull it for me. Simple as that."
"No. NO way. I'm not letting you do this one alone. Its too important."
"You think I don't fucking realize that Dean?! I want Sammy back just as much as you!" I jumped up and yelled at him.
"Yes Emily I fucking get that! But you're not ready to go alone!"
"Dean! Just. Let me do this my way. Please. We have to get him back, but we have to be smart. You going to jail isn't exactly smart dumbass!"
"Watch who you're talking to." He said cold hard.
"Why… you gonna scrub out my mouth with soap.. Huh dad?" I glared at him. He glared back pissed.
"Dean… Just. Let me try. I'm begging you. Trust me. Please." I begged softly.
"…Fine. But I'm going to tail you, you better text me every little damn detail you get! I want to know EVERYTHING at all times! Do you understand me?" Geez. Yes I do drill sergeant!
"Yes. Thank you."
I walked into the station… alone. It was a little more intimidating then I thought it would be, but I've got bigger issues. I need to find my brother. I approached the desk and a female deputy turned around to offer me help. Shit. I was totally gonna play up the boobs and tears on the nearest guy in sight. But I guess I'll have to play some serious hardball now.
"Umm. Yeah. I need to see about getting the footage from a traffic cam in town."
She eyed me suspiciously… "What would you want that for."
"My brother. We were at the local bar… He disappeared. I think the traffic cam might have seen something… please. I'm begging you. Its just me and him. He would never run off and leave me like this."
She looked sad for a moment, then it was back to business. "How old are you?"
"18" I said handing her a fake ID.
"Okay. Well. How about you fill out a missing person's report for me and I'll look into the footage and let you know what we find." She said handing me paperwork.
"Maam… with all due respect. You and I both know that's bullshit. There have been quite a few disappearances in this town over the last 10 years or so haven't there?"
"I'm sorry but how would you know that." She asked crossing her arms.
"I pay attention to the news. The papers… Its something my brother taught me to do. Always be aware of what's going on around you."
She looked at me for a long minute… contemplating something.
"Okay… What's his name and what does he look like?" She asked leading me over to a desk on the other side of the room. I pulled out a picture I had tucked in my pocket.
"Sam Winchester." She started to type in his name.
"Hmm… says here he's clean… but. I'm sorry…did you have another brother?"
"Yes. Actually. Dean. He uh.. He was always kinda the black sheep of the family. A real pain in the ass if you ask me." Then I noticed I didn't sound the least bit sad and I'm guessing she did too by her expression. "But.. uhh. I loved him ya know." I said looking down.
"Well I'm sorry he passed."
"Me too. Sammy and me are all that we got. Please. I have to find him."
She stood up with a copy of the papers she just printed.
"Well. I can go down to the city road department and see if they can pull the tapes. Why don't you wait here and I'll be back in an hour at the most."
"No! Please. Let me go with you. I won't get in the way. I'll be quiet. I swear."
She sighed but didn't say no. So I followed her out and climbed into the front seat of the cruiser. Hmm. Not used to being on this side of the bars when it comes to cop cars.
When we got settled I pulled out my phone and texted dean. "In cruiser with deputy. Follow us to get traffic cam tape."
(Dean's POV)
Come on… She's been in there too long. Its not working. I got up to go in.. but then sat back in the car. For about the fifth time in the last 10 minutes. I hate letting her go alone. I know she can do it. But I don't like it. She's getting to independent for her own good. She'll get ideas in her head and take off on her own. Its dangerous. She's dangerous sometimes.
I couldn't get my foot to stop tapping. Eyes glued to the front door. She walked in… now I'm waiting for her to walk out.
Suddenly my phone goes off, I jump and fling it open.. "In cruiser with deputy. Follow us to get traffic cam tape." Holy shit it worked.
I looked up to see a cruiser with two women in it… I'm assuming one of them is Em. So I start up baby and follow them down the road, keeping my distance.
We didn't have to go far, we parked in front of an unmarked building downtown. Must be city property. Great. Now I get to wait more.
I watched as Emily and a pretty attractive female sheriff walked inside. I'm kinda shocked Emily pulled this thing off so easily. I mean. I knew she was good. But. Still. How do you walk in and convince a cop to let you tag along on an investigation?
If it was a guy cop I might understand a little more. Emily's good at playing men. Scares the hell out of me most times. But sometimes it comes in handy. This would be one of those times…
I wish I knew where Sammy way. That he was safe. It kills me. I lost him on my watch. He was my responsibility and I let him get taken… This wouldn't be the first time I fucked up and let this happen. I swore to myself it would be the last time though. The consequences of my actions from the last time around were bad. They still are bad. It makes me sick every time Emily wakes up with nightmares about it, its why I felt so desperate to fix her panic attacks. It was all my fault anyways. And now Sam. I let something get him too… I fucked up. Again.
If anything happens to him I'll never forgive myself.
(Emily's POV)
I stood back a little bit and let the lady do her job, turns out her name is Kathleen. She's actually not bad for a cop.
When they forwarded the tapes to about the time we were there I leaned in a little closer. Trying to over listen.
"Emily, let me show you something." She said to me.
"Look at how old this truck is… now look at the license plate."
I looked…"It looks new." I said confused.
"Exactly. Probably stolen. And it's the only vehicle coming or going at the time yall were getting to leave."
"So you think they have Sammy?" My heartrate picked up.
"Maybe. Lets find out." She said looking at me sadly. It was different not having to pretend to be scared or upset to get them to help. This time it was genuine. I was terrified. Who and what is this thing? Why did it take my brother?
We got back in the car and I texted dean. "Found old truck. Stolen plates. Probably involved. Left bar, never passed traffic cam on the other side of town. Somewhere between here and there. 15 mile stretch. One road. Headed there now. Follow, but not too close."
I rested my head back on the seat and let out a sigh.
"You were right you know." Kathleen suddenly said to me.
"I'm sorry?" I asked confused.
"About the disappearances. I can never find them again. I can't figure out what happened. To any of them." She looked so sad.
"It's not your fault… sometimes there are forces at work we just don't understand." I tried to comfort her.
"I had a brother, Riley. He disappeared three years ago. Just like yours. I never found him." Oh shit… now it makes sense. Why she was willing to help me… why she was so sad watching me talk about Sam. She knows exactly how it feels. God please let us find Sammy…
"I'm so sorry…" Was all I could think to say.
"Yeah. Me too. But… if we find Sam. Maybe I'll find some answers. This is as close as to a lead as I've gotten in years."
I smiled sadly at her and we went back to driving in silence. Looking for a turn off on the road that they might have taken. It was a lot of woods. We were definitely in the boonies.
(Dean's POV)
I've been following but staying back a good ways. Luckily this road has practically nowhere to turn off. So if I keep going straight down it then I'll be close to Em.
I keep looking around, for anything. Any truck. Any sign of monsters, spirits. Although I'm not sure either of those drive an old beat up truck with stolen plates. It doesn't make any sense really. What kind of creature is this?
I drove for another few minutes before getting a text. " 911. I'm cuffed to car." Holy fuckin hell Emily. What the fuck did you do now. I stepped on the gas and quickly came up on a cop car pulled off the side of the road in front of a private property drive with a chain blocking the way. I jumped out, lock pick in hand.
"What the hell Em?" I asked jogging over to her.
"She thinks whoever took him is down there and wanted me to wait in the car. I said no and she tricked me into getting cuffed. Just get me the hell out of these already!"
Suddenly we heard an engine… Shit. Someone's coming.
"Dean hurry!"
I got the lock picked and we jumped in the impala and sped off in reverse ducking around the curve where it couldn't be seen form their private drive. We quietly got out and walked through the woods, guns drawn.
"What the hell…" Emily whispered next to me. "It's the truck from the pictures Dean.. but… those are just. People?"
She was right. Two big ass rednecks. They used keys to get into the cop car and drive it and the old truck back down the drive. Shit. If they had the keys then I think our cop buddy is busted.
"Dean they had keys."
"I know Em.. come on stay close, I mean it!" I turned putting a finger in her face. This is not the time for her to get brave.
(Emily's POV)
I stayed on Dean's ass as we walked about a mile or so through the woods. What we finally found was scarier than hell. It was some run down house. The yard was nasty with trash, car parts, metal, and who knows what everywhere. There were a couple of old rusty sheds and barn on the property too. Seems like some kind of salvage yard near them. We watched as they drove the cop car into the yard and then walked back into the house.
Dean tapped my shoulder and led me into the side door of the barn.
"Dean?!" I heard Sam's voice!
"Sammy!" I ran towards the cage he was locked in, Dean right behind me.
"Sam? Are you hurt?" Dean asked.
"No."
"Damn, it's good to see you man."
"Wait.. Dean?" a female voice said form behind us. I turned around and saw Kathleen in a cage too.
"Umm. Yeah. He's kinda sorta not dead… but I swear he's not a murderer!" She looked at me like I was crazy.
"Oh, these locks look like they're gonna be a bitch." Dean says looking at the front of Sam's cage.
"Well, there's some kind of automatic control right there."
"Have you seen 'em?" I asked Sam.
"Yeah. Dude, they're just people." I knew it!
"And they jumped you? Must be gettin' a little rusty there, Sammy. What do they want?" Dean asked.
"I don't know. They let Jenkins go, but that was some sort of trap. It doesn't make any sense to me."
"Well, that's the point. You know, with our usual playmates, there's rules, there's patterns. But with people, they're just crazy."
"See anything else out there?"
"Uh, he has about a dozen junked cars hidden out back. Plates from all over, so I'm thinkin' when they take someone, they take their car, too."
"Did you see a black Mustang out there? About ten years old?" Kathleen suddenly asked.
"Yeah, actually, I did." Dean replied. Kathleens face fell. I guess she got her answers.
"Your brother's?" I ask her… she just nods.
"I'm so sorry Kathleen." I said looking at her heartbroken face.
"Let's get you guys out of here, then we'll take care of those bastards. This thing takes a key. Know where it might be?" Dean asked.
"I don't know." Sam shrugged.
"Alright, we better go find it. Em, watch my back okay?"
"Yeah." I said dropping my mag to make sure it was full before putting it back in my gun.
"Hey! Be careful kiddo!" Sam hollers to us.
"I will. Promise." I said nodding at him.
Dean and I left the large open area in the barn and went further back, there was a room- filled with terrible horrible things. Heads in jars. Huge knives. Dean picked up a picture and showed it to me.
It was the two men we saw holding up the missing guy- Jenkins' head like it was a 10pt buck or something.
"I'll say it again—demons I get. People are crazy." Dean said looking at my freaked out expression.
"Lets just get out of this room. Please." I said back.
We walked out of the barn and went towards the house. Dean walked into a wind chime made of bones. What in the ACTUAL fuck is going on around here! Who the hell are these people?! We snuck in the back door. It stinks in this house. There's dirt on everything. The maid hasn't been in for a VERY long time. Dean picks up a jar with… oh my god.
"Are those teeth?!" I asked him. He looked at me horrified and shook his head up and down.
Suddenly I feel something behind me. I turn and see a little girl, I drop my gun and lean down to her.
"Shh.. Shh. It's okay we won't hurt you." I said reaching out for her. She was filthy. I really didn't wanna touch her.
She ginned. "I know.." then she screamed…"Daddy!" Oh shit.
Suddenly in runs 3 large men, two from the road and an older man. The young girl lounges for me and I punch her in the face knocking her on her ass, I turn to see Dean handling the two guys, wait. Where's the old man?
Then everything is black.
When I wake up I'm tied up, feels like I'm in a chair. I look up slowly. I see Dean sitting across from me. Awake already. Staring at me, I could tell he wanted to come check on me but he was also tied up. Bastards.
"Come on. Let us hunt em." I hear one of the boys ask their dad.
"Yeah, this one's a fighter. Sure would be fun to hunt." The other said standing by Dean. The dad laughed.
"Oh, you gotta be kiddin' me. That's what this is about? You - you yahoos hunt people?" Dean asked putting the pieces together. Grrreat. I'm starting to get the feeling they probably eat their kill. Hence the heads in jars and extra bones and teeth laying around, also the giant chunk of meat dear old pops was filleting in kitchen doesn't quiet have the same color as beef.
"You ever killed before?" their dad got down to Dean's level and asked him.
"Well, that depends on what you mean." I say, getting their attention off Dean. No way in hell am I gonna let them hunt my brothers.
He turned to me and chuckled. "Oh. Don't you worry. I've got plans for you too sweet cheeks. You see… My boys here are lonely. They could use a little company.. if you catch my drift." Suddenly the man standing next to me strokes my face with his hand. I pulled away and spit on his feet. He backhands me. Hard. It busts open my lip.
"HEY! You get your twisted fucking fingers off my sister. Or I swear to god I'll rip them off one at a time with a pair of dirty ass pliers." Dean's voice was scary, but all the men did was laugh. Then the dad turned back to him.
"I've hunted all my life. Just like my father, his before him. I've hunted deer and bear—I even got a cougar once. Oh boy. But the best hunt is human. Oh, there's nothin' like it. Holdin' their life in your hands. Seein' the fear in their eyes just before they go dark. Makes you feel powerful alive."
"You're a sick puppy."
"We give 'em a weapon. Give 'em a fightin' chance. It's kind of like our tradition passed down, father to son. Of course, only one or two a year. Never enough to bring the law down, we never been that sloppy." He said looking up at his two sons, as if insinuating that they've gotten sloppy this time.
"Yeah, well, don't sell yourself short. You're plenty sloppy." He punches Dean.
"So, what, you with that pretty cop? Are you a cop?" He asked him.
"If I tell you, you promise not to make me into an ashtray?" Dean replied sarcastically. Another punch.
"Leave him alone! Or I'll fucking kill you!" I screamed.
"Only reason I don't let my boys take you right here and now is that there's somethin' I need to know."
"Yeah, how 'bout it's not nice to marry your sister?" I said. Then he punched me. Black eye. Great. As if I didn't just get past one of those not too long ago. I swear. I might as well stock up on concealer. I could go through a month's worth in a week.
"Tell me—any of the cops gonna come lookin' for you?" The dad asked, picking up a hot poker and walking towards Dean with it.
"Oh, eat me. No, no, no, wait, wait, wait—you actually might." Dammit Dean shutup! One of the boy's walked over to Dean and held his head in place as the father got closer with the hot poker.
I started to struggle and pull at my ropes. Only to have the other brother hold me against my chair, letting his hand rest on one of my boobs. Fuckin sicko.
"You think this is funny? You brought this down on my family. Alright, you wanna play games? We'll play some games. Looks like we're gonna have a hunt tonight after all, boys. And you get to pick the animal. The boy or the cop?"
"Okay, wait, wait—look, nobody's comin' for me, alright? It's just us."
"You don't choose, I will." Suddenly he digs the poker into Dean's shoulder, burning through his shirt.
"Dean!" I said reaching up against the arm around me, still fighting him and my ropes.
"Ah, you son of a bitch!"
"Well I guess you're not gonna answer me are you… guess you're not so much worried about yourself. But are you worried about her…" The older man took the poker and walked towards me. Oh no.. please no.
"Hey… what are you doing.. Hey!" Dean yelled. Suddenly there was white hot pain digging into my rib cage, I screamed and tried to shrink away from it. But the grip around my chest got tighter and the voices around me laughed.
"Get off of her!" Dean yelled. I could hear him fighting to get up.
"Alright, the guy, the guy! Take the guy!" Dean yelled. The pain stopped. The arm around me clutched to my chest finally let go… I looked up to Dean, he was starting at them. Pure hate in his eyes.
"Dean no! Not Sammy!" I pleaded.
"Lee, go do it. Don't let him out, though. Shoot him in the cage."
"What?! I thought you said you were gonna hunt him. You were gonna give him a chance!" Dean yelled. Fighting the ropes again.
"Lee, when you're done with the boy—shoot the bitch, too. Better clean this mess up before any more cops come runnin' out here." Dean's face goes from rage to fear in less then a second.
There were gunshots in the distance. No.. No no no!
"That boy of yours out there… he's already dead for touching my sister. But If you hurt my brother. I swear on everything that is holy. I'll hunt you down and rip you to shreds with my bear hands." Dean said to him, the rage returning.
The dad stood up and walked to the front door… "Lee?" He called out.
"Lee!... Jared. You come with me. Missy.. stay here and watch them. Don't hurt the girl. Your brother's are gonna want her nice and pretty for later." He said licking his lips.
"Yes Daddy." She says as they walk out the door.
She walked over and stood in front of me. Holding a knife up to my face, but not touching me with it.
She's not even paying attention, she's a shitty guard. She didn't even notice as Dean finally slipped one wrist from his ropes, then the other, he slowly stood up. I kept my eyes on hers to keep her focused on me instead of Dean.
He walked to her, picking up the hot poker, and hitting her over the head with it. I finally breathed a sigh of relief as the knife dropped away from my face and Dean went to untie me.
"I'm so sorry babygirl… I'm so sorry.. are you okay?!" He said coming around to the front and hugging me into his shoulder. I winced at the movement, it hurt my ribs. Every movement did.
"De I'm fine.. come on. We gotta get Sammy.."
"Are you sure you can?" He asked trying to lift my shirt to look at my ribs.
I pushed his hand down, "Dean! After we get Sam! Lets go!" I said pushing myself off the chair.
He locked the girl in the closet an we ran out towards the barn, every step hurt like hell. Luckily when we got out the door I could see Sam running towards the house. Thank God he's okay!
"Sammy!" I yelled running to him.
"Em! Kiddo.. What the hell did they do to you?!" He asked trying to look me over like Dean did.
"Its fine, we'll handle it later.." I said pushing his hands away also. It hurts like hell and I don't want anyone touching it. I think they burnt through the shirt and its partially stuck to the wound, no telling how dirty that poker or anything else in there was.
Kathleen walked over to us…
"Where's the little girl?"
"Napping in the closet." Dean answered.
"The dad?" Sam asked.
"Killed… trying to escape." She said with a flat face. We didn't question it.
"So are both of the sick ass brother's dead? Cause if not then I got a job to finish…" Dean asked stepping up to stand closer to me.
"Yeah man.. they're gone." Sam answered not understanding the hostility in Dean's voice. He looked at me and I just shook my head as if saying "don't ask".
"Well… I've gotta call this thing in. And I'm guessing you don't wanna be here when I do. Something tells me they won't necessarily let Dean Winchester walk away from another murder scene."
"Yeah. I don't imagine they would." Dean answered.
I looked to Kathleen, "Thank you. For everything." I said to her.
"It was worth it… I'm glad you got your brother back."
"And you got your answers…"
"Yeah. But I'm not sure if that makes things better or worse… right now I'm leaning towards worse. I thought it would be easier. Knowing what happened- but. I never could have imagined it was something like this." She said. I could see tears forming. I figured this was a good time to stop. We nodded and started walking towards the impala.
"Well thank God we went with my plan huh Dean? Or we'd be making a ten mile hike back to town."
"Yeah yeah yeah.. you okay to walk?" He asked noticing how hard it was to move. You don't realize how much you move your torso when you walk. I mean shit. I got legs, why is the upper half of my body even moving right now?
"I'm fine Dean. I just wanna get to baby."
"Okay." He said not pushing it.
I felt Sam come up behind me, whispering to me. "You know I could give you a piggy back?"
"Really?" I asked, shocked that he offered, "I'm not as little as I was at 11 Sam."
"Yeah, I'm not worried. I can handle it." He said getting down one knee so I didn't have to jump so far to get on.
It hurt like hell and I had to bite my lip hard enough to draw blood so that I wouldn't yell, but once I was situated and didn't have to move anymore the pain let up a little.
We got to baby and hauled ass back to the room. Dean insisted I stay in the car while he packed up quickly and checked us out. We were on the road for a few hours before we decided to stop elsewhere and bunk down for the night so we could clean mine and Dean's wounds up.
Dean went first, cause I was not ready or willing to let anyone near my ribs right now. Dean's wasn't bad, it was a nasty burn, but he has had much worse. It didn't take Sam long to clean it up and start putting on some cream and a bandage. I knew my turn was coming up and I was getting ancy.
"I'm gonna pee." I said getting up and walking to the bathroom. I stood in front of the mirror and tried to lift up my arm. It pulled the skin and hurt like hell, I only got it halfway up when I had to stop. I tried to pull up my shirt but it was most definitely burned into the wound. Mother Fucker! I've had some pretty nasty bang ups but nothing has ever hurt this bad. Shit. I didn't want the boys to touch me. I didn't wanna touch this thing. It hurt way too much.
I gave up on my ribs and moved to unhook my bra inside my shirt and slide it off out of one of my sleeves. That sick fucker who had a grip across my chest left bruises, you could practically make out the hand print going all around my left boob. Sorry piece of shit. I'm glad he's dead. I'm gonna be sore for days. Damn hillbilly.
I walked back out and saw Sam putting on the last piece of tape to hold down Dean's bandage. Dean put a shirt back on and walked to get a beer. I stood there, waiting for it. I watched Sam closely. He gathered up the dirty gauze and threw them away, pulling fresh new ones out of the kit. He grabbed the saline bottle and looked to me. He must have read my face.
"Come on Emily. Its not gonna be that bad. I'll be careful.. I promise."
"Umm. You know… I'm thinking its not that bad. Lets just hit the hay! Take off in the morning." I tried to nonchalantly persuade Sam.
"Emily. Its going to get infected… I'm not stupid. If you were able to get that shirt off you would have by now, which means you can't. Which means its bad. It needs to be cleaned."
"But Sammmmmmm…." I whined. "It hurts… I don't want to.. please…"
"Kiddo. I have to. You know I have to."
Dean walked over, "Here… take two and let him at least clean up your face. By the time he's done those oughta kick in." He handed me a couple of pills.
"What are they?" I asked sheepishly.
"Uh.. Painkillers?" He looked at me like I was stupid. "You seriously think I would poison you or something?"
"No.." I said looking down at my feet.
"Come on. Take em. Then let Sam clean you up." He handed me a water bottle.
I took the two pills and hesitantly walked over to Sam, he cleaned up my face which he was sure to take his time on. Letting the pills have some time to kick in.
"Okay Kiddo.. Its time." He said looking at my like he felt bad.
"Are you sure… Maybe we should wait till tomorrow…" I said backing away from him slightly, I kept going until I bumped into someone… Dean. Damn.
"Emily. You won't move your arm. You barely can walk. I swear. It's gonna hurt like hell but it will be better afterwards." Dean tried to convince me.
"Come on kiddo.." Sam pleaded. I just stared at him.
Dean sighed behind me, "Quit being such a baby." He pushed me forward.
"I'm not a baby you ass." I turned and growled to him as Sam put a hand on my shoulder, pulling me towards the table in the kitchen.
"Need me to pick you up?" he offered pointing at the table.
"No." I said at him like a cranky child, pulling away from him. "I'll do it myself."
I lifted myself onto the table and had to bite my lip again. Mother fuck shit! I laid on my right side. So Sam could easily reach the left. I took a deep breath and nodded my head.
He gently lifted my arm and pushed it up over my head out of the way, making me whimper.
"Sorry kiddo…"
He started at the bottom and rolled up my shirt as far as he could before I yelled out.
"Ah! Stop stop stop stop.. please. Just. Stop." He quickly let go and sighed.
"Em I've gotta pull it off. Its stuck on there, he burnt it to your skin."
"I know…" I whimpered to him.
"Dean.." Sam called over to him, they must have had the rest of the conversation with their eyes and not their mouths. I fucking hate it when they do that. I'm not fucking stupid. I get that when you don't talk in front of me, its either about me or about something you don't want me to know… I swear. They just think they're sneaky.
Dean walked over and straddled the chair backwards, sitting so his face was right in front of mine. He reached out and held my hand.
"You're gonna have to suck it up kiddo." He said nicely as possible, knowing I was in serious pain. I'm not afraid of needles, or pain usually. But this was something that topped the pain charts for me.
"Okay Em. Here goes. I promise I'll get it off fast." He said before pouring some saline over it to loosen the fabric from the scabbed up wound. It stung even though it was basically just water. I tensed and squeezed my eyes shut as tightly as possible.
"Just do it already!" I said quietly.
I could feel every movement, his hands went back to the bottom of the shirt that was halfway rolled up at this point, he pulled up on it and it literally felt like my skin was ripping off. I held my breath and tensed, squeezing Dean's hand as hard as possible.
"Almost off babygirl." Dean whispered to me squeezing my hand back.
"Stop.. Please.. " I begged. Sam kept going this time, Dean grabbed my other hand so I wouldn't push Sam away.
"Please De.. Please stop." I was almost crying. It felt like the poker was still against my skin, it burned and ripped, and burned.
Finally it stopped and I let out a breath.
"Is it off?" I asked opening my eyes and looking at Dean. He looked at me weird.
"Yeah kiddo its off, but he's still got to pick some pieces out okay? If he doesn't It'll get infected."
"I'm sorry Em." Sam said quietly from above me.
"Its okay Sammy… Its not your fault." I said making sure he knew I wasn't mad at him.
(Dean's POV)
It literally breaks my heart to watch this. This girl is tough as hell, if she's acting like this then I know its bad, which means its already probably developing some sort of an infection, or it wouldn't be so tender. Mine hurt like hell, but it wasn't as deep or big as Em's. And they didn't burn my shirt to my skin.
Sons a' bitches. I'd love to resurrect their asses so I could personally kill them myself one at a time. Especially the one who put his hands on her. I saw some bruising when Sam finally got her shirt off her rib cage. He rolled and tucked it so she wouldn't be laying there exposed, I could easily make out that the small bit of the bruising I was seeing just under her chest were the size of his fingertips. I'd love to rip them off.
I shouldn't have let her come with me. I shoulda had her stay with Sam. She would have been safer, I couldn't even protect her from people… regular psycho people. Now here she is laying on the table trying not to cry.
Sam grabbed the tweezers and went for a piece of her shirt in the deepest part of the wound, she winced and squeezed my hand. Her face was turned red, when he pulled it off she let out the breath she was holding. Her face relaxed for a moment and a single tear rolled out of her still closed eyes, I gently wiped it away.
I don't understand why the pain meds didn't kick in, they're strong meds. I don't know why she's still in this much pain. I would trade places with her in a heartbeat.
It took Sam an hour to clean it all out. It wasn't as deep as I thought it was and I was hoping the tenderness and swelling would go down after we left it alone, I know us picking at it just makes it more inflamed. Sam sat her up and wrapped her ribs tight.
(Emily's POV)
Thank God it was over. It was the longest hour of my life. I was exhausted and the pain meds dean gave me didn't touch the pain. I tried to hold my shirt up over my chest so It wouldn't be in his way but putting any pressure against my left boob made it hurt like hell, it was so sore from his damn death grip. Dean must have noticed me trying not to touch it.
He looked uncomfortable asking but I know he was asking to be sure, "Did he do some major damage or did he just bruise it?"
"Its just bruised, but don't expect me to wear a bra for a few days." I said back just as uncomfortable.
Sam noticed but looked confused, "What the hell did he do?"
Before I could speak Dean cut in, "He grabbed her, held her down while they stuck that thing in her ribs. Apparently we were going to get hunted and she was going to be the prize for later." Dean said his nostrils flaring towards the end.
I watched Sam's face flick to angry and then pity as he looked back at me.
"Its okay, he didn't do anything else. And its neither of you's fault. So don't even go off blaming yourself. Just… forget it happened. Oh and we are sure as hell not telling Dad." Last thing I need is him on their ass making them feel bad. Its not either of their fault, it was that sick freak's and he's dead. I'll heal.
I couldn't get comfortable on the bed, I couldn't fall asleep. I don't know how I was still awake. I was so tired. I didn't sleep last night while Sam was away, now I can't get comfortable enough to sleep tonight. I just want sleep.
Sam must have heard me getting out of the bed because he woke up too, damn I was trying to be quiet. But lets be honest, us Winchesters were not meant to be quiet.
"Em how are you even still awake. You should be passed out for hours." He asked me.
"I can't get comfortable."
"Wanna try what we used to do when you were little?" he asked.
"Sammy I'm not 5 anymore, I doubt it will work."
"What do you have to lose… besides more sleep." He asked me. Well. He's right there.
"Okay.." I said sitting up slowly. Sam grabbed the pillow off Dean's bed that he wasn't using and I grabbed the one I was using. Sam sat up with his back against the headboard and laid one pillow in his lap, I laid down on my right side so that there wasn't any pressure on the other side of my ribs. Then I took my pillow and wrapped my arms around it like it was a teddy bear or something. Sam pulled the covers up all the way up my back to make sure I was warm enough but didn't tuck them because I would always get to hot and wake back up.
I pulled the ponytail holder and dropped my messy bun. Sam played with my hair till I was finally drifting off to sleep. He was right. It works.
When we were little Dad would leave for a hunt and sometimes take Dean with him. So it would be just me and Sam. I used to get scared at night because both Dean and Daddy were gone, and I never felt as safe. So I would lay there awake, letting noises get me all worked up cause I couldn't fall asleep. I would eventually get so scared I would wake up Sam too, stopping him from getting any sleep, so he would always lay my head in his lap and play with my hair till I fell asleep. Works like a charm, even now at 16 I'm like putty anytime someone plays with my hair. It always puts me straight to sleep.
It was a week before Dean let us get back on the road. He said I wasn't leaving until I was healed enough to "dress appropriately in public." I couldn't put on a bra the first few days, and even after I could manage to get one on I still couldn't stand to have tight shirts on against my ribs. So I wore the boy's shirts all week long. Sam had to change the bandages two and three times a day all week but the infection is gone and it doesn't hurt near as bad as it did. Dean almost dragged me to a hospital the second night but thankfully I talked him out of it.
I was so ready to get back in baby and hit the road. With our life its weird staying in one place too long. Guess we're just a bunch of rolling stones in this family.