The Forgotten Daughter
~Chapter Six: Dead Man Walking Part One~
September 18th, 2008
*Normal POV*
Four days.. Castiel had fought for four days to save Dean from the fiery pits of hell. He wanted to believe bringing Dean back would be for the better, but deep down he knew just how wrong it was. Castiel kept telling himself with every waking moment that this would be good for Nicole, that soon he would get to see her.
As the angel crawled injured through hell, he fought to stay alive just a bit longer. He needed to save Dean and he needed to see Nicole's beautiful face once more. Clutching his stomach, Castiel willed himself to stand against a wall and continue fighting. Dean was only two doors away from him. Stumbling down the dark hall, he grunted in pain as he pushed open the cell door and found Dean. The cell was filled with blood and in the corner sat Dean, battered and bruised.
"Who are you?" Dean asked his voice hoarse.
"I am the one chosen to save you Dean, God has commanded it, " Castiel explained as he approached the battered man, " We don't have much time, we must go now. "
Dean stared in shock at the man before him. Castiel not wasting a moment grabbed onto Dean's shoulder and without hesitation fought their way back to Earth once more..
~Pontiac, Illinois: 11 a.m.~
*Dean's POV*
I awoke in a pine box, with no memory of how I got there. I had been in hell for what felt like years and now I laid in the dark six feet under. Digging through my pant pockets, I fished out my Zippo lighter and flipped it on. Looking around the box, I managed to find a loose board to break. As I broke the board however, dirt and clay caved in on me. After what felt like an hour of digging, I finally broke the surface.
Crawling from the hole in the ground, I stood upon the hot surface and looked around me. Trees were uprooted and everything around me lay dead, it was almost as if a bomb had went off. Turning back to my grave, I choked back a sob at the sight of the cross headstone. Squatting down I could tell it was Nickel's hand writing spelling out my name and date of death.
Standing once more, I began walking through the wreckage and found a dirt road not far from where I was buried. The sun was hot as it bared down on me and my throat felt like someone had dragged it across sandpaper. I walked for about two miles before finally setting eyes on an abandoned pump station.
Walking to the door, I looked through the Windows to see no one inside. My throat hurting, I tried to scream out but unfortunately couldn't due to my hoarse voice.Taking my jacket off, I wrapped it around my right hand and punched through the glass door. Unlocking the door, I stepped inside the pump station and hurriedly walked to the cooler for water. After gulping down half a bottle, my eyes landed on a newspaper stand in the corner.
The date was September Eighteenth, I had been gone over four months...
Looking into a nearby mirror, I examined my body. Lifting my shirt, I was surprised to see no sign of the hell hounds attacking me. Lifting my left shirt sleeve, I hissed as I touched the burnt flesh in the shape of a hand print.
Grabbing a plastic bag, I filled it with cereal bars and water before walking to the register and opening it. As I grabbed the bills and change from the register, a nearby tv flipped on filled with static. Turning it off, I slammed the register shut and grabbed salt from a shelve to seal off all entry points.
Out of nowhere, my ears started ringing as glass flew everywhere in the building. Ducking down, I held my hand to my ears until the ringing stopped and then ran outside to the payphone to dial one of Bobby's numbers.
"We're sorry. You have reached a number that has been disconnected," said an automated voice.
"Damn it," I muttered as in inserted another coin.
"Yeah?" A voice said from the phone and I knew it to be Bobby's.
"Bobby?"It's me."
The line cuts out and quickly I insert another coin and dial him once more.
"Bobby, listen to me."
"This ain't funny. Call again, I'll kill ya, " Bobby yelled hanging up the phone.
I sighed as I dropped the phone, of course he wouldn't believe me. Walking from the booth, I smiled as I laid eyes on a rundown car. Running to it, I threw my bag in the passenger seat and hot wired the old car. The engine soon turned over and I laughed happily as I climbed in the passenger seat. Looking at the map, I searched for the fastest route to Sioux Falls and prepared myself for the eight hour journey ahead.
*Nicole's POV*
He had been gone now for four days and with each passing day, I prayed even more for him to return. During the day I would help Bobby in the shop and in the evenings, I would practice shooting or read. Looking out the kitchen window, I could see the sun was starting to set. The sky was filled with an array of orange and purple hues and I couldn't help but think of Cas.
The oven timer started beeping (interrupting me from my thoughts) and quickly I removed the Apple pie from the oven setting it upon the counter. Looking back to the stove, I stirred the chicken and dumplings before popping the rolls I made into the oven.
"It sure smells good in here," Bobby said from behind me as he walked into the kitchen.
"Well let's just hope it taste as good as it smells," I said with a smile.
Walking to the cupboard, I leaned on my crutch for support as I pulled out bowls for the soup along with spoons.
"Here let me help Nick, " Bobby insisted setting his beer down upon the table.
"Thanks Bobby."
" No problem Nick, " he replied as he sat the dinnerware upon the table, " What's ya making anyhow? "
"Chicken and Dumplings, Rita gave me her recipe at therapy today ," I explained walking back to the stove , " I got rolls in the oven and an apple pie cooling for later. "
"That sure sounds good Nick," he chuckled .
A knock soon erupted from the door and as I went to answer Bobby stopped me.
"I'll get it," he mumbled walking out of the kitchen.
The timer went off once more and carefully I removed the fresh bread from the oven setting it up on the stove top. As I placed the bread in a basket, I stopped as I heard Bobby screaming.
"Bobby! It's me!" I heard a familiar voice say making my stomach flip.
"My ass! No you are not, " Bobby yelled and the other voice cried out in pain.
"I am not a shapeshifter or a revenant either damn it !" The voice cried out," If I was either, could I do this – with a silver knife?"
Walking to the hallway, I stared in shock at man before me. Standing there looking as normal as a always was Dean with blood trickling down his fore arm.
"Nickel?" He questioned in disbelief as he looked at me.
"Dean?"
"It's me baby girl," he said happily as tears fell from his eyes.
Walking as fast as I could, I crossed the hallway and took my brother in my arms. Dean was back and I couldn't believe he had returned.
"Oh baby girl, I've missed you so much," he sobbed into my hair as he hugged me tightly.
"I can't believe you're here."
"Neither can I," he choked out as he pulled back and brushed my bangs from my face, " Look at you, I never thought I would see you walk again.. I'm so proud of you Nickel. "
"It's hasn't been easy, but I've managed," I replied chuckling and wiping away his tears.
"How did you bust out?" Bobby asked him curiously.
"I don't know, I just woke up in a pine box and headed here as soon as I could..Where's Sammy?" He questioned looking around eagerly.
"He-," I began but started to cry.
"What happened? " Dean asked panicked looking to Bobby.
"He left.. A little over two months ago," Bobby answered him.
"Left? What do you mean left?" Dean questioned.
" I woke up one morning and caught him as he was leaving.. He left a note for Nick, " Bobby explained.
"I'll go get it, " I muttered as I limped away to my room.
Grabbing the letter, I stopped at the door and listened to Dean and Bobby.
" When did that happen? " Dean asked Bobby referring to me walking.
"About nine days after you kicked the bucket," Bobby explained .
"How has she been?" Dean questioned .
"Better than Sam or I have been doing. She has been real strong Dean, and fighting to walk again... She hasn't used the wheelchair in over a month, " Bobby explained to him.
" She has always been a fighter, " Dean quipped, " Did Sam say why he was leaving? "
"It's all in the letter Dean," Bobby replied.
"Well if my suspicions are correct, I think he is the reason I am vertical again.What else could have brought me back," Dean exclaimed solemnly.
Walking back down the hallway, I held out the letter to Dean and frowned. As he took the letter, I walked back to the kitchen and carried the rolls to the table and set out two beers for each of them.
"That son of a bitch!!" I heard Dean yell from the hallway .
Removing my apron, I peeked around the corner to see my brothers face red with anger.
"Dean," I said aloud getting his attention, " Are you hungry? "
He smiled sadly at me and shook his head no. Walking to him, I hugged him once more and held him tightly in my arms.
"We have to find him Nick," he whispered sadly .
Pulling back I caressed his cheek and smiled faintly, " I know, and we will Dean. First things first though, you need to eat dinner. You just got topside, I know you are hungry. "
He shook his head no to me, " There are more important things Nick, we have to find him. "
"More important than pie," I chimed as I smiled wickedly at him.
His face lit up at the mention of pie, and hurriedly he ran to the kitchen. I knew all to well he had claimed the pie for himself. Bobby chuckled as Dean ran away to the kitchen and smiled at me.
"He's back Bobby," I said cheerfully looking to the old man.
"That he is Nick, but the question remains.. How is he back? " he replied worriedly.
~The Next Morning ~
*Normal POV*
"Yeah, hi, I have a cell phone account with you guys, and uh, I lost my phone. I was wondering if you could turn the GPS on for me. Wedge Antilles.. Social is 2-4-7-4..Thank you" Dean explained into his cell phone before hanging it up and tossing it on a nearby table.
"How'd you know he'd use that name?" Bobby questioned curiously from the desk in the study.
"What don't I know about that kid?" Dean muttered as he typed on Nicole's laptop.
"Morning," Nicole said as she limped to the kitchen in her pjs.
"Well hey there beautiful, " Dean chimed as he saw his sister, "There's coffee made in there. "
"Thank you" she replied as she sat at the kitchen table propping her crutch against it.
" You ok Nick? " Bobby questioned looking at Nicole worriedly getting Dean's attention.
Nicole nodded and winced in pain as she rolled up her pant legs to remove her braces.
"Damn it Nick, why didn't you tell me you were out of ointment for your legs," Bobby scolded her as he saw her legs broke out in rashes.
"I'm not anymore, " she replied pulling the ointment from her pocket, " Rita gave me more yesterday at therapy. "
"Does that happen often?" Dean asked looking at the both of them.
"Yes and only because she is stubborn... For a woman with her faith she sure can be a pain," Bobby ranted looking at Nicole.
"I'm fine Bobby," she exclaimed rubbing the ointment upon her legs.
"You better rest you idjit," Bobby huffed at her.
Dean looked worriedly at his sister. So much had changed since he died and Nicole no longer had to be dependent on him. She was growing up and was no longer a baby anymore, the thought of it all scared the hell out of him.
He smiled faintly at his sister before turning back to the laptop, waiting for it to find Sam. After a few minutes of waiting, the computer chimed grabbing his attention.
"Sam's in Pontiac, Illinois, "Dean said aloud angrily.
"Right near where you were planted, " Bobby stated as he stood looking at the computer screen.
"Right where I popped up. Hell of a coincidence, don't you think?" Dean spat bitterly.
"Well that's just peachy," Nicole quipped pulling her braces back on and grabbing her forearm crutch.
"Where the hell are you going?" Dean yelled as she walked down the hall.
"To pack, " she yelled back, " What else would I be doing? "
"Well she's a bucket of sunshine," Dean scoffed as Nicole slammed the door shut.
"You have no idea," Bobby muttered looking at Dean, " She's still pissed at Sam. Quite frankly, she has every right to be Dean.. Welcome home son. "
Laying in the back seat of the Chevelle, Nicole played with the bracelet upon her wrist. She missed Castiel and wished she could be in his arms. Her mind kept replaying the last night they spent together, and as she thought about it, she couldn't help but smile. Their bodies had molded together perfectly as they connected with one another and she wanted more than anything to be with him once more. She prayed he was ok and she hoped he was safe.
It was a quarter past ten when they arrived in Pontiac, Illinois. The sign above the hotel was written in neon letters that read The Astoria Hotel. As Bobby turned off the car, Nicole sighed, dreading seeing her oversized brother. She was angry to say the least, but more so she was disappointed in him.
Staring at the hotel, Nicole swallowed thickly as Dean opened her door.
"Sis come on, it will be ok," Dean assured her as he helped her to stand.
She rolled her eyes as she looked at him and wasn't convinced by his words. Stepping onto the sidewalk, Dean yelled as he saw Baby parked and quickly ran to the car.
"You know I'm pretty sure you would sleep with it if you could," Nicole quipped looking at Dean, as she walked through the hotel door.
Dean scowled at his baby sister and followed her reluctantly to the counter of the hotel.
"Hi we are looking for a Wedge Antilles," Dean said to the woman behind the counter.
"Who's asking?" The woman replied bitterly.
Nicole sighed and reached into her pocket pulling out a twenty dollar bill, " How about you tell us now, " she said to the woman as she placed the twenty upon the counter.
"207," the woman said with a forced smile.
Walking down the hall Nicole sighed as she saw there was no elevator. Looking at her brother, she frowned and began to walk back to the car.
"Oh no you don't, " Dean began as he grabbed her arm, " You're going up there whether you like it or not. "
"I can wait here Dean, " Nicole protested trying pulling away from her brother, " I'll never make it up that many steps. "
"Nope," Dean ordered and picked his sister up over his shoulder, " You're going and you two are gonna work this out. "
"Damn it Dean," she muttered under her breath.
As they reached the second floor, Dean sat Nicole down allowing her to walk once more. She looked at him bitterly and he simply smiled as he looked at her. Walking down the dark hallway, Nicole followed behind her brother and Bobby. She wished in that moment she could run away from it all. When they reached the room, Dean took it upon himself to knock on the wooden door. As the door opened Nicole scoffed as she saw a short brunette answer.
"So where is it?" The woman asked annoyed.
The three of them looked at each other confused before Dean answered her, " Where's what?"
"The pizza... that takes two guys and a gimp to deliver?"
"I think we got the wrong room, " Nicole muttered as she turned to walk away.
"Hey, is..., " Nicole heard Sam say and instantly she felt a pit in her stomach as she turned around.
"Heya, Sammy, " Dean chimed cheekily looking at his younger brother.
Nicole stared in horror as Sam grabbed a hold of Dean and shoved him into the door frame.
"Who the fuck are you?!" Sam yelled angrily.
"Like you didn't do this?!" Dean spat trying to work his way out of his brothers grip.
"It's him Sam, " Bobby explained looking at Sam, " I've been through this already, it's really him."
Sam stared in shock at his brother before releasing him and wrapping him tightly in his arms. He couldn't believe his brother was back.
"So are you two like... together?" The brunette asked breaking the silence in the room.
Nicole rolled her eyes and stared at the woman irritably.
"No. He's my brother, " Sam replied as his eyes landed upon his sister, " You should probably go. "
The brunette hurriedly collected her things and purposely rammed her shoulder into Nicole's on the way out.
"So tell me, what'd it cost?" Dean asked as the brunette left the room.
" I don't pay, Dean, " Sam chimed as he sat on the bed.
" You know damn well what I mean, " Dean spat angrily at Sam, " Was it just your soul, or was it something worse? "
" I didn't make a deal, " Sam retorted defensively standing from the bed, " I tried everything. I tried opening the Devil's Gate. Hell, I tried to bargain, Dean, but no demon would deal, all right? You were rotting in Hell for months, and I couldn't stop it. So I'm sorry it wasn't me, all right? Dean, I'm sorry."
Nicole sighed and nodded her head as Dean looked to her for help. She could tell when Sam was lying and knew in this moment, he was not.
" It's okay, Sammy. You don't have to apologize, I believe you, " Dean muttered looking at his brother with a hand clapped upon his shoulder.
Sam looked to his sister with tears in his eyes, he could tell she was still hurt.
" Nick, " he began as he walked towards her.
Looking to him angrily Nicole met him halfway and punched him, sending Sam to the floor.
"Don't you dare start you cowardly son of a bitch!" Nicole screamed at him as she stood above him.
"Nicole!" Dean yelled walking to his sister only to be stopped by Bobby.
Dean looked at his sister in horror, never had he saw her so angry before. Stumbling from the floor Sam held his bloody nose and looked to Nicole sadly.
"All you care about it yourself!" Nicole yelled with tears streaming down her face, " You ran off because you couldn't handle everything, because it was too hard. Worst of all you tell me in a fucking letter. I know it has been hell, but how the fuck do you think I have felt for three fucking years Sam!! "
"Nick I'm sorry," Sam muttered wiping tears from his eyes, staring heartbroken at his sister.
" For what huh?! You're no better than that sorry father of ours was!! All you ever do is leave, for once I'm gonna save you the trouble! " she spat out angrily as she walked out of the room.
Sam looked sadly at Dean as their little sister limped from the room. He knew she hadn't forgave him and knew she wouldn't anytime soon. She needed time and he knew not to push her.
" I'm sorry Dean, " Sam muttered wiping his face once more.
"I'm not the one you should be saying that to Sammy," Dean exclaimed solemnly, " I asked you to look after her. You should have stayed and you know it.. "
"I'll go after her, " Bobby muttered awkwardly as he left the room.
Walking from the room, Bobby searched everywhere for Nicole. As he reached the stairs, he sighed as he saw her sitting on the second to top stair sobbing. Stepping down, he sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her. Rarely was she ever this upset, but when she was Bobby knew the best thing to do was sit and comfort her.
~The Next Morning ~
*Nicole's POV*
I had yet to go back into the hotel room, instead I slept in baby outside away from everyone. The air was cold and I lay bundled up with a blanket in the backseat of the impala, thinking about Cas. It had been five days now.. Five days and I had yet to hear from him. I was starting to worry he would never return..
Sitting up, I looked in the front seat and swallowed thickly as I saw a pack of menthols. The last time I had smoked, I was fourteen years old. Dean had went out drinking leaving me alone again at the hotel. I had just lit up when Dean caught me and angrily threw the pack into the trash. That day, was the same day we left to pick up Sammy from Stanford.
I hadn't smoked in four years and now looking at the cigarettes I couldn't help but feel tempted. Reaching forward, I hurriedly opened the pack of menthols and opened the door to baby. Sitting sideways in the backseat with my feet planted on the pavement below, I reached into my pocket to find my black zippo. Lighting the cigarette, I put the bud between my lips and inhaled deeply with my eyes closed.
Putting my head in my hands, I felt like crying once again. I was a nervous wreck and felt empty inside. One would have thought having both my brothers back should make me happy, but in reality it didn't. I knew Dean's return meant something bad was soon going to happen, at least from past experiences it always had..
It wasn't just Dean being back though, it was Sam as well. From the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew something was different. He wasn't the Sam that had left two months ago, and as I looked into his eyes I could tell my brother had been struggling.
Taking a puff of the cigarette, I slowly exhaled the smoke from my mouth and looked up from my hands. To my dismay, I found Dean and Sam walking straight towards me.
"What the hell Nick!" Dean yelled as he pulled the cigarette away from me.
"What!"
"Are you trying to kill yourself?" He questioned worriedly throwing the cigarette on the ground.
Being me and being upset, I regretfully let my mouth override me.
"What, I'm not allowed to try it? You two make it seem like so much fun, " I spat sarcastically standing from the impala with my crutch and limping away.
" Mary Nicole Winchester! Come back here right now! " Dean yelled at me scaring me.
The only time he called me Mary was when he was serious. Turning around I hobbled back to him and avoided Sam's face as it bores holes in me.
"What."
"What, " he said mockingly as he looked at me angrily, " I know you are mad and you have every right to be, " he explained glancing at Sam, " But you better stow your crap now! You two better work this out and quickly ok?! It kills me to see you both fighting like this. "
I sighed knowing he was right and looked to Sam. His eyes looked at me sadly and I could see his face was bruised and nose was broken from me punching him.
"Sorry about your face," I muttered to my oversized brother.
"Don't be, I deserve it," he began placing a hand on her shoulder , " I shouldn't have left, I know that now... Hell I knew it then, but the look of disappointment on your face that morning killed me Nick. Everything you said was right and after I admitted to trying to deal, I couldn't bare seeing you hurt so much.. "
"It hurt more you leaving like you did, " I stated with tears in my eyes, " We could have figured it out together Sammy. We both were hurting and the last thing I needed you to do was leave, I needed my bubba. "
"I know.. I'm sorry Nickel," he whispered sadly .
Reaching forward I wrapped my arms around him and took a deep breath as I hugged him, " I'm sorry too bubba. "
He hugged me back tightly and kissed my forehead.
"I'm proud of you Nick," he smiled as he pulled away, " How long have you been using just one crutch? "
"Three weeks now," I replied looking up at him, " Rita has been busting my ass in therapy. "
He smiled at my words and together the both of us looked at Dean to see him smiling like an idiot.
"See, was that so hard?" He questioned mischievously.
"I'm practically dying already," I quipped pulling out another cigarette and walking away.
I could hear him cursing under his breath and Sam chuckling as I walked away to the Chevelle and using my left hand opened the door to find Bobby smiling.
"Your gonna be the death of him," Bobby said with a smile on his face as I sat down next him.
Lifting my legs carefully into the car, I slammed my door shut and flicked the half smoked cigarette outside the car, " It wouldn't be the first time. "
He rolled his eyes at me and soon the four of us were on our way to meet Pamela one of Bobby's friends. Looking out the window of the Chevelle, I closed my eyes and pictured Cas. I needed him here, we had grown so close that it scared me to be away from him for very long. I loved him, and he loved me. Silently I prayed he would return soon and silently I prayed things were changing for the better...
TO BE CONTINUED...