The Guard Changed at Dawn

Chapter 20

Joshua turned around as the headlights of an SUV shone on them, and heaved a sigh. That had to be Samuel with Max and JT. Rising, he stood until the car stopped, then walked over as his son climbed from the vehicle. Stepping in, he gave Max a quick hug complete with manly back slap that would help him save face in front of JT.

JT, however, wasn't paying attention. He'd walked slowly over to the children lying around Joseph.

The medicine man looked up and gave the young man a quick smile. "Good job." JT and Max wouldn't be here if they hadn't found what they were looking for and gotten out safe.

JT merely looked at the children and asked, "Are they okay?"

Sighing, Joseph said, "I suppose that depends on ones definition. They're alive and sleeping."

"We won't know more until they wake up," Joshua said, coming up with Max at his side.

"What are you going to do with them?" JT asked.

"There's a decent sized clinic on the reservation grounds. It has some rooms we can close off. We'll take them there," Joseph said.

JT looked up. "Not the reservation hospital in White Swan?"

"I don't want the publicity," Joseph said. "We don't know how they'll be when they wake up; we don't know what was done to them."

"Two of the older kidnap victims are turning into witches," Joshua explained. "If that's a process that can't be stopped, then we can't expose them to anyone." He looked down at the sleeping children. "They'll need to be contained."

JT's head jerked up. "Contained? They're not animals."

Joshua studied the younger man before saying, "They might be. We can't endanger the entire reservation or the surrounding towns if these children are becoming witches."

JT stared at Joshua for a long minute before he gave a reluctant nod. He was tired and his temper was short. "I know. It's just … they're victims in all this."

Joshua gave the young man a sympathetic look. "Yes, they are. And we're going to do everything we can to help them."

Clearing his throat slightly, Samuel interrupted the two and said, "I called two of our most discreet elders to come and help take the children to the clinic. I also called and woke up Mary," he nodded to Joseph. "She's on her way to the clinic to ready the beds and gather some pajamas and stuffed animals."

"Stuffed animals?" Max asked.

"What else do you get for children?" Joseph smiled. Looking back to Samuel, he said, "Thank you. I know this possibly puts the reservation at risk, but I believe it's a risk worth taking."

"As do I," Samuel smiled. Looking into the forest, he asked, "Anyone hear anything from our other friends?"

"Not yet," Joshua said. "We know they killed three witches, but…"

"Three?" Max interrupted, and fist-pumped the air. "Excellent!" He went over and clapped JT on the back. "Bet it was my grenade that did the trick."

JT rolled his eyes and smiled. "It's not enough that the witches are dead? You need to take credit too?"

Max smirked, grateful his boast had succeeded in pulling JT from his funk. "Of course! I worked really hard on that compound."

Joshua smiled. "I received the information on the witches from Onida. Sam and Ryker went in to meet up with Dean, Caleb and James."

"How long ago?" Max asked, his eyes going to the woods.

"About forty-five minutes."

Max looked to JT and said, "We should go in and help."

"No," Joshua stated. "Sam and Ryker are quite capable of finding Dean; Sam's psychic. The forest is a big place and you wouldn't even know where to start."

"We're trackers, Dad," Max stated. "We can find them in a forest, even in the dark."

But JT had laser focused on the one bit of information Max had missed, information Joshua had unintentionally dropped. "Find Dad?"

Joshua gave himself a mental kick. He hadn't wanted to worry Max and JT, especially when he knew Caleb and Sam would find Dean very quickly. "Apparently a witch ambushed Dean, Caleb, and James, and took Dean. But Caleb and James were right on her heels, and Sam and Ryker went in after them." Leaning in and forcing JT's gaze away from the forest and onto him, he stated emphatically, "They will find him."

Before JT could reply, headlights signaled the arrival of two trucks coming slowly around the bend.

"The elders," Samuel said, moving toward the trucks. Two older men got out and spoke with the tribal chief for a moment, before Samuel nodded and walked back. "We're going to take the children to the clinic now." Looking to Max and Joshua, he said, "I would appreciate it if you both would come and make sure the facilities are secure. We can't risk the children getting out. We would also appreciate the security driving over in case anyone wakes."

Max shook his head. "Dad can help with that. I'm staying here with JT. The others may need help." When Joshua opened his mouth, Max held up a hand. "I won't go into the forest unless we get a call for help, but I'm staying."

Joshua turned to Samuel and said, "I'll check out the security of the ward. Joseph and I can monitor the children for stress; see if they need something to help them sleep."

Samuel smiled. "Then let's get these children into the cars, get them cleaned up and into a comfortable bed."

In short order the four children were lying in the bed of the first truck. Joseph crawled into the flatbed with the small, blanket covered kids while Joshua sat in the cab. Samuel climbed in the second truck and carefully, the vehicles turned and drove slowly away.

JT watched the trucks for a moment, then walked to the barrier and stared inside.

"You thinking about going in?" Max asked, coming up to JT's side.

JT shook his head. "No. If a witch took dad, we have no idea where he could have ended up. The best person to find him is on the job; Uncle Caleb."

Caleb and Sam supported Dean as they walked as fast as possible through the forest. Ryker was watching their six while James took point. Dean's shoulder was killing him, as it was bunched up with his arm slung over Caleb's shoulder. Freakin' witches.

"How much longer?" Sam asked Caleb.

"Not sure," Caleb said shortly. "We're heading directly for the border."

"Not to the cars?"

"No," Caleb stated. "We can call and have Josh come get us. Right now, we just need out."

Sam nodded. He shifted slightly to adjust Dean's weight but stopped when a nearly inaudible groan escaped his brother's lips. "Just hang in there."

"Not much … else goin' now," Dean murmured.

"Up ahead," James called back. He could see the forest thinning and knew they were almost out.

"And on our tail," Ryker shouted.

Caleb immediately dropped Dean's arm and pushed him toward Sam. "Follow James and get to the barrier." Without looking to see if his order was obeyed, Caleb pulled his gun loaded with the pyrite tipped bullets and rushed to Ryker's side.

"Nine o'clock!" Caleb called as he sensed the witch, turned and fired into nothingness.

"Caleb…?"

Blood appeared to be hovering in midair for a split second before the witch coalesced around it.

Ryker drew one of the pouches his godfather had given him and lobbed it at the witch. Greenish powder flew up from the open pouch and darted like a swarm of gnats to the witch and covered her body. Choking, the witch brushed frantically at the powder. Screaming, she darted towards them as Caleb fired again; center mass, the last of his pyrite bullets.

Not stopping to see the damage, Caleb grabbed Ryker by the collar and pulled him in the direction of the barrier. Together, they began to run.

"We're not finishing her off?" Ryker asked as he raced Caleb to the forest edge.

"With what? I shot my last bullet and James has your grenades."

"Parrain's magic," Ryker declared, his breathing coming in shorter pants.

"The green mist?"

"Yeah. Looks like it's supposed to be toxic."

"Then another one is due now," Caleb shouted, turning as the witch materialized behind them, her chest a shredded mess and her face melting.

Ryker threw another pouch that hit the witch directly in the neck. An angry red mist swirled around the witch's head and shoulders, glimmering with firelight and spots of black. The witch dropped in her tracks and started writhing on the ground.

"You have more of those?" Caleb asked, slowing to a backwards jog.

"No."

Caleb wanted to stay and see what the latest pouches did to the witch, but all he was armed with at the moment were regular bullets, and those wouldn't take the witch down if she recovered from … whatever was eating her face.

"Come on," Caleb said as he turned and started running again. "Let's get gone."

Ryker was still jogging backwards, staring. "But I want to…"

Caleb backtracked and grabbed the younger man's arm, pulled him around. "Sorry, no show and tell today."

A smile was spreading across Ryker's face as he ran. "Did you see…"

"I'm melting; I'm melting," Caleb mimicked with a snort of laughter.

Ryker gave a shout of laughter and began running in earnest. "Wait…" he panted, "till I tell Parrain."

Caleb gave another bark of humor as they ran, catching up with James, Sam and Dean near the barrier.

On the other side, Sam lowered Dean to the ground and looked around. "The witch?"

Ryker choked off a laugh as Caleb said, "We're not sure. She could be dead."

"Could be?" Sam asked with a frown.

Ryker laughed outright. "Parrain made some spell potions. I used them on the witch."

"And…?" Sam prompted.

"She might be a puddle of goo on the forest floor," Caleb finished. He started to laugh, but seeing Sam's face forced himself to stop. "Sorry," he said. "I'm just…" he waved a hand. They were all tired. "Anyway, I shot her with the last of the pyrite bullets, but didn't have the grenades to finish her off."

"Sorry," James said, "I forgot I had them."

"Not a problem," Caleb smiled in his godson's direction. "Ryker had some spell pouches from Josh, and they were very … interesting."

Sam started to ask how, but just shook his head. "Okay, see if you can call Samuel…"

Caleb shook his head. "We don't know if JT and Max are out of the forest. Samuel is watching their backs from the ridge."

Sam nodded. "Right. Okay, how about Joseph. He should be able to find us. He's been all over these grounds."

"How about I just call Onida. She can find us and tell Josh where to go."

"Oh," Sam said, "Yeah, that works."

Caleb pulled out his phone and walked away, head lowered so he could hear better.

Sam dropped down beside Dean. "How are you doing?"

Dean looked over at Sam and smiled. "Fine, okay. Would like a shower, a bed, and a burger; not necessarily in that order."

"Think The Edge of Town Diner serves all night?"

"Considering they're on a major truck route, I'm thinking yeah."

Sam chuckled. "So, you made a protection shield out of silver. Very impressive."

Dean smiled again. "If Wilmington can do it, so can I."

"What else happened?"

Dean didn't want to say that he turned the silver into a weapon. Somehow it seemed disrespectful to the intent of the silver, which was to protect hunters against all manner of evil, to imbue them with a badge, so to speak, marking them as heroes. It was meant to safeguard the brave men and women who hunted the boogiemen in the dark, and killed the monsters under the bed; the monsters society didn't want to see.

He'd read the Guardian journals, and there was no mention of any other Guardian ever using the silver in the manner he had tonight. He didn't want to betray his office nor disrespect Pastor Jim. Clearing his throat, he said, "After the three witches died, the fourth came out of nowhere and grabbed me. I couldn't tell where we were, but I gave her a head butt and that loosened her grip, then I made her drop me."

"You made her…"

"Drop me," Dean confirmed. "When she came after me, I fought her off and escaped."

Sam frowned. Dean couldn't have fought off the witch. He didn't have an axe, he only had regular bullets, as the pyrite bullets and grenades had gone to Caleb and James.

Dean could tell Sam wasn't fully buying that, so he said, "I think she was already hurt."

James started to step in and say he hadn't had time to hurt the witch, but stopped when he realized what his dad was omitting; the silver.

"I don't think she could follow me wearing this," Dean said, pulling out Joshua's pouch. "I kept quiet and walked until I needed to rest. That's when you found me."

Sam didn't comment. Dean was definitely leaving out something, maybe several somethings. He would find out eventually; he always did.

Caleb walked up and said, "Onida found us pretty fast. She said we aren't too far from where we went in. She's calling Josh to come get us." Just then his cell rang. "Hey, Onida," he said. After a minute he nodded and replied, "Yeah, okay. We'll see you later today." After he hung up, he said. "JT and Max are out of the forest and will be by to pick us up. There've been some interesting developments."

When Caleb brought up the discovery of children in the forest, Sam took up the narrative.

"We think they were used as a diversion to keep us from going to help you guys." He told of the kids coming at them out of the forest and the spell bags they'd thrown; about how two couldn't cross the protection circle, and Joshua's quick action in making the sleeping potion to stop them from attacking. "After they were asleep, we carried them out of the forest so we could get help. Four of the six were able to get through the barrier."

"What about the other two?" James asked.

Ryker shook his head. "We couldn't get them out. I don't know what happened to them after I left to find you guys. They were still asleep inside the containment wall."

"Anyway," Caleb continued. "Samuel and two elders are taking the four kids to the reservation clinic and placing them in a secure room where they can be monitored. Josh and Joseph have gone there to help."

Dean was watching Sam, Caleb and Ryker as they told the tale of the children, an expression of amazement on his face. "They're alive? The kidnapped kids are alive?"

"Some of them are alive," Ryker stressed. "We don't know how many."

Dean eyed Caleb and Sam. "This definitely changes things."

"Yeah, it does," Sam agreed.

Headlights pierced the darkness as two SUVs bumped slowly over the rough terrain near their location.

"Let's go," Caleb said, moving to Dean's right side. With Sam on the left, they got the other man to his feet.

In short order they were driving out of the forest area and heading back to the motel.

Max drove one of the SUVs, JT, James and Ryker with him. Caleb was behind the wheel of the second with Sam riding shotgun. Dean had declined the front seat and was sitting behind Caleb, staring out the window. Caleb glanced in the rearview mirror. The revelation that kids had survived their kidnapping was a major development, and a large kink in their plan to blow up the caves.

"We need a new plan," Caleb said, eyes going to Sam and Dean.

"Yes, we do," Sam agreed. After a moment, he said softly, "I didn't know what they were when they first came out of the woods, running at the protection circle. When Joshua tossed a spell pouch and it hit one of them… The cry of pain was definitely childish. I thought my heart had stopped in my chest."

"What did the spell pouch do?" Caleb asked, not sure he wanted to know.

Sam shook his head. "I don't know. Truth?" He looked at Caleb. "I was too scared to ask. When I checked her pulse, it was slow and erratic." Turning, he stared out the window. "I hope she's all right."

Caleb nodded. His eyes went to Dean again, but instead of trying to engage his friend, he merely focused on the road and getting them all to a bed.

Two SUVs entered the parking lot of the motel at four-thirty in the morning. Caleb put the car in park and opened the door. To Sam, he said, "Open the door. I'll get him inside."

Sam nodded and jogged down to number twelve.

Max pulled in right next to Caleb and jumped out of the car. Walking over, he said, "All our duffels are at the Yakama Hall. I'm heading over to get them."

Ryker climbed out of the backseat and overheard. "Mary brought them over after we left. They should all be in Caleb and Parrain's room; number nine."

Caleb tossed his room key to Max as he opened the back door and supported Dean so he didn't fall out of the car.

Max walked off, followed by Ryker and James. JT went to his and James' room, opened the door and went inside.

"Come on," Caleb said, helping Dean limp to his room. "Tomorrow I'm having Onida come over and help that ankle and the shoulder. Where else needs tending?"

"Ribs again," Dean grunted. "That witch had a mean grip."

"Next time, duck faster."

"Bitch was fast," Dean said in a petulant tone.

"Not fast enough," Caleb smiled. "You got away."

Dean stepped into his room and dropped onto his bed. Giving Caleb a nod, he said, "Thanks."

"See you at noon in the diner. Burgers are on me," Caleb said, shutting the door.

Sam stood. "Want a shower before I tend the shoulder?"

What he really wanted was to fall on the bed and go to sleep. Instead, Dean nodded and used Sam's steady arm to help him stand again. Sam turned and went into the bathroom and started the shower, then came back and rummaged some sweats from Dean's duffel. He closed the toilet seat and dropped them on top before saying, "Get the shoulder as clean as you can stand," then he shut the door.

"I know that," Dean grumbled. Slowly his clothing fell one by one onto the bathroom floor and he stepped carefully under the spray. Immediately the water at his feet turned red and brown from dirt and blood. Gingerly he washed his torn shoulder, making sure he got any grit, dirt and yarrow from the wound. He then sat on the edge of the tub and washed his ankle. After tending the wounds, he gave himself a thoroughly cleaning and washed his hair before climbing out.

Slowly he slipped into his sweats, picked up his clothes and walked back into the bedroom. He smiled when he saw that Sam had the first aid kit open and ready to go. Dropping into the old-fashioned laminate kitchen chair, he said, "Ready, Doctor Sam."

Sam smiled. As he washed Dean's shoulder in disinfectant and applied the cream, he said, "Tell me about the silver."

Dean glanced up. "You saw."

"Before that," Sam stated, his tone conveying his intent to find out.

Dean sighed and explained the fight with the witch, about coating her in silver and how it sort of melted her into the ground.

"Wow," Sam said, moving to Dean's ankle. "Impressive. Now, what about the other?"

"Come on, Sam," Dean whined.

"I'm going to take a really long time to do this ankle if you don't tell me."

Dean grimaced. Finally, he said, "I couldn't breathe, she was holding me so tight. I couldn't get to my gun or my knife, not that those would have done any damage. But I had the ball of water. I reached for it, but knew just getting her hand wet wouldn't work. It wouldn't cause enough pain to get her to loosen her grip. So…" he swallowed, "I spit on her hand and brought up the silver. She reacted like she was burned, and I used her loosened arms to fight and make her drop me. On the ground, she kept coming. I broke the ball and…"

"And…?"

"I made a silver sword and thrust it inside her chest. As she tried to get away, I pushed it in more, then melted the sword inside her."

Sam nodded intently. "Yeah?"

"Then she went away. I turned the silver back to water as she went."

Sam smiled. "Wow, that's amazing! Why didn't you want to tell me?"

"Because, the silver is something good, something noble, and I used it to kill. I…" Dean swallowed again, and Sam handed him a bottle of water. After taking a gulp, he continued, "I've never read where any Guardian used the silver as a weapon. I dishonored a gift entrusted to me."

Sam sat down across the table. "Dean, I know you; do you even remember much written in the Guardian journals?"

"Of course I do!" Dean declared, indignant. "Mostly."

"I just meant, that I'm sure there were Guardian's of the past who used the silver in very unconventional ways through the decades. You'd probably be surprised if you read the journals with an eye to what each former Guardian did with the silver." Standing, he said, "Now, why don't you go to bed so I can get a shower. Here," he said, handing over a pill. "Take some pain medication so you can sleep."

Dean took the pill, dry swallowed it and limped to the bed while Sam went into the bathroom. Lying down, he thought maybe when he got back to the farm he would read more about the silver and how past Guardians had used it. But maybe, for tonight, he would be able to ask Pastor Jim.

After fifteen minutes Sam walked out of the bathroom and climbed into bed. When he turned off the light and got settled, he said, "By the way; where in the world did you get a rubber balloon for the water?"

"Condom from the diner's restroom," Dean mumbled as he fell asleep.

Sam grinned and closed his eyes.

James lay in bed and watched his brother's profile. JT was lying on his back staring at the ceiling. "You're worried about the kids."

JT's eyes went to James, and he nodded.

"Dad won't let them die."

"He may not have a choice," JT said. "If they're more witch than human, they're trouble."

"You said the girl you saw knew about the barrier and was upset she couldn't get out. That shows more human awareness."

"I know," JT sighed.

James gave it another try. "Uncle Joshua will figure something out."

JT turned onto his side. "That girl," he said, "she was probably one of the kids that Grandpa found. If we could save her… It would be like Grandpa hunting with us for the last time."

James thought that over. "Yeah, it's like he's working this job with us."

A small smile flitted over JT's face. "We need to save her."

"We'll find a way. Let's get up early tomorrow, go to the records hall and see if we can find a way to reverse witch sickness."

"Witch sickness?"

"That's how I look at it. Those kids have caught a virus, and we're going to be the cure."

"All right, I'm with you, little brother. Let's save the children."

Max was almost asleep when Ryker walked back into the room after his shower. Opening one eye, he said, "We need to make a lot more pyrite bullets and grenades tomorrow."

Ryker dropped onto his bed and crawled inside. "They worked well. Also, Parrain's spell bags were amazing." He chuckled softly. "I want to know what he put in them. They melted the witch's face."

Max's eyes popped open. "They what…?"

Ryker grinned. "They melted her face, maybe more. Caleb and I ran for the barrier and didn't stop to see. I need to tell Parrain all about it."

Max chuckled. "Dad's going to have a lot of fun making more."

Ryker didn't speak for a minute, then said, "I want to save the kids."

Max nodded. "We will."

"Why don't you go and get some sleep," Joseph said.

Joshua yawned and nodded. Standing, he went over to the boy with light colored hair and ran a hand over his head. "I think he knows this is a hospital."

The boy was the first to awaken from the sleeping potion. He'd freaked out because of the restraints around his wrists. Joshua had talked to him for several minutes before he finally calmed down enough for Joshua to untie one hand and hand the boy a plastic water cup. Drinking greedily, the water got all over, but Joshua merely cleaned him up and offered more, all the while talking softly about finding him in the woods and that he was safe now. Just words, words he hoped would make sense the more he talked. When he handed the boy a stuffed teddy bear, the child merely stared at the button-eyed bear. Finally, he took it in his arms, held it to his chest and started to cry. Joshua released the strap on the boy's other hand and picked him up in his arms, rocking him and telling him everything would be all right. Finally the child had fallen back to sleep, the bear tucked under his chin.

"I hope so," Joseph said. "I hope the younger ones have the reserves to recover from their captivity."

Joshua nodded, but looked back to the tow-headed boy. He reminded him so much of Maxim when he was a child.

Joseph watched Joshua for a moment, then walked silently out of the room. A few minutes later he returned pushing a recliner.

Joshua saw what he was doing and hurried to help. "You want to sleep in here?" he asked.

Joseph smiled. "No, this is for you." He maneuvered it right near the boy's bed. "Sleep here. I believe the child would be more comfortable if you were here when he woke again."

"Thank you," Joshua said, lowering himself into the chair and groaning. "I'm too old for this."

Joseph chuckled. "I hear you. I'm going to confer with Doctor Etsitty. She's very discreet and wants to help. She's in the lobby. I'll bring her up to speed, then she'll take over and I'll head home. I need a bed. You should lie down soon as well."

"Once he gets used to someone else, I'll go back to the hotel and take a nap," Joshua said.

Joseph nodded and walked out.

Joshua turned back to the bed and saw the little boy watching him. Leaning slowly forward, he said, "Hello." He pointed to himself and said, "Joshua."

The boy blinked sleepy eyes.

"Joshua," he said again, pointing to himself.

Then the boy broke his heart. His lips trembled slightly, and tears ran down his face.

"Ah, come here," Joshua said. Standing, he picked up the child along with his teddy bear and a blanket. Awkwardly he lay back in his recliner and pulled the boy to his chest. Once they were settled, Joshua ran his hand up and down the boy's back, soothing and comforting the traumatized child. Slowly he began to sing;

Close your eyes
Have no fear
The monster's gone
He's on the run and your dad will be here

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy

Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way, it's getting better and better

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy

Soon both Joshua and child were both sleep in the recliner, and Doctor Etsitty walked back out the door, a small smile on her face.

Caleb rolled onto his side and glanced over at the clock. It was eleven in the morning. He'd slept six hours and felt the better for it. Sitting up, he noted the message light on his phone. Picking it up, he saw a text rather than a call. The text was from JT and James, saying they were heading over to the records hall to see if they could find anything to counteract witch sickness. Caleb frowned; witch sickness? What the hell was that? It had to do with the children. The text was sent just before ten, so they hadn't been gone long. Hitting his speed dial, he called JT.

"Hey," JT said, sounding remarkably awake.

"How did you guys get into the Records Hall?"

"I called Mary Whitetail. She let us in."

"You realize she was up late getting ready for the children, right?" Caleb could practically feel JT squirm.

"I don't think she minded. She wants to help the children too."

Caleb sighed. JT and his big heart; just like his dad. "You guys have breakfast?"

"We picked up a breakfast sandwich from the diner. But we could do with some lunch," JT hinted.

Caleb smiled. "Yeah, okay. I'll bring burgers in a couple of hours. You guys hang tight."

"See you later, Uncle Caleb." JT said, and hung up.

Rising, Caleb wanted to call Sam, see how Dean was, but instead he decided on a shower. Minutes later he emerged from the bathroom in a cloud of steam and looked through his duffel. If they stayed here much longer, clean clothes would be a serious issue. He wondered if this no-tell-motel had a laundry room. Pulling out one of his last couple of clean shirts, he got dressed and pulled on his boots. It was close to noon, but instead of going to check on everyone, he figured he'd give them a bit more time to sleep. Gathering his wallet, phone, gun and room key, he walked out of the motel room and headed across the street to the diner.

Once inside, he grabbed a newspaper and dropped onto a stool at the counter. Snapping open the paper, he read the local news until a woman named Rachel walked up.

Smiling, Caleb put down the paper and said, "Hi. Where's Judy?"

Rachel smiled. "It's her day off. You want breakfast or lunch?"

Caleb thought about that a moment, then said, "You do omelets?"

"Of course!"

"Bacon and spinach omelet with hash browns and coffee."

"Comin' right up!"

Rachel filled up a mug of coffee and put it down with some toast, then went off to place his order.

Caleb checked his watch again; it was after twelve. Instead of calling, he texted Sam to see if he was up. He sensed Dean was still asleep, for which he was grateful. His friend had an eventful few days. A couple minutes later Sam texted back saying he was up and showered, and confirmed Dean was still out. He asked where Caleb was, then said he'd be over.

Rachel was putting Caleb's plate down when Sam walked in. "Wow, looks good," Sam said. "I'll have that," he said, pointing at Caleb's plate.

Rachel nodded and duplicated the coffee and toast for Sam before walking away.

"Are Max and Ryker up?" Sam asked.

Caleb shrugged, taking a big bite of his omelet. After swallowing, he said, "Don't know. Haven't checked," he tapped his temple. "Johnny and Jimmy are at the Records Hall researching witch sickness."

"Witch sickness?" echoed Sam. "What's that?"

Caleb smiled. "I think it's all about saving the kids." He took another bite and moaned. "This is so good."

Sam smiled. "You going to have Onida come by and give Dean the once over?"

Caleb nodded. "I'll text her in a bit, see if she's able to come to the hotel, or if she wants us to go to her."

"I want to check in with Joshua too," Sam said. "He didn't come back to the hotel this morning, did he?"

Caleb shook his head. "I think he's still at the clinic."

"How about we all meet up at the Records Hall again this afternoon, set up a new game plan."

Rachel walked up and put a plate in front of Sam. "You boys need anything else?"

"More food," Max said, as he and Ryker walked up behind Sam and Caleb.

"These two with you?" Rachel said, amused.

"Not sure," Caleb said, taking another bite. "Depends on who they expect to pay for their meal."

"We'd never deprive you, Uncle Caleb," Max said with a grin. "We'll sit at the booth," he said, moving away with Ryker.

Rachel laughed and shook her head. "They must be a handful."

"The loudmouth is," Caleb griped.

Chuckling, Rachel walked out from behind the counter and went to take Max and Ryker's order.

Sam smiled as he took a bite of his omelet. "This place…" he chewed and swallowed. "Everything tastes good here."

Caleb gave him a sidelong look and nodded. "You need to taste the burgers. Amazing."

"So," Sam said, taking another bite. "The Hall?"

Caleb pushed his plate away and picked up his coffee mug. "How about we meet at four. That gives Onida some time to work on Deuce and for him to get more rest. And we need to check in with Josh, find out how the kids are doing."

"We need to find a way to help these kids," Sam said. "Joshua and Joseph are going to be key on that one."

"We might bring in Adam," Caleb said slowly.

"Adam, as in Joshua's coven Adam? You hate him."

Caleb's mouth dropped open in surprise. "What? I don't hate him. We just don't get along, and that's mostly on his end. He doesn't approve of the Brotherhood, and that's who I am. Plus, he views me as having stolen Ryker."

"That's crazy. If anyone stole Ryker, it's Joshua."

Caleb shrugged. "It's easier for him to be mad at me than at Josh. Joshua's his best friend. But he's a very talented crafter, especially good at ingredients and potion mixing; really good at finding the right thing for what ails you. He can help."

Sam sighed and nodded. "You want to call him?"

Caleb shook his head. "I'll have Josh call, maybe Ryker. It's going to take one of them to get him to agree to work with us."

Sam tucked into his omelet, delighting in the taste and texture of the meal.

Smiling, Caleb watched him for a moment, then rose, saying, "I'm going to call Onida. Be right back. Order Deuce a burger, will you?"

Sam nodded and continued with his meal.

Ryker and Max came over to the counter with their plates and sat down, Max pushing Caleb's plate away and putting his own down in its spot.

Sam gave the pair a sidelong look. "Caleb's coming back, you know."

Max nodded, taking a bite of his pancakes. "But he's finished. He'll be okay with us sitting here."

Sam shook his head. There were times when the younger generation took advantage of Caleb; the man was such a soft touch outside the training field. They loved him to death, but he needed to pay attention, call them out when they were over doing it.

Ryker forked a bite of scrambled eggs and hash browns in to his mouth. After swallowing, he asked, "Where are JT and Jimmy?"

"Already at the Records Hall searching for ways to save the kids." Sam finished his omelet and pushed away his plate. "Caleb suggested bringing your dad here to help. You think he'd come?"

Ryker thought about that for only a moment before nodding. "He'd want to help the children. Should I call?"

"Let's wait for Caleb. He might have already asked Joshua to call."

Caleb walked back in and stopped abruptly when he saw Max sitting on his stool. "What the hell are you doing in my seat?"

"You were finished," Max said, forking the last bite of his pancakes into his mouth.

Caleb narrowed his eyes, but before he could lay into Max, Sam interrupted.

"I thought you were going back to the hotel. Sorry," Sam said, giving Max a narrow-eyed look. Max blinked, then flushed slightly. Turning to Caleb, Sam asked, "What did Onida say?"

Caleb didn't answer for a moment, still staring at his uppity nephew. Finally he said, "She's coming over. Should be here in half an hour."

"You ask Joshua to talk to Adam?"

"Not yet."

"I'll ask dad," Ryker offered. "Do you want him to bring anyone else?"

Caleb thought that over. "I don't know. We can trust your dad to be silent about what's happening here. I don't want this getting around; I don't want these kids exploited."

Ryker frowned slightly. "The coven wouldn't do that."

"I'm not saying they would, as a whole. But individuals are talkers. I don't want these kids exposed to the media or law enforcement before they're ready to go home; if they get to go home."

"I'll ask dad, explain what we need. If he can think of anyone who is as close-mouthed as he is, should I tell him to bring them?"

Caleb looked to Sam, who shrugged and nodded. "Yeah," he said to Ryker, "if he vouches them. Let me know if he'll come, and I'll send the Ames jet to get them."

Ryker nodded, and he and Max stood.

"Can we take the other SUV to the Hall to meet up with JT and Jimmy?" After his earlier gaffe, Max thought he should ask.

Caleb nodded and tossed him a pair of keys. Pulling out his wallet to pay for the food, he asked Sam, "Did you order Dean's burger?"

Sam's eyes went wide and he shook his head. Turning, he called out. "Rachel? One of your wonderful cheeseburgers to go, please!"

"Make that three burgers," Caleb called. He needed to take one each to JT and James. Damn kids.

Joshua stirred and froze. A small hand gripped his sweater, and the comfortable weight on his chest shifted slightly, then stilled. Smiling, he rubbed his hand slowly up and down the child's back again. When he looked down, a pair of blue eyes were staring up at him. Smiling, he said, "Hey. Joshua," he pointed at his chest. "Remember? Joshua."

The boy merely blinked. Then he looked around the room. When he saw the other children, he sat up, staring.

Joshua carefully scooted to the edge of his lounger. But he found that sleeping in a reclining position hadn't been the best for his body, and he couldn't stand with the child on his lap.

"Can I help?"

Turning, Joshua saw a woman with a white coat, black hair and warm skin smiling at him.

"Doctor Etsitty?"

"Yes. You're Mr. Sawyer." She reached down and began to pull the little boy from Joshua's lap, but the child wasn't having it. He tightened his grip on Joshua's shirt with both hands and clung to his chest.

"Maybe someone can help me stand with him on my lap?" Joshua suggested.

Doctor Etsitty nodded and motioned for another nurse to come over and help. Soon Joshua was upright with the boy situated on his hip. "I think he wants to see the other children," Joshua told the Doctor. Walking over to the small girl and boy with dark hair, he asked, "How are they? Have they woken up yet?"

"Yes, both woke up about three hours ago, scared, mute, nearly hysterical. They calmed down when they saw one another, so that's why they're in the same bed."

"You think their siblings?"

Doctor Etsitty shook her head. "They don't have similar features, so I'd say no. They might have been taken close enough to one another that they bonded."

Joshua nodded. "I see the stuffed animals were a hit."

The small boy was holding a stuffed dog, and the little girl a stuffed cat.

Doctor Etsitty smiled. "Wouldn't let them go." She nodded to the bed next to where boy Joshua held had been situated. The girl with brown hair whom they thought was about six still slept. "She woke up an hour ago, but was so hysterical we had to sedate her again. I hope next time she wakes she'll be better."

The boy in Joshua's arms reached down and touched the other little boy on the hand. He then turned and looked to Joshua, his head cocked to the side.

Joshua smiled. "He's all right." He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. "Sleeping." He closed his eyes again and made a snoring noise. "Sleeping."

The child in his arms giggled.

Joshua felt his heart melt again. "You think that was funny?" He slowly reached over and tickled the boy's tummy. The boy giggled again. "Yeah, it's funny."

Just then the child's stomach gave a loud growl.

"I think someone's hungry," Joshua said, smiling again. He looked at the doctor. "How about some food?"

Doctor Etsitty nodded. "I don't know what they've had to eat for the last…" she broke off. "Well, I thought something easy on the stomach like pancakes. I'll have them brought in, enough for you both."

"Thank you. I'm Joshua, by the way," he held out his hand.

"Maska," Doctor Etsitty said, holding out her hand and shaking Joshua's.

"Maska," Joshua repeated. "What does it mean?"

"Strong," Maska smiled. "I guess my parents were planning on my being a doctor since birth … or possibly a boy." Chuckling, she said, "I'll be right back."

Joshua walked over to a small children's play area. There were books, toys, stuffed animals and a small table where children could draw. He lowered himself into a small chair, sitting the boy on his lap. The child looked around at the toys, his eyes striving to take in all the colorful plastics.

When Maska returned, she set a plate down with two large pancakes covered in syrup, and a spoon. "I thought it best if we keep away from sharp objects like forks and knives, even if they are plastic," she said with a comforting smile. "See if he'll eat anything."

Joshua nodded. After she'd walked away, he picked up the spoon and cut a scoop out of the pancake. He held the spoon up to the boy's lips, but the boy didn't make a move to eat it. Nodding, Joshua carefully put the spoon into his own mouth and ate the piece of pancake. "Hmmm," he said, closing his eyes and chewing. "Good." He took a second cut of pancake and moved it slowly to his own mouth and took another bite. "Good," he said again.

The boy had watched him very carefully as he took each of the bites. When Joshua cut a third piece of pancake, he lifted it to the boy's mouth and waited.

Eyes on Joshua, the boy slowly opened his mouth, and Joshua put the spoon in. When the boy didn't immediately close his mouth, Joshua smiled and pushed up the boy's chin, then pulled the spoon out. The boy sucked on the pancake, his eyes wide.

"Good, huh?" Joshua smiled. "Want another?" He cut another bite and held it up. This time the boy opened his mouth right away and took the food. Soon the child had eaten a whole pancake and his eyes were drooping.

Maska came over and smiled. "Good, he ate. You ready to put him back to bed?"

Joshua nodded and stood with Maska's help. Walking over to the bed, he tucked the child in under the covers, but the small grip on his arm didn't release. Placing the bear in the boy's other arm, he sat back in the recliner. "I don't think I'm going anywhere right now," he said.

Maska pulled up a chair and sat down near Joshua. "Joseph filled me in about what happened with these children." She looked at the boy. "I can't believe they survived in there. And there are two girls who couldn't get past the barrier?"

Joshua nodded. "It looks like the witches were turning them. I hope we can figure out a way to reverse that. Of course, having blood would help, which we couldn't get last night." Just then his cell rang. Quickly he touched the screen to silence the ringer before it could scare the children and answered. "Hello?"

"Parrain," Ryker said. "I know you're still at the clinic. JT and Jimmy are at the Record's Hall seeing if they can find out more about that boy who was kidnapped decades ago, the one who escaped. He might be a way to help the girls, and the kids."

"That's great," Joshua said.

"Caleb thought we should bring in dad."

Joshua's brows rose. "Really?"

"We need help, Parrain. Dad knows potion making better than almost anyone. Caleb said if he agreed to come, he could bring someone who would be discreet, and he would send the jet to bring them here. What do you say?"

"I think that would be very helpful," Joshua said, feeling better about the situation by the moment. They would help these kids. "Did you call your dad?"

"Yeah. He said he'd come. He's gathering supplies right now. He's bringing Odette."

"Good call. She never speaks."

Ryker laughed. "Not very often. I'll ask Caleb to send the jet. They should be here tomorrow."

"Okay, and tell Caleb thank you."

"I will. I'll fill you in on the research later."

Joshua closed the phone and turned to Maska. "We've got some help coming, some very good help. If anyone can help these kids, we're the team to do it."

Maska grinned. "Then let's get started with taking vitals and seeing if these kids can eat some pancakes."

Dean rolled onto his side and immediately stopped as pain flared along his arm. Damn it, he'd forgotten about his shoulder. Shifting a little, he pushed himself into a sitting position. There was a note from Sam on the bedside stand, but he didn't reach for it. Right now he was focused on the aches in his body. Note to self: next time, get the witch to put you down rather than drop you. He checked the clock and saw it was just after twelve-thirty. Damn, he missed out on Caleb buying him lunch. It was the thought of one of those amazing burgers that got him on his feet. Limping over to the table, he fished another pain pill from their supplies and swallowed it. Carefully he lowered himself into a chair and waited until the medication kicked in, giving him relief from many of the aches.

When he could, Dean went and pulled some jeans from his duffel and slid them on. He forewent the shower, as he'd just taken one just a few hours ago. Carefully he tugged a clean tee shirt over his head and gingerly maneuvered his arms into the sleeves. Grimacing as his shoulder pulled, he sat without moving until the throbbing eased. Lowering himself down onto the bed, he picked up Sam's note and read it through before he thoughtfully reached down for his socks and shoes.

A knock on the door had him frowning. Sam would have a key; in fact, so would Caleb. The boys would pound, and Ryker would rap. Joshua, maybe? Rising, he opened the door to find Onida standing outside. "What are you doing here?"

Onida laughed and pushed her way into the room. "Nice, very gentlemanly," she remarked.

Dean grimaced. "Sorry," he said. "I was just surprised."

After taking a look around, Onida faced Dean and said, "Why don't you lie down on the bed?"

Dean's mouth dropped open.

Onida rolled her eyes. "Cool your jets. I'm just here to help with the healing. Didn't Caleb tell you?"

"No, he didn't," Dean remarked, vowing to take revenge on his friend.

"Oh. Well, that explains the reaction," Onida stated, "but you'll still need to lie down."

Dean sat on the bed, eyeing the woman standing over him.

"So," Onida said, "Caleb said your shoulder got it again, and your ribs? Let's look at the ankle too." She lifted his foot and examined his ankle.

"Don't you need to be at the canvas?"

Onida let down his foot and tapped his shirt. Dean gingerly pulled it back over his head, his face going pink. He hadn't taken his shirt off for anyone but Juliet in almost thirty years. He wasn't embarrassed by his body, but being without a shirt in the presence of a practical stranger felt intimate, and that made him uncomfortable. That showcased just how much his life had changed over the years, because there was a time when he was with strangers several times a month.

"Ouch," Onida said, checking his shoulder in a matter of fact manner. "That looks nasty. Can't they grab you somewhere else next time?"

Dean huffed out a laugh. "I thought the same thing." Her practical manner was helping him feel more comfortable.

She poked gently at his ribs, noticing every grimace of pain. Finally she said, "Okay, I can take care of all this. You just need to lie down."

"I don't want to go to sleep," Dean stated, complying with her request.

"What?" Onida asked, confused.

"Last time, I fell asleep. I don't want to this time."

Onida's eyes widened slightly and she nodded. "Okay, I'll make sure not to use anything too soothing." She realized Joseph had probably giving Dean a muscle relaxant, and that's why he'd slept when they were at the Hall.

Dean was watching her closely, and he got it when she did. "Son of a… Joseph gave me something, didn't he? I told him I didn't want a pain killer."

"Then he didn't give you one," Onida smiled. "He would never go against a patient's wishes. He probably gave you a muscle relaxant." She grinned.

Dean rolled his eyes.

Onida laughed. "Okay, you're going to feel warmth when I heal, but there shouldn't be too much pain. Just an odd feeling as the muscles knit together. Okay?"

Dean nodded and closed his eyes, waiting for her to start.

"Relax," Onida said softly, and she touched his ankle.

It did feel weird. It felt like bones were shifting a bit, and muscles were pulling in different directions. After a few minutes he got used to the feel and turned his mind to other matters: the children. According to Sam's note, JT had texted him that morning and said he'd heard a child's voice in one of the caves. They needed a meeting today to discuss the caves, the children, and they needed a new game plan. Three witches were dead, maybe four. He'd go with the count of three, since he and James had salted and burned their remains. But Joshua thought at least two of the older kids were being turned into witches. If so, that meant the witches might be able to replenish their ranks. He hated to think of having to take out children who'd been kidnapped, but if they were witches now, they were a danger to the entire area. It was a tragedy, like a person getting bitten by a werewolf or a vampire. The monster takes over and the human was gone. But there were kids they could save, and he needed to keep his attention focused on that.

A plan had been forming in his mind over the last day. It was unique, different, and would require Onida's cooperation. It also needed to be revised, since they discovered there were children alive in the forest. But he thought he could definitely work with that. He might need Samuel's help, and the help of the Yakama warriors of this era. It would be poetic, to have the Yakama help end a menace that had taken so many of their ancestors.

"What has you so troubled?"

Dean opened his eyes and looked at Onida. She was watching him with a pensive expression on her face, and he realized she'd already healed his body. Smiling, he sat up and said, "Thank you."

Onida smiled. "I'm better at healing after I've rested and eaten. So, what were you thinking about?"

Dean watched her a moment, then said, "I have a plan to take out the rest of the witches and save whatever kids are still alive. But I'm going to need you and your trust that I can do this, that we can kill end them."

"You already killed three witches," Onida stated. "I believe you."

"You say that now," Dean gave her a wry smile. "Wait till you hear my plan."

Max and Ryker were driving to the Yakama Records Building when Max suddenly turned left.

"We're going somewhere else?" Ryker asked.

"The reservation clinic," Max said. "I saw the sign back there. I want to check in with dad."

"Did you call?"

"No. I texted, but haven't heard back. I also want to see how the kids are doing."

"Me too," Ryker agreed.

Fifteen minutes later they pulled into the graveled parking lot of the clinic. After going inside, Max walked up to the front desk and said, "Joshua Sawyer, please."

"He was admitted, when?" the administrator asked, pulling up her computer screen.

"He's working here," Max explained.

The nurse frowned. "Who?"

"Joshua Sawyer."

"Um," she said, looking around. "I'll check on where to send you." She got up and walked away.

"Can you text him again?" Ryker asked.

Max pulled out his phone and was in mid text when a small woman about five-foot-three with black hair walked up and held out her hand to the younger version of the man inside, smiling. "You must be Max," she said.

Max smiled and took her hand. "I am. Can I see dad?"

The woman nodded and said to the receptionist, "I'll handle this, Katelyn." She led them over to a closed door, and Katelyn buzzed them in. Moving down a long, empty hallway, she said, "I'm Doctor Maska Etsitty, by the way."

"Please to meet you. This is Ryker."

Maska gave them an acknowledging nod. "The children are doing pretty well, considering. One was very distressed, so we have her sedated until she can calm down a little. The two youngest have eaten a pancake and are back asleep. The older boy is taken with Joshua and won't let him go very far, but he's responding very well. I left him playing with some stuffed animals."

Ryker said, "My dad's coming to help too."

"Adam Langston, right?"

Ryker nodded.

"I can't wait to meet him. Joshua had some excellent things to say. If any more children are found, I hope we can help them all. Right now with these four, they don't appear to have experienced bodily torture that I can tell; no apparent scars, bruises, cuts or broken bones. We've decided to treat them as we would someone whose undergone psychological trauma. We'll know more about their physiology when the test results come back."

Doctor Etsitty reached the end of the hall and entered a code into a keypad by a pair of double doors that said, Critical Ward. When the doors opened she walked inside. Four doors down she stopped. "This is where we're keeping the children. You can look in through the window here, but I'd rather you not enter. Too many people are stressful for children who've been isolated. I'll see if I can get Joshua to come outside."

Max nodded. He stepped aside as Doctor Etsitty entered, then moved back to the window.

"There are the two littlest ones," Ryker said, pointing to the two children lying together in bed, their dark heads poking out from the covers.

Max nodded. He was watching Doctor Etsitty speak to his dad, who was holding a little blond boy on his lap. Joshua replied, and the doctor nodded.

When Doctor Etsitty returned, she said, "Max, come in. The child won't let go of Joshua, so you'll have to go to him. But only for a minute. Ryker, do you mind staying out here?"

"Not at all," Ryker said. Looking at Max, he said, "Go on."

Max nodded and stepped through the door. Following Doctor Etsitty, he moved up near his dad, leaned over and gave Joshua a quick kiss on the head. "Hey, Dad," he said quietly.

Joshua looked up and smiled. "Hi. How are you? You sleep well?"

Max nodded. "Fine. I just wanted to stop in and see you."

A pair of blue eyes peeked over Joshua's shoulder.

Max knelt down and smiled. "Hi. I'm Max," he pointed at his chest.

The boy looked up at Joshua, who smiled and nodded. He pointed at his son and said, "Max." He pointed at his own chest and said, "Joshua."

The boy stared at Joshua, then looked back at Max.

Max pointed to the teddy bear clutched in the child's arm. "Nice teddy. I used to have one of those too."

The child didn't respond to that; just continued to watch this newcomer.

Max finally said, "Guess I'll head out. We're meeting at the Hall this afternoon to discuss the hunt, see what to do about this new development."

"I'll try to get over there if possible. This little one," Joshua rubbed the boy's back, "is a bit insecure without me around."

"If you can't get over today, I'll come by this evening and fill you in."

"Good, thanks," Joshua said.

Rising, Max waved at the child, then headed out of the ward.

As Max and Ryker left the clinic and climbed back into their car, Ryker said, "I hope we can find out a way to help all the children, even the ones who are turning into witches."

Max glanced over at Ryker's earnest face. "We will."

When they arrived at the Records Hall, the pair walked inside and down the long hall to the records room where JT and James were working.

"You guys come up with anything to help the kids?" Ryker asked.

JT looked up. "In our earlier research at Grandpa's, there was an account of a Yakama boy who had been kidnapped by the witches and held captive. But he escaped and returned to his people. We're trying to find out when that was, then see if the medicine men records could show how he was treated. Maybe that would help in making a remedy for the older kids too."

James nodded. "It's like Grandpa's last hunt with us. We need to save them."

Max hadn't connected up the children to the hunt Bobby had started all those years ago, but he immediately sat down and said, "One last hunt with Grandpa Bobby," he said softly. "Where do you want us to start?"

"Yeah, more eyes gets it done," Ryker nodded, snagging a pad of paper and a pencil.

James handed Max two volumes, and Ryker two books and a ledger. "Start checking these. Look for key words, like escaped, wounded boy and witches."

Max looked at Ryker and JT and rolled his eyes. He'd researched enough to know how to look for key words.

"He gets intense about research," JT whispered loudly.

James frowned, then realized what he'd said. Giving JT the finger, he said, "Shut up."

"Very mature" Max stated

"Gentlemen," Ryker interrupted. "We've got several children needing the information we're searching for. Maybe we should focus on that."

That shut down any budding arguments and everyone turned their attention to their research with renewed focus.

Caleb drove back from the Records Hall where he'd dropped off Sam, as well as James and JT's burgers. After leaving the diner, he hadn't gone over to the hotel because he wanted to give Onida time to work her magic on Dean. He was still astounded that she could heal with her energy. She was an amazing woman.

Caleb leaned an elbow on the window sill and sighed. This hunt was one of the most complicated he'd ever worked, barring dealing with angels and heaven and hell. Those were complicated times. But with regards to regular hunts, this one took the cherry. Witches that regenerated, but could eventually die with extreme fire power. Children that had been kidnapped were found alive. Native American lore, an overabundance of research, exploding bullets and a woman who could heal with a touch... Yup, a complicated hunt.

Turning onto the Yakama reservation main road, Caleb headed towards Yakima City. Joseph had contacted him earlier about getting more supplies for the bullets and grenades. There was a mineral mining company that could help with some of the ingredients, and a whole sale herbalist to get the dragon's blood and peppermint along with a list of other ingredients Joseph asked him to pick up. It would be difficult to acquire such unstable minerals as pyrite, tektite and galena, but Joseph put him in contact with a mineralologist with shady connections.

Caleb pondered the children they'd found. He hadn't seen one yet, but he found himself drawn in by the two girls left inside the barrier. It must have been tough for them to see their younger counterparts outside the wall, but be unable to get out themselves. He knew what that felt like; when he was young, he was always on the outside looking in, though in this circumstance it was more being trapped on the inside looking out. Regardless, it was always being on the wrong side.

It wasn't until he'd gone to college that Caleb felt somewhat more accepted by his classmates. Of course, there was always the hidden part of his life involving hunting that kept him from fully being one of the guys. But he'd loved those years, and loved the complete acceptance he'd gotten from Moose. Oliver Havers had been his roommate at Auburn, a large man who played football and had an amazing head for business. He'd been Caleb's construction foreman at Tri-Corp until a demon had killed him and his entire family. Back then, he'd wanted the friendship Oliver offered and had indulged his need. If he hadn't, Oliver might be alive now. To this day he missed his friend and thought of him often.

Caleb shook his head and reversed out of his thoughts of Moose and back to JT's revelation, that he'd seen a girl at their exit point. She had to be one of the girls Ryker had seen. He wanted to go back to the forest, see if she was still there, prowling the barrier looking for a way out. He wanted to see her, to tell her to have hope, that he would find a way to help her, and she would be wanted and loved.

Sighing, Caleb focused on other things. Picking up his phone, he called Alison Daughtery. She'd been a researcher for the Brotherhood as long as he'd been involved, and now managed the research staff. When he'd asked her once why she hadn't retired, she'd stated tartly that she would retire when her Triad retired, and that was the end of the discussion. Years ago Dean had won her undying loyalty when he'd presented her and her fellow researches with hunters rings, stating that they were a hunter's most valuable resource.

He smiled when she answered the phone with her typical grace.

"What do you want now?"

Grinning, Caleb said, "Hi Alison. How are you? How are the kids and grandkids? Isn't your partner's birthday coming up?"

"Get to the point."

Caleb chuckled. "Okay, I need pictures of all the children who've gone missing in the Yakima City, Yakama Reservation area in Washington for the last twenty years."

"Twenty years?" Alison echoed. "That's going to take time."

"As soon as you can get it. You only need names for the last eight years. Bobby's list covers the rest." Caleb didn't need to explain the hunt to Alison. She knew where every team in the field was, and what they were hunting. As she would say; it was her job. "The witches kidnapped children, probably hundreds over the last millennia. During this hunt… Alison, we found some children alive."

Alison gasped. "Seriously? You'll have the information as soon as I get it."

"Thank you. Start with the most recent kidnappings and work backwards. Two of the kids we found are around four or five, one maybe six, and a boy around eight. From what Bobby found, most of the children were kidnapped when they were between three and five. So we might be able to get a name for the ones we've found."

"On it."

"Also, we found two teenage girls who are in the midst of turning into witches. Adam Langston from Joshua's coven is coming to help see if we can reverse the transformation. Sam, Jimmy, Johnny…well, everyone at the moment, is looking into ways to fix this so we can save these girls. Can you…"

"You don't even need to ask. I'm pulling the team in for overtime, so get your checkbook out. And don't bother calling Sam; when I hang up with you I'm calling. We'll see how far they've gotten in their research, and we'll jump in. You gentlemen need to concentrate on taking out those witch bitches and rescuing the rest of the children."

"Thank you. I'll check in when they're corpses."

"Good. And Caleb? Thanks for asking about the family," and she hung up.

Caleb shook his head over their typical conversation ender. Alison could be tough, but she was damn good at her job.

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. He hoped Samuel didn't mind his going around him and the local sheriff to get Brotherhood help on identifying the children. Eric Olsen would have a duty as an officer of the law to take custody of the recovered children, have them evaluated and possibly returned to their parents. He could not allow that to happen, not at this juncture. If the children, young ones or teens, were becoming witches, then they couldn't ever be set free. He hoped maybe hearing their names would jog the children's memories of who they used to be before their abduction.

Sitting back up straight with both hands on the wheel, Caleb checked his watch. It was close to one-thirty. By the time he got back to White Swan, it would likely be closer to four. Glancing at the bag on the front seat next to him, he shrugged and pulled out the burger he'd bought for Dean. Balancing the wheel with his elbow, he peeled away the paper and took a huge bite. "Hmmmm," he groaned. "So good." It would have been cold by the time he got back anyway, he smiled. Sorry, Deuce.

Dean sat on his bed a long time after Onida left. That she hadn't been thrilled with his plan was to be expected. It meant taking a huge leap of faith on her part, and she'd been the guardian of the Yakama people for decades. He hoped she'd trust him to finish the witches, and would agree. But if she didn't, then he'd need another option.

Sighing, he pulled on some socks and his boots and rose to pull on his shirt and over shirt. He glanced at his cracked cell and sighed. What he wanted right now was a great burger. Maybe Judy could tell him where he could get a new phone.

TBC

Author's Notes:

Song Lyrics: John Lennon; "Beautiful Boy" (song released in 1980 on album "Double Fantasy") Data from LyricFind.