A/N: We find out some of Sam's plan now and where he is heading. Thank you for taking this journey with me. Only four chapters left in this story and we will continue with the second one, Accept Me As I Am. I do like reviews, would help make the day brighter. NC

Chapter 16

Sam looked in the mirror at the tattoo on his chest and smoothed a thin layer of ointment over it before taping a nonstick gauze pad in place. He wouldn't have to use the pads much longer but wanted to keep it clean and not let his shirts rub it. He did the same to the two on his arm but didn't cover them. If he wore a tee shirt, they were fine.

He had been searching the internet when he got back for a place to stay until he decided what he was going to do. His laundry had been brought back and he packed it so he would be ready to leave. Sam had found a cabin rental in a small town in West Virginia called Harrisville.

It was isolated and cheap since it was off season, plus it was less than eight hours away. He would take the train into West Virginia and the bus to Harrisville. He had made a reservation for a cabin and planned to leave the next morning. He had checked the train schedule and got a ticket to the closest town, Clarksburg, that the train stopped at. Once he got there, he would switch to a bus for the rest of the journey.

When he got to Harrisville, Sam was going to use the money Crowley left and look for a used vehicle. All he needed was something that ran well and searched used car lots for one. He didn't want to steal one if he could avoid it, but if there was no other choice, he would.

His bed had been made and fresh towels had been put out by the maid. He turned the bed down and slipped under the covers feeling their softness against his skin. It was so different to all the rundown, shabby motels he had stayed at with his father and brother growing up. Sam felt a little hot and hoped he wasn't getting sick. He felt his body shiver slightly before settling down.

What he wouldn't give to stay here longer, but he didn't see that as an option. He had stayed here longer than he probably should and knew it was time to move on. He let sleep pull him under and was lost in a sea of nothingness. His mind worked, while he slept.

spn

Sam gave the room one final look as he shouldered his bags and turned to leave. This had been a luxury that he could never have afforded on his own and he probably wouldn't have it again. He was going to walk to the train station to save on money since it wasn't that far, and his train wasn't leaving until ten am. Sam stopped by the desk to turn in his key card before heading out the front doors. The walk to the station was pleasant and he arrived in plenty of time. He stopped at a cart and got a coffee and found a place to sit while he waited. He watched the people coming and going wondering what their stories were.

It happened suddenly and caught him off guard when soft voices echoed in his head. Sam looked around not seeing anything out of place or any danger and stilled as he concentrated on the voices. A jumble of words had him frowning and shaking his head for a moment and looking around to be sure no one was paying attention to him. He heard snatches of words about, a job, family, hair appointment, kids being sick, and so many other random thoughts that his head started to hurt.

He drew in a couple of slow breaths and imagined a wall in his head that would stop the thoughts from bombarding him. It felt uncomfortable at first trying to build the wall and get it right where thoughts couldn't filter through, but he finally got the hang of it and added each brick until it was finished. Slowly they faded away and he was alone with his thoughts once again. Sam was glad he had skimmed some of the psychic abilities, so he knew about putting up a wall to stop other people's thoughts from leaking into his mind.

He didn't realize how much time had passed and got up to board his train when he heard the announcement. He found his seat and got settled as he puzzled over what he had experienced. The only explanation he could come up with was what the demons did to him was changing him more than he thought. Sam slumped down in the seat and started out to window letting that thought sink in and wondered what else was going to come out. How much more was he going to change?

It wasn't long before the train started and jerked slightly as it began to roll away from the station, slowly picking up speed. This was the first time he had ridden a train and it was different to him. The clacking sounds that the wheels made, and the slight jerking of the car gave him a different sensation than riding in the Impala. He watched the scenery passing by almost getting mesmerized by it. Sam coughed and cleared his throat when it felt scratchy.

"First time on a train?" a male voice asked from nearby.

Sam jerked slightly and looked around for the source seeing an older man looking at him with a smile on his face. He was grey headed and looked to be in his seventies or eighties, he wasn't sure. "Yes, I usually traveled by car."

"It's better than a bus at least," he chuckled. "Name's Virgil."

"Yeah, it is, Sam, nice to meet you. Doesn't look like anyone is sitting across from me, care to join me?" he offered.

"Why thank you young man, I'll take you up on that." Virgil carefully got up and allowed Sam to steady him as he moved to sit across from Sam. "Whew! I'm finding I'm not as steady as I used to be. Where are you heading?"

"Clarksburg, West Virginia and then by bus on to Harrisville," Sam told him. He could feel to goodness in the man's soul and found it easy to talk to him. "Where are you heading?"

"I'm going down to see my son and his family in Savannah, Georgia. I got a new granddaughter to see. She's number five now," he said proudly. "My daughter lives in Jacksonville and she's coming up with her brood for the weekend, so I get to see all my family. My wife passed away ten years ago, so it's a treat when I get to see them. My son has been on me to move down there to be closer, and I just might do that soon. I don't drive anymore and hate flying, so the train goes right there and it's a nice trip. Listen to me going on like this and not letting you talk at all."

"Well congratulations on the new granddaughter Virgil," Sam said. "And that's okay, I don't mind listening."

"Do you have family?"

"My father and a brother. My Mom died with I was a baby."

"I'm sorry to hear that Sam. Are you close to them?"

"My brother, yeah. Our Dad…" Sam trailed off, not wanting to remember his last conversation with his father as he looked away.

"I understand son, sometimes it's hard between a father and son. Even Trey and I had our moments over the years. I'm sure things will work out between you and him. Are you going on vacation?"

"You could say that," Sam said trying to be vague as he looked away. He couldn't tell him his true reasons for getting away, even though he wanted to. Sam would have loved someone to talk to, but that was not on the table. He rubbed his arms since they started feeling itchy and wondered what was going on with him. It was like he was coming down with something.

"That's okay Sam, I don't mean to be nosy. Do you live in New York?"

"No, Sioux Falls," Sam replied since that was the first thing that popped in his mind.

"You are a long way from home. Do you travel a lot?"

"I did, I've been all over the country. My Dad traveled for his work and Dean, my brother, and me went with him. We never really stayed in one place too long."

"That must have been hard on you when you were young Sam. My wife, Maggie and I did some traveling once I retired from the military. She tracked our travels and we made it to every state in the country, even Hawaii. We went there for out fiftieth wedding anniversary. It was a gift from the kids."

"Wow, how long were you married?"

"We were married at sixteen, high school sweethearts, we were, so madly in love," Virgil started, a faraway look in his eyes like he was remembering the past. "Our parents weren't too happy about it, but they couldn't stop us. I went in service at eighteen and stayed in for thirty years. Both our kids were born when I was stationed in Germany. I spent ten years there and the rest of my time I moved around here in the states until the last six years. Maggie and I got to see parts of the world we never would have seen. She didn't mind being a soldier's wife and moving around like we did. She was the love of my life and we had a fulfilling life together."

"She sounds like a wonderful woman Virgil."

"She was so strong, self-confident, caring, and giving person. No matter where we were stationed, Maggie always volunteered somewhere on base or in the community. She was an angel on earth."

"Guess it was hard losing her," Sam said.

"Yes, but she started preparing me for her death when we found out she had a brain tumor that they couldn't operate on. She beat the odds and lived a year past what the doctors estimated. During that time, she never showed despair or gave up or let me give up either. Maggie was a positive influence throughout the entire ordeal, and I know I would never have made it through that without her support," Virgil told him. He paused to wipe his eyes of the tears.

Sam blinked away his own tears as he listened to Virgil tell about his wife and their life together. He could tell he had loved her very much and still missed her. Sam was happy that he had family that cared and loved him and was still in his life. It made his heart ache for his own family and wished he could contact them but knew that wasn't an option right now.

He needed to understand what was happening to him and come to terms with that first before even thinking about doing that. He had to accept what he was becoming or deny it and figure out a way to move on from it. For now, he pushed it all deep into his mind to sort out later.

"Do you play cards Sam?" Virgil asked changing the subject.

"I've played a few times."

"I always carry a deck when I travel for something to do. Care to play a few hands?"

"Sure, fine with me," Sam nodded adjusting himself in his seat and moving a book he brought to read.

"Gin or Rummy or are you a poker man?" Virgil teased, a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"I'm game for anything," Sam replied rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

spn

The train pulled into the station at Clarksburg and slowed to a stop. Sam got up to get his bags and turned to tell Virgil goodbye.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Virgil, and I enjoyed our talk and playing cards," Sam said shaking his hand. "It helped pass the time."

"It was a pleasure Sam and I hope things work out for you. You take care young man."

"I will and enjoy the rest of you trip and your visit with family."

"I will try. Maybe I will meet someone else to pass the time with for the rest of the journey."

Sam gave a last wave before moving down the aisle to step from the train and looked around trying to decide which way to go. He needed to find the bus station and see when the next bus was leaving for Harrisville. He stepped into the depot and found a map to use and found the nearest bus station heading down the street toward it.

The station wasn't busy when Sam entered and waited in line to be served. He got a bus ticket and went outside deciding to grab a sandwich from the shop nearby since his bus wasn't leaving for another hour and his stomach was protesting not being fed but a pack of crackers and bottle of water since that morning.

The bus he needed to take pulled into the depot on time and allowed passengers to get off and others to get on. Sam waited his turn and found a seat to himself and stowed his bags beside him since it wasn't crowded, and no one needed the seat. He looked out the window as the bus pulled from the station and got back on the road for the last leg of his trip.

The bus pulled into Harrisville and stopped at the station. Sam waited for everyone else to get off before taking his bags and following. He had seen several motels when they entered town and was going to walk down to one and get a room for the night. The walk wasn't bad, and he was ever alert with it being dark. He had his gun within easy access and didn't have any trouble along the way. He was lucky the demons didn't go through his bags and remove his weapons. He got a single room on the first floor and settled in for the night.

spn

Sam walked around the car lot looking at vehicles, trying to decide if any would suit his need. He wished Dean was there to look at the engine, but he was going to have to figure it out on his own. A blue Chevy Malibu caught his eye and he stepped over to look at it.

"Are you finding something to your liking?" a middle-aged man asked as he stepped up to Sam.

"Can I test drive this one?" Sam asked as he walked around the car. It was non-descript, light blue and seemed in good shape as far as he could tell.

"Of course, I'll get the keys and tag," he replied heading back to the office. He returned with a dealer's tag and keys, allowing Sam to unlock it and crank it.

Sam listened to the engine run, trying to detect any problems but mechanics wasn't his forte. He waited as the salesman got in before putting it into gear and pulling out. He drove it around the area for fifteen minutes before returning to the lot. He got out and opened the hood to check the engine.

"So, what did you think?"

"When was the last oil change?"

"It was changed, and everything was checked out when the car came in. I can tell you there was only one owner and I can run a car fax on it so you can check it out."

"That would be good," Sam replied going to the trunk to look inside. He looked at the tires and checked for tears in the upholstery.

"When you finish looking, if you'll join me inside, I'll have that pulled up for you," he told Sam.

"Alright, I'll be right in," Sam replied. He used his cell to look up the price for the car and compared it to what they were asking for it. Sam wiped his face when he broke out in a cold sweat. He felt like he needed something to drink but wanted to hold off until he was done here. He saw there was some room to bargain and headed for the office. Sam was prepared to deal with the salesman and try to get the price down as low as he could. He checked over the paperwork offered him and did some calculating in his head and asked the salesman to give him the best deal he could for the car, the very best deal.

He was surprised that the salesman didn't try to haggle with him or tell him he couldn't go any lower. He actually offered him a price that was a fourth of what the sticker price was and was going to throw in a voucher for a free tank of gas and car mats for the front. Sam quickly accepted the offer and counted out the money, knowing he was getting a great deal, and not questioning why the salesman seemed so cooperative and willing to lower the price willingly.

The paperwork was done, and Sam drove away in the car. His first stop was a gas station to use the gas voucher to fill it up and check the oil and tire pressure. He checked the directions to the cabin to see if there was a grocery store along the way so he could get some supplies and he wanted to pick up some Tylenol and cough drops in case he was getting sick. A sudden chill ran up his back and his shivered for a moment before trying to shake it off. Sam felt cold all over and zipped his jacket trying to get warm. He cranked the car and headed out wanting to get some supplies and to the cabin before he got any sicker.