The Changing Lights of the Rainbow
Chapter 5
Dean seemed to heal in record time. Or, at least he said he was. He didn't complain of any pain after the first night at Bobby's. He wanted to stay strong for his dad. He knew his dad needed him to be as strong as he could, and he wouldn't disappoint.
The best day of Dean's life, so far, was when his dad asked Bobby to watch Sammy. It was just him and his dad. The way it used to be. They went out to an open field. There were already targets set up, everything was prepared prior to their arrival. John had the day planned ahead of time.
Dean's face lit up with excitement when he learned his dad was going to teach him how to shoot a gun. He explained that he needed to know how to protect himself, in order to protect Sammy. Dean was happy to have a new way to protect them.
When they returned to Bobby's John couldn't stop glowing. He rambled on about how great Dean was, how proud he was of him.
"You should have seen him, Bobby, he was a natural! He shot everyone of those cans off the barrels and hit bullseye every damn time. He's got some real talent. You would have been proud! I know I sure as hell am!"
Dean just listened to his dad as they both beamed with pride.
The days turned into weeks. The weeks into months. The months into years. Not much had changed. They left Bobby's, moved from place to place, like they had done before the shifter attacked them. Only, now, Dean knew how to better protect them. As his dad learned new things about the monsters he hunted, he taught them to Dean. If he was going to keep himself and his brother safe, he needed to know what types of bullets to use, or what weapon worked on what monster.
John became determined to not let anything hurt his boys again. He was determined that Dean would know how to fight, shoot, and use a knife. He needed to be strong, and fast.
He figured, the boy had a lot of pinned up energy that needed released, and the best way to do that would be in training. Dean didn't ever complain. He would sit in a motel room for days, without ever seeing the outside, doing nothing but taking care of his brother.
John start noticing small things with Dean, even though he never complained, he still had his signs that he had too much built up energy. He would sit on the edge of the bed and bounce his knees, he seemed to constantly change positions or seats, the thing he did the most, was he never seemed to keep his hands still. He was always finding something to wrap his fingers in, or would wring his hands together. He would find himself grasping the bed, or seat, beneath him and letting it go, just to grasp it again.
He actually seemed relieved when John told him he was going to start training. He would even volunteer to train as much as he could. Of course, when John was gone on a hunt, Dean had to stay inside, with Sammy. But, when John was home, he would have Dean run, it started with just small runs, but Dean wasn't happy with that. So, John allowed him to run as much as he wanted, he would keep track of his time, trying to beat it each day. Not only did it help him release energy but it also gave him a break from his little brother.
John taught him how to do proper sit ups and pushups, which he enjoyed doing, especially when his dad was gone. It would give him something to do instead of being bored. When they had some down time, John would find someone to watch Sam and he would take Dean shooting.
He had met a lot of hunters along the way, some of them good, some not so good. A few, like Bobby, remained close friends. They were people John could trust with his kids. Pastor Jim, he was an interesting character, but was a great man. He would pastor a church, speak of God and angels, he talked about faith and protection from the all mighty. But, he also believed in the darkness that haunted the world. He knew his history, that was for sure, and they boys enjoyed learning from him. Most of it seemed to be biblical, but as John had learned, it seemed most fork lures and beliefs seemed to have some type of a biblical background, so it helped to know the information Pastor Jim held inside his brain.
He was a wise, older man, so he didn't mind leaving Sam with him when he took Dean training. In fact, Pastor Jim loved watching the youngest boy. He enjoyed them both, but Sam seemed to soak up every word he would say, and was generally interested, which you didn't find much of in the hunting world. The kid was like a human sponge.
Dean was a respectful boy, he would listen to Jim's lessons too, but he didn't always take everything at face value. He would question a lot. He was more interested in the hands-on learning than sitting and listening to stories, or lessons as Pastor Jim called them. Dean was curious and always found himself in places that he shouldn't be. He seemed to always find something to touch that was off limits.
After learning so much from Pastor Jim, it didn't take Sam long before he had started asking about going to school. He was always interested in learning. Dean didn't have any interest in that world, but John decided, if Sam went to school then Dean had to also. Sure, he pouted around about it, but never actually complained. He decided that it would be okay because he would be there to protect his little brother.
John made up some fake paperwork, saying Dean had been in school with passing grades, the kid should have already been in 3rd grade, but because hunting took too much of John's time he had to take care of Sammy and school wasn't even considered. But, now that the youngest Winchester had gotten older, he wouldn't shut up about going to school and learning everything he could learn. He was five and a half and Sam figured that was old enough to start having friends and a social life, like what he saw on tv.
Dean had taught Sammy everything he knew. He taught him to walk, to talk, his colors, how to count and sort things. He never expected school to be thrown into the equation, but the kid was ready for school when the time came. He had learned everything Dean could have possibly taught him, and was smarter than anyone else in his class. The one thing he wasn't taught, was hunting. Dean and Dad decided it best that he didn't know about that world, not yet anyhow. They needed to protect him, keep him safe from the things that went bump in the night. Dean needed to protect him, not just physically, but emotionally too. He figured it would be too upsetting if he knew the truth.
Dad was a traveling salesman. He worked long hours, sometimes, he had to travel out of state and didn't make it home every night. That was normal to Sam. He had grown up without his dad home every night. But, they had to explain to him that not every family's dad stays gone like there's does. They had to teach him not to tell anyone at school that Dad wasn't home at night. If anyone asked, Uncle Bobby, or Pastor Jim were babysitting them.
The most important lesson they could teach him was how to lie. He didn't like it, but they explained to him that was normal. It was part of their lives. They even managed to use examples from the tv shows he watched, to convince him that it was a normal part of life, and that it wasn't something he went around telling everyone. You didn't announce to the world when you were lying.
"Dad?"
Dean had made his way to the kitchen table, where his dad sat. They had managed to rent a run down apartment for the start of school.
"Shouldn't you be in bed? You start school in the morning."
"Yes sir, I know. But… I was just thinking, are you sure Sammy's ready for that? I mean, we haven't exactly had the most social life, and what if he tells someone that you aren't home most of the time?"
"I don't think he will, Champ. I think he understands the importance of that. And, besides, he doesn't exactly know the truth about everything, so we won't have to worry about him blabbing that all over school. And, his big brother will be there to protect him."
John gave Dean a smile and rubbed his head. Dean just smiled back.
"You going on a hunt?"
"Yeah, I think I am, look, I may not be home when you get back from school. You know the routine. Make sure the salt lines are down, doors and windows are locked. I'll leave you some money, I want you to stop by the store on your way home from school. Once you're home, stay put, don't leave this place until its time for school again. And, whatever you do, make sure you watch out for Sammy."
"Yes sir"
Dean stood and made his way back to his room. That wasn't the conversation he was planning to have with his dad, but that's usually how it always went. The truth was, he was scared, maybe nervous was a better word? Either way, the thought of going to school in the morning had his stomach tied up in knots. Tears threatened to escape his eyes. His chest had a tingling feeling that felt tight.
He curled himself under the covers, hands trembling, breaths were coming in short, fast puffs. He squeezed his eyes closed, as tight as they could go. He would never tell anyone what he was feeling right now, it would be his secret. He would have told his dad, but another hunt consumed his time and conversation. Dean figured that was for the best. He wouldn't want his dad to think he was weak.
Morning came way too early. Sam was bouncing around, excited for the day. Dean didn't seem as excited, in fact he seemed to have no energy at all. He poured Sam a bowl of cereal. The boy couldn't stop talking about everything he expected out of his day, he kept pouring milk and cereal out of his mouth as he talked.
"Would you stop it? You're excited, yeah, we get it, okay? Now eat your cereal and stop making such a big mess!"
Dean's words came out a little harsher than he expected. His stomach still felt like it was still in knots, the last thing he wanted to do was eat, so he made his way back to their room, to dress and ready himself for the day.
John stood shocked at his oldest son's outburst. He gave the boy a few minutes alone in his room before knocking on the door and making his way to his oldest son.
"Everything okay?"
"Yes sir"
"You sure? That was one hell of an outburst, and uncalled for"
"I'm sorry, sir, everything's fine"
John stopped Dean from his shuffling, knelt in front of the boy, placed his hand under his chin and raised his face to look at him. Dean hadn't realized his head was lowered while he was talking to his dad.
"You sure everything is okay?"
Dean shrugged his shoulders. "Just don't feel good, I guess"
"You'll be all right. It's just butterflies in your stomach. Everyone gets nervous their first day of school. Well, everyone except your Brainiac little brother."
Dean chuckled at his dad's comment, giving him a grin.
"It'll be okay, Champ. You've got this! Now, come on, before you boys are late for your first day."
Dean followed Dad out of the room, made sure Sammy was properly dressed and had all his school supplies. Then they loaded into the car. Dean knew this would probably be the only time they went to school like a normal family. Dad driving them, dropping them off for their day of learning. But, the only reason Dad was taking them today is because he had some more paperwork to fill out, and the boys would sit in the office with Dad while he finished. Then, they would be escorted, by school staff, to their class. Late of course, which means everyone would notice them. Everyone would know they were new.
Sam wouldn't mind. He enjoyed the attention. But, the thought of that made the knot in Dean's stomach tighten. He wanted so badly to shout out, to tell his dad he didn't want to go. But, he did what he has always done. He sat quietly in the back seat, beside his brother.
The school was big. Dean wondered if it was haunted and how many people there weren't human. Of course, Sam would never have those thoughts, he didn't know about that stuff yet. Dean was sure the principal wasn't human. Just looking at the old woman, and her dark eyes, made her seem unhuman. She also had a deep voice, like a man. Dean wondered if whatever was using her body couldn't decide if they wanted to be a man or a woman, Dean wasn't entirely sure she was woman either. But, her name said she was. He definitely didn't want to be sent to her office alone.
"Okay, boys, we're all done here. You have a good day at school today, enjoy yourselves. These ladies are going to escort you to your classes."
John's words dug a whole through Dean's chest. He wanted to grab his dad, wrap his arms around him, cry into his chest, beg him not to go, not to make him stay.
Sam was so excited he didn't even hesitate, he jumped from his seat and was half way out the door before the woman could catch up to him, he didn't know where he was going, and honestly he didn't care, he was just excited to be there.
Dean was more hesitant, he slowly raised from his chair, John gave him a small grin and a nod. Dean lowered his head and followed his woman out the door. She tried to make conversation with him while they walked down the hall, but Dean wasn't interested in talking. In fact, he felt like he did the night his mom died, he didn't feel like talking to anyone.
The day drew long for Dean. He didn't make any friends. He didn't really talk to anyone. When the teacher asked him if he would like to tell the class a little about himself he just shook his head no and made his way to his seat. He was used to sitting still, being cooped up in a small room while his dad was gone on a hunt, but this was completely different. He felt like the walls were closing in around him, like all the people in his class were suffocating him. He managed to make it through the day, but was never so thankful when it was over.
Sam, he loved his day. He made friends with everyone he met. He was so full of life. The teacher commented on how smart he was. He loved recess, that was his favorite class. He talked about his day the entire walk home. Which, Dean didn't mind because it kept him from having to mention his day. They stopped by the store like he was instructed, Dean bought the food they would need for the next couple days, then made their way home.
He made sure all his orders were completed. Salt lines were in place, windows and doors were locked. He helped Sam with homework. Fixed them supper. Made sure they both had their baths and were in bed by a decent time. Dean set the alarm clock early enough for school the next day.
Sam was snoring before Dean even had a chance to close his eyes. He curled himself under the covers, made sure his knife was under his pillow, and allowed silent tears to drip from his eyes until they bathed him in darkness and sleep took over.