Chapter Six: Outings

Lucky Dean.

This was his third day in quarantine and he never had a stronger itch for a hunt before. He was stuck in bed with close supervision. He was lucky if he was able to go to the bathroom let alone a walk around the hospital wing. Susan hadn't been so hard on him but his doctor's and his family were. He lost count on how many times Sam had forced him back into bed with those puppy eyes alone. Nerves of steal until it came to his brother.

"My wife was a good woman, always helping out and donating shit to some stupid charity. She was so sweet damn bitch made me sick." Lou chuckled as he sat beside Dean in a wheelchair. It was odd. The day before Lou had looked like he was lying on his death bed but today he was sitting beside Dean yaking away like he was in for an injured leg. He was still hooked up to all those weird machines helping him breath but he had some spunk to his voice. Dean figured Lou was a riled up man in his younger days. Much like Dean is now. "Fat bitch died of a heart attack. Caught her in her sleep. She went real peaceful. I miss her to this day. Sweet old thing." Lou let out a wheezing laugh. "But that's about it. We were married for fifty years before she passed. What about you, boy? Any she devils sucking the life out of you yet?"

Dean chuckled. He wouldn't label woman as a she devils but he understood where Lou was coming from. Being an old man he's seen the worst of the worst. "No." Dean shook his head. "My line of work…it calls for a lot of moving around. I'm lucky to stay in one place for a week." Dean paused for a moment. "Me and my brother, we're salesmen, heading from town to town. It's a family business."

"Ah I had a business once. Went under within a day." Loud chuckled again. "Never again will I open up a stripclub near a school."

"Grandpa Lou!" A sweet voice came from the hall. Both Dean and Lou looked to the door as a small girl came into sight. She smiled at Lou. "Hi Grandpa Lou."

Smiling Lou looked back to Dean. "Dean, I want you to meet someone." He motioned for her to come in. Dean watched the young girl come in. She was small, thin, maybe around five or six years old, clutching a tattered white bear to her chest. Her eyes were a bright blue. She walked over to Lou and climbed on to his lap. "Dean, this is Erin. She's one of the kids in the children's ward." Lou rubbed a hand over her scalp. "She's been diagnosed with cancer."

Dean felt his stomach tighten. "Cancer?" He looked to Erin. She nodded lightly.

"The doctor said there's a bump on my chest. It's on the inside." She poked at her white hospital gown, a growing smile on her face.

'Lung cancer…' Dean forced a smile for the little girl.

"What's wrong with you?" She cocked her head to the side. Dean could just imagine a set of long brunette curls bouncing with her head toss.

"I'm sick."

"Well I know that silly!" Erin yelped as she jumped from Lou's lap and scrambled on to the bed. "But why are you sick? Did you eat something like my brother? Momma told him the cleaning stuff for the bathroom doesn't clean your insides." Erin shrugged. "He was throwing up so much! It was everywhere! There were like a bazillion buckets! Did you try to clean your insides too?"

Dean shook his head. "No. I don't know how I got sick. Is your brother okay?"

"Yeah, I guess. He lies in bed a lot and doesn't want to play much. Momma said that he needs to be left alone so I read to him. His favourite story is the one about the princess named Erin who goes on an adventure to finder her pink unicorn named Erin and they go to the Erin castle in Erin country. I'll read it to you sometime!"

"Sounds good Erin, how about tonight before you go to bed?"

"Okay!"

"Ahem." The three turned their heads to the door where Sam stood with his arms crossed, a smirk pulling on his fake frown. "Dean…aren't you supposed to be in quarantine?"

Dean gave a shrug. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

"Yeah but right now you're about two feet from knocking on death's door." Tossing a paper bag at Dean Sam took a seat opposite Lou. "Susan isn't in today, you have nurse Terry I think."

Dean froze. "Terry?" He looked to Lou. The old man paled.

"Well I'll be going." Lou unlocked his wheel chair. "Let's get you back to the children's ward Erin." Erin jumped from the bed.

"Bye Dean! I'll see you tonight!" Erin waved goodbye as she walked out of the room with Lou.

The look on Lou's face didn't bestow anymore confidence in Dean as he looked back to Sam. A plead in his eyes. "Sam, if you're a good brother you'll drug me for the rest of the day."

Sam frowned as he eyed the direction Lou and Erin disappeared to. "Why?" He looked back to Dean.

"Terry is like Dad pissed off…twenty four seven. I would give anything to do a hundred of dad's text book push ups if I never heard her name again."

Sam cocked his brows with a smile. "Really? How is she so bad? What's she done?" Sam rose a hand to his lips to hide the smile. He was enjoying Dean's pain to the full extent.

"The damn bitch tried to jab a needle through my arm." Dean pointed to the tiny mark in the nook of his elbow. "See that bruise?"

"Dean there's nothing there."

"Then, she comes in to check up on me like Susan does. I was pinched and probed in places I didn't know I have. She smells like cabbage, chews on these irritating mints like a camel. It's just…it's bad Sammy." Dean shot his brother a glare as he laughed. "It's not funny, dude."

"I think you're over reacting. She's a nurse Dean. She knows what she's doing."

"Can't she know what she's doing somewhere else!" Pulling open the bag Sam tossed at him Dean peered in. "What's this?"

"It's part of the hunt. This is a replica of what we're looking for."

Dean pulled the fake stone out of the bag. "And you bought it because...?"

"...because..." Sam snatched the stone from Dean's fingers. "...you needed a better idea of what this thing looks like. Apparently, according to dad, whatever is stealing youth has connections in the hospital. He thinks it's either one of the doctors or the nurses. Someone who can get around into the restricted areas."

"Why does he think that? There are a lot of places in the hospital just anyone can get to."

"Because people in quarantine have died."

"..." Dean took the stone back. "So you want me to keep an eye out for this stone?"

"Yeah. Dad knows you can't leave but at least if you know what it looks like you won't become a target."

"Hmm..." Dean dropped the stone into the end table drawer. "...alright. I'll keep my eyes open. Anyone else get hurt yet?"

"..." Sam looked away. "Yeah. Almost everyday there's a new case. People are starting to think there's a virus going around that they'll have to keep people in and out of the city until it's cured. So far over a dozen people have come in for checkups in the last two hours. People are terrified. It's all over the news and it's starting to make our job difficult."

"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Why do they think it's a virus? All they have to go on is a bunch of wrinkled corpses."

"..." Sam shook his head. "Because some of these corpses...are kids Dean."

The silence hit hard. "Kids?" He repeated. "..."

"We're doing everything we can to save these people but...whoever is using this stone is one step ahead. Always."

"I should be out there helping you guys."

"No Dean. Your doctor isn't convinced you could handle even a walk around the hospital let alone actually leaving."

"I feel fine."

"Cause you're lying down. Look, just leave the hunt to us alright?"

"..." Dean turned his head away.

"Dean!"

"Okay!" Dean snapped as he looked over to Sam. "Look Sam, I'm tired. Could you leave me alone?" Slipping further under the covers Dean pulled them up over his shoulder and turned so his back was facing Sam.

"..." Nodding silently Sam stood from the seat and headed to the door. Stopping in the doorway he watched his brother for a moment longer before leaving.

XxXxXx

Dean hadn't been sure how long he was out. He hadn't even been sure if he had actully fallen asleep or was daydreaming the last hour. It was Susan's soothing voice that woke him up. "Dean?" Rubbing at his eyes he turned to look at her. She smiled at him. Erin stood at her side holding the tattered bear again. "Sorry to wake you Dean but Erin wanted to tell you her story before she went to bed."

"Can I Dean?" Erin clapped her hands together. "Puleeeeeease?"

With a smirk Dean nodded. "Yeah, alright." Turning so he was sitting upright he helped Erin on to the bed. "Which one are you going to read to me today?"

"The one about Prince Dean and Princess Erin!" Erin piped as she snuggled her way in between Dean's knees. "Once upon a time there was a prince named Dean and a princess named Erin. One day a dragon stole Erin away and the prince Dean had to go get her. So he hoped aboard his unicorn named Sparkles..."

"Whoa...hold up." Dean gave Erin a playful frown. "Sprakles. But I'm a guy. Shouldn't my unicorn sound more cool like...thunder or nightrider?"

"Who's telling the story mister!" Erin crossed her arms. "Anyways! As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted! So Dean hopped on his unicorn named SPARKLES and went to slay the evil dragon that held Erin captive. But some how Dean ended up captive. So Erin knew she had to get them out. Using her brain she escaped from the dragon's cage and saved Dean. Then they both rode into the sunset on Sparkles with Dean beggind Erin to marry him. The end." Nodding her head in a proud fashion Erin jumped to her feet. "What do you think of my story? Really good right? I made it up all by myself! The names too!" She began to jump on the bed.

"Very creative, Erin." Holding her sides Dean stopped her from jumping. "How about you sit down and tell me another one?"

"But I don't want to tell another story! We should play!" Erin bounced down to her butt before hopping off the bed. "I like hide and seek what about you Dean?"

Dean watched Erin before shaking his head. "Not tonight Erin. I'm not feeling well." Dean couldn't really understand it. He was feeling fine before he had gone to bed but now he felt exhausted, drained even.

"Then how about a sleepover? I'll go ask Susan!" Before Dean had a chance to say anything Erin had bolted out of the room screaming for Nurse Susan. With the tyke coming back any minute Dean took the opportunity to catch his breath. Why was he so run down? It was probably because of the midday nap. Most people were exhausted after one of those. "She said yes!" Erin squealed as she shot around the corner and pounced on to Dean's bed. "Now I don't have to be scared of the monster in the big room where everyone stays." Erin slipped under the covers and nestled herself on Dean's right side.

Dean frowned before looking to her. "What monster, Erin?"

"There's a monster that comes in. He comes when it's really really late. Dresses up like a doctor or a nurse and goes to look at the other kids. Then this white smoke stuff comes out of the kids and he leaves. Usually the next day someone's really sick or worse." Erin put her hands around her mouth to whisper. "Dead."

"...Erin...how long has this been happening?"

"I don't know. Ever since I got her like a bagillion years ago." Snuggling into his side Erin closed her eyes, bear clutched tightly. "But I know I'll be safe with you, Dean."

"...yeah..." Dean pulled the blanket tighter around Erin. "...safe." Dean leaned back in bed and stared up at the ceiling. his stomach continued to clench and release. 'Kids...kids are dying while I'm lying in bed...' Looking to Erin he pilled the pillows and blankets around her before slipping out of bed. Pulling open the drawer at his bed side he grabbed his cellphone. Shutting off the machines he unhooked himself before stumbling to the door.

Pressing his back firmly into the wal he began to pant. He wasn't ready to be out of bed yet. He wasn't ready to even move on his own yet. He had to tell Sam though. He had to tell someone before anymore kids got hurt. 'Stupid no cellphone rule.' Dean grumbled silently before pushing himself back up. 'C'mon Dean! You've taken worse than this. If you act like your healthy you will be!' With one hand on the wall to keep him steady Dean started walking. 'Right, left, right, left.' Taking another step Dean's knee gave away. With both hands planted on the ground he kept himself up on his knees. 'Damnit, Dean! Get up!' Planting his feet back on to the ground he got back up and managed the rest of the hallway.

Finally making it to the outside garden Dean turned on his cell. 'Damnit...' He rubbed at his face, a fever beginning to burn. 'What's wrong with me?'

"Hello?"

"Sam?" Dean looked to his phone. Had he dialed the number? He didn't remember pressing anything. "Sam?"

"Dean? You alright?"

"Yeah...I'm...I'm alive. Listen I need you to come to the hospital."

"Why? What happened?"

"Nothing, just...just get here!" Slapping his phone shut Dean stumbled to one of the chairs and fell into it. 'How could a couple of steps leave me so breathless?'

XxXxXx

"Dean!" Dean snapped his eyes open as he was jolted awake. His brother was leaning over him face white with worry. "Dean, are you alright?" Dean looked around. He was back in his bed.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Dean rubbed at his face. His fever had gone down. "What...what happened?" He finally looked at his brother's fear stricken face.

Sam shook his head. "Not sure. I came to the hospital after you called me and you were being rushed to the ER. You've been out for a couple of hours now."

"What? Really?" Dean rubbed at his chest. "What's happening to me?"

Sam shook his head. "The doctor's have no idea what to call it. Of course they won't tell us anything until they know what it is. Dad's going for more information though. Are you okay?"

Dean nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little short of breath I guess. Otherwise fine. Oh...ummm..." Dean rubbed his hand over his eyes. "I found something out, about the hunt. Erin, a little girl. She told me something. There's something that comes to the kids ward and it's making them sick even killing a few."

"What is it?"

"I don't know. Erin just said it was a monster that was stealing white smoke from the kids."

"Could be our youth snatcher."

"That's what I'm thinking. Sammy, help me." Dean sat up. "I wanna go down to the children's ward."

"Whoa, hold on Dean. You just woke up. You might wanna take a minute to regain your strength." Sam pushed Dean back down.

Knocking his hands off Dean scowled. "No Sam! I'm fine, alright! Just get me the wheelchair or I'll do it myself!"

"..." Sam let out a heavy sigh. "Fine, just...sit tight okay?" With a frustrated shrug of his shoulder's Sam pushed the wheelchair closer to Dean's bed. "Do you need help?"

"No!" Dean snapped as he moved himself into the chair. "I'm fine Sam. I'm not a toddler." Unlocking the chair Dean wheeled out of the room. "Are you coming?"

Sam shook his head. "No. I have some thing to look into. Just be careful okay Dean?"

"Yeah. I'll see you later." Turning into the hall Dean headed off to the children's ward.

As he came up to the children's ward Dean had to stay back. The double doors were opening. Two nurses wheeled out a bed. On it lay a child, the bed sheet covering their face. Dean felt his gut clench. Another child had died. Wheeling to look through the doors he could see Erin sitting in the corner with her bear. She was staring at her feet.

"It's a shame." Susan spoke as she came to stand beside Dean. Her gaze going into the ward. "All those empty beds."

Dean looked between Susan and the room. "Isn't that a good thing? If there are empty beds...then kids aren't getting sick right."

Susan slowly turned her gaze to Dean before shaking her head. "There are twelve beds in there Dean. Only five are being used right now...this ward was filled with children five days ago." Susan looked back into the room. "They've all died."

"..." Dean swallowed hard. He had to stop this. Pushing open the door he wheeled himself in. Making his way over to Erin he parked himself beside her. "Erin?" He set a hand to her knee. "Are you alright?" Erin shook her head. Her eyes never leaving her feet. "What happened?" She lifted her head to Dean. Tears streaking down her face.

"It came again last night Dean. It came into the room and it kept circling the room until it stopped at my brother..." Another tear fell. "It killed my brother Dean." Erin wiped at her face. "I tried to save him. I tried to help him but the thing pushed me away. I wasn't strong enough! And now he's dead!" Erin cried into her bear.

"Shh...Erin..." Dean tried to soothe her with his words. His hand rubbing at her back. He lied her down in bed. "It's not your fault. You tried and that's the best thing you could ever do."

"Dean." Dean lifted his head to the double doors. His brother and father stood there watching him. Looking back to Erin he pulled the blanket over her shoulder. "Think will get better Erin. I promise. I have to go now but tomorrow we'll have lunch together okay? And the next day, and the next day until we both get out of here." 'One way or another.' Getting a small smile and a nod from Erin Dean tucked her in. When he was sure she was alright he looked back to Sam and his dad. Wheeling himself over the two turned inward to hide their words from anyone near by. John was the first to speak. Low and stern. There wasn't even a chance he would ask Dean how he's feeling. "We know who has the stone."

Alright so the chapter is a little bit choppy. Sorry. I've been working on it here and there in between trips and wedding and funerals and work. I finally got a chance to finish it when I came down with a pretty horrible fever. Forgive me for choppiness and stuff like that. I finally got an update out though! (yay!) Lol. I'll start working on the next chapter soon. Be patien guys. Life's a busy thing.