Dean poured a thick layer of salt in front of the door. Sam salted the windows, and closed the curtains. Jim was sitting on one of the beds in front of the tv. Dean came up to him, an apology all over his face. Jim pouted in silence and avoided meeting his dad's eyes.
Dean nodded to himself, he deserved the silent treatment. Instead he looked around the room. How was he going to explain the severity of this to the boy?
"Okay, here's the deal," he began in an authoritive voice. "This salt that we've put here... It's mine, okay? You do not, under any circumstances, touch it. Or play with it, or... Whatever else you might think to do with it – don't. It's mine and it stays put. And so do you! No venturing outside, no... Just stay within the salt, in this room. You got it?"
"I think he's got it, Dean," Sam sighed over by the door.
Dean went over to the front door. He turned and looked back at Jim, trying to think of something nice to say. He gave up, but thought of some more orders to bark:
"Oh, and this door...remains closed. Come over here and put the chain on after we leave."
Jim came over but still wouldn't make eye contact with Dean.
"It's okay, Jimmy. See you in a bit," said Sam and put a hand on Jim's shoulder.
The Winchesters walked outside and stayed listening to Jim securing the door before they left.
x
The alley was dark and secluded, just a couple of banged up trash cans bore witness to recent human activity. Sam was struggling to keep his cool, Dean was anxious, wanting to get back to his son.
"All right, so what's so bad we can't talk about it in front of Jim?" Dean asked.
"You are, Dean!" the reply cut through the air.
"Wh... Are you freaking kidding me?" Dean pushed back. "You drag me out here just to give me your Dr Phil bitch-act? Now?"
"Yeah! I figured I'd at least give you a chance before calling Social Service on your ass," Sam shouted. "You are doing 'Sergeant Dad' – times ten. And I don't know if you've noticed, but it's not working! You're scaring him!"
"Well, gee Sam, you think maybe he should be scared? There are…THINGS coming for him! All the time, there's just no end to it… So he's gotta learn. Fast!"
"Dean..! Look I'm telling you, this 'hoorah, walk it off' crap you and dad always pulled – it never worked on me. And Jim grew up with Alice and play-dates and the family dog. He's not like you!"
"Oh, but he's just like you, huh? God I hope you're wrong about that..."
"He's normal! He's a normal kid, who just lost his mom. And his dad would rather...beat him with a pillow, than talk to him!"