Twenty Four

I had been walking around aimlessly for hours when my eyes started to get heavy and my knees started to shake, I was so tired I could have fallen asleep where I stood, but sleeping out in the open was not only a bad idea because it was freezing cold but even in a small town like this there were people who weren't exactly friendly. I needed somewhere to bunk for the night but I couldn't face going back to Bobbys or the motel. I wracked my brains for all the information on the surrounding area, the only sheltered place I could think of was the old shed in the junk yard and I was sure Bobby had that booby trapped because it contained an entrance to his panic room. All of a sudden I remembered the dilapidated, abandoned train shed about a mile from the junk yard, Dylan and I had played there as kids. It was run down, old and slightly musty but it would be a roof and four walls protecting me from the elements. I wasn't that far away so it only took about a half hour walk to get there, the door was locked but I knew the one window was unlocked, I opened it, shimmied through, closed the window again and took in my surroundings. The place hadn't changed since the last time I had been there, the only difference was a thick layer of dust covering every surface, I brushed a patch of floor trying to clear a clean space but the dust just settled back into the same spot. I sighed and sat down on the floor, it was surprisingly warm inside the old shed, comfortable even, I leant against the wall and felt my eyes close, maybe I could sleep and not have to dream for once.

I was standing in the same abandoned barn where Joshua had met his end, there were still bloodstains on the floor where he had collapsed. I turned away, tears welling up thinking about his final stand. Thomas stood in front of me, I tried to step towards him but I couldn't move, I looked down onto the floor and was shocked at what I saw. I was in the middle of a devil's trap. I was in a devil's trap and I was stuck. I screamed in frustration and Thomas laughed.

"See what ya are Rayne my darlin', see what we made ya?" he chuckled as he took a step forward, "we made ya great, you're finally reachin' your full potential!"

"No!" I screamed struggling to free myself, "No, they'll find me, they will!"

"You've been callin' her for days now, she ain't comin' darlin', no one is coin' for ya!"

"No, Dylan will come, she will." I was shaking with the effort of fighting against the trap, "DYLAN! DYLAN! HELP ME!" I yelled at the top of my lungs as Thomas sneered and waited for me to tire myself out.

I felt myself been shaken, I jumped up, shaking severely. When I was able to make sense of what was happening I saw Dylan standing in front of me, her wings glowing softly in the darkness. That was one thing I had loved as a kid, we never needed a torch because we could always use the light from Dylan's wings.

"Dylan, what are you doing here?" I rubbed sleep from my eyes and yawned.

"You called me. You were yelling out for me over an over, I was worried you were in trouble. I'm so glad it was just a dream." she rushed forward and hugged me. I squeezed her back and felt a wet patch forming on my shoulder. I pushed her back and the tears on her face.

"Oh god Dylan, I'm so so sorry babes!" I hugged her tightly again, I hadn't realised how much I would worry her by running off like I did. Dylan choked back a sob and pulled away, she punched me lightly in the arm.

"Don't do that again, we have been worried sick about you girl!"

"We?" I looked at her confused.

"Me, Dad, Cas, Sam, Dean, the cats..." she answered.

"Pfft, Dean?" I shot her a disbelieving look.

"Rayne, he's sorry, really, he has been looking for you all night, he just couldn't take it all in at once. He's not a bad guy, he's just..."

"An asshole?" I finished and she smirked.

"No, he's just not used to all this, he has a hard time dealing with stuff he doesn't understand."

"Oh yeah he's totally in the right job for that." I replied sarcastically. Dylan laughed and looked around the shed.

"It hasn't changed has it?" she pondered and I shook my head, "Oh wow!" she squealed heading to the far corner. I followed her over to see what had caused that reaction.

"Look Rayne!" she pointed to something in the wood, I leaned closer and carved into the side of the shed was RM+DS=BFF 4EVA. I laughed and smiled widely at Dylan.

"Wow I was, what 9, when I carved this?" I grinned. Dylan nodded before squeaking again and pointing to some notches on the wall a few inches to the right.

"And here's where you showed me how your crossbow worked!" she clapped her hands in delight, "Oh gosh Rayne remember how I almost shot my foot off?" I laughed again, wondering whether even if she had, would it have hurt her anyway. Dylan walked around the room looking for other evidence of our adventures in the old shed. She had been looking for a few minutes when her shoulders drooped slightly and she seemed to be frozen on the spot.

"Rayne?" she whispered so softly I only just heard her.

"Yeah Dyl?" I asked walking up behind her.

"Do you think Dean will tell Dad?" she asked me quietly. I swallowed hard, I had no idea how to answer that one.

"I don't know Dyl, he was pretty pissed, but he loves you, hopefully he will think before he reacts."

"Should I stay away from the house for a while just in case?"

"Nah, honestly, if he says anything you need to be there to give your side and if he doesn't Bobby will know something is up if you're not there. Either way you have me here to help."

"Thanks babes," she turned around and I hugged her again, it felt good to comfort her, like the way things should be. I was the big sister, it was my job to mend feelings and hug the terrors away. Dylan pulled away and gave me a small smile, "we should get back. You want me to zap us back?" she asked.

"No!" I shook my head fervidly, "I hate that zapping crap, I'll walk thanks!"

"Have it your way!" she laughed shaking her head at me. I nudged her with my elbow and she zapped out of the shed, I groaned I I headed to the window and wrenched it open. Getting out was always more complicated than getting in. I slid through and fell flat on my face in the grass below the window. I heard Dylan roar with laughter as I picked myself up, wiping grass and dirt off my face and body.

"Oh shut up!" I scowled for a split second before cracking up myself, it is kind of hard to take ones self seriously when you have grass in your teeth. I picked my teeth for a second and removed the offending blade.

"Now all you need is a tail and a saddle!" Dylan said cheekily.

"Don't look at me, I ain't neighing." I answered sticking out my tongue. We started walking back to Bobby's along the deserted road when I heard the sound of a familiar engine drive up behind us. I didn't slow down as Dean drove slowly up in the impala and stuck his head out the window.

"Dylan could you zap back to Bobbys? I want to talk to Rayne." he pleaded and Dylan looked at me, I rolled my eyes but nodded. Dylan hugged me and disappeared. I spun around with my arms folded and faced Dean.

"You going to hop in?" he asked sheepishly. I pursed my lips and looked at the ground.

"You going to threaten me with a knife again?" I asked angrily and Dean winced slightly.

"I'm really sorry Rayne, please come into the car out of the cold."

I sighed and got into the passenger seat, Dean turned off the engine and turned to face me. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again quickly.

"Look Dean, you don't owe me anything ok. You're right, I didn't tell you, but honestly I hadn't really processed it myself. I'm sorry I yelled at you but you hurt Dylan, she's my family, I'm the older one, I feel responsible for her, like it's my job to protect her, to keep her safe. I know it sounds stupid but she's all I have."

"It doesn't sound stupid Rayne, not at all," he said and pulled me to him. I thought about pulling away but at that exact moment being in his arms felt good, it felt safe, so I curled up against his chest, "Dylan told me everything, about your mother, what your dad was like, how many times you've saved her butt. I'm sorry I attacked you, I know you're not like them, I know you had no choice. I know you might not be able to forgive me but I promise I will try and make it up to you." he held me tightly for a moment before I pulled away and looked him in the eyes.

"Dean, I will forgive you, on one condition."

"Anything." he replied searching my face with his almost hypnotic green eyes.

"You can't tell anyone about what Dylan is, let her work up the courage to do it herself, it's not hurting anyone and it will hurt people if you blab." I asked pleadingly. Dean sat for a moment completely silent before leaning forward and kissing me lightly on the lips.

"I promise Rayne, I won't tell anyone."

"Thank you Dean!" I grabbed him and kissed him. I felt good in that moment, I had protected Dylan and fixed things with Dean, things were ok. But they wouldn't stay that way for long.