Diving In A Pool Of Pain.
Summary. . . . . Months of bullying finally comes to a head for Sam, hurt and alone will he be able to get help? Or will he succumb to a pool of pain?
A.N. . . . . Just wanted to make a quick mention here to Sammygirl1963, thanks for the plotline and being my beta on this one, without your help and advice I'm not to sure I would have gotten this far! That being said all mistakes are mine.
Also thank you so much for the amazing reviews and adds to fav lists, I will try and get personal response out as soon as possible. Catch you soon, enjoy chapter 2, Peanut x
Chapter 2
Dean cruised along the stretch of road that led to their current run down home on the edge of town. Although situated on the more affluent side of town, as usual John Winchester had found the most completely trashed property he could find. Even though the weather outside wasn't overly warm, Dean had the windows rolled down, the music blaring and had taken to singing along with the AC-DC track he had playing. To him his life was near perfect. Since graduating, he spent his day's fine tuning the Impala, his nights either hunting or hustling. He somehow managed to fit women into the equation occasionally, loving and leaving a whole string of them before they became too clingy.
As he pulled up the dirt road that acted as their driveway, Dean thought about the one thing, the one person that was becoming less and less constant in his life, the one person who would make that near perfect complete, Sam. The time he spent with his brother was becoming more infrequent and Dean knew that he was totally to blame. He had tried at first to include Sam in his ventures, but even though he was tall for his age he still looked too young to fool most of the bouncers. If Dean was on a date, it didn't look too good to have his baby brother tagging along too. And as for when he was tinkering with his baby, well Dean didn't even want to go there; for all his brains, when it came to cars, Sam was bottom of the class.
Pulling to a stop in front of their house, Dean thought about Sam realizing that since they had moved here he hadn't spent any time with him at all. He tried to think of a conversation he'd had with Sam, but none came to mind. He tried to think if Sam had mentioned how he was going on at school, if he was enjoying it, if the classes were going well, if the other students were okay, but for the first time ever Dean realized he knew nothing. He had always known before, he was always the first to know if Sam got an A, or heaven forbid a B, he was always the first to know if Sam was participating in any school activities, and he was always the first to know if Sam was getting bullied. This term though Dean thought to himself, he had no idea what so ever.
The thought that he knew so little about Sam's life here scared Dean immensely. Vowing to himself to change that Dean turned off the engine and got out of the car, glancing at his watch and seeing it was only one thirty, Dean decided to surprise Sam by picking him up from school, something else he had gotten out of the habit of doing. Knowing he had two good hours to spare before he needed to leave and with his stomach growling out in protest, Dean let himself into the house Sam once again pushed to the back of his mind as the need to feed took over his thoughts. Fixing himself a sandwich Dean popped himself on the ratty sofa with the TV remote, within minutes he was asleep, a half eaten sandwich forgotten resting on the arm of the couch, as was Sam.
The ringing of his cell phone broke through his dreams of scantily clad playboy bunnies, and for a moment Dean forgot where he was. As the phone rang again Dean jumped to his feet, knocking over the half eaten sandwich in his haste to get to the damn mobile. Pulling it from his jacket pocket he looked at the caller id and grimaced in response before answering.
"Hey Dad."
"Don't you hey Dad me. I've been calling for over five minutes Dean. Where the hell were you? Why didn't you answer your phone? Do you know how worried I got?"
Dean had removed the phone from his ear as his Dad's voice steadily increased in volume, returning it when it grew silent and he knew it was time to answer. Not wanting his Dad to know he had been sleeping, he replied. "Sorry, I was outside. The Impala was sounding a bit off, so I was checking her over. Is everything okay? Did the hunt go well?" Dean asked even if he knew the answer, the hunt must have gone okay there was no other way for their Dad to have called. Dean knew he was ringing to tell them to get packing, that they would be on the move yet again. His Dad's words confirmed his suspicions.
"The hunt went well. I'm a few of hours out; I want you and your brother to start packing. Tell your brother not to pack any of the useless crap he doesn't need like he did last time, we don't have the space. And tell him that I don't want any dramatics about leaving again."
"Yes Sir." Dean automatically answered, not relishing the thought of telling Sam.
"Three hours Dean, get moving." John barked out before cutting the call.
Placing the phone back into his pocket, Dean looked at his watch thinking that he had only napped and could still pick Sam up, shock registering on his face when he caught sight of the actual time, it was five thirty. He had slept for four hours. He called out Sam's name knowing that he should be home by now, expecting a ribbing from his younger brother for sleeping through his return, but the only response he received was the soft hum of the small refrigerator and the occasional banging of the old heater pipes. Thinking that maybe Sam was also snoozing, Dean walked down the hallway towards the bedroom they shared, the door though stood ajar revealing Sam's neatly made bed and his unkempt one.
He tried to remember if Sam had mentioned staying behind for any reason, but yet again he was harshly reminded of how little he knew of his brother's life here, how far the distance between them had stretched. He walked briskly back into the kitchen, picking up his keys and his jacket he headed out of the back door, he might end up with egg on his face and looking like a fool, but Dean needed to make sure Sam was okay, a niggling in his gut beginning to make itself known. Pulling sharply out of the driveway he headed for the school.
Dean screeched to halt outside the school twenty minutes later the knawing in his gut increasing by the minute. Climbing out of the Impala he locked her before racing up the stone steps to the multiple front entrances and pulling on a door. It was locked. He tried one of the other doors, only to find them too to be locked. He pounded on the glass in the hopes that a teacher, a student, a janitor, someone, could still be inside, but no heads poked out of classrooms, no shouts of protest rang out. Dean climbed back down the steps and began walking around the schools perimeter hoping to find another entrance, one that would hopefully be open. As he rounded the back the school's massive gym and pool structures could be seen, Dean glanced briefly at them wondering if Sam had joined some sort of team and was practicing, his thoughts interrupted by the banging close of a door and a group of people leaving the school heading towards their cars, rushing up to them Dean tried to get their attention.
"Excuse me! Excuse me! Hey stop!" A man and women finally turned around, shooting him wary looks. Dean smiled trying to put them at ease before he asked. "I'm sorry to trouble you but I'm trying to locate my brother, he attends here."
It was the man that answered bitingly. "School finished over four hours ago. Have you tried at home?"
The man's tone infuriated Dean so much he didn't take in all that he said at first. "I just came from there." Dean spat out.
"Well then I'm sorry but we can't help you, he obviously isn't here."
Dean could only stand there bewildered, watching as the man and woman climbed into their car, only as they were about to close the doors did the rest of the man's words register. "Wait! What do you mean school finished hours ago?"
The man sighed before replying. "Surely you must know that today was a PTA day, your brother goes to this school supposedly. Classes finished at one thirty."
Dean felt as though the ground beneath his feet had begun to shift as the enormity of the guys words hit him. He looked at his watch once more, just gone six o clock, if school finished at one thirty that meant Sam should have been home no later than two thirty, yet three and a half hours later he was no where to be found. Fear and dread began to replace that nagging ache; all kinds of thoughts began invading Dean's head. It was totally unlike Sam not to have called if he had made plans even if they barely talked anymore, something must have happened.
Called! Called! Of course why hadn't Dean thought of it sooner? Pulling out his cell Dean dialed Sam's number only to have it constantly ring before going to voicemail. Hanging up Dean tried again, only to get the same result. Panic beginning to set in Dean wracked his brain for an answer as to where Sam could be but it was to no avail, knowing so little about his brother's life here Dean had no clue where to start looking. Dialing a different number, Dean waited for the call to be answered.
"Dean? What's the matter? What's wrong?"
"Dad, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
"Dean, calm down. Tell me what's wrong?"
"I can't find Sam, Dad. I came to school to pick him up thinking he had been held up, but I didn't know that they finished early today. He should have been home hours ago. He's not at home, he's not here, I don't know where to start looking."
"Have you tried the library? You know how he gets when he's researching anything. He probably has his head stuck in a book and doesn't even realize the time."
"No, I haven't I'll try there now."
"Okay, call me when you find him, and don't forget Dean I want the packing down by the tine I get home."
"Yes sir." After Dean had hung up he tried ringing Sam again. As he rushed back to the Impala, his mind was bombarded with a multitude of ifs. If only he had taken more of an interest in Sam this year. If only he had known that school was suppose to finish early today. If only he hadn't fallen asleep. If only he hadn't forgotten how important Sam was. If only he hadn't forgotten his main job in life.
As he turned around the side of the building and headed back to the car park, still desperately trying to get Sam on the phone more ifs popped up, but Dean would not become aware of them, not yet anyway. If only he had known Sam had swim class today. If only he had checked out the pool. If only he had gone back the other way; maybe then he might have heard the faint familiar ring tone emanating from within the pools building.
By eight o clock Dean's nerves were frazzled. The checking of the library had produced no results; checking back at home had produced the same. He had resorted to asking at the diner they sometimes ate at when their Dad was home, the small mall, the video store, the ball park, even as a last resort the hospital, but he had turned up nothing. On the recommendations of someone at the video store, Dean was now on the way to the lake on the outskirts of town, the guy at the store insisting that it was the place all the kids hung out, rain or shine.
His thoughts drifted back to Sam, was he okay and just pissed for some reason? Had he been abducted? If so was it something supernatural? Or worse human? Was he hurt somewhere? Or was he . . . . . ? Dean refused to even go there, Sam was alive and Dean would turn over every rock, every stone to find him. Dean's phone began to ring on the seat beside him, picking it up he answered without looking at the caller id, hope resounding in his tone.
"Sammy?"
"No Dean, its Dad. Where the hell are you?"
"Dad, I can't find him. I can't find Sam, Dad. Something is wrong I just know it. I've looked every where and no one has seen him." Dean's sentences rushed together in fear and urgency.
John felt as though he had just been punched in the gut. He had walked into their ramshackle house five minutes previous expecting all the packing to be done and the boys ready to get going, only to be greeted by an empty house looking exactly as it had when he had left, and the boys nowhere to be seen. His anger had risen and he had let forth with a string of profanities and curses, all aimed at his youngest son. Dean had told him Sam was late home and he was looking for him, his oldest must have found his rebellious youngest, told him the news, and Sam had obviously reacted as he always did. When was Sam going to learn that not everything revolved around him? John had decided that he would have to start being tougher with his youngest child, would have to bring him back in line. After hearing Dean's fearful words though, John was starting to doubt his anger and his reaction towards Sam. No matter how annoyed, angry, or frustrated he was at the constant moving, John knew Sam would never deliberately worry Dean like this. Dean was right something must have happened. Guilt began to build within John, how could he have doubted his youngest child so? He refused to allow himself to wallow in it though and quickly asked. "Where are you now? I'll meet up with you and we'll go from there."
"I'm heading for the lake on the other side of town; apparently it's where all the kids hang out. I know it's a long shot that Sam would be there, but I thought I would check it out anyway."
"I'll be there in twenty."
Dean could hear door's banging shut and the growl of his Dad's truck before the line was cut. Forcing his attention back onto the road his eyes began frantically searching for the blind turn that would lead him to the part of the lake the kids preferred. He still missed it when he came upon it, having to turn the big car around to get back to it. So consumed with the need to find Sam, Dean didn't even notice how bumpy the road had become, didn't even think about what damage would be caused to the Impala. He noted the trees ahead begin to thin out as the car lurched closer towards the lake, noted the reddish glow that brightened the dulling sky, as the Impala finally broke the tree line he realized what the glow was coming from.
About twenty or so cars were parked haphazardly around, some still occupied, steamy windows telling Dean what was going on in them, others empty. A large group of kids were congregated on the shoreline where a huge bonfire was blazing. To the far end loud music was blasting from a four by four, a gang of boys leaning against the heavy machine, even from inside the car Dean could see the empty beer bottles that were littered all around. He swore briefly, that if Sam were here he was personally going to kill him, but deep down Dean knew that Sam wasn't going to be here, that this had really been a wasted trip, that all it might accomplish would be some clues as to where he could possibly be.
Dean got out of the car, not noticing the appreciative glances and whistles the guys were giving the Impala; or the ones the girls were giving him. Moving towards the first group, Dean started asking questions. Did they know Sam? If they did, had they seen him today? Did they know anybody he hung out with? It didn't take long for Dean to realize just how far he and Sam had drifted, just how little he knew of his brother's life here. His questions for the most part were met with sneers and snickers, with comments of "you have got to be kidding me" or "that dork, geek, loser." With every group he asked it was the same, and with every group he asked Dean could feel his guilt rise, along with his anger.
He looked at the last group, the ones sitting or standing around the four by four, contemplating whether or not to even bother going over there, Sam was obviously not here and Dean was obviously wasting precious time. Turning around he headed back towards the Impala, knowing he was to meet his Dad there he sat on the hood to wait, his eyes taking in the scene before him, his anger knawing at his mind. "Bunch of spoilt trust fund babies." Dean thought to himself. "You would have been privileged to have had Sam as your friend. He's worth a hundred of you lot any day." A gentle clearing of a throat stopped his brooding and had Dean turning to see who it had come from. A girl about Sam's age stood before him, blonde hair falling past one of the most stunning faces Dean had ever seen to fall in gentle waves across her shoulders, an unsure look upon her face.
"Hi." Dean spoke up, trying to put her at ease so he could find out what she wanted.
"Hey." She answered still feeling nervous. "Some of the guys tell me that you're looking for Sam?" A blush formed on her face as she finished.
"Way to go Sammy!" Dean thought before cursing himself and actually replying. "Yeah, I am. He didn't arrive home and I'm getting worried that he might be hurt, or something could have happened to him."
"Then why are you here? Why aren't you looking for him?"
"I don't understand? I've looked every where else, someone said all the kids hang out here."
"All the 'popular' kids, all the kids that fit in, that have money." Kris stopped for a minute thinking before adding. "Are you close to Sam?"
It was Dean's turn to think before he answered honestly. "I used to be, but since we moved here we seem to have drifted."
"Then you don't know how hellish these guys have made Sam's life here? Did you never question him about his cuts and bruises? Did you never question him about the ripped or lost clothes? Or his constant detentions because of lost homework?"
Dean's face blanched, now that this girl mentioned it Sam had come home with mysterious cuts and bruises, Dean had often caught him sowing his clothes, and Sam had come home late quite often. "Shit!" He growled out. "I can't believe I didn't take more notice, didn't care. Hell it never even clicked when he dawdled at getting up in the mornings." Dean kicked at a stone trying to unleash some of his anger, he couldn't believe he had been so blind, so blinkered, so unknowing of what Sam had been going through. Turning back to the girl, guilt and anger radiating from his eyes he asked. "Who was the ring leader? Would he know where Sam is? There's no way Sam would have run off, he's gotta be hurt somewhere. Please help me find him."
Kris didn't hesitate, she too had a feeling that something bad had happened to Sam. He had been happy when she had left him, it didn't make sense that he would have run away. Pointing at the loud four by four she spoke up. "Drew and his buddies, others have joined in but they have been the instigators. I saw Sam happy for the first time today, it doesn't make sense that he would have run away. Something must have happened in swim class, if so they would know."
Not stopping to wait for an answer Dean shouted over his shoulder as he stormed over.. "Which one is Drew?"
"The jerk in the jean jacket." Kris replied, following close behind.
"Drew?" Dean belted out when he was still a few feet away.
"Yeah! Who wants to know?" Drew replied, trying hard to act tough but at the same time taking a tentative step around his truck away from the rampaging bull that was approaching.
"Dean Winchester! Where's Sam?"
"Obviously not here." The younger boy shot back, laughing along with his friends at his response, still not quite realizing just how angry Dean was.
"Where is Sam?" Dean spat back, his fury emphasized in every word.
"I don't know, last we saw of him was in swim class." Drew replied unable to stop himself from adding. "He had a bit of a fall."
Dean was irate, he bolted forward ready to hurt Drew, not caring that it would be seven against one, or that he would be arrested. An angry voice behind him, stopping him short.
"Dean! What the hell are you doing?
Without even turning around Dean replied. "He knows what has happened to Sam. He knows where he is. I'm going to hurt him."
"And what about Sam? How will you find him then? What would he feel if you got yourself arrested?"
Dean seemed to deflate before John's eyes. "We have to find him Dad. They know where he is, I just know it."
It was John this time that turned angry eyes Drew's way, his voice though was eerily calm and strong, yet dripping with a deadly undertone. "Where is my son?"
"We don't know."
"Stop lying to me."
"We're not, the last time we saw him was after swim class."
John stepped closer to Drew, bending to his ear he whispered so that only the younger boy could hear. "When we find Sam you better hope he's okay, that he doesn't even have a single scratch on him. I'll warn you now, if you have hurt him I will find you and believe me when I say, your parents will never ever find your body." Turning away he grasped Dean's shoulder. "C'mon son, something tells me we need to head back to the school."
Leaving everyone else standing there, the two Winchester's headed for their respective cars, totally missing Kris' left hook to the face that sent the jock crashing to the floor. John led the way back to the school, his speed at times shocking Dean and leaving the impala eating dust. Parking in the same spot as he had earlier that night Dean got out and led his Dad around to the back off the school. Even though it was now dark, both men were surprised to see a light on in the pool's building. Running up to the door nearest to the lighted window they both began to bang wildly upon it hoping to alert whoever was still inside.
When nobody came Dean turned to his Dad. "Pick it! Sam's in there. Pick it!" Little puffy clouds visible with every word as the chillness of the night let itself known.
John made swift work of the lock and both men were soon thundering down the hall towards what they now could see to be the coach's office, the coach slumped against his desk inside. Opening the door John stepped inside, Dean hesitating on the threshold before speaking. "I'm going to check the locker room."
John nodded his agreement as he walked up to the obviously sleeping man, the closer he got the stronger the smell of alcohol became. Not holding back John grabbed the man's shirt, pulling him up and pinning him to the wall in one swift motion.
"What the . . . ." The coach slurred, his eyes barely opening.
Before John could answer, Dean's panicked fearful cry sounded out. Dropping the coach John ran the way Dean had gone, finding his eldest stood in the doorway of the locker room, his lock pick kit in his hand.
"Dean what is it?"
Dean didn't bother to reply, he didn't need to. As John became level with Dean he could see for himself what had gotten his son so distressed. There was blood trailing along the floor, streaks also visible on the walls. In his heart John knew that it was Sam's. Following the trail, all the while trying not to think about how much there was, the two men passed the open locker where obvious signs of a struggle could clearly be seen. Following it even further they saw the entrance to the pool area, walking through it they tried to brace themselves for what they would find. Unable to see much in the gloomy room, John returned to the locker room groping the walls in search of a light switch. Finally finding it he turned it on and started to make his way back to Dean. His eldest son's cries though once again met his ears.
Dean had flinched once the lights had switched on, his eyes closed automatically against the harshness. Opening them slowly he waited for them to adjust to the light before looking around. He caught sight of the blood trail on the wall stopping a little way down as though someone had rested there. Dean turned his head the other way to see if the trail continued the other side. He didn't need to see it though to know that it did, as his eyes caught sight of something at the far end of the pool.
"SAMMY! NO, NO, NO, NO, NO."
A.N.2. . . . . . I'm so sorry! I know that I originally said that I would post this over three days but the plot bunny has stocked up on Ever Readies and is furiously refusing to stop writing, to the point where this could even become a foursome. I'm still aiming to get the next part up tomorrow, but if I don't succeed please bare with me. Peanut x