Chapter 7: The Arrival

Dean, Sam, and I waited quietly in the chairs to the left side of the police station. The sheriff asked us once if we needed anything to eat or drink, but we said "No thank you." I don't think any of us could really eat anything right now anyway. Sitting and waiting for your dad to arrive to find out that you have completely disobeyed him, disrespected authority, and gotten arrested does not really settle very well on the stomach. Dean had been able to get his tears under control, but I could tell that he was still very distraught. It wasn't like Dean had not been in trouble before. He had regularly been suspended from school for fighting, and he had even been paddled a few times by the principal when we were living in a school district that allowed corporal punishment, but I think the thought that he may receive jail time had taken trouble to a whole new level for Dean Winchester.

We heard our father before we saw him enter through the double glass doors. "I'm looking for the Winchester children," he said.

"Follow me," we heard a deputy say.

"Dean, Sam, Kellie. Are you all okay?" he asked pulling us all into a warm embrace.

"Yes, sir," we replied in unison, hugging him back. It was amazing how much safer we all felt with dad here to protect us. Somehow he made us feel, without saying a word, that everything was going to be ok. Just the very presence of John Winchester could erase every worry of one of his children or strike fear into the hearts of grown men. In our eyes, he was a giant, a hero, but most of all he was our father.

"Son," dad looked questioningly at Dean, "what happened? What's going on?"

"Dad, I'm sorry. I really am. I really messed up."

"Dean,there will be time for all of that later on," dad replied. "Right now, I just need you to give me the facts. Why are you here?"

Dean proceeded to tell dad everything that had led up to our presence in the police station. He didn't leave out any details or try to cover up any of our wrong-doings. He just plainly explained each and every event that led to our arrest and presence here in the Grayson County sheriff's office, noting several times that there was nothing that Sam or I could have done to change the outcome. He alone made the decisions that ultimately got us into the most trouble, and unfortunately may lead to him being sent to jail.

I watched dad carefully, looking for any reaction, as Dean told the story of our adventure, car chase, and arrest. I could tell that dad was irritated that we had chosen to go for a ride in the country rather than stay near the motel as he had instructed, and he was very displeased that Dean had chosen to run from the sheriff's deputy rather than get a speeding ticket. However, he took a deep breath when Dean finished explaining the situation, and said, "Kids, we will have a lot to discuss later, but for now, I'm here to help you. I'm your father, and it is my job to protect you. It will all be ok. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir," we replied. We knew that dad was a man of his word, and if he said everything was going to be ok, then we knew that it would be. A feeling of calm assurance surged through my body, and my heart rate returned to normal.

"Dean, come with me; we need to go talk to the sheriff."

I watched as further apprehension quickly came over Dean's face and his body tensed with increased fear. He quickly ducked his head to avoid eye contact, but immediately lifted it once again when dad said, "Eyes up, Dean. Face your consequences like a man."

"Yes, Sir."

"Sam and Kellie wait for us over there, and no talking. Got it?"

"Yes, Sir. Got it."

As Sam and I returned to our chairs, Dad and Dean walked up to the sheriff's counter.

"Excuse me. I'm John Winchester, these children's father. I believe we have some things to discuss."

"Yes, Mr. Winchester. I'm glad that you could get here so quickly. Won't you come into my office? Dean should probably come as well since he is in the most trouble."

I saw Dean swallow deeply when he heard the sheriff make that statement. He looked as if he were heading to his last meal before execution as he fearfully followed dad into the sheriff's office. He cast a backward glance over his shoulder at Sam and I, and gave us a brief nod. He was trying to reassure us that everything would be ok, but his deathly pale countenance wasn't quite believable. I heard dad say in his deep, gravelly voice, "Son, stand right over there against that wall. Don't move, and don't speak unless you are spoken to by the sheriff or myself! Are we clear?"

Dean answered in an unusually quiet yet quivering voice, "Yes, Dad. Clear as crystal." Then the door closed with a deafening thud.