I'm glad I was able to get the next chapter up pretty quickly! So, I had a lot of criticism, no that's not a good word, maybe just remarks on the judge's decision and how it was unrealistic. I don't want to give anything away, but let me just tell everyone that I have everything planned. Also, this is Supernatural we are talking about. Everything happens for a reason… Stick with the story. Don't let this one decision discourage you from reading.

Well, now that I have this off my chest, I think this chapter is written much better than the last, so I'll cross my fingers and hope you guys enjoy it!

Chapter 5

Dean could not remember ever living through a more stressful, emotional, and terrible week. Adam was pulled out of school because John had enrolled him in a different one in California. Unfortunately, he had spent his whole week packing to move in with John, along with clinging to his brothers, begging them to do something. Thankfully, the house John rented was only twenty minutes from Stanford, so at least Sam lived relatively close to Adam in case anything would happen. Dean walked around the house in a drunken stupor. Drunk off fear for Adam's safety and hopelessness and anger, so much anger directed at that damn judge who decided the fate of his baby brother. The brother Dean had raised since birth, the brother who was afraid of sudden movements, of men, and of, most importantly, his father. The father that now had custody of him.

Adam was a complete wreck all week. Stomach issues had become daily occurrences. Dean did everything he could to abate Adam's pain, but nothing he did or said helped. Adam was clingier than he ever was which for Adam, was saying something. Most of the time he was silent and had to be in constant view of Dean, but there were times when he would completely break down, and Dean was lost on how to help him. Sam had also taken a week off of school to spend some much needed time with his brothers before their little family was divided.

The nighttime was the worst. Adam was unable to keep his emotions under control and the thought of one less day with his brothers and one day closer to living with his father. After a few hours and terrified sobbing, Adam would be too tired to stay awake. His eyelids would close and flush out the final stray tears that slid down his face as his body melted against Dean.

"Adam," Dean said the day John would be arriving to pick up Adam. He gently pulled Adam's face towards his to better look him in the eyes. "Now, we only have an hour before Dad comes, so I need you to promise me something." Adam nodded in return, his eyes trained on Dean's, and his bottom lip trembling in fear. "You need to promise me that if Dad lays one hand on you that you'll get out of the house as soon as you can." Dean ran his hand in Adam's hair. "You need to promise me that you're gonna be the brave kid I know you are and remember that Sammy and me, we'll always be here for you. Just promise me that, Adam."

"I promise, De," Adam sobbed, tears finally breaking loose. "I promise." Dean pulled Adam into a hug and tightened his arms around his brother. He rested his head on top of Adam's and gently rocked him back and forth.

Far too quickly, Dean saw the John's black truck pull into their driver followed by the police squad meant to insure the transfer of guardians was handled cordially. Dean gently pulled Adam up, grabbed his brother's backpack, and let the boy lean on him while they walked to the door. Sam grabbed the rest of Adam's bags before also following his brothers.

"Hey, son," John said as he got out of his car. He completely ignored Dean and Sam besides taking Adam's bag's from Sam's hands and placing them in the back of the truck. "Ready to go?" he asked Adam.

Adam immediately broke out in tears and gripped Dean for dear life. Dean got down to Adam's level and took the boy's wet and flustered face into his hands. "Hey, hey, hey, look at me kiddo," Dean said. He bent his head to better see into his brother's glistening eyes, "it's going to be okay. Why don't I give you my necklace," Dean pulled the bronze amulet off his neck and placed it around Adam's. "You keep that safe and know I'll be there with you if you get upset, okay?"

"C'mon, Adam, we have to drive all the way back to California," John interrupted, staring impatiently and irritatingly at his sons.

Dean glared at his father before pulling Adam into a tight hug. "I love you, Adam."

"L-love you t-too, De," Adam sobbed.

Sam leaned down and also pulled his brother in for a hug, "Don't forget, you'll be real close to me, so don't hesitate to call if you ever need anything, alright?"

"Yeah, Sammy," Adam rested his head on Sam's shoulder for a minute. "Love you."

"Love you too, Sammy."

"Adam," John sharply said, "Let's go."

Dean walked Adam to the truck and helped him get in before shutting the door. He leaned into the open window and kissed his brother on the forehead. "Bye, buddy." John got into the driver's seat without another word, thanked the officer who then pulled away, and left, taking Adam away from the only caring household he ever knew.

The entire ride to California was silent besides Adam's soft sniffling that eventually stopped half way through the ride. Adam fell asleep afterwards, exhaustion finally settling. He awoke to his father harshly calling his name and he laid eyes on a small, rundown house. It was only one floor and from the looks of it only held a few rooms. Adam's guess was correct after he grabbed his bags and walked into the dirty house. Obviously the judge had not checked the cleanliness of the house because the place was disgusting. The carpet was stained and the wallpaper was peeling. Most of the lights were broken. John followed Adam into the house and roughly called out, "Boy, follow me, your room's over here."

Adam followed his father who led him past a small living room, a dingy kitchen with one collapsible table, and a bathroom, its walls covered in cracking tiles. Adam's bedroom was across from John's, but unlike John's bigger and cleaner room, Adam's bedroom was small, cramped, and dark. "I'll let you unpack. Dinner is in a half hour, don't be late. I'm guessing you remember the rules, but if you don't' we can go over them later," John threateningly said before leaving the room. Adam could only sit on his bouncy and sagging bad and try not to let dismal room completely break his spirits.

* * *

Adam relished in the momentary peace he acquired by washing the dishes. Yes he could hear his father's beer bottle clanging against the table in the living room as he watched the news, but it was the first time he was able to let down his guard without his father's presence looming over him.

His mind wandered until stopping on images of his brothers of their home and of the little, perfect life they made for each other. His eyes watered as he thought of Sam. His gawky grin and smart attitude and the way he could make Adam laugh in any situation. But mostly, he missed Dean. Dean was the constant in his life. He was the source of comfort and safety that reassured Adam when night terrors brought him to tears. The only one who made Adam feel good about himself; the only one who cared about him above all things.

Adam jumped and gasped as a damp plate he did not realize he was holding, slipped from his trembling hands and shattered on the peeling linoleum floor. He held his breath and refused to turn around as he heard the sharp sound of glass slamming on a hollow, wooden table. Breathing ceased to exist as heavy steel-toed boots hastily lumbered closer to him, and before he knew it, rough hands painfully grasped the back of his neck, separating a few short, stray hairs from his hairline.

"What the fuck is this?" John screamed in his ear. Adam cringed and slunk down trying to get as far away from his father as possible, though the hand on his neck was roughly keeping him in place.

"I'm sorry," Adam replied, hating they way his voice cracked with fear, "It just slipped."

"It just slipped," John nodded his head, and he violently pushed Adam's head into the filled sink of soapy water. Adam thrashed and tried his hardest to break free, but the lack of oxygen was fogging his senses. As quickly as it started, it stopped, and John yanked Adam up by his hair. "Oops," John taunted as Adam coughed and sputtered. "Sorry, my hand just slipped," and with a rough shove, he let his youngest son go. "Clean it up. I'll be back in ten minutes and these dishes better be done. That includes the floor too."

Adam cleared his throat and wiped his wet face with a shaky hand as he watched his father's retreating form. He told himself not to cry as he hastily finished the rest of the dishes, wiped off the counter, and cleaned the broken glass off the floor. Just as he was throwing away the remaining shards, Adam stiffened as he saw John enter the room.

John walked straight up to Adam and pressed him against the wall, using his height to tower over the short boy. "Let's get one thing straight, boy," John began with no hesitation. "Now, I'm sure that little shit of a brother told you to run if I ever hit you. But what I just did was punish you for breaking a goddamn plate. I didn't hit you. So, no running off to your precious big brother you got that? Or I'll make trouble for all of you."Adam could only manage a shaky nod. "You answer me, boy!" John shouted, raising a threatening hand.

Adam shrunk back against the wall. "Yes, sir," he croaked.

"Good, hmph," John snorted. "It seems you forgot how to answer your elders while living with your brothers. We may have to work on that."

"Yes, sir," Adam again answered.

John walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of beer before popping off the lid and taking a swig. He turned back to glare at his son who was shrunk against the wall with his head down. John smirked when he saw that Adam was shaking in fear. "Go on to bed, boy. You've got school tomorrow."

"Yes, sir," was softly muttered as Adam fled from the kitchen and ran up the stairs, wiping the tears from his face. He quickly got ready for bed and burrowed underneath the blankets where he finally let himself sob. Fifteen minutes later, tired, afraid, and alone, Adam fell into a fitful sleep dreaming that he was back with his brothers.

This seemed like a good place to stop. Sorry this was all Adam's POV, but it felt better to write the story this way to introduce the change in events. The next chapter will have a glimpse into all the brothers' lives since John's reappeared. So, what do you think?? Did any of you think John was going to change? I'm guessing no, but hey you never know. Please review!! I heart reviews with every inch of my core!!!

FYI, I'm on spring break, so I will hopefully have time to work on my stories. I do want to update "Shadow Follows Light" and I also have some papers and projects due when I get back, but I will try my absolute hardest to update. Until next time…