The impala sped down the freeway in silence. Dean was driving like usual, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. Sam sat next to him, tapping his leg in a complicated rhythm. Both men kept glancing back at merlin, who was sitting behind them in the middle on the seat, glaring at them. Merlin was seething. Castiel, who knew full well who he was, put him with two people who would gladly kill him if they found out. All this was just another situation where he had to hide except now it was from people who were trained to find and kill things like him.

Sam, who didn't have to focus on driving like Dean did, took this opportunity to learn more about their guest. Breaking the silence he asked.

" So who are you, kid?" The brunet turned. Merlin snorted.

"I told you. My name is Merlin, and I'm not a kid. I'm 27." Dean gripped the wheel tighter.

"Sorry, you look younger," Sam tried to give a reassuring smile, " Do you have a last name? And where do you come from? Why do demon want you?" The questions just tumbled out of his mouth. Merlin turned away, is arms wrapped protectively around his chest.

"its just Merlin. I'm from a small town in the UK, you wouldn't know it, and for why do Demons want me," he faces Sam again, something new glinting in his eyes, " That's for me to know and you to hopefully never find out." Sam squinted, Merlin smiled. The raven hated lying. He really did but it couldn't be helped. He needed to be alive so Arthur won't be alone when he comes back.

Sam could tell Merlin was holding something back but decided not to push it. Something about the way Merlin held himself, as if he held a thousand years in his head. The way is eyes portrayed wisdom beyond his years. The deep sadness that seemed to linger on his chiseled features. Merlin was dreadfully thin, his ribs blatantly obvious under the shirt he had borrowed from Dean. His hair, shaggy and tangled, looks as if he cut it himself. Both his hands and feet are covered in callouses. He was just strange to look at. His eyes so old yet everything around him felt full of life. Even Sam had felt a difference in his own body. Everything felt lighter, easier to move around. He turned back to face the front, sporting a headache and a readiness to be at Bobby's.

Dean didn't know what to think. Cas was withholding information. The kid was a smartass. And there were so many questions rattling about in his head he too was now suffering from a headache. And the constant glare he was receiving was not helping. His vision blurred over. All he wanted now was to get to bobby's and go to bed. Hopefully when he wakes up it will all have been a bad dream. Or maybe he'll dream about the girl, Mythri. Everything she had said had lingered in his mind. She was a hunter. She was smart. She somehow knew about merlin. And with a look she could keep you from moving. And most importantly, she wanted to meet them, meaning they could find her again. He hoped. Bringing his mind back to the fact that she knew about Merlin, down to the last detail. Maybe the kid knew her. Just as he tried to ask something sealed his lips and froze his voice. Nothing would come out. It felt quite a bit like when she was staring at them, forcing him to be still.

Merlin noticed Deans movement and momentary confusion. Though it was slightly suspicious he decided to brush it off for now and watch him. They drove steadily onward till evening when they finally pulled up to Bobby's house. Merlin leapt out of the vehicle while it was still rolling forward, and sprinted towards the car lot. Dean cursed and parked his baby as fast as possible. Sam followed Merlin's lead, hot on his tail, but didn't get any closer. For a thin, half starved man, the raven could run. And he was lucky. Really lucky.

Merlin sprinted forward, using magic every now and then to slow his pursuers. He weaved in between cars and potholes, trying his best to throw of the giant behind him. He knew he couldn't keep this up in his weakened state. And they had an advantage. They knew the terrain. Taking a risky glance back he saw the giant was gaining, slowly yet surely. He could feel his strength waning away. Just a little further. Then he hit the ground. Sam had leapt forward and grabbed his feet, dragging him down. Within seconds he had subdued the struggling man. Dean trotted up next to him.

"you can run." Dean stated, signaling to his brother to get up. Merlin just grunted. Sam latched his hand onto the youths collar and pulled him up next to him. Dean stepped closer, a warning flaring in his eyes. "don't ever try that again." Merlin nodded. Dean nodded. Dean looked at sam, the warning gone. "come on, let's get the kid inside." Then turning his voice back to merlin, "when was the last time you ate?" Merlin shrugged,

"how long was I asleep?"

"4 days."

"then its been 6ish days since I last ate." He stated. Sam's jaw dropped. Dean just glared them muttered something about murdering all the demons he could find. He then turned and started for the house, sam followed dragging merlin along by the arm. Merlin scowled but on the inside he smiled. It was nice to have someone care for him again. And the idea of food was just to inviting. However, he did put up a small fight, just so the men wouldn't think he had given in. He was going to do his best at giving them hell.

The moment they entered the kitchen, his resolve broke. Food covered the table, filling the room with their aroma's. Yes, some of the food was burnt and yes, most of it was microwaveable but it looked delicious. Saliva filled his mouth and his long empty stomach gurgled. Dean looked back at smiled at the wistful expression on Merlin's face. Sam felt merlin go limp in his hands and released his grip from the ravens arm. He wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Bobby stood facing them on the other side of the kitchen, studying the boys. Then his smiled, the kind of smile that would get any person to fill up with a special warmth. It was the smile of a father looking at his sons. He first directed his voice merlin.

"you must be famished." Then gesturing at the food laden table, "dig in." merlin tried to hold onto the glare but it slipped away, devoured by immense hunger. It only took 10 seconds for hunger to overrule caution. Glancing at everyone, merlin stepped forward. Another step. He was at the table. He knew he shouldn't eat too much or it will be hard on his stomach. Everything slowed down for him after the first bite. It was glorious, delicious, captivating. Each bite after that was so wonderful he barely noticed bobby, Sam, and Dean step away to talk.

"who's the stray?" Bobby inquired, watching Merlin eat.

"his name's Merlin. Cas asked us to watch him. Said he's being hunted by demons." Dean replied, also staring at Merlin, but to make sure he didn't bolt. "he doesn't like us much, though. Already tried to run."

"Merlin? Who would name their kid Merlin?"

"It's what he said his name was." Sam interjected, " we were wondering if we could hole up here for a few days till e settles down. And we want to know why the demons are after him." Sam paused. "he's hiding something. Something that's powerful enough to get the angels involved."

"yeah but those feathered dicks get involved with everything." Dean joked. Sam and bobby gave a disapproving glare. Dean acted offended.

"you can stay here. Can't say he doesn't spike my interest. "

"I know right"