Here's the next chapter! Ta da.

Sam's POV

I don't want to know what time it is, but I find myself checking my phone every few seconds anyway. GPS turned off of course. Sad to say I'm not an amateur when it comes to disappearing. And the guilt doesn't ease, even though I know it's necessary this time. Even though it's all for Dean...

I don't want to know that my big brother is probably awake by now, that he's realized I'm gone. I don't want to think about anything besides the steady hum of the Impala, the stretch of road beneath me. But focusing on nothing but asphalt is harder than it seems. It leaves a lot of time to think- and that's exactly what I don't want.

Dean's gonna be pissed. And that's the understatement of the year right there. He's going to be livid.

I told him I wouldn't leave, and at that point I seriously thought I wouldn't. But after a few more days of seeing that look in his eyes, I just couldn't sit around any longer. I know he needs me at the bunker, but he needs to be back on his feet even more. He needs to be able to walk again. So I'm going to look for Cas. Because if there's one good angel like Cas in this world, then maybe there are more. And maybe Cas knows where the good ones would be. It's what I'm counting on. I just need one fully-powered angel with a conscience. One who's willing to heal my brother.

And if I can't find a willing participant, then I'll find one who doesn't want to die. I'll find one who will be persuaded by the sharp cut of an angel blade.

No matter what it takes, I'll do it.

It's been three days. Three days away from my brother and I have nothing to show for it except the bags that have taken up a permanent residence underneath my bloodshot eyes. I've been driving practically cross-country, stopping only for the occasional coffee or nap on the side of the road. And still- nothing. Before leaving, I had taken a picture of the bunker's angel tracking board on my phone, hoping it would give me some clue of where to start. I figured following after groups of angels was still my best bet at tracking down Cas, but so far there had been no sign of him- no sign of any angels for that matter.

I can feel myself hitting my breaking point. I'm running on empty, completely exhausted, and no closer to finding anything that could possibly help Dean. The road blurs in and out of focus in front of me as much needed unconsciousness threatens my heavy eyelids, and I know I have to stop again. Just for a minute, I tell myself, pulling off at the next exit and finding a nice, vacant lot to park the Impala. She rumbles and then stills beneath me when I twist the keys from the ignition, probably just as grateful for a rest as I am. I sigh, leaning my head back against the familiar cushioned seat, letting my mind wander a little before I drop into unconsciousness.

The trill of my ringtone jerks me from the beginnings of a dream, and I scramble to find it.

Dean, the caller ID reads. I grimace, switching the phone back and forth in my hands, debating. Gotta face my brother at some point...

"Hey."

"Sammy?" It's barely an audible breath, but that one word oozes with pure relief. Three days worth of worrying all compacted into the soft whisper of my name and suddenly I'm twelve years old again and I've just run away from home and it's the stupidest thing I've ever done. God Dean I'm sorry.

"Yeah?" The guilt is gut-wrenching, but I manage to push my horrible excuse for a response past my lips, waiting for the screaming match I'm sure will ensue. Instead, all I hear is a deep exhale, an audible sigh.

"You okay?" Dean asks after a moment.

"Yeah Dean, I'm good," I reply, still waiting for the tidal wave that is my brother's wrath. I try to apologize before it comes crashing down on me. "Look I'm s..."

"It's alright Sam, it's okay," Dean cuts me off. "Look, just...just tell me where you are. We've been looking for you. Me and Kevin. So we should be right behind you man. Indiana right? Outside Dyer? Just give me an address and we'll meet you."

I freeze, turning to stare at the green sign visible from the highway that reads "Schererville, Indiana". As usual, my brother has somehow found his way to me. And suddenly I realize what that means.

"You...you what? Dean, you can't...your leg needs to heal, you can't be scrunched in a goddamn car all day. What the hell?" The anger is sudden, and deep down I know it's misplaced, but regardless, I can't stop the rising swell in my voice.

"Really Sam?" Dean snaps, his own outrage becoming apparent now that the worry has abated. "You wanna get into this with me right now? You really want to talk about why I'm crammed into this shitty excuse for a car right now? We can start with the fact that you fucking stole the car I usually drive. Wanna start there?"

Shit. The guilt settles deeper in my gut, embedding itself into the walls of my stomach and writhing like a tethered animal. Despite the obvious anger in Dean's accusation, I know him well enough to hear the undertones of fear and betrayal that lie beneath. I really scared him, but more than that, I had left him. Again.

"I'm sorry," I say, pinching the bridge of my nose and squeezing my eyes shut. I had to...

"Yeah okay, we'll talk about it when we meet up. Where are you?" Dean demands again, suddenly all business. Dean relays my location to Kevin, whom I can hear mumbling incomprehensibly through the phone.

I am distantly aware of Dean's reassurance that they'll be there soon, along with the soft click as the call is disconnected, but my eyes have already drifted closed, pulled down by the sheer weight of exhaustion. I succumb without complaint, knowing my brother is on his way.

Thanks for reading- next chapter should be up soon! Have a great day.