Since it has been so long, here is a longer chapter! I hope you enjoy and as always leave only respectful reviews and suggestions!
Adam tossed the book down in frustration as he flopped back on the bed. After days, looking over supernatural texts to find anything remotely local to the area was becoming a pain in the ass. Of course, it did not help that he had nothing to go on before researching. How the others made it look so easy he will never know.
Before he could depress himself even further from his lack of success. A knock came from outside the door. Adam sat up quickly as he shoved the book under his pillow
"Yeah." Half-heartedly answering, Bobby stuck his head in.
"Your brothers are coming back tonight so I was gonna make a run and stock up." A run? That meant a trip to town. Which would be perfect. Maybe a change of scenery would help clear his mind.
"Can I come?" Bobby quirked a brow at his request.
"There's nothing really exciting in town."
"I know but I just want a change of pace. Please, Bobby?" While it was true that Sam had mastered the use of puppy eyes. Being the youngest usually helped count for something. After a few observing seconds, Bobby caved when he apparently didn't find what he was looking for.
"Fine. But I am leaving now." Adam jumped to immediately follow the older hunter as they headed out to his beat-up pickup truck.
"So where are we going?"
"We need some ammo and med supplies. Not to mention enough food to feed a village." Adam laughed at how true that statement was. Dean alone could eat anyone out of house and home.
As they drove in comfortable silence, Adam could understand why his brothers liked Bobby so much. The more experienced hunter was not only wise and logical but very supportive in his own way. Not mention very easy to talk too without feeling needy.
As they pulled up to a small, weapons shop. Adam was excited to learn anything from such a seasoned hunter. Someone who not only taught his brothers but a father as well.
"Morning Singer." Came the greeting from behind the waist level display case. The store was small with short shelves filled with different types of weapon maintenance and guides. All the actual weapons were kept behind the counter. As Adam was observing his surroundings, Bobby walked in like he owned it.
"Have a good day sir." The middle-aged man with dark hair and bright blue eyes thanked the customer.
"Hey, Jake." Bobby offered a manly handshake in greeting.
"And who is this? You knock up some poor lady, you sly dog?" Jake chuckled.
"No, you jackass." For a second Adam thought Bobby was going to go from a handshake to a punch in seconds.
"He is a Winchester." Adam paid close attention to this mans reaction. For the most part, the Winchester name did not invoke happy emotions. Plus, Sam and Dean seemed to want as few people knowing about him as possible. But if Bobby trusted this guy, he must be okay.
"Winchester? I thought Johnny only had the two?" The smirked returned full force.
"That sly dog." Bobby rolled his eyes as the younger man's immature jokes.
"This is their half-brother Adam. Kid this Jake Manns. One of the best weapons experts in the state." Bobby introduced.
"Nice to meet you." Adam offered the same firm shake that Bobby did.
"Likewise, kid. So, you join those brothers of yours in hunting." Adam was a little unsure how to handle that situation as he was told repeatedly to give as little information as possible away. At the same time, he didn't want to seem like he didn't belong to the Winchester name.
"Manns." Adam looked over to see Bobby giving a clear "back off" look.
"Relax Singer. I just wanted to get to know the kid. You can't have too many friends in this line of work. Especially a Winchester." Jake replied with a smirk directed at Adam.
"Sure, just not this Winchester. Now stop wasting my time and show me where my stuff is."
"You are the boss, Singer. After you." Jake did a mocking half-bow and motioned to the back room behind the counter.
As they were finalizing everything Bobby needed to pick up. Adam took the time to look around. For such a small store there seemed to be everything a hunter could need. From guns to knives, to books and even bullet molds.
"Admiring my collection." Adam jumped slightly at the quiet voice to which Jake chuckled in amusement.
"Uh yeah. It's impressive." The smirk fading into a real smile.
"Yeah, my dad started in hunting and was one of the few to make it to retirement. At which point he opened this shop as a disguise. After about 10 years he passed in on to me and I have been manning the ship ever since."
"Disguise?"
"Yeah, this is all a front. The cool merchandise is in back. The stuff that the other hunters are usually looking for." Jake smirked as he leaned against a shelf.
"Oh okay." Adam nodded. It was kind of nice to meet a hunter who was open to talking. Maybe it was just his family, but it seemed like their secrets had secrets.
"So how long have you been in the life?" Adam stopped browsing to glance over. Jake seemed nice enough, but he was still a stranger. Sam and Dean had made it clear that family business and secrets were to stay in the family. So how much could he really tell him?
"Not long." Came his broad answer to which earned him a boisterous laugh.
"Just like a Winchester to keep his cards close to the chest. You are just as secretive as your dad." Maybe it was the laugh or just Jakes personality, but Adam liked him. He was easy to talk too and didn't seem to get offended.
"True."
"Well I am guessing your brothers are just as secretive and protective as your dad? Especially that Dean." Adam was surprised at how well this guy knew his family.
"You could say that."
"So, we both know they aren't going to let you help with any hunts anytime soon." What was this guy getting at?
"All I am saying is you seem like a bright kid and one who is a fast learner. So, if you want to see what the books aren't going to teach you. I wouldn't mind showing you." Was he serious?! He would actually get to be a part of a hunt!
"Really?!" Probably acting like an excited school kid wasn't that way to prove his maturity for the situation but he didn't care.
"No, not really." The smile fell from his face and Adam tensed as he felt another, large presence behind him. Not at all surprised to find Bobby close by and ready to burst his bubble.
"I don't care how ready you think you are kid. You are not hunting."
"But Bobby-." Of course, his rebuttal was ignored as Bobby furiously turned on Jake.
"And you Manns. What shit are you up to, pulling a kid into this." Adam was impressed by the calm demeanor of Jake as he faced off a pissed off hunter. He simply took a step back and raised his hands in a peaceful motion.
"Relax Singer. I was just kidding." Adam deflated at the realization that he had been toyed with.
"You better be." The anger not leaving the older hunters posture or voice before turning back to Adam.
"Let's go, Adam. We have other things to do than waste time in here." Bobby stated as he stormed out. Right as he was about to follow, a voice stopped him.
"I was a serious kid. If you ever want to play with the big boys let me know." Jake clarified as he handed him a card with a phone number written on it before going back to business.
Giving one more glance back, Adam stuffed the card back into his jean pocket and hurried to the truck.
Adam was greeted by a fuming Bobby gripping the steering wheel in the driver seat. As he slowly got into the passenger side, his stomach clenched at the tension in the air. What if Bobby didn't let him go with him on trips into town anymore? What if Bobby told his brothers about what happened today? What if they stopped training him for fear he would run off and start hunting? What if this made them keep an even closer eye on him?
"Bobby are you okay?" All he got was silence as the hum of the engine filled the truck.
"Bobby-."
"Kid, what were you thinking?" Confused by the question. Adam couldn't give a decent answer.
"What do you mean." Bobby turned to face him.
"You can't trust anyone in this line of work, besides family. Even then they might stab you in the back." Was he talking about Jake's offer?
"Bobby, I was just-." Adam started before once again being cut off.
"Look I get that you want to join your brothers. You want to feel like a Winchester. But this is not a life you really want." Adam groaned.
"Not you too." Annoyance filled his voice at having another person against him in this battle to be a hunter. Why couldn't they just let him decide for himself?
"Yes, me too. Your brothers and I and most hunters out there will tell you this is not a life you wish on anyone. It will eat you alive and make your nightmares seem like dreams." During his speech, Adam glanced over to see the seriousness in his eyes. The same sad yet determined look that his brothers had to keep him from the life. A look that screamed he was making the wrong choice.
"Maybe but this is something I can only determine for myself." Even though he had gotten countless warnings against the decision he was making. That Winchester stubbornness to see this through kept him from listening to it. Bobby sighed before turning back around in his seat.
"Kid that is where you are wrong." That was the last thing he said before pulling away from the store.
The rest of the trip was spent in a slightly uncomfortable silence as Adam though over everything that had happened. Maybe his family was right. Maybe he should take their advice and just drop the idea of being a hunter. But at the same time, this was the family business. While it may have never been the plan for him to be a part of it. He was here now. So how could he live up to the Winchester name?
Adam was pulled out of his daydreaming as the house came into view.
"Why don't you grab the food and I'll put up the weapons and med supplies away." Adam nodded as he grabbed his assigned load. As he was putting away last of the groceries, he heard the familiar rumble of the Impala pulling up. Surprisingly a feeling of joy overcame him at seeing his brothers again. Even though they usually argue, he couldn't imagine life without them now.
As he was thinking of his new-found relationship with his brothers, said siblings made their way into the house.
"Hey kiddo how's it going?" Adam looked over to the kitchen door to see first Dean then Sam walking in with duffle bags.
"Good. Boring. Did you find what you were looking for?"
"Yeah, a pain in the ass. The bastard just wouldn't die." Dean mumbled from inside the fridge as he grabbed two beers for himself and Sam. Even though he nearly died from ghouls, he still wasn't allowed to have a beer. Winchester reasoning, no one really understood it.
"Good to see you idijits helped yourself." Bobby said as he walked through the doorway connecting his kitchen to the library/den.
"Hey, we were out there doing the heavy lifting. We deserve a beer." Dean explained as Sam rolled his eyes before turning to Bobby.
"How did things go here?" Adam tensed as he thought Bobby would for sure tell his brothers about his offer from Jake.
"Good, nothing too exciting. Adam's not nearly as whiny as you two were growing up." Bobby claimed as he headed to the fridge for a beer of his own. But not before sending Adam a brief look that said he wouldn't say anything about today, but that Adam should.
While that was a wise idea, he didn't want to ruin the mood so soon after his brothers return. He would tell them, that was a promise. About the research, Jakes offer, the bad feeling he got from the woods, about everything. Just not right now.