Chapter 23

Sam immediately packed Clay and himself up, and explained to Bobby what had happened. Bobby wasn't too thrilled, especially with Dean's deal so close to being due. But he didn't complain.

In fact, he packed up his belongings, and followed in his car behind Sam and Dean.

He figured they would hold up in a motel down there somewhere. Because it didn't make much sense for them to go all the way to Utah, just to come back to North Dakota.

That right there was about a two days drive, even with Dean behind the wheel.

Now, it was the following morning since the phone call, and Sam was finally calm enough to explain to Clay what had happened.

A tear fell from Clay's eye as he listened to Sam tell the story, but he remained silent until Sam was finished speaking.

"But I don't want to go home!" Clay sobbed, "I'm a freak there! When I'm with you guys I don't feel like such a loner."

"I know buddy," Sam said sympathetically as he turned around in his seat to face Clay, "but your mom doesn't see it that way."

"She won't let me see you again!" Clay yelled.

Sam didn't say anything, because he knew Clay was right. Telling by how Abigail sounded yesterday, she probably wouldn't let Sam anywhere near Clay until she was on her deathbed.

"And what about Dean?" Clay suddenly asked, causing Dean's eyes to look back at the kid in the rearview mirror, "I promised I'd help save you!"

Dean shrugged, and put up a defensive smirk, "I still got Sammy and Bobby, kid. Don't worry about it."

"Yea," Sam chimed in with a nod, "I'm not gonna let anything happen to Dean."

"But how will I know he's okay?" Clay choked as he suppressed a sob.

"I'll find some way to let you know, kiddo." Sam replied with a fake smile.

"This isn't fair, why can't I pick who I wanna stay with?" Clay asked miserably.

Sam shrugged, "I'm sorry, kid."

"But hey, I want you to promise me a couple things, alright?" Sam said seriously.

Clay nodded feverishly in reply.

"One, I want you to look out for yourself, okay? You're a great kid; don't turn into something you're not, okay?" Sam asked, hoping Clay would get the hidden message.

In other words; try not to turn evil.

Clay's brow knit in confusion and he cocked his head a little, apparently he didn't get the hidden meaning in that promise. But nonetheless, Clay still nodded.

"And two…I want you to try and make some friends. Grow up as normally as you can." Sam said with phony confidence.

Clay actually chuckled, but it sounded more like a hiccup.

"I dunno if I can promise that, Sam. I mean, it's hard for me to keep other peoples' emotions out." Clay admitted.

Sam shrugged and offered a half smile, "Then promise me you'll at least try?"

Clay seemed to consider that for a moment before nodding again.

"Good…now are you hungry, or do you wanna sleep first? You did have a long night of being packed in the car."

Clay yawned as more tears streamed down his cheek, "I think I'm gonna sleep first."

Sam nodded and then turned his attention back to the road ahead of him. He hoped that Abigail would let him see Clay again. He had grown attached to him.

xXx

Approximately two hours later, Clay was still fast asleep in the backseat of the Impala, snoring lightly. His head was propped against his full duffel bag as a make-shift pillow, but he looked peaceful.

Sam would continuously look back at Clay to make sure he was doing alright, every so often.

And by 'every so often', I mean every time Clay makes a noise.

Dean glanced over at Sam with a worried look, and sighed before finally speaking up.

"What was that yesterday that you said to Abigail?" Dean asked in a whisper, careful not to wake the kid up.

Sam sighed, he knew this conversation was coming.

"She hates him, Dean. Clay told me that he felt it come off of her." Sam explained sadly.

"If that were true, why do you think she's trying to get him back?" Dean tried to reason.

"I don't know!" Sam admitted.

There was a long, uncomfortable silence that suddenly filled the car. For a moment, Sam thought Dean would turn the music on, but when he didn't Sam looked over at him expectantly.

"Still," Dean finally continued, "You did lay it on her kinda harsh."

Sam scoffed, "I was harsh? You don't think she's being a bit harsh? I mean this is a child we're talking about."

"I know," Dean said sternly, "but obviously, she's willing to give this psychic thing a shot since she came back. She came home expecting to see her son waiting for her. Not an empty house, Sam."

Sam sighed aloud and then took a moment to calm himself. He knew that Dean was right about this.

"Yea, you're right." Sam whispered, "but this sucks so much."

"I know it does, Sam. But remember that whole mix up with Ben? When I thought he was my kid?" Dean asked sympathetically.

Sam nodded as he remembered the eight year old kid, who Dean thought was his.

"It sucked out loud that I had to leave him, but we had work to do, Sam. I got a bit attached to that kid too." Dean said passively with a shrug.

Sam nodded in agreement as he remembered how Dean used to talk about Ben. But Sam didn't bring that up.

"Well, we do got work to do." Sam replied sadly. Speaking of Dean's deal.

Dean nodded in agreement as he turned his music up a little louder, but not too much as to wake the sleeping child in the backseat.

"Yes we do." Dean agreed with a smirk as he stepped harder on the gas, willing his baby to go just a little bit faster.

Haha, 2 chapters in 1 day! Just to make up for not posting in a few days! Here you guys go!

Lemmie know what you think!