A Hard Road Ch. 4
Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizable in this story.
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Previously: "So when do we start?" John asked with resolve in his voice. The only way his boys would remain safe was if he learned how to protect them. He would never again let evil walk into his life and take another from him without a fight.
"Well, I guess there's no time like the present" Jim said as he pulled his old dusty journal off of the shelf. This journal contained the words for exorcising a demon from an unwilling host's body. He glanced over at the children playing on the floor. Dean was keeping Sammy occupied with baby toys as he built a house using some Lincoln Logs. He kept a close on eye on Sammy and looked up from what he was doing anytime Sammy shifted or moved. Jim was amazed at how attentive Dean was for a four, soon to be five year old child. It was as though Dean was constantly on guard for anything that could hurt the youngest Winchester. Jim worried that Dean's attachment to the baby could be detrimental to his own well being if he neglected to take care of himself also while taking care of his baby brother.
Jim was drawn out of his musings as he heard John shift on the couch to make room for him to sit. He smiled as he handed his journal over to the young father. "In here, you'll find the words you need to learn to perform your first exorcism. You must memorize them exactly as they are written. If even one word is said out of place, you could find yourself with one very angry demon on your hands."
John opened the journal and glanced through all of the passages and wondered how in the world he would be able to learn all the incantations to what was supposedly a long dormant language. As far as he knew, Latin was used very rarely now, so how was he supposed to memorize a language he had absolutely no clue about. Opening the book to the first passage, he gazed at the unfamiliar words on the page. Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursio infernalis adversarii…
John looked up at Jim with a guarded expression on his face. "Exorciza-what! How do you expect me to learn this passage when I can't even pronounce half of the words written in it?" he asked the pastor incredulously.
"Don't worry John, I'm sure you'll take to the language quickly and you'll learn the exorcisms in no time at all. I'll be here to help you all the way" Jim stated with conviction.
"Thanks but I'm not so sure about that Pastor" John said as he sat back to read more of the journal while also keeping an eye on his two small children. Sammy was now laying down on the floor napping. John smiled at the way his child looked since Sammy had one hand resting over his left ear while the thumb of his other hand was being thoroughly suckled upon by his mouth. He then focused his attention on Dean to see his oldest totally engrossed in building what looked to be a fort using the Lincoln Logs. Dean was concentrating so hard that his tongue was stuck out between his teeth as he placed the log in the exact position he wanted it to be.
"Okay John. Let's give it another try, repeat after me. Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursio infernalis adversarii, omnis legio, omnis congregatio et secta diabolica, in nomine et virtute Domini Nostri Jesu + Christi, eradicare et effugare a Dei Ecclesia, ab animabus ad imaginem Dei conditis ac pretioso divini Agni sanguine redemptis" Jim stated as he recited the Latin exorcism with natural ease.
John took a deep breath and started to repeat the words that Jim had said. "Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursio infernalis uhhhhhh, crap Jim, I can't remember what comes next."
"That's because you're trying too hard John, your putting unnecessary pressure on yourself to try and learn too much, too fast. I think it's time we take a break from the Latin and you enjoy a little time with your boys."
"Yeah, I think you're right" John stated in relief at not having to embarrass himself again in front of the pastor. Not only was he having trouble remembering the passages, but his tongue kept tripping over the unusual words. Since Sammy was still sleeping, John plopped himself down on the floor beside Dean.
"Hey sport, what are you building?" he asked his oldest as he surveyed the miniature brown log buildings in front of him. His answer came in the form of Dean putting his hands on his hip and scowling at him. "Okay, Okay, I get it, you're building a fort" John said as he reached over to pick up a few of the logs himself. "Mind if I help Dean-O?" he asked waiting for Dean's nod before adding a few logs to the already impressive fort. John and Dean worked on the building for another thirty minutes before Sammy started to stir from his nap.
It didn't take long for John and Dean to find out that Sammy had waken up in a cranky mood. The baby of the family pushed himself up to sit on his bottom as he glanced around with tear moistened eyes. He whined a little as he crawled across the floor to where the fort was and knocked some it down by sweeping his hand through it knocking some of the logs over.
"Sammy no!" said John sternly at seeing his baby destroy part of the fort that Dean had worked so hard on. But when Dean saw the trembling to his baby brother's bottom lip which was soon followed by his brother crying, Dean used his own hands to finish demolishing the fort before he reached them out towards his baby brother. Seeing the open invitation, Sammy crawled over to Dean who gently picked him up. As he snuggled into Dean, he pulled on his left ear with a chubby little hand while his thumb on the other hand went straight to his mouth once again.
John marveled at the way Dean was able to forgive his baby brother so easily for what he had done. Most children his age would have pouted for hours, would have most likely struck out in anger without thinking about the consequences. But not Dean, he was trying to console his baby brother and make him feel better. He was putting Sammy's needs before his own.
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About an hour later, Jim had prepared some sandwiches for lunch. Jim, John, and Dean sat at the table with roast beef sandwiches and chips while Sammy was in his high chair with a jar of baby food. When John tried to feed his youngest, Sammy refused to open his mouth. He crossed his arms in front of his chest as though in defiance and shook his head no when John told him to open up. "Sammy, you've got eat" John stated as he tried once again but Sammy just turned his head away from the food and pulled on his ear again. John gently guided Sammy's face back towards him and with a firm voice said "Open your mouth."
Tears glistened in Sammy's eyes again as he did what he was told. He swallowed the first mouthful with a grimace as the tears slid down his cheeks. When John gave him another spoonful, Sammy spit the food out and began to cry loudly.
"What is wrong with you today tiger?" John questioned as he cleaned up the mess that Sammy made while his baby continued to wail. He wasn't surprised when he looked up to see Dean standing beside the high chair with his arm wrapped around the baby's shoulders. Knowing that getting Sammy to eat any more would be a losing battle, John quickly grabbed a wash cloth and cleaned Sammy's face and hands before taking him out of the high chair. Sammy quickly laid his head against his daddy's chest while fisting John's flannel shirt in his chubby little hand.
John held his baby against his chest and sat down to finish his sandwich. It was obvious that Sammy needed to be cuddled right now and he was more than happy to do it. "Dean, go finish your lunch" John said as he looked at his oldest. "He'll be alright, I've got him. Before long, John could hear the soft sounds of his baby breathing deeply and knew that Sammy had fallen back asleep. "Guess you didn't get enough rest earlier huh" he whispered so as not to wake the sleeping child.
After everybody had finished eating, John deicded it was nap time for Dean also so Jim placed a thick quilt on the floor for Sammy and Dean to sleep on while he taught John the finer aspects of making holy water. Once John had Dean and Sam situated, the older men returned the kitchen where Jim pulled out the items they would need to make the consecrated water.
"The first that you'll need is a sterilized glass bowl which will keep the water that is poured into it from being tainted. Once the bowl is sterilized, you need to pour natural spring water into the bowl. Before adding salt to the water, you need to bless both the salt and the water with the following words: I exorcise thee in the name of God the Father almighty, and in the name of Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord, and in the power of the Holy Ghost, that you may be able to put to flight all the power of the enemy, and be able to root out and supplant that enemy and his apostate angels; through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire."
Jim then went on to say, "There will be times however when you don't have access to spring water. At these times, you need to drop a rosary into whatever water is available and recite the blessing. It will be good enough to get you through in a pinch."
Jim was walking John through the steps of making his own holy water when Dean came walking into the kitchen and pulled on his father's pant leg. "Not now Dean, Jim and I are busy. You need to go keep an eye on Sammy" John said as he turned his attention back to what he was doing. He was surprised however when Dean kicked him hard in the shin. He turned around to scold his little boy but saw the pleading in his eyes.
"What is it, what's wrong kiddo?" John asked as he bent down to question Dean.
Dean grabbed his Daddy's arm with both hands and tugged on it trying to get his dad to follow him.
"John, do you think something could be wrong?" Jim questioned when he saw how desperately Dean was trying to get his point across to his father.
Fearing that it could be about Sammy, John rushed to the living room and over to his youngest. He immediately noticed the flush on Sammy's little cheeks and the light sheen of sweat that covered his face. Sammy's breaths were also coming in quick pants instead of the slow easy breaths he normally exhibited while asleep.
Reaching out to feel his forehead, John was alarmed at the heat coming off of his baby boy. "Shit Jim, he's burning up" John gasped as he picked Sammy up and cradled him in his arms. He quickly grabbed the keys to the Impala and headed out as Jim and Dean followed him out the door. John quickly tossed his keys to Jim while he climbed into the passenger side of the car cradling Sammy to his chest. Jim helped Dean into the backseat before climbing in himself. He then started the car and they raced off towards the nearest hospital.
TBC The blessing for making the holy water came from Wikipedia the free encyclopedia.