A Hard Road Ch. 30
Disclaimer. Still don't own them and still not making a profit from my stories.
Warning: Language as usual
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Previously: Once they had finished their dinner, John allowed his boys to play the gaming console for a little while before announcing that it was time for bed. He just hoped that Sammy would have a good night tonight.
Early the next morning, the hunters were in pretty good spirits. Sammy had only awakened once during the night screaming in terror that the clowns were after him, but Dean had been able to calm him down relatively quickly. Afterwards, it only took John thirty minutes of placing the floor to get his youngest back to sleep while cuddled to his chest.
After they all ate breakfast, Lucky Charms at the insistence of the boys, they started packing up the gear that they would need for their little fishing expedition. As Joshua got the poles, Caleb checked the tackle boxes to make sure they had all the required spinners and lures. Sure he wanted a day of fun, but he actually wanted to catch some fish too and he knew how important having the right equipment was.
While Joshua and Caleb were busy gathering their gear, John and Bobby ran to the local store to buy some bait. It would be easier for the boys to use worms and crickets than to try the fancy spinners that Caleb was so fond of using. As they made their way back, John shivered as something fleeting flashed across his mind. "Bobby, I'm not so sure about this, what if something were to happen?" John said as he chewed on his bottom lip. He didn't know why the idea of taking the boys out on a boat was making him nervous, but it did.
"Don't worry Johnny, the boys are going to have fun. Besides, they'll be wearing life jackets so what could possibly happen?" Bobby stated hoping to relieve John's fears. He knew how overprotective John could be of his boys and he didn't want them to miss out on such a fun experience.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." John said as he tried to shake off the bad feeling. His boys needed a fun filled day and he had no right to keep them from it just because he had a bad feeling, it was just him being silly right? Surely Bobby was right and nothing would happen. They would have an uneventful day of catching fish and having fun.
Arriving back at the cabin, they met up with the others and started to traverse the path that led down to the lake. The path was bumpy and filled with rocks causing Sammy to stumble a couple of times. When he nearly fell the third time, John hoisted his youngest up onto his hip and carried him the rest of the way. "Maybe this was what I was worried about, Sammy falling and getting hurt." John though to himself hopefully. Pushing his fears out of his mind, he kept a watchful eye on Dean and continued walking along the path until they finally made it to the lake.
The hunters watched as Joshua walked along the dock and then climbed aboard a Suncruiser Sport Deck 220 Luxury Cruiser. Caleb whistled in appreciation of the fishing boat that boasted a two hundred horse power outboard motor, a twelve person seating capacity, and a sun/sport deck that would be perfect to fish from. The sleek white boat had racing flames that adorned the side and a small cabined area for if the boys got too hot while out in the sun. "Damn Josh, why didn't you inform us about this little beauty before." Caleb asked as he brushed his hand along the side.
"Never thought about it honestly." Josh answered with a smile. "Well what are all waiting for? Climb aboard so we can get this fishing expedition under way." Once everybody was aboard and John and Bobby put life jackets on the boys, Joshua started the engine to take them out into the middle of the lake.
"Wow, this is fun isn't it Sammy?" Dean questioned, his arm held tightly around his little brother as they sat on their seat.
"Uh huh" Sammy said as his wide eyes took in the sights around him. He was a little bit afraid because of how fast the boat was going, but he didn't want Dean to think he was a scaredy cat.
Feeling the slight trembles in his brothers shoulders, Dean called out, "Hey Josh can we go a little bit slower, I'm getting a little motion sickness here."
"Sure Dean, sorry about that." Joshua answered as he eased off on the throttle upset with himself for not thinking about how the motion of the boat could affect the boys.
"You okay son?" John questioned as he turned his eyes towards Dean. "We can go back if you're not feeling well Ace."
"Nah, I'm okay dad." Dean answered as he nodded his head toward Sammy who still sat wide eyed snuggled into Dean's side.
Understanding the point Dean was trying to get across, John walked over and whispered something to Joshua who throttled back a little more upon learning the youngest Winchester was a little afraid. John watched as Sammy took a deep breath and then became animated as he started pointing things out to Dean. He smiled knowing his youngest was now finally enjoying the boat ride.
Once Joshua got to a predetermined spot in the lake, he turned the engine off and allowed them to float as they began to set up the poles. Pulling a small blue one out of the cabin area with Scooby Doo on the reel, he handed it over to Sammy. "Here you go squirt, this one is perfect for you."
I's not a squirt, I's a big boy." Sammy glowered with his hands on his hips before accepting the pole with a smile.
"Oh, sorry there little man." Josh grinned as he handed over another small pole to Dean with a wink that belonged to his ten year old nephew. He began to get the rest of heir gear while John and Bobby took care of getting the boys all set.
As Dean casted his pole out into the water, John helped Sammy to cast his. He placed a small bobber on the line and told Sammy that he was to yank the pole up if the bobber raised up and hit his pole.
"Otay daddy, I get the big fish for you." Sammy said confidently as he watched the small yellow and red bobber intently. No fish was going to get away from him.
"Yeah, you probably will tiger." John said with a smile. Sammy definitely wasn't lacking in the confidence area.
After both boys were taken care of, the hunters all grabbed their own poles and began to fish themselves, each wondering when they had last had such a relaxing time. John was just fixing to cast his line out into the water again when he heard a small gasp and then a squeal coming from his youngest.
"I gots one daddy, I gots a fish." Sammy shouted as he jerked on his pole like his daddy told him too. John quickly walked over and stood behind Sammy as he helped him to reel in the fish. Once it was close enough, he reached the net down into the water and scooped it up, miling at the nice sized bass.
"Wow Sammy, you've caught a whopper." John stated as he held the fish up for everyone to see.
"Way to go Sammy." Dean cheered as he patted Sammy on the back before returning his attention to his own pole. He was secretly happy that Sammy caught the first fish cause that would give him bragging rights when the fist stories started.
Sixty minutes later, they had caught ten fish and decided to take a break and eat some of the sandwiches Bobby had packed for their afternoon of fun. They were so involved in pulling out the food that they didn't notice the two boats that were racing up on their blindside. As Sammy and Dean were carrying their sandwiches and soda over to sit on the sundeck, Joshua heard the full throttled sound of a boat that sounded as if it was passing by pretty close. Looking up, he saw two boats racing with what looked to be young boys at the wheel. "Son of a bitch." He shouted as theboat turned at the last minute avoiding a collision but causing his boat to start rocking violently
Hearing the panic in Joshua's voice, Dean quickly pushed Sammy down to keep him safe just as the boat lurched with a vengeance knocking him from his feet. As he was thrown forward, his head collided with the side of the boat and he fell out into the water.
"Oh God, Dean" screamed John as he watched his oldest disappear from view before he himself was thrown backwards from the force the waves were putting on the boat. Pushing himself to his feet in the violently rocking boat, he saw Joshua dive over the side where Dean had just disappeared. He moved as quickly as he could to the side of the boat and saw Joshua swimming towards Dean who was floating face down. Hearing the sound of Sammy's cries, he turned around to see Bobby picking his youngest up and cradling him towards his chest soothing him by rubbing a hand up and down his back. Knowing that Sammy was being taken care of, he returned his attention to the events unfolding in the lake to see Joshua finally make it to Dean's side.
Once Hoshua made it to Dean, he quickly turned him over and checked to see if he was breathing. Feeling no breath against his cheek, he quickly blew two breaths into the boys lungs and felt immense relief when Dean started choking out water. "That's it kiddo, get it all out." Joshua soothed as he held violently coughing Dean against his chest.
"Joshua, my head hurts." Dean groggily informed the burly hunter before passing out once again into his arms.
"Shit!" swore Joshua as he started swimming an unconscious Dean towards the boat. Arriving at the side, he was thankful to see both Caleb and John reaching down to hoist him up by his arms. Once Dean was safely in the boat, Caleb reached over and gave Joshua a helping hand into the boat where he collapsed from exgaustion.
Brushing his wet hair from his eyes, Josh looked over to see John administering first aid to his oldest. "How is he?" Josh gasped out as he pushed himself shakily to his knees.
"He's out cold. He's got a pretty bad gash right beside his hairline." John stated as he held a cloth to Dean's head trying to ebb the flow of blood, wondering how in the hell things had went so bad so quickly.
"Deanie, I want's Deanie." Sammy cried upon hearing his father's words and seeing his brother lying so still on the bottom of the boat.
"Shhh Sammy, don't cry. Your Deanie's going to be all right." Bobby soothed as he began to rock the wailing child praying that he wasn't lying to him as he watched John administering first aid to his oldest..
"Joshua, we've got to get Dean to a hospital." John stated worried that his oldest could slip into shock from his injuries. He quickly opened the package holding a thermal blanket and wrapped it securely around Dean as he heard Joshua start the engine and turn them back towards the shore of the lake.
TBC