Previously: Dean realizes the monster Greg Landrick was. Sparrow is shot and killed.
The Birds
installment 13
The sun was just peeking over the horizon when Haaron pulled to the top of the Landrick's driveway, parking the jeep behind the Impala. Bobby pulled his truck up beside him. There were five men milling about on the front lawn, all looking dazed and confused and uncertain. Daniel Landrick was sitting on the stoop steps, head in his hands, elbows on his knees. When Bobby tilted his chin up, he blinked bewildered swollen red eyes at him. "I didn't know…" he rasped, "I didn't…" He couldn't finish. The words dissolved into incoherent sobs and mumbled apologies.
"Daniel," Bobby started gently, "Where's Dean?"
"The room…" Daniel sniffled, "the room under my dad's study." He turned pleading eyes on Bobby. "With the girl… I didn't mean to kill her, Bobby… I just… I didn't know…" He hiccupped and began to cry anew.
Behind him, Sam heard Haaron's breath hitch. He pushed past Sam, made his way up the stairs and into the house, following the trail of ruined carpets to the office door. The hatch to the secret passage was open. Haaron steeled himself before starting down the wooden steps.
Dean leaned against the far wall, Sparrow draped lifelessly across his lap, cradled in his arms. When he looked up and saw Haaron, a solitary tear dripped from one bloodshot eye. "I'm sorry," he whispered, so hoarse it was almost inaudible. "I know sorry's not good enough," he clenched his teeth and shook his head, clearly angry with himself, "But it's all…"
Haaron knelt in front of him, sighed, and caressed Sparrow's feathered cheek. "It's not your fault."
Dean gnawed at his bottom lip.
"Haaron?" Rat's hesitant voice echoed from the top of the stairs. "Is she…" he couldn't bring himself to say it.
"Yes," Haaron choked back a sob, "Yes, Rat, she is."
Dean expected snarling and swearing and threats to Daniel's life, but there was only stunned silence, and then the uneven pattering of feet on wood steps. Rat peered over Haaron's shoulder, lips parted to allow shallow breaths to pass through, eyebrows knotted above the scrunched bridge of his nose. "I want so bad to blame that kid…"
"I know," Haaron leaned in and wrapped his arms around his sister's neck, undeterred by the blood that soaked into his clothing. He pressed his nose to her cheek. "I want so bad to assign fault as well," he gasped, "but I can't help but feel the blame goes in circles."
Dean let his head fall against the wall with a painful thunk and closed his eyes.
vWv
Sam and Dean stayed in Bainbridge Island just long enough to wash the sweat and grave dirt from their bodies. Hair still damp from the shower, Dean volunteered to take the first leg of the drive even though he'd just driven the six hours back from Sandpoint. Muscles still aching from burying the dead, Sam was more than willing to let him.
They'd been on the road hardly ten minutes, and Sam was already dozing, when Dean punched his shoulder. "Sammy, wake up!"
"What?" Sam groaned, feeling the car start to slow. Dean pointed out the front windshield.
Sitting on the side of the road was the most bizarre farewell party the Winchesters had ever seen. A black footed ferret, a great white heron, an alligator, and a mountain lion all watched the Impala glide past.
A/N: And that's it, folks, all done and over. Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. No really, no matter how many times I wanted to feed it to my paper shredder, I am quite pleased with the final product. Love and hugs!