Although Dean closely watched Bobby lead Kate into the other room, his ears were trained on Sam's voice, talking GPS this, and tracking signal that. All he knew, was that he needed to kill something.
Soon.
He was tired of shit happening right under his nose. Frustration over his lack of control coursed through him, ramping up a sense of inadequacy he thought was buried long ago. It set his everything on edge.
The only redeeming part, was that John couldn't stop it either. That shouldn't have been satisfying, but it was.
Really satisfying.
Glancing up at his dad, Dean gave a nod toward Kate. You figure out how to find Adam. I'm gonna figure out her.
John followed his gaze, curtly nodding in agreement, before returning to Sam's technical babble. The tension was evident on his face and neck - set jaw, flat eyes, stiff posture. Oh yeah, John was not happy.
Dean gently bumped elbows with Sam, effectively communicating the same message, earning brief eye contact and silent acknowledgement in return.
Since her curse ended, Sam's job was to help Kate process. He was better at that crap - talking and evaluating, sharing and evolving.
Yadda, yadda, yadda.
Dean's mission was simpler, at least to him. Make Kate better. "Better" included safe, secure, grounded, healthy, stable.
He didn't feel successful at it.
Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. Smoothly sidestepping the corpse, Dean found his sister and Bobby in the library, downing shots and looking two seconds away from losing it.
Bobby gave Dean a look behind her back. Not good.
No shit.
"Hey…" He figured he'd start easy.
Kate was visibly trembling, but trying like hell to hide it. "Hey..." She answered, taking a deep breath, attempting to bottle up her emotions. But Dean knew better: she was rattled.
Bobby nodded at no one in particular, fiddling with his cap, glancing at the kitchen. "I'm gonna go help them. We should probably get ready to move. I'm thinking your dad will wanna get on the road as soon as possible."
Dean nodded back, knowing that really, Bobby was chomping at the bit, too, if not more. The old hunter adopted Adam, taking him in and teaching him everything he knew. Adam may have been John's by blood, but he was Bobby's by right.
After squeezing Dean's shoulder, Bobby walking past, sparing one last worried look at Kate before leaving the room.
Dean was ready to spout some shit about how they'd get Adam back, no matter what, when the others bombarded the library.
Sam waved the phone at them. "Got a lead. The last GPS ping was in, get this, Deansville Wildlife Area in Wisconsin, about an hour from Black River State Forest, which is where Adam was camping with his friends."
"Wait - Deansville? Seriously?" Dean asked, at the same time as…
"How is that possible?" Kate asked. "He drove here. How come there aren't other pings along the way?"
Dean nodded at her, because, yeah, that too.
John folded his arms across his chest. "There are location pings before Deansville, a few inside that state forest, actually, but yeah, the last one's from Deansville. So, either the GPS was disabled between there and here - "
"Which it wasn't," Sam interjected.
"Which it wasn't," John repeated, emphasizing his words to show agreement with Sam's assessment, "or he magically poofed here, or - "
"Or there was some interference with the system during the drive," Bobby finished, earning an irritated glance from John at being interrupted again.
Dean snorted to himself. He thought he had control issues.
"Anyway," John continued, "I want us on the road within thirty minutes to check out that park. Kate - call his friends and see what they know." He paused, his commander voice trailing off uncomfortably. "Who's gonna call Jo?"
Dean wet his lips. "Well, Bobby, you - "
"Hold on, there. Just cuz I'm seeing Ellen don't mean I wanna pass along this news."
"I'll do it," Kate whispered, clearing her throat, then trying again. "I'll call, then I'll check in with Adam's friends." Her eyes swept over everyone nervously before she stepped back, and onto the porch.
Once the door clicked shut, John grabbed his hair. "Okay, what the fuck happened in there? Bob?! She was...I mean, what the fuck?"
"What exactly happened?" Sam asked, his forehead all crinkled up, his eyes lingering on the door.
"She fucking thumbtacked that shifter to the wall, that's what happened!" John urgent-whispered, not wanting his voice to carry, but unable to contain his emotions.
Sam's eyes widened, Dean eyed the front door.
Bobby shook his head. "This isn't good, guys. I've never seen her like that - she didn't even blink when she stabbed it. It was like she snapped or something."
Dean knew where this was going. Someone was gonna suggest she stay behind, that she was a wildcard, not well enough to hunt. He cut them all off. "I've got her. Let's just get on the road, and bring Adam home."
Sam huffed that SamHuff, the one that made Dean want to punch him. "Dean, I don't think - "
"Sammy, this isn't the time to psychoanalyze. It isn't something she'll wanna chat about over coffee, alright? Look, are you gonna explain to her that she has to sit this one out? After everything she's been through for him? "
Sam's nostrils flared, but he kept his mouth shut. Out of the corner of his eye, John stood with his arms folded, evaluating every word coming out of Dean's mouth. Whatever. Dean pushed ahead. "Kate'll be my responsibility. I won't let her out of my sight. Just map the course so we can get our shit together and get the fuck out of here, so I can kill whatever took our kid."
The words were growled, as Dean's frustration and worry spilled out. Sam, being Sam, bit his lip, nodding slowly, accepting every word, not arguing Dean's tone. If that order came out of Dad? A fight was inevitable. From Dean? Acquiescence.
While Dean hated the tension that existed between John and Sam, he loved that in this one area, he had "one up" on his father.
Bobby mumbled something about cleaning up the body, hooking a finger at Sam for help. As soon as they left, John turned to Dean.
"You sure about bringing her?"
"Like I said, you wanna tell her she can't go?"
John shook his head. "It's not about that, and you know it. You didn't see her, Dean. The shifter taunted her, tried to make her feel weak, and she...she was just…" He clenched his hands into fists, dropping them to his side as he let out a breath. "Christ, Dean, she was amazing."
Dean raised an eyebrow.
John peeked past him to see if Sam or Bobby could hear him. They were balls deep in dragging the body out the back door, so he continued in a low voice. "Seriously - it was the most badass thing she's ever done." Dean grinned - that's his girl. "But at the same time... it wasn't her. This isn't our Kate."
Dean sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I don't know what else to do to bring her back. I'm trying everything."
John set a hand on Dean's shoulder. "I know, son. It isn't just your responsibility to do something. That's not what I'm saying." Dean snorted to himself. No one ever said it - he owned it regardless. "We may never really get her back, and I...I know that. I just don't want her doing something reckless and getting herself, or one of us, killed. I'm worried."
Dean's head bobbed up and down, hearing the message loud and clear. If she loses her shit, bench her. Immediately. "Got it."
John's eyes searched his son's face a moment, before nodding in return. "Okay. I'm gonna go help with that body then get ready to leave. Thirty minutes." He squeezed Dean's shoulder, before leaving Dean alone, running through options of what to do next.
What he wanted to do and what he needed to do were two different things.
The front door opened, and in walked Kate, phone still pressed to her ear. "I know, Jo, but there's nothing you can do right now. We're leaving in five minutes. If your mom wants to meet us there, that's fine, but we can't wait." She rolled her eyes at Dean, who smirked back. "Yeah...I'll send you the exact coordinates when I get them. … I will. … I know you do. … Yeah, I'll tell Bobby to call her. … Okay...I gotta go. Yeah. See you soon."
She hung up, shooting a withering look at her brother. "Girls…" she muttered, making him laugh despite himself. She never thought of herself as one, and maybe, Dean supposed, they didn't either.
He raised his chin at her. "How're you doing?"
She thought for a moment, tapping the phone against her thigh, avoiding his gaze. "I'll be better when we get him back."
True that.
He wanted a minute, just one fucking minute, to figure out what was going on in her head, but she flashed him a quick smile, turning towards the stairs. "I'm gonna pack while I call his friend, Mike."
Fuck. How was he gonna get her alone for a bit?
Her foot hit the bottom step, when she asked over her shoulder, "Listen...you, uh, think that maybe you can get Sam to ride with Dad?"
Dean blinked. Oh. Well, then. "Um...yeah, yeah, sure. No problem."
Another small smile. "Thanks." She went upstairs, scrolling through her contacts, her phone beeping softly as she pressed the buttons.
That worked out.
Sam walked in, a grimace on his face. "I need a shower. That body turned to mush when we tossed it on the wood pile."
Dean's face wrinkled in disgust. "Fucking shifters."
Sam's eyebrows shrugged in agreement. His head tilted as he peeked upstairs. "How is she?"
Dean sighed, massaging his forehead, trying to figure out how to get Sam in Dad's truck without an argument. "She's okay…um, look..."
Sam sighed. "Hey...I was thinking." Shit. "I mean...you haven't really talked to her since her whole thing, right?"
Thanks for bringing that up, Sammy. Dean shrugged. "She's talking to you, Sam, which is better than not talking at all." He was pretty sure that didn't sound bitter.
Sam gave him a soulful look, the kind that made Dean instantly uncomfortable, because something deep and meaningful was about to come out of his mouth. "I know, but I think, maybe, she just kinda...needs you right now."
Wait. Was this really be going his way, again?
Holding his breath, not wanting to ruin it, he let Sam continue. "I was thinking that I should ride with Dad and Bobby...let her be alone with you for the ride. Is that okay? I mean, it's not that I don't wanna be with her, because shit, I do, but...I remember after Jess died," he cleared his throat uncomfortably, "I just, um, needed you there, so, maybe right now…"
Sam's voice cracked a little, and thankfully, he stopped talking, avoiding an even more emotional moment than Dean felt was necessary.
Dean tried to look like he was considering Sam's offer. "Yeah, maybe. Okay, ride with Dad, and I'll take Kate."
Sam blew out a breath. "Great, thanks. Okay. Let's pack. Dad's out there chomping at the bit."
xxxxx
They pulled out of their yard in a cloud of dust, heading toward the highway, anxious and angry and worried and itching to do something. This was the adrenaline rush Dean loved about hunting - knowing you were about to make a difference, vanquish something evil, save lives - there was nothing like it. Sure, law enforcement held similar opportunities, but they had restrictions.
Hunting?
No restrictions whatsoever. You take out the monster, however you can. As an added bonus, all the monsters were bad. Simple and straightforward. He couldn't imagine a situation where the monster warranted consideration for extenuating circumstances. That shit just didn't happen.
Kate spoke to the four friends who were supposed to be camping with Adam. They all had the same story - had a great time in Black River State Park, then went their separate ways when they were done. Nothing unusual or suspicious to report.
Awesome.
Dean drove in silence. It didn't feel right, jamming to Sabbath when Adam's life was on the line, even though music calmed his anxiety and fueled his motivation. Kate sat still, staring out the window, feet tucked under her, looking small and vulnerable.
He let her be for a while, respecting her need to be lost in her own thoughts. After almost an hour, though, he began running through options of how to approach her. Which, if Dean was honest, pissed him off, because he never had that problem before. It was easy to connect with Old Kate. New Kate always seemed a smidge out of reach.
Without warning, she slid across the seat, tucked in close, and sighed.
There's his girl.
Dean wrapped an arm around her still too-thin body, steering confidently with his left hand, caressing her with his cheek.
"We're just going to a park, right?" She asked in a soft, trembling voice, one hand covering her cheek and those scars.
Puzzle pieces clicked into place, kicking Dean's brother instincts into gear. Pulling her close, he assured her, "Just going to a park with a stupid name." She nodded, ignoring his joke, and Dean thought, what the hell…"You sure you wanna go?"
She snorted. "They all want me to sit this out, don't they?"
"What do you wanna do?" He rubbed his thumb along her arm.
"I faced Lucifer for him, Dean. I'm not gonna lose him now to some fucking shifter."
Dean squeezed her, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Then let's get him back."
She nodded against his shoulder, staying close the rest of the ride.
xxxxx
They parked near the main office, anxiously waiting as Bobby and John spoke with the rangers. Finally, they emerged, looking more pissed off than when they arrived.
"No one remembered Adam or recognized his picture," John groused. "The place isn't that big, maybe two thousand acres, most of it marsh or grassland. Only ninety of those acres are wooded, so we can at least cover that ground easily."
Dean snorted to himself. He was pretty sure two thousand acres was still big.
"That's only about three square miles," Sam supplied, because, of course he knew.
"No camping allowed here, either," Bobby continued, yanking off his cap and looking around the parking lot. "So if he really was here, he wasn't supposed to stay overnight."
Sam made his thinking face. "That means there aren't any campgrounds to start at."
Fantastic.
"So, now what?" Kate asked, an edge to her voice.
John waved a handful of brochures at them. "Entire park's mapped in here. There's a parking lot closer to the middle where the woods are. Figure we can start there."
Dean glanced at Sam to get his take on the plan. When Sam met his gaze, Dean nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
They parked a second time, and by then, everyone was completely on edge. No leads, except a potentially incorrect GPS ping. Not the best start to a rescue mission.
The lot was deserted, so pulling out weapons and supplies was easier than usual. Dean noticed the glint of silver in Kate's waistband. She had that angel blade on her.
Probably not a bad thing.
Once everyone was loaded and ready to go, John hefted a bag onto his shoulder. "There's only one trail from this lot into the woods, and it branches a little ways in. As much as I hate the idea, we're gonna split up once inside so we can cover more ground." He inhaled deeply through his nose, giving everyone a hard look. "Let's find him."
The sky was an ugly mass of swirling gray. Thick clouds promising rain blocked the sun, mocking them as they started onto the trail. Dean's eyes swept the trees as a cold breeze bent the tops. He swore they were being watched. Every rustle and drifting leaf startled him, ramping up his adrenaline. He shivered, drawing his jacket close.
To make it worse, something weird was going on with Kate. The second they entered the park, her mood shifted. Forehead furrowed, eyes squinting, limbs fidgety. There was no time to figure it out, so Dean knew he had to keep an extra eye on her.
There were too many things to watch.
The trail branched, as John said, at the beginning of a small clearing.
"Too many footprints from hikers," Sam sighed irritably, his eyes trained on the ground.
"I don't like this," Bobby murmured, shifting his hold on a rifle. "I swear we're being watched, but the wind's picking up, and I keep thinkin' leaves and branches are monsters waiting in the shadows. Fuckin' annoying."
Dean sighed inwardly with relief. Wasn't just him.
John answered, "I know." His eyes darted to Kate. "You okay?"
She shot him a look. "I'm fine," she said, her tone clipped. "Let's just keep moving."
John shot Dean a look. "Dean - you and Kate are on the south trail. Bobby, Sam, and I will head north."
Neither Sam nor Bobby commented, which rankled Dean. They obviously discussed this on the way over, not feeling a need to include him. Sam nodded, pointedly fixated on the ground. Thanks for the heads up, Sammy.
Kate didn't seem to care. She rolled her eyes, turned, and started down the path.
Bobby nodded at her retreating back, asking, "How is she?"
Dean wiped a hand down his face, eyes flickering to Kate before answering. "She's good."
Bobby's eyes lingered before sliding back to Dean. "Yeah?" He didn't sound convinced.
Dean sighed, already irritated at having to constantly defend her. A quick glance at John told him he was listening closely to the conversation. "Yeah. We shared over lattes on the ride here. What do you think? She got some sleep, and now she's ready to get Adam and go home, just like me. So let's stop analyzing her and focus on Adam. Then I'll deal with her, okay?"
Bobby's eyes narrowed at his tone and accusation. "I can worry about both at the same time, especially if one could impact the other."
Goddammit.
Thankfully, Sam stepped in. "We're all worried, but you're right. Let's find Adam." He shot Bobby a look, begging him to let it go.
Bobby snorted, turning away. Dean knew he was being a little unfair. Bobby thought of Kate and Adam the way John felt about Sam and Dean. He regretted snapping, but he was also beyond his worry limit, so controlling his temper wasn't on the top of his priority list.
Knowing there wasn't anything to be done right then and there, Dean moved to follow Kate. John grabbed his arm. "Keep your eye on her. Something's not right, here."
Dean nodded. No shit.
By the time John released him, Kate was out of sight. Shaking his head, Dean jogged to catch up, trying to ignore the worried whispering behind him.
When he reached the outer edge of the clearing, he found Kate on the ground, her back against a tree, tears on her cheeks. What the…
She was staring at...Dean looked around. Uh...nothing. There was nothing there.
But she saw something.
Dean took a cautious step, not sure what he was walking into, but needing to get to his sister's side. He only managed the one step, however, before he froze in place, completely unable to move, despite how hard he tried.
"Don't move." Castiel's voice sounded in his head.
Don't move? Really? He can't move.
Kate choked out a sob, her whole body trembling, eyes locked on whatever was in front of her. What the fuck was she looking at?
"See what she sees."
Something gently pressed against his temple, and instantly, everything around him blurred. Dean blinked a few times as the wooded park was replaced by a barren landscape, bleak and desolate.
When he refocused on his sister, he gasped.
Sam, an older Sam, stood in front of Kate, a mocking smile on his lips. Her face bled from fresh gashes on her cheek, soaking into her shirt. Dean struggled to reach her side.
"Not yet."
Fuck you, not yet, he snapped at Cas.
"Sam" squatted in front of Kate, brushing some hair off her face. "Show them your story, Kate, and you'll find your brother."
Without sparing a glance at Dean, he disappeared, and Dean was released.