Chapter 17
"Ocean Memories," Dean says to the air as he looks at the entrance to the graveyard. The metal gate is rusted and eroded. The doors swing in the ocean breeze, barely staying connected to the hinges. "They need to do some serious maintenance around here."
"Well the ocean air tends to erode things," Sam mutters under his breath as he pushes past Dean. He is still annoyed at his older brother's treatment of Lina. How could Dean disregard someone's wellbeing like that? It is just wrong.
Sam stomps forward and analyzes each headstone. He shines his flashlight at the worn slabs.
"Flanders, Flanders. Where are you?" Sam mumbles to himself. He is starting to lose hope when he sees a small tombstone covered with overgrown weeds. Sam pushes the weeds aside and smiles to himself in victory. Though his victory is short-lived when he reads the first name.
"Benjamin Flanders," Sam throws his head back in disappointment, "This is Jeremy's father." Sam stands up to leave when he notices a small quote engraved on the side of the stone.
"Forgive those who hurt you the most," Sam whispers as he reads the quote, "That's odd."
"What's odd?"
Sam falls backwards and quickly muffles his surprised gasp. He shoots Dean an annoyed look for startling him before offering an explanation.
"I just think it's odd that Jeremy would engrave this specific quote on his father's grave. Clearly Jeremy is not choosing forgiveness by seeking revenge on behalf of his father. It just doesn't make sense."
"I don't know, but I found Jeremy's tombstone on the other side of the graveyard," Dean responds.
"Really?" Sam replies, "Why would Jeremy's grave be so far from his father's? He seemed pretty close to his father considering the trouble he's going through in the afterlife."
"Why don't we review the technicalities later? We have bones to burn," Dean says to Sam as he hands him a shovel, "And I'm not doing it on my own."
…
Sam throws his shovel aside as Dean pries Jeremy's coffin open. A pile of cobweb filled bones presents itself when Dean finally forces the coffin open. Sam offers his arm to Dean and helps him out of the hole. Once Dean is secure, Sam sprinkles the remains with salt and Dean squirts gasoline on it.
"Alright that's enough," Dean says to Sam. Sam sets the salt and gasoline aside as Dean lights the match.
"Adios Flanders," Dean mumbles. Then he throws the match in.
The bones immediately catch on fire and illuminate the night.
"Alright, let's fill this grave up and head back to Bobby's house," Dean says after the flames have subsided.
Dean picks up his shovel and starts shoveling dirt back into the hole. Sam remains still though, lost in thought. After a few moments Dean realizes that he is the only one shoveling. He drops the shovel and looks at Sam.
"Dude, I'm not going to do this by myself. Get over yourself," Dean says in annoyance.
"It's just… don't you think that was too easy?" Sam murmurs to the ground.
Dean's angry stance dissipates when he realizes that Sam isn't angry with him.
"What do you mean? We found Jeremy's bones and burned them. What more do you want?" he asks in confusion.
"I expected Jeremy to show up when he realized we were disturbing his grave," Sam replies and lifts his head to look at Dean, "It just seems off."
Dean looks at Sam warily, picks up his shovel, and continues filling the hole.
"Is this a I-think-something-is-going-to-go-wrong-feeling or a psychic-vision-premonition-feeling" Dean asks after a couple of minutes of silence.
Sam shovels alongside his brother. He pauses when Dean asks him the question and drops his shoulders.
"I don't even know anymore," Sam answers quietly. Dean immediately zones in on Sam's change in demeanor and stops shoveling too.
"What do you mean?" Dean asks slowly.
"Are you…" Sam stops and turns away from Dean before continuing, "Are you ever afraid of me… Afraid of what I can do?"
Dean remains quiet for a moment and then begins shoveling again.
"Nope, not at all," Dean finally answers, "Now start shoveling."
Sam does not fully believe Dean's words, but he follows them anyway.