Dark Dreams
Author's Note: I do not own anything. All Characters belong Kripke. This takes place pre-series. Dean is 16, Sam is 12. When you see 'This' That is a characters inner thoughts. All that is "This" is the spirit. No the lore may not be correct but, this is my interpretation of it.
Chapter 5: Apple Pie Life
Dean and John had slept through the whole night. Luckily she hadn't come back for Dean in the middle of the night. John had stayed up a little later than Dean, checking all the salt lines and checking all the locks on the doors and windows. Now that she had seen him, tried to take him and had gotten a fight from Dean. John was more worried about this plan they had decided to use. 'Why the hell did I let him talk me into this'. John was looking at Dean for a moment and just wondering, 'when did you become me? So self sacrificing'. John would happily step in front of Dean to protect him. 'Somehow though you would get yourself in front again and protect me instead of yourself'. John smiled as he thought of his son, his dedication and his love for his family. 'What would we do without you'.
John and Bobby had gotten everybody up rather early. They needed to get a start on setting everything up and trying to establish themselves as civilians. Hopefully she hadn't suspected anything when she was interrupted. They were trying to keep a low profile and trying to play "normal". They had finished setting up several cameras at different angles and trigger devices. They decided that the best way to seem normal was to do normal things. So they gathered everyone and went to a local diner. Dean wasn't allowed to sit by any of the windows. He had to sit in a seat that faced towards the interior of the diner. Dean wasn't used to be the center of attention, to having so many people being around him and worrying over him. It was making him feel crowded and claustrophobic. He had to go to the bathroom and Pastor Jim went with him. "You doing ok Dean?". He asked while Dean was washing his hands and splashing water on his face. Dean nodded to Jim and smiled. "Doing ok Padre". Jim smiled and stood next to him. "You know, most people who had a spirit tailing them would be feeling scared and afraid". Dean looked him in the eye and smiled "Well then I guess it is a good thing I ain't like other people". Dean headed back towards the table. 'Did everyone have to keep bringing it up?'. Dean was trying to forget about it, trying to enjoy the normalcy they had at the moment. Sam was all smiles so far. He was sitting next to Dean and enjoying the conversations that were going on around him. The others were exchanging funny hunting stories. Their father was telling one about a hunt that he thought was a poltergeist that turned out to be another home buyer who was trying to frighten off the competition for the house. "It was like a Scooby Doo episode". Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves. Even John was smiling and laughing. It wasn't one of those forced one where he was trying to gain someone's trust or act inconspicuous. No it was heart felt and happy. Dean missed those days, where dad would say something so funny he even made mom laugh. Usually she would just ignore John's comments but, sometimes. He really got her going. Dean would be smiling and laughing as well. Not that he really understood everything that was said but because, his parents were happy. Laughing so hard he had to ask his dad once "why are you crying daddy". John only started to laugh harder. Mary did as well. Dean was so young and innocent then. He was happy got to have a chance to see dad like this, to see him genuinely happy. As long as they were happy, he didn't care what else was going on. This is what was important. Family.
Sam saw Dean just staring at their father and his expression. It had been a while for Sam to see dad so happy. He couldn't imagine how long it has been for Dean. They had gotten their food and were eating in peace. Sometimes when they went to a diner it was a quick thing. Order, eat and go. Today however they were there for over an hour. Just relaxing, enjoying the day and the company.
When everyone was done they decided to go around the town for a bit. Dean had decided that Sam needed to see this side of John. "Hey Ellen, do you mind if I ride with you today?". Dean asked her. Ellen smiled and John looked at him for a moment. "Dean, you should stay with me today. Just incase". John mentioned. "Well Ellen knows what we are looking for. She is one of the best, you said so yourself. Plus it would be nice to stare at a pretty face and not Sammy's ugly mug". The others laughed for a moment. Bobby knew what he was doing. Sam and John had been fighting a lot more recently. John had mentioned to Bobby over the phone recently. "Dean never did this. I gave an order Dean did as he was told. Only back talk I got from him was a yes sir. Sam, he is always asking me questions. Questioning the orders, questioning me. Always fighting about the hunting, the life, school, food. Anything Bobby, he fights about anything and everything". Bobby knew the age. Sam's thinking was different from Dean's. Sam had a lot longer of a semi normal childhood. Dean was training with guns at the age of 6. He was learning to fight at 7. He had learned about stitching and first aid at 5 for cryin out loud. Sam was just going to school, making friends and just worrying about grades. He only started training 2 years ago. Dean tried to put it off for as long as possible. He made sure his father went easy on him. Like just doing the running and some other physical training to start. Sam hadn't held or fired a gun yet. Dean wanted to wait on the gun training for now. Sam was great at researching and Dean tried to highlight that as much as possible. So today John was in a good mood and dean wanted Sam to see this side of his father. To actually see him as a father and not just a drill sergeant.
Sam was kind of excited to spend the day with his father. "Why not. I mean we haven't spent a day together in a long time". Sam said as he looked at his father. He put his hand in his father's that wasn't in his pocket. John looked down at Sammy's hand in his. "Yeah, yeah kiddo. Have fun, stay in her sights and don't go off by yourself". Dean nodded and smiled. "Thanks dad. Have fun Sammy". Dean took one last look at his father and brother getting into the Impala, both smiling and happy. 'Please don't fight'. Dean thought as he thought of all the fighting recently. He just wanted to fix this, fix their relationship. Have things go back to the way they were. When Sam smiled more and John didn't have so much to worry about. "So, what would you like to do today?". Ellen asked disrupting his thoughts. "Um.. Anything is fine really. Wherever you would like to go". Dean smiled and got in the back seat with Pastor Jim. Bobby and Jim decided to ride with Ellen, expecting the Winchester's to ride together and have family day. Bobby was happy to have Dean with him today, he never minded having his company. Dean was more mature than other kids his age. Had seen and done more than any kid his age. Hell Dean had raised his own brother and taken care of his father. When a hunt was horrible and John was wrecked afterwards, Dean would patch him up and make him feel better. Whether it was just listening to him or just offering his presence. John depended on that boy too much. Bobby wanted Dean to have a normal day for once. No one depending on him. Just a day where he gets to be a kid.
Dean didn't have much money. Whatever John had gotten from a previous job and being a mechanic had to last. Sammy was the one who was more in need of some clothes and maybe some school supplies. So when they went into stores and were doing some shopping, Dean didn't really look. He knew he couldn't afford it and wouldn't be a charity case for the others. Bobby had been looking at coats. He knew John and the boys made whatever they had last for as long as they could. So when Sam outgrew his winter jacket and there was no where near by to get a new one, Dean gave Sammy his. Dean was just layering as much as he could until they could afford something. Dad had a lot to care for financially and Dean wasn't reminding him or pushing the topic a lot. As long as Sam was warm Dean could manage. Bobby was looking at the kid and the clothes he had on. He knew they were hand me downs from John and nowhere near new. So Bobby guessed his size and picked up some shirts, over shirts and pants. When he found the winter jackets he picked one of those up as well. He was planning on spoiling the kid today. "Those seem a little small for you". Ellen said as she stood beside Bobby looking through his cart. "You seen his clothes recently?". He asked her as he stared at Dean. Ellen nodded and took in his appearance. "Well I get the pants and shirts but, why the jacket?". She asked as she checked the price tag. "Especially one so expensive". Bobby was still looking at Dean when he answered her. "Sam outgrew his and Dean gave him his. Kids been in some pretty nasty weather trying to keep warm on hunts in layers. Even then they ain't very thick. Money's been a little tight". Ellen nodded and knew John was having a hard time staying off of hunting to bring in money. Now that Dean was a drop out he would have a hard time getting a job to help out. At least something that wouldn't pay over minimum wage. "Well I guess that's why he has a good uncle who is paying attention". Ellen patted him on the shoulder and continued to look in the store. She had been looking through the shoe section and decided Dean needed new boots as well. "Hey, Singer. What shoe size is he?".
Finally everyone was done and were waiting on line to pay. Dean's cell rang, the caller ID said JW. He answered it "Dad". "Hey Dean. Look I am at a shop and I'm not sure what size Sam is in clothing". Dean smiled, grateful that dad was caring for Sam's needs. "Hang on, it's a little hard to hear you". Dean said as he stepped outside the store. Dean had rattled off Sam's sizes and measurements. He also mentioned what Sam needed for school and what Sam liked to wear. John was grateful since he wanted Sam to be surprised when he saw all the things he liked and needed in his sizes. Dean decided to wait outside until everyone came out. He was looking around at the tables they had set up for garage sales. It was amazing what people threw away.
Dean turned and was looking at the stores in the strip mall on the other side of the road. He was looking straight ahead when he saw her. The woman in black, she was just standing there in the middle of the parking lot. No one else seemed to notice her or pay her any mind. Dean knew he had to go in and get the others. He turned away to make sure he was heading into the right store. When he looked up again she was standing in front of him. "Shit". He yelled as he took a step back. Last time it was a slow drawn out approach. She had gotten a challenge and decided to put an end to that attitude quickly. "Dean?". Bobby said as he saw Dean standing in the middle of the lot looking like he'd seen a ghost. 'Maybe because he had'. Bobby made his way over to him. "Dean, snap out of it boy. What happened". Bobby had his hands on Dean's arms. "Bobby? I saw her again. She was across the road. I was going to get you and when I looked again, she was right in front of me. If you hadn't come out when you had". Dean didn't finish the sentence or the thought. "That was weird. Usually she taunts her victims". Ellen said hearing what Dean had experienced. "You okay honey". Ellen said as she walked over to him. "Yeah, I didn't hold contact". Pastor Jim already had his phone out and from what Dean heard him saying, there was no doubt he had called John. "Crap. Don't do that Jim. Hang on. Can I speak to him for a moment?". Jim told John to hold on and handed the phone to Dean. "Dad hey. No I'm fine. No I didn't lose consciousness. No I didn't hold eye contact. No she didn't touch me. Dad I'm fine. Ok I promise. I'm fine. Yeah, look it was my own fault. A stupid mistake on my part. I stepped outside and stayed out here by myself". They all could hear John yell "You did what?!". Dean moved the phone away from his ear. "Ow. I'm sorry dad. It won't happen again. I wasn't expecting her". There was a bit more conversation and some more "yes sir" and "no sir". Dean hung up and handed the pastor back his phone. "Well I am on lock down. I am not allowed out of anyone's sight and I'm a moron". Dean hung his head and laughed a little. "At least for the day". He added when he saw the others faces.
