Outside Looking In, pt 3
Sam blinded by a hunt, the Winchesters look for solutions.
Like a lot of hunters, Caleb didn't really have a home base. Instead, he had strategically placed cabins around the country. Well-stocked in cases of emergencies.
This didn't count as an emergency. Thus, his annoyance.
"Caleb, I'm serious. Any lore on this?"
Caleb smirked at the rough drawing. "Did you have your kid draw this?"
John glowered, an expression that probably got him everywhere, but Caleb was far past being intimidated by any human being. "Lemme see him."
Caleb surveyed Dean with satisfaction—kid was turning into a real hunter, now—and turned his gaze on the younger.
"Youse guys hit the town, Sam an' I'll get to work." Caleb noted the glare he got from Dean as he took a hold of Sam's shoulder, but ignored it. Only thing family was good for was getting in the way.
Sambo here was a prime example of that.
"Can you . . . can you help?" Kid's voice actually had hope in it.
"No. Prolly not," Caleb said casually. Sam's shoulders slumped.
"What are you doing, then?"
"Me? I'm looking out for the interests of one Mr. John Winchester. Guy saved my hide once. I'm returning the favor."
Sam's brow furrowed, and if the kid could see, he'd be staring at Caleb in confusion.
"I'm checking into this," Caleb clarified. He manhandled the kid into sitting at his table, tilting his face and looking at those creepy eyes. "I researched those symbols the creature painted on you, and kid, you sure know how to hit the worse possible area. Completely obscure. Only references talk about ancient powers, etc etc. Your eyesight's gone, kid."
Sam yanked his face out of Caleb's reach. "So why am I even here? Call my dad back, and we'll get out of your hair."
Caleb leaned forward, so he was right in Sam's face. "I said before, John saved my life. I'm returning the favor."
"How?"
"Making sure you don't get him killed. Or your brother, for that matter."
Sam blanched. "What?"
"Chances are, now that you're blind, it'll be ten times harder to get around. John'll have to worry about something as simple as leaving you at a motel. Dean's training'll fall to the wayside, as he focuses on helping you get around. The money spent on ammo and hunting supplies'll go to lessons teaching you to piss without making a mess." Caleb sneered at Sam, wishing he could see it. He hated kids.
"So what are you saying I should do?" Tears were trembling in Sam's voice.
"Man up. From what I heard, you were on quite the anti-hunting crusade."
"How do you kno—"
"Well, you've learned your lesson. Hunting isn't for the weak. So you learn to be self-sufficient, you hear me? Your life is awful. Get over it." Caleb leaned back, satisfied with the tremors running through Sam's arms and the way his teeth were sinking into his bottom lip. "Do you hear me?"
Sam nodded, pulling his arms in tight around his body. They sat in silence, Sam on edge, Caleb at his ease. Just the way he liked it.
"You figure out anything?"
Dean was painfully eager, and Caleb forced his face into a slightly softer version of his normal scowl. Chances were Dean would turn into a valuable asset.
"I'm sorry, Dean. I got nothing."
Dean's face folded momentarily before he strode over to Sam.
"Sorry, Sammy," Caleb heard whispered. Dean put his hands on Sam's shoulders, gently kneading the tense muscles and Caleb couldn't help sneering. Emotional attachments made you weak. Hopefully Dean would eventually learn that.
"Any hunts you need help on?" John asked.
Caleb considered him. "There's a possible werewolf pack nearby. I was gonna wait until I had a couple buddies. You and Dean should do."
Dean looked up sharply. "What about Sam?"
Caleb shrugged. "He could stay here. Or in the car."
Dean was up in Caleb's face without warning. "He was just blinded, you moron. You think we would leave him alone now, when he—"
"It's okay, Dean," Sam interjected. "I can stay in the Impala. I'll just be sitting." Caleb felt a surge of slight approval.
Dean scowled. "No, it's not okay. Get someone else to help you two, I'm staying with Sam."
John looked uncertainly at his kids, and Caleb hid away a sneer.
"We're not. Not this time," Dean said strongly.
John scrubbed his face. "Sorry, Caleb. Dean's right, it's too soon. Sam can't even get around on his own."
"Stop talking about him like he's not here," Dean snarled. "C'mon, Sam, let's go outside."
"Kay." Sam was led outdoors, and Caleb didn't miss Dean's nasty gesture, directed at Caleb, behind his back.
"Sorry," John said again, weakly.
"John, what are you going to do with Sam?"
"I, what do you mean?"
"You can't hunt with such a burden."
John sighed. "I know. I don't think Dean'll hold for me putting him in some kind of special school for the blind, though."
"It would be smarter," Caleb said shortly.
John looked towards the door. "We'll see," he said softly. "Call me if you need help on a hunt."
"I'll get someone else for the werewolves. I hear there's a nasty haunting in Wyoming."
John nodded. "I'll handle that. Thanks again, Caleb."
"Sure thing." Caleb watched him go and sighed. Only idiots let themselves get so wrapped up in people. Caleb had learned long ago that the only thing you could trust in was yourself. That kid would get the rest of the Winchesters killed. It was only a matter of time.
A/N: Oh this was mean. I know a lot of fics make Caleb awesome, and he probably deserves to be, I just needed a mean outsider who would drag Sam a little lower. I'm mean like that.
As far as later installments in this mini-series, I'm not sure. I think I have Jim settled, but idk . . . I should do a "professional"'s perspective who teaches Sam about being blind and stuff, but it's not like I know anything about that. There's only so much I'm willing to make up without feeling completely ridiculous.