Sam rested his chin against his hands as he sat by the hole in the ground his father and Dean were digging. He wasn't really sure what he was doing there in all honesty. He hadn't really been able to do much apart from being the lookout as the other had two cornered the werewolf pack and killed them. He couldn't even help dig the makeshift graves; his only purpose was to hold the torch to make up for the fading light of the day. He sighed quietly enough so his dad wouldn't hear him and his mind began to wander.

He began to think what it would be like to have a normal life like Nick's. Sure, Nick didn't have the perfect life that everyone dreamed of, but he was happy. He had a stable home with someone who obviously loved him dearly. He didn't move from one end of the country to the next every month, he wouldn't spend his whole life being 'the new kid' and always feeling out of place. Things like home cooked meals, being woken up with cooked breakfasts, and saying 'I love you' were simple yet completely normal things to Nick that he probably didn't even have to think about. But to Sam, they were some distant idea that he would never quite have no matter how hard he reached for them. At least, not with his dad and his brother. Not in a life like this- the hunter's life. He did hope that one day he would escape all of this and have a normal, happy life but he knew it was only a wild dream. No one in this life ever seemed to truly leave it behind them, no matter how hard they may try. But Sam was determined to break that trend. He had always known he didn't want to hunt all of his life but now he was completely set on making that dream a reality. If his friendship with Nick had taught him anything, it was that things can become normal again no matter what has happened to you in the past.

Then he began to worry about Nick. He wasn't sure how he was going to explain to him why he hadn't been waiting for him at the end of the day like he always did. He'd probably have to make up some excuse about a doctor's appointment or something but Nick seemed to be very good at figuring out lies from truth. The last thing he wanted was for Nick to think he didn't trust him but he also knew he could never tell him the truth behind what actually happened. Sam just had to hope Nick would understand and let it slide. His friendship with Nick had made these past few weeks so much better than they could have been and while he knew it couldn't last forever, he didn't want to lose it all just yet. He could stay in this bubble of calmness and security for just a little longer with Nick by his side. He wished he could thank Nick for everything he'd done for him, but he just couldn't figure out how. If he brought it up, Nick would probably laugh it off and tell him that being his friend was enough. But, while Sam appreciated the sentiment, he wanted to do something more for him than just that. He just wasn't exactly used to the whole 'having real friends' deal so he wasn't sure what to do. Maybe he could-

Sam was startled out of his thoughts by Dean patting him gently on the shoulder. Sam looked around to realise that the grave had now been covered over and John was taking their things back to the car. A shiver travelled through his body as he looked into the darkness of nightfall around them and he realised just how cold he had gotten. Sam accepted the hand Dean offered down to him and pulled himself up. He quickly brushed himself off and rubbed his hands together in an attempt to warm them up a little bit. Then he and Dean walked over to join their father by the Impala.

"Let's get out of here" John said, carelessly throwing the final duffle bag into the trunk of the car and slamming it shut.

"What, right now?" Sam asked tentatively, a knot quickly forming in his stomach.

"Yes, of course right now. There's no point wasting any more time here" John said matter-of-factly, opening the car door.

"But what about Nick?" Sam blurted out. John paused and looked at his youngest son quizzically.

"Who? Look, Sam, we don't have time for this" John sighed with frustration, gesturing towards the car as a signal for Sam and Dean to get in.

"At least let me say goodbye to him" Sam pleaded, taking a step towards his father. If they just disappeared overnight, Nick would be worried about him. Or he would think that he had abandoned him.

"Get in the car!" John demanded, his voice growing louder.

"Dad, come on-"

"Don't make me ask you again!" John yelled, causing Sam to physically flinch. Lowering his head in defeat, Sam silently slid into the back of the Impala. Dean glared at their father, sitting in the back with Sam rather than riding shotgun as the only act of defiance he knew he could get away with right now. John huffed angrily but said nothing as he too got into the car and began to drive away from one of the few places Sam had even vaguely felt like he belonged. After a while of complete silence, Dean slowly extended an arm out towards his brother. Sam instantly shuffled over and leant into Dean's hold. Dean squeezed him gently, knowing how much that brief friendship had meant to him.

"It's okay," Dean whispered in Sam's ear "maybe you'll see him again one day"