Awake, Castiel.
I woke with a start, searching my cluttered bedroom for the source of the voice. But what else can I expect but an empty room with voices in my head? Oh there's another question to add to the list. Oh wait, here's another one, what time is it?
This would be a perfect moment to be one of those survivor's or campers in zombie movies that can tell the time by the sun's rays. Well, since there was the one small window in the corner, the sun's ray's barely peeked into my room. So I guess that's a moot point. Of course, I could set up all the Dr. Who, bands and comic book poster's, but I would forget to set up a clock.
Well, at least I can say I got time to set it up today. And the dresser, maybe scavenge the junk yard for something like a shelf, and fix the piano assuming I know how.
Oh wait, it's a shopping day! I hope it's like the mall! Wow, I'm about as excited as a teenage girl and daddy gave me an unlimited credit card.
"Might as well get ready." I told myself, swinging my legs off the bed and accidentally kicked an empty box under the bed. Man, I am such a pig. I haven't been in this room for a whole 24 hours and already I have made a mess.
But I don't care about that.
How the hell did I get outside?
And that dream I had last night. It felt so real; the dark, the fear, the heavy guilt, the way Dean and Bobby looked at me. My heart's still growing heavy from that. I wonder if they knew what was happening to me. I had a rough idea; something was trying to force itself out of me. They were clawing and burning inside me, as if someone had lit them on fire. And they were trying to dig their way out as if my stomach was a tunnel. I'd laugh my ass off if it was an alien. And those loud shrilling voices; more like cries and screams. I can still hear their spiteful words and screams, nothing like a concert or a woman screaming in horror movie. No way in hell were those voices real. They sounded more...demonic...more beasty. And the cold; my skin is tingling and getting goosebumps from the sheer memory of it. And that swirling vortex of doom in front of me. But it was in front of me. Right? Was it a memory? Should I mention it to Dean or Sam? If I do, what'll they say?
Is that why they resent me?
Sighing, I slipped on a black hoodie and blue jeans. My body, suddenly, started relaxing. My muscles weren't so tense and the goosebumps were shrinking, the warmth from the hoodie was soothing. Wearing it helped ease the fear from the 'nightmare'. Then something caught my eye, as if something grabbed my head and forced it to turn that way. In the corner, dangling off the edge of the dresser was the wooden rosary from that woman at the hospital. I don't know know what it is about it, but I didn't want to leave without it. Quickly, I grabbed it and slipped it on.
Coming up the stairs, I was hoping Dean would be up. Anyone but Bobby, not in the mood to deal with his sour mood. Not only that, I was itching to get going, hit the town and get some fresh air.
Knock
Knock
Knock
My head shot up, looking at the chipped wooden door ahead of me. Then a thought occurred to me; how did I get up the stairs and outside without running into anything?
Knock
Knock
Instead of waiting for someone to come out here and answer the door, I opened it. I know, stranger danger, but oh well. On the other side of the door stood a tall, heavily built man with warm brown eyes.
"Mornin', sorry, I know it's early." He said smiling, his voice surprisingly light and friendly. I could tell he was a farmer; the dirty plaid shirt, white t-shirt underneath it and dark blue jeans was pretty much a dead give away. However, he wasn't wearing cowboy boots. But then again, there's a difference between cowboys and farmers.
"Oh, uh, it's ok. Good mornin'." I greeted awkwardly, my nerves tense and my emotions spiraling in rapid circles.
"I'm Ryan Paxton, my family and I live up the street."
"I'm Castiel Winchester. Uh, Cas." Hearing my lips pronounce my 'name' felt wrong. I know I don't really belong with the Winchester blood line. Even hearing it come off my lips, I feel like an under cover agent hiding with a family and suffering amnesia. Whoever, or whatever I am, it's convincing the both of us.
"Interesting name, never heard of it before."
I know about stranger danger. But this was the first time someone made me feel welcomed, at least someone was happy to meet me. Then his eyes started searching behind me. I quickly looked behind me, and my hand went to my side as if to pull out a weapon. "Um, Cas, is it? Do you live here on your own? You look like you're the same age as my boys."
Boys? A neighbor with boys my age?
"No, I, um," I said, glancing down the hall and found both sitting rooms empty. I was hoping Dean or Sam would appear and break the awkward conversation. Combine just waking up, no idea what time it is, and meeting a stranger that I actually like. To say my head isn't screwed on straight would be an understatement. "I live with my...family. Well, adopted family. My... dad's still sleeping, I think my brothers are too."
Bobby's my dad, Dean and Sam are my brother's.
Nothing I said sounded right, it all sounded like one big giant lie after the other. I couldn't tell if it was because I was telling this to a stranger, or if it was the dream. Wrong, in a way.
"Oh that's alright, I was just wondering." He said, his warm smile returning. This guy must be amazing with the ladies with that smile. "I just don't want anyone calling the cops because we're across the street. I own the land over there, my kids and I take care of it."
"Your kids?" I asked, struggling to hide my excited smirk.
"Yeah, I've got five of them." He said with pride, putting his hands in his pockets. I expected him to pull out a picture of them. "Mostly boys; they behave for the most part. They won't trouble, I promise you that."
Can I meet them? Can I be friends with them? Oh man this sucks!
"Cas?" I jumped, startled to see Dean suddenly appear beside me.
How long had he been listening in?
Does he ever change his clothes? In the same attire he's been wearing since I met him, he stood next to me, giving Ryan a hard look. A look I haven't seen on his face before. I looked at Ryan apologetically, although I'm surprised Ryan kept his smile warm and unshaken by Dean's rude welcome. However, I did see that his brown eyes were hard, matching Dean's glare. I wouldn't be surprised if he thought Dean was rude. But I guess Dean has his reasons.
"Ryan, this is my older brother Dean." I introduced before Dean could say anything. I looked between the two of them, waiting to see if someone was going to start a fight with the other. "Dean, this is our neighbor Ryan Paxton. He and his family live up the street, and own the land across the street."
"Hello, Dean." Ryan greeted kindly, extending an arm. I watched Dean suddenly go stiff, his green eyes staring at Ryan's hand. I expected Dean to slam the door in Ryan's face, then start scolding me for talking to strangers. Then, huge surprise to me, he smiled and shook Ryan's hand.
"I see you've met the baby of the family." Dropping Ryan's hand, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I felt pretty relieved. Although Dean's smile was fake, Ryan was buying it and that was fine with me.
"I hope you don't mind my stopping by so early." Ryan said, putting his hands back into his pockets. "I just wanted to say 'hello' and give you guys a heads up about my kids and I working across the street."
"Oh, you guys take care of the fields?" Dean asked in a blank tone, almost like he didn't care.
"Yep, fields and animals."
"Do you do any work on this property?" I heard Dean was showing some interest in the conversation, finally.
Ryan thought for a moment, then shrugged. "We can, we just need permission from the head of the household."
"Well, I speak-"
"We'll talk to him, our dad." I interrupted, knowing Dean was going to speak for Bobby. And I may not know Bobby well, but I know enough to know no one speaks for him. Not even Dean.
"Alright. Just let me know, and one of my boys will be happy to take care of it."
"Thank you."
"Best I get back to the fields, see ya around."
"What are you doin' talkin' to strangers?" Dean scolded after closing the door. I rolled my eyes, I knew that was coming. "Don't you know anything?"
"I thought everyone else was asleep." I answered, shrugging casually, something I should stop doing in serious situations like this. "I didn't want to appear rude."
"Probably asking what you were doin' out last night." Dean walked down the stairs and sat in one of the chairs at the kitchen island. "Which reminds me; the hell were you doin' last night? How did you get outside without trippin'?"
"Dean, I don't remember."
He shook his head and sighed. "Ya know, I'm getting' really tired of the whole 'I don't know, 'I don't remember' gag."
"You think I'm not?" I shot, following him. I kinda regret being so snippy with Dean, he's been pretty kind to me compared to Bobby. But I have to be taken seriously, he has to see that I'm not pulling some stupid gag. Come on. I wouldn't go outside at God knows what time just to annoy them. That's the last thing I want to do. "I want answers just as much as you. And I'm sorry I don't have-"
"Ok, let's just drop it." He interrupted, putting his hand up. "We've got a long day ahead of us, let's not start it with a fight."
"Thanks." I cleared my throat and sat in the second chair. "So, what first?"
"Breakfast." Dean said, hopping out of his chair and headed to the fridge. "What's your poison? Eggs and bacon? I'll smack you if you say oatmeal or cereal. How 'bout burgers?"
"Burgers?"
"Yeah. I can make kick ass breakfast burgers." Dean said with confidence in his voice. I'm actually surprised he even knows how to cook anything outside of a microwave dinner and fast food. "Let's see; we've got eggs, bacon, ham, we've got the works."
"You cook?"
"Jeez, have some faith in your brother." He said, taking out the eggs and bacon.
My brother...
"Hope you like coffee." He pulled out one of the kitchen appliances and grabbed something out of the cupboard.
He started getting to work on eggs, bacon and coffee. Then he paused and glanced over at me.
"Hey, get over here."
I hopped out of my seat, took a few steps toward him and paused, waiting for him to say something.
"Here, watch." He grabbed an egg and banged it against the stove a few times. He squeezed gently and the egg cracked, releasing a gooey yellow substance. I felt my stomach drop after it splattered on the frying pan.
"What...are...you..." I asked slowly, watching him break a few more and began poking them with a fork. Then he pulled down a couple of small, glass bottles. He pulled off the tops and shook it up and down, sprinkling the eggs. I thought he was cooking, not doing a science experiment.
"It's called an egg, sunny side up I think. Egg is egg to me, but bacon you gotta make just right." He said, talking to me like I was a student being taught by a master chef. "Not too crispy, not too flappy. Trust me, you'll like it. Coffee's ready, get down a few cups."
I opened one of the cupboards and took down a couple of coffee cups. Dean poured a generous amount into both cups and handed one to me. He took a large gulp and placed it back down, turning his attention back to the eggs and bacon. The aroma from the coffee smelled bitter, but not too bitter. I studied the dark brown almost black liquid, steam rolling up, crawling in my nostrils. Slowly, I brought it up to my mouth and took a sip. Then I jumped.
"Too hot?" Dean asked, smiling comically.
"Yeah, that didn't occur to me 'til it was too late. Taste nothing like the coffee I drank at the mall." I managed to say, placing the cup down. My tongue was still burning. "I'll try it after it cooled. Where're Sam and Bobby?"
"Still asleep, at least Bobby still is." He answered, taking a small strip of bacon and shoved it into his mouth. "Sam's messing around on his laptop, another thing you'll need for school. Sam told you when you're starting?"
"I think so. I just don't know what I need."
"How hard can it be? Notebooks, pens, pencils. Well, now a laptop too. Should be all."
I shrugged in agreement and watched Dean cook. The yellow yolk's were starting to harden and around them was one huge white puddle. Removing it, he placed two strips of bacon in it's place.
"Grab another pan, gotta get the burger meat goin'."
I turned and reached up, pulling off a black pan and handed it to him. I stood back, watching the chef go to work.
Slowly, I turned to look out the deck's glassed doors. I had to look twice, uncertain of what I was seeing. Out in the cornfield stood a well dressed man with facial hair and a pretty large forehead. Behind him stood two men in suit's similar to his, only they were slightly taller than him. For a moment, I thought he was a door to door sales man just without a suitcase. Actually he reminded me of an old, tired Mafia boss, here to collect a debt.
But then why would he be standing over there? Why isn't he coming up to the door?
Smirking, he waved nonchalantly at me. I don't know how, but I knew he was waving at me, looking right at me. Somehow, I knew he was looking right at me like he could see me from that far away. Suddenly, my stomach started burning. And not like a stomach acid problem. It was my skin, my skin was burning. The burning was gradually growing stronger and hotter the more we stared at each other. I grasped the island tightly. Fear, anger and the pain from the burning sensation mix together. His smile increased slightly, as if he knew he was causing the pain and was taking pleasure from it.
So help me if this was another guy affected by this Angel, I'm gonna scream. When is everyone gonna accept I'm not him? I am Castiel...Winchester?
How many questions is that on the list now?
"Hey, wake up." Dean said, snapping his fingers in front of my face.
"Wha?" I blinked, looking at him. Then back at the cornfield. Of course, he was gone. I looked back at Dean, expecting him to say something about the guy from the field. Oh you've gotta be kidding me. He didn't see the guy. Now I know I'm losing my mind.
"Eat up." He said, laying a plate full of hash browns and two burger's in front of me. "Got a long day ahead of us."
"Sorry."
"We'll head out once we're done eating. What day is it?" He asked, digging out his flip phone. "Wow, it's Wednesday already.