So sorry for the delay. I've had most of the chapter after this written for months- it was one of the first scenes I wrote. Adding a bit for it was a breeze but I COULD NOT get this chapter to flow!

But I told myself I wanted to write at least 200 words a day so decided to start my year off by writing 200 words before bed. Luckily for you, I wrote more than 200 words and was able to combine it with the next chapter which was originally around 2.5k. So now we have two shorter chapter but at least they're both written.

Anyway, that was a spiel you didn't ask for.

Please enjoy!

~TH~

The East Bridge was more occupied than Caleb had been expecting. The inhabitants were mostly adults, but there were some there on the younger side.

It was a long shot. Caleb knew there was little chance that Dean would be there or ever had, but with no leads, he fell back on the advice the snobby bartender had told him the first time Caleb had visited the town. Look under the bridges.

West Bridge had been freezing. There was little blockage from the wind and it appeared most had vacated for the slightly more tolerable East. But it was still cold.

They'd gone back to the bar from Mac's vision. After Caleb had awakened and explained what he felt, what he knew, a skeptical Triad had come back to Wickfield. The second Caleb's foot hit the front step, his vision had grayed out and he felt like someone had sent a spike through his skull. His father had felt it too, but to a lesser extent. There was a psychic force surrounding the place. Jim had added with a frown that he too felt the presence of something evil. John had rolled his eyes and pushed past them. Caleb had been made to wait in the car, and while not happy, couldn't argue considering he couldn't stand without help.

The Triad hadn't gotten much information. Mac knew for sure that Dean had visited the place and that there was definitely a supernatural force in the area, but couldn't place what it was. They had headed back to their motel room and Caleb had taken off, saying he needed some air.

In reality he needed to not feel useless.

"Hey, you lookin' for something?" a kid, probably around Dean's age, pushed off from the wall. He at least had a coat and hat. Some of the people hanging around didn't even have that.

"Uh, yeah." He said, pulling out a picture. And wow if he didn't feel like a worried mother who lost her kid at the grocery store. "I'm looking for this kid."

The man took the picture and Caleb could see the recognition in his eyes. "Why, is he in trouble or somth'n?"

If Caleb needed to, he could always take the information from him. But he'd rather use diplomacy if he could. "He's my kid brother. Got into a fight with his old man and took off. I've been looking for him."

The man gave Caleb a hard look, debating on whether or not to trust him. Finally he conceded with a small nod. "Yeah, Dean, right?"

"Yes!" It felt like a ton of bricks had been lifted off of his chest. This was the first real lead he'd found since he found Dean's phone. "Yes, that's him! Do you know where he's at?"

"Yeah, he stayed here a couple of nights, but I think he said he was heading to Whiteman's."

"Whiteman?"

"Yeah, I think he owns the bar where all the kids go to drink. He has a place, what does he call it? A palace? Castle? Where kids can go if they need help. He offered me a bed, but I turned it down. Dean did too at first but must have decided street life wasn't for him." The man let out a huff, handing back the picture. "A lot of kids go to Whiteman to 'get back on their feet' or 'just until the weather warms up' but y'know I've never seen any of them again. Not ever. And it's not just the normal people off the streets who go to him, y'know? It's the ones who come hurt. Who are runnin' from somethin'. 'Specially abused kids. Almost every kid who shows up with bruises winds up on Whiteman's door withing a week. I don't know, man. It's just too weird. I don't trust 'im I don't care how nice and grandfatherly he seems"

Caleb heard the words and understood the meaning. It made him think of knives and blood and an empty- Dean-shaped- chasm in his soul.

He gripped the picture tightly in his hand. "What can you tell me about Whiteman?

~SPN~

Caleb practically kicked the door in.

"What's your problem Junior?!" John exclaimed, putting away the gun that had been drawn at the sudden noise.

"I found him. The bar is a cover for a cult. That's why it seems like a collection of underage kids hang there."

Jim frowned. "Do we know what kind of cult?"

"I stopped by the library on the way back." He dropped the stolen book onto the table. The scholar opened it and began skimming the contents. "He's a pagan god," Caleb continued, "he calls himself the Entetee. He goes after kids who feel helpless or abused, brings them in, and feeds off of them."

"What are you implying, Caleb?" John growled, looking up from where he was trying to read over Mac's shoulder.

He motioned towards the book. "I'm not implying anything. It's true. He can be linked back to Temple slavery and legends of disappearing orphanages. We need to get him out now."

"Dean's smart. He knows better than to join something like that."

"He also knows how to survive." Caleb pointed out. "If he thought it was his best option he might have gone there until he can figure out what to do. He's smart enough not to fall for the creep but he's not above using it to his advantage. Maybe he's even hunting it." Or maybe the being had some form of supernatural persuasion that drew Dean in despite years of training.

"Do we know how to kill it?" the Scholar looked up from studying the book.

Caleb shook his head. "I couldn't find anything on it, I was hoping you or Bobby might know something."

"I've never heard of it, but I can call Bobby. It looks like this may be a singular being instead of a species. If that is true then it's not something hunters would often encounter."

"You're sure this is where Dean is?" Jim spoke for the first time.

"Positive. I… asked around. Some people were less cagey than others. Apparently his offer of shelter is well known among the kids here." The location of his source would remain anonymous for now. He could spare Dean some dignity. "He's there. And he needs to know we're on his side. I'm going to get him."

"Perhaps we should all go together." Mac had a troubled look on his face that Caleb couldn't place.

John let out a low growl. "If my son is there I'm going to get him."

"No." Caleb said with resolution. "I'm getting him. I'm the only one he'll listen to."

"He's my son. I think he'll listen to me."

"You're the reason we're in this mess to begin with!" Caleb bit back. "And I'm the one he called. Clearly I'm the only one he wants to talk to."

"Don't pin this on me! I never forced him to join a cult!"

"And that attitude is the reason I'm not letting you anywhere near him!"

"You stay out of my family's business, Reaves."

"You're the one who told me to protect him! And that's what I'm doing! Protecting him from the biggest threat in his life, you!"

"You watch your mouth, boy." John stood and took a step towards the young man.

Jim held out a hand, stopping his Knight. "He's right, John."

"Don't give me that, Murphey. I'm going to get my son."

"What he's saying is true." Jim once again held up his hand, halting John's tirade. "Whether you intended it to happen or not, you are the one he is running from. And he clearly does not trust the Triad or else he would have called us." There was a tint of guilt in the older man's voice. This was clearly a fact that troubled the pastor. "The last person he contacted before disappearing was Caleb. He's the safest person to send."

"He's my son-"

"And a member of my Brotherhood. Caleb will go alone."

"Is that an order, sir?" The sneer coming from anyone else would have had the Knight jumping to defend the Guardian's honor. Few could get away with such disrespect towards a member of the Triad, much less their leader.

Jim, unphased, calmly responded, "If it needs to be."

There was a silence in the room, one Caleb recognized as the calm before the storm. John opened his mouth and they all waited for the explosion.

His mouth clicked shut before opening again. "I'm going to go try to find a bar that isn't run by a pagan cult leader."

As the door slammed, Mac pressed his lips together and turned back to the book.

Jim offered a weak smile. "Bring him home, son."

~TH~

You read that right! Next chapter is the long awaited reunion between Dean and Caleb!

How do you think it will go?

I know this chapter was mostly "lets finally bring everyone up to speed" but I'd still love to hear your thoughts!

I'm going to be trying to write and finish some stories (like Febuwhump stuff) in the coming days so be on a look out!

Once again, please, please let me know what you think!

Much love and God bless,

Jamie