So excited for you guys to read this one!
I have chapters 16, 18, and 19 written and am working on chapter 17 and I can't wait!
Ok the comment I got (ff) on last chapter saying that it was a turn off that I was "beginning every chapter with an excuse". And I'm not sure if that's relating to the fact that I post late or the fact that I talk about my life/writing process in my author's notes. If it's the former, it's because I have a life. Start paying me and we can talk lol. If it's the latter... I don't do it because I'm "making excuses" it's because I like talking about my writing process. I enjoy it. I just like telling you guys about my life and process. If you like the story but not my notes, then... you can skip them. There's a clear divide between the two and there's not going to be anything vital in my authors note. You know the triggers by now.
Now that that's out of the way!
I really do love this chapter and I hope you do to!
~TH~
The building was old. Vintage even. It was a beautiful work of architecture, but that was the least of Caleb's concern.
The large door held no doorbell or knocker. The large numbers were the same as the address on the paper. There was no other identification on the building. It was beautiful, yet inconspicuous at the same time. And there was… something. He couldn't place what it was. An odd air surrounded it. Like in movies, when there was a dream and everything took on a weird sepia tone. He wished he could figure out what exactly it was about the place, but everytime he thought he had it, everything looked normal.
Caleb shook off the odd feeling and pounded on the door. It houses a cult. One run by a god. Of course things felt weird. He was here for Dean. Get Dean and go.
The door opened after what seemed like an eternity.
"Hello." The man said with a faux sweet smile.
"Where is he? I want to see him. Now." Caleb nearly pushed the old man over, but the guy was stronger than he looked. The thing was clearly powerful. The psychic shielding was already grating on his nerves.
"I'm sorry, who?" The innocent old man act was going to get old really fast.
"You know who!" He spat, unsure of where the burst of anger was coming from. He'd thought he could hold it together, but something about this man was causing his blood pressure to rise at an alarming rate. "Deuce, where is he?"
"I'm sorry," The man offered a gentle laugh there's no one here by that-"
"Damien?" A face could be seen between the doorframe and the old man's shoulder.
"Deuce!" This time the older hunter was able to push past him through the doorway. Dean took a couple steps forward, his face showing surprise, but he still kept a noticeable distance.
"Wh-what are you doing here?!" There was only a couple feet between them now. After everything- searching for Dean, thinking he was dead, the fact that Caleb was almost close enough to touch him was almost enough to bring tears to his eyes.
"I could be asking you the same question." Caleb studied his friend. Dean looked paler somehow. But it was… shimmering. Like one moment he would look fine and healthy, and the next he would look sick and malnourished. Kind of like how the building seemed to shift between a well managed beauty and… something else. The same dream-like air.
There was a weird flash to Dean's eyes, his tone becoming dark. "It's been weeks."
"Yeah… I know man and I'm sorry but I'm here now. Let's get out of here, okay?"
Dean took a step back, "Why should I?"
Caleb wasn't exactly sure how to respond to that. He had assumed that Dean was there as a last resort, or possibly as a cover, not that he wanted to be there. "Because your Dad is sorry." Mostly true. "He sent me to find you. And Sam is worried. Everyone is. You don't have to stay here anymore. You can come home."
"I don't have to do anything." Dean snapped back. "I'm my own person, Reaves."
"Hey," Caleb raised his hands, his concern growing, "I know you are, man. I'm not trying to say that you aren't. But I know that your options had to be limited-"
"Thanks for your concern but it's a little late."
The older hunter felt another flush of anger, "Hey, I'm sorry. Really. But I was on a hunt. I wasn't ignoring you. I didn't have any cell service and by the time I was back you were MIA. But you know you could have called Mac or Jim. You didn't have to join a friggin' cult!"
"Oh so this is my fault!" and the Entetee might have been keeping his psychic abilities tampered, but he didn't need to read Dean's mind to know that he had royally screwed up.
"No- Dean that's not-"
"I don't have to do anything, Reaves. I can do whatever I want. I can make my own decisions. I can do whatever I want to do. Who's going to stop me? Dad? He made it pretty clear how he feels about me. Sam? He's not here and with the way he's been acting he was probably relieved when Dad sent me away. Jim? He can have the stupid ring back if he wants it, just say the word. You? Yeah you can try but unless you picked up some new tricks on that last hunt you can't make me do anything. Mr. Whiteman gets that better than the Brotherhood ever could."
Caleb noticed for the first time that Dean wasn't wearing his ring. His face flushed. He knew his fear was coming out as anger but couldn't stop it. "Don't you see what he's doing to you!" He motioned towards the man, Whiteman. "He's messing with your head, dude! He's making you think things that you don't believe."
"Oh so now I can't think for myself?"
"Stop twisting my words! Will you just listen to me! He's not who you think he is! He's an Entetee! Like.. like a pagan god! If you stay here much longer he's going to force you into a blood sacrifice and-"
"Again with the forcing!" Dean hissed, rolling up the sleeve on his left arm. "I know who and what he is. And honestly coming from you, that's rich."
For a moment the world seemed. Caleb's eyes narrowed, blood rushing in his ears as the world seemed to tilt. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what you think it does, Damien." The word that normally solidified their bond seemed o shatter it. Dean was throwing his biggest insecurity at him, his heritage.
Dean seemed to see the impact his words had, a satisfied smile curling his lips. As if wisting the knife, Dean thrust his arm out, and Caleb could now see the healing scars of a blade. "And I'm well aware of his blood sacrifices and he didn't force me to do anything. I sacrificed it myself."
"Deuce-" Caleb breathed, the anger and hurt sliding away as the full reality of the situation sank in. "What did you do to yourself?"
"Nothing but choose myself for once. I'm done with the Brotherhood. I'm done with you!"
"Dean." Mr. Whiteman broke in quietly, "Why don't you go help with dinner. I'll see your friend out."
Dean kept defiant eye contact with Caleb for another moment. The younger man was clearly struggling to keep his breathing under control.
"Yeah. But just so we're clear, he's not forcing me to do anything. I'm helping with dinner because I want to, not because I had to." He then turned on his heels and left, rolling down his sleeve as he went, a slight tremor in his hand.
Caleb watched him leave, the pit in his stomach growing. This had not been what he was expecting. He was expecting some anger, maybe even a good dressing down on phone etiquette, but not this. Not the complete severance with everyone he cared about. Dean was even ready to write off Sam. Whiteman had his claws in deep. Dean had already taken part in a sacrifice. The research had been rushed, but he knew that sacrificing caused a link between the two. A strong one. Apparently one stronger than that with his family. Dean wanted nothing to do with them.
"Caleb, I would appreciate it if you would leave without police intervention."
The voice pulled the hunter out of his thoughts. Straightening, he let out a scoff, taking a step forward to go after Dean. He didn't get very far as it felt like a brick wall was dropped in front of him.
"Wha-"
"I'm afraid I can not let you go any further. Please," He motioned towards the door.
The hunter growled. "You can't keep me from him. I want to talk to Dean."
"You have spoken to him. Please do not make this worse by forcing me to call the authorities."
Caleb grit his teeth, but obeyed. The Entetee stepped outside behind him, shutting the door.
"I ask that you do not come back. Dean is happy here. He has made his decision and you should respect it."
"That's not Deuce." Caleb snapped, "You did something to him!"
"Nothing but give him love and appreciation. I also allow him to make his own decisions. You see, I do nothing but offer him the human decency he deserves."
"He'll figure out who you really are."
"Oh he is already fully aware."
"I will get him back." He was more resolute than ever. He would get his best friend back. He would not lose him like this. Not again.
"Not unless he chooses to do so. It is impossible to force him away."
Caleb laughed, "Sure. We'll see about that. I'm getting all of them out of there."
"And even if that was possible," He was using the most annoyingly reasonable tone. Like the way social workers used to talk to him when they tried to convince him that they were trying to do what was best for him. It was infuriating, not calming. "You claim that you will reinvent a safe home for Dean but what of the others? Are you prepared to house and feed dozens more teens and young adults? Or will you force them back into a broken system, one I believe you are well acquainted with. Or perhaps, you will send them back home with their abusers. Or perhaps just release them to freeze and starve on the streets, the position that Dean was in when he came to me I might add."
Caleb locked his jaw. "I'll figure something out."
The older man looked at him thoughtfully. "And I think you truly believe that. I suppose we shall see. Good evening Mr. Reaves."
The Entetee retreated back into his warded castle, leaving Caleb standing in front of the beautiful door, feeling like someone had drilled a hole through his heart.
~TH~
I bet you hate me lol.
Good.
Very good.
Like I said, this was one of the first convo's I wrote and I'm so glad you guys have gotten to read it now!
Was Dean horrible to Caleb? Yes. Yes he was.
I promise there will be a true reunion scene soon. I'm not going to leave him.
Next chapter is a mix between Dean and Caleb's pov. It's focusing on what exactly the Entetee is.
Can't wait for you to read it!
Please let me know what you guys think!
Much love and God bless,
Jamie
