p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"strongspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Chapter Twenty-six: Tender Loving Care./span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"A few hours later, as dawn lit up the sky and chilly morning air blew in through the Impala's windows, Sam pulled into a small-town motel. The sky was still blue but lightening every moment. "Hey." Sam turned around to wake the two, to see them both asleep. Reina looked so small and leaned into Dean's shoulder. Dean's head lay back, his legs spread long, and his hand holding Reina against him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Sam smiled at the peaceful picture, giving him a sense of happiness that was different and new. "Dean." He whispered, gingerly stretching his hand to wake Dean. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""MMmmh." Dean's head rolled off, and he blinked. "Sammy?" He spoke hoarsely, gradually waking up and taking in the situation. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He looked at Reina in his arm, and then at Sam. "She – uh, fell asleep." He said to no one in particular. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Maybe we should take a break. Get some sleep." Sam pointed to the motel. "Hm. Okay." Dean agreed. He turned softly, tapping Reina on the forehead. "Hey." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She came to slowly, looking bewildered and disoriented. "Uhm…" she muttered some words that neither boy could make out. She sat up straight, Dean's arm dropping off, making her feel cold all of a sudden, and she wrapped her own arms around herself. "What – uh – where are we?" She asked, clearing her throat. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Taking a break. Let's catch some sleep and then go on." Sam explained, moving out of the Car. "Ohk…" Reina rubbed her eyes, only now noticing the presence of the older brother next to her. "Dean?" She said, looking ahead, but raising an arm towards Dean's hand. "Thank you." She held his hand, giving it a little squeeze. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"In return, Dean squeezed her hand back. "You okay?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. I just – /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She bent her head, no words coming./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""We can talk later," Dean assured her. "Come on." He moved to get out of the car. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Within a few minutes, Sam had booked them all three singles, no doubles being available. "Get some rest, Reina," Sam said, as he showed her to her room. "Okay."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I'm right next door, and Sam's next to you. Just knock if you – need anything." Dean told her as he moved to his room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;" ./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Reina woke up in an empty, strange room. She could feel her body so acutely as she lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Her stomach was twisted, and her throat was dry. Her legs were heavy, her back sore. Her arms were taut and tired. Her eyes were dried out, and it hurt to blink. But most of all, she felt this hollowed-out space inside her, where emshe /emshould be. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"God. I'm so pathetic. I couldn't even talk straight without breaking down like a little baby. /span/emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She restlessly turned in the bed. emI miss home so much. Maa-/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The thought of her mother returned to her, and suddenly, she was wreaking with dry sobs. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"I have to stop this! I have to get a handle on this. Oh, maa, where are you? I'm lost maa, I'm lost. /span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She sat up, trying to get her body to stop shaking. emI can do this. I can do this. /emShe breathed slowly, concentrating on each breath, to calm herself down. emI can't break down like this again. /emShe pushed the covers away and swung down her feet to the floor./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She stood frozen for a moment, feeling like she was being watched. By the same thing that had been whispering to her in the bunker, the voice she'd almost forgotten. She could sense it looking at her with – with amusement and curiosity, and something else she couldn't quite place. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She shook her head. That was not a very good decision. Her head was still heavy, and she swayed on the spot. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Water. She needed water. She looked around the room. Everything was swimming. She closed her eyes and tried to stabilize herself. She opened her eyes again and took in the room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"It was a small room, with a bed in the corner, a small chair and table in the other corner, and a door on the opposite wall, which she assumed was the bathroom. She slowly walked to the bathroom. The voice could wait for now. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"After washing her face and mouth with cold water, she felt fresh and awake. She got in the shower, and with a little bit of fiddling, got the hot water flowing. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She was just drying herself when she heard the knocks on her door. "In a minute!" She quickly put on her old jeans and shirt and ran to get to the door. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Dean waited for her to open the door, wondering if she was alright after last night. Sharing of emotions had always been, in his opinion, a dangerous thing to do. Got one nowhere but in pain. Just then, the door swung open for him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She had her hair draped in a towel, falling down one shoulder. Looked like she'd taken a shower. She looked much better, although her eyes were still tired. "You're ready." He said, giving her a small smile./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Yeah. I am. I just – need to dry my hair. What time is it?" She said, opening the door wider, and letting him in. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I just wanted to see if you were up. It's uh, it's eight." He explained as he sat down in the chair, and she perched on the bed. "I – uh woke up some time ago." She said as she unwrapped the towel, and her black, long, wet hair fell out. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Dean stared at her with some interest as she dried her hair. Her head disappeared in the white motel towel too big for her. After a few seconds, she sighed and put down the towel. "This is the tiring part." She said shyly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Dean got up, moving without himself realizing what he was doing. He pulled the towel from her hands and began to rub her head dry./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She was astonished. And oh, it felt so good to sink in the feeling of someone drying your head. She swayed a little, letting her forehead rest on Dean's mid-riff. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Dean's thoughts froze, even though his hands kept moving. She just felt so vulnerable and soft and light leaning against him. He closed his eyes, letting the softness wash over him. His stomach fluttered as she put her palms on him, beside her head, her fingers curling to hold onto his shirt. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"They both did not know how long they stood thus, before she raised her arms, to take back the towel. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""It's dry," He said, softly touching the hair on her head. "Yeah. Only the tips are wet now." She said, going to stand a little away from him, neither meeting each other's eyes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She bent on the side, so her hair fell in a long sheet, and then flicked the towel onto them. The water droplets flew from the hair to hit Dean. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Hey!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Sorry," she giggled, looking at his indignant face. His face broke into a smile too. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"A few minutes later, Dean and Reina filed out of her room. Dean picked up the bag from his room, and then they knocked on Sam's door. "Sammy!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Coming!" Sam's voice sounded from inside. The door opened a second later. "Hey, you're both ready to go!" he said. "Gimme a minute," he disappeared in the room, surfacing out again with his bag. "Let's get something to eat, and then we can get back on the road." Dean led the way out of the motel./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"After a long full-day ride, the trio reached the bunker about midnight. Cas was waiting for them. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;" ./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"A few hours later, as dawn lit up the sky and chilly morning air blew in through the Impala's windows, Sam pulled into a small-town motel. The sky was still blue but lightening every moment. "Hey." Sam turned around to wake the two, to see them both asleep. Reina looked so small and leaned into Dean's shoulder. Dean's head lay back, his legs spread long, and his hand holding Reina against him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Sam smiled at the peaceful picture, giving him a sense of happiness that was different and new. "Dean." He whispered, gingerly stretching his hand to wake Dean. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""MMmmh." Dean's head rolled off, and he blinked. "Sammy?" He spoke hoarsely, gradually waking up and taking in the situation. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He looked at Reina in his arm, and then at Sam. "She – uh, fell asleep." He said to no one in particular. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Maybe we should take a break. Get some sleep." Sam pointed to the motel. "Hm. Okay." Dean agreed. He turned softly, tapping Reina on the forehead. "Hey." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She came to slowly, looking bewildered and disoriented. "Uhm…" she muttered some words that neither boy could make out. She sat up straight, Dean's arm dropping off, making her feel cold all of a sudden, and she wrapped her own arms around herself. "What – uh – where are we?" She asked, clearing her throat. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Taking a break. Let's catch some sleep and then go on." Sam explained, moving out of the Car. "Ohk…" Reina rubbed her eyes, only now noticing the presence of the older brother next to her. "Dean?" She said, looking ahead, but raising an arm towards Dean's hand. "Thank you." She held his hand, giving it a little squeeze. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"In return, Dean squeezed her hand back. "You okay?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. I just – /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She bent her head, no words coming./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""We can talk later," Dean assured her. "Come on." He moved to get out of the car. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Within a few minutes, Sam had booked them all three singles, no doubles being available. "Get some rest, Reina," Sam said, as he showed her to her room. "Okay."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I'm right next door, and Sam's next to you. Just knock if you – need anything." Dean told her as he moved to his room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;" ./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Reina woke up in an empty, strange room. She could feel her body so acutely as she lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Her stomach was twisted, and her throat was dry. Her legs were heavy, her back sore. Her arms were taut and tired. Her eyes were dried out, and it hurt to blink. But most of all, she felt this hollowed-out space inside her, where emshe /emshould be. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"God. I'm so pathetic. I couldn't even talk straight without breaking down like a little baby. /span/emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She restlessly turned in the bed. emI miss home so much. Maa-/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The thought of her mother returned to her, and suddenly, she was wreaking with dry sobs. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"I have to stop this! I have to get a handle on this. Oh, maa, where are you? I'm lost maa, I'm lost. /span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She sat up, trying to get her body to stop shaking. emI can do this. I can do this. /emShe breathed slowly, concentrating on each breath, to calm herself down. emI can't break down like this again. /emShe pushed the covers away and swung down her feet to the floor./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She stood frozen for a moment, feeling like she was being watched. By the same thing that had been whispering to her in the bunker, the voice she'd almost forgotten. She could sense it looking at her with – with amusement and curiosity, and something else she couldn't quite place. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She shook her head. That was not a very good decision. Her head was still heavy, and she swayed on the spot. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Water. She needed water. She looked around the room. Everything was swimming. She closed her eyes and tried to stabilize herself. She opened her eyes again and took in the room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"It was a small room, with a bed in the corner, a small chair and table in the other corner, and a door on the opposite wall, which she assumed was the bathroom. She slowly walked to the bathroom. The voice could wait for now. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"After washing her face and mouth with cold water, she felt fresh and awake. She got in the shower, and with a little bit of fiddling, got the hot water flowing. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She was just drying herself when she heard the knocks on her door. "In a minute!" She quickly put on her old jeans and shirt and ran to get to the door. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Dean waited for her to open the door, wondering if she was alright after last night. Sharing of emotions had always been, in his opinion, a dangerous thing to do. Got one nowhere but in pain. Just then, the door swung open for him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She had her hair draped in a towel, falling down one shoulder. Looked like she'd taken a shower. She looked much better, although her eyes were still tired. "You're ready." He said, giving her a small smile./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Yeah. I am. I just – need to dry my hair. What time is it?" She said, opening the door wider, and letting him in. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I just wanted to see if you were up. It's uh, it's eight." He explained as he sat down in the chair, and she perched on the bed. "I – uh woke up some time ago." She said as she unwrapped the towel, and her black, long, wet hair fell out. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Dean stared at her with some interest as she dried her hair. Her head disappeared in the white motel towel too big for her. After a few seconds, she sighed and put down the towel. "This is the tiring part." She said shyly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Dean got up, moving without himself realizing what he was doing. He pulled the towel from her hands and began to rub her head dry./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She was astonished. And oh, it felt so good to sink in the feeling of someone drying your head. She swayed a little, letting her forehead rest on Dean's mid-riff. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Dean's thoughts froze, even though his hands kept moving. She just felt so vulnerable and soft and light leaning against him. He closed his eyes, letting the softness wash over him. His stomach fluttered as she put her palms on him, beside her head, her fingers curling to hold onto his shirt. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"They both did not know how long they stood thus, before she raised her arms, to take back the towel. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""It's dry," He said, softly touching the hair on her head. "Yeah. Only the tips are wet now." She said, going to stand a little away from him, neither meeting each other's eyes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"She bent on the side, so her hair fell in a long sheet, and then flicked the towel onto them. The water droplets flew from the hair to hit Dean. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Hey!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Sorry," she giggled, looking at his indignant face. His face broke into a smile too. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"A few minutes later, Dean and Reina filed out of her room. Dean picked up the bag from his room, and then they knocked on Sam's door. "Sammy!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Coming!" Sam's voice sounded from inside. The door opened a second later. "Hey, you're both ready to go!" he said. "Gimme a minute," he disappeared in the room, surfacing out again with his bag. "Let's get something to eat, and then we can get back on the road." Dean led the way out of the motel./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"After a long full-day ride, the trio reached the bunker about midnight. Cas was waiting for them. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 115%;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Cambria',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0e101a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;" ./span/p