A/N: I feel like my last chapter was bad. I'm sorry. This is just a short one to get us headed where I want to go with this. I've already started working on the next one. I hope you are all still enjoying it. I'm sorry if you're not.

"I'm taking you back to the motel," John stated once they were inside truck. "The boys are distracted having you here, and this hunt is too important. I should never have brought you with us."

"Of course it's my fault," she sighed with defeat as she pulled her door closed behind her. She plopped into the seat beside him. His comment annoyed her because she had nothing to do with his fight with Sam.

"They can't do their job when they're worried about you," John replied abruptly. "Someone's going to get hurt."

"Right…you are the boss," Brinley replied with frustration.

"Excuse me?" he questioned sternly.

"Do I even have a say in this?" she demanded.

"No, your safety is my responsibility and you'll stay at the motel….that's an order," he replied firmly. "And I suggest you watch your tone." Brinley clenched her fists with frustration. She hated the idea of "orders". This wasn't the military. She wondered if John even knew how to be a "normal" Dad.

"Do you even wonder why your relationship with Sam is so fragile?" she questioned, the frustration still evident in her voice.

"My relationship with Sam is none of your business, and besides, you're too young to understand," he stated firmly. Brinley's fists clenched even tighter. She despised his comments about her age.

"Oh yeah….I'm just a dumb kid!" she snapped back as she folded her arms against her chest roughly. "Maybe you're just a dumb grown up!" she growled. The words came out so quickly she didn't have time to stop them. She regretted them immediately. She glanced at John and he didn't waiver. His hands were firm on the steering wheel, and his eyes were focused on the road ahead. She could tell he was angry.

There was an awkward silence for the remainder of the ride to the motel. They finally pulled into the parking lot and Brinley hesitated to exit even after John had. She watched as he went over to the Impala and spoke with her brothers. There seemed to be a brief disagreement, but they remained in the car. Brinley decided it was time to exit when John headed for the passenger door. She hopped out in front of him.

"Here's Sam's phone in case you run into any problems," he stated as he handed it to her. "I'm programmed as number 1 and Dean is number 2." He started walking toward the motel door and Brinley followed after him. "Keep the doors locked, and you stay inside. You do not open the door for anyone. Do you understand?" he questioned once they were inside.

"Yes…..sir," she replied, hesitating with the "sir".

"If we're not back in 24 hours, dial number 3…..it's my friend Bobby," John said. "He'll know what to do."

"Yes, sir," she replied.

"And when I get back, you and I are going to discuss that disrespectful attitude of yours," he said firmly.

Brinley felt her cheeks flush red. "I'm sorry," she replied quietly, but John seemed to ignore her.

"Latch the chain on the door after I go out," he stated as he headed for the door.

Brinley took a deep breath after he left, and immediately latched the chain. She felt tears fill her eyes. Not only was she worried about them going after the vampires, she was also worried about her discussion with John and what that really meant. She paced the motel room several times. She started to think about Florida, and living with a family she didn't know, and the fact that John didn't want to be bothered with her. She wondered why her Mom lost contact with her uncle. Was he a bad person? It was all too much for her. Brinley impulsively grabbed her bag and stuffed her belongings inside. She figured she'd give John one less thing to be bothered by. She headed into her brothers' room and eyed a wad of cash on the nightstand and stuffed it into her pocket. Once back in her room, she grabbed John's knife from the table and put it in her bag. Then, she slung her bag over her shoulder and left. She had been on her own before and she knew she could do it again. She had no desire to be where she wasn't wanted.