Mr. Winchester
Another chapter! This one is an important read for the plot to continue. I did rush a bit to get this one written so I could get to more exciting things later on, but I hope it's still good.
Please review, comment, critique. I would appreciate your input and insight – it would be a big help to me and, of course, keep my motivation alive to write more.
A stream of direct sunlight shined through the break in the curtains over Ellie's peaceful face, the brightness of the natural rays stirred the young teenager's slumbering frame awake. Scrunching her face up into a bothered grimace, Ellie slowly and reluctantly blinked her tired eyes open. Curbing a grumpy groan in her throat, Ellie lifted her head off the pillow pressing her palm onto the weak springs of the mattress as she turned her head craning her neck to look over Dean's sleeping frame at the alarm clock on the center nightstand.
2:33 PM.
Ellie cast her attention down to her indented pillow rubbing her thumb and forefinger across her blurry eyes. She got a good seven hours of sleep, but to the exhausted girl, it only felt like she had only laid her head down a few minutes ago. Despite having every desire to go back to sleep, nature called and she had to pee. Ellie let out a whiny groan as she pulled the warm covers off herself and got out of bed to take care of business, careful to not create too much noise for the two sleeping Hunters who seemed to be knocked out cold.
Once Ellie emerged from the bathroom, she settled her feet just outside the walkway between the two beds, pausing a moment as her eyes gazed upon the two sleeping frames of the exhausted Hunters. Ellie sighed out a plume of air through her nose as she recalled the terrible events of last night, still feeling the lingering affects of the guilt that weighed heavily in her gut about making herself such difficult company for them. Ellie squirmed slightly on her socked feet as she bit at the fraying skin around her nails. Despite the ache in her backside having long subsided, she still was feeling the impact of her punishment, finding a growing motivation within herself to do better. Despite, the depressing feelings of the constant fears and troubles that persistently weighed on her mind, Ellie found herself determined to put on a good attitude for Sam and Dean's sake. She owed them that at the very least. There was a fondness growing within her towards the two brothers and although, she knew her company with them was only temporary, she found herself, nonetheless, wanting to, at least, prove to them that she wasn't a pain in the ass all the time and could be useful if given the chance. A longing to show them her value was becoming increasingly strong in the young teenager's mind as her affection for them was, unbeknownst to her, growing with every passing day.
Ellie turned her head to the side to look at the small black and white coffee maker that sat on top of the mini fridge at the far corner of the room. She guessed she could start her journey on becoming a better kid by making them some fresh coffee. She did it often enough for her uncle and thought Sam and Dean might appreciate the caffeinated drink when they got up. From Ellie's experience, Hunters loved their coffee, almost as much as they loved their whiskey and beer.
Just when Ellie finished brewing a fresh pot, the ringing of Dean cellphone echoed within the small motel room making Ellie snap her attention to the center nightstand in between the two queen beds. A sudden hopeful anticipation jolted through her body feeling her lungs constrict at the grave possibility of it being her uncle again. Without a moment's hesitation, Ellie darted between the two beds towards the nightstand feeling an intense eagerness jitter her hopeful nerves. Only on the second ring did Ellie snatch the phone off the nightstand, flipping it open and placing it to her ear with urgency. With both Sam and Dean still slumbering deeply, Ellie turned her body swiftly and walked out of the walkway away from the two men at the foot of beds across from the bathroom, subconsciously not wanting to wake them so she could talk to her uncle privately.
"Uncle?" Ellie breathed softly, a desperate hope hanging in her young voice as she waited anxiously for the reply she wanted.
"Elena?" A deep whiskey edged voice questioned placidly on the other end making Ellie's muscles instantly freeze in stunned surprise.
"Elena Colt?" The man's deep mature voice reiterated calmly.
Ellie's dark brows furrowed in confusion and suspicion as she did not recognize the deep voice on the other end who strangely seemed to know who she was which sent a disconcerting anxiety into her gut making her limbs grow heavy with unease. Whoever this man was, it certainly wasn't her uncle.
"Uhhh." Ellie drawled out lamely unsure of what to say to the stranger on the other end.
"This is John Winchester." The man informed her, introducing himself formally, his guttural vocals deep, but surprisingly calm and gentle, and somewhat soothing in his deliverance making Ellie's tense shoulders unwittingly relax.
"You and my boys okay?" John urged, although composed, there was an edge of eagerness in his earnest tone, wanting to put his constantly worried mind at ease that his children were alright as he finally got a moment where he felt it safe enough to call.
A slight elation lifted Ellie's spirits feeling her tense muscles slacken as she was glad the man was alright knowing Sam and Dean would be eager to know.
"Oh, Mr. Winchester, yes, sir, they're fine. They've been looking for you. Let me wake them up." Ellie said eagerly as she turned around taking a step towards the center walkway between the two queen beds, but John stopped her in her tracks.
"No, not yet. Let them sleep. I want to talk to you first." John's calm deep voice ordered grasping onto the unexpected opportunity to talk with the young girl on his own.
Ellie was completely taken back as an edge of suspicious confusion touched her nerves. Why would he want to talk to her first over his sons? Other than being associated with her uncle, the man did not know her directly. She hadn't even met the man in person. However, that was all pushed aside as a sudden eager feeling came over her thinking perhaps he had something to say concerning her uncle's safety or whereabouts.
"You haven't seen my uncle, have you? Is he alright? Do you know?" Ellie pressed urgently, sputtering out her questions in haste, holding onto a glimmer of hope that perhaps he was even with Mr. Winchester. But again, the girl was destined to be disappointed.
"I'm sorry, kiddo, I haven't been in contact with him." John expressed honestly an edge of regret and pity laced in his deep voice aware that the kid was undoubtably worried about her uncle's safety, as was he.
Although, John had confidence in Caleb's ability as a Hunter, this whole situation was turning into one big clusterfuck. Demon sightings and encounters were increasing at an alarming rate all across the country and the seasoned Hunter knew it was getting gravely dangerous with every passing day.
Yet, there was a slight comfort in not knowing Caleb's location as he purposefully was not seeking the man out. Despite his concerns, John was astutely aware it was outrageously risky to his friend's safety. Although, knowing his skilled friend was on the run and would be changing his location continuously, there was still a risk in knowing anything concerning Caleb's whereabouts. On the off-chance John got captured, there would be no way in hell for any demon to extract any information out of him, consciously or unconsciously, if he was left ignorant. John knew nothing about his friend's navigation and he intended to decisively keep it that way.
"Oh." Ellie relayed in a deflated tone, a disappointment sinking deep into the troubled heart. She couldn't even gain the comfort in knowing if he was alright and that was despairingly devastating as the constant torment continued to burden the young girl.
"Are you alright?" John stressed in a rather grave tone wanting an answer to his question that she failed to give earlier. She told him Sam and Dean were fine, but excluded herself and the perceptive man noticed.
"Uh, yes, sir. I'm fine." Ellie assured politely perking up her voice slightly, surprised at his specific interest in her well-being seeing as she had only been talking with the man for less than a minute. But she knew John was a good friend of her uncle's and she could only decern that he wanted to know for her uncle's sake.
She was 'fine' in the sense, she was alive and breathing, if that's what the man meant. Other than her uncle being on the run from demons, not knowing if he is dead or alive, and her blood being the key to render the supernatural-killing Colt useable, everything was all just peachy keen.
John found the sides of his lips twitch up into a small tired smile that spread briefly across his careworn face, unable to stop himself from relishing in the simply pleasure of just hearing the young girl speak. He, unwittingly, imagined her appearance, wondering if she had the same dark auburn locks and deep green eyes as her mother or if she favored her father's likeness more. Although, John always longed to become acquainted with Elizabeth Colt's daughter, the danger and risks to Elena's personal safety always kept him at a distance. However, despite his strong efforts, it seemed fate had taken a turn against him, like it, regrettably, always had.
Despite his natural desire to converse comfortably and leisurely with the young teenager, unfortunately, this was not the time as John had very little of it to spare. Every minute he spent on the phone was a risk to her and his boys' safety and that was something the cautious man was not willing to jeopardize at the expense of his personal wishes. His priority was to keep them safe first and foremost. He needed to gain the information he needed and say what he needed to say before his small window of time was cut off.
"You staying with Sam and Dean? You haven't wondered off on your own, have you?" John inquired, his guttural voice seeming to dip to an even lower octave conveying a grave element of importance in his question. Ellie's limbs stiffen in response sending a spark of apprehension ignite within her chest at the unexpected and direct question pertaining to her reckless stunt a few weeks ago.
"Uh, I, um, no sir." Ellie lied automatically making her scrunch up her face into a guilty grimace not only because of the bumbling and ridiculously unconvincing deliverance of her words that made her want to smack her palm into her forehead, but because she had just gotten her ass spanked only this morning for lying. And here she was, yet, again, showing her continual ability to lie through her ass like it was second nature. Ellie attempted for find comfort in the fact that she hadn't run off recently, but that did little to ease the teenager's guilty conscience and disappointment within herself.
John's teeth gritted together feeling a bite of fearful discontentment tense his shoulders and neck muscles as he silenced the growl that was threatening to rumble in his throat at her blatant and obvious lie. She might as well have said nothing at all, as her hesitation and flustered response didn't take much of the well-experienced Hunter's sharp comprehension to know she had already attempted to run off or was, at the very least, thinking about it, which, in turn, left the man's already edgy nerves severely agitated. Being out on her own at her age in this supernatural ridden world alone wasn't acceptable to John Winchester, but being on her own with demons hunting her uncle and the risk of coming into contact with the possessed being likely, was astronomically unthinkable.
"You listen to me very carefully, young lady." John's guttural voice leveled out in a severely grave tone of warning and urgency, his deep throaty vocals cutting through the receiver dangerously stern, sending a shockingly vigorous rush of familiar and potent anxiety through the girl's veins at being caught in a lie, feeling her heart skip a beat at use firm use of 'young lady'.
"Under no circumstances are you to go off on your own, ever. You are to stay with Sam and Dean at all times. Which mean, you do not go into a gas station on your own, a restaurant, a store…any damn place without Sam or Dean tailing at least ten feet behind you. You do not even take a piss on your own without Sam or Dean at the door. You understand, Elena? This is not only for your safety and Sam and Dean's, but Caleb's as well. I know it might be hard for you to understand right now, but no matter how tempted you are, never go looking for Caleb. That could get you both killed. Am I understood?" John's powerfully deep voice and fierce words of caution had Ellie unwittingly straighten her posture.
Well damn. Who died and made him Commander and Chief of all things concerning her person? The teenager within her wanted to ask him if she was allowed to breath without their permission first, but wisely kept that to herself.
Although John did not raise his voice, there was just something within veteran Hunter's intense tone that conveyed a rather powerful commanding and confidant authority which seemed to demand both her respect and swift attention, compelling her usual stubborn nature to push back to, suddenly, be placed on the back burner. Despite having severe and personal objections to being ten feet from Sam and Dean at all times, which she thought was outrageously excessive as that gave her barely any room to even breath or allow any and all privacy that she required, she, still, found herself, oddly, yielding nonetheless.
"Yes, sir." Ellie responded automatically in a respectful manner that the man seemed to bring out of her remarkably quickly. Although John was not necessarily harsh, the mature gruffness in the man's deep vocals along with the intense sternness of his deliverance, for some reason or another, had young Ellie's adolescent nerves flutter embarrassingly harsh. It was both frustrating and baffling to the young teenager that she was not even in this man's presence and his voice alone was having a considerably strong impact on her psyche making her feel annoyingly and unexpectedly timid. Her stubborn adolescent nerve to tell him to back off or take a chill pill was cowering in the corner of her mind like scared little pup.
"I'm not going to go looking for him. I don't even know where he is, so it doesn't matter anyway." Ellie expressed unable to keep the weighty regret out of her voice, feeling her heart grow heavy with disappointment and discontentment at not being by his side where, she felt, rightfully belonged. Although there was still a strong longing to be actively looking for her uncle, Ellie regrettably and painfully fought against it, not only because she didn't even know where the hell to start and the chances of finding him on luck were slim to none, but, the main reason was the fact that Sam and Dean simply would not let her. Ellie was sure if they could read minds, would spank her for even thinking about taking off again.
Ellie didn't know why she was folding to this man like a flimsy piece paper. She didn't owe him an explanation. It confounded Ellie that she didn't even know this man and she was 'yes, sir -ing' it up like he was the Sargent Major of the Hunting world or something. For reasons that was beyond her, there was just something about John Winchester that conveyed a certain level of fearless authority that demanded a certain level reverence from people and young Ellie, it seemed, was no different.
Although Ellie knew John was well aware of her uncle's predicament, as John was the one who was supposed to take her in the first place before he went missing, he was not privy to all of the information. As far as Ellie knew, he was only aware that demons were after her uncle and did not know the specific reasons as to why nor the extent of the danger, just like Sam and Dean.
"Good." John punctuated firmly, his husky vocals rumbling out evenly seeming to be somewhat reassured in her explanation having no doubt in his boys' abilities to keep her safe, as he had drilled into them the tools of survival their entire life and was confident in his sons to do their jobs.
"Now, I need to know something. This is essential that I know this, Elena." John stressed leveling his deep voice out into weighty and somewhat intense tone that had Ellie heave in a small waft of air through her nostrils feeling anticipation grip at her muscles.
"Does Caleb have Samuel Colt's gun?" John questioned bluntly with an edge of grave urgency and insistence in his commanding voice. The veteran Hunter had no time to pussyfoot around the question and ease the teenager into the extent of his knowledge about their situation and make her feel comfortable about the topic. He needed to know and he needed to know now.
Ellie felt like God had just reached out and smacked her in her face as she was completely and utterly stunned out of her wits. The young teenager's jaw visibly dropped, her russet eyes widening and flashing in pure astoundment as to how the hell this man knew about her family's gun. Her body began to flood with a severe and potent anxiety that had her nerves tingling wildly in a jittery panic. Despite being well trained to think on her feet, Ellie found herself completely flustered by the unexpected and blunt question pertaining to a very private and personal life-long secret that regarded her direct safety and survival. She never in all her thirteen years of life, anticipated her uncle revealing the existence of the family's gun to anyone, let alone John Winchester. His urgent words still rang in her ears -
"The Winchesters are good men, the best Hunters I know. They will protect you, but, like all Hunters, they can be selfish when it comes to their family. I don't want them involved in this and using you for their own personal gain. Because, if given the chance, they will. You are to say nothing about the Colt or your connection to it. I want them focused on protecting you. You understand me? This is very important Elena, do not, under any circumstances, talk about the Colt or the blood spell that ties you to it…"
Ellie was severely shocked as to how Mr. Winchester learned about the Colt's existence. Ellie was certain, her uncle would have never told him, so the young teenager could only surmise that the shrewd Hunter must have found out on his own. As to how, Ellie did not have a shitting clue, but whatever the circumstances of his discovery, in Ellie's scared mind, it was anything, but good.
Ellie's shaky fingers gripped tighter around the small flip phone she held to her ear squeezing and adjusting it in a fidgety manner as she swallowed the knot of salvia down her dry throat seriously considering just hanging up on the man right then and there. However, Ellie was a smart girl and had a strong hesitation in doing that, not just because he would probably just call back and Sam and Dean would not look to favorably upon it to say the least, but Ellie found herself, for whatever reason, deterred to disregard the commanding Hunter. There was something within her instincts that did simply not want to cross him or disregard him in that manner feeling rightly nervous it would come to bite her in the ass in a profound way.
"Sir, I-I don't know what…" Ellie began to fumble out preparing to play ignorant, but, unfortunately for Ellie, it seemed John Winchester didn't have the time nor patience to hear it. He saw right through her lie like a clear glass pane and the frazzled teenager didn't have a chance in hell against the determined and experienced Hunter.
"Stop right there, young lady." John's gritty voice punctuated sternly, an edge of deep reproach behind his tone that made Ellie's muscles tense as a shot of dread jolted through her limbs. She didn't know why she, all of a sudden, was lying like an inexperienced toddler, stumbling over her words stupidly and incompetently. Although not fully wanting to admit it, getting her ass spanked this morning for lying probably had something to do with it and Mr. Winchester's commanding authority didn't seem to help matters either, it still frustrated Ellie to know end that she, at this most pivotal moment, all of a sudden, sucked at lying.
"I know all about the Colt. So, don't you even try lying to me again. I don't have the time or the patience right now to swallow bullshit. I know you know. I am aware of a lot more than you think." John informed commendably calm, but severely firm, his deep baritone voice dropping a few octaves in a levelly stern tone that had Ellie's raving anxiety spark and sputter in her chest like fire crackers.
"I understand Caleb may have ordered you not to say anything about it and I am fully aware of why he did it. And I wouldn't even be bringing it up if I didn't think it was vital to his survival." John explained sternly, his deep urgent voice convincing Ellie to listen intently to the man's every word. Although John was fairly convinced that Caleb was wise enough not have the supernatural weapon on him, John needed to be one hundred certain that the man wasn't being outrageously reckless. John understood more than anyone the lengths people would go to protect their loved ones.
"Elena, if Caleb has the Colt on his person, he is in serious danger right now and in order to help keep him safe, I need this information immediately. Now, does he have the gun or not?" John demanded, a biting sharpness entering his tone as his commanding voice elevated with urgency compelling the kid to give him the information he needed. If Caleb had the Colt in his possession, John was prepared to take immediate action in aiding his friend.
"Sir, I, I…" Ellie began instinctually preparing herself to deny further, however, a serious and fierce hesitancy halted her words as her body became overcome with the fearful panic for her uncle's safety. Distress gripped onto the young girl's muscles with such an overwhelming intensity that it sent a spark of pressing alarm that straight into her core, convincing her to confirm the secret of the Colt's existence. If it was for her uncle's safety, Ellie was prepared to do anything.
"No, sir. He doesn't have it." Ellie found herself admitting honestly her voice loaded in defeat, feeling the pressing weight of instant regret sink deep into the fibers of her muscles making her body feel heavy with the burden for betraying her uncle's direct order of not talking about the Colt. But if John already knew of the Colt existence there was no point in denying it. And besides, there was comfort in knowing that's all he knew. It seemed he had no knowledge of the blood spell that connected her to it or Ellie was certain he would have mentioned it, all he knew was that it existed and Caleb did not have it on his person which was no direct blow to her safety or her uncle's. And, more importantly, the veteran Hunter seemed to be interested in keeping her uncle's safety a priority which was something young Ellie wanted at all costs.
"Good." John expressed hearing a slight wave of relief in his voice seeming to accept and believe her words. "Now, do you know where the Colt is?" John pushed in a serious tone hoping the girl would be able to provide him with some more information so he would be one step closer in actually killing the sick demonic son of bitch that murdered his beloved wife.
John had no idea where Samuel Colt's gun was. It was only a few weeks ago he had known it to be just a legend, a supernatural myth that sounded almost too good to be true, but the tenacious and desperate man pursued it nonetheless and to his great satisfaction, came to find it was, indeed, real.
John had a grave suspicion that Caleb knew where the gun was hidden, having the knowledge that Elizabeth Colt was Caleb's sister-in-law, who was a direct descendent of the Colt's bloodline. John wisely surmised that Elizabeth had to have told him at some point where her family's supernatural relic was or Caleb had at least some idea where it was hidden. However, John was usure if young Elena Colt knew its location. Elizabeth never mentioned the Colt to him while she was alive, but the private woman had many secrets and this was just one of many John was sure she kept from him.
"No, sir." Ellie lied keeping her voice as level and as confident as she could. All she had done was confirmed what the man already knew about the gun existing and revealing that Caleb did not have it in his procession, but that was all the teenager was going to disclose to the man. Anyone knowing the Colt existed outside her kin was bad enough, but knowing its specific location was unthinkably catastrophic for Ellie's safety. On the off-chance anyone found the Colt, not only would they come to the realization of it having a blood-tainted spell on it, but it would reveal Ellie's personal connections to witchcraft and she would either be used to unlock it or worse, hunted and killed for her association with the sinful black magic. Not to mention, if it were to get out in the open, it would only increase the risk of demons getting a hold of it, and if the demons knew about the blood spell…well, she was as good as dead.
"Are you sure?" John pushed an edge of mistrust in his tone, not entirely sure if she was telling the truth or not, as he could not see her face. Although her voice sounded even, giving him no hints of her deception, he didn't really know how much information the girl really knew about her family's supernatural relic. She was, after all, only a thirteen-year-old little girl and he didn't imagine Caleb involving her with such risky information unless she already heard it from Elizabeth.
Ellie was well aware that Caleb had been given the Colt to a close friend, Daneil Elkins, a long time ago, saying he did not want his niece anywhere near the dangerous supernatural weapon that sinfully tied her to her mother's use of satanic magic. And it was literally over Ellie's dead body that she would ever tell him that.
"Yes, sir. He never told me." Ellie lied through her teeth smoothly, confidently obeying her uncle's orders in keeping all the Winchesters ignorant to its whereabouts heeding to her uncle's caution about them possibly looking to use it for their gain. Ellie was, first and foremost, loyal to her uncle and he specifically did not want the Winchesters knowing about its existence, let alone its location. Although the Winchester were 'good men' and 'skilled Hunters', Ellie was still convinced things concerning her family's Colt was none of their business. Despite her traveling with Sam and Dean and them trying to keep her safe from the threat of demons, they were not directly involved and, as far as Ellie's fearful mind could see, never should be.
John hummed suspiciously, his whiskey tainted vocal cords rumbling deeply within his throat, not believing the kid on, nothing, but pure gut instinct. Although he wanted to believe the young teenager for many reasons, John's innate senses told him otherwise and if the miliary and years of experience as a Hunter has taught John anything, it was to trust your gut, as it was almost always right. However, the man did not push further. He knew she and his boys was safe; he knew Caleb did not have the gun in his procession, and that was good enough for now. He had several leads and, after 22 grueling years, was finally closing in on the demonic son of a bitch and was determined to put an end to it once and for all.
It was then, a tired groan came from Sam whose tall toned frame shifted against the mattress making the loose springs creak and pop underneath him. The tall Hunter propped himself up on his forearms, before reaching up and rubbing his thumb and forefinger across his blurry eyes. Sam squinted as his eyes began to regain focus, his brows lined in a stiff frown as he stared at Ellie standing just outside the center walkway at the foot of the two queen beds wondering why the hell she had Dean's phone.
"Who are you talking to on Dean's phone?" Sam inquired in puzzlement; a bit of a grumpiness edged his gravelly voice, still recovering from his deep sleep.
Ellie walked down the center walkway between the two queen beds towards Sam, pulling the flip phone from her ear and extending her arm out offering it to Sam with some eagerness as she not only was certain he wanted to talk to his dad, but there was a large part of her that had no desire to keep lying to Mr. Winchester. Although it was undoubtably necessary, Ellie couldn't help, but feel frustratingly guilty for her constant deceptions towards the Winchesters, who were just trying to protect her and keep her safe. Sam and Dean's words from last night lingered heavily on her mind having a weighty and profound effect on her psyche, a hell of a lot more than she had anticipated, and found herself gravely loathing the burdening flaw in her character. Ellie inwardly hung her head. She was a liar and that was nothing to proud of, necessary or not.
"It's your dad." Ellie informed handing the phone to Sam's outstretched hand.
A sudden urgency ramped through Sam's body as his green eyes widened flashing with surprise, immediately taking the phone from the teenager and placing it to his ear.
"Dad?" Sam questioned in earnest waiting to hear the rumble of his old man's voice that he had not heard in years.
"Sammy, is that you?" John questioned recognizing his youngest son's voice immediately.
"Are you hurt?" Sam pressed in a worried and tender tone as he sat up completely on the bed.
"I'm fine." John graveled out placidly, feeling a small warmth blossom within his broad chest.
Ellie found herself walking to the end of the queen bed, settling her backside on the edge of the mattress next to Sam's left leg feeling her shoulders slump in a weary discontentment. Although, Ellie was undoubtably pleased and grateful that Mr. Winchester was safe and got the opportunity to call, the young teenager couldn't help, but to wish the same for her uncle as a deep longing to hear his voice again tugged her young heart painfully, needing to gain that little breath of relief that he, too, was alright. Ellie turned her head to the side to look at Sam, one of her messy brown braids sliding around her slim shoulder towards her front danglingly from behind her ear swaying slightly at her movement. She regarded the tall Hunter's masculine features that were lifted with relieved encouragement that had Ellie's lips twitch up in compassionate satisfaction.
"We were looking for you everywhere. We didn't know where you were, if you were okay." Sam sputtered out allowing himself to relish in the relief that his dad was alive and safe.
"Sammy, I'm alright." John assured again trying to put his son's mind at ease feeling his heart swell slightly at just hearing his youngest son's voice who he had not spoken to in years much to his stubborn regret.
"You and your brother, are you okay?" John asked wanting added reassurance everything was all well with them in terms of safety and health.
"Well, were fine, dad, where are you?" Sam pressed, his voice breathless taking on a desperate and urgent tone, wanting an answer to a question they have been dying to know for months.
"Sorry, kiddo, I can't tell you that." John graveled out in a calm, but unyielding tone that was lined with weary regret.
"What? Why not?" Sam demanded in frustrated confoundment desperately wanting answers. They haven't heard from their dad in months and he was astounded at his dad's insistence on being so distant which had his mind whirling with exasperation and biting unease.
"Is that dad?" Dean piped up in hopeful surprise as he slow rose to a sitting position on the bed, awoken by his brother's elevated and urgent voice.
"Look, I know this is hard for you to understand. You're just going to have to trust me on this." John expressed in a weary, but collectedly calm manner not willing to reveal too much to his youngest for the simple fear of his children getting involved in something as recklessly dangerous as he was planning. However, much to John's chagrin, Sam being his father's son, astutely came to the realization himself.
"You're after it, aren't you? The thing that killed mom?" Sam pressed a gave tone of awareness coming into his hushed voice.
John inwardly sighed closing his deep russet brown eyes as he dipped his head down slightly feeling a weighty regret at his boys finding out so soon. Although, John knew it was only a matter of time before they found out, as they were naturally intuitive men, the father in him couldn't help, but protectively wish them ignorant. "Yeah, it's a demon, Sam." John confessed bluntly giving it to his son straight.
"A demon? You know that for sure?" Sam pushed breathlessly wanting more information feeling an intense eagerness rise up in him as his body began to physically respond to the astounding news, elevating his heart level as his blood pumped vigorously through his veins feeding the urgent drive within him for a chance at retribution. The thing that they have been searching for 22 years, the thing that killed his mother, the thing that killed Jessica, and his dad finally got a lead on it – Sam could practically feel the compulsion of his desire heating his blood.
Ellie inhaled a sharp gasp of air through her parted lips, her brown russet eyes widening and flashing, feeling every muscle in her body jolt with severe tension as the fearful realization came crashing over her like a dreaded tile wave. John was Hunting a demon, not just any demon, but the demon that killed his wife, Sam and Dean's mother, and there was no doubt in Ellie's astute mind that the man wanted her family's Colt for the very purpose of killing it. That was the reason he wanted to know its location. The man was actively seeking it out for the purpose of using it. It all made sense now, what her uncle meant about the Winchesters 'using her for their personal gain'. 'Because if given the chance, they will' ranging profoundly in Ellie's ears.
Ellie's face was stilled in paled shock, her young feminine features lined in a fearful astonishment as the horrifying prospect of the Winchesters coming to find out about her connections to witchcraft was becoming a dreadful possibility.
Ellie swallowed harshly as an intense trepidation began to jitter Ellie's nerves making the poor girl's hands visibly begin to shake on the tops of her jean covered thighs. Realizing she was wearing her emotions on her face like a billboard, Ellie immediately snapped her attention towards her lap, as she attempted to hide her fear-ridden expression. She licked her chapped lips and pressed her jittery palm on either side of her small frame onto the creaky mattress, shifting and adjusting her backside on the bed in a restless and discomforted manner. Keeping her head dipped low, Ellie fidgeted with her fingers in her lap attempting to hide the obvious trembling as she urged herself to get a hold of her heightened emotions desperately not wanting to arouse their susception. If they started questioning her, Ellie wasn't entire certain she could remain convincingly poised, but whatever it took to keep them ignorant she was prepared to do it as, she felt, her life depended on it. However, luckily for her, Sam and Dean were so wrapped up in the news themselves, the anxious Hunters were not paying a shed of attention to young teenager's struggle to hide her secrets.
Despite the instinctual Hunter's drive and desire that flowed through Ellie's eager veins to help kill the demonic bastard that murdered Sam and Dean's mother, Ellie simply couldn't. Not only was it against her uncle's explicit orders, but if the Winchesters ever found out, she could be seen as a walking blasphemy to them, a freak, condemned and hated, or worse, possibly killed outright due to association. Despite Sam and Dean demonstrating themselves to be good men and Ellie's growing fondness for the brothers, they were, still, diehard Hunters, through and through. And despite Ellie being far from those satanic devil-worshiping fiends, there are many Hunters who would not see the areas of grey. Witchcraft, black magic, and blood spells were seen as evil and Hunters killed evil and that scared the living hell out of Ellie.
"A demon? What's he saying?" Dean urged his brother for answers as he swiftly slipped his cotton black t-shirt over his head pulling his toned arms through the sleeves and over his bare chest and tight abdomen.
"I do." John expressed with certainty in a calm confident tone. "Listen, Sammy, I, uh, I also know what happened to your girlfriend. I'm so sorry, son. I would have done anything to protect you from that." John's gravelly voice was strained with a painful regret for his son's loss. Experiencing the very same thing himself, he knew how damagingly painful it was and felt heartily for his youngest feeling the burdening regret of not being able to prevent it.
Sam swallowed hard feeling his throat constrict harshly at the mention of Jessica, the love of his life, the woman he was planning to marry and spend the rest of his life with. The young Hunter felt the burdening weight of pain encompasses his entire body as he actively forced the agony deep within his caving chest making his muscles tense rigidly, as he attempted to focus on the one thing he could do. He couldn't bring his beloved Jessica back, but he sure as hell could waste the son of bitch that took her from him. Like his father, Sam couldn't just sit idle and do nothing as it would slowly destroy him from the inside out.
"You know where it is?" Sam pressed in a level tone edged with a driving eagerness, feeling his body become ramped up with a jittery readiness excessively anxious to do his part in wasting demonic bastard.
"Yeah, I think I'm finally closing in on it." John admitted calmly preparing himself for the push back he was bound to get from his youngest.
"Let us help." Sam insisted willingly as a fire of motivation began to sputter in his gut.
"You can't. You can't be any part of it." John informed bluntly using his God-given fatherly authority to protect his children.
Sam's dark brows furrowed into a frustrated frown, the lines within his expression deepening into a baffled confoundment.
"Why not?" Sam pried not at all prepared to fall in line with his dad's order without a damn good explanation.
Composing her breathing, Ellie lifted head and turned it to the side to look at Sam once again ensuring to keep her expression neutral and void of the grave relief she felt in John not wanting their help in killing this demon. If Mr. Winchester was indeed looking for the Colt, Ellie did not want to anywhere near it because the closer the Winchesters got to the Colt, the closer she they were to finding out her connection to it and that was something she was prepared to avoid at all cost.
"Give me the phone." Dean insisted reaching his hand out palm up wagging his fingers towards himself eager to talk to his dad and know what the hell is going on.
"Listen, Sammy, that's why I'm calling. You and your brother gotta stop looking for me. Right now, I need to you to look after Ellie and keep her safe. I need you to keep her with you and away from Caleb." John explained as plainly as he could feeling his heavy bones grow weary from hours and hours of constant running and incessant stress.
"Now I need you to write down this address." John persisted feeling the pressing stress of time drive him to a conclusion to the conversation.
"An address, what address? Dad? Talk to me, tell me what's going on." Sam pushed a pleading tone coming into his voice as he was desperate to get some answers from his dad, but, like always, it seemed his old man wasn't going to budge on his firm decision to keep them out of it.
"Look we don't have time for this." John snapped a firmness taking a hold of his baritone vocals, the military man coming out of him in full force. "This is bigger than you think. They're everywhere. Even us talking right now, it's not safe."
"No. Alright? No way." Sam declared in a determined tone, standing his ground as there was no way in hell he was going accept his dad's insistence on doing this all himself, not only because he cared for his father's safety, but because his personal need for revenge was dire. It was burning in his chest like raging inferno heating his blood with an intense driving need to do something. This was not just about his dad; it was not just about his loss. And he was not a child to be ordered around anymore, he was a grown man and had every right to pursue the demonic son of a bitch just as much as he did.
"Give me the phone." Dean pushed again feeling his teeth grit with impatience.
"I've given you an order." John asserted firmly in an unyielding and set tone that Sam heard thousands of times as a young kid and well into adulthood which made his nerves burn with heated frustration. "Now you stop following me and you do your job, you understand me? Now, take down this address." John bite out sharply, too damn tried to indulge his son's desires calmly making Sam fight with every fiber of his being not to rile in protest and express exactly what he was feeling; feelings he was sure wouldn't mean a damn thing to his authoritative old man.
Unable to take it any longer, Dean leaned forward and snatched the phone from his brother's ear placing it to his own. "Dad, it's me. Where are you?" Dean urged swiftly, an edge of grave worry in his voice.
Sam balled his fist tightly, imbedding his nails roughly into his calloused palm, as he placed his teeth against his knuckle pressing his rage and frustration deep within his muscles making them tense with fierce aggravation wanting desperately to bellow out his anger and give his 'selfish' dad a piece of his mind. However, learning his entire life to keep his emotions suppressed and under control kept the aggravated man in check.
"Dean, I need you to write down this address." John demanded, a heated frustration still lingering onto his voice that had Dean straighten his back in a military worthy posture. His face visibly yielding into docile expression of instant compliance making Ellie blink her long lashes in curious observation at the immediate respect Dean gave his father.
"Yes, sir." Dean expressed respectfully without hesitation making Sam grit his teeth at Dean's passive attitude concerning something so important. "Uh, yeah, I got a pen. Go ahead." Dean said obediently grabbing a pen off the nightstand turning the newspaper to the side under the ashtray to write down what his dad wanted.
"9662 Millridge road, Benton, Indiana. There's a Rawhead there I need you and Sam to take care of." John informed in a business-like manner, too tired and overcome with stress to continue to beat around the bush, resorting back to his miliary background to help him cope.
"Yes, sir. We can do that. But dad…" Dean began to press in a calm and level manner, in a far more passive tone than Sam's, which Ellie took distinct note of, giving her a grain of selfish hope that Dean was going to listen to his father's orders and stay away from the man that was looking for her family's Colt.
"Look, Dean, I can't stay on the phone much longer, son, it's not safe right now. I'm taking a huge risk just talking with you both. You need to stop following me and stay away from Caleb. And that little girl you got with you; she is more danger than you realize. You and Sam need to watch out for her and keep her safe. That is your job right now, son, I need you to trust me." John explained with grave and compelling urgency lining his tone, relying heavily on his eldest, like he always had, to follow his orders as he was desperate to keep them safe.
"You know I'll keep her safe, dad, but what are you talking about? There are demons after Caleb for some weapon it thinks he has…" Dean began to explain swiftly and desperately, but John cut him off.
"Caleb doesn't have it, son, but when they find out he doesn't…they may start looking to Elena for answers." John explained gravely making Dean's chest cave in harshly at the new information feeling his already edgy nerves heighten with added fear.
"So, wait, this weapon actually exists?" Dean asked astonished feeling his body grow heavy with weighted unease. "Dad, do you know what weapon the demons are after?" Dean pushed having a grave suspicion that his dad knew a hell of a lot more about this then they did, which was confoundingly exasperating.
"I wish I could tell you more, but I just can't. Stop following, stay away from Caleb and keep Elena safe. Those are my orders, son." John expressed swiftly and orderly before pulling the phone from his ear and hanging it up quickly before he risked more time and the safety of his children. With his hand lingering on the payphone's receiver, John inhaled a waft of air before sighing it out deeply through his nose attempting to gain control of his rising emotion, feeling a grave weight of pain press strongly against his heart at being away from his children. Tears began to form under his weary eyes that he immediately reached up and swiped away with his thumb and forefinger before turning and walking out of the phone booth.
"Dad? Dad? Damn it." Dean cured in frustration pulling the phone from his ear before half-heartedly chucking it across the length of the walkway between the two queen beds. Ellie watched as the phone thudding and skidding across the stiff fibers of the carpet coming to a halt just outside of the bathroom threshold.
Dean placed his elbows on his jean covered thighs, leaning his stiff torso forward as he rubbed his palms over his face in utter aggravation and stress.
Ellie was now thinking coffee wasn't going to be much of a pick-me-up after that conversation and found it hardly even worth mentioning.
As the awkward silence dragged on, a grave heaviness began to set upon the room and Ellie could feel it pressing onto her tense muscles feeling the urgent need to get out of the Hunters presence before either of the agitated men saw fit to press her for answers she could not give. And, after the sound spanking she received from Dean this morning for lying, Ellie was in no hurry to put herself into a situation where she would eventually have to lie again. She had lied enough for one day.
Purposefully not looking at either of the Hunters, Ellie slowly lifted her backside off the lose springs of the mattress, forcing her body to remain calm and not rush in suspicious haste as she made her way toward the sanctity of the bathroom.
Sensing Ellie's movements, Dean removed his palms from his careworn face and turned his head to the side to watch Ellie walk into the bathroom in a notably poised and collected manner. Dean rested his forearms on his stiff thighs leaving them to dangling idle in between his spread legs.
Once Ellie's socked feet hit the cold tiles, the young teenager turned around grabbing hold of the inner brass door knob, before absentmindedly tipping her head up briefly catching Dean's attentive eyes that were locked onto her with direct intent. The man squinted his green eyes ever so slightly at the teenager making Ellie aware that the Hunter was not only watching her closely, but he was fully aware her reasons for going into that bathroom was anything, but the pressing need take a piss. Her avoidance was expected, but not at all appreciated, as all it did was set the man's teeth on edge furthering his irritation and edgy nerves.
Ellie dropped her gaze back downward towards the tiles before pushing the dark wooden door shut relieving her of Dean's firm green eyes that seemed to annoyingly see right through her.
Dean turned his attention towards his brother across from him who was staring off into the distance seeming too far wrapped up into his own troubled thoughts to notice Dean's eyes on him as he scoffed harshly throat and shook his head in riled frustration and disbelief. He was still fuming over his dad's dismissal of them and Dean's constant inability to speak up against their dad's orders.
Dean dropped his head casting his gaze to the carpeted floor between his spread feet, curbing an irritated groan that that was threatening to rumble in his chest. He could feel a cutting headache begin to press against his temples as the stress of everything began to do a number on his body and mind feeling the pressing need for nobody's company, but Jack Daniels.
TBC
Important information in that chapter for the plot.
To help with confusion that might occur:
John knows the Colt is real. He does not know about the blood spell that ties Ellie to it nor does he know where it is. Elizabeth Colt was Ellie's mother – John knew her.
Please review and comment. Help keep my motivation alive – for some reason it is dying on me.
Next Chapter – You left Us
Thank you for reading!