I DO NOT OWN SUPERNATURAL OR ITS CHARACTERS.
Music Credit/Song Suggestion: "Somewhere I Belong" - Linkin Park
'When this began, I had nothin' to say,
And I'd get lost in the nothingness inside of me.
I was confused, and I let it all out to find,
That I'm not the only person with these things in mind, inside of me.
But all the vacancy the words revealed, is the only real thing that I've got left to feel.
Nothing to lose - just stuck, hollow, and alone, and the fault is my own…'
Chapter Six:
I dialed Meg's number, before I could second guess myself. Sammy was already asleep, so I didn't have to worry about him. I stepped outside of the apartment, and sank to the ground, as I waited for her to pick up. Alastair is her uncle. Maybe if she goes with me to see him tonight, I can make it out of there unscathed. Fuck. I'm gonna have to tell her everything.
"Hey Cupcake, everything okay?" Meg answered, sounding much more concerned than I'm used to.
"Actually, no, it's really not. I promise that I will explain absolutely everything, but I really need a favor first. You're the only one I can ask, and if it's too much, I won't take it personally." I explained, as my voice cracked, and tears threatened to fall. I tried to blink them away with no avail.
"Anything you need, Sunshine. I'm here." She replied.
"Thank you. You don't know how much of a relief that is. I… I need to see Alastair tonight. I know that he owns multiple clubs. Is there any possible way that you can set up a meeting with him tonight? And go with me? I will tell you absolutely everything you need to know, as soon as the meeting is done. I swear." I rambled off hurriedly. I heard her suck in a breath.
"Shit, Dean. Yeah. Okay. Give me a few minutes. I will call you back. And I want to know everything, after this is done." She agreed, before hanging up. Tears slipped out and I wiped them away. It took one day for absolutely everything to go to shit. I just can't catch a fucking break.
I don't want to move into a more isolated house with my dad. I don't want to leave here. This little apartment above the diner feels more like home, than anywhere I've been, in such a long time. Call me selfish, but I don't want to give that up.
"Hey," I breathed into the phone, after I answered Meg's call, before my phone even finished the first ring.
"Okay. Listen. He will meet with us. He knows we're coming. I'm swinging by the pick you up. Sam will be okay sleeping in the apartment, while we're gone. We're going by Leviathan, since that's where he is tonight. Usually, they have a dress code, but I know the bouncer, and he's been instructed to let us in and not give us any trouble.
"Bring your ID. Whatever you tell me, and whatever happens there, stays between us, until you tell me otherwise, okay? I don't know what kind of trouble you're in, but try to keep your nerves under wraps. He'll just thrive on your fear. I'm just about to your place now. Whatever you're wearing is fine." She said, before hanging up.
I clambered to my feet, and went inside to grab my bag, before locking up behind me. True to her word, Meg pulled up, just as I was walking down the stairs outside of the apartment. I took a deep breath and got into her car. My brain was still spinning. I don't even really know what to say. I know he didn't expect me to be the one to make the first move, but maybe that's a good thing. I can let him keep underestimating me. I'll use that to my advantage.
The ride was quiet, and went by far too quickly. We were parking and walking up to the club doors, way before I was ready. The bouncer looked like he wanted to say something, but Meg just rolled her eyes at him.
"Down, Fido. I know he told you that we were coming. I'd hate to have to tell my dear uncle that you were giving his favorite niece a hard time." Meg mused, leveling him with her coldest stare.
"Do you always have to be such a pain in the ass? Get inside, Kid." He rumbled. Meg just smirked, at his exasperation.
"At least I'm consistent," she quipped, before we breezed by him. Meg grabbed my hand in hers and led me inside. I've never been here. Usually Dad frequents places that aren't this nice. This is the kind of place that is expensive and drips with sin.
We went up some stairs, and the air got considerably colder. It didn't take us long, until we were outside of his office. Meg knocked, and gave my hand a squeeze, before the door opened.
Alastair looked down at me, and made no effort to hide the fact that he was taking inventory of my body. I stood still, and forced myself not to fidget under his scrutiny. I didn't realize that he was so tall.
"Meg, Dear, do come in. Dean, it was such a pleasant surprise to hear that you wanted to see me. Come, let's all sit down." He said, in a low command. He smiled, and it was more predatory and teeth, than anything. I nodded once, before walking inside, after Meg. We sat down in armchairs in front of a fireplace. I'm surprised that he didn't make us sit at his desk.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" He asked, after shutting the door behind us, and taking a seat in the only other armchair.
"Mr. Alastair, I know that you and I haven't met before, but my father called me tonight, and I thought it might be best for us to get acquainted." I told him, in a steady voice. I watched him, as he considered my words. He was intrigued. I knew he would be.
"And how can I help you, Miss Winchester?" He questioned, as he leaned closer. I fought the urge to bite my lip and to dig my nails into the arm of the chair.
"I would like to know the terms and conditions. I need to know what's expected of me. And I wanted to know if we could come to an agreement. I know that you brokered some type of deal with my father. I think that you'll come to realize, that I'm the only adult in the family.
"He's content drinking his life away, and I didn't even know that he had started gambling. He certainly doesn't have the money to. I don't know where he even got, what he had. I've been the only one bringing any money in and paying the bills.
"Now, he's taking Sammy away, because that's the only leverage he has, and he knows it. You know it. I'm not trying to get out of anything or pull a fast one on you, but I do need you to deal with me, moving forward, instead of my father, so that there isn't any miscommunication." I explained. Alastair's smirk grew into a grin. He looked positively gleeful.
"I underestimated you, Pet." He purred. "I find that agreeable. As for what's expected of you, that will likely change, the longer that you're with me. But everything will always be explained, so you needn't worry about that.
"You're somewhat of a hot commodity. Lilith and Azazel have had their eye on you. Lilith and I have talked it over, and we think it best that we reserve you for only the high rollers, who are willing to pay top dollar.
"That said, we're going to keep you out of reach for a while. I want you to bartend and help out with the clubs, on a more personal basis. You will help smooth things over with patrons. No one will give you trouble. I will make it clear that no one is to touch or bother you. Is it fair to assume that you're still a virgin?" He pressed. I gave him a stiff nod and he just grinned.
"I thought that might be the case. There is nothing quite like a virgin. They're always so sweet. Now Dean, I know what your ID says, and I know what it says on the paperwork that I've acquired from your father, but I need to know the truth from you. How old are you really?" He questioned. For the first time, I squirmed in my chair.
"I'm sixteen. I turned sixteen, right after we moved here. I dropped out of school and didn't re-enroll, so I could pay the bills and take care of Sammy." I whispered, looking down. I knew my face was flushed and I couldn't handle seeing Meg's reaction.
"Darling Girl, you just keep getting better. Don't you?" He mused. I looked up at him and didn't say anything. What is there to even say with that? "Don't worry. I won't out you. It's just better for me to know these things, so I'm prepared in any circumstance. What did your father tell you, when he spoke to you?"
"He said that he arranged for Sammy to stay with Bobby and Ellen. He said that he ended our lease early, and gave that money to them, to help with Sammy's expenses. I don't know how true that is. We both know how he is with money, especially money that isn't his to spend.
"He said that you had a duplex for us, and that he would get one side, and I would get the other. He said that his debts were going to be forgiven and he would want for nothing, and in exchange he was giving me to you, to whore me out." I replied, gruffly. Shock flashed on his face, but was gone so quickly, that I wasn't sure if I had imagined it.
"He said that, did he?" He breathed, pursing his lips together in distaste. I nodded. "I do intend for you to use your body some, yes, that's true, but not as much as I'm sure he made it seem. Your innocence is something I like about you, and I intend for you to keep it, as long as possible, within reason. Your intimate interaction will be seldom. You will be sought after. People will pay more.
"I'm good at what I do, and at running my businesses. If you are good to me, I will be good to you. I do have a duplex ready. That much is true. I thought you might like a break from your father. He's made it abundantly clear to the entire town, that he cannot, and will not, keep his hands to himself. I don't want him to continue, especially now that you are mine.
"I will be honest with you, Dean, as long as you are honest with me. I don't think that you or I will have any issue there. From what I can surmise, you're loyal and a hard worker. You learn quickly, and you can charm your patronage. You're street smart and quick on your feet. Those are all things that I need in an employee.
"You will still be allowed to see your brother, so long as you do as I ask. You're not my prisoner. I want you to be comfortable. You will begin your training in two days. That should give you a bit of time to get your affairs in order." He explained. I bit my lip, as I thought over what he had told me.
"Are all of those things set in stone?" I asked, looking up at him. He looked like he was considering my words.
"What would you like to amend, Little One?"
"If I have somewhere else to stay, somewhere that my father doesn't know about, can I stay there instead? I can give you the address. Even if I did stay on the other side of a duplex, that wouldn't be enough to keep him away from me. If I tried to lock him out and ignore him, I would just piss him off more, and he wouldn't stop, until he got his way." I clarified. His face was thoughtful, before he locked eyes with mine.
"I find that agreeable. Is this place safe?" He asked. I gave him a little smile.
"It is. It's a little apartment above the diner. It's hidden, so unless you know it's there, you can't find it." I detailed for him. He nodded. "I, um, well, I have a boyfriend that my father doesn't know about. It's super new, but, is that something you need to know about?" I asked, nervously. Alastair smirked at me.
"I ask that you don't get too physical with him, until after you've been taken to bed, with a client. They will pay top dollar for you. You're so sweet and tempting. A young, little, virginal teenager. They'll eat you up, Pet. But, if it won't affect your work, then I see no reason that you can't see him. I will need to know who it is. And we will need to get you some new clothes. Rowena will take you to get a new wardrobe this week." He agreed. It felt like a weight was lifted off of me.
"I… Sorry. It's Castiel Novak. I'm not good with words. I really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me tonight, and for agreeing to work with me, in lieu of my father. Um. Was he right in saying that I wouldn't need to give him money, anymore?" I asked the last question that I had. He nodded.
"Yes, he will be given an expense account. He will learn what rules I have for him and what I simply will not tolerate. If he can't abide by them, he will be punished, not you. The only one he cares about is himself, and harming you or your brother wouldn't change that. You are already here, to continue to clean up his mess.
"You will be paid for your time and your work. You will enjoy a life of luxury, as long as you keep me happy, and I have a feeling that you will. You will, of course, be punished, at my discretion, should you not comply with my rules. And if you try to leave me, or to turn me in, I will kill your brother. And we wouldn't want that, would we?" He outlined his terms. I gulped and felt white-hot fear shoot through my body.
"I understand, Sir." I breathed. He clapped his hands together, and stood up.
"I will have a contract drawn up on Monday, ready for you to sign. Until then, we'll seal it with a kiss." He decided. I glanced at Meg, and her face was unreadable.
I nodded and stood up. He pulled me to him, before I could even take a step. His lips were on mine, before I could move. He had a hand on the back of my head, and the other gripping my ass. I kissed him, back, before trying to wiggle away. He let me go, and handed me a phone.
"This has all the numbers you'll need programmed in it. This is yours to use. You will get keys to the clubs on Monday. I will see you then. If you will excuse me, I have business to tend to." He excused us, as a knock sounded on his door.
"Goodbye, Uncle." Meg said, as we left his office. She grabbed my hand, again, and I followed her out of the club.
"Okay, spill." Meg demanded, as we parked outside the diner. I nodded and all of the words began to tumble out of my mouth. I told her everything, even about the demons. She gaped at me, and my throat hurt from spending so much time talking.
"That's everything." I whispered, worrying my bottom lip.
"I already knew about the demons. Everyone in town does. They take part in running things. It's one of those things that no one talks about. Most of us have anti-possession tattoos to prevent being controlled. But, shit, Dean. You've been taking care of your brother, since your mom died and you're only sixteen?!" She exclaimed.
"Yes," I breathed. She was mulling over everything.
"You have to tell Clarence and Gabe, at least a doctored version and the age part." She stipulated. I nodded.
"I will. I promise." I agreed.
"Anna and I will come and pick up Sam tomorrow, so you can talk to them, together. Charlie was saying something about a Star Wars exhibit in the city. We'll make a day of it. I don't think there is a way out of working for my uncle, but you're not alone in it.
"You have us and we all love you. I know that you've been dealt an awful hand and I hate it for you, but you will get through this. At the very least, you'll be away from your shitty, deadbeat dad. We'll swing by around 11, and we'll take him to lunch first. You'll have plenty time, okay?" Meg decided. I nodded and wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her, tightly.
"I am so grateful for you and your friendship. I'm so sorry that I lied to you." I whimpered, as I sobbed against her.
"I'm not mad at ya, Cupcake. You were doing what you had to do to survive. I'm grateful for you, too. I'm not going anywhere, okay? I'm here." She promised. I nodded and just held her for a while. Things are going to get worse, but maybe, someday, they'll be okay.
'I wanna heal.
I wanna feel,
what I thought was never real.
I wanna let go of the pain I've held so long –
Erase all the pain, till it's gone.
I wanna heal.
I wanna feel, like I'm close to something real.
I wanna find something I've wanted all along – somewhere I belong.'