We have reached the second-to-last chapter of the story. This one is a bit longer because it needed to wrap up some points. Thank you to everyone who read it. Please don't forget to comment.

Chapter 16

— What happened...?

As soon as he entered the room, several things hit him at once. Dean's panic. The dirt in the room. The blood. The vomit. The urine. The smell. Sam's panic. Caroll and Jim crouched next to Dean, and Dean trying to move away from them. The ongoing screams. The fallen IV stand.

— What happened? — John asked again, approaching the scene in front of him.

— It's okay, dear. Your dad is here. You can calm down now. — Caroll tried to soothe Dean.

Jim stood up and looked at John, not knowing what to say.

— He was like this when we got here.

John moved closer to Dean, and Dean flinched away from him, just as he did with everyone who tried to get near him.

— GET AWAY! I DON'T NEED HELP.

— Son, it's okay, alright? It's me! — John put a hand on Dean's neck, forcing him to look at him.

— Don't touch me. Don't touch me. — Dean said between sobs, as John pulled him closer. — No! I'm dirty.

— I don't care. I just want you to calm down.

John completed the motion, not letting Dean escape anymore. He held his son in his arms and kept speaking softly to him, trying to calm him down.

— It's over, okay? I'm here with you. You can relax now. I'll take care of everything.

— I don't want anyone. — Dean kept sobbing, clinging to John. — I can't take this anymore. I just want it to end.

John turned to Jim and asked him to take Sam outside. He looked at Sam and saw how frightened his youngest son was. He understood what the whole scene looked like to Sam. It reminded him of the beginning of all this. He wanted to comfort Sam too. But Dean needed him more.

— Sam, Dean is fine. Don't worry. It's not what it seems. It was just an accident. Dean isn't sick again. You need to wait outside while Dad takes care of everything.

Pastor Jim picked Sam up and took him outside.

John lifted Dean with him and sat in the armchair with his son in his arms. He continued talking to Dean in a calm and gentle manner. And Dean kept repeating that he couldn't take it anymore.

— I know... it will pass. You've improved so much. You can't give up now. Giving up is not an option in our family. I won't let you do that.

John didn't even fully understand what had happened. He just knew it wasn't good. While he held Dean, Caroll began to clean the blood from Dean's arm.

— It's okay, sweetheart. It wasn't a deep cut. We'll put a bandage on it. But if you're in pain, just let us know, and we'll take care of it.

After the bandage, she and John took Dean to the bathroom and gave him a bath. He continued crying softly and sobbing. The panic had passed, and now he seemed... desolate.

Dean fell asleep after a while. Caroll administered the medication the doctor had prescribed to help him sleep. She saw that Dean's body still trembled with the sobs that persisted.

John stood there, holding his hand and caressing his head... feeling exhausted. He looked at Dean and the completely clean room in contrast to the earlier scene. He had even changed into a clean shirt. The other one was a complete mess.

— I've never seen him act like this. I've never seen him think about giving up... — John said with a sigh, as he removed his hand from Dean's head and scratched his stubble.

— Oh John. Dean is tired. He's been through so much. He's overcome things that no one thought possible. Let's give him some credit. What happened today wasn't serious. It was just the accumulation of weeks of him trying to deal with this hurricane that happened. You've never seen him act like this... I've never seen a boy his age remain so strong despite losing everything he was.

— I don't know how to help him...

— You will. You've been doing a great job, believe me! And you know what else? You're very lucky with the boys you have. You'll see that tomorrow he'll wake up much better. Let him rest. You should get some rest too. But before that, Sam is still outside... I know you don't want to leave Dean alone. Go talk to Sam. I'll stay here with Dean. — Caroll said, giving John a pat on the back.

John took a deep breath and went to see Sam.

— Hey kiddo, how are you doing?

Sam ran towards John and hugged him.

— Hey. It's okay. Dean is resting. He's going to be fine. I promise you. Remember what I told you about him not being able to do some things and it making him frustrated? — Sam nodded, and John continued. — That's what I was talking about, okay? Today was worse than other days. And unfortunately, you had to see it. But Dean is really okay. It doesn't make him weak. I need you to understand that. These are just difficulties. But he's been improving and soon he'll be home with you and me. Now, we all need to rest. It's been a long day.

Sam stayed hugged to John a little longer and said goodbye, heading to the motel with Pastor Jim.

— If Dean wakes up, tell him I'll be back tomorrow.

— Sure thing. I will.

John slept in the armchair next to Dean. He wanted to make sure he was there in case his son needed him. When he woke up feeling more rested, he saw Dean looking at him.

— Hey son! You're awake already? It's still early.

— I'm sorry, Dad. — Dean spoke so softly that John almost didn't hear. There was so much sadness in him...

— There's nothing to apologize for. It was just a bad moment with a lot of aggravating factors. But it's nothing to worry about. It's over now.

— I didn't mean to say those things... or yell at everyone.

— We know that. No one is hurt.

— Sammy saw everything...

— He's okay. You don't need to be ashamed. He was much more worried than anything else. I talked to him, and he didn't ask me any questions about it. He still doesn't know anything about your pee accidents. I didn't say anything to him. I promise. It remains something that only you and I know. Sam just wanted to know if you were going to be okay. That's all he needs. And me too...

— I know... I won't give up.

— Of course you won't. I'd kick your butt if you did that. — John said to lighten the mood, and Dean gave a small smile.

— And the hunt?

— All sorted. No more victims. — John said, smiling, and Dean returned his smile. He didn't want more people to get hurt. — Caleb will come to see you soon. Now you should get some more sleep. It's not even fully dawn yet.

Dean continued with rehabilitation as usual. Each day, he made a little more progress. Today, he managed to walk alone around the room, using just the walker. It felt good not having anyone holding him. After the incident on the day of the hunt, he took the exercises even more seriously. He needed to regain his independence and dedicated himself to it. The next step would be walking with a crutch until he didn't need support anymore.

Sam didn't mention the incident again. Every day after school, he brought some tasks for Dean and brought all his usual light. With Dean's improvement, the school started sending assignments so he wouldn't fall behind in his studies.

— John, I need to talk to you. I've been trying to avoid it, but I need to go back to Blue Earth. You know, a friend has been taking care of my church. But there are some things I need to resolve.

— It's okay, Jim. I understand.

— I can come back in a few days. It's just while I get things better organized. You know I love the boys.

— Jim, you've done much more than I could ever ask for. Don't worry. We'll manage. I'll never be able to thank you enough.

— John, you don't need to manage alone. You never really had to. Bobby...

— No! That's not up for discussion.

— John, Bobby loves the boys just like I do. You haven't even told him what's happened. Sioux Falls is less than two hours from here. Dean and Sam would love to see him. — Even when Bobby got involved with the hunt, to consider sending another hunter, it was Caleb who spoke with him. He didn't give Bobby the details because John wouldn't allow it.

— Jim, you know Bobby doesn't agree with my methods. You remember how our last meeting ended.

— I don't always agree either, but here I am. I'm sure Bobby will be perfectly capable of overlooking everything that happened. You need to stop being so stubborn and think about the boys.

— It's not necessary. I can handle it alone.

The next day, Jim left after visiting Dean and promising to come back. Sam gave him a long hug. It had been really good having this time with them. He just wanted them to be okay. Sam stayed at the hospital with Dean and John and seemed excited to spend more time with his brother.

— Mr. Smith, we are all very happy with Dean's progress. It's unbelievable to remember how he was when he arrived and see how healthy he is now. I'm pleased to tell you that I spoke with the team, and we've decided to discharge him. — Dr. Ross updated John during his daily visit.

— This is wonderful news. Dean will be thrilled.

— I'm sure. But first, I need to talk to you. Although he's being discharged, you know there's still a road to recovery. Dean needs rehabilitation to fully regain all his movements. There are some places I'd like to recommend. But first, I need to know... you mentioned that you travel a lot...

— Yes, my job requires us to be constantly on the move. It's a bit tiring, but we're used to it. — John tried to convey confidence in what he was saying.

— Well, that's my concern. This won't be good for Dean right now. Dean needs a fixed place where he can readjust and fully recover. Besides, there might still be difficulties...

— What kind of difficulties? — John asked, fearing the answer.

— Aftereffects — Dr. Ross took a deep breath, knowing how much John feared that word. — Dean has migraines. This you already know. They are not severe or worrisome. But we need to monitor them. There are other things that can occur after a meningitis episode. In cases that worsened like Dean's, we only consider the patient truly discharged after a year.

— What kind of aftereffects are we talking about?

— Infections, due to the limitations he still has. Kidney and lung problems, because of the insufficiency he experienced. Weakness, concentration difficulties, neuropathy, seizures. These are some of the most common. Dean needs to be re-evaluated monthly for the next year. I'd like to suggest that he continue to be monitored by our team. We know his case. It would be better for him. If any symptoms arise, you should seek us out. If not possible, we can find a referral hospital. But I recommend that it be the same hospital to provide this care.

— How would this fit into our constantly changing lives?

— It wouldn't. That's my point. Dean needs a place where he feels safe. Where he feels comfortable during this adaptation period and can be well cared for. It will be good for Sam too, you know that. It will be a year when they will need you more.

John didn't like the direction of that conversation. Their life involved hunting, and that wouldn't change. He promised the doctor to think about it.

Dean and Sam were thrilled with the discharge news. John allowed himself to smile with them. But his mind kept replaying the conversations with the doctor and Jim.

Sioux Falls was only a few kilometers away. Bobby loved the boys. He knew that. If they were there, the hospital could monitor Dean since the distance wasn't too great. But thinking about talking to Bobby and swallowing his pride was difficult.

Jim's house in Minnesota was also an option. Jim had offered it to him. But it was much farther from the hospital, and he needed to think about Dean. About keeping him safe.

Yes, he knew he should call Bobby. He took a deep breath and made the call.

— Yes! — Bobby's voice came from the other side, as grumpy as always.

John took a deep breath.

— Bobby.

— John? This better be important. Where are the boys?

— That's what I need to talk about.

— What happened, John? What did you do?

Always the same accusatory tone. John swallowed the urge to hang up on Bobby and told him what had happened. He might have omitted the beginning, when John left the boys in the motel with Dean already sick. It didn't seem as important now.

— John, I'm coming there. Tell me the name of the hospital.

— Bobby, it's not necessary. That's why I'm calling. I need your help.

John didn't even need to suggest it. As soon as he explained Dean's condition, Bobby ordered him to bring them to his house. He would take care of everything.

Bossy old man. But John felt gratitude. It wasn't time for arguments. Bobby cared about the boys, and that made him reliable.

John explained to the boys where they were going, and they couldn't be happier. They loved Uncle Bobby and they all needed him now.