Chapter 2

Dean tiptoed down the hallway trying to find the offices and a phone. He shone the light in each room he passed until finally finding one with a phone. Sighing with relief, Dean hurried to the desk and picked up the receiver to check for a dial tone before dialing his father's number. He listened to it ring until the call went to voicemail.

"Hey Dad, there's been some trouble here. Sammy and me had to leave the motel when some strangers showed up. I think they were looking for us. We're going to head for that truck stop on the edge of town and wait there for you. Hurry Dad." Dean hung up and tried the other number he had but got voicemail again. He swore under his breath before hanging up and drawing in some slow breaths to control his anger.

Not knowing what else to do, he searched the drawers for loose change or a few dollars, so he'd have a little money. He lucked out and found some money in an envelope and said a silent prayer that he would pay it back when he could. He thought the pastor would understand if he knew the circumstances as he slipped the envelope into his pocket. Knowing he needed to get back to Sammy, Dean made his way back down the hallway to the storage room and let himself back in.

"Dean," Sam whispered in a frightened voice.

"Yeah Sammy, it's me," Dean answered making his way over to the couch. "Try to get a little more rest and we'll head out when the sun comes up."

"Won't they be looking for us?"

"We'll be careful Sammy. I called Dad and told him we'd be at the truck stop waiting on him."

"You think he'll come?"

"Of course, he will. I told him about the strangers."

"I'm scared Dean," Sam whispered as he eased closer to him.

"It'll be okay Sammy. I won't let anything happen to you," Dean assured him putting his arm around his small body. Ever since their mother had been killed nearly ten years ago, Dean had taken on the roles of father, mother, big brother, protecter, best friend, and guardian. He tried to comfort his little brother as Sammy rested his head on his chest.

Dean watched out the small windows of the room waiting for dawn to come so they could leave. He was going to keep them off any main roads and stick to the back streets to get across town to the truck stop. If their father didn't show up, there was one other person he could call for help and hoped he was home.

Spn

"Sammy, hey wake up; we need to leave," Dean cooed to his brother as he shook his shoulder.

"I'm awake," Sam mumbled, yawning and wiping his eyes. He looked sleepily at Dean who got up and pulled the blanket from his shoulders to fold up and tie it to his pack.

"Let's use the restroom before we go. I'm hoping those assholes have given up and left by now, but we're going to play it safe."

"Did you get Dad?"

"I left a voicemail. C'mon we need to get out of here before anyone shows up."

"Alright." Sam followed Dean back down the hallway to the restrooms and they went in to use it. They cupped their hands to catch water and drink it before leaving.

Dean checked outside before opening the backdoor to sneak out and headed around the church and through the graveyard. Once they cleared the graveyard, they headed down the street, ever watchful for the strangers. As soon as he could, Dean veered onto another street making sure to keep heading west across town. They hid whenever cars passed them if they could. Dean told Sammy to act like they were kids heading for school.

It took the brothers nearly two hours to get across town to the truck stop. Dean made Sammy hide in the woods so he could check the place out to be sure the strangers were not there. Once he was sure it was safe, Dean motioned for Sammy to join him and went inside to grab something to drink and eat. He grabbed the cheapest things to save money and they went outside and around to the side of the building to wait for their father.

Dean kept them out of sight of the people coming and going at the truck stop, only going inside to use the restroom. They huddled in a back corner, beside the dumpster, to shield themselves from the cold breeze blowing around the side of the building. He was afraid for them to stay inside in case someone asked questions.

The day was passing by quickly and still there were no signs of John. The brothers were cold and hungry, and Dean was getting worried but hid it from Sammy.

"I'm cold," Sammy whined as he pulled the blanket tighter around him. "And hungry."

"I know Sammy," Dean replied.

"When is Dad coming?"

"I don't know. Hopefully any time now. We have to be patient."

"What if he doesn't come? What are we going to do?"

"I'll think of something." Dean got up to stretch and move around a little to warm up. He happened to glance at the pumps and saw a dark colored car pull up to one of them. He froze when he recognized the men getting out as the ones from the motel. "Sammy, get up and ease around the side of the building," Dean whispered as he backed after him not taking his eyes off the men. He knew they had to get out of there before they were found.

Once they were out of sight, Dean guided them to the parked vehicles at the back of the building and found a truck with a large tarp over the back and urged Sammy into the back. He got in after him and they squeezed under the tarp to hide. It wasn't long before the owner came out and cranked the truck to drive away. Dean didn't know where they were going to end up but hoped they could get out before being found by the driver.

Hours later the vehicle stopped again, and Dean listened when he heard the door slam as the driver got out. He could hear him moving around the truck and heard the cap being taken off so he could pump gas. He waited to be sure the driver was gone before peeking out from under the tarp. When he saw the coast was clear, he got Sammy out and they ran for the side of the building. They were at a convenience store, but where he didn't know.

"I need to use the restroom Dean," Sam whined as he fidgeted.

"Okay, we'll go inside in a minute Sammy," Dean told him before looking inside the store to see who was in there. Once he was satisfied it looked safe, he took Sammy inside and back to the restroom. They did their business and headed back into the store.

"Can we get something to eat?" Sammy asked in a hopeful voice.

"We'll split a drink and pack of crackers," Dean told him looking in the cooler section for a juice and then headed to the snacks aisle to find the cheapest crackers. He went to the cashier and paid before going outside to split the food with Sammy. He gave him four of the crackers and only took two for himself. He made sure Sammy got most of the juice too. Dean would go hungry before letting Sammy not eat.

"Where are we?" Sammy asked looking around.

"We're somewhere in Iowa."

"What are we going to do now?" he asked before cramming another cracker in his mouth.

"I'm calling Uncle Bobby," he told Sammy. "He'll come and get us."

"Do you think so?"

"Yeah, I'm sure he will. You wait here and I'll go call him." Dean walked to the pay phone and picked up the receiver to call the operator and make a collect call to Bobby Singer. The brothers hadn't seen him in a while, not since he and their father had a falling out, but Bobby had told Dean if he ever needed help to call him. He made sure Dean had his work and home number before John took the boys away.

A/N: Thank you for coming on this journey with me. I do like reviews/comments. NC