AU: this is one of my favorite chapters I've ever written in this story so please enjoy:)) thank you for the reviews, follows, hearts and comments! can't wait to continue!
- auggie
Untamed Siblings
"Dean, stop!" Eli shouted, pushing her brother off of her.
"You stop! Your elbow is literally in my spleen," Dean retorted.
"That's not your spleen, Dean." Sam replied, smiling.
"No, but this," Dottie said, shoving her hand right into Sam's side.
"OW!" Sammy yelled, holding onto his side, while Dottie laughed and Eli and Dean continued to fight for the right to sit comfortably.
"That's ENOUGH," John yelled, pulling the car over to the side of the road. Bobby, the kids' adopted uncle, sat in the front seat laughing at all four of them being squished together like sardines. "If one more of you says any other word besides 'yes sir' before we get to Bobby's, my belt is coming off. Got me?" He said frustrated.
"Yes, sir," They all somewhat grumbled in unison and all offensive movements were dropped. To John's defense it had been an incredibly difficult couple of weeks. Dean got suspended, Sam was biting at the bit to be a normal kid, Dottie was pushing John to include her with everything involving hunting, and Eli, well Eli was at the age where she didn't listen at all - even to John Winchester - which was a dangerous game waiting to happen. The car pulled back onto the road and the Winchester's were on their way again.
"Dad?" Dot asked, speaking softly from the back seat. All of the siblings looked at her horrified as she spoke again, but she wasn't afraid — she was not afraid of anything.
"What Dottie?" His eyes met hers from the rear view mirror.
"Are Dean and I coming with you on this one with uncle Bobby?" She, of course, knew the answer to this question but, nonetheless it was worth asking.
"After all that has happened this week with you sneaking out to try to find this son of a bitch, alone nonetheless, you think I'd be willing to take you?" John asked seriously, not dropping his death stare in the mirror.
"No sir," she slumped into the seat, looking out the window at the passing fall leaves.
"Dottie, drop the lip, don't pout." Dad ordered, upset about something that was not reasonable.
"Yes, sir," she smiled, non-genuinely.
"Dean!" Eli yelled once more.
"What? I didn't do anything!" He said defensively looking paranoid up to their dad in the front seat.
"Eli," John growled. "Knock it off."
"But he just —"
"Would you rather have this conversation with me, or with my belt because one of those things is reasonable and trust me, it's not the second option." Eli gulped, her dad rarely ever spoke to her that way. She was the baby after all, right?
"Y-yes sir," the voice was quiet and almost fearful.
"When we get to Bobby's I want two miles from each of you in under fifteen minutes. Eli, you've got 4 miles."
"Yes, sir." came the voices in unison once again.
Dean's arm reached around his sister. He hated when she acted like a four year old, but if there was anything wrong he wanted her to know that he would always be there for her — no matter the circumstance. Eli lay her head into his chest, still fuming at her father. She was going to get back at her father … somehow.
"Alright," John said authoritatively, pulling into Bobby's driveway. "Out and start on that PT. Eli come 'ere." John pointed towards her, beckoning her to come closer.
"Yes?" She questioned, trying to look as innocent as possible.
"What you did today in the car today was totally unacceptable and I think that you know that kiddo." Eli nodded her head, eyes finding her shoes. "Hey, eyes up here," He motioned, putting his hand under her chin and raising her eyes to meet him. "The next time that this happens, me and you are gonna have some serious issues, you got me?" He questioned, raising his eyebrow.
"Yes," she whispered.
"Yes, what?" John questioned inquisitively.
"Yes, sir," Came the quiet whisper once more.
"Good, now go ahead and get started. Four miles kid," John ordered. Eli nodded her head and took off as fast as she could away from her father. Thankfully Dean, Sam and Dottie had slowed down to wait for her.
"Hey," she said quietly, "Thanks for waiting."
"No problem," Dottie winked, smiling.
"Dad is being such a dickhead." Eli pronounced confidently.
"Hey!" Dean shouted somewhat forbiddingly, "Just because you're pissed at dad for giving you what you had coming to you, doesn't mean that you can talk about him like that." Dean said authoritatively, staring daggers at his sister. Sam laughed a little louder than he meant to and Dottie rolled her eyes sighing with a smirk, both of which drew Dean's unwanted attention.
"Dean, chill out. You're not dad's lawyer or whatever else. He's not here. Let Eli vent it out." Dottie defended, shoving his arm.
"Whatever," Dean grumbled.
"Come on, what'd dad say, Eli?" Questioned Dottie.
"He said, I'm a jerk who gets mad at people for no reason," She mocked.
"Ok," Dean stopped, grabbing Eli's shoulder. "Dot, Sam keep going, we will meet up with you in a little." Dottie began to disagree, but was interrupted by Dean. "No, Dot," He said, shaking his head, "Just let me have this one." Dottie nodded and nudged Sam's shoulder.
"Come on, Sam," Dottie said quietly and the two were off.
Sam and Dottie
After putting some distance between Eli and Dean, the two began to question what Dean was talking to the Youngest Winchester about. "He better be kind to her or I'll slug him, you know I will Sam,"
"I know that you will, Dot," He said, smiling and laughing to himself a bit. "I'm sure that it's nothing. Just Dean being Dean and Eli being her stubborn self," He shrugged as best he could while running.
"I guess so. I just wish she'd stop trying to pick fights with dad. I mean I'll always side with Eli over dad and I know that you feel the same, it's just that I wish we could stop all of the fighting."
"Me too. You know how I feel about dad, but it seems like he's on edge most of the time now and more than half of it is because of her. Maybe she needs to spar it out?" Sam questioned with a small smirk.
"That could work!" Dottie exclaimed. "I think she'd feel better if she could take it out on a hunt but dad will never let her come on a hunt while she's like this. He barely is letting me help on this one!"
"Me either, but I'd rather be with Bobby researching anyway." Sam shrugged once more.
"I know Sammy," Dottie smiled, "Come on, I don't think that they're gonna catch up with us anytime soon, might as well get back to help dad." So, the two took off running back to Bobbi's house.
"Race you there," Sam gestured.
"You are so on," Dottie smirked and the two took off running full speed.
Dean and Eli
"Eli, this has to stop. If you keep talking about him this way, he's gonna hear you and this will all be a thousand times worse than it already is." Dean chided, tiredly.
Eli rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she grumbled, kicking the rocks under her feet.
"Elizabeth!" Dean was beginning to get more frustrated. Eli flinched at the use of her full name. "Seriously, knock it off, you're acting like you're four years old!"
"And you're acting like dad! You're not my dad Dean!" The look of hurt on Dean's face was unmatched.
"Wow," He whispered, looking at her incredulously. Eli realized her mistake immediately. Dean was, in every way, a father figure to her, more so than John had ever been.
"Dean, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean that." She pleaded looking at him with her big blue eyes. "I didn't mean it… I swear..." her voice trailed off.
"See Eli," He said, hurt, "This is what's gonna happen when you act like a damn child. You're gonna hurt someone. This may feel like retribution against dad for whatever the hell reason, but your anger is coming out on me, and eventually it will come out on Dottie and Sam. Do you really want that, do you want to hurt them? Maybe have them feel the same pain you're feeling right now?" Eli's eyes were beginning to fill with tears. Everything was starting to fall into perspective.
"I don't wanna hurt anyone," she whispered.
"Then stop acting like a child." He said immediately and straightforwardly. Eli nodded her head and ran into her brother.
"I'm sorry bubba. I didn't mean it, I didn't mean to hurt you." She apologized through her tears.
Dean wrapped his arms around his sister. "It's okay sunshine, just if you can't do this for dad, do it for us, okay?"
"Yes, Dean," She whispered.
"Now come on, we've still got three miles left." He smiled, looking down at her.
"You mean I have three miles, you only have one more, Dean."
"Eh, whose keeping track," He winked, nudging her shoulder and beginning to run the continuous trail.
Secrets
"Where's Dean?" John asked as Sam and Dottie approached the front porch.
"He should be coming soon, he stopped to talk to Eli while we were running," Dottie replied.
"Tell him to get inside as soon as he gets back." He ordered unkindly, getting up and walking inside.
"Who spit in his coffee?" Dottie whispered quietly to Sam.
"What was that, Dot?" John questioned, stopping in his tracks, but not turning around.
"Nothing dad, sorry just something about the hunt," Dottie replied.
"Uh huh," John answered, continuing to walk back inside.
"That was close," Sam whispered.
"No kidding," Dot replied. Dean and Eli approached the house a couple minutes later still out of breath from their run. "Hey Dean, dad needed you for something, probably about the hunt." Dottie informed him. "Hey, while you're in there can you ask him if I can help out? I know he said that I can't go, but maybe I could help with the research side of things?" She asked hopefully.
"I'll see what he says," Dean answered, making his way inside. As he entered the house he was greeted by an often unpleasant John Winchester.
"Finally, come 'ere Dean," John ordered. "I need you to help Bobby and I go through this. I can't have you telling Eli or Dottie about this new update. Can I trust you son?" He questioned, holding Dean's eye contact.
"Yes dad," He answered, "but what's new that they can't help with? You know that Dottie is nipping at the reins to be a part of this hunt."
"It's the djinn. He only preys on females. I'm serious Dean, you cannot let them anywhere near this case. That's why I've been more of a hard ass lately; No one is following my orders and if a breach of my orders gets someone killed on this hunt, I'll revive them after they're dead and murder them myself." John warned forebodingly.
"Yes, I promise I won't let them anywhere near it dad, I don't want them to get hurt either. Can I just go let Dottie know she can't help out right now? She's pretty anxious about all of this. She thinks you hate her or something, dad." Dean tried to plead.
"Yeah, I guess," John stated, rubbing his hand against his forehead.
"Okay, I'll be right back in!" Dean ran back outside to brief his siblings on the news.
"Well?" Dottie questioned.
"Sorry, Dot," Dean shook his head.
"Damn it," she said under her breath.
"Hey, dad asked if you guys could run and grab a couple things from the market, maybe some dinner for tonight?" Dean lied, hoping to throw his siblings off any trail.
"Yeah, whatever," Dottie sighed, "Can I have the keys?" She asked, holding out her hand.
"Fine," Dean grumbled, fishing them out of his pocket. "Be careful with her," he warned, pointing a finger at his sister.
"Yeah, yeah," Dottie grumbled, beginning to walk to the car.
"Don't forget the pie!" Dean yelled as the three started to make their way to Baby.
"Dottie," Eli whispered, "he's hiding something from us, I can feel it."
"What would he be hiding?" She questioned opening the car door.
"I don't know but it's about the hunt. We have to try and find out what he's keeping from us."
Dottie smirked, "Consider me … on the case." She said, turning the key in the ignition.
"What are you guys talking about?" Sam questioned.
"Nothing!" The two said in unison. Eli smiled at her older sister and the three of them made their way to the market.
Investigation Pt. I
Dean sat quietly at the table with Bobby and John trying to identify some facts about the women seeking djinn they were hunting.
"Why do you think that it only targets chicks?" Dean questioned, not looking up from his book. Bobby let out a little chuckle.
"I don't know Dean, but I could say the same about you," He smiled, causing a baffled Dean to look up from his research.
"Hey, I don't seek out chicks, they find me," He smirked.
"Enough Dean." John said shortly typing away at the family computer.
"John, loosen up, will ya? We'll find this idjit and take him down before you know it. No one is gonna get hurt, you know that any one of us in this room would die before Dottie, Eli, or Sam get injured by this son of a bitch." Bobby tried to interject.
"I know Bobby." John said shortly. "What I am worried about is them trying to solve this case on their own and get themselves killed in the process for no damn good reason!" John said, slamming the laptop.
"Dad!" Dean jumped a little bit. "You know that nothing like that is going to happen."
"It might, Dean," John growled towards his eldest son. After that pronouncement both the Winchester and Singer boys began to continue their research, now in silence as John continued to grumble away at the laptop.
Investigation Pt. II
"So here's the deal Samantha,"
"That's not my name," Sam complained under his breath.
"Yeah, yeah listen, we know that Dean and Dad are hiding something from us about this case. But what we don't know, is why. And we especially don't know why Dean is hiding something from us. He is always such a stickler about honesty and how he's being a lump of old cottage cheese." Both of the siblings grimaced at that mental image.
"Dottie, I hate when you say things like that," Sam said with a disgusted look on his face, as Eli smiled. "And also, while I agree it's odd that Dean would be hiding something from us, if he was, wouldn't he have good reason to?" Sam tried to defend. "I mean Dottie you snuck out three nights ago to try and catch this djinn and you got seriously injured!"
"You got what?" Eli questioned, looking up to her older sister. "You said that nothing went wrong , w…what happened Dot?"
"It's really nothing Eli, it was just a scratch," She tried to under exaggerate the damage that this creature had done to her.
"Let me see Dottie." Eli ordered, an unusual thing for her to do at all. Nodding her head, Dottie lifted up her shirt to reveal a large 8' knife wound from her left shoulder to lower hip. "Dottie," Eli whispered, "This isn't little. This … This is gonna be a scar. A badass scar but still, why wouldn't you tell me?"
Dottie chuckled, yes, it would be a pretty cool wound when healed. "Look Eli, I didn't tell you because I was worried. This son of a bitch is not someone that we should take lightly." She sighed looking down at her mark, "But it's almost like he targeted me…" Dottie trailed off, "Before I went in, there was another hunter, he offered to help out since he'd heard about the case over the hunter line or whatever. Since I was alone, I told him that he could help out but this was my hunt," She emphasized with a pointed finger towards herself, "But when we found the djinn inside, it's like he took a look at me and then the guy I was with and the djinn chose to attack me. I know that it's probably nothing, but it has been giving me an uneasy feeling." Dottie shook her head. "The other hunter was in front of me, I came through the door after him and the son of a bitch still came after me."
Eli and Sam listened closely to Dottie's story, attempting to discover maybe something that she had missed or a minor detail that was overlooked.
"You said that he went in before you?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, I had been checking out another area and I walked in a couple seconds after him." Came the reply.
"Maybe he's like Dean," Eli giggled to herself.
"What do you mean," Dottie's eyebrow lifted, "Oh!" She exclaimed, "Maybe the djinn is only targeting women! That's why dad doesn't want us to be a part of the hunt!"
Sam shook his head, floppy hair gently whipping back and forth. "No, that doesn't make sense. If he's only targeting women then why wouldn't dad want me to help out?"
"Really Sam?" Dottie smirked.
"No, it's not that Sammy, dad knows you're not a chick." Eli interrupted, rolling her eyes at her sister. "It's probably because you're not exactly in his best favor either. I mean, yeah I fight with dad, but so do you. We are kinda in the same boat here."
"I guess," he answered.
"Come on Sammy, dad's pissed at all of us right now, don't take it to heart." Dottie nudged his shoulder and ruffled his hair while trying to give him some affirmation.
"I guess," he replied once again.
"Well if he is targeting women, then we have to try and stop him. I mean who knows how many he has already taken and how many more there will be. There could be daughters, sisters, even mothers," Eli grimmiced, "taken away from their families. If dad doesn't want our help, he's just gonna have to suck it up, because I'm not letting someone else's mother die to the supernatural like ours did."
Both Sam and Dottie paused. "DAMN!" Dottie exclaimed. "Well with that speech I think that we could take on the world!" She smiled, "Now, if we're gonna do this that means all three of us have to be in, sooo Sammy? You in?" She questioned, looking at her brother, knowing full well that if his mom was involved, he would be too.
"Yeah, let's take him down," Sam smiled.
"Hell yeah." Dottie whispered.
Group Therapy
"We're home! Dottie announced coming through the front door, "AND we have pie!" With that proclamation all research was dropped, but put down in a way that Dottie or Eli's eyes couldn't see the details of the hunt.
"Finally!" Came Dean's exasperated reply, "I thought that you guys got lost."
"No, just trying to find the cheapest brands we could," Sam replied.
"Good, cause we're gonna need that money to buy some lamb's blood." John announced, getting up from Bobby's table and walking towards the newly bought groceries, hoping that Dottie may have grabbed some whisky for him and Bobby. Thankfully Dottie had grabbed some Wild Turkey which was immediately opened by the patriarch of the family.
"Lamb's blood?" Eli questioned subtly while opening a bag of raw hamburger meat to grill for dinner.
"Yeah," John replied, "It's the only way to kill it."
"What is it?'" Eli questioned knowing full well what it was, but just wanting to see how far she could push before John pushed back.
"Eli," he sighed, "I'm too tired to deal with this right now. I made it clear that I want you guys nowhere near this hunt and that's it. I have the final word. So stop asking." John answered.
"I was just - "
"Eli! The only answer that is acceptable to what I just said is 'yes sir.' Is that clear?" John questioned in a way that wasn't really a question, facing his daughter.
"Yes sir," Came her reply. "Sorry dad,"
John rubbed his hand over his face, "Why don't you just head to bed for the night. You just blew the last chance of patience you had from me for the evening."
Eli opened her mouth to speak, but stopped once she saw Dean shaking his head. If you try to hurt dad, you'll hurt the others. She repeated in her head from Dean's earlier conversation. "Yes sir," Eli replied, setting the meat down on the counter and making her way up the staircase with tears in her eyes and anger in her heart.
Dottie, on the other hand, wasn't afraid to bite back. She'd do anything for her siblings, even if it was against their father. She would never do anything to let them get hurt. "Dad, come on, she didn't mean that. At least let her have some supper." Dottie defended.
"Head upstairs Dottie Grayson," Came John's tired voice.
"Dad, come on I'm nineteen years — "
Dottie's voice trailed off as she saw her dad turn around and walk towards her. In a voice in between a whisper and a growl he said, "I don't care if you are nine or nineteen, you listen to my orders. Without question. Every. Single. Time."
Dottie swallowed the lump in her throat, wanting so bad to scream and yell in his face, tell him that what he is doing is unfair and unjustified. However, she knew that it wasn't the time. If she wanted to prove to her father that she has what it takes to go on dangerous hunts, she had to follow at least some orders. "Yes sir," she replied, looking at him straight in the eyes, no fear surrounding her voice. Turning around, Dottie made her way up the stairs.
This was it. Dottie's plan had worked. With both of them confined to their quarters there was no chance that they could be caught. As both siblings snuck out onto the roof, they knew that there was no turning back. The sisters would catch this monster — dead or alive.
"Who runs the world?" Dottie asked, smiling and helping her sister off the roof.
"Girls. Girls run the world," Eli smiled back, and the two were off.
Find Them
A couple hours had passed since Dottie and Eli's escape and the boys were finally getting back around to eating. "Damn it, why did Eli get the turkey one?" Dean asked somewhat disgustedly.
"Turkey? Maybe she just didn't read it," Sam suggested.
"Dean, forget about the meat. I can't read this note that Eli wrote in my journal, will you go and grab her?" John asked, interrupting the siblings' conversations.
"Yeah," Dean replied, putting the meat down on the counter. "Do you want her to come down or would you rather have me bring it up to her?"
"Just bring her down, it'll only take a second." John replied not taking his eyes off of her handwriting, which was usually spotlessly neat. Dean put the turkey on the kitchen table and went to climb the steps when he was stopped by Sam, who knew of Dottie and Eli's great escape plan.
"Hey!" Sam said worriedly, "What if they're sleeping? Why would we wanna wake them up?" He said, voice panicked.
"Because dad needs this info Sam," Dean answered shortly.
"Yeah, but -"
"Sam? What are you hiding?" Dean had always been excellent in reading his younger brother and could spot the beginning of deception immediately.
Sam swallowed the lump that was growing in his throat, "N…nothing,"
John, who overheard his boys' conversation, made a point to slide his chair back loudly from Bobby's kitchen table and walk over to his youngest son. "Samuel, you had better tell me boy what the hell is going on," his voice rang out at such a tone that it sent chills down both of the boy's backs. When Sam did not answer, John gave the very familiar order, "Report, Samuel."
Now, the youngest son had no choice but to tell the whole truth, and yes, nothing but the truth. "Well, uh, Dottie and Eli may have snuck out to try and find the djinn." He tried to say as quietly as possible to possibly soften the blow.
"They what?" John replied in such a way that would surely make the toughest man fall to his knees.
"Y-yes sir, they … they asked me to help them cover for them, so it's my fault dad, please, please don't be upset at them, I'm the one who started to hide the plan." Sammy did his best, but deep down even John was not gonna let his son take the blame for his daughter's actions.
"Get to your damn bedroom Samuel," He growled, grabbing his son by the shoulder and shoving him into the boys' shared bedroom. Sam started to sniffle and John grabbed him by the ear and turned him around, "Stop your damn crying or I'll give you something to cry about." His head hung as the youngest son made his way to his room.
"Dean!" John shouted, though his son was standing right next to him, "Get out in the car, I want you to look for Dottie and Eli," He grabbed his son by the shirt, "And don't fucking stop until you find them," John growled, as Dean swallowed the lump in his throat. As fast as he possibly could, Dean made his way out of the door and into the car.
"Come on girls," He said disappointingly. "Come on…" Dean's voice trailed off as he started the engine of his baby up and only the sound of his squealing tires could be heard throughout the vast and tree filled forest.
Girls run the …
"You're so weird Dottie," She said, shaking her head, looking in the direction of her oldest sister.
"That's only because you know that I'm the funniest sister," She smiled, pulling the knife away from her mouth so that she no longer had a metal mustache. "Hey," Dottie walked over and nudged her younger sister, "What's up, Eli?"
Eli's chest was beginning to hitch and her vision was becoming blurry with each passing thought. What will Dean say? What will dad do? What will happen to Sam for lying? Anxiety filled the young girl's heart.
"Eli, ELI," Dottie said worriedly, her voice breaking through Eli's thoughts as she stood shaking her sister's shoulders. "You gotta breathe with me, partner. "You're having another panic attack, I need you to focus on me." Eli nodded and began to follow the breaths of Dottie. Soon enough her breathing evened out and her diaphragm began to rise and fall at a normal rhythm.
"I am sorry Dot," Came Eli's quiet voice.
"What? Why?" Dottie responded confused.
"Ever since that night at Flagstaff you know that it's been difficult for me when I get so worried." She hung her head. "Thank you for helping me, cowgirl …"
"Hey," Dottie's hand raised Eli's chin and their eyes met. "Don't apologize, partner. I know that you're worried about Dean, but I promise that we are doing the right thing. You believe me right? If we wait for Dean and Dad, the djinn may end up killing someone else."
Eli nodded her head. She did believe Dottie, and she was right, but that didn't make her any less worried. "Yes, Dottie, I know,"
Dottie nudged her sister and smiled, "Come on dorkus, let's keep going,"
Eli grinned and continued to follow Dottie throughout the woods. After a couple more miles of walking, Eli noticed a cabin deep in the woods about 300 yards away. "Hey Dottie, look at that." She pointed towards the house.
"Come on," She replied and the pair began walking. "There's no cars out front, I bet no one's home. We should see if we can make camp here for the night. The suns getting pretty low and we won't have much time before we're walking in the dark."
Eli looked worriedly at her sister. "Aren't we too close to Bobby's house? I mean we've only been walking for about five miles. What if they find the cabin?"
"We've been staying with Bobby forever and we've never seen this before. I'm sure that we'll be okay." Dottie smiled reassuringly. Eli nodded her head and they approached the front door. Dottie drew her gun and Eli unsheathed her knife from her thigh. "I'll head in. Stay close behind me," She whispered.
"I gotcha Dottie," Eli responded, matching hber level of volume.
Suddenly Dottie's phone ran and Baby Outlaw began to play loudly through her phone speaker. There was a bang in the living room. "Eli, stay here," She ordered. "Answer my phone, would ya? I'll scope out the area, stay close and quiet." Dottie threw Eli her phone and Eli flipped it over to see the front screen.
Shit. She whispered to herself. The caller ID read:
Call from, Idiot Winchester
Or, in Dottie's language:
Call from, Dean Winchester
Eli's hand fumbled with the phone and she put the device up to her ear. "H-hello?" She whispered.
"Eli?" He said unbelievingly. "Where the fuck are you?!"
Eli swallowed the lump in her throat, and just as she was about to make something up, she heard a scream.
"Dottie!" Eli shouted and dropped the phone.
"Eli, Elizabeth!" Dean's voice trailed off as the youngest Winchester began walking towards the cries of pain.
"Stay there!" Dottie ordered. "My leg is broken," She writhed in pain, "I lost him. He could be anywhere Eli, you have to be careful."
She shook her head, "Okay Dottie," Eli, sheathed her knife and pulled out her Colt, which was a hand me down from Dean. Carefully she started walking to where Dottie was on the floor. "I gotta wrap this up," Eli said determinedly. "Your bone is poking through and if we don't wrap it up, you'll lose too much blood." Quickly, Eli's hands made work of ripping off her flannel and fashioning a John Winchester style tourniquet. "Stay still Dottie."
A million thoughts were racing throughout Dottie's mind. Where is he? What if I can't protect Eli? What if … All of the sudden Dottie saw a shadow coming from the kitchen. "Eli, when I say go, you turn around and shoot. Got me?" She whispered to her younger sister.
Eli nodded and picked up her gun from the floor. The djinn slowly started making his way over to the Winchesters and just as he was fully in sight, Dottie shouted, "NOW!" Eli turned around and fired two shots into his chest. The monster yelled in pain and fell to the ground. "Eli he's not gonna die, we don't have the lamb's blood!"
"What should I do?!" Eli shouted back, panicked. All of the sudden Eli saw another shadow coming from the kitchen. She was about to shoot when quickly, almost too quick for comfort, Dean came behind the monster and used his machete to cut off the beast's head.
"Decapitation always works too." He said coldly. Looking at his sister's he noticed the bone sticking out of Dottie's leg. "Dottie!" He said worriedly. Making his way over to his sister, he threw the keys at Eli. "Pull the car up. Now." And without question, Eli ran out the front door.
"Hey," Dean said quietly, sliding to his knees in front of his sister. "Dottie, you're okay. I'm here Dot." He said running his hands threw her bloodied hair. Dottie smiled as her eyes began to flutter closed. "Hey, come on cowgirl, you gotta keep your eyes open for me." Dottie nodded in pain and tried her best to follow Dean's order. In one swift movement, Dot was up in her brother's arms and in the passenger seat of the car on his lap.
"Drive, Eli." His voice was dead. There was no love or anger or worry in his tone. It was utterly and completely lifeless.
"Yes sir," She responded fearfully. After a few moments of silence, Eli's voice chirped out a morose question, "Is she going to make it Dean?"
Dean considered yelling. Telling his sister that if she would have just listened to him, then none of this would have happened. Ultimately, he chose to answer from the heart, with notes of fear trembling in his voice. "I don't know Eli."
Eli went pedal to the metal and soon enough they were in Bobby's driveway. "Go inside and get dad, we need to go to the hospital now."
"Yes sir," She replied and ran into the house. "Dad!" She yelled slamming open the front door, to see her father standing up behind the table.
"Eli! What the hell, where were you!" He replied, voice full of rage.
"Dad, it's Dottie," Suddenly Eli's breath began to hitch again.
"Hey, hey, hey," John made his way over to his daughter. He knew what was happening and there was nothing he could do until Eli calmed down. He almost felt guilty that he caused one of her panic attacks, but there was no time for remorse. "Breath with me kid," He reassured. She followed his breathing while John's hand rested on her shoulders. After about 10 seconds, her breaths died down and tears ran down her face. "Tell me what's wrong Eli?" He ordered.
"It's Dottie," She stuttered. "She's outside, we need to go to the hospital now!"
Wasting no time, John flung his jacket over his shoulders and grabbed his gun from the table. "SAM! Get your ass out here! Eli run and grab your brother. Get a bag together of pain meds and water. NOW!" He yelled, when she didn't listen immediately. "Bobby left for another supply run and it's obvious that I don't trust you or Sam to be home alone right now," He said coldly as Eli was finding the medication in the cabinet.
"I'm so—" She tried to answer, but was interrupted.
"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Dottie." He said sternly. "Get your brother and your ass outside." John threw on his jacket.
"Yes sir," She responded, unsure whether to answer or not. Within a minute all of the Winchesters were piled into Baby.
"Dean you drive, I need to make sure that she'll be okay on the ride down. It's about a half hour drive."
"Yes sir," Dean replied, moving over to the driver's side door. Eli and Sam sat in the back seat and the Winchester's took off.
"Who tied the bandage around her leg?" John asked.
"I did dad," Eli piped up, worried that maybe she had done something wrong.
"You may have saved her life with that Eli," He began, "Although you also put her life in danger in the first place so I can't tell if you're a good or bad guy here."
Once more, Eli hung her head. She knew that Dottie would be okay, Eli could feel it in her bones, but something inside of her was screaming. Thankfully, John's voice brought her out of that trance.
"Eli when we get back, don't bother packing up your bag to leave." She looked up at him confused.
"Why —"
"You're staying at Bobby's … indefinitely." There it was, a punishment worse than what she could have ever imagined — being seperated from her family.
"Dad —" Dean began as the thought of being separated from his sister was filling him with anxiety. But, he was cut off by his father.
"Don't start Dean." He looked at Eli through the mirror. "I would let Sam stay with you, but it'd be more of a punishment to have him stay with me. Dottie will be with you for a couple weeks while she heals and then we're on the road." He paused. "But you're staying there until you learn that disobeying an order is not something that a Winchetser does. Do you understand me, Elizabeth?" Eli cringed. He only ever used that name when she was in trouble. Since it was their mom's middle name, it had to fill John with pain when he spoke it, thus he didn't say it often.
"But dad —" Eli immediately stopped once she saw the look in her father's eyes. "Yes sir," She tried to answer as clearly as she could. Eli's hands were shaking. Sure she was worried about being separated from her family, but she knew it would only be for a time. What filled the young girl's bones with fear was never being able to see her sister again.
"I know that you were expecting something else to happen in terms of a consequence Eli, but seeing Dottie like this should be punishment enough."
As Eli looked at her father and Dean in the mirror, there was no fear in her eyes — only regret.
Code Blue
"Mr. Winchester, we need you to step away from the table!" A nurse said forcefully, pushing the movable table through the long hospital hallway.
"I need to know she's gonna be alright!" John said snidely looking at the RN.
"Sir, we don't know, but if you continue to interfere you may end up putting her life in jeopardy — more so than it already is now." She was clear and straight to the point. John put his hands up in surrender as the table was wheeled into a brightly lit operating room.
Dottie could faintly make out the faces of the people working above her. She saw a few men and women in surgical caps hovering over her leg. The anesthesia was in defiance of her adrenaline causing a very much conscious Dottie to have some realization of what was happening.
"H…hey," She said slurring, "W-what are you … what are you —" Dottie's words were cut short as the anesthesiologist pumped a short term acting propofol into her IV line.
"15 ml of Prop pushed," The nurse announced, turning and typing at the computer. "We have about five minutes before administering another dose. Would you like me to put the Fent into the line?"
"Push 4ml of the 50mg," The doctor ordered. "Retract." Another tech redjusted Dottie's leg and pushed her skin away with the retracting tool. "Let's get to work."
Meanwhile, John was pacing nervously in the waiting room. He pointed at his oldest son. "Dean, take Sammy for a walk. I need to talk to your sister."
"Dad, come on," Dean attempted, subconsciously moving closer to his little sister.
"No, Dean," John shook his head. "Go."
Sighing, Dean stood to his feet and took Sammy by the shoulder.
"Dad," Sammy tried even though he was in almost as much trouble as Eli. "Please. If there's anyone to blame, it's me."
"Sam, when I say follow your brother, I don't mean stop and debate — it means follow your damn brother." John growled.
"Yes, sir." Sam gulped, feeling Dean's hand on his shoulder. As soon as the Winchester boys were gone, John turned to his youngest daughter.
"What the fuck were you thinking," His voice was as hard as steel. "Your little stunt may have cost Dottie her life. I mean what's more important, right?" He mocked sarcastically, "Eli trying to start her own rebellion or Dottie's life. I mean it must be equal, right?"
"Dad, I'm so sor—"
"Don't you dare, Elizabeth." His voice rumbled. "Don't you dare apologize." Eli turned and wiped the tears that had begun to spill from her eyes.
"Yes sir," She replied quietly and John sighed angrily.
"Get your ass up," He ordered. Eli stood up immediately and began to follow her father down a couple walkways and to the closed door of Dottie's operating room. The hallway was empty and the lights flickered ominously. "Look through the window Eli." Slowly Eli glanced through the surgery room window. Dottie lied supine as the doctors were sawing into her bone. "If she dies," his voice growled, "it's your fault. You hear me," John's voice raised as he grabbed Eli's shirt, pushing her into the opposite side of the hallway wall. "You hear me! It'll be YOUR FUCKING FAULT!"
Suddenly a returning Dean saw what was happening around the corner. "DAD!" Dean exclaimed loudly, "Put her down!" Dean began running towards his father, pushing him away from Eli, who was now openly sobbing. Dean stood, his back facing his siblings ready to defend them by any means necessary as Sammy, who followed his brother, put a protective arm around his sister, whispering reassurances to her.
"Dean, back off," John barked warningly.
"No, dad. Just take a breather. Let me handle it for a minute," Dean tried to reason with his father.
Taking an exasperated breath John responded, "You have ten minutes," He stormed off and out of the hallway.
"Eli," Dean turned and wrapped her into his arms. "Are you okay? What was that all about, huh sunshine?"
"He… he," She stuttered, unable to speak well through her tears. "It's all my fault!" Crashing into her brother's chest, loud sobs echoed throughout the hall.
"Hey, hey," Came Sam's voice, rubbing circles on her back,his tone breaking through her tears. "It's not your fault, Eli. Dad's just being an ass."
"Sam." Dean warned.
"What, Dean?" Sam answered unbelievably, "Didn't you just see what he did? He's being a monster!"
"He's just worried and you know it Sam, just back off and worry about Eli." Dean shot Sam an angry look as he pulled Eli away from his chest. "Kiddo, it's not your fault. You didn't break her leg, did you?"
Eli shook her head, unable to look Dean in the eyes. "No Deanie," Came the quiet voice. "I didn't."
"Deanie, eh?" He smiled. "Haven't heard that one since you were still in diapers."
Eli let out a small smile and tucked her knees into her chest, sliding down the wall till her butt touched the ground. Dean and Sam both took a seat next to her on the floor where they stayed for about five minutes, trying to bring comfort to the distraught Winchester.
However, within another minute, a blue flashing warning light began to blink outside of the operating door.
"What … What is that?" Eli asked worriedly, glancing at her brothers.
Sam's face went white as he looked up towards his siblings in horror.
"It's a code blue." He whispered.
Window Watching
John came running down the hallway following the nurses, almost out running them as they approached the door.
"What the hell is happening!" John shouted, staring daggers at his kids and unintentionally at the hospital staff. Dean stood in front of Eli as Sam continued to look like he had seen a ghost, realizing the dire situation.
"We need you to exit the area Sir. Here why don't we—"
"Tell me what is wrong with my daughter!" John barked at the stressed looking young woman.
"Sir, please," She tried to reason, knowing full well he would be overwhelmed by the situation.
"Dad," Sam began, "It's a code blue emergency," He whispered.
John paused for a moment, staring at his youngest son. Rubbing a hand over his face, he quietly apologized to the nurse who was anxiously and awkwardly standing in the walkway. As the RN ran into the room John looked down at his feet and took a long deep breath.
"Eli,"
"No dad," Dean began, shaking his head. "Please, just … just let it be for now,"
John looked up at his son, having a silent battle of the wills. Winchester vs Winchester. "Watch your tone boy," He warned, but dropped the issue almost as fast as it had been brought up. All of the siblings were on their feet and looking through the OR window. There was medication being pushed into her IV line and another doctor had entered the scene.
"Bubba," Eli whispered, looking horrified at the scene in front of her.
Realizing that though Eli was not really a child anymore — twelve, to be exact — she still was in many ways, a kid. Dean turned her body, leading her by the shoulder. "Come on sunshine, why don't we go wait in the cafeteria. Maybe they'll have some pie," He smiled hungrily, tapping Sam's shoulder to follow them.
Eli grabbed onto his hand for dear life and followed him away from the room. As they turned the corner, John was nowhere to be seen. She wiped her nose, not even realizing that tears were falling from her eyes. Be strong. She thought. Winchesters don't cry.
"Hey," Dean tried, breaking through her thoughts. "Red or blue sunshine?" He asked, pointing to the jello that was neatly piled on the long counter top of the eating area.
"Blue please bubba," She responded quietly.
Dean reached down and ruffled her hair, turning to grab a blue cup of jello. She heard him saying a few words to Sam, though she wasn't quite listening to what they were. A few moments later, they were seated at a table, silently digging into their very unhealthy supper.
"What if she doesn't make it Dean?" Eli whispered, not able to meet her brother's eyes. Eli played with her spoon, mixing the food around messily.
"Eli," He said somewhat sternly, "You know that she will. Dottie is too stubborn to die." Dean laughed so what to himself. "You know she's gonna make it kiddo, it's just a matter of when." Slowly Eli raised her eyes to meet Dean where she saw a very sad look plastered on his face.
"Promise bubba?"
"Yes sunshine, I promise" He responded somewhat immediately. In less than a couple seconds, his eyes turned to a darker shade of green. "But, we still gotta talk about what happened Eli," Dean said, sounding like a calmer version of John.
"No … no we don't have to Dean," Eli tried with a faux smile, very subtly moving away from him.
"Yes, Eli, we do." He said without remorse. "Sam already got an earful from dad, and I know that he gave you a little taste too, but what you did was completely unacceptable Elizabeth." Eli looked down at her hands, trying to find something to occupy her attention. "Hey, eyes up here kid." He ordered, raising her chin to meet his eyes, where more tears were beginning to fill eyes.
"I know bubba," Her voice was almost silent. "I'm so sorry. I did this Dean, it's all my fault."
"No Eli, we talked about this. It's not your fault, but kiddo you realize that if I hadn't found you both, you and Dottie could have died, and that would have been on me."
Eli's eyes widened. "No! No it wouldn't have been your fault!"
"Yes, Eli, it would have been. Right now you feel like it's your fault, but I feel like it's mine." He paused. "I am supposed to look out for you, and I let you slip away and I didn't even notice. That's on me Eli."
Eli shook her head violently. "Deanie," She tried.
"Eli. Stop." He said gently, shaking his head.
"I'm so sorry Dean, I didn't think about it like that." She said sadly.
"I know kiddo," Dean smiled, pain in his eyes. Eli moved to snuggle into his chest, leaving the jello uneaten on the table. Sam's eyes also began to fill with tears.
"I'm sorry Dean," He began, "I didn't think about what would happen to you if dad found out. I was selfish, I'm so sor—"
"I know. Come 'ere Sammy," He said quietly, raising his arm for his younger brother to come and hug his body. Sam smiled and moved to the other side of the table on the opposite side of Eli. All three siblings sat in a line on the bench nuzzled into the oldest Winchester as clinical voices could be heard all throughout the hospital.
Unbeknownst to the siblings, John peered around the corner, watching the interaction take place. He could tell that Dean had scolded them both, but then also show love and forgiveness — something that he had never been particularly good at. For the first time in a while, John was jealous of Dean's relationship with his siblings. He wished that he could be a father and show the same kind of love that Dean did — but he couldn't or maybe just didn't have the heart to. He knew that if Mary were there, she would be so disappointed in him. She would hate the man that he became, both to his children but also what he had done to himself. Sighing, John placed his head into his hands, and felt an overwhelming amount of guilt flood over him. With emotion lining his eyes, he started walking to his daughter's room.
"Pull through for me Dot. Pull through."
John Winchester
"Page for John Winchester." A loud voice came in over the hospital speakers. "Page for John Winchester, room 313." Sitting at the cafeteria table, Dean quickly shook both of his siblings awake, as they had fallen asleep curled up next to his chest.
"Hey, hey," He said louder the second time. "It's Dottie." With groggy eyes, the siblings shot up from the bench. Dean stood to his feet and grabbed Eli's hand. "Come on." Truthfully, Dean was not worried as he knew that Dottie would pull through, he just had to believe.
As the siblings arrived outside of the operating room door, John was standing stiffly, talking to the nurse. Dean noticed his father's shoulders relax and he couldn't help but feel at peace before even hearing the words that she was okay. Their father turned to face the siblings with a look of relief on his face. "She's going to be okay," He said in a voice that was moderately toned down than before.
"Thank You God," Dean whispered to himself. Before anyone knew what had happened, Eli ran to swing open the doors to the room, which had apparently still been locked.
"Hey there princess," John said calmly, easily picking up Eli from underneath her armpits. "We can't go in there yet. She's still waking up and needs to rest up for a few more hours, before they feel comfortable having visitors in."
Eli nodded her head, facing her father while being held in his arms. Looking down, she began playing with her fingers, unsure whether he was still upset with her or not. "Hey princess," He began. "Look at me Eli." Slowly she looked up, seeing a look of grief in her dad's eyes. "I'm sorry." Sam and Dean looked at their father in shock, for he rarely apologized, especially to Eli. "I shouldn't have exploded on you like that. Yes, you seriously screwed up kid," He said sternly, "but this wasn't the time or place to discuss it. Don't get me wrong, we are still going to have a discussion about this, but I'm not gonna do what I did before, okay? I promise." John concluded with almost all of his children looking at him in surprise. John wanted to be different. He wanted to be like his son, as backwards as that sounded. John knew that something needed to change, and he wanted to start with fixing himself.
"Thank you daddy," She whispered, laying her head down on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. We shouldn't have run off like that, and I haven't been very respectful to you. I'm sorry dad, I'll do better." John smiled and put his hand on her back, supporting her weight with one arm. Sure she was twelve, but John had a marine strength that made him stronger than the average man. "But dad, please don't leave me behind," She started again, pulling her head up at her father and looking at him with puppy eyes like Sam.
"Eli," His voice trailed off, "You have to … you know what, how about we talk about this later, okay?"
She nodded her head, looking sadly at her father. "Yes dad." John maneuvered himself to a seating position against the blurred glass of Dottie's room. His boys followed his movement of sitting down and the Winchester's waited for the call.
I Am Dottie Grayson Winchester
Dottie's eyes began to flutter open at the harsh white light hanging above her head. Memories started to crash back into her brain like an ocean wave being held back by a river dam. The lower half of her body felt numb almost as if it was still fast asleep. All of her upper body muscles seemed to ache with exhaustion as the surgical nap had not served as an adequate rest for the young girl.
"Eli," She tried to speak, but her throat was dry. A nurse came over to her bedside and put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Hey sweetheart," She said softly, "Try to remain still, your anesthesia has just begun to wear off. I have to stay here with you till you are awake enough to have your family come back into the room."
Dottie nodded her head as her eyes felt heavy again. No. She thought. I need to stay awake. Above all else, she wanted to see her family and she knew that the faster she woke up, the quicker the other Winchesters would be with her. A few minutes later, Dottie had convinced the nurse to sit her bed up in a straighter position and the television was playing in the corner of the recovery room.
"Well, how are you feeling Ms. Winchester? Can I go ahead and grab your dad?" She asked, disconnecting the blood pressure cuff, pulse ox and EKG strips from Dottie's body.
"Yes please," She replied respectfully. "Thank you," Dottie smiled and covered herself back up into the blanket. The anesthesia was almost all but worn off and while her leg was still feeling numb, her brain was very much active. The nurse made her way out of the room, and two minutes later John Winchester followed the employee into the OR.
"Dottie!" He exclaimed, walking quickly over to her bed, and gently wrapping her into a fatherly bear hug.
"Hi dad," She said quietly, a couple tears escaping from her eyes and falling onto his flannel.
"Hey, hey, hey," John began, whilst rubbing a hand on circles on her back. "What's the matter outlaw?"
Dottie's arms collapsed tighter around his body. "I just missed you," She replied tearfully, "I am so sorry dad, I don't know what I was thinking. I got Eli and Sam involved and everything just went to shit. Dad, I'm just so sorry," Dottie said albeit very quickly.
"Dot," John began, pulling her away from his body. "We can talk about it later. Right now I just want to focus on making sure that my daughter is okay. Does that sound good?" Dottie nodded, smiling up towards her dad. "Now, how would you feel about having everyone else come on in? They've all been seriously worried about you kiddo,"
Dottie barely rolled her eyes, "I'm not a kid, dad," Dottie smiled, grabbing onto John's hand. "But, yes, please. I really want to see everyone too."
John nodded his head and gave her hand a little gentle squeeze. "One second Dot," He winked, letting go of her hand and walking out of the room.
"Dottie!" Eli exclaimed, only seconds later, jumping onto Dottie's bed and wrapping her arms around her sister. "We were so worried! I am so sorry! I'm so glad that you're okay!" Dottie hissed a little at the pain of having another person on top of her because of her injuries, but she ignored it. However, within a couple seconds, the weight was lifted from her chest and the Dean was lifting the youngest Winchester off of her body.
"You gotta be careful sunshine, or you might hurt her more," Dean chided looking down at Eli. "Dottie," He began, turning his attention to her. "I'm so glad you're okay cowgirl," Dean smiled, wrapping her in a comfortingly soft embrace.
"I missed you dorkus," She replied with a smile, ruffling his hair when he pulled away from her body. Dean rolled his eyes and returned the gesture of messy hair to his sister.
As for Sam, he had tears in his eyes looking up at his older sister. "Dottie," He began, but was cut off by a curt head nod.
"No Sam," She began, "This isn't on you, just … just come 'ere," Dottie said, opening her arms to receive his body against her own. Sam stayed there for a while, thankful that he was able to have her alive, next to him.
John glanced down at his watch and looked around the room. Dottie raised her head towards him, once she peeled Sam from her arms. "What did you tell the hospital?"
John grinned, "Bear attack," He stated matter of factly.
"Oooh," Dottie smiled, "I survived a bear attack? That's pretty badass." John rolled his eyes and looked back down at his watch.
"How are you feeling Dot? Almost good enough to leave? I want to get you out of here before they start asking anymore questions. or ask more questions about insurance."
Dottie shook her head, "Well, definitely not good enough to walk obviously, but if we have to leave, maybe there's a wheelchair we could use."
"I'll go ask around," Dean added, leaving the room. Moments later he returned both with a wheelchair and a grin. "That nurse is hot." He smiled as the rest of the Winchester's rolled their eyes.
"Gross." Eli said, sticking out her tongue.
"Alright, let's get you loaded up Dot. Dean, can you bring the Impala around? Sam, why don't you head out with Dean and we will meet you down by the main entrance." Both boys dutifully nodded the noggins and made their way out the hospital. John, for the first time since the preemptive love fest had begun, looked seriously at both of his girls. "Dottie, we are all so happy that you're alive and okay, but the three of us are still going to have a chat back at Bobby's about this. Got me?" He said gruffly.
"Yes sir," Came the unison reply. Eli and Dottie looked at each other nervously. Before long, the five were back in the Impala and on the way back to the older hunter's home.
Consequences
"Eli," John began, pointing a finger and motioned at her to come towards him. "Come 'ere."
"Yes dad?" She asked, making her way over to his side.
"Sit down kiddo." He ordered not unkindly, pointing to a tree stump outside of Bobby's house. Moments before, Sam, Dean and Dottie had all made their way inside by this point, leaving John and Eli alone. "We gotta finish talking about this. I will talk to Dottie in a couple days when she's healed up a little more, but we got some consequences to dish out." John's voice was somewhat ominous.
"Dad—"
"No Eli, what happened was unacceptable. I know that you thought your actions were justified, but everything about this situation screams insubordination." Eli hung her head and her eyes focused on her worn shoes. "Hey, eyes up here Eli,"
Eli lifted her head and met the brown eyes of her father. "Dad, I'm sorry," Her voice was quiet.
It was at this moment that John saw the true age of his daughter. Her whole life, he had looked at her as an adult, but in truth she was only 12. The expectations set on her were not that of a normal preteen. John put his head into his hands and sighed deeply.
"One month."
Eli's head turned to the side. "One month?" She questioned.
"One month at Bobby's." There it was — the decision.
"Dad—"
"No, Eli," He began, shaking his head. "This is what happens when you go off and do what you did. But more importantly — you're still a kid." Eli turned her head and stared at him confused.
"What does that have to do with anything?" She questioned with large young eyes.
"Eli, you were thrown into this just like your siblings, and staying with Bobby, well maybe it'll give you a chance to just be a kid for a while — a well behaved one, but a kid nonetheless." He smiled, looking at the tear stained girl in front of him. "Eli, I want you to understand that this is a punishment, but it's also just a chance to exist without any worry of a hunt."
"But dad, there's monsters wherever we go and staying with Bobby isn't going to change that." She added in, matter-of-factly.
"You may be right about that, but it will distance you from everything. kid, you're lucky that this is all that's happening." John looked at her sternly. "You really screwed up Elizabeth and this is nothing compared to what it could have been. You're lucky that I'm not in the butt beating mood, otherwise your ass would be grass."
Eli flinched at his tone and nodded her head, wiping a tear from her eye. "Yes sir," She said respectfully. "Just one month though, right."
"Right." He nodded, looking at her seriously.
Eli sighed and stood to her feet. "May I please go inside dad?"
John, for the second time that night, looked sadly at his daughter. "Go ahead kiddo. We're leaving as soon as Dottie can walk with crutches. Maybe just a couple more nights."
"Yes sir," She responded, looking down at her feet.
"Alright kiddo, come on let's get some dinner." He smiled sadly looking once more at the blue eyed, blonde haired child in front of him. Eli's head bounced and the pair made their way into the house. Dottie lay sleeping on the couch as Dean downed a beer at the table with the laptop open working on research. Bobby sat with the arms crossed and hat covering his face, trying to hide the fact he was passed out sleeping, and Sammy lay next to Dottie watching Scooby-Doo on the television. Eli smiled looking around the room thinking that for the first time ever, she wouldn't have them — she would be utterly and completely alone. But, Dottie was safe and her family was okay, and to Eli, that's all that mattered.
One month
A couple days later, the Winchester's minus Eli were loading their luggage into the Impala. John shared a sad look with his daughter, as the rest of the siblings hugged around Eli. Tears were shed and promises were made, but in truth Eli didn't comprehend most of their words. It all just seemed like a fever dream. Baby backed up down Bobby's dirt path driveway and Bobby's hand rested on the young girl's shoulder. He said a few words that went in one ear and out the other. Eli didn't realize that she was on the ground weeping until sobs started to rack her diaphragm. I can do this. She thought.
But, it's only a month, right?