Dead in the water
"What the hell did they put in this thing?" I ask, my mouth filled to the knock with a very delicious cheeseburger. Dean glances up at me with a wide grin. "I don't know, it's some secret ingredient. Good, huh?" Is his reaction. I nod furiously at him. He winks at me, before turning his attention back on the dozens of papers lying in front of him. He's looking at an article and is circling it absentmindedly with a pen. We're back on the road again. After the wendigo hunt, we're going on as planned. Trying to find new cases, while waiting for a sign of dad. Of dad, or the thing that killed Jessica.
"Can I get you anything?" I glance up and catch the eye of a beautiful waitress, standing next to Dean. She's smiling seductively, looking down at him. I let out a soft breath, very interested in what's going to happen next. I watch how Dean glances up from his article and takes in the sight of her. A cheeky grin spreads across his face. I shake my head. He's such a flirt. Sam announces his arrival at the table, in a rather grumpy way. "Just the check, please." He tells the waitress, sitting down with a frustrated huff. "Okay." The waitress simply answers, throwing Dean another wide smile. Then, she leaves, as graciously as she can. I'm sure her hips normally don't sway that much…
Dean lets out a sigh, and hangs his head with a groan. "You know, Sam, we are allowed to have fun once in a while…" He starts in a heavy tone, glancing at his brother. "And that… That is fun." He stares longingly at the bar, before looking back at Sam, wiggling his eyebrows. Sam is not amused, and neither am I.
"Don't talk about women like that. They're not objects." I grumble at him, taking another bite from my burger in annoyance. Dean raises his eyebrows at me. "And there's the killjoy." He mutters matter of factly. I roll my eyes at him. Dean catches Sam's annoyed glare and lets out a deep breath. Then throws him the article he'd been reading. "Here, look at this. I think I got one. Lake Manitoc, Wisconsin. Last week, Sophie Carlton, eighteen, walks into the lake and doesn't walk out. Authorities dragged the water… nothing!" He explains. Sam looks at the article. "Sophie Carlton is the third lake Manitoc drowning and none of the other bodies were found as well. They had a funeral last week." Dean adds, looking expectantly at Sam. I frown at him. "A funeral?" I ask in confusion. How can you arrange a funeral, when there is no body? "Yeah, it's weird. They buried an empty coffin. For closure, or whatever." He tells me nonchalantly, grabbing the rest of the papers and examining them. "Closure? What closure? People don't just disappear, Dean. Other people just stop looking for them." Sam growls. I look up from my burger in surprise, that sounded very hostile. Dean thought so too, cause he stares at Sam with raised eyebrows. "Something you want to say to me?" He asks slowly, his tone challenging. Sam sighs. "The trail for dad. It's getting colder and colder every day." He starts in an accusing tone. Dean frowns. "So? What are we supposed to do?" His tone is also accusing, as he responds to his brother. I look from one to the other cautiously. There is not much we can do, with the dad situation. We literally have no idea where he is and he has not given us any sign. Not a note, no calls… He hasn't even left a message, the bastard.
"Well, I don't know. Something… Anything." Sam exclaims in frustration, glaring at Dean. Dean's had enough, I can see it in his eyes. "You know, I'm getting sick of this attitude. You don't think I want to find dad as much as you do?" He growls angrily, staring Sam right in the eye. "Guys…" I start apprehensively, but am completely ignored. "I know you do, it's just…" Sam starts to protest, but Dean is having none of it. Not this time. "I've been the one, who has been with him for the past year and a half, while you've been at college, going to frat parties!" That snap brings a tense silence to the table. That's the first time I've heard Dean say something about Sam leaving us for a year and a half. The first time in the three weeks we've been on the road. Sam is taken aback by that statement and I can see he's clueless, as to what he should say now. "We will find dad, but until then, we kill everything bad between here and there." Dean finishes harshly, pointing at the article lying in front of Sam. "Okay?" He asks coldly, staring Sam right in the eyes. Sam stares back, before letting out a sigh and heaving his eyes to the ceiling. "Alright, lake Manitoc." He mutters in defeated. I smile brightly, glad that is over. "Alright, let's go!" I abandon my burger, stand up and walk around the table. I reach out two hands and mess up both my brothers hair, before exiting the café. "Hey!" I hear Dean complain. I ignore him, leaning against the hood of the impala. Waiting for them to come out.
We drive away with a moping Sam. I have to smile at that. Sam had always been good at moping and being grumpy, when he gets shot down or loses an argument. "Sam, stop being a bitch." I tell him matter of factly. Both my brothers raise their eyebrows at that, glancing back at me. "Well, won't you look at that." Dean smirks, giving me a playful wink through the review mirror. "Yeah, Sammy, stop being a little bitch." He backs me up. Sam mockingly gasps, dramatically turning his head to Dean. "Her side, really?" He questions in a shocked whisper. I snort out a laugh. "Like he should." I state. Dean snorts, shaking his head. "Sometimes, the little prick is right." He answers Sam. He reaches his hand out, and pokes him in his side playfully. Sam lets out a very unmanly squeal, flinching away. "Don't…" He starts in a warning tone. Dean flashes him a bright grin, as a reaction. He then turns the music up loudly, humming along happily.
The drive is long and to be honest, I'm getting quite used to it. When we were young, dad and Dean would leave for days. Especially, when Dean was old enough to hunt. In the beginning, I had Sam to stay with me. When Sam got old enough, he and Dean switched turns staying with me. However, there were many times where it didn't really go as planned and I got more and more time to myself. Especially when I got older. Before that, I was never alone. Which was very annoying. Soon, I learned how to take care of myself. When no one was there to cook me dinner and such. Sometimes, Dean and dad would both go on different hunts at the same time. Those are not very good memories, to be honest. I can remember the countless fights I had with dad, never giving up on asking him to take me with him or let me go with Dean. Dad would never budge. No matter how hard I screamed at him, or how hard I cried. I tried everything, but nothing ever worked. Once, I almost had Sam persuaded to take me with him. I'd played the 'guilt' card, Sam has always been very sensitive to the guilt card. So, I had used my crocodile tears. Sadly, dad came home when we were grabbing our jackets. That had been a rough night. Dad was beside himself, that Sam almost agreed to take me with him, and he was furious with me for trying. When dad punished Sam for my deceiving tricks, I decided to leave my brothers out of my attempts. I hated how my actions had caused Sam to hurt, I did not desire to ever cause them trouble like that again. As we grew older, things became more difficult. Dad somehow kept seeing me as his five year old, little girl. He never listened to me or my brothers. Dean's protective side actually stems from that, I believe. Then, then Sam left for Stanford and me and Dean had stayed with dad. Not even then, when we were one man short, I was taken on a hunt. I had, once again, tried everything to get dad and Dean to change their minds. Even then, nothing had worked. Dad had some fierce vision for me and he would not stray from it. After that became clear, I just accepted that I had to wait. Wait, until I turned eighteen. Then, dad would have no authority to make decisions for me. Then, I could start making my own decisions. However, now that dad was missing and we were looking for him, I have been included in more hunting stuff, then ever in my life before. Somehow that makes me feel guilty towards dad, but the thrilled, grateful feeling is so much stronger. Maybe, when we do find dad, I can finally make him see that I am able to take care of myself. That I am capable of becoming a hunter. A good one. That Dean and Sam can teach me, and that there's no harm in that. Maybe, just maybe…
We stop in front of a little house, just outside of the little town we have arrived in. Besides the house, is an enormous lake, lake Manitoc. It looks massive, with the hills behind it shimmering in the sunlight. All three of us get out of the car, but before I can take a step, Dean has turned to me. He opens his mouth, but I cut him off. "Yeah, yeah. You do the talking…" I let out a deep sigh, making him chuckle. "That's my girl." He teases, ruffling my hair, just to be even more annoying. I glare at him, then follow him and Sam to the front door of the house. Sam rings the bell. A guy, probably around Sam's age, opens the door. "Will Carlton?" Dean asks him. The boy nods, a confused expression on his face. "I'm agent Foyd, this is agent Hammel. We're with the US wildlife service." Dean introduces him and Sam. The boy nods, fully opening the door. He doesn't say a word, which makes me frown. I know his sister just died, but his reaction is a little strange to me.
As I follow my brothers into the house, Will doesn't stop me. He probably assumed I'm with them, and that's enough for him. I smile, as I think back to Haley. She did exactly the opposite.
Will leads us through the house and out the back door. We step into the wide backyard that is connected to the lake. I notice a man, sitting on a bench, in the distance, near the dock. His head is down and he's staring at the water. Shoulders slumped. I assume it's Will's father. The man who lost his daughter.
"She was about a hundred yards out." Will starts in shaky voice, looking at the water. His expression saddening. "That's where she got dragged down." He adds, pointing his finger out to the middle of the lake. "And you are absolutely sure she didn't just drown?" Dean asks him slowly. Will nods. "Yeah, she was a very good swimmer. She practically grew up in that lake. She was as safe out there, as in her own bathtub." He states, seeming very sure of his case. Dean sighs, glancing over the lake.
"So, no splashing? No sounds of distress?" Sam joins the conversation. Will turns his head to him. "No, that's what I'm telling you." He starts, his eyebrows rising. He's getting annoyed, all these questions he has probably already answered to other people. Multiple times. I decide to be bold and throw a different question into the mix. "Did you see a dark shadow under the surface? Maybe some dark shape?" I ask him, stepping forward. I completely ignore Dean, who's eying me suspiciously.
"No, she was really fine out there." Will answers, looking at me for the first time. "Seen some strange tracks by the shoreline?" Sam adds to my question, joining in. Will raises his eyebrows even further up. "No, never. Why? What do you think is out there?" He asks a little concerned. Dean grabs my arm. "You'll know when we do." He tells him shortly, before turning around and stalking back to the house, almost dragging me with him. I aggressively pull my arm out of his grasp, refusing to be dragged off the scene by my big brother. Sam doesn't follow us. He stares at the dock, where the father is sitting on the bench. "What about your dad? Can we talk to him?" I hear him asks. Will sighs, turning his head to his father's direction. "Well, he didn't really see anything and if you don't mind, he's really out of it…" He trails of, his gaze lingering on his father. Sam nods. "We understand." He mutters, also turning around and following me and Dean back towards the house.
"What about 'we do the talking' don't you understand?" Dean snaps at me. We have just reached the impala and he's unlocking the car. "It was one question..." I protest. Sam chuckles. "And it was a good question… It was!" He adds, when he sees Dean's glare. He gets in the impala quickly, when he sees Dean's glare turn angrier. "It's simple, Skye. You are not a hunter, so you keep quiet while we do the case. If not, I can always leave you at the motel." He growls at me. I stare at him furiously. Asshole. "I just wanted to help, Dean. It was one question, don't be so overdramatic." I snap at him. He's not having it, though. "It's coming with us, or staying at the motel, Skye." He barks at me, ignoring my point. I let out a deep, dramatic sigh. "Fine." I grumble after a tense silence and get into the backseat of the car. "Good. Now we've settled that, let's get to the sheriff's station." Dean announces, getting in the driver's seat and starting the engine. I was planning on giving Dean the angry silent treatment, but that changes when we drive past a few motels on our way there. "Okay, I'm dropping you off." Dean states, turning the car into one of the parking spaces. Sam and me both look up. "Why?" I ask him coldly, not sure if this is punishment for earlier, or a tactic decision. If I'm honest, it's probably the second one. Dean doesn't really believe in punishments and certainly not with me. He never has. Although, when he's disappointed, it's always so much worse.
"We don't have a badge for you, kid. It will only raise questions." Dean explains shortly. I shake my head. "Fine. But get me some badges, please." I state, making both my brothers laugh. There is no way in hell we will get you a badge, pup. You are not a hunter." Dean reacts. I roll my eyes, I had expected that. Well, at least I tried. Sam turns around in his seat and hands me one of the fake credit cards. "Here, get us a nice room and go study." He tells me. I take the credit card without saying anything and get out. I grab my bag from the trunk and watch Sam roll down his window. "Get your ass back home soon, I need help with science." I tell him, trying not to sound too cold. Sam gives me a reassuring smile. I watch them drive away with a sigh, before staring at the empty parking lot in front of me.
Ten minutes later, I have arranged a motel room. It's small, but it will do. I throw my bag into the corner and retrieve some of my study books. I have nothing else to do, the old TV in the corner looks like it's not going to work anyways. I make myself comfortable on the couch and start reading all about nature and it's hurricanes. Another subject I'm taking; geography.
A few hours later, I hear the engine of the impala and sit up straight. I wonder if they found anything. I mean, I never heard of an underwater monster that was real before, besides the usual. But, as far as I can recall, mermaids aren't evil…
Sam walks inside and Dean is right behind him. Both of them greet me shortly. Dean drops down on the couch beside me, approvingly looking at my geometry book. Both of them let out a loud sigh. "Just tell me." I state, irritated. Dean grins widely at me, lazily dragging an arm around my shoulder. "Well, the sheriff was very confused that we were there and we tried to explain to him that the drownings weren't accidental, but he was sure. I mean, he had the right to be. They swept the whole lake." Dean starts. "Yeah, but then we found out about the dam and that the lake is gonna be drained. We thought that that must have something to do with all this." Sam finishes. I look at him and notice a growing grin spreading out across his face. "What are you smiling about?" I ask him, making him chuckle. "We met the sheriff's daughter." He simply states. I groan, turning my head to Dean. He has a dreamy look on his face. "What did you do?" I ask him, shaking my head. If I have to belief Sam's grin, it's going to be good. Dean snaps out of his trance. "Nothing." He tells me, but Sam's grin keeps growing. "What did he do?" I turn my head to Sam, who ignores Dean's protesting glare. "Well, Casanova over there asked her to walk us towards this motel, cause we 'didn't know any'…" He starts, making me snort. "Really?" I turn my glance to Dean with a playfully disappointed look on my face. Sam's not done yet. "Yeah, and we had met her son at the station. He tried to impress her by the amazing line; "Kids are the best"." Sam continues. I burst out laughing.
"Dean, you don't even know children." I tell him through my giggles and he swats the back of my head in irritation. "Shut up." He informs me. "I live with a kid." He then retorts, making me frown. "Hey, I'm sixteen, damnit." I protest, making him laugh this time. "Exactly, a kid…" He finishes the conversation, getting up from the couch. "She was onto him as well, she fully diced him out." Sam adds, as Dean walks into the kitchen. I smirk and raise my hands in the air, cherishing this moment. Usually, Dean's a real ladies man. He doesn't even need words, to get them to like him. Sam and I cherish the moments when that doesn't happen. "Stop laughing!" Dean cries from the kitchen, walking back inside with a cup of coffee. "Come on, idiot. There's research to be done." He tells Sam, who gets up reluctantly. He creeps behind his laptop and starts typing, as Dean starts to unpack. With a fond sigh, I get back to my studying.
"So, there's the three drowning victims his year…" Sam breaks the pleasant silence after half an hour. "And before that?" Dean calls out, from across the room. Sam starts clicking. "Uh, yeah, six more, spread out over the past thirty five years. Those bodies were never recovered either." He reads from the article in front of him, glancing up at Dean. "If there is something out there, it's picking up its pace." He adds. "So we got a lake monster on a binge?" Dean questions sarcastically, heaving his eyes to the ceiling. Sam's attention is back on his laptop. "This whole lake monster theory, it just bugs me." He mutters, more to himself than to Dean. I heard him, and decide to put my book away. All I'm doing, is listening to them discussing this case anyways.
"Why does it bug you?" I ask, sitting up. "Log Ness, lake Champlain, there are literally hundreds of eye witness accounts, but here almost nothing." Sam explains to me. Dean crosses the room and moves behind his brother, looking at the laptop over his shoulder. He squints his eyes as he reads and then points at the screen. "Wait, Bar. Christopher Bar. Where have I heard that name before?" He questions. Sam focuses his eyes on that part of the article. "Christopher Bar, the victim in May." He mumbles and I can hear the wheels of his brain all the way from the couch. "Oh… Christopher Bar was Andrea's husband, Lukas's father." He then recalls. Dean sighs. "Wait, hold on a second. Andrea? Lukas?" I question, but Dean raises his hand to me. "Not now." He tells me, before looking back at Sam. "Apparently, Christopher took Lukas out swimming. Lukas was on a floating wooded platform, when Chris drowned. Two hours, before the kid got rescued." Sam reads, looking up at Dean with a troubled expression. "I'm guessing Andrea is the sheriff's daughter and Lukas is her son?" I mumble after a little silence. Sam nods. "Maybe we have an eye witness after all." He mutters, scratching his head. Dean grumbles. "No wonder that kid was so freaked out. Watching one of your parents die isn't something you just get over." He states, before walking over towards the bed. He grabs a pair of shoes out of his bag. I look at Sam. I can feel the tension in the air. It's troubled. Whenever a child is involved in a case, things get harder. More difficult. That always happens, even in non-supernatural situations. When the innocence of a child is in danger, everyone is on edge.
"Study." Dean orders, when he's put on those shoes. I frown, but don't get a chance to say anything, before he's already out the door. "Damn it! Study!" Sam repeats, glancing at me, before hastily following his brother out. I hear the impala start and soon I'm alone again. With a deep sigh I stand up from the couch, walking towards the window.
This is what it's like to have two protective brothers. You drive up to a case, everything seems normal and good. You try to help, violently get shut down. Things get worse, there's a kid involved, and you're out. I watch them drive away and rub my eyes. I don't want to dive into another study book. My life is so boring this way. My brothers are out there, living the adventure and saving people from monsters. I want it too. I want it really bad.
I collapse back on the couch and look at my science book, spread out over the bed. I'm never gonna understand that without Sam, anyway, so let's just watch some TV. I have just enough time to watch a movie, before I can hear the impala roaring outside. My brothers are back and I wonder what they found out.
When Dean walks in, I sit up straight and look at him expectantly. He sees me sitting there and chuckles darkly. "You know what, you are way too curious for your own good." He tells me. I roll my eyes to the ceiling, before turning to Sam, who is holding a drawing. "How was Lukas?" I ask softy. I hope the kid is okay. I think back to the comment Dean made earlier. 'You don't just get over watching one of your parents die'. He spoke out of experience. Both my brothers watched their mom burn on the ceiling, above my crib. They are not over it. I don't think they'll ever get over it. It takes something away from you. The only reason why I'm different, is because I was only six months old and can't remember a single thing. The real painful part about that, is that that is also the reason why I can't remember my mother. I was only six months old. I only know her face from pictures. No one has ever spoken about that night or who she was. Especially my brothers haven't. They have never talked about it with me. In fact, Dean stopped talking for a while after it happened. He was traumatized. Lukas probably is too, he most likely remembers his father's death.
Dean sighs, disappearing into the kitchen and coming back with two beers. He hands one to Sam.
"Well, the kids traumatized alright. Hasn't said a word to anyone since the accident. He's just drawing pictures, playing with his army men and that's it." He mutters, sitting down next to me with a troubled expression. "Well, he did see something…" Sam starts and I glance at him. He walks up to me and hands me the drawing. I examine it slowly. "Well for one, that kid can draw!" I comment, looking at the colored lines of the drawing. It's very clear. "And secondly, whose house is that?" I add, looking up at Sam. "What makes you think that's someone's house?" Sam challenges me, grabbing the drawing back. "Well, it's very detailed. Normally, kids draw houses of their own imagination and this is too detailed for that." I comment, remembering my English teacher in high school once told us that. Dean raises his eyebrows at me in surprise. "Alright, genius." I grin at him. "Well, that makes it even more impressive. We just went to talk to Andrea. Dean wanted to see if he could get something out of Lukas. He came back empty handed and just when we had to leave, the kid showed up and gave him this." Sam explains to me. I smile and turn my head, glancing at Dean. "So, you do have your way around kids!" I tease. He winks at me, as he stands up. "Well, I raised two of them after all, didn't I?" He throws back at me, before disappearing into the bathroom. I stare after him fondly. Yes, he did. Sam remembers too, he has the same fond look in his eyes. For Sam, that statement is most accurate. Dean taught him everything he knows. I was left out of a lot of the hunting, so I kind of did my own thing most of the times. However, on the important moments, Dean was always there.
"Come on, Skye, I'll help you with science." Sam offers after a short silence. I gratefully jump up to go and get my book. Dean goes out to buy us dinner, while me and Sam work through some science problems together. Near the end, when both me and him get bored, Sam starts cracking jokes. Soon I'm giggling too much to continue, my concentration completely out the window. Sam's ability to crack some genius jokes did not change one bit. Dean always argued his jokes weren't funny at all, but Sam always had the ability to make me laugh.
After dinner, we continue, but call it quits at eleven. Sam creeps back behind his laptop to do some more research, Dean speculating and throwing theories around in the background. I'm not tired yet, so lie down on the couch, intending to watch some TV.
The next morning I wake up in my bed, very confused as to how I got there. Dad used to carry me to bed, when I'd fallen asleep in the car or on the couch when I was younger. Now that I think about that, I realize Dean must have put me in the bed last night. He took over, when dad stopped bothering to, after all. I shake my head fondly, before getting out of my bed. I stumble upon Dean in the kitchen, sitting at the table. "Morning." He greets me in a rough voice. I sit down across from him, yawning slightly. "Sam?" I question. "Getting baby gassed up." Dean replies shortly, making me grin. "It's a car, Dean…" I argue. He reacts just as I knew he would. He glares at me. "She's my baby and I would marry her if I could." He snaps. I snort, standing back up. "I know, don't you worry." I retort, before walking towards the bathroom. I take a nice hot shower and when I return, dressed in my comfortable clothes, Dean's moved himself to the bed. He's absentmindedly cleaning the guns. I sit down next to him, watching him in interest. It makes him look up. "No, go study." He tells me, stopping with whatever he's doing. "Hey… I just want to see how it works…" I protest, giving him a pout. "I don't give a crap. Last time you did that, you went shooting behind my back. So no." Dean grins widely at me, waving me away. I let out a loud groan of protest, before moving away from the bed. I jolt, when the door of the motel smashes open and Sam stalks through, bringing some serious tension with him. "So, I think we can rule out 'Nessie'." He starts, heaving his eyes to the ceiling. "What do you mean?" Dean asks, looking up from his guns. "I just drove past the Carlton house. There was an ambulance there. Will Carlton is dead." Sam explains, his expression is both annoyed and pissed off. "Drowned?" Dean asks in confusion, putting down the gun. "Yeah… In the sink!" Sam replies. I raise my eyebrows. "Wait, wasn't Will the one we talked to yesterday?" I ask, catching up. Sam nods at me. "Wait, how can you drown in a sink?" I then question, my face matching the confusion that Dean's face is showing. "What the hell!" Dean exclaims, shaking his head. "So, you were right, Sam. This is not a creature, but something else…" I mutter, realization washing over me. Sam slowly nods. "Yeah, but what the hell is it…?" He sighs. "I don't know, a water wreathe maybe? Some kind of demon? Something that controls water!" Dean states slowly. It's silent for a while, everyone is thinking to themselves. I'm bursting my head, but in my case it's difficult. I have no experience in hunting, I don't have a damn clue what's all out there in this world. What could possibly make Will Carlton drown in a freaking sink, is the real question. As my mind explores the possibility of ghosts, something dawns on Dean. "Water from the same source…" He slowly starts. "The lake…" Sam nods. "Yeah, and that's why it's increasing its body count." Sam lets out a short breath. "The lake is draining, it will be dry in a few months. Which means that whatever this thing is, what it wants, it's running out of time." Dean looks up intensely. "And if it can get through the pipes, it can get to anyone. Almost anywhere. This is gonna happen again, and soon." Dean stands up from the bed, walking towards the table. He sits down on one of the chairs, looking intently at his brother. "And we do know one other thing for sure. That this has got something to do with Bill Carlton." Sam raises his eyebrows. "Yeah, it took both of his kids." Dean nods. "And I've been asking around, Lukas's dad Chris? Bill Carlton's godson." Sam grimaces. "Well, let's pay mister Carlton a visit."
Both my brothers stand up. I stare at them, my mind trying to wrap itself around the conclusions they just made. They went too fast for me, so I just watched them. They didn't just make assumptions, everything they just said makes sense. Which means, we're one step closer to finding out how to stop whatever is happening. Well actually, they are. I am getting irritated. I am so inexperienced. It actually hurts a little to be confronted with that so abruptly.
"Skye, come on." Sam motions with his hand to get up, his jacket still in his hand. I slowly get up. I don't even care what the reason is for bringing me, this time. I'm getting confused with how unpredictable they're being with letting me join and then shutting me down again. I take my chances, though.
I grab my jacket and race out the door, taking place in the backseat of the car. As we drive, I can feel my irritation growing with the second. "Why can't you just start teaching me?" I snap at Dean, completely taking him of guard. "Teaching you what?" He asks me in confusion, glancing at me through the review mirror. "Hunting." I continue with a sigh. He knows damn well what I mean. Dean shakes his head shortly. "I am not having this discussion with you right now." He informs me, his tone serious. "Oh, for crying out loud…" I start to protest, but Dean shuts me down. "No." He simply tells me. I cross my arms and let out an irritated huff. I can slightly understand why he won't do this with me right now. We have had discussions about hunting so many times I stopped counting. They always end the same, in a fight.
We arrive at Bill's house and after knocking a few times, Dean decides to just walks around back. Me and Sam following hastily. "He's at the dock again." Dean notices, pointing in the distance. The silhouette of a person can be seen at the dock, sitting in the same position as before. We make our way down to the water.
"Mr. Carlton?" Sam asks as we get closer. The head of the man turns our way. I can see, really see, how bad he's doing. The man is broken. His eyes are watery and he looks completely lost. Sam sees it too. "We'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind." He starts softly, glancing at Dean. "We're with the department of…" Dean starts, but the man interrupts him. "I don't care who you're with. I've answered enough questions today." Bill tells him in a broken voice. Sam lets out a long breath. "Your son saw something in that lake, what about you?" He decides to go for it, anyways. I glance at the lake, squinting my eyes. The lake looks so easy, so peaceful. It's hard to think there is something about it, that's killing people. I've always loved the water. Loved swimming, loved the color of the water, the peacefulness of it. The way it will rush back and forth over the sand, with such a calming effect. It is hard to think, that this time it is the opposite of that.
"Did you ever see anything out there…?" Sam tries again. The man stays silent. "Mr. Carlton, Sophie's drowning and Will's death, we think there might be a connection. Do you or your family…" Sam keeps going, but the man has had enough. "My children are gone. It's worse… it's worse than dying." Bill looks up at my brothers with the most pained expression I have ever seen. He hesitates for a moment, while Sam and Dean have no clue what to do or say. I sigh deeply and crouch down next to the man. "Sir, I know that what you're going through is bad, but…" I try softly, but he doesn't even look at me. "Go away. Please." He asks after a little silence. I slowly stand back up. It's clear the man is too traumatized to even talk, let alone tell us if he noticed something. Dean complies and turns around. Me and Sam follow him back to the car.
"What do you think?" I ask Dean, during our walk. "Well, I think the poor guy has been through hell. And I also think he's not telling us something." He tells me. Sam leans against the impala, a troubled expression on your face. "So, now what?" He asks. We both look at Dean. He's scanning his surroundings, his eyes squinted. Something is dawning on him. Sam notices. "What is it?" He asks warily, but Dean looks at the house in front of us with confusion. "Huh." He mutters after a while. Both Sam and me look at the house in confusion. "Maybe Bill's not the only one who knows something." Dean starts, pulling the drawing that Lukas gave him, out of his jacket. "You were right, pup. He didn't draw this house out of his imagination." Dean unfolds the drawing and I can see what he means. The house that Lukas drew, is the house that's standing right in front of us. "Huh." I repeat after my brother, quite satisfied with myself. "Told you." I add, just to smite him. Sam sighs, seeing the look in Dean's eyes. "You think she'll let us talk to him again?" He questions. Dean shrugs. "It's worth a try, come on." He says and with that we all get back in the impala.
"So, are you now going to pay more attention to what I say?" I ask Dean, a grin on my face. Dean groans, while Sam glances back at me. He gives me a proud smile. "Skye, do you need to study?" Dean asks me, as the car roars to life. I sigh. "Technically, yes. But, since I was right about the drawing, I should receive the chance to go with you and see Lukas." I tell him, trying to stop myself from grinning. I am going to rub this into his face, if it's the last thing I do. Dean glances at me through the review mirror, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, is that so?" He challenges, raising his eyebrows. "Oh, come on! Please?" I throw out my oh mighty weapon, the weapon that only Sam and I possess in this family. Puppy dog eyes. After a little silence, Dean sighs. He lets out a frustrated breath and punches the steering wheel lightly. "I don't like this. You're getting more involved." He mutters, making Sam chuckle. "Dude, it's just a kid." He backs me up, making me smile brighter. "I can try to talk to Lukas, I'm good with kids." I suggest. Now they're both laughing at me. "Oh yeah, since when?" Sam challenges and I shrug. "Since forever." I retort. He snorts, while Dean shakes his head. "I'll drop you off after this one. I don't want you any more involved." He concludes and I fall back in my seat with a groan. "Fine." I growl at him.
We arrive at Andrea's house shortly after. She lets us in, frowning when she sees me. Sam shortly explains the situation to her and introduces me. She's hesitating though, probably wanting to protect her son. Which I can understand perfectly well. "I'm sorry, but I really don't think this is a good idea…" She starts warily. "I just need to talk to him, just for a few minutes." Dean tells her, a serious look on his face. This might be our only chance, our only chance to find out if Lukas knows anything. "He won't say anything, what good is it gonna do!" Andrea protests. Sam joins the conversation. "Andrea, we think more people might get hurt." He explains. Andrea stares at him in concern. "We think something's happening out there." Sam adds, glancing at Dean briefly. "My husband and the others, they just drowned. That's all." Andrea protests, although the look in her eyes has changed. I can see it. "If that's what you really believe, then we'll go. But, if you think there's even a possibility that something else could be going on here, please let me talk to your son." Dean asks her with determination in his eyes. After a short silence, Andrea bows her head and nods shortly.
Lukas is in his room when we arrive upstairs. He's drawing and playing with his army men, just like Sam had told me he'd done, when they saw him before. This is the first time I see him and to be honest, he looks traumatized. There's this pained look in his eyes, a look I have seen before. In both my brothers eyes. There is a sadness around him, a sadness that was around my brothers for a very long time too. When our mother died. A sadness that's deeper than any normal sadness, it's more like pain.
Dean walks into the room and crouches down in front of the boy, his expression gentle. "Hey Lukas, you remember me?" He asks softly, looking at the boy in a way I recognize. It's the same way he always looks at me. The I-won't-let-anything-happen-to-you look, the look of a protective big brother. Sam leans against the doorpost as he watches his brother interact with the kid, his face soft. I turn around and give Andrea a reassuring smile. She's staring into the room with a very protective posture. I hope to ease her down with my friendly glance, but she doesn't even see me.
Lukas doesn't give any reaction to Dean. Dean looks at the drawings that lie in front of Lukas. "Hey, you know. I uh… I wanted to thank you for the last drawing. But the thing it, I need your help again." He starts slowly, sitting down on the floor besides the kid. He frowns when he doesn't get a reaction and grabs the drawing out of his jacket. The one Lukas gave him yesterday. He unfolds it and lays it down on the floor besides the boy. "How did you know to draw this?" He asks, pointing at the house Lukas drew for him. Lukas just keeps drawing. There is, however, a slight change in his position on the floor. I nudge Sam, noticing it. Dean sees it too. "Did you know something bad was going to happen? Maybe you could nod yes or no for me?" Dean tries, still very patient. That's what it is with children. Patience is the key. Something tells me, patience isn't what Dean's looking for though. Something dawns on his face.
"You're scared…" He concludes softly, taking a deep breath. "It's okay, I understand. See, when I was your age, I saw something real bad happen to my mom." He starts to tell the boy. As soon as he utters those words, me and Sam tense up immediately. I have never heard him mention mom's death like this, not to someone else. Hell, he's never even said it to me. I glance up to Sam, who is looking at his brother with sadness. He reaches for me and wraps an arm around my shoulder slowly, without taking his eyes off of Dean.
"I was scared too. I didn't feel like talking, just like you. But see, my mom, I know she wanted me to be brave. I think about that every day and I do my best to be brave." Dean continues in his soft voice. Him admitting that, makes goosebumps appear on my skin. I can feel the sadness spreading through me, as I think back to what it was like for Dean. And Sam, at that terrible time. I was six months old when mom died, but Dean was seven. He knew her, he loved her. He saw everything happen. So did Sam. They have probably spoken about this to each other, Dean and Sam tend to talk about that stuff more with each other.
"And maybe your dad wants you to be brave too." Dean finishes. He now gets Lukas's full attention. The kid stops drawing and drops his crayon on the paper, looking up. Then he shuffles through his drawings and hands Dean a second one. It has a white church on it and a boy with a red bike. I can see Andrea is astonished by her sons' reaction, her mouth open as she watches. "Thanks, Lukas." Dean mutters to the boy, standing up. He walks past me and Sam and I watch him with a lot of different emotions swirling through my body. What I just witnessed, was my big brother at his best. Dad taught him to be harsh, to be a fighter, a soldier. To be strong. Thankfully, he never lost his heart.
Dean thanks Andrea, showing her the picture that Lukas gave him. "He never drew like that, until Chris died." Andrea informs him, still shocked by what just happened. "Thank you." Dean tells her, before we walk back downstairs, out of the house.
In the car, all I can think about is the boy and Dean's confessions. I listen to his and Sam's discussion about the case. "Andrea said he never drew like this, until his dad died." Dean mutters. Sam nods. "There are cases, where going through a traumatic experience could make certain people more sensitive to premonitions, physic tendencies…" Sam suggests. "Well, whatever is out there, Lukas is tapping in it somehow." Dean retorts, his face tense. Sam reacts with a noise of disagreement.
"It's only a matter of time, before someone else drowns. So, if you got a better lead… Please." Dean tells him in his serious voice. Sam throws his hands in the air. "Alright, fine. We got another house to find." He agrees. "Well, the only problem is, there are about a thousand houses in this county alone." Dean sighs. At that comment, an idea pops into my head. "Give that here." I lean forward and grab the painting from Sam's hands, looking at it intently. "Hey!" Sam protests, reaching back. I stop him. "You see this white building, here?" I point out to him. He glances at the drawing. "I think it's a church. It at least looks like one. And I don't think there are a thousand churches in this town…" I suggest, glancing up. Dean groans, shaking his head. Sam bursts out a laugh. "Way to go, Skye. She got her smart head from me, you know." Sam tells Dean with a wide grin. Dean glares at him, amusement in his eyes. "Well, than there's at least something she got from you, Sammy. Cause the rest, the rest is all me." He teases, making Sam frown at him. "Now you have to take me with you." I demand, handing the drawing back to Sam. Dean snorts. "I don't think so, pup. I'm dropping you off." He tells me. "I just came up with a solution, without me you'd be searching for hours." I exclaim in protest. Sam snorts out a laugh. "Yeah, I'm sure we couldn't have figured that out on our own." He mumbles sarcastically. I sarcastically grumble at him. "You can't just exclude me from this case now, Dean. I have been the key solution in two of the big clues." I inform my big brother, trying not to get ahead of myself. "Hey, cool it down back there. Your ego is already big enough." Dean shoots me down, but I can see he's deliberating his decision. "Well, I bet I can find the next clue too." I challenge him. He bites. "Fine, just this once." He gives in. I'm unable to hide my wide smile and look out of the window in triumph.
It's silent in the car, until Sam moves slowly. The tension changes completely, as he hesitantly glances at his brother. I sit straight in my seat, slightly leaning forward. I know what he's about to do. "Hey…" Sam clears his throat. "What you said about mom…" He adds, making Dean tense up too. "You never told me that before." Sam states. That surprises me, I guess they don't talk everything over with each other after all. "It's no big deal." Dean answers him shortly, his eyes on the road. Sam and I keep staring at him. Dean rolls his eyes. "Oh God, we're not gonna have to hug or anything, are we?" He sneers sarcastically. I snort, before wrapping my arms around the front seat and around Dean's neck. Just to spite him. He groans at me, Sam cracks up laughing.
It doesn't take very long to find the church on the drawing. I have to say that the kid is quite accurate with his drawing. We get out and Dean and Sam stare at the church. Dean grabs the drawing and glances at it. The house Lukas drew next to the church, can't be far from here. "Let's find that boy!" Sam nudges Dean, pointing at the boy with the red bike on the drawing. Dean nods.
The house we were looking for is, only one block from the church. We knock and an old women lets us in. She doesn't ask us for anything, no ID's or credentials, she just lets us in. "We're sorry to bother you ma'am, but does a little boy live here by chance? He might wear a blue ball cap, has a read bicycle?" Dean asks the lady, as we follow her to the living room. The expression of the old lady turns incredibly sad. She looks at the ground, her hands slightly shaking. "No sir, not for a very long time." She mutters in a broken voice. I raise my eyebrows. The tension in the air turned sad once again. There seems to be a lot of sorrow in this town. All I see, when I look around, is loss and death.
"Peter has been gone for thirty five years now. The police never… I never had any idea what happened." The lady explains, pointing at the photo of a cute little boy, on the mirror in the living room. He's smiling into the camera, with his blue ball cap on. I don't really know what to do or say. That is awful. To lose your child as a mother, is one thing. But, to never know what happened, must be even worse. The lady looks so fragile, I wish I could do something for her. "He just disappeared. Losing him, you know… it's worse than dying." She mutters. I see Sam and Dean exchange glances. We've heard that phrase before. "Did he disappear from here? I mean from this house?" Dean asks gently. The lady looks up at him. "He was supposed to ride his bike straight home, after school. He never showed up." She explains. Sam glances at his brother with a troubled expression. Dean gives him a short nod, before he walks towards the mirror where the picture hangs. Sam tries to comfort the lady, while I watch Dean with a frown. He reaches for another old photo, hanging right next to it. He stares at it intently, before glancing at me and waving me over. I hurry towards him and he shows me the photo. Two boys are standing next to each other, smiling. Next to them, is a very familiar red bike. "When was this?" I whisper to him. Dean turns the photo around and reads what's written on the back out loud. "Peter Sweeney and Bill Carlton, 1970." Sam glances up, when he hears Dean's voice, his eyebrows raised. The old lady doesn't even notice, she just stares out of the window in sadness. We decide to leave. We thank the lady and make our way outside.
"Well, what's next?" I ask, as we walk back towards the impala. "Well, for you, studying is next." Dean tells me. "Wha…" I start, but he doesn't let me say anything else. "This was the last one, we're dropping you off!" He informs me, getting into the front seat. I am about to protest, seating myself in the back of the car, but Sam joins the conversation. He turns around to me, a serious look on his face. "Give it a rest, Skye." He tells me. I feel frustration flowing through my veins and I glare at him. I don't say another word, knowing I can't do anything about this decision. When Sam's having my back, I can try and change Dean's mind. When he's not, I don't really have a chance.
I stare out of the window, very annoyed. It is going to take time, planning and persuasion, for them to let me further into the hunting life. I don't like that. I wish I could just change their minds, right now. I just have one very annoying factor against me becoming a hunter. A very valid one. I'm underage.
"So, Peter Sweeney vanishes and this is all connected to Bill Carlton somehow…" Sam breaks the tense silence in the car. "Yeah, and Bill sure as hell seems to be hiding something, huh!" Dean replies, in the same frustrated voice. Sam nods. "And Bill, the people he loves, are all getting…" Sam stops his sentence, when he notices Dean pulling into the parking lot next to the motel. I step out of the car without a word, slamming the door a little harder than usual. "We'll be back soon." Sam tells me through the open window. I glare at him, before entering the motel room, slamming the door again. I know I'm being a drama queen. I also know this is not gonna change their minds, but I can't help it.
As I make myself comfortable on the couch, I think about the case and all the information. I got what Dean and Sam were going on about, in the car, before we reached the motel. Bill and Peter were friends, when they were younger. Peter disappeared, which means he is probably dead. Lukas somehow knows about all of this, in connection to the drowning of his father. All Bill's relatives are being drowned. Bill is at the core of this case, the only question is why?
I spend an hour pressuring my brain about that theory and then search the whole motel room for a computer. I know Sam just bought a new laptop, so maybe his old one is still around here somewhere. If I could find it, I could do some research about all the theories that are roaming through my mind. I find it at the bottom of Sam's bag, in between his socks. I carefully place it on the table. It takes me about fifteen minutes to get it started. That the computer is 'old', is an understatement.
I take two full hours, to search the internet about spirits who can control the elements or water. I don't get many results. There are a few articles about Gods and spirits of the ancient Greek, who could control the elements. Some articles about the Roman God of water and a few assumptions from amateurs. Nothing scientific.
With a big sigh, I eventually shut the laptop off and bury it back in Sam's bag. Just as I get back up, my phone rings. I pick up with a frustrated snarl. "What?" Dean's voice rings in my ears. "Pup, you have to pack. We'll be there in about ten minutes to pick you up. Time to leave." He explains to me, sounding frustrated. "Wow. Wait a minute, what the hell happened?" I question in confusion. "We got busted, I'll explain when we get there. Start packing!" Is all Dean says to me, before hanging up the phone. I raise my eyebrows, then stand up from the couch. I walk into the bedroom, grabbing my almost fully unpacked suitcase from underneath the bed. As strange as this is, he was not kidding.
I pack my pajamas and toothbrush and sit down on the bed, waiting for my brothers to return. They indeed arrive at the motel, about ten minutes later, stalking inside. "What the hell happened?" I ask. "We went back to Bill's for some answers and well… we kind of lost him." Sam explains as he grabs his bag. "Lost him?" I question in confusion. Dean joins the conversation, after a big sigh. "He drove out into the lake on his damn boat, while we were yelling at him to get out of the water. Something hit his boat, or pushed it, or whatever, threw it through the air. Bill vanished. Just like the others." He states. My eyes grow wide. "Why in hell would he do that?" I ask in confusion. Sam shrugs, packing up his laptop. "That's what we thought, so we went to the sheriff's station to see if we could get some answers there." Dean nods. "Andrea was already there when we arrived, and so was Lukas. He looked terrified, even more so than earlier today. He suddenly jumped up and started pulling at my arm." He explains. I am even more confused than I was just a few seconds ago, but I can see something is bugging Dean. "Damn." I curse softly. Dean grabs his own bag, his jaw tensed. The kid grew on him, I can see it. "Andrea left with Lukas and we talked to the sheriff. He didn't believe a word we said, he was all sarcastic and suddenly claimed we weren't wild life service. He had checked. So he said he could either arrest us, or we could leave. So we made the decision." Sam finishes the story, lifting his packed bag off the bed and swinging it around his shoulder. "You've got to be kidding me…" I start, raising my eyebrows. "We can't just leave…" I jump up from the bed. My brothers have never in their life, walked away form an unsolved case. This one if for sure unsolved. More people are going to drown if we turn our backs on this town.
"Skye, come on. Get in the car." Dean tells me, as he lifts up his own bag, reaching for the car keys. "I can't believe we're leaving, Dean. That thing is still out there." I inform him, raising my voice. When they both don't react, I get angry. "Oh, for crying out loud! You are hunters, you hunt evil. And there is still evil in this town!" I cry out at them. Dean shakes his head. "We can't help this town when we're in jail, Skye. Now, get in the car." He repeats, sounding very tired. I shake my head angrily, before grabbing my bag and walking outside. Freaking idiots.
Sam follows me and the tension in the air is very tense. He knows I'm right. So does Dean. They both know exactly what they are doing right now and I am very disappointed. I get into the back seat and do not say a word as we drive off. I watch the town flash by through the window with a bad feeling in my stomach.
We stop in front of the last traffic light, right before the road leading to the highway. The light is flaming red. When it turns green, nothing happens. I stare at Dean in confusion and so does Sam. "Green." Sam states in annoyance. Dean looks up. "What?" He asks absentmindedly. "The light's green." Sam retorts, shaking his head in disbelief. It stay silent for a few moments, before Dean pulls up and goes right, instead of left. "Uh, the other state is the other way." Sam looks around, before glancing at his big brother. Dean's jaw clenches. "I know." He answers, pushing in the gas pedal. The car roars in responds and speeds up. "Yes." I mutter under my breath, realizing he's driving back to the town we just left. I knew he would, I know my brother. "But, Dean, this job. I think it's over." Sam protests. Dean shakes his head. "I'm not so sure." He answers. "If Bill murdered Peter Sweeney and Peter's spirit got it's revenge, case closed! The spirit should be at rest." Sam exclaims. I frown at that statement. They came up with the same theory as I did. Well, sort of. I had not thought about the possibility that Bill could have killed Peter yet.
"Alright, so what if we take off and this thing isn't done. What if we missed something? What if more people get hurt?" Dean retorts. Sam pulls up his eyebrows. "But why would you think that?" He asks and Dean's answer doesn't surprise me at all. It makes me smile. "Cause Lukas was really scared." He answers shortly. "That's what this is about?" Sam is surprised. Dean sighs. "I just don't want to leave town, until I know the kid's okay." He answers. I smirk, I knew it. "Who are you? And what have you done with my brother?" Sam asks, almost in shock at that statement. "Shut up." Dean tells him and I lean forward in my seat. "I knew it. We don't leave people behind." I tell him softly. He rolls his eyes at me. "Spoken like a true hunter, damnit. Thanks, pup." He chuckles sarcastically, while Sam raises his eyebrows at me.
Dean takes us all the way back, but doesn't stop at the motel. He drives to Andrea's house. "Are you sure about this? I mean, it's pretty late, man." Sam questions, getting out of the car and following Dean's lead. Dean doesn't answer him. Instead he turns around and glances at me. I've just gotten out of the car and stop moving, when I see his look. "Stay in the car, you hear me?" He orders. I let out a sigh, but get back in. I am tired of protesting and arguing with his every decision. I watch my brothers walk up to the door. I lean back in my seat, as Dean rings the bell once. He doesn't even have time to ring it again, because only seconds later, the door is thrown open and Lukas appears. The whole sphere changes drastically. Lukas looks absolutely terrified, his breathing rapid. His face is pale and his eyes are flashing in every direction. He reaches for an astonished Dean and pulls him through the door. Within seconds, I am staring at just an open door. What the hell?
I jump out of the car and race into the house. Something is terribly wrong. I can hear screaming from upstairs and follow the sound, my heart pounding in my chest. I stumble upon a bad situation. Dean's in front of the bathroom door, holding a terrified Lukas back. My glance goes from him to inside the bathroom, where I can hear sounds of splashed water and distress. Sam's bending over the bathtub, reaching for Andrea, who is completely down under. By the way Sam is pulling at her arms, makes me realize something is holding her down. Trying to drown her. "Sam!" I yell out. Sam musters all the strength he has, and pulls Andrea out of the bathtub in one move. She collapses on top of him, breathing harshly and shaking all over. I act quickly and pull off my jacket. She's completely naked and in complete distress. Not a good situation to be in. "Get out of the way!" I tell Sam, before crouching down next to Andrea and softly touching her arm. Sam releases her, panting heavily, and moves out of my way. I wrap my jacket around her shoulders, so she's at least a bit covered up. "Go get her some clothes!" I call out to Sam. He gives me a short nod, before moving out of the bathroom. Andrea quivers and hides herself in my arms, her emotions catching up with her. I try to calm her down, realizing how terrified she must be right now. Her bathtub just tried to drown her. For her, that's even more crazy then it is for me.
I can hear Dean softly humming to Lukas, outside the bathroom, trying to calm him down. I slowly help Andrea sit up and soon Sam returns with sweatpants and a hoodie. I shut him out of the bathroom and slowly help her into the clothes. She doesn't say a word to me, but lets me help her.
When she's dressed, she turns to me with wide eyes. "T-thank you…" She stammers. I give her a reassuring smile, rubbing her arm. "Come on." I tell her and together we walk out of the bathroom.
As soon as she's out, Lukas collides with her and I see her smile for the first time ever. "It's okay baby, mommy's okay." She hushes him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Dean stares at me and I can't really understand the look on his face. He looks both proud and horrified. I give him a small smile, which he answers with a huff.
We make our way downstairs in a weird parade. Lukas is in Dean's arms, while I support Andrea down the stairs. I sit her down on the sofa and she takes Lukas into her arms, rocking him back and forth. Her eyes are still very wide as her mind is trying to wrap itself around what just happened. I leave her be, she doesn't need me right now. I approach Sam and Dean, who are standing in the door of the living room, talking in hushed voices. "It's very late, Skye." Dean informs me. When I check my phone, I realize he's right. It's two in the morning. "We can't do anything right now, we might as well get some sleep." Sam suggests, nodding towards Andrea and Lukas on the couch. I nod. I am certain Andrea will not be able to sleep, but Lukas might. Now that his mother is safe. "I'll go talk to them." Sam announces, before walking away from us and approaching Andrea and Lukas. I watch him. When Dean nudges me, I glance up at him. "What?" I ask him, he gives me the same weird look of before. "You really took the lead there…" Dean starts, his tone unsure. I lean my head to the side. "Well, she was a women whose bathtub had just tried to drown her. I just…" I start to explain to him, but he shakes his head. "It was good, Skye. You really do have hunter instincts. Protecting those in need." He mutters, not looking at me as he says it. I feel warmth flowing through me. Is he trying to say what I think he's trying to say? "Well, I've always had that." I retort, my tone soft. Dean chuckles darkly. "I know. And the harder I try to keep you away from it, the more you are trying to show me I shouldn't." I raise my eyebrows, he analyzed that well. The more he tries to keep me away from the hunting life, the more I am trying to prove to him that I don't want that. "Well, maybe you should stop trying to keep me away from it." I suggest, earning a glare from him. "Not over my dead body, Skye." He informs me. I sigh deeply. "Well…" I start, but he holds out his hand. "I am not having this discussion with you right now. But, maybe we should talk about it." He states, then stalks away from me. I am beside myself. That is more than I have ever gotten from him before, and I am taking it for sure. I follow him towards the couch, where Andrea is getting up, with Lukas in her arms. "I'll lie us down, are you good with the couch?" She asks Sam, who nods at her. We watch her stumble up the stairs and disappear.
"Alright, you can take the couch if you want, kiddo." Dean tells me. I get myself on the couch, feeling the heavy tiredness. As I listen to Sam and Dean's hushed voiced, talking about a plan of action, I drift into an uneasy sleep. I wake up every hour and around five, I just decide that that was as much sleep as I was going to get. I get up, have a conversation with my brothers about the case and soon the subject changes to dad. We're wondering where he is. We're wondering if he's okay. But most off all, we're wondering why he has not contacted us. Nothing we have received from him, it's almost insulting.
Around eight in the morning we hear stumbling on the stairs. Dean nudges Sam, who was leaning his head on the cushions of the couch with his eyes closed. He jolts and sits up. We watch as Andrea comes into our view, Lukas right behind her. "Did you get any sleep?" I ask her, as she moves towards us. She shakes her head. There are dark circles around her eyes and she seems on edge. We get off the couch so she can have a seat. Sam sits down across from her. Dean wonders off into the hall. "Can you tell me?" Sam asks softly. Andrea bows her head. "No… It doesn't make any sense…" She stammers slowly. She looks desperate and I sit down next to her, offering her my support. Her eyes fill with tears and she throws her hands across her face. "I'm going crazy!" She sobs. I grab her hand softly. "No, you're not. Please tell us what happened." I encourage her. "Everything." Sam adds gently. Andrea takes a shaky breath. She's desperately trying to make sense of what happened yesterday and I guess that's not easy for her. "I… I heard… I thought I heard… There was this voice." She starts. "What did it say?" Sam asks. "It said 'come play with me'." Andrea tells us, her eyes overflowing with tears. She wipes her hands over her face. "What's happening?" She cries out. I wrap an arm around her in comfort. I try to calm her down, while Sam goes over the information in his head. Just as I'm wondering where Dean went, he walks back into the room. He carries a beige picture book, it looks like a very old and dusty yearbook. He puts it on the coffee table in front of Andrea and opens it. "Do you recognize any of these picture?" He asks her deliberately. She looks up in confusion. "What? Uhh…" She scans the pictures in front of her slowly. It's a photo of young boys, all in the same class. The photo looks very old. I look up at Dean questionably, but he's intently staring at Andrea.
"Well no… Except that's my dad. He must have been twelve in this picture." Andrea finally mutters, pointing at a young boy in the back of the picture. Dean nods his head and looks at Sam. "Chris Bar's drowning? The connection wasn't to Bill, it must have been the sheriff." He states. "Bill and the sheriff, they were both involved with Peter." Sam nods, understanding what Dean's implying. Then, it clicks into my head. Peter's spirit would never have tried to take Andrea, if the sheriff hadn't been involved. The spirit of a young, vengeful Peter, is targeting the two people who were involved in his disappearance.
"Bill? My dad? What are you talking about?" Andrea frowns in confusion, not understand a word of what was just said. Dean isn't looking at her though, and the tension in the air becomes heavier. I follow his line of sight and see Lukas standing in front of the window, looking outside into the garden. "Lukas? Lukas, what is it?" Dean calls out. I stand up from the couch and watch how the kid slowly opens up the back door. He disappears through it, walking into the yard. We all hastily follow him.
"Lukas, honey?" Andrea calls out as she runs after him. I am not sure what Lukas is doing or where he's leading us, but I'm sure it's relevant.
Lukas stops in the back of the yard, under a large tree. He stands in the moss. Staring down. Dean and Sam exchange glances and Dean grabs Andrea's arm. "Get Lukas into the house and stay there, alright?" He tells her strictly. She nods, grabbing her sons arm and pulling him back. Dean and Sam follow her, but I look up at the large tree and then back at the moss. This is not just nothing. Lukas might have actually found something here. This might be very significant. After deliberating for a second, I turn around and run back to the house. Dean is talking to Andrea intently when I arrive. I grab Sam's arm and pull him back. "We have to search the place Lukas just showed us. There is probably something important there!" I tell him in a hushed voice. He nods. "Okay, we will. First we have to contact the sheriff." He tells me and brushes me off, walking towards Lukas. I let out a frustrated breath and turn around, not sure what to do here. That's when I spot a shovel, standing close to the stove, leaning against it. It's almost challenging me. Nudging me towards the spot Lukas showed us, nudging me to dig. I hesitantly glance back to my brothers, they are both busy. I can't be of any help to them here anyways. The decision is quickly made and I dash towards the shovel. "I'll be outside!" I call back to my brothers. "Sure." Dean calls back to me, not even looking up. I grimace, but throw open the back door and jog towards the spot Lukas showed us earlier.
"Alright Lukas, let's see what you know." I mutter to myself, and push the shovel into the dirt. I start digging fast and quick, curiosity increasing. After a short while, a clinking noise in the ground beneath me makes me stop digging. Something metal clinked with the shovel. Something is under there. Excitingly I wipe the sweat from my forehead and bow forward. I crouch down and wipe away the dirt with my hands. I can feel something. As I go on, a steering wheel comes into sight. I frown as I examine it, it looks like the top part of a tiny bike. Or something like that. I reach out and pull at it as hard as I can. A small bike rises out of the dirt as I pull. It's red and looks a lot like Peter's bike. The one from the photo. The bike that was never found and disappeared with Peter, all those years ago.
"Who are you?" A strange, deep voice makes me freeze in my spot. I slowly glance up and wish I hadn't. A man in a police uniform is standing a few feet away from me, pointing a gun right at my chest. With a scary click, he unlocks the safety mechanism. As I glance at him, I realize he must be the sheriff. All the badges pinned to his chest suggest so. I slowly let go of the bike and raise my hands into the air. My heart is pounding in my chest. Things just took a turn for the worst.
"I'm Skye, sir…" I start, my voice shaking. Just as I'm about to explain who I am to the man pointing a gun at me, I hear Dean's voice in the distance. "Pup? Ya out here?" My heart skips a beat when I hear his voice, but I know better than to shout for him. The gun that is pointing at me is very real and I am very sure the sheriff knows how to shoot way better than I do. "Skye?" Dean's voice is a lot closer to me and I glance sideways. He appears in my vision, his eyes scanning his surroundings. Sam is right behind him, opening his mouth to call out for me again. Probably on their way to tell me they can't get ahold of the sheriff. No kidding, he is standing directly in front of me. Dean spots me and I can hear a gasp of shock when he sees the predicament I am in. Both my brothers glance down at the bike beneath my feet and the connection clicks in their heads. Dean raises his hands in the air and slowly approaches me and the sheriff, his jaw clenched. Sam follows his lead, his eyes on me.
"Hey! You! Who are you?" The sheriff calls out, spotting my brothers. He points the gun at them as they start to approach. Dean acts quickly and jumps forward, grabbing my arm in a vice grip. He yanks me towards him, taking place in front of me, his heart beating just as rapidly as mine. "How did she know that was there?" The sheriff snaps, pointing his gun directly at Dean. Meaning to point it at me, but I am not visible anymore. Dean's protective posture is protecting me from any line of fire.
"What happened, huh? You and Bill killed Peter? Drowned him in the lake and then buried the bike? Can't bury the truth, Jake." Dean snaps right back at the sheriff, his face deathly serious. I take a slight step back and move my head slightly, so I am able to see the sheriff's face. I wish my heartrate would calm down. I guess this is the first time someone pointed a gun directly at me and it scared me. It is still scaring me, the gun is now pointed at Dean.
"I don't know what the hell you're talking about." The sheriff states with his jaws clenched, his hand slightly shaking. "You killed Peter Sweeney thirty five years ago. That's what the hell I'm talking about. And now you got one seriously pissed off spirit." Dean angrily yells at him. He wants to say more, but gets distracted by footsteps approaching us. I swirl my head around and spot Andrea. She probably came looking for us. Her mouth falls open when she spots her father. "Dad!" She exclaims, looking at us three under gun point. The sheriff ignores Andrea's call for him.
"This spirit, it's going to take Andrea, Lukas, everybody you love. It's going to drown them and it's going to drag their bodies God knows where, so you can feel the same pain Peter's mom felt. And then, after that, it's going to take you and it's not gonna stop until it does." Sam continues. The sheriff tries to act skeptical. "Yeah? How do you know that?" He asks sarcastically, like it's a joking matter. None of us are laughing. "Because that's exactly what it did to Bill Carlton." Sam replies. "Listen to yourself. You three are insane." The sheriff mutters furiously, his gun now pointed directly at 'Sam's heart. Nerves flare through my body. "I don't give a rats ass what you think of us." Dean starts protectively, changing his posture slightly. "But if we're going to bring down this spirit, we're going to have to find the remains, salt them and burn them into dust." He finishes, his eyes darkening. "Tell me you buried him somewhere! Tell me you didn't you just let him go in the lake." He adds furiously. Andrea gasps as she realizes what we are implying. "Dad, is any of this true?" She asks him in a shaking voice. The sheriff immediately shoots into denial. "No, don't listen to them! They are liars and they're dangerous." He answers his daughter. That statement angers me and I make a move to step from behind Dean to ask him about the bike. Dean saw it coming and hisses at me, making me stay put. Andrea is staring from her father to us and back again. I can see the hesitation and doubt in her eyes. "Something tried to drown me, dad! Chris died on that lake. Dad, look at me!" She cries out and the sheriff slowly glances at her. "Tell me you didn't kill anyone!" Andrea adds in a hopeless voice, like she already made up her mind and needs him to prove her wrong. The sheriff looks away slowly and lets out a harsh breath. "O my God." Andrea gasps, both her hands flying to her face, covering her mouth in shock. The sheriff lowers the gun slowly, looking defeated. I let out a sigh of relief now the immediate danger is over.
"Billy and I were at the lake." The sheriff starts his story, sadly looking at us. "Peter was the smallest one, we always bullied him. But this time, it got rough. We were holding his head under the water…" He states and his look turns desperate, when he sees Andrea's shocked face. "We didn't mean to! But we held him under too long and he drowned. We let the body go and it sank." He adds. It makes me sick to my stomach. "Andrea… We were kids, we were so scared. It was a mistake. But Andrea, to say I have anything to do with these drowning, with Chris…" The sheriff defends himself. Andrea glances up at him, her mouth open in astonishment. "A ghost? That's not rational." The sheriff mumbles to himself. I roll my eyes. God, sometimes I forget there are people, probably the whole world, who believe the supernatural isn't real. It's so tiring sometimes. It would be so much easier if everyone just knew.
"Alright listen to me. All of you. We need to get you away from this lake as far as we can right now." Dean orders. Andrea's about to react, when her glance turns west. She lets out a gasp of pure and utter horror. Sam, Dean and me all turn our heads at the same time, following her gaze. I see the worst scenario of this situation played out in front of me. At the dock, a few yards away from us, Lukas is standing over the water. He is stretching his hand out, like he is reaching for something. "Oh God." I gasp as Sam and Dean throw each other a swift glance. "LUKAS!" The sheriff screams out as he notices his grandson by the water. He drops his gun and dives into a sprint towards the water. We react immediately and follow him, also breaking into a sprint. "LUKAS!" Dean screams in panic, running as fast as he can towards the water. I can hear Andrea's frightened cries behind me. "BABY, stay where you are!" She yells off the top of her lungs. Dean and Sam fasten their pace. I look forward as I sprint and cry out in horror when I see Lukas topple over into the water, accompanied with a huge splash. Not Lukas, not the kid.
Dean and Sam rush past the sheriff, who is too shocked to move. The moment he saw his grandson disappear, he stopped dead in his tracks. Because Lukas disappearing into the water wasn't the only thing we saw and it was too mind-blowing for him to continue. Little Peter's ghost-head shortly popped up out of the water, before vanishing again. I guess it proved our point to the sheriff. Since a few weeks back it is not the first time I've seen a ghost, but for him it probably is. It must have been terrifying. I don't really have time to worry about the sheriff, though. I watch my brothers sprint onto the dock in front of me, as I race to the water. Andrea's cries are following me closely, she's right behind me.
In horror, I watch Dean dive face forward into the water. Sam follows him closely and together they disappear into the water, frantically searching for the kid. I reach the wooden dock, together with Andrea and we both start pulling off our jacket and hoodie. "NO! Lukas!" Andrea screams, her eyes frantically scanning the water for any sign of her son. "We'll get him! Stay on the dock!" Sam emerges from the water, breathing rapidly. His eyes turn to me shortly, telling me to listen to that order as well. I am of more help to Andrea right now. I put my hands on Andrea's shoulders, watching Sam go back under. Dean comes up, panting harshly. Empty handed. Andrea lets out some strangled noises, searching the water from the dock. Nothing. Sam comes up a second later and he and Dean exchange panicked glances. Lukas is nowhere to be seen. Together they dive back down.
"They'll find him… They'll find him…" I whisper to Andrea, my eyes never leaving the spot my brothers disappeared under water. When Andrea suddenly looks up and to the east, I follow her line of sight.
"If you can hear me, Peter… I'm so sorry…" The sheriff cries out, slowly lowering himself into the water from the shore between the trees. "DAD! NO!" Andrea screams at him, but the sheriff doesn't seem to hear her. He's made up his mind and is choosing not to be a coward this time. "Peter, please! Lukas is just a little boy. Please take me! Please take me!" He screams into the water, the fear very visible in his eyes. There is nothing I can do for him right now, I can't save him. "No, Sheriff stay back!" I yell at him, but it's too late. The sheriff's face goes from red to very pale within seconds. He is looking down in shock, before he disappears with a sickening splash. Then he's gone, dragged under.
"DAD! Daddy, no!" Andrea screams out in horror, watching her father disappear in front of her eyes. I glance at the water, Sam and Dean have both emerged and are staring at the spot the sheriff just disappeared from. Andrea throws her glance back to them, helpless. Dean gives her a short nod, before taking in a deep breath and diving down. Sam following his lead. I pray to all the Gods I don't believe in, that they find him. It's very silent around me, except for Andrea's rapid gasps and whimpers. Both of us scan the water helplessly, hoping to see any sign of the little boy.
Sam's head pops up out of the water, his eyes wide. He glances at me and shakes his head shortly. The scream Andrea lets out is pure agony and it cuts right through me. I feel tears emerge in my eyes as I stare at Sam. Not Lukas, please not Lukas.
With the last bits of hope, I call out for Dean. When Dean emerges, relief hits me. He is carrying a limb Lukas in his arms as he comes up, gasping for air. "Skye!" Dean calls out to me, moving towards the dock as fast as he can. I reach into the water and together with a heavily sobbing Andrea, we lift him on the dock. Andrea turns to her son and I stand up, my hands still shaking. I stick my hand out to Sam to help him out of the water, but he's got it. Dean heaves himself out of the water as well. And as soon as they're both up, I can finally breath again. I hurry towards them and grab Dean's arm. He's breathing heavily, calming down from his frantic search under water.
When I grab his arm, he reacts immediately and wraps two soaking wet arms around me, soaking me in the process. But I don't care. All the tension slowly leaves my body as I feel Sam's hand on my shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly.
Dean lets me go and we all look back at Andrea, who's cradling her crying son in her arms. "You saved him." I state, smiling at the sight in front of me. That was at least a semi-happy ending. "Skye…" Dean starts in a heavy voice and when I look back at him, I recognize the look he's giving me. The look telling me I'm in trouble. "What did I do?" I ask him in confusion. "What the hell… Were you thinking… Digging up that bike!" Dean asks me in between large breaths, his tone dark. I almost forgot about that situation and it rushes to me. "I told you I'd be outside. Lukas showed us that spot for a reason…" I start to defend myself, but Sam interrupts me. And this time he is clearly on his brothers side. "I told you we'd look at the spot after having called the sheriff!" There is anger in his voice and I take a small step back. "What? I have no idea what you two are going on about…" I start, my voice rising. How the hell is this a bad thing?
"He had you at gun point, Skye! Any idea what would have happened if I…" Dean stops himself, shaking his head in frustration. "Don't ever do that again, okay! Don't ever go out alone, again. You could have gotten shot…!" Dean continues, his voice getting louder as well. And now I understand. They're being overprotective assholes again. "I'm fine, Dean. He didn't shoot me…" I start in a softer tone, but Sam shakes his head. "No. Don't go out alone again, okay? You are not a hunter and something bad will happen!" He shoots me down, making me grit my teeth in anger. I understand where they are coming from, but the unfairness of the situation is making it hard for me to apologize. I know that's what they want to hear, but I am not giving it to them. Not like this.
Dean can see the resistance in my eyes and grabs my shoulder, looking into my eyes. "I know you want to help, pup. I've figured that out by now. And you did good. But this is a very dangerous job and Sam's right, you are not a hunter…" He starts, his tone gentle and understanding. I let out a deep breath, clenching my jaw. "I will not lose you, okay? I want you alive and safe and you know that. So just… stop." He finishes, his tone direct and low. And there is nothing I can say to that.
"Okay." I answer him, shaking my head. Every time I think I'm getting somewhere, something happens that puts me in danger. And my brothers always, always, fly off the handle when I'm in danger. It frustrates me, it saddens me, but it also makes me feel safe. But I will never, ever, tell them that.
It's time for us to leave, case closed. It's three p.m. The impala is already packed up and ready to go. Me and Sam approach it with the last bags. Dean is looking quite unhappy as he shuts the front door of the car. And I know exactly why. And so does Sam.
"Look… We're not going to save everyone." He starts slowly, glancing at his brother. "The sheriff made a choice, Dean." I join the conversation. "I know." Dean answers us slowly, looking up. "You saved the kid, Dean. You saved Lukas." I add, giving him a proud smile. He chuckles as he approaches me and ruffles my hair. "You did good." Is his short answer. I grumble in annoyance at him, pulling my hair up into a ponytail.
"Sam! Dean! Skye!" All three of us turn around at the sound of Andrea's voice calling out for us. She's heading towards us with Lukas. They both look quite well. "Hey!" Dean smiles and walks towards them, me and Sam following him. "I'm glad we caught you. We just uh, we made you lunch for the road. Lukas insisted on making the sandwiches himself." Andrea tells us and I look down at Lukas, who's carrying a large plate. That is adorable.
"Can I give it to them now?" Lukas asks his mother in his tiny voice and my smile brightens. Since a few hours ago, Lukas is talking again. "Of course." Andrea smiles and kisses her son on his head. "Come on Lukas, let's load this in the car." Dean cheers, grabbing the huge plate from the kid. Leading him towards the car.
Sam turns to Andrea, draping an arm around my shoulder. "How are you holding up?" He asks her in all seriousness and she sighs, shrugging slightly. "It's just gonna take a long time to sort through everything, you know." She tells him and he nods in understanding.
"Andrea, I'm sorry." I start in a small voice, wanting her to know I wish we could have saved her father too. Andrea strongly disagrees with me. "You guys saved my son. I can't ask for more than that." She tells us, her eyes on me. Her smile fades slightly and she bows her head. "Dad loved me, he loved Lukas. No matter what he did, I just have to hold on to that." She adds. Sam nods at her.
I look back at the car where Dean is sitting sideways in his seat, looking at the little kid in front of him. "Okay, if you're gonna be talking now there is an important phrase you have to remember. I want you to repeat it back for me one more time." He tells Lukas with twinkling eyes. I move away from Sam and approach the car. "Zeppelin rules." Lukas shouts into the air, making me laugh. "Don't take it too seriously Lukas. He's been telling me that all the time. Don't pay much attention to it!" I tease and Lukas laughs at me. Dean jumps up, and grabs me. He roughly pulls me towards him and wraps a playful arm around my neck. "Hey!" I protest, wincing when his knuckles descend on my head, messing up my hair completely. I can't help but laugh, struggling myself out of his grip. "Damnit." I mutter while both Lukas and Dean laugh at my messed up hair. "Do not curse in front of the kid." Dean tells me, giving me a playful wink before sitting back down. He looks at Lukas' laugh with a smile. "Hey, Lukas. Take care of your mom for me." He tells the kid. Lukas nods frantically at him. His smile is almost like magic, it is enchanting to watch.
I turn around when I hear footsteps approaching us. I quickly fix up my hair and watch Sam and Andrea approach us. Dean gets up from the car and is about to say something to Andrea. But Andrea takes him and us all of guard when she leans forward, kissing Dean. I raise my eyebrows with a grin, glancing at Sam. Sam raises his hands in the air at my glance, slightly chuckling. We were wrong, he got the girl after all.
"Thank you." Andrea tells Dean when she lets him go and Dean stares at her, not really knowing what to do. Then he walks around the car with a little shake of his head. "Sam, move your ass. We're gonna run out of daylight before we hit the road. Skye, jump in the back." He tells us and Sam grins fondly. He complies and gets into the front seat. I quickly walk to Andrea to give her a last goodbye and she wraps her arms around me, squeezing me tightly. "Don't let them decide for you too much, honey. You are already doing phenomenal on your own." She whispers in my ear, taking me of guard. She noticed more about us than I thought she would. I give her a bright smile in return before letting her go and running towards the impala. I jump into the back seat and Dean starts the car.
We drive off slowly, waving at Andrea and Lukas as they watch us disappear.
