A/N: As a special treat to thank you for continuing to read my stories, I am posting another chapter early. Enjoy...
Chapter 6
A meeting was called by John and the team was gathered in the training room waiting to find out the news. John walked in with Mary and headed to the front of the room.
"Thanks for coming," John started. "Mary has been monitoring the weather and there are two major fronts, one coming from the south and one from the east that are going to merge in the next forty-eight hours. This will leash possible tornados east of us, so I want us to be ready in case we are called out. As you know, if a tornado hits a major city, it will cause mass destruction there. There will be untold deaths and people trapped." He paused and glanced around at his team seeing nods of agreement. "Bobby, if you'll be sure the vehicles are ready to go, and Asa and Charlie, if you'll check the trailers to be sure the equipment is on board and ready that will give us a head start."
"On it," Asa nodded.
"I'll give them a double check," Bobby replied.
"Boys, you're with me," John told his sons. "We'll need to keep track of these storms and monitor the weather stations to see if it changes direction or speeds up."
"Yes sir," the brothers answered together.
"Okay, everyone, make sure your bags are ready just in case we're called out. That's it, thanks for coming," John dismissed everyone.
They got up and went in separate directions to do their assignments, all tense and anxious while they waited for the storms to hit. Dean and Sam followed Mary and John back to the main house and on into the office.
"I'll get you boys something to snack on," Mary told them as she continued to the kitchen.
"Thanks Mom," Sam told her before sitting at the table and pulling a laptop his way. He started typing to see if there were any updates on the storms.
Dean went to the smartboard and looked at the photos that John already had there showing the formation of the storms and tracking their possible paths.
"There should be some updated photos you can download Sam," John told him as he used his old, battered rolodex to find phone numbers for the network of search and rescue teams so he could make some calls. He was old school and knew that they couldn't always rely on computers for this information. He wanted to be sure others were preparing like him since it looked like the storm could hit several populated locations and could change course in a heartbeat.
"Sammy, can you zero in on this one?" Dean asked his brother pointing to one of the storms on the smart board. "I think it's picking up strength."
"On it," Sam nodded letting his fingers fly across the keyboard. He found what Dean wanted and sent them to the board so they could compare them.
Everyone finished their jobs and retired to their respective living quarters for the evening. They were going to try and get some rest so they could be ready if the call came in. The team could be ready to leave within thirty minutes of the call.
spn
The call came in on the second day around midafternoon requesting their help in the hardest hit city in Missouri, called Jefferson City. Buildings were down or destroyed, there were power outages in the entire town, and it wasn't the only town affected by the major storm system.
The team was on the road in record time, all psyched and anxious to get there and do what they do best, search and rescue. It was raining across the central states making it a cautious trip. The Winchester men and dogs rode together, and the others followed in the second vehicle. Sam had mapped out the quickest route to Jefferson City and they listened to the radio to get updated reports on the progress of the storm.
They had a little over a three-hour drive ahead of them and hoped the weather would cooperate, and the storm would move out of the area. They would meet at the main base camp with everyone else coming in to help and coordinate with the bosses so they could see where they were needed and get to work.
John decided to stop just before they got to Jefferson City to gas up and let the dogs have a quick break. Everyone got out and headed inside to the restrooms and to grab a drink. John called Mary to let her know where they were and check if there were further updates. Once everyone was settled in the vans, they continued the last leg of the journey.
The area was cordoned off by barricades and vehicles of all kinds to restrict access the closer they got to the epicenter of the tornado where it had touched down. Police were directing traffic and checked their ids before directing them to the staging area. John found parking and waited for Bobby to pull in beside him before getting out. Dean and Sam leashed the dogs until they were ready to do their job.
The team headed to a large tent and checked out the area as people raced around them. John found the captain and walked to a grid as they talked for a few minutes. He shook the captain's hand and walked over to his team.
"Alright, we're going to help with the search and rescue in the downtown area where the buildings collapsed trapping people inside," John instructed. "Bobby, if you'll help the crews with equipment issues, the captain would appreciate it."
"Just point me in the right direction," Bobby replied. He went to get his pack and headed in one direction as the others followed John deeper into the debris and wreckage of the town.
"Boys, see what the dogs can find," John ordered.
"Alright guys," Dean spoke to the dogs. "You know your job, search," he commanded releasing Fred and Sam released Barney.
The dogs quickly began to work their way through the rubble of concrete, bent steel, glass, and scattered furniture of the first office building. They scurried back and forth when they picked up a scent and alerted the team with their yips and barks.
The team hurried over to where they were prancing around and began to move what they could to make an opening big enough for Charlie to crawl into.
"Be careful Red," Dean told her as she disappeared into the darkness.
"Quiet!" Sam exclaimed as he stepped away from them and concentrated on trying to hear the noise again. "Over here. I can hear someone," he told them as he started throwing debris out of the way. Asa joined him and they worked quickly clearing as much as they could until finally a bloody hand was seen reaching for them. After a couple more minutes of digging, they helped a middle-aged man from the rubble. Once he was out, Sam laid down and wiggled into the opening to help several injured victims out. They called for EMTs and moved the rescued people back from the crumpled, destroyed building to the makeshift medical tent.
"Red, anything yet?" Dean spoke into his comm as he shone his flashlight into the opening where she had gone down.
"I hear something ahead of me," Charlie answered as she moved through the wreck of the fallen building being careful not to dislodge any loose debris.
"I'll be following behind you in a moment," Dean said. He grabbed a piece of metal to pry pieces of concrete from the opening to enlarge it. Once he had it big enough, Dean slipped into the wreckage and made his way after Charlie.
"I found several people that are trapped," Charlie said into her comm. "There's too much rubble for me to move to get to them."
"Hold on Red, I'm coming to you," Dean replied. "Guide me your way."
"I'm near a bunch of furniture. Look for my light," she instructed.
Dean moved slowly through the fallen building looking ahead until he spotted the flash of a light. He veered to the left and pushed at smashed desks to get them out of the way so he could get through the area.
"I can hear you," Charlie spoke into Dean's ear on his comm. "You're almost here."
"I see you Red, I'll be there in a minute." Dean finally stopped beside Charlie and looked at the barrier in front of them.
"Help! Help!" voices cried out in anguish and fear.
"Hold on, we're working on it," Dean replied as he studied the blockage trying to find a weak spot that might allow them to get through it.
"What have you got?" Sam's voice questioned over the comm.
"We've found some people trapped and are working on how to get them out," Dean answered. "Red, go back and get a jack and some rope."
"On it," she replied making her way back out.
"There's injured people in here," a voice called to Dean.
"How many are there with you?"
"Seven, four are injured and one is in serious condition."
"Alright, we're working on getting you out as quickly as we can."
Dean began to move some of the small rubble in one place as he hashed out his plan and hoped it would work. It wasn't long before Charlie and Sam joined him.
"What's the plan?" Sam asked looking at the barrier for a moment.
"Can you get the rope up over that metal brace up there?" Dean asked Sam as he pointed over their heads.
"Got it," Sam nodded taking the rope and moving to where he could do as Dean asked.
"We'll put the jack here," Dean explained to Charlie. "When Sam has the rope ready, can you make your way up that side and loop it around that section and anchor it. When you start jacking, Sammy and me will pull on the rope and try to move that top part. If we can do that, I think we can go over the rest of it and get to them."
"Okay, got it," Charlie told him as she waited for Sam to do his part. She followed Dean's instructions and tied off the rope.
"Need a hand?" Asa asked from behind them as he worked his way toward Dean.
"Yeah, get back there with Sammy. We're going to try and shift this crap to get to the trapped people behind it. There's some injured so I'll let you go first to tend to them, and we'll get those who can move out of here."
"Sounds like a plan. They've found some bodies of some that didn't make it," Asa said quietly not wanting to alarm the trapped people.
"Damn!" Dean swore. "I'm afraid they're going to find a lot more," he sighed softly.
The team worked quickly and in sync as they tried to create an opening to allow the trapped people to get out. They had to jack the huge slabs several times to finally get them out of the way. Asa climbed over the top and pushed smaller debris behind him and letting it fall so he could get the opening bigger.
"How's it looking Asa?" Dean asked.
"It looks like three only have minor injuries and can make it out. I'm going to need help with the others."
"Red, go help Asa and let's see if we can get some of those people out of there."
"Got it." Charlie made her way to the opening and disappeared.
"Sammy, I'll go to the top and help them down to you. Once we have those that can make it out on their own, you lead them to safety."
"Okay and I'll bring back slings to get the injured out," Sam added.
The team worked diligently together and got all the ones they found trapped out and moved to the first aid tent. They worked into the night freeing trapped victims and retrieving bodies of those that didn't make it. It was nearly three in the morning when the Winchester team was relieved to get something to eat and a few hours of sleep before getting back at it.
The team stayed for four days helping until they moved on to the next town that was devastated by the tornados. They joined the teams going from house to house clearing each one to see if any people were trapped or dead. By the time they had done all they could to help, everyone was bone weary and exhausted. John decided to stop at a motel so they could get some sleep before continuing home. He called Mary to let her know his plan so she wouldn't worry.
"How about a beer to unwind?" Dean suggested to the others once they checked into the motel and got their room keys.
"A bed sounds better," John stated. "Don't you boys stay out too late. And stay out of trouble."
"I'm with John," Bobby agreed as they headed for a room. "I'm too old to be out carousing."
"Count me out too," Asa shrugged. "I can barely stand. This job took a lot out of me."
"Red are you in?"
"Maybe next time. I want a nice hot shower and a comfortable soft bed," Charlie answered before yawning and rubbing her temple trying to ease a dull headache.
"Well, guess it's just you and me, Sammy," Dean huffed slapping his brother on the back.
"Well…" Sam started but was interrupted by Dean.
"Awe, come on Sammy, you can't let me drink alone. One beer and we'll head back."
"Fine," Sam sighed allowing his brother to talk him into going to the bar down the street from the motel.
They found seats at the bar and ordered their beers, relishing the first tart taste as they let their bodies relax. They talked a little about the rescues and any way to improve it.
"Excuse me," a stranger interrupted their conversation.
The brothers looked at the stranger standing at the end of the bar staring at them.
"Can I help you?" Dean finally asked, not sure what the guy wanted.
"I see by your jackets that you're with a search and rescue team. Were you down there helping after the tornado hit?"
"Yeah, we did our part."
"I wanted to thank you for your help and to buy you a beer," the man continued holding up two beers. "What you do is dangerous, and I don't know if you get the respect and recognition you deserve." He sat the beers in front of Dean and Sam with a nod.
"Gee thanks but it's not necessary," Sam offered getting a funny feeling that he couldn't explain. He had always been like this, able to read people better than a psychic.
"Please, it's the least I can do." With that said, the man walked away and disappeared into the crowd.
"Okay," Dean commented. "Guess we can't let them go to waste." He sat his empty bottle aside and took one of the beers, sliding the other to Sam. "Two won't kill us."
"I guess," Sam mumbled as he frowned trying to find the stranger, but he was gone. He picked up the beer and sipped it thinking it tasted different than the first one. He only drank about a third of it before wrinkling his nose and not wanting any more. "We should head back and get some rest."
"Okay," Dean agreed taking several long swallows before standing to leave. "I need to make a pit stop and we're out of here."
Sam followed Dean to the restrooms and went in with him. They did their business and were washing their hands when Dean began to sway and couldn't keep his balance.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Sam asked grabbing his brother's arm to steady him. He knew two beers wouldn't even affect his brother. Neither drank to excess so they could handle two beers.
"Head's a little dizzy," Dean replied shaking it and finding that made it worse deciding not to do that again. His vision swam and he felt sick, but his mind was filled with fog and didn't want to work.
"C'mon bro, it's not far to the motel." Sam grabbed Dean and guided them out of the restroom and toward the front doors. He was feeling fuzzy headed himself and hoped the fresh air would help.
They started down the sidewalk, and it was all Sam could do to keep Dean on his feet. His muddled mind finally comprehended something was wrong and fumbled to get his cell from his pocket to call their father. He lost his grip on his brother and watched him collapse to the ground just before everything went black and he fell into the abyss.
Neither brother noticed a van that pulled from the parking lot of the bar and slowly followed them until it was too late, and the brothers disappeared without a trace.
A/N: Thanks for coming on this journey with me. Thank you to any guests who left reviews. I do like reviews/comments. NC