This sequel takes place sometime after my first fanfic. There will be more returning characters from the show and my first fanfic along with more new ones in this story.
Chapter 58 Finding Ben
They drove all the way back to the Lowertown in the city and using the map and directions, managed to find one of the abandoned buildings. The place was old and there didn't seem to be a trace of anybody present not outside of the building at least. However, the gang wasn't taking in chances, so they all exit the van and searched around the building with no such luck of any human present, then they went inside the building and searched all over, downstairs and then upstairs and the only living things they could found were some rats.
After along and thorough search, the trio finally decide to hop back into their van and drive off to their next destination. They went to and searched a few of the other abandoned buildings with no such luck. Feeling a bit flustered, they continue to drive around Lowertown until they drove to area that look like a less desirable area with old run-down buildings with graffiti drawn on them, and some sketchy looking people hanging around some look like low-life criminals others like addicts or homeless people. Most folks wouldn't feel safe in this area but none of the three hunters who faced far worse were afraid.
They just parked the van a distance away, got out and walked about getting stares by some of the folks that it made Ava look a bit uncomfortable.
"Are you sure Ben is around here?" she asked Dean as they kept walking around.
"Not sure but it wouldn't hurt to ask around, I'm sure some of the folks could have seen or encountered a runaway kid if Ben is living on the streets" Dean told her.
"Okay, so lets ask around" said Ava.
Soon, they started approaching people asking about Ben with Ava showing them a photo from her phone even offering money to people but they all said no or just walked away making it clear they are not interested in what the strangers are offering. The gang was getting frustrated by the fact that they were not getting anywhere, when a young African American guy, looking like he's a hobo approaches Dean, showing off watches he has in a box.
"Hey dude, would you like to buy one of these fine watches, you can get them much cheaper than in any store bro, I assure you, you won't get any finer watches then these for cheaper price" he said with a sly smile.
Dean just shook his head. "No thanks dude," he told him assuming that the watches were stolen.
"Hey, no problem what about these gold chains or lockets here, maybe for your lovely woman" he said picking up another box that he had on the ground and removing the lid showing a pile of gold chains and gold necklaces even a small lockets.
Dean shook his head again. "No thanks dude, but I actually could use your help bro" he told him.
He then had Ava hold up the photo of Ben. "You see, we're looking for this kid and need to track him down, have you happen to seen him?" he asked the guy.
The man looks hesitant like he's holding back something. "Um, no I can't say I have" he told him.
Dean sensed there was more to what he was saying. "Are you sure that you haven't seen this kid?" he asked him again.
The guy still had a look on his face saying he knows something. "And why would I tell you even if I did, are you the popo or something?" he asked him.
"No, we aint cops dude, just concerned about his welfare and we can make it worth your while if you know anything" Dean told him.
"Oh, really like say what?" the guy asked him hinting that he wanted something in return.
"We will pay you" Dean told him.
"Oh really how much would you give me?" asked the man.
Just then Dean and Sam took out there wallets and Ava went through her purse for her wallet and all of them pulled out money and came out with $60 dollars. Dean took all the money and dangled it in front of the man making clear he will only give him the money if he spilled what he knew.
"Okay, okay man, I may have seen that kid around in the past" he told them.
"Where and when?" Dean asked him.
"He sometimes comes around here selling nice things to one of the usuals" said the guy.
"The usuals?" Dean asked him.
"Folks like me who come around here selling goodies, he even sold a watch to me once or two, gave to him for thirty" said the guy.
"Do you know where he happens to stay?" Dean asked him.
"He may stay at the old building where most those kids stay, they got the runaways and the throwaways that camp out there" said the guy.
"Tell us the location of this place" Dean told the guy.
The guy gave him the location and of the place and how to get there which wasn't to far from that area. After he was finished questioned, the guy, Dean handed him the $60 which made the guy so happy as it was the most and easiest money he made that day.
"Hope to do business with you guys again someday, if you need the lowdown on anything you can come to me anytime" said the guy smiling over his payment.
The guys just took off and headed back into the van and drove off.
"I'm still not over him calling those kids runaways or throwaways" Ava said.
"Yeah, me too, the kids that run away from home and the others who are thrown out wind up here on the streets" Dean replied.
Ava just sighed. "How terrible" she said.
"Yeah, it sucks for the kids but right now the only kid I'm thinking about is Ben" Dean said.
It didn't take them too long to find the abandoned building that guy told them about after following the directions he gave them. The place looked old and dirty like it hadn't been opened for anyone for decades. The trio just got out of the van and walked up to the main entrance which was empty. In fact, there wasn't a kid in sight.
"So, I guess we just search around this building, it looks like it' empty" replied Sam.
"That's the only option" Dean said.
"And what if we happen to run into one the street kids?" Ava asked.
"We'll ask them if they seen Ben" Dean answered.
"Dean, you know these kids may not want to give up Ben just like that, that would be snitching to them" said Sam.
"Maybe if we bribe them like we did with that watch salesman back that place" Dean suggested.
"I don't know, these kids may not be easily swayed, you know with kids, it's like betrayal to snitch on their own even for money" Sam said.
"Hey, that's the best we can do, unless you got a better idea?" Dean asked and Sam just shook his head.
"Let's worry about it once it comes to that, right now we better go in see what can we find" Ava told them.
Dean nodded his head and soon the three of them entered the building cautiously looking around their surroundings. The place was dark and filthy with cobwebs and graffiti on the walls, dirt on the floor. This place was certainly not suitable for a group of kids to live. The trio continued looking about in silence not knowing what to expect but saw far the place seemed to be empty despite a group of street kids suppose to be residing here. Just then, to their surprise, they saw an African American boy who didn't look more than fourteen sitting on some dirty stairs. He clothes look worn out and unclean clothes and he was had on a headphones on while listening whatever on an iPhone. The boy looked up and noticed the three adults.
"Oh hello there" Ava said with a friendly smile.
However, when he saw them he looked like a dear in headlights and before Ava had a chance to say something else to him, they boy got up and quickly ran up the stairs and was out of sight within seconds.
"Oh, these kids really don't trust anyone.
"No, they don't, if you're not one of them you're the enemy" Dean said.
"Can't say I blame them, they don't know who to trust, maybe the adults that they should have trusted be to protect them let them down somehow or even betrayed them in the worst way" Sam said.
"How do you figure that?" asked Ava.
"He reads like like the nerd he is" Dean answered for him as Sam just gave that "whatever" look on his face.
Just then they heard a noise which made them jump at the same time. As they kept looking around they heard a voice say "Who the hell are you guys?" causing them to jump all at once.
The voice came from behind them and when they turned around, they came face with a teenage boy who looked about fifteen or sixteen wearing a gray hoodie and jeans with holes in them and he had longish brown and he seemed to be holding a pocket knife in his hand as if he was prepared to use it. "They guys just stood there and stared at the strange kid who feeling scared teen though they were aware that the boy was probably more scared of them.
"Hey, I said who are you guys?" the boy asked more belligerent.
"Hey easy there kid, we come in peace as they say" Dean said trying to defuse the tense situation but it didn't seem to be working. "We are not going to hurt you, I swear, there no need to get excited" he kept urging the boy.
"Who the hell are you guys, are you the cops or what?" the boy asked them.
"No we are not the police" said Dean.
"Yeah, only came here because we're looking for someone a kid around your age in fact" said Sam.
"So what are you somebody's old man or something?" the boy asked him.
"Hey look, we are not here to play twenty questions, like we said we're hear looking for a kid close to your age and maybe you can help us" Dean said.
"Why should I help you guys?" the boy asked.
"You don't have to but we are just hoping you would as it's very important we find this kid" said Dean.
The boys eyes lit up out of curiosity. "Look, if you're looking someone to hire for a job or anything like that, I'm your guy; I do it without question" the boy said.
"Nothing like that kid, but hey I tell you what, if you help us, we're pay you" Dean told him.
"How much?" the kid asked.
Dean had to admit he was expecting the boy to be a bit more loyal not really to snitch on another kid not even for money but then again he doesn't know this kid nor where his morals stands. All three of the adults took out more money that they had on them which added up to another $s60.
"That's all you got sixty bucks?" the boy said.
Then both Sam and Dean both took out a twenty dollar bill adding up to $100.
"Here's a hundred bucks, now I suggest you take it or leave it" Dean said praying that he take it.
The boy seems satisfied but they didn't give him money until he helps them first. "Okay, who are you hunting down?" he asked.
"We're looking for a kid named Ben about seventeen, dark-haired, dark eyes, where's a hoodie like you, do you know him?' Dean asked.
"Maybe, and maybe I tell you where he's at" said the boy.
"Okay tell us what you know" Dean said.
The the boy stuck his hand out as if he was reaching for a tip. "First, you pay me and I will" he said.
"We'll pay you once you take us to him" Dean said.
"But if I do that, folks here know that I snitched, I will be considered a rat, I got a reputation to protect" said the boy.
"Fine just tell us and wait here, we'll pay you after we spoken to Ben" said Dean.
"But dude, I do I know you won't stiff me after you got what you wanted, I need some reassurance" said the boy.
"So do we, I'll tell you what, we'll only give you a sixty for now and after we spoken to Ben, we'll pay the rest okay, either way you got some dough" Dean told him.
The boy was hesitant and thought for a moment then relented.
"Okay dude deal, I guess I don't have a choice" he told him.
So Sam and Ava gave Dean some of the money and he gave it to the boy who quickly put it in his pocket.
"Okay, you guys can just go up those stairs go down the left corridor and check in the first room on the left, plenty of the gang crash there" the boy said.
"Hope this is one the ups and ups" Dean told him.
"Hey, I'm being real with you, wouldn't try to trick you since you have forty more bucks for me, dude" the boy said.
Soon, Dean, Sam and Ava turned around to find the staircase again.
"Hey Dean, you're sure that kid was telling us the truth or just trying to rip us off for money?" Sam wondered.
"Knowing that we're holding more money for him afterwards, I doubt, he seems like the type that would sell anyone out for some bucks" Dean said.
"Yeah, I can't believe he was so easily willing to give up one of his own for some money, I thought these street kids had an honor code among each other in which they don't rat each other out" Ava said.
"Hey not all of these kids follow an honor code; there some that are only out for themselves and would sell you out even to the cops for the right price believe me I know" Dean said.
"How do you know this?" Ava asked.
"That is open for another conversation for another time darling, right now our only focus is to find Ben and hopefully he's where this kid says he's at probably chilling with his fellow fugitives" Dean said as they all walked up dirty stairs that was so filthy that they were getting dust on their shoes.
They soon found themselves on the second floor where they floor walls and ceiling were just as dirty with windows that were broken. They took the left corridor and walked down the hall until the spotted a room on the left side and with the door hanging open. They could hear the sounds of kids talking and holding their breaths they entered the room and saw inside a a small group of teens some of just sitting on the dirty floor listening to whatever was on their iphones while two guys are playing a game of marbles smoking cigarettes. One teen girl is just sitting in silence seeming to be staring off into space and way on the other side of the room was Ben sitting on what appeared to be a sleeping bag looking through an iphone.
When the three adults slowly enter the room some of the kids stop what they're doing and look right in there direction including Ben. As soon as they see them, some stand up all looking in fear as if they were criminals about to be busted.
"What the hell man" one of the boys says and pulls out a pocket knife as another boy does is prepared to run.
"Jesus it's the cops man" one the kids cried out as the others were about to run..
"Woah, woah, we are not cops or work for any law enforcement what so ever" cried out Dean as he put both his arms to defuse the situation.
"Yeah, we are not cops nor have we called the cops" Sam added.
"Look guys you're not in any trouble what's so ever, we don't care about you guys, we're just looking for one kid" Sam said.
Dean looked up at Ben who had gotten up looking scared alike a deer in the headlights. "Hey Ben!" he called out to him as he just stood there not knowing what to do but just stare at Dean confused.
"Hey Ben do you know these guys?" asked one of the kids as they all turned towards him.
"This is the guy that was there when I grabbed that old dude's wallet but I haven't seen him before in my life before that, hey how the hell did you find me and how come you know my name?" he asked looing confused.
Dean had to remind himself that Ben doesn't remember him not since he had Castiel wipe a way all this memories along with his mother.
"Hey look, Ben I can explain everything and don't be afraid you're not in trouble or anything, we are not here to bust you just we just need to talk to you" Dean said as he resisted the urge to run up there and hug him.
"And how the hell do you know my name when I don't know you from Adam to Eve" Ben said.
"You wouldn't remember me, but I did know you a long time ago as well as your mother" Dean told him.
"How could you know me and my mom when I don't remember you at all" Ben yelled back. "Well, I can prove it but if you don't mind I would like to talk to you in private" Dean told him. "Hey man, I'm not going anywhere with you unless you prove to me you are who you say you are!" Ben yelled out. Dean just grinned. "Yeah, I get it, don't want to just take a stranger's word, I would feel the same way when I was your age. Okay Ben here it goes: your full name is Benjamin Isaac Braeden, you were born May 12, 1999. Your mother's full name is Lisa Colleen Braeden, you're from Cicero, Indiana. You have the same birth mark on the back of your upper right shoulder that your mother has" Dean told him as Ben's eyes just lit up in surprise as he didn't know what to think.
"Should I go on?" Dean asked.
"No, that's okay I heard enough okay, maybe you did know my me and my mom but I just don't remember you" Ben said.
"Well, I guess you wouldn't, but I new your mom a long time ago, in fact we were in a relationship" Dean said.
Ben just looked even more surprised of what he just heard.
"What, you're saying you and my mom dated?" he asked not knowing what to believe.
"We did more than date, we, well we kind of lived together at one time" Dean said a bit hesitantly not knowing how Ben would react.
Ben still was looking shocked as he was trying to process all what he heard in while the other teens remained silent just listening in curiosity as if they were watching a movie.
"You and my mom lived together, no freaking way, I don't remember this what did this happen before I was born or something?" he asked.
"No, you were around but you wouldn't remember because it was so long ago...when you were a baby" Dean said hesitantly since it wasn't entirely true.
"You, my mom and me lived together when I was just a baby, no way she never told me about you" Ben said.
"Well, I assumed she wouldn't we only lived together for a year and then we split up and I guess she just wanted to move on. Besides, I doubt she told you about all of the guys she dated in the past" Dean said.
"No, but not mentioning that she shacked up with a guy when I was a baby a lot bigger than just dating some dude" Ben said.
"Well, like I said, maybe she wanted to just move on from that since it didn't work out and you were too young to remember it all anyway" Dean told him still feeling guilty for lying.
"Speaking of your mom, what are you doing here in St. Paul, I mean you're mom must be out of her mind with worry, what the hell happened, did you run away of something? What could possibly happened at home that would make you run away and do you care what you're putting your mom through?" Dean couldn't help but ask in a fatherly tone.
"Hey dude, just because you say you shacked up with my mom a lifetime ago doesn't give you the right to play dad with me. You don't know nothing about me and my mom now and I don't need your lectures or interrogation alright!" Ben cried out in anger.
"Okay, okay, I get it, we don't have to talk about your mom, at least not right now, but I came here to have a word with you and would like to have it in private" Dean said firmly.
"I still don't got anything to say to you, don't care who you say you are" Ben fired back.
"Hey, please just give me a ten minutes of your time, I'm not asking a lot, look I promise this isn't a trap I mean if I wanted to sick the cops on you they would be raiding this place by now, just hear me out" Dean pleaded.
Ben turned to look at the other kids who just stood there with conflicted looks on their face as if they didn't know what to tell him. Finally, he turned back to Dean. "Okay, I give you only ten minutes then you take off" Ben said.
"Fine" said Dean.
Soon, Ben step out of the room and followed Dean, Sam and Ava down the corridor in entered another room in another section of the floor. Ben then turned to Dean looking so seriously. "You know what man I don't even know your name" he told him. "Oh right, I almost forgot, by the way I'm Dean Winchester, this my brother Sam and my girlfriend Ava" Dean said pointing to both his brother then Ava. Ben glanced at both Sam and Ava who only have a friendly hello but Ben didn't respond or acknowledged them.
"Thought we were going to talk in private" Ben said to Dean still looking distrustful.
"Oh, okay if you prefer it to be just the two of us" Dean said and then turned to Sam and Ava. "Can you guys just wait downstairs, this won't be too long" he told them.
"Yeah, sure we understand, just good luck, come on Ava" Sam said as he sort of pulled Ava away and they both left the room.
"Now it's just the two of us here, are you satisfied?" Dean asked.
"Okay, you wanted to talk so talk" Ben said.
"First I wanted to say it's good to see you again, even if you don't remember me, I haven't forgotten you, I would know you anywhere" Dean told him trying to contain his emotions of seeing again.
Ben still felt a bit uncomfortable at that thought.
"Yeah, about that, look if I was just a baby when the last time you saw me, then how could you know it was me in the street the other day? I mean there is no way you could have known it was me after all those years" Ben said.
Dean just swallowed as he thought about what to say.
"I didn't say that was the last time I saw you and your mom" he told him.
"When was the very last you saw me?" Ben asked curiously.
Dean thought about it and knew he couldn't tell him the truth so he just swallowed and again and told him his story.
"It was on your eighth birthday. I happened to be in town and I drove by your home in the neighborhood, Morning Hills and you had this huge birthday party in your backyard. I parked just outside your house got up and walked around the backyard outside the fence and just peaked over the fence I saw a bunch of people, children and their moms, I remember balloons everywhere and there was this awesome moon bounce with kids jumping up and down inside. Then I saw you dressed in black just having fun and enjoying yourself" Dean said as he lied to Ben he thought about that time but it was the very first time he laid eyes on Ben not the last and he hadn't seen Lisa in years.
He felt guilty for lying but this was the best solution since he couldn't tell him the whole truth about being a hunter and working a case then. The thought of it started to make Dean a sad and feel almost teary eyed but he held it toghether. Ben seemed to be in thought too possibly thinking about that time.
"Yeah, I remember that but I didn't see you there" he told him.
"That's because I made sure I wasn't seen, I spied on you guys over the fence and just watched to see how you guys were doing and I saw you all grown up. That's why I was able to recognize you downtown when you pocketed from that old dude, I just saw your face and knew it was you. I mean you look so much like your mother, you have her eyes and all" Dean said.
Ben just looked conflicted again as if he didn't know what to saw.
"Why didn't you let us know you were there, why hide away and spy on us?" Ben asked.
"I thought about it, but decided it was just best not to. I mean, it had been years since I seen you two and she had moved on and you wouldn't remember me anyway, I thought for you mom it would bring back painful memories as our break up was kind of tough on both of us and I didn't wanted to avoid that so I just watched you guys from afar than got in my car and drove off" he explained hiding the guilt he was feeling from lying to Ben right to his face.
Ben paused again for a moment than looked up at Dean again. "There is another thing that I'm curious about. You said were in town and just decided to check in us but how did you know where we lived if you had been out of the picture for so long? I mean me and my mom had moved to the Morning Hills Neighborhood two years earlier after my grandmother died and my mom inherited half her money and so could afford to live there" Ben said.
"Yeah, I know your mom, you and me used to live at the Rover Ridge apartments before that" Dean answered, although he only knew that because Lisa told him while they were together. Then he went on. "I did go by there first but when I realized you and your mom didn't live there anymore, I just searched for your address from the directory off the internet and found it" Dean covered although it was partially true, the part of him searching through the directory off the internet and found her home address when first saw Lisa after nine years.
Ben seemed to accept this answer but still tried to appear unmoved.
"Well, okay what do you want from me now, to catch up, share stories like old pals?" he said sarcastically.
"No, like I said before, I was shocked when I saw you in town and still want to know why are you here in city, why aren't you home with your mom and now your stealing from folks, I mean what happened at home that would make you leave, I know your mom is going crazy with worry" Dean couldn't help ask again thinking Ben may confide in him now it' just the two of them in a room.
"Hey, like I said, I don't have to explain myself to you it's none of your business anyway" Ben fired back impatiently.
"Alright, alright again I guess you're not ready for open up to me about home life and I will respect that for now, but I also came here to ask for a favor" Dean said.
"What favor?" asked Ben.
"I need you to give me wallet you stolen from that old man and all of the money you taken" said Dean.
"What the hell for?" asked Ben.
"So I can return to the old man that you stolen it from" Dean said.
Ben's eyes lit up in shock.
"Are you kidding me, that's the real reason to down was to butter me up going down memory lane so you can get me to give up a wallet from some old timer" Ben cried out.
"Hey, I promised that guy if I got back the wallet and returned it to him, he wouldn't call the police and he gave me one day to persuade you" Dean told him.
"Hey, nobody asked you to butt in, you just wasted your time" Ben cried out.
"Look Ben, I'm trying to help you here, I mean if that old dude calls the cops well, If I was able to track you down here in a short time, what makes you think the cops won't" Dean said.
"Look man, I know how to avoid the cops I've been doing so for a while now and don't need your help" Ben said angrily.
"You might but what about the other kids here, you're telling me you don't give a damn if the police storms in and then what your friends being carted away back into the system" Dean said hoping to get through to Ben.
Ben just look conflicted not knowing what to do next.
"Hey, if you need money I'll get you some anything you need" Dean told him.
"Hey, I don't need any hand outs" Ben fired back a bit angry.
"Really, you're too proud to accept money from me but not too pride to steal from old folks and selling them to thugs on the street?" Dean replied.
Ben looked guilty at first but then surprised. "Hey, how did know about that?" he asked.
"I asked around which is how I knew where to find you" said Dean.
Ben continued to look guilty.
"Hey, I will pay how much you gout from taking that wallet or not if you really don't want me to but please just give me the wallet this one time, and I won't ask again, I promise you won't go to jail if I return the man's wallet in time, that old dude will forget about the whole thing really" Dean urged him.
"How do I know for sure if I give back the wallet you won't bust me afterwards?" Ben asked.
"If I did that the police would be here right now instead of me trying to talk you into giving up the wallet" Dean reminded him.
Ben just paused looking conflicted.
"Please Ben, I gave this man my word just so I could talk him out of calling the police" Dean pleaded again.
There was another pause as Ben felt torn but finally he relented.
"Boy, you do strike up a hard bargain" he told him.
"Well I try" Dean said.
"The wallet is back in the room in my bag but spent some if it on the others as we sometimes share our food and all" Ben said.
"How much was in the wallet?" Dean asked.
"We counted exactly 100 bucks in cash, we didn't spend any coins" Ben said.
"No problem, I have money I pay what you spent" Dean told him. Ben then went back into the other room where the kids were to retrieve his bag while Dean just waited.
Within several seconds, he was back with a backpack and he unzipped it and pulled out a brown wallet and handed it to Dean. Dean took the wallet and searched through it for the money to see how many dollar bills were left.
'55 bucks left, gee what did exactly did you guys spend on this?" he asked.
"Just some groceries, food, magazines and whatever" Ben said.
Dean just put the wallet in one of his pants pocket. "Thanks Ben, you did the right thing here" he told him.
"Yeah, whatever, now you got what you came for are done good?" Ben replied.
"That's not all that I came here for" Dean told him.
"Yeah, what now?" Ben asked a bit impatiently.
"Ben, when I saw you saw downtown after all these years and now living like this, I had to see you again and at least try to help" Dean told him.
"I don't need anybody's help, I'm doing fine" Ben fired back bit angry.
"From where I standing and I mean literally, I don't see that, living in some abandoned building with a bunch of other street kids and I can't understand why you prefer living here than at home and I mean did it get real bad or something?" Dean asked.
"Hey, I told you I'm not discussing my mom with you" Ben cried out even more angry.
"Okay, but still why here?" Dean asked.
"None of your business, okay dude. I gave you the wallet so why don't you just take off already" Ben said as he was about to turn to leave.
"Hey, Ben please, I don't want to leave on sore note, come on, if you don't want my help yet, alt least let me see you again so we can talk" Dean told him.
Ben stopped and turned to him. "And talk about what, huh, talk about old times with you my mom and me for stuff I don't freaking remember" he said.
"Just talk, talk about anything you want, you can even ask me questions if you like, I'm sure you got plenty and you can ask me anything and we don't have to discuss your mom if you don't want to but anything you want" Dean said.
"I don't think so" Ben said.
"Look, please Ben, don't shut me out just yet, we just have a talk, let me buy you lunch in fact, tomorrow just the two of us, I won't bring Sam and Ava if you don't want me to" Dean said.
Ben just stood there looking hesitant.
"Please, Ben, just let me see again at least, just give me a couple of days and if you still want me to go away, I will and won't bother you again, you got my word on that and I never go back on my word" Dean said.
"Yeah, well how do I know you won't try to set me up with some social worker or something?" Ben replied.
"Like I told you before, I would have done that already if that is the case. Look Ben please just trust me, just lunch tomorrow and just talking, I'm really pleading here" Dean said.
Ben just looked hesitant again as if he didn't know what to do and say and then finally he just sighed.
"Okay fine, but just lunch not free pass for you to play therapist or social worker" Ben said.
"Hey, scout's honor we don't have to talk about anything you're uncomfortable with" Dean reassured.
"Okay good or I'm taking off, well anyway where should we meet?" Ben asked.
Dean thought for a moment, then he remembered a diner he and Ava saw. How about this place remember in Lowertown, I think it's called Saint Diner or Dinner" Dean replied. "
Oh, I know Saint Dinnette" Ben corrected.
"Yeah that's it Saint Dinnette, meet me there tomorrow at 1pm, that is if you prefer me to come and give you a lift" Dean said.
"That's okay, I'll meet you there I know where it's at" Ben said.
"Perfect" Dean said, then he just sighed. "Anyway, I have to get back, and Sam and Ava are probably wondering what's taking so long so, I'll see you tomorrow remember at 1 at Saint Dinnette" he said.
"Yeah I know" Ben said.
"And I want to thank you for returning the wallet, this means a lot" Dean said.
"Sure, whatever dude" Ben said.
Then he just walked away from Dean and turned to leave the room but not before turning around and giving Dean another glance. "Well see yeah dude" he said.
"You too" Dean replied as Ben just left the room and went back to the room where the other kids were.
As Dean walked by he could here the other kids questioning him about Dean like an interrogation but he didn't stick around to eavesdrop so he just headed back downstairs to where Sam, Ava and the kid that they bribed to find Ben was standing with him waiting for the rest of his payment.
"So, did you get it all settled?" Ava asked as soon as she saw him.
"Yeah, as much as I could" Dean said.
"So what did happen?" asked Sam anxiously.
"Hey, what about me, I believe you promised me the rest of my payment" he said as he reached his hand out.
Dean just took out his wallet an pulled out $40 and handed it to the kid.
"Okay, I'll deal is done, kid " he said.
The boy just had a happy look on his face as he took the money put him in his pocket. "Thanks man, now got split, peace out" he said and then he just took off upstairs out of sight.
"Hope the kid wasn't much trouble to you guys" Dean said.
"Not really, Magic was happy to entertain us with tales and his little friends do some of them quite unbelievable, I think he definitely exaggerated a lot of it" Ava said.
"Magic"? Dean replied.
"Yeah, that's what he says everybody calls him because he can appear and disappear like magic, so he says" Sam added.
"Anyway enough about him what about you and Ben?" Ava asked.
"Well, I got him hand over the wallet and he did spend some money but no problem, I pay for whatever money he spent and we're going to meet up tomorrow for lunch back at Lowertown" Dean said.
"Really, you got him to agree to have lunch with you tomorrow?" Ava asked surprised.
"Yeah an I'll explain it all on the way out of here" Dean said.
"Fine with me, I'm more than ready to get out this place" Sam said.
They all left the building and headed back to the car and soon drove back to the house as Dean explained everything to Sam and Ava. Later that day, back at the house, Dean explained the whole story to the others. "So, you meet him for lunch tomorrow and then what?" Adam asked.
"Then, I just try to get him to trust me and so he'll let his guard down and maybe I can persuade him to call Lisa which will be the first step and hopefully go home" Dean told them.
"I still think you should just phone Lisa and tell her where he is, she must be worried like crazy" Sam said. "We've been over this already, if I call Lisa right now, the first thing she will do is head out here no matter what I say to her hoping to drag him home and Ben might be mad that I betrayed him, won't trust me anymore and do something like take off to who knows where and we may not be able to find him at least not so easily. I can't take that chance. As much as it pains me that Lisa is probably going out of her mind right now, the best thing for us to do is handle it my way. Let me get through Ben and get him to trust me enough to listen to me in doing the right thing" said Dean.
Ava just sighed. "Alright Dean if you really thing your way is the best, I'll with you" she told him.
"So are all of us" Sam added as the others agreed.
"Thanks guys" Dean told them.
When Madame Bess returned home from her business, they all clued her in too on what happened.
"I wish I could have foresaw what happened so I could have giving you the heads up, but you know my visions are unpredictable, me and Gwen's both I wish I could see what will happen with you and this boy but the only thing I can do is wish you the best of luck" she told him.
"Thanks, ma'am you and me both" he told her.
Later that night way after dinner when they all retired for bed, Dean was still thinking about Ben that he had trouble having a little bedtime sex that he and Ava normally have before sleeping.
"You still can't get your mind off that boy?" she asked as she caressed his shoulder.
Dean sighed as she stroked her hair. "It's just that I never thought I ever see Ben or Lisa again and now five years later, I saw him in the street yesterday here in this city of all places stealing from some old guy, living on the street in some abandoned building with a bunch of other street kids. He doesn't even know who I am because of me and earlier today I told him partly lies because I couldn't tell him the whole truth. I guess I'm scared if I'm going to be able to help him" he said.
"Hey, I get it that you care about Ben, he was someone from your past that meant a lot to you from what you told me of him and his mom, and as much as I hope you are able to get through to him, I got to know that it isn't on you to save him" Ava said.
"But I got to try and I won't give up until I do" Dean replied firmly.
"And if you don't, you know the best solution might be contacting the authorities and his mom" Ava said.
"That won't be a option, I got to help this kid my way, even if I got to be here for while" Dean said.
Ava just sighed. He then turned to her and started caressing her again.
"You know you don't have to stay here, I mean if I'm still here after the week, you and the others could just go back home and I will handle Ben on my own" he told her.
"I'm with you through all of this if you stay I stay" Ava insisted.
Dean just smiled. "That what is what I love about you, will to stand by my side no matter what" he said.
"And what I love about you, willing to put your neck out for others especially those who mean dear to you" she told him.
"Of course, I'll have Adam and Charlie escort Gwen back as she has a job if we are still here after the week, Sam will probably want to stay to help too" Dean said.
"Okay, but right now I suggest we just get some shut eye since it doesn't seem you're in the mood tonight" Ava said.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that but I promise to make it up to you soon once I'm in the mood again and it will be the best night of your life" he said with a grin.
"I'll hold you to that promise" Ava said to grinning and soon, they two of them just cuddled together in bed and fell asleep in each other's arms.
Update:
I know this is later than usual but I wanted to wait until after Christmas to post this chapter, besides I'm following behind a bit on writing my chapters so be patient please. Anyway I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and wishing all of you a happy new year.