No Ordinary Boys ~ Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
"Hey Sammy," Dean smiled and brushed his brother's bangs out of his face as Sam sleepily blinked his eyes open. "How you feeling?"
Sam yawned, snuggling closer to Dean. "I'm okay."
"Good." Dean murmured into Sam's hair, kissing the top of his head.
"What about you? You feeling okay?"
Dean nodded.
Sam pulled back a little so he could look up at Dean and he quirked an eyebrow at his brother. "Really? Cause you look like you've been up all night. Did you get any sleep?"
"I got a few hours." Dean lied. It wasn't unusual for Sam to have really bad nightmares after being upset, so Dean had stayed up to make sure he was there for Sam if needed.
Sam sighed. He knew Dean was lying and that his brother had been up the whole night watching over him. "Dean, you're still sick. You need to sleep."
"I'm fine, Sammy." Dean assured. "And I spent most of yesterday in bed. I've had plenty of sleep."
Sam groaned, hiding his face back in Dean's neck. "I can't believe I freaked out like that yesterday."
Dean huffed. "Mary and John should never have pushed you on the whole school thing."
"It wasn't their fault, Dean." Sam said. "Mary was just trying to help and John didn't even come in until after I started panicking."
"They still upset you, Sam. And I told Mary before not to talk to you about school."
Sam shook his head. "Mary didn't do anything wrong. I didn't mind looking at those papers and I was actually liking it until the reading." Sam swallowed, his breath hitching a little. "I got stuck on a word and when I couldn't figure it out, it reminded me of the time when Mick and Janice tried to teach me to read and...well...you know."
Dean ran his fingers soothingly through Sam's hair. "Shhh." He didn't need Sam to say anything else, he remembered all to well the condition he found Sam in when he got home from school that day, and he knew he was to blame for it. The day before Dean had fought Mick on one of his punishments. Dean knew what happened to Sam was meant as a lesson for Dean. He did want Mick wanted or Sam would be the one to pay the price for him disobeying.
"I think we should apologise." Sam whispered.
Dean frowned. "Apologise?"
Sam nodded. "To John and Mary. I know you were angry at them but what happened wasn't really their fault and I feel bad that we basically just ignored them for the rest of the night."
"Weather they meant to or not, they still scared you Sam and I'm not okay with that."
Sam looked back up at his brother. "Please, Dean."
Dean held his gaze for a few moments before rolling his eyes in defeat. "Fine, fine. We'll apologise," he grumbled. "So you can put those puppy dog eyes away now."
Sam grinned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"John?"
"Hey Dean." John lowered the newspaper he was reading down onto the couch.
"Everything alright?" John asked when Dean didn't say anything and just stood there looking uncomfortable.
"Sorry." Dean mumbled.
"Sorry?"
"Yeah, about last night. Sam thinks we should apologise, for you know ignoring you and stuff." Dean shrugged. "So, I'm sorry."
John couldn't help but smile. "And what about you? Do you think you should apologise?"
"Not really. You frightened my brother." Dean replied and then sighed, "But I guess I didn't need to shout at you the way I did and Sammy wants us to apologise, so that's what I'm doing."
"Well apology accepted, even though it isn't necessary." John said. "I understand why you got upset and that you were just protecting Sam, but Mary was honestly just trying to help."
Dean looked down at the floor.
"I know it's not easy for you to trust us, but I promise you that we aren't going to suddenly just turn on you and Sam. All we want to do is help."
Dean didn't look convinced but he nodded. "So, are we okay now?"
"Of course." John smiled and then gestured for Dean to take a seat. "Actually there's something I wanted to talk to you about if you don't mind."
Dean sat down on the couch and eyed John warily. "What is it?"
"A good friend of mine has invited us over to his house for a barbeque, and I thought it would a good chance for us all to get out of the house for a while." John answered and he watched Dean carefully for his reaction.
Dean stiffened. "You want to take us to your friend's house?" Damm. His behaviour last night must have pissed John off worse than he thought.
"Yeah, his name's Andy and he was in the marines with me." John replied, keeping his tone low and calm when he noticed how tense Dean had become. "He's got two sons, Ryan and Alex, they're about the same ages as you and Sam, and they're really nice kids."
"I think me and Sam will just stay here." Dean said, shakily. He knew John wouldn't accept that but he had to try. He had been taken to enough of Mick's 'friend's' houses to know what was going to happen if John took him to Andy's. Maybe John was one of those people who didn't like dishing out the punishments himself but was more than happy for someone else to do it.
"Dean, we've been through this. Mary and I can't just go out and leave you boys here alone."
"If you want us to go out then we could all just go to the park again." Dean stammered. Please John, please. I'm sorry. Don't take me to Andy's. Please, he said in his head over and over. "Or the restaurant. We could go back to the restaurant."
John raised his eyebrows in surprise at that. The restaurant? Dean and Sam had barely been able to spend 10 minutes in there before they were panicking from being around so many people. Why would Dean want to go back? "Dean, it's okay. Andy's a real nice guy and there won't be too many people there, just a few friends..."
"Just take me then." Dean said, his voice taking on a desperate edge. "Let Sam stay here with Mary."
John frowned, his concern rapidly growing. The whole time the boys had been here, Dean had barely left Sam's side and now he was suggesting leaving his brother behind? "Dean, what's wrong? What's..."
John was cut off when Dean suddenly grabbed a hold of his arm and began babbling almost hysterically. "Please John, if you gotta do this then please don't take Sam," he pleaded. "I'll go and I won't fight, I swear, but please, please leave Sam here."
"Hey Dean, calm down kiddo." John said gently, alarmed at how pale and panicked Dean was getting. "I don't understand. Why would you want to leave Sam behind?"
"Please John." Dean begged, his breathing beginning to speed up. "As long as I was good and did what I was told then Mick would let Sammy stay at home. I swear John, I'll be good...your friend can do what he wants...I won't struggle...please..."
John felt like he might throw up when the meaning of Dean's words finally sunk in. Dean thought John was going to give him to Andy so he could...Oh god. "Dean, no." John said quickly. "That's not what's happening, buddy. I promise that's not what this is. It's just a barbeque, that's it."
Dean couldn't seem to hear him and was just repeating 'Don't take Sam' over and over in between stuttered breaths.
John took a hold of Dean's shoulders, trying to make eye contact. "Dean, you need to breathe, buddy. Everything's alright. You don't have to go anywhere, okay? We can all just stay here. Just breathe, Dean, Breathe."
Dean gasped as he tried to take some air into his burning lungs. "Pl...please..."
"Shhh, Dean." John soothed. "You're okay. Nothing's going to happen. You're safe, alright? Shhh."
John continued to whisper reassurances and finally Dean's breathing began calm and his shaking started to ease. "There you go. That's it, just relax," he encouraged, moving one of hands to rub comforting circles across Dean's back.
"You back with me, kid?" John asked after a few more moments.
Dean nodded but his kept his head down, refusing to meet John's worried gaze.
"Hey Dean, look at me." John gently lifted his chin up so Dean met his eyes. "Please, talk to me. Tell me what's going on?"
"I...I thought you said we were okay." Dean said, quietly.
John frowned in confusion. "What?"
"I apologised and you said that we were okay, but then you wanted to take me to your friend's house and..."
"Dean, no. I wasn't taking you there for anything but a barbeque." John assured, firmly. "I don't know exactly what would happen when your uncle Mick would take you somewhere, but I can take a guess and I swear to you that will never happen to you here. I would never do that to you, Dean. And I would never allow someone else to do that to you."
Dean took a few more deep breaths and nodded.
John smiled, patting him gently on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, Dean. I didn't think this barbeque through well enough. You don't have to go, okay? We can just stay home for today."
Dean looked surprised. "We can?"
"Sure." John nodded. "I might just drop by Andy's to say a quick hello but you and Sam can stay here with Mary, alright?"
"You don't mind?"
"Nah." John smiled. "And when I get back maybe we could all watch a movie or something. What do you reckon?"
Dean gave him a shaky smile in return. "Yeah, that sounds okay."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Mary, is it alright if me and Sam go upstairs to read our comics until John gets back?" Dean asked.
"Sure sweetie." Mary smiled. "Can you do me a favour and take up some laundry with you?"
Dean nodded.
Mary handed him a stack of folded clean laundry. "Just put them on the bed in my room and I'll sort them out later."
"Okay. Come on, Sam," he called and made his way upstairs with Sam following close behind.
"You go in, Sam. I'll be there in a minute." Dean said and Sam nodded, walking into their bedroom as Dean went to drop the laundry off in John and Mary's room.
Dean placed the laundry carefully on the bed before glancing around the room. He hadn't really seen inside John and Mary's bedroom and he was curious. It was clear that Mary had been the one to make the decorating decisions but the room was nice and had a homely feel to it. He noticed two framed photos on the bedside table and moved over to take a look. One was of John and Mary on their wedding day and the other appeared to be a group photo of some soldiers. Dean knew John had been in the marines and he picked up the photo for a closer look, seeing if he could find John in the picture.
Dean froze, his blood running cold. It wasn't hard to spot John but it wasn't John's face that caused pure terror to flood through his body. There stood just beside John was Dean's father. He was a lot younger but it was definitely him, and Dean thought he might throw up. John knew his dad? Had this all been some kind of trick? To lull him in to a false sense of security? But why? Whatever the reason, Dean knew it wouldn't be good. The thought of John and his Dad working together made him shiver with fear. God, he had been so stupid. He never should have trusted John. He had to get out of here, more importantly he had to get Sam out of here.
He let the picture fall to floor as he rushed back to his and Sam's room, he flew through the door, quickly pulling the duffel bag out from under his bed. "Sammy, I need you to grab your stuff, okay?"
"Dean?" Sam furrowed his brow in confusion. "Dean, what's going on?"
"We gotta go." Dean said, his hands shaking as he frantically stuffed things into the bag. "Right now."
Sam felt is heart start to beat faster. "What? Dean, wait. What happened?"
"Sam, just grab your clothes and whatever other crap you need." Dean ordered.
Dean yanked open one of the drawers, pulling a bunch of clothes out. "Move it, Sam!" he snapped when he saw he brother was still just sat on the bed.
Sam flinched at Dean's harsh tone and his brother quickly knelt down in front of him, cupping Sam's face in his hands.
"I'm sorry, Sammy. I didn't mean to yell at you." Dean whispered, his tone urgent and full of panic. "But I need for you to do as I ask, okay? Something bad has happened and it's not safe for us to stay here anymore, alright?"
"Wh..what happened?" Sam asked, his eyes wide with fear.
"I'll explain everything later but right now we gotta go, okay?"
Sam nodded shakily and moved to do what his brother asked.
Once they had packed what they needed, Dean slung the duffel over his shoulder and as quietly as he could, he led his now trembling brother down the stairs and out the back door.
Mary didn't notice the boys slipping silently out the door but it was impossible not to notice when five minutes later the front door was kicked in. Before Mary had time to react, one of the men who had broken in was holding something over her nose and mouth, and then everything went black.
"Take her to the van." Mick barked as he pulled his gun out from his jacket. "I'll get the boys."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey John." Andy greeted when he saw his friend walk into garden carrying a six pack of beers. "Glad you could make it, buddy."
"It's good to see you, man" John smiled and handed over the beers, slapping Andy on the back. "I'm afraid I can't stay long, need to get back to Mare and the kids."
"They didn't want to come over?"
"The boys are still a little uncomfortable around people they don't know."
Andy nodded in understanding. "Well, maybe next time."
"Yeah..." John's voice trailed off when he was distracted by the sound of someone laughing loudly. His body instantly stiffen in anger when he saw who it was. 'Thomas Miller.' "What the hell is he doing here?"
Andy gave an awkward shrug. "He just kinda showed up. I'm guessing one of the guys must have told him about it. You want me to get rid of him?"
John shook his head. "It's fine. Like I said, I ain't staying long anyway."
"You sure?" Andy raised an eyebrow at him. "Cause to be honest, I'm not exactly thrilled he's here myself and I don't have half the history with him that you do."
"Hey Johnny!" Tom's voice suddenly called out and he made his way over. "Long time no see, huh?."
"Tom." John grit out.
Tom took a swig from his beer before fixing John with a smile which looked more like a smirk. "I was hoping you would show up?"
John nodded tightly. "Really."
"Yep. I thought we could have a word in private in, if you don't mind."
John laughed humourlessly. "Yeah, I don't think so."
"Oh trust me, Johnny." Tom said, smugly. "You're gonna want to hear this."
Tom walked away, and cursing under his breath, John muttered an excuse me to Andy before following Tom.
"So, what the hell's so important?" John snapped once they were outside Andy's house.
"How's the wife?" Tom asked as he leant casually up against a car.
"What do you want, Tom?" John growled, his patience wearing thin.
"Heard you just took in a couple of kids. How's that working out?"
"Okay, you had your chance. I'm outta here." John turned to walk away.
"Dean and Sam, right?" Tom called after him and John froze, swinging back round to face him. "Fourteen and ten years old? Dean's a real firecracker when it comes to protecting Sammy, isn't he?"
"How the hell do you know all that?" John hissed.
"Why wouldn't I know?" Tom smirked. "Aren't those the kind of things a father should know about his kids?"
"Your what?" John spluttered, his eyes widening in shock.
"My kids, John." Tom chuckled. "Dean and Sam are my boys, and I want them back."
John shook his head. "You're crazy. I've read Dean and Sam's file their surname is Harrison. Their father's surname is Harrison."
Tom stuck his hand. "Thomas Harrison. It's nice to meet you." Tom laughed at the look on John's face. "I decided to change my name a few years back. Didn't really want to keep Miller after...well I'm sure you remember, don't ya, buddy?"
"I'm not your buddy." John snarled, grabbing Tom roughly by his jacket. "And if you ever come near Dean or Sam again, I swear I'll tear you apart."
"You're gonna want to be letting me go." Tom said.
"And why would I want do that?"
"Because right about now, Mick and few of my other buddies are breaking into your house and gathering up your new family." Tom grinned. "And if you ever want to see that lovely wife of yours again then you are going to do what I say."
"You son of a bitch!" John spat.
Tom waved a finger in front of John's face. "Now, now, Johnny, I really don't care for that kind of language." He shrugged out of John's hold. "You know at first I just wanted to find a way to get the boys back, but then when I found out they were staying with Corporal John Winchester, well I just couldn't let an opportunity like that slide by."
"I swear if you've hurt any of them then I..."
"Just get in the car, John." Tom ordered, opening the passenger's side door.
When John didn't move, Tom pushed his jacket aside so that John could clearly see the gun tucked in his waistband. "I said get in the car."
Tom smirked happily when John compiled and he was just about to get in the driver's side when his cell rang. "Mick?" he said, answering the phone but still keeping a close eye on John inside the car.
"Yeah, it's me." Mick replied. "Listen, we have a problem. I'm at the Winchesters. We have the wife, but Tom, the boys ain't here."
"What do you mean they aren't there?" Tom hissed. "Where the fuck are they?"
"I don't know. There was a broken picture frame in the bedroom. It was of you, John and the others in the marines." Mick explained. "I'm guessing Dean saw it, freaked, grabbed his little brat of a brother and ran."
"Well they can't have gotten far." Tom snapped. "Find them. I'll bring John to the agreed location, meet me there."
Tom flipped his cell phone shut, got into the car and sped off.
Chapter 12