Thawing a Frozen Heart

Chapter 1

(Trigger Warning: talk of abuse)

The last Wendigo (I had no other idea in my head okay?) let out a screech as it burned, skin bubbling off it.

Dean couldn't suppress a sigh as he looked around the bloodied campsite. They hadn't got to the place quick enough. The couple had been attacked before they had even known what was coming.

Opening his mouth to say something to Sam, he was cut off by a loud whimper. He spun around to scan the campsite for the source, his eyes landing on a rustling bush.

Dean and Sam locked eyes until Sam crept over to the bush, him being the closest. A even louder whimper then pleading filled the air.

"No, no... Stay back! Don't hurt me like Mommy was!"

The voice was obviously a child's, squeaky with fear. Sam sent Dean an alarmed look before responding.

"We aren't going to hurt you, you can come out."

Silence filled the campsite for a few moments before the child spoke again, obviously suspicious.

"Promise?"

Dean made his way over to stand by his brother, deciding to speak up.

"We promise."

The bush rustled as the girl came out warily from behind the bush. Her e/c orbs stared at them with fear, blood splattered all over her outfit. Even in the dim moonlight you could see her h/c hair. She looked only about five, and her clothes were baggy around her scrawny frame.

"Are the bad monsters dead? Did you kill them?"

She sounded so scared and innocent, her voice bursting with hope. Both of the brothers hearts ached at the thought of her finding out both her parents were dead.

"They're dead now, it's safe."

The girl stared at them, not sure if she could trust them. She finally decided that it would be okay, and placed her trust in them.

"I'm Y/N."

Both of the brothers smiled, seeing the girl decided to trust them. They still needed to figure out what to do though.

"I'm Sam, and that's Dean."

Dean waved slightly, seeing the girl's face light up happily. Just as quick as she grew happy, her face also fell.

"Mommy?"

A silence fell upon the trio as Sam and Dean tried to think of a way to break it to the girl standing before them, all ready beat up and broken.

"She...didn't make it."

Y/N's eyes looked down at the floor, tears jumping to her eyes as she sniffled slightly.

"Oh."

She raised her head to look mournfully to stare at the brothers, seeming lost.

"Where am I going to go?"

Sam didn't even have time to think of what to say, because Dean had already decided.

"You'll come with us for now, and we'll get you cleaned up. Is that all right with you?"

Y/N nodded fervently, looking at her new friends shyly. She tried to take a step forward, but stopped and let out a loud gasp of pain.

"O-Owwy..."

She held her hand at a wound in her side, whimpering in pain. Moving had caused the wound to reopen.

Sam rushed over and steadied the little girl, making sure she didn't fall over.

"You're not going to be able to walk, is it okay if I carried you."

Y/N nodded, wrapping her arms around Sam's neck. She clung onto to him like a lifeline, gasping a little as Sam stood up. She glanced down at the floor, and despite her pain giggled.

"You're tall."

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The ride in the Impala was mostly silent, trying to keep Y/N asleep. She wasn't in life threatening danger, so it was okay to let her fall asleep. Sam finally spoke up and broke the silence.

"So, what are we going to do?"

Dean, who had been focused on the road for once, glanced back at his brother.

"What do you mean? We're gonna take care of her, get her cleaned up, and take things as they come. That's all we really can do in this situation. It's not like we could just leave her."

Dean pulled the car into the motel they were staying at, bringing it into a halt. He then turned to look back at the sleeping Y/N and Sam.

"Can you wake her up?"

Sam nodded, shifting slightly and shaking the girl gently. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked tiredly at Sam.

"Sammy...Can I ask you a question?"

Dean smirked at Y/N's use of his brother's hated nickname, but Sam wasn't bothered by it.

"Yeah, Y/N."

Y/N's eyes opened fully now, her body becoming more awake.

"Do you think my Mommy's in heaven? I know my Daddy isn't."

Sam was taken by surprise at Y/N's question, but it was normal that a little girl would wonder that. Sam honestly had no clue about that though, so he focused on the second part of what she said.

"What do you mean you know your Daddy isn't?"

Y/N tilted her head, peering up at Sam. She seemed almost confused at why Sam didn't know.

"Daddy always hit me and Mommy."

Sam and Dean both stared at Y/N with wide eyes, shocked at what she had just said. It did explain why she had only asked about her mother being dead. Desperate to change the subject, Dean brought both of them back to focus.

"We'd better get you washed up, Y/N. Sam's going to take you inside, okay?"

Y/N nodded, latching onto Sam once more, nuzzling her face into his shirt. In the short time she had known them, she had already grown to trust them.

Sam got out of the Impala, carrying Y/N into the motel to get her cleaned up, while Dean stayed outside. He stood by the Impala, burrying his face into his hands. He then picked his head up, deciding he needed to update the angel on what had happened.

"Cas!"

The familiar rustle of wings behind him caused Dean to spin around, looking at the angel in a trench coat.

"Hello Dean."

Dean didn't bother to greet the angel back, instead leapt right into the point.

"Cas, we've got a bit of a situation."

Cas tilted his head, his brows furrowing. Normally Dean would only call him if it was an imminent danger.

"Yes, and?"

Dean leaned on the Impala again, and started to explain.

"We ran into a couple of Wendigos, and by the time we got there they had already killed the couple out camping. They apparently missed one of the family members, because they only killed the Mother and Father. They left behind a little girl."

Castiel was starting to understand the problem now. Both Dean and Sam didn't trust themselves with children, not in their line of work. They were afraid they would become a lot like John.

"What will you do?"

Dean ran his hand through his hair, pacing slightly. He locked eyes with his friend.

"For now? Take care of her."

Dean started toward the motel door, swinging open the door. He had barely taken a few steps inside before he heard Sam call.

"Dean! You need to come see this."