Born in Blood

Chapter 14

Deans POV

I glanced over at Sam as he slept in the passenger seat. It wouldn't be too much longer and we'd be home. This hunt had taken a lot out of us, but we agreed it needed to be finished fast. We wanted to be home in time for Leah's birthday even if all we could do was give her a gas station birthday cake and a burner type phone. I felt bad that she had to get rid of her old one, and I'd feel safer if she had her own so that she could call us if she found herself in an emergency.
I had told Bobby that we would be home by nightfall but it was looking like we might get back early. That was fine by me.
But as I drove I found myself thinking about Cas. He hadn't been answering any of my prayers. It was like he was avoiding us. We hadn't seen him since the incident with Leah and the vamps and that wasn't like him. I even tried calling him on the phone with no luck.
I didn't like this. I needed to ask him about Leah and if he had healed more than just her outward injuries. I assumed he must have because she hadn't had any issues yet since being with us and the way she spoke about them they were bound to show up left and right otherwise. But I wanted to know for sure.

We drove for a couple more hours before we pulled into the driveway. I instantly felt more relaxed. It felt good to be home. Sam grabbed the cake and headed inside
I grabbed the bag with the phone and followed shortly after. Sam had already put the cake in the fridge.
"Hey, Bobby, were back!" I called, laying the bag on the kitchen table. The two of us made our way into the living room. Bobby looked up from whatever book he was reading and the whisky bottle he was nursing.
"You're early." He pointed out.
"Where's Leah?"
Bobby looked around as if he was just noticing that she wasn't in the room with him, and then turned to look at the clock on the wall.

"She said she was going outside earlier for some air...but I guess I lost track of time. She must still be out there."

Then, as if she could tell we were talking about her, she came barging in through the door. Her breaths were a little labored and I felt panic hitch in my chest for a moment.

"Sorry, I fell asleep in one of the old trucks outside. I just woke up and saw you guys pull up."
"Did you run here?" Sam asked, turning to look at Leah.  She shook her head as her breaths became more labored.  She coughed and rubbed her hand across her chest as if to comfort herself or ease something away.  I could feel my nerves growing cold as I stepped forward, leaning down to be eye level with my daughter. 

"Are you okay?" I asked.  Her attention snapped to me, her eyes panicked, but she smiled despite it. 

"I'm fine."

I could tell she was lying.  Her expression betrayed everything and so did her breathing which was becoming more and more of a struggle. 

"I'll be right back." She managed to get out through labored breaths and pushed passed me and Sam, heading for the stairs.  It was then I was hit with a smell I recognized and my stomach began to churn.

"Leah, hold on!"

She didn't listen. Instead she bounded up the stairs and I heard the slam of her bedroom door.  I followed closely behind and tried to open the door but she had locked it behind her.

"Leah, open up!" I demanded, rattling the doorknob.  She was silent on the other side for several seconds before she finally obeyed and the door swung open.  Her face was pale as she clutched at her throat.

"I messed up." She whispered through ragged gasps.   I could smell the cigarette smoke on her even more clearly now and cursed.

"How could you be so stupid?!" I yelled, pulling her close. 
"Cas!"