The End | {BOOK 5}

33| The Scar

"It's just every time I think about it, you know? It's like a nightmare. I mean I can't eat, I can't sleep- it's always just there, watching me."

"Dean, it's just a beard. I've been a little busy lately."

I snickered, following the brothers through the hall of the Bunker.

"Yeah, well, that's not an excuse, 'cause, you know, Duck Dynasty called and they want it all back."

"Some people say I look good," Sam smirked.

"No, Sam," Dean shook his head. "No people say that."

"Hey, you know."

"Hey, if you're going to ask me if I'm okay, you don't have to."

"Okay, it's just you didn't talk a whole lot on the ride here."

Dean eyed me and I glanced away.

"Look, Michael bailed. I don't know why and don't know how: he just cleared out. Now as far as my memory goes, I mean everything from the second I said yes to the moment I walked through those doors is a blank. So, I'm good. I'm just really, really happy to be home."

We walked into the library where all the hunters from the Apocalypse World were milling around like a well-oiled machine like they had been the past few weeks.

"Yep, there have been a few changes made," I rolled my eyes.

One of the hunters approached us warily.

"Yeah: not Michael any more," Dean told him.

"Right, Chief told us," the hunter replied. "Welcome back."

"Chief?!" Dean looked over at Sam.

"I asked them not to call me that," Sam defended himself quietly.

"Daddy!"

Maddie and Zep both rushed over, hugging Dean tightly.

"Hey, princess. Bud," Dean smiled, hugging them back.

"Dean?" Jack asked, also coming over.

"Hey, kid."

"Is it really you?"

"Yeah," Dean nodded.

Maddie and Zep backed off so Jack could take a turn hugging Dean as Cass also made his way over to join the reunion.

"Dean."

"Cass."

"I'm sorry. I wanted to be there, but we feared that Michael would sense my presence."

"Sam told me. No big deal."

"Where's Emilie?" Jack asked.

"She and Bobby stayed back in Duluth to clean up the situation," I informed him.

"Speaking of clean up, I need a shower," Dean announced.

"Hey..." Sam started.

"Still okay. I promise."

Dean headed down the hall, leaving the rest of us behind.

"How's Nick?" Sam asked Cass.

"He's gone."

"WHAT?"

"He left a note, said that he had some personal business to attend to and he hasn't been returning my calls. He was in a dark place; maybe he just needed some time."

"Alright, yeah, maybe," Sam nodded.

"Sam," Cass swallowed. "Dean, how is he really?"

"I don't know."