The Ruins of Men

Chapter 1: An Odd Beginning.

The Winchester brothers and the angel Castiel sat silently in a two-bed hotel room in New Hampshire, deep in comtemplation. Sam was the first to speak up.

"I think we should at least check it out," Sam advocated, sitting up straight on the endge of one of the beds. Dean's head whipped in his direction, his eyes shining with a warning.

"Sam, no. Who knows what Lucifer will try to pull to get to you," Dean shot back.

The brothers looked to Castiel to voice his own opinion, and the silence returned as the brothers stared. They each waited for the angel to stick up for them, but he honestly didn't know what the best option was himself.

"It could be a trap," he started. Dean put his hands out like, 'See?', but Castiel put his own hand up to stop him. "But if Lucifer is at the point of threatening innocents..." Castiel glanced at Sam. Maybe Dean would be willing to let a stranger die to protect his brother, but was Sam willing to let a stranger die to protect himself?

"He's already killed hundreds of innocents," Dean chimed in. "Look, I know how I sound but...what's another random woman?"

Castiel's mouth tightened into a thin line. He shook his head. "No. He wouldn't threaten a random woman like this, especially I singular woman. She has to mean something. But what?"

Sam glanced at Dean, returning the 'See?' look. Dean rolled his eyes and looked back at Castiel. "Maybe he wants us to think that." He sighed heavily, standing. "He's leading us right into a trap."

"Perhaps...However, I say we check it out. Cautiously, of course. Just in case. Maybe this woman could truly mean something," Castiel said, standing as well.

"Alright." Sam joined them, moving to gather their things.

Dean stopped him. "Nuh-uh. No way. Sam, you're staying here."

Sam straightened up, glaring at Dean. The last thing he wanted to do was have this conversation again for what felt like the 500th time. "I am perfectly fine to face him if we have to."

"It doesn't matter if you're fine. The guy's the literal devil--you don't think he has ways to get into your head?" Dean tossed him a handgun. "Stay here, and stay awake."

"No."

"Sam--"

"You can't stop me!" Sam screamed, breathing heavily. Dean and Cas stared, wide-eyed for a few seconds, waiting. Sam sighed and lowered his gaze to the floor. "Look, I know you're just trying to keep me safe, but I'm 26 and a hunter. I can take care of myself, alright? Just because you're my older brother doesn't mean you get to boss me around all the time like a freaking dictator."

Dean's fists clenched and unclenched as his brain frantically processed his brother's words. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, fine. Come on." He swung the hotel door open, storming off to the car. Cas nodded at him before following Dean.

Sam wanted to feel victorious, like he'd achieved something through sticking up to Dean, but it didn't really matter. Little victories were lost on him by now, especially ones as little as defending himself against his older brother. They weren't kids anymore; it should be a normal thing for him to stick up for himself, and he felt pitiful that he wasn't always able to.

Sam gathered his things before exiting the hotel room. He returned the room key to the main desk before leaving, climbing into the passenger seat of the car. Cas was in the back, and Dean was buckling his seatbelt.

The engine revved and Dean spoke first.

"Okay, Cas. Give us the details; what'd good ol' Luci tell you?"