You Found Me |Sam Winchester| [2015 Wattys Winner]

6. A Second Chance

6. A Second Chance

The abrupt silence from the Impala told me we were back at the motel. I'd let my eyes close for a while since nobody was up for conversation on the ride back. I grabbed my backpack before sliding out. I didn't even bother to properly say goodbye to the Winchesters, I went to the first door I saw. I peeped into the window. Darkness was what met me.

Smiling a bit, I went to the lock and began to work my magic. Finally, a bed, bathroom, maybe even some food. Someplace safe. Maybe this could be my new home for a while.

"Dakota?"

I stopped in mid-work to see Sam had found me. Dean was nowhere in sight, so he probably went back to their motel room.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting into my room," I said, my hands still frozen with my tools.

"Last time I checked, that's not a key." He approached me to crouch at my level. "I think it's time you confessed."

"What is there to say?" I refocused on the door handle.

"That you have nowhere to go."

I bit my lip. "Go away, Sam." I sighed heavily through my nose and stared at him after he closed his hands around mine, preventing me from doing further work. "You want an answer? Fine. I'm homeless, okay? I have nowhere to go. No friends to hang around with. I don't have family here. It's me, myself, and I."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Long enough. Now let me get this open."

"Dakota, it's not worth the trouble."

"Yes, it is. It's shelter. It's someplace warm. It's someplace I don't have to fight anyone else for. Now, let my hands free, or I'll bite yours. And you know I don't bluff about that."

Sam obeyed, but I let my hands drop into my lap. I sat back on my knees, seeing that even crouched, Sam was still taller than me, the freaking giant.

"Why haven't you gotten help for this?"

I laughed wryly. "Who would want to take in a homeless person, Sam? Nobody's that kindhearted anymore in today's world. Believe me, I've wanted the help. I can't get it from anyone. I don't trust people enough to do that."

"How much do you trust me?"

I threw my head back, exasperated. "Sam, no—"

"Let me talk, Dakota. Please." I blinked daringly at him. "We're friends, aren't we? Don't friends help each other out?"

"Sam—"

"You need help, Dakota. Telling me that you don't is stupid." His tone remained gentle, like he was talking to me as though I was his daughter or something. "I know it's not the best offer for you. Truthfully, I don't want to make this offer either."

"Then why are you?"

"Because you need support. You don't have any."

"I don't think your brother is too keen on having me around."

"So what?"

I could hear Bobby's suggestion in my head. Just...just make the right choice, is all I'm saying. There are enough people who've gotten dragged into previous messes and got hurt or never lived to tell the tale. I'll be the first to tell you that none of us want any more blood on our hands. I hope to God I don't find you back here, Dakota. I just hope it.