family ties, supernatural [ 1 ]

015. family reunion

"So, local police have no ruled out foul play. Apparently, there are worse signs of a struggle." Sam says.

"Well, they could be right, it could just be a kidnapping. Maybe this isn't our kind of gig." Dean says.

"Yeah, maybe not. Except for this -- dad marked the area, Dean." Sam says. "Possible hunting grounds of a phantom attacker."

"Why would he even do that?" Dean asks.

"Well, he found a lot of local folklore about a dark figure that comes out at night. Grabs people, then vanishes. He found this too -- this county has more missing persons per capita than anywhere else in the world." Sam explains.

"That is weird." Dean comments.

"Yeah." Sam nods.

"Don't phantom attackers usually snatch people from their beds? Jenkins was taken from a parking lot." Dean says.

"Well, there are all kinds. You know, Spring Heeled Jacks, phantom gassers. They take people anywhere, anytime. Look, Dean, I don't know if this is our kind of gig either."

"Yeah, you're right, we should ask around more tomorrow."

"Right. I saw a motel about five miles back."

"Whoa, whoa, easy. Let's have another round."

"We should get an early start." Sam says.

"You really know how to have fun, don't you, grandma?" Dean quips. "Alright. I'll meet you outside, I gotta take a leak." He grabs his jacket and goes for the bathroom.

"I wanna finish the fries off." Tabitha says.

"Tabs--"

"I'll stay." Griffin sighs, going to grab Sam's beer.

"Ah." Sam takes the drink from him. "Nice try." He grabs Dean's beer, throwing the two out before leaving.

"Damn it." Griffin huffs.

After finishing the fries, the two go outside, but don't find Sam anywhere. Soon, Dean comes out, looking around.

"Where's Sam?" Dean asks.

"I dunno." Tabitha shrugs.

"Sammy!" Dean continues to yell out for his little brother.

+++

"Why are you making us stay here?" Griffin asks.

"Because I'm not dealing with two brats while I try to find Sam. I got enough shit to deal with." Dean says.

"But we wanna find him, too." Tabitha says.

"Well, you're just gonna have to wait until I get him back. You're not going." Dean states.

"You can't control us." Griffin sneers. "You never could, you neglectful piece of shit!"

Dean turns and tightly grips the front of Griffin's shirt in his hand causing the boy to flinch. Tabitha tenses up, nervously glancing between the two.

"Shut the fuck up." Dean hisses in his face. "You two know jackshit about the majority of this stuff and I'm not gonna deal with Sam beating me up if you two get killed cause you're idiots. Stay here." Dean shoves Griffin back, storming out of the motel.

"Griff?" Tabitha meekly calls.

"I'm fine." Griffin huffs out, going to the bathroom and slamming the door shut.

+++

Griffin and Tabitha are on the couch in the motel room and watching some random TV show, attempting to distract themselves. They both look over when they hear a key in the motel door and it opens, Sam stepping in with Dean behind him.