𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋, d. winchester ₁

𝔁𝓿. flashbacks

"I'M SCARED." JUNIOR WHIMPERED, his voice breaking, making Evan squeeze his hand tightly. "Evan, what if we don't make it out?" His eyes were wide with fear, reflecting the dim light of the cave.

"We'll make it out," Evan assured him, but she couldn't help the worry that laced her voice. She turned and looked at her brother, taking his face in her hands, her eyes searching his for strength. "We'll get out of here, I promise." Her voice softened, trying to instill some hope in him.

Evan snapped out of her trance as Dean's voice filled her ears, "You wanna tell me what's going on in that freaky head of yours?" Dean questioned, sitting next to Sam and Evan.

"Dean-" Sam was cut off by his brother.

"No. You're not fine." Dean shook his head. "You're like a powder keg, man. It's not like you."

"I'll leave you two alone." Evan went to stand up.

"Sit back down," Dean ordered, making Evan quickly sit back down before turning back to Sam. "I'm supposed to be the belligerent one, remember?"

"Dad's not here," Sam spoke. "I mean, that much we know for sure, right? He would have left us a message, a sign, right?"

"Yeah, you're probably right." Dean nodded. "To tell you the truth, I don't think Dad's ever been to Lost Creek."

"Then let's get these people back to town and let's hit the road." Sam sighed. "Go find Dad. I mean, why are we still even here?" Sam threw the stick he was holding to the ground.

Dean quickly moved from sitting on the log, before crouching in front of Sam and Evan. "This is why. This book." Dean tapped the journal in his hands. "This is Dad's single most valuable possession. Everything he knows about every evil thing is in here. And he's passed it on to us." Evan glanced at Sam before looping her arms with his and resting her head on his shoulder. "I think he wants us to pick up where he left off. You know, saving people, hunting things. The family business."

Sam sighed as he shook his head. "That makes no sense." Sam ran his hands down his face. "Why-Why doesn't he just call us? Why doesn't he tell us what he wants, tell us where he is?"

"I don't know." Dean looked down before looking back up. "But the way I see it... Dad's given us a job to do, and I intend to do it."

"Dean, no." Sam shook his head softly. "I gotta find Dad. I-" Sam cut himself off as he glanced at Evan who stared at the ground while her head continued to rest on his shoulder. "We gotta find Jessica's killer... It's the only thing I can think about."

"Okay, alright." Dean nodded. "We'll find them, I promise." Evan looked up at Dean, and the man couldn't help but stare back, liking the way his words seemed to cause the woman's eyes to look just the slightest bit brighter. "Listen to me. You've gotta prepare yourself. I mean, this search could take a while. And all that anger..." Dean jabbed his finger into Sam's chest. "You can't keep it burning over the long haul. It's gonna kill you. You gotta have patience, man, both of you have to."

"How do you do it?" Evan spoke up, her voice quiet. "How do you stay sane?"

"Well, for one, them." Dean glanced over to where Haley and Ben were sitting in front of the fire. "I figure our family's so screwed to hell, maybe we can help some others. Make things a little bit more bearable." The three sat in silence for a few moments before Dean spoke again. "And I'll tell you what else helps... killing as many evil sons of bitches as I possibly can." Dean smiled softly, and it took a moment but Sam and Evan sent him a smile back in return.

"So," Dean began as he looked at Evan. "What's going on in your freaky brain?" Dean questioned.

"You heard my story back when we were questioning Mr. Shaw," Evan shrugged as she unlooped her arm from Sam's.