𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋, d. winchester ₁

𝔁𝔁𝓿. getting caught and leaving town

"MR. CARLTON!" SAM YELLED as they approached Bill Carlton's home, urgency and concern evident in his voice.

"Hey, check it out," Dean spoke up, causing both Evan and Sam to turn their attention to him. They saw Bill Carlton driving a boat into the lake, seemingly oblivious to their presence.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Evan groaned, frustration clear in her voice. Without wasting another moment, the three adults took off in a sprint, heading straight for the dock, their footsteps pounding against the wooden planks.

As they reached the end of the dock, Bill turned around, staring at them with a distant, almost eerie expression as he ventured further into the lake. "Turn the boat around!" Dean yelled, his voice filled with desperation, but his demand was ignored, leaving them feeling helpless.

Evan, Dean, and Sam stood there, watching in horror as Bill continued to drive the boat. Suddenly, a huge splash sent the boat flying into the air, creating a chaotic scene. Evan jumped, her heart racing, as she witnessed the terrifying spectacle. Instinctively, her hand reached out for the person closest to her, which happened to be Dean.

Evan gripped Dean's arm tightly, her fingers digging into his skin, as she watched the boat being dragged into the water by an unseen force. "God dammit," Evan muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. She turned her gaze downward, staring at the dock beneath her feet.

⛤

Evan's head hung low as she, Dean, Sam, and Sheriff Devens walked into the police station. The atmosphere was tense and heavy with unspoken worries. "Sam, Dean, Evan, I didn't expect to see you here," Andreas's voice cut through the silence, prompting Evan to look up and meet her gaze.

"So now you're on a first-name basis," Sheriff Devens remarked, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity as he walked behind the reception desk. Evan, Sam, and Dean followed closely behind him. "What are you doing here?" the elder man questioned his daughter, his eyes narrowing slightly as he approached her.

"I brought you dinner," Andrea answered, her voice tinged with concern.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sweetheart. I don't have the time," Sheriff Devens apologized, the weight of his responsibilities evident as he took off his jacket and hung it on the back of a nearby chair.

Andrea glanced at the three standing beside her father before looking back at him, worry etched on her face. "I heard about Bill Carlton. Is it true?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Is something going on with the lake?"

"Right now, we don't know what the truth is," the Sheriff replied, his tone serious. "But I think it might be better if you and Lucas went on home." As he finished his sentence, Lucas, who had been sitting in a chair, suddenly leaped forward, grabbing onto Dean's arm with an almost desperate grip.

"Woah, Lucas, what is it?" Dean asked, his voice filled with concern as he looked down at the young boy.

"Lucas." Andrea tried to pull Lucas off Dean's arm, but the boy clung on tightly, his fingers digging into Dean's sleeve as if his life depended on it.

"Lucas. It's okay. It's okay. Hey," Dean leaned down, allowing himself to meet Lucas's eyes. "Lucas, it's okay. It's okay." His voice was calm and reassuring. Andrea finally managed to pry Lucas's hands off Dean's arm and began to lead him out of the police station.

Lucas stared at Dean with wide, fearful eyes as his mother led him out of the building, and Dean stared right back at him, almost as if he was caught in a trance.

Dean continued to stare at the closing door, lost in thought, as Sheriff Devens made his way into his office, Sam following behind him. "Dean?" Evan called softly, taking a step closer to him. But he only continued to stare at the door, his mind miles away.

"Dean," Evan repeated, her voice firmer this time, causing Dean to glance at her. "Come on," she said gently, placing a hand on Dean's arm and pulling him softly towards Sheriff Devens's office.

⛤

"Okay, just so I'm clear," Sheriff Devens stared intently at the three individuals seated in front of him. "You see something attack Bill's boat, causing Bill, who is a very good swimmer by the way, to fall into the water... and then you never see him again?"

Dean glanced at Evan and Sam before nodding. "Yeah. That about sums it up."

"I'm supposed to believe this?" The Sheriff questioned, his voice filled with skepticism. "Even though I've already sonar-swept that entire lake? And what you're describing is impossible. Plus, you're not really with the Wildlife Service."

Evan's eyes widened as she stared at the Sheriff. "That's right. I checked. The department's never heard of you three."

"See, now, we can explain that-" Dean began to speak, attempting to clarify their situation.

"Enough. Please." Sheriff Devens cut Dean off sharply. "The only reason you're breathing free air," The man looked sternly at the three in front of him, "is because one of Bill's neighbors saw him steering that boat before you did. So, we have a couple of options here. I can arrest you for impersonating government officials and hold you as witnesses to Bill Carlton's disappearance...or, we can chalk all this up to a bad day. You get in your car, you put this town in your rearview mirror and you don't ever darken my doorstep again."

"Yeah, uh, we'll take the second option," Evan nodded with a tight-lipped smile before quickly standing. "Let's go."

As they hastily exited the Sheriff's office, the tension in the air was palpable. Dean, Evan, and Sam exchanged worried glances, knowing the gravity of the situation.

⛤

The car was silent as Dean drove down the darkened road, the only sounds coming from the hum of the engine and the occasional passing vehicle. The tranquility was abruptly interrupted when Dean came to a stop at the traffic lights. Evan's eyes fixated on the Milwaukee interstate sign that loomed ahead as the car remained motionless.

"Green," Sam spoke up, breaking the silence.

"What?" Dean questioned, his eyes never leaving the road ahead of them, his mind seemingly elsewhere.

"Light's green," Sam repeated, glancing at his brother with a slight hint of impatience. Dean kept the car still for a few more seconds, lost in thought, before he pressed his foot onto the accelerator, making the car lurch forward softly before turning right.

"Interstate's the other way," Sam pointed out, his voice tinged with confusion.

"I know," Dean nodded, his eyes fixed ahead as he continued to drive, the car picking up speed as the road straightened out ahead of them.

"I need sleep," Evan announced, her voice carrying a note of exhaustion. She adjusted her position in the backseat, trying to get comfortable. She lay on her side across the seats, her body curling up to fit the limited space. "Wake me up when we get back to Manitoc," Evan mumbled, her words slurred with tiredness. A yawn escaped her lips as she placed her arm under her head, her eyes already closing as sleep began to overtake her.