Fragments of Tomorrow (Supernatural Fanfiction Book 5)

The Hidden Light

Dean's POV:

The hospital bed feels miles away as I sit in the Impala's passenger seat, staring out the window. Being released should feel like freedom, but all I feel is the weight of it. I've given up on the therapy, and no one has said anything yet. Birch hasn't. Sam hasn't. Hell, even Bobby hasn't called me out on it. But I see it in their eyes.

When we pull into the safe house, Birch helps me into the wheelchair. I want to fight him off, but I've got no energy. I've got nothing.

Back in my room, I feel the strangest sense of calm, but I push it away. Something feels off, like there's an outside force trying to reach me. The sensation nags at me, but I've had enough of celestial beings playing puppet-master with my life. If this is Cas or Gabriel, they better back the hell off. I won't have them meddling with my mind, not again. Not after everything.

Raven's POV:

I see the pain in Sam and Birch's eyes every time they look at Dean. The guilt they carry is suffocating, and I can feel it choking me too. So I do what I have to—I use my powers. It's subtle, a little push here, a nudge there, to clear their minds of self-blame. I weave light into their thoughts, wrapping it around their pain until it dissipates, replaced by the more productive anger toward Crowley's demons. They don't know I've done it, and that's how it has to stay.

But Dean...he's harder. I can feel the blocks he's put up, his resistance. When I try to ease his despair, he locks it all down tight. He thinks it's Cas or Gabriel, but it's me. If he knew what I was, he'd never trust me again.

Castiel's POV:

There's a shift in the air around Raven, something I hadn't noticed before. As I watch her with the others, there's a faint glow surrounding her. A light... not unlike my own, but softer, more delicate. Celestial.

I pull her aside when no one's looking. "Raven," I say quietly, "I see you."

She tenses, her eyes narrowing in warning. "You can't say anything, Castiel. Not to anyone. They can't know."

"Sam deserves the truth. Dean does too."

"Not now. Not yet," she whispers, her voice heavy with secrets. "I need them to think I'm just... me. No angelic powers, no celestial baggage. Please, Castiel."

I nod, but I know this is bigger than we both realize.

Bobby's POV:

I've seen a lot in my life. Hell, I've seen more than any man should ever have to. But when I look at Dean now, after everything, it feels different. This kid's been through more than anyone should, and now he's gotta carry the weight of this too.

Castiel's standing by, quiet as ever, but something about the way he looks at Raven gives me pause. There's a knowing look in his eyes, and that's never good. Something's up, and I don't like being kept in the dark.

Still, I'm focused on the hunt. The bastards who did this to Dean are out there, and when we find them, there'll be hell to pay.

Sam's POV:

I don't know what changed, but somewhere along the way, the weight on my chest lifted. I don't blame myself anymore. It's not my fault Dean got hurt. It's Crowley's minions. They're the ones who deserve the blame. Birch feels the same way too. I don't know how it happened, but we're on the same page now.

Dean, though... he's still in his own head, and I don't know how to help him. I've tried talking to him, but he just shuts down. And now, he won't even try the therapy. He's given up, and I'm scared if he doesn't try, he'll lose himself.