A Dark Path

Untitled Part 12

Castiel had been right in his assumption that Dean's prolongment in the kitchen was due to him getting sick, but he didn't mention it aloud. He knew Dean well enough to know that such matters were to be spoken of privately, initiated solely by the hunter, or not spoken of at all. 

Sam, thankfully, did manage to find a case fairly quickly, and by mid-day, they were packing up and getting ready to head out to Sullivan, Missouri where kids were being killed at a local middle school, leaving in the middle of class, and later being found drowned in the restroom sink. It had all the makings of a ghost haunting, probably a bullied student that died in some horrible prank, and was exacting their revenge. Familiar story, with a familiar villain, and fairly familiar end. Hopefully, it would be just as easy as it sounded, a simple salt and burn, and everything would be fine. 

There was a part of Cas that thought maybe a ghost was maybe a little too easy, since it was the bloodlust of the Mark that was causing Dean to fall ill, but he wasn't about to share those types of doubts with Sam. Anyways, maybe it would be enough for Dean to just get out of the bunker and some fresh air. Maybe the thrill of the hunt and the fact that he was back on the job would enough to soothe the Mark for a little longer. 

"Everyone ready?" Dean called near the front entrance. Cas was already in the main hall, waiting to be called upon and ready to leave. Sam came hurrying down the stairs carrying his bags and not wanting to ruin Dean's cheerful mood. As Sam had pointed out earlier, a cheerful Dean was rare enough even without the Mark; with the Mark it such moods were almost non-existent. "Alright, let's hit the road."

Cas settled himself in the backseat, though he silently yearned for the day that would earn a place in the passenger seat, but he knew such treatment was a privilege, and as of right now, that privilege belonged to Sam. Being in the impala was all at once comforting and confining for Castiel. On the one hand, the impala was Dean's prized possession, and Cas felt a sense of security inside of it. On the other hand, being stuck in the back of a small enclosure was not necessarily a luxury that an angel that used to be able to fly enjoyed. 

During the ride to their case, Cas pushed back the thoughts of flying and concentrated on the fact that Dean was seemingly happy. He was listening to his music slightly louder than most would deem appropriate, taking advantage of the fact that neither of his companion would deny him of something so small during these times. His fingers were drumming against the steering wheel in perfect beat to the songs that played, and occasionally he sang off key and obnoxiously, always casting a sideways glance at his brother with a crooked grin. The Mark on his arm was at a faded pink, quiet at the moment, as it had been for the past few weeks. More than that, he had his full color, nothing pale about him, which gave the impression that the queasy feeling that had overcome him after breakfast had been left behind. 

Around six, Dean made a leadership decision that they were stopping at a cafe to get some good food and much needed pies. Again, neither one of his companions complained or questioned his obsession with pie, and they got out of the car and into a quaint little cafe about three streets into the interstate town. 

"Welcome." The waitress smiled prettily from behind the counter and motioned for them to take a seat wherever they wanted. Not long after, she was at their chosen table, handing out decorated, paper menus and glasses of water. "What can I do for you gentlemen?"

"Water is fine," Sam replied nicely. "And a caesar salad please. Ranch. With garlic bread."

Dean made a disgusted face at his brother, and gave his response with an easy grin. "Double cheeseburger with bacon. Beer. And a slice of apple pie." His smile was charming and his green eyes were lit up even more than usual due to the fluorescent lights of the cafe. The woman never had a chance against him, and her smile increased, with a light pink blush crossing over her cheeks and the bridge of her nose.