Tainted Wings (Forever Book 2)

Chapter 9

SAM WINCHESTER

The box of letters clattered around with every bump and turn. There were about 15 or so in this small shoe box. One for every month she'd been gone, and then some for when I thought about her or found something I thought she'd like, as well as a few of Alex's letters. Silence befell the car and it was almost suffocating. Where had she been all this time? Was she avoiding us? Why? I shook my head and looked out the window. This was going to be a long trip. I eventually fell asleep listening to the engine. My dreams were less than pleasant. I drempt that Scarlet had run away because she hated us, or maybe she did what I did and wanted to protect everyone from what she was. 

When I woke up, everyone was outside Baby talking, it looked like nobody had gone inside, and Bobby was missing. I slowly got out, my knees cracking underneath me. Everyone got quiet and a car pulled up behind us. It was Bobby's mobility van. Ellen got out of the front seat with Jo, who opened up the back so Bobby could get out. When he did everyone silently agreed to go and see her. 

I was the last one inside. I hung back and looked at the box. It was beaten up, but it was her first pair of combat boots. I clutched the box tighter when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at who the hand was connected to and saw Dean. "It's okay Sam. I'm scared as to why she left too." He told me. I nodded and slowly made my way inside. 

"Okay, so who wants to go first?" Bobby asked once the door shut behind Dean. "Cas brought her here, and I helped lock her up. He also helped me angel-proof it so she can't get out."

"Angel-Proof?" Alex asked. Cas looked down and rubbed his neck. From the look on his face, he didn't want to talk about it.

"I'll go," I said quickly. "I'm probably the one who needs to see her first. So Alex and Dean can have as much time as they want." Dean nodded in appreciation and Cas led me downstairs. 

He paused before the door. "Sam, I want to warn you, she doesn't remember anything. Or anyone. She barely recognized Cas, and you remember how close they were." I nodded remembering those quiet days where Scar and Cas would sit on the grass on a hill and watch the sunrise/sunset. She smiled so brightly... Cas opened the door and let me go inside. Once I was inside he shut the door behind me. I looked at the lone bed in the room. she was sitting on it, looking up at the ceiling. Her long hair pooled on the bed just behind her. She turned her head and looked at me. 

Those heterochromia eyes brought tears to my eyes. She sat there staring at me for a moment before recognition crossed her eyes. "I know you." She spoke softly but in the quiet room, it sounded like she was yelling. I nodded and smiled, my lips parting and she turned around. "Your eyes, and that million dollar smile..." she commented again. 

"Hey, Princess," I spoke finally, my voice cracking. She got off the bed in a fluid motion and walked over. "I missed you," I say as I set the box down beside me. I hold out my arms, not knowing if she would go in for it. She looked me over, a look of thought crossed her face, and then she wrapped her arms around me. Her body was tense at first when I put my arms around her but then she relaxed and started crying. I squeezed her and let my own tears fall. "I missed you, Princess." 

She hugged me tighter "I missed you too Sam." She said and I was startled by her response. I leaned back and looked at her. She seemed startled herself. she really didn't remember. I smiled and swept her hair behind her ear before picking up the box and handing it to her. "What's this?" She asked.

"A box of letters that Alex and I wrote," I told her tapping the top. "It's in your first pair of combat boots shoe box." I chuckled. "I don't know why I needed to tell you that but I did," I paused "You can read those whenever you want."

"Thanks, Sam..." she said and took the box to her bed and set it down. She sat down and motioned me to sit next to her. "Can I ask you a question?" She looked up at me after I sat next to her, the bed squealing in protest. 

"Yeah. Of course." I tell her and look down at her, and remember some of her nervous ticks when she pulls at the thread of her sleeves.

"Why do I know you? I've seen you every now and then... Your smile, your arms, the warmth when you hug me, calling me princess..." She dragged on.

"Well, I'm your uncle. And the next two people are your parents. You and I have always been very close Scar. Thick as thieves." I chuckled. "We'd do everything together."

"Have we ever gone to a shooting range? Or a makeshift one?" She asked. I nodded my head. She looked at her lap, twisting the ring that Cas gave her a couple months ago around her forefinger and nodded. "I don't mean to send you away so soon, but can I see my parents?" She asks and I nod getting up. 

"We're all probably spending the night at Bobby"s. Who's also your grandfather in a way." I smiled and walked up to the door.

"One more question before you go," she called after me.

"What's that Princess?"

"What's my relation to Castiel?"

I smiled and looked her in the eyes. "You're really really close with Castiel. I wouldn't say boyfriend and girlfriend but that's what your parents and I have our money on." I smirked and knocked on the door, Cas let me out and I stepped outside. He shut the door behind me.

"How'd it go?" He asked in a gruff and tired voice. He sounded like he was at his wit's end. Like he needed to know that she was going to be okay.

"She remembered me Cas, have faith." I patted his shoulder and walked upstairs.