Reckless and Brave

IV. Only the Young

(Image of Holly, age eight, above)

Dean: 15
Sam: 11
Holly: 8

Setting: Marysville, Pennsylvania. June 15, 1994

Holly stomped her foot. "But, Dad! I want to go with you to help people with their cars and stuff!"

John's voice hardened. "Holly, you can't. Your brothers will stay with you to watch you."

"Fine, Daddy."

John kissed her head and picked up his back and left the room.

As soon as John left, Dean ushered Holly to the bed. "It's been a long day, H, and you need to get some sleep."

Holly yawned as she said, "I'm not tired."

"Uh-huh. You're not fooling me. Come on. Bed, missy. Maybe we'll explore tomorrow since we don't have school. You'd like that."

Holly nodded. "That sounds fun. Goodnight."

She hopped onto the bed and closed her eyes. She frowned as her eyes opened. "Dean? Can you sing Hey Jude please?"

"I'm a terrible singer."

"I don't care. I can't fall asleep, and Hey Jude helps."

Dean sat on her bed and sang Hey Jude to help her fall asleep.

The next morning, Holly woke up reasonably early. Dean was already awake eating pie from the night before. Sam was reading a story from an English book for his class.

Holly sat across from Dean at the table and asked, "Can we go now?"

Dean nodded. "Yeah, we can go. You coming, Sammy?"

Sam nodded. "Let me put my shoes on and I'll be ready."

Holly walked over to Sam and asked, "Whatcha reading, Sammy?"

Sam held up his textbook. "I'm reading a story. There's a lot of interesting stories in here."

"Nerd." Dean said.

"Yeah, nerd." Holly agreed. "Hurry up. I want to go see the bridge across from the motel."

Dean frowned. "Really? The bridge? What about a fair or an amusement park?"

"The bridge, Dean." Holly demanded, stamping her foot.

Sam shrugged. "That's not a bad idea. It gives us a chance to go outside."

Dean rolled his eyes. "Fine. Everyone ready?"

His siblings nodded and the three of them left the room. Dean closed the door behind him and they walked to the street.

They climbed up the dirt and stood on the bridge overlooking the view. Dean turned to look at the other side. Sam wandered further from his siblings to see how long the bridge ones. Holly was jumping on the railroad tracks and fell in a hole.

"Dean! Sam! Help!"

Dean heard her screaming and frantically searched for her. Sam ran back and the two of them looked. Dean realized she'd fallen into a hole and her fingers were slipping. He flattened himself on the railroad tracks and grabbed Holly's arm. "There's a train coming!" Sam cried.

"I'm aware! Holly, reach for my hand!"

Holly reached up for his hand and felt her other hand slipping. She screamed and Dean effortlessly pulled her up.

Sam noticed the train and pushed his siblings down, and the three of them slid down the dirt. Holly was breathing hard and sobbing. The boys hugged their sister tightly and when she calmed down, they made their way back to the motel room.

Sam sat Holly on the bed while Dean made some hot chocolate for her, despite the summer humidity. "It's okay, Holly. We're always gonna be there to save you. Always, okay?"

Holly nodded and burrowed her head into Sam. Dean handed her the hot chocolate and she took it gratefully.

[Just some sibling fluff, bringing them closer together.]