First Hunt

Chapter 6 - End

CHAPTER 6

Raindrops exploded on the ground around him. He'd found a large boulder that curved just enough for him to get away from most of the rain, at least until the wind shifted direction and drove it directly at him. His jeans were soaked. At least his jacket was waterproofed, mostly. Heh, if Sam was out here he'd look like a soaked puppy with that hair of his. I wonder if he knows it's pouring rain? You never hear rain on the roof of the bunker since it's stuck into the side of a mountain. Dad didn't say two words to me the day after that, I'd screwed up so bad. He took care of me but that was it. It wasn't till I asked to call Sam that he acted like something close to normal. God that was such an awkward conversation. Sam wanted to hear this great story of how I saved the day, I gave it to him. Dad just stared. We barely spoke until we got to Bobby's. I think that ride back to Bobby's tops my worst ten rides list. The drive to Lisa's after Sam stopped the Apocalypse is a close second. Damn...

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The day after the hunt he didn't feel much like talking and Dad just sat on the bed and brooded. At first he'd hovered over him, making sure that he was coming through the concussion without further problems. Once Dad knew he was in the clear, the walls went up between them. He'd tried a couple of times to apologize for being such a screw up but Dad's eyes immediately silenced him. He hates me, I can tell. He's pissed. I'm a horrible son. I let him down. All the nagging doubts he'd had when they started this trip turned into full fledged attacks on his confidence. By the time they hit the road back to Bobby's he'd half convinced himself that he should run away. Run away from the shame of it all. Once or twice Dad looked at him and he thought he saw something, some glimpse of forgiveness or understanding but it faded in seconds. They took the trip back to Bobby's in stages, giving him time to heal. Even that made him feel worse, like he was a burden. When they stopped at the last hotel before Bobby's he finally screwed up the courage to try to talk again.

“Dad? Can I, uh, call Sam? He wanted to know if we would make it back by my birthday and we will, so...uh..I thought I should let him know.”

Dad didn't even look at him when he spoke, “Sure.” Then he pulled out his journal and started reading it for the millionth time. Doesn't he have that memorized by now? He thought as he dialed Bobby's house.

“Yeah?” Bobby answered.

“Bobby? It's Dean.”

“Dean! Good to hear your voice boy! You make it through okay?” At least Bobby was happy to hear from him. Of course he is. I didn't almost shoot him in the face.

“Yeah, it was cake.” He felt Dad start staring at him but he didn't care anymore. It just hurt too much. “Stupid ghost didn't know what hit it. Is Sam around?” He aimed for macho but it came out much weaker than what he wanted Bobby to hear.

“Cake huh?” He knew Bobby was playing along out of kindness more than anything, “Good to hear. Yeah. Sam's right here. Hold on.”

“Dean!” Sam's voice erupted through the phone and he had to pull it away from his ear. “What happened? Tell me everything? Are you both okay?”

“Of course we're okay. Dad's tough and I know what I'm doing.” Dad's frown grew more angry, he threw his journal on the bed and left the room. Whatever, I can't take this not talking anymore. I wish he'd just scream at me or something. He went on to give Sam a version of the story where nothing that bad happened and everything went smooth, just like he always thought a hunt with Dad would.

Sam reacted the way he needed him to, “Wow! You saved that woman's life, and her kid! That's so cool! I can't wait to go out with you!”

“Yeah it's awesome. We'll be home tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know, since you asked and stuff.”