The Road So Far

chapter 2

They pulled up to the motel, a standard roadside spot with flickering neon lights. Dean got out and handled check-in, returning with two keys in hand- a rare move, but there were five of them this time.

"I call rooming with Jack!" Hunter declared, snatching the keys from Dean and grabbing Jack's hand. She bolted for her room, but her escape was short-lived.

"Not so fast, kiddo," Dean's voice cut through the night, stopping her in her tracks. "You're definitely not rooming with Jack."

Hunter turned, frustration creeping into her voice. "Why not Dean?" 

"I don't trust the two of you alone in the same room," he said, crossing his arms with a look that dared her to argue.

She groaned, her eyes narrowing. "I can take care of myself, you know. I'm not a little kid anymore."

Dean gave her a pointed look. "I don't care if you're 45. You are not sharing a room with him. End of discussion."

Sam, sensing the tension, quickly stepped in. "I'll room with Jack," he said, giving Hunter a sympathetic glance as he headed toward their assigned room, Jack in tow.

Hunter sighed dramatically and shot a glare at Dean. "Guess that leaves me with you, huh?'

Dean grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "looks like it, sweetheart."

With an exaggerated groan, she grabbed her bag and trudged into the room, flopping onto the bed in defeat. "This is gonna be a long case," she muttered into the pillow.

After unpacking, Dean glanced over at her. "You hungry, kid?"

A loud growl from Hunter's stomach answered for her. 

"A little," she admitted.

Dean chuckled. "Alright, let's grab the others and go get some grub."

They piled into the Impala, the familiar rumble of the engine beneath them as they drove 20 minutes out of town to a small diner. It was the kind of place Dean loved, simple, greasy, and comforting. They slid into a booth, ordered their food, and the conversation quickly shifted to business.

"Alright," Dean began, looking at Jack and Hunter. "You two start school tomorrow. Jack, I want you sticking to her side the entire day- no exceptions. Got it?"

Jack nodded earnestly "Yes, I understand."

Dean's gaze shifted to Hunter. "And you, no trouble. You hear me? One screw-up, and I swear, you won't hear the end of it."

Hunter rolled her eyes, leaning back in her seat. "Yeah, fine, whatever," she muttered.

Dean's patience snapped. "I don't know what's going on in that head of yours, but this attitude? It needs to stop. Now."

She smirked, a dangerous glint in her eye "I don't have an attitude, Dean Michael." 

His eyes darkened at the sound of his middle name- he hated when she used it. " Hunter Ash Winchester," he growled through gritted teeth. "If you don't cut this crap, you'll be in serious trouble when we get back to the hotel."

Hunter threw her napkin onto the table. "I'm not hungry anymore." she said,  standing abruptly and storming out of the diner.

Dean moved to follow her, but Sam held him back. "Dean, don't. Let her cool off."

Dean clenched his fists, frustration boiling beneath the surface. "I don't know what's gotten into her, Sam. She's been a total nightmare lately- ever since that damn Wraith hunt. I'm worried about her."

Sam nodded, agreeing with Dean's concern. "Dean you have to remember, she's a teenage girl."

"Well why don't you just ask her what's wrong?" Castiel, who had been silently observing, suggested.

"Cas. She's a damn Winchester. We don't just talk about our feelings." Dean huffs.

"Perhaps Jack should go then. She tends to open up to him."

Dean's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, and if she doesn't? Use your mind-reading thing. I don't care what kind of privacy she thinks she's entitled to- something's off, and I want to know what it is."

Jack hesitated. "But she asked me not to invade her thoughts. She said it was a violation of her privacy, and I don't want to upset her."

"I don't care what she wants right now," Dean snapped. "She's my little sister, and if there's something wrong, we need to know. Do it."

Jack reluctantly nodded. "Okay. I'll see what I can find."

He headed outside, spotting Hunter sitting on the curb, dragging the blade of her pocket knife against the rough cement. She doesn't look up as he approached.

"Ash?" Jack said quietly, sitting down beside her. "What's wrong?"

"Oh great." she thought. "Nothing Jack. I'm fine." 

Jack frowned. You're not fine. You've been acting different. Distant. I'm worried about you."

"Just leave it alone, Jack"

"I can't. Everyone's worried. You've been off for weeks. Please, just tell me what's going on."

Hunter finally turned to face him, her eyes sharp. "There's nothing wrong, Jack. I'm just moody okay? You don't believe me? Fine. Read my mind. Go ahead."

Jack's eyes glowed gold as he peered into her thoughts... only to find nothing. A wall of silence.

"I don't see anything," he said, his confusion clear.

Hunter smirked to herself. "Thank you, Rowena" she thought.

Jack blinked, still unsure. "Alright... I believe you. But will you come back inside now?"

"I'll stay out here a bit longer. I don't want to deal with Dean right now."

Jack hesitated, then stood and headed back inside, feeling uneasy. He returned to the table, where Sam, Dean, and Cas waited for his report. 

"So? What did you find out?" Dean asked impatiently.

Jack sighed. "Nothing. Her mind was... blocked. It's like someone put a spell on her thoughts."

"Magic?" Sam echoed, his brows furrowing.

 Castiel suddenly spoke up. "Rowena."

Dean's head snapped toward him. "What?"

"I heard Hunter talking to Rowena the other day. She thanked her for something, but I didn't think much of it at the time"

Dean's jaw clenched. "Dammit, Cas. You should've told us."

"I didn't think it was relevant." Castiel replied, his voice steady. 

"Sam, get Rowena on the phone." Dean ordered, standing up. "We need that spell off now. And no one say a word about this to Hunter until we fix it. Got it?"

Everyone nodded, the tension in the air thick as they headed back to the car. Dean threw some cash down on the table for the meal. "Let's go"