I gasped and shot forward, nearly banging my head on the back of Sam's seat. I looked around frantically. Dean had his head peeked through his door. "What the hell"? I asked, still looking around. "Wake up! Sam's found a job". Dean said, slamming the car door again, causing me to jump again. I groaned and opened the door to the car and rolled out.
I squinted my eyes at the bright sun light and groped blindly. Suddenly Sam showed up beside me with two cups of coffee. He handed me a cup. "Ah, thanks, Sam". I thanked him. I sipped it and leaned against the Impala. "Dean said you found a job. What's the word"? I asked, rolling my head and stretching. Sam dug in his pocket and pulled out a folded newspaper and handed it to me. "Second page," he said as I unfolded it. "Two people in the last month have been found dead in a mental institute in Minnesota". I looked down at the paper and read it.
He wasn't wrong. It read:
Last night, a man named Jason Lister was found dead in his room at the Catalyst Mental Health Home in Minneapolis Minnesota. His death is unexplained but seemed to have been nearly completely drained of blood. This is the second death at the mental health home, arousing suspicion of citizens and authorities.
"Wow, they'll write anything in these things". I joked, folding it back up and handing it to Sam. He raised his eyebrows and stuffed it back in his pocket. "Tell me about it". Sam scoffed. Dean abruptly joined us. "Sam told you about the case"? Dean asked. I nodded, taking a sip of coffee.
"So what's the plan"? I asked. "Well we need to get in". Sam said. I turned to look at him and Dean. "All three of us? Doesn't someone need to work the outside"? I asked.
I was hoping maybe I could work the outside, since I've had a bad reputation with the whole, mental homes and insane stuff. I remember visiting my grandma during Christmas there. She wasn't necessarily "insane", but she had alzheimer. I also worked a job a few years ago, going inside and working alone. Which really scared me. Being around those people made me feel kinda like them accept I knew what I saw and that I knew I'd go crazy one day and be just like them.
"Yeah Sam can or something". Dean said. Sam shrugged. I didn't say anything but I felt my face get red. "Zoe, is something wrong"? Sam asked. "Hmm"? I said, snapping my neck at him to break my haze. "What"? I asked. "Are you feeling okay"? Sam asked again. I nodded hesitantly. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine". I said. Dean and Sam blinked at each other. Dean didn't buy it, neither did Sam but they kept their mouths shut.
"Where are we now"? I asked, trying to change the subject. I looked up at the sign above us. We were at a diner called "Moon Eve Diner" with a cheesy looking moon logo. "North Palette, Nebraska". Dean said. "So we've got roughly 9 hours maybe"? I asked, looking between Sam and Dean. "Yeah". Sam said. "Let's hit it". Dean said with a grin, slamming his fist on the hood of the Impala. I grinned back and we piled into the car.
Honestly, I didn't feel like sitting down for another 9 hours. I wanted to stand up and walk around a little. Sleep in an actual bed since sleeping on the Impala's hard leather is killer on my back. I was sore and restless and exhausted at the same time. I couldn't sit still for more than 10 minutes without shifting or moving to sit behind Dean or lay on my back. I struggled to move without straining or groaning at the pain it gave me, being so sore. Finally, I asked Dean to pull over.
"Ugh". I moaned, rolling out the car. Sam opened his door and got out and Dean followed his lead. "What's wrong"? Dean asked hovering over the roof, elbows planted on the edge. I stood and stretched, allowing the bottom of my shirt to bare a bit of skin on my stomach. Dean flicked his eyes down at it for a brief moment before looking back at my face.
"I'm sore as hell. Just needed a minute to move a little". I explained. "Sleeping in the back of the Impala is killer". I teased, meeting Dean's gaze.
"Damn, you complain almost as much as I do". Dean teased.
"That's true". Sam joked too.
I grinned. "I'm sorry. We can go now". I said, standing next to Sam. "No, no. Take your time". Dean teased. I flipped him off and got back in the car. Dean's smug faded as Sam's laughter roared. I could hear Dean shout, "shut up" at him. They got back in the car, Sam slightly giggling. Dean looked at me through the rear view mirror. I gave him a wink, reassuring him it was only a joke. He happily accepted.
I still wasn't happy about still having to drive another 9 hours then spending more time sitting down in a mental home. I was dreading to go in that place. I often wondered if I was becoming insane, if I wasn't already. The subject bothered me so I began thinking about the second thing on my mind.
The kiss.
Dean seemed to have completely forgot about the kiss. He didn't act any different. Not any more or less awkward. Sam still hadn't talked to him about it. Well I supposed so, I don't think they talked at all yet. Sam still wanted to take a rest from all the action while Dean was all for the action. Personally I wanted a break. I hadn't had one since last Christmas, even though I hadn't celebrated it anyway.
But I would've thought Dean would want to stop for a little. Maybe find out if Cas was still okay. Or to just figure out what to do with me, since I had no idea myself. I frightened myself thinking maybe Dean wanted me to stay with him. I had just met him a few months ago, but I didn't have the feeling he was getting rid of me either. All I knew was Sam and I both need some personal time with Dean to talk things through.
