Neon Lights

Chapter 36 - The Troubles

•Dean's POV•
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Same Day
12:40 p.m.
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After dropping Charlie off, I rode up to my house and parked. I somehow managed to lug my bags inside despite them weighing more than a full-grown elephant on Steroids.

Once I got in, I heard yelling. I didn't listen, just ran up the stairs in a flurry. Is dad back to his old habits?!

"Sammy?!" I skidded to a stop outside Sam's room. He looked at me, revealing a painful-looking red streak across his cheek. In front of him stood dad, belt in hand.

Dad slammed Sam's door and I heard another grotesque slap. I kicked the door open and grabbed dad's arm, "Get off him, you son of a bitch!"

Dad looked at me with fury. He turned to me, tightening his grip on the brown leather belt. He's drunk again. He took two unsteady steps toward me, leaving behind a terrified Sam.

He shoved me to the floor with one hand. This is good, I thought, I'll tire him out. He'll leave Sam alone now.

The leather belt cracked across my cheek with an earsplitting whack. I didn't dare show any signs of pain or fear. "This is what you get," he whipped again, "For being a greasy little shit, boy."

"Oh, like you?" I snarled, earning a few kicks to the head.

"You better learn to shut your trap, kiddo!" He roared, "I hate you! I hate you! You're worthless and I hate you!"

The words stung but I could barely hear it anyway. My head lolled to the side, eyes rolling inside my skull. Everything went red.

And then I couldn't breathe.

Something had its jaws around my throat, closing my windpipe, blocking my air, choking me. My arms clawed at it helplessly, but I was practically unconscious. I was too weak.

I could faintly hear Sam screaming, I could faintly hear the door opening downstairs, I could faintly hear "Police! Hands in the air!"

Then it all went black.

***

"Dean? Dean, can you hear me?"

A female voice. The sound of a monitor gently beeping. That's what I woke up to. My eyes fluttered open, blinking to adjust to the blinding light above. Two people loomed over me - a woman and a man.

"Dean Winchester is awake," the man reported. The woman nodded and ran off. I followed her to where a scared Sam stood in the doorway.

"Sammy," I croaked, reaching out a hand weakly before dropping it. The man made a gesture.

"Come on in, son."

Sam hurried up. "Sammy, what the Hell did you do?" I asked with a cough.

"I called the police," Sam said, his voice cracked with relief, "He was gonna kill you, Dean! He almost did!"

I coughed again and smiled, "Thank you, Sam. He's in jail now?"

"Yeah. Uncle Bobby's coming to take care of us here," Sam reported.

"Uncle Bobby? Here?" I haven't seen ol' Bobby in what, five years?

Sam nodded. "How're you feeling, Mr. Winchester? Do you know where you are?" The man finally asked.

"No," I admitted, "I have a headache."

"As expected. I'm Dr. Watson," he scribbled something on his clipboard, "You're in the Tulsa General Hospital. You suffered severe head trauma, but you'll be okay."

I coughed, "Wh-Where's Cas?"

The man shook his head, "Who?" Sam took a seat in one of the chairs scattered around.

"Cas...Castiel Novak," I muttered, "Is he here?"

"I think he's in the waiting room," the doctor tapped his chin with the end of his pen, "We didn't let him in because he's not family. He was worried."

"Let him in. Now!" I demanded, making me cough. The doctor nodded frantically and sped out.

"How are you, Sammy?" I turned my head. He still looked frightened.

"Fine."

I looked back at the lights on the ceiling, letting my eyes close. Everything was quiet and serene for a moment. Quick, pattering footsteps broke that silence.

"Dean!" Cas burst in. My eyes fluttered open, and I smiled.

"Hey, stranger."

Cas walked up slowly, "Hello Dean."

"How did you know I was here?" I asked, staring up at his relief-stricken face, those cerulean eyes staring back.

"I saw an ambulance heading your way," Cas gulped, "I ran three blocks full-speed. Got there just in time to see you getting reeled into an ambulance and a handcuffed John getting shoved into a police car. What happened?!"

"Dad happened," I spat, "He's in jail now. Uncle Bobby's comin' to take care of us."

Cas smoothed my hair, "God, you look awful...you're all bruised and bandaged, a black eye..."

I swallowed hard, "I'm better now."

Cas and I looked up as someone walked in. "Balls!" He exclaimed, "It's even worse than I thought! How are you, boy?"

"Fine, Bobby. My head hurts a little," I admitted with a chuckle.

"Who's this?" Bobby held out a hand to Cas, "The name's Bobby Singer. I'm the Winchesters' godfather."

Cas shook his hand, "Castiel Novak. Good friend of Dean's."

Bobby nodded, "Well let's get you home, Dean."

***

Everything felt so normal. The house was dusty and old and creaky, as usual. It was gloomy and silent and ominous, as usual.

Nothing seems to have changed.

"I'll only stay a few months, Dean. Maybe till your 19th birthday," Bobby promised, "Just to make sure you can take care of Sam and yourself. You're old enough, I'll just show you the ropes. Good?"

"Good," I nodded. Secretly I was scared. Can I really sufficiently manage Sam and I on my own?

No, I'm not on my own. I have Cas. He's the one thing that I know I'll always, for sure, have. I'll always have Castiel Novak.

No matter what.

**Fillerrr

Sorry for all these fillers...big shit will come soon mmk

So the picture...new earrings from Barefoot Contessa. They're TARDIS-blue roses. (it's a metaphor, you see). I also have red ones, and gold skulls.

So at some point there will be a chapter in Dally's POV (yus) and I was gonna add some steamy DALLYxTWO-BIT...

Yes I ship Dally and TB. Do not ask me why because I do not know.

But wouldya like that??

So today is (actually) SUNDAY!
This week's #SelfFactSunday is: I have a Domo plushie that I call "Domo the Homo"...just in case you wanted to know.

Is it bad that I still call my mom "mummy"? I've done it all my life so it's an absentminded habit. It just happens. I feel childish but pfft idrc.

#INNERCHILDBREAKTHROUGH

Song: "The Troubles" by U2

Also, 14K reads in 24 hours! DANKE GUYS!

Remember, y'all just keep having a happy Boxing Week/New Year's! ilyasm! x

xoxo, Garnent•.•**