Sam and Dean were walking through the bunker.
"It's just every time I think about it, you know. It's like a nightmare. I mean I can't eat, I can't sleep - it's always just there watching me," Dean said.
"Dean, it's just a beard. I've been a little busy lately," Sam replied.
"Yeah well that's not an excuse, cos you know Duck Dynasty called and they want it all back."
"Some people say I look good."
"No Sam. No one says that."
"Hey, you know."
"Hey, if you're going to ask me if I'm okay, you don't have to."
"Okay, it's just that you didn't talk a whole lot on the ride here."
"Look, Michael bailed. I don't know why and don't know how; he just cleared out. Now as far as my memory goes, I mean everything from the second I said yes to the moment I walked through those doors is a blank. So, I'm good. I'm just really, really, happy to be home."
They entered the library, which was full of hunters.
"Yep, there have been a few changes made," Sam said.
A man with papers approached warily.
"Yeah, not Michael any more," Dean told him.
"Right, Chief told us. Welcome back," the hunter replied.
"Chiefs?!" Dean cried.
"I asked them not to call me that," Sam said.
"Dean?" Jack and Jayci asked.
"Hey kids," Dean greeted.
"Is it really you?"
Dean nodded. "Yeah."
Castiel entered.
Dean acknowledged Castiel and hugged Jack and Jayci.
"Dean," Castiel said.
"Cas," Dean replied.
"I'm sorry," Castiel apologized. "We wanted to be there, but we feared that Michael would sense my presence."
"Sam told me. Ain't no thing."
"Where's Mary?" Jack wondered.
"She and Bobby stayed back in Duluth to clean up the situation."
"Speaking of clean up, I need a shower," Dean decided.
"Hey..." Sam called.
"Still okay. I promise." He left the room.
"How's Nick?"
"He's gone," Castiel informed.
"WHAT?"
"He left a note, said that he had some personal business to attend to and he hasn't been returning my calls. He was in a dark place; maybe he just needed some time."
"All right, yeah, maybe."
"Sam. Dean, how is he really?"
"I don't know."
"Why would Michael just give up his vessel like that?"
"I don't know."
"And why was Michael helping monsters?"
"Cas, truth is we don't know anything," Sam said.
---
In his room, Dean started to undress, then studied two small, thick scars on his upper right arm.
YOU ARE READING
American Noise
Mystery / ThrillerJack and Jayci Kline are nothing like their father. Instead, they choose to be like the mother they never met. Sam immediately tries to connect with them whereas Dean is more ambivalent. Castiel has taken on a fatherly role of sorts. What starts o...
