Dead in the Water.

CHAPTER NINE , DEAD IN THE WATER

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"Hey, Lucas. You remember me?"

Dean crouches in front of the kid. Athena stands with Sam and Andrea in the doorway. Dean looks through Lucas' drawings.

"Hey, you know, I, uh...I wanted to thank you for that last drawing...but the thing is I need your help again." Dean says.

Lucas continues to draw, Dean pulls the piece of construction paper out of his pocket and unfolds it. He gently sets it in front of Lucas.

"How did you know to draw this?" Dean asks. "Did you know something was gonna happen?"

Lucas stays quiet.

"Maybe you could nod yes or no for me," Dean suggests. He inhales a soft breath. "You're scared. It's okay. I understand."

"See, when I was your age, I saw something real bad happen to my mom, and I was scared, too," Dean explains.

Athena's chest tightens, hearing the pain in Dean's voice. Her eyes shift to Sam and she knew he felt the same way she did.

"I didn't feel like talking, just like you, but, see, my mom—I know she wanted me to be brave," Dean explains. "I think about that every day. And I do my best to be brave."

"And maybe your dad wants you to be brave, too."

Lucas stops drawing, dropping the crayon. He lifts his head, looking at Dean. Lucas shuffles through the pile of his drawings and hands one to Dean.

Dean accepts the drawing, "Thanks, Lucas."

"Andrea said the kid never drew like that till his dad died," Dean says, driving.

"There are cases going through a traumatic experience could make certain people more sensitive to premonitions, psychic tendencies," Athena explains from the backseat, solving the Rubik's cube.

"Whatever's out there. What if Luca is tapping into it somehow?" Dean suggests. "It's only a matter of time before somebody else frowns, so if you got a better lead, please."

Sam and Athena look at each other. "All right. We got another house to find."

"Yeah, only problem is. There's about a thousand yellow two-stories in this county alone." Dean exhales.

Athena looks over Sam's shoulder.

"See this church?" Sam points at it.

Athena raises her brows, "I bet there's less than a thousand of those around here."

"Oh, college boy and Charles Lee Ray think they're so smart." Dean teases.

Athena pulls her brows together, "Who?"

Dean slightly turns to the girl and she pushes his face so he can look forward once again. "Eyes on the road."

"Charles Lee Ray. The Serial Killer?" Dean says.

Athena blinks, she turns to Sam. "Do you know him?"

Sam was an expert with Serial Killers. If anyone knew, it was him.

But he just smiles sinisterly. Like he knew something she didn't know.

"The man who possessed The Good Guy Doll. Becoming Chucky!" Dean continues to explain.

Athena slightly opens her mouth. "Ohhhhh—yeah, I've never actually watched the movies. I mean, murderous doll? No thank you..." she snorts and leans back in her seat.

Dean lets out a scoff and shakes his head. "I'm totally gonna have to rent the movie."

"No, you totally don't have to!" Athena leans forward again.

"Come on, Athena." Sam starts. "This fear of yours—"

"Are you seriously going to talk to me about fears?" Athena raises her brows.

Sam purses his lips, "I mean, I was. But if you have a reason, why I should drop the subject then—"

"How do you feel about Clowns, Samuel?"

Sam tenses and looks away from his little sister. "Subject dropped."

Athena smiles triumphantly. Dean sputters, "We're still going to watch the movie."

The auburn haired girl's mouth hangs open.

"Hey, what would you rather watch? A movie about a killer doll or a documentary about Sloths?"

Athena grimaces, her mind going to the smiling creatures. The girl used to love Sloths. She thought they were the cutest animal to ever exist. That was until she saw a video of one crawling across a street. Then she had a nightmare of a Sloth at full speed chasing her. She tossed out her Sloth stickers the next day.

"Killer Doll is fine."

Dean nods, "All righty then."

"We'll all watch it."

Athena raises her brows, "Like a...movie night?"

Dean smiles, "Yeah, a movie night."

Sam also smiles, "I'll bring the popcorn."

Athena smiles softly. She remembers one night she got in trouble with John and he went out leaving her with a black eye. But Sam and Dean came into her room and stayed with her all night, they all watched movies together. It was nice that she was able to have normalcy for a short amount of time. Especially with her brothers.

"You know, um...what you said about mom—you never told me that before." Sam speaks.

"It's no big deal." Dean sighs. He looks to the side and sees both of his siblings staring at him.

"Oh, God, we're not gonna have to hug or anything, are we?" Dean grimaces.

"Only if you want to." Athena shrugs. "I think a hug could do you some good though."

Dean frowns, "I'm gonna try not to be offended by that."

"No, Athena has a point, Dean," Sam says.

Dean looks at his brother who was trying his best not to smile.

"A hug would do wonders for that...rough exterior."

"Aw, Sam stop it." Athena lightly smacks Sam.

"Thank you, Athena—"

"Dean's really just a giant teddy bear." Athena looks at Dean with a cheeky smile, teasing him.

"You guys are killing me..." Dean murmurs before slowing to a stop.

"I hope it's with kindness." Athena says, getting out of the car.

"More like annoyance..." Dean grumbles, getting out of the car with Sam.

They all walk over to the Chapel. Dean unfolds the drawing and holds it up. Athena looks across the street and sees the house in the drawing.

"We're sorry to bother you, ma'am," Dean says to the elderly woman, living at the house. "But does a little boy live here by chance? He might wear a blue ball cap, has a red bicycle."

The elderly woman's eyes sadden. "No, sir. Not for a very long time."

"Peters been gone for 35 years now." She informs them. "The police never—I never had any idea what happened." She looks at one of the pictures of Peter.

Athena picks at her bandaids. A lump forms in her throat just seeing all of the pain on the lady's face.

"He just disappeared." The elderly woman looks back at them.

Athena's eyes scan the room as the woman continues to speak. Her eyes land on the toy soldiers on top of the fireplace and she tilts her head. Athena tugs at Sam and Dean's sleeves, catching their attention. She motions her head to the fireplace, Sam and Dean follow her eyes, and theirs widen.

"It's...it's worse than dying."

Athena stuffs her hands into her jacket and swallows the lump in her throat.

"Did he disappear from here—I mean, from this house?" Dean inquires.

"He was supposed to ride his bike straight home after school, and he never showed up." She explains. Her eyes brim with tears and Athena tenses.

"How about I...help you to your room?" Athena suggests. "Only if you want?"

The lady looks at the young girl. She sniffles, "Yes, dear, I would like that. Thank you."

Athena gives the lady a small smile before gently looping her arm around hers. She turns to Sam and Dean, her eyes saying she'll be back. The lady instructs Athena on how to navigate through the house.

"We have such an awesome sister," Dean speaks.

Sam quietly chuckles, "Yeah, she's pretty great."

Athena stands in the doorway with her hands folded and behind her back, while the lady lays in the bed.

"I'm sorry. I just...I get upset sometimes." The lady apologizes.

Athena shakes her head, "You don't have to apologize." She takes a step forward. "I can't...I can't imagine losing someone I love like that."

"And not knowing what happened to them..." the lady slowly shakes her head. "...I should've driven him to and from school."

Athena's throat tightens when the lady starts to cry again. "You couldn't have known that something like this was gonna happen..." she walks over to the lady and sits on the edge of her bed. "...your son wouldn't want you to have all this guilt."

"I just want to know what happened to my boy."

Athena's eyes burn with tears when the lady buried her face in her hands. Just seeing this lady in pain and knowing she couldn't take it, hurt Athena so much. But she was going to help her in any way she could. She had to.

"I'll find out."

The lady lifts her head and looks at the girl's determined expression. "But...you're just a child."

Athena chews the inside of her cheek, "I don't mean to brag or anything, but...my brothers call me the brains of the operation." She unzips her bag and hands the lady some tissues.

"I can't take your pain away, but I will help you with resting your worries." Athena holds her pinky out towards the elderly woman. "I promise."

The lady looks at Athena's Hello Kitty band-aid wrapped pinky, then looks into her shaking blue eyes. She felt like she shouldn't put her faith in a child. But seeing Athena's confidence, and how she comforted her, made the lady trust her more than anyone in this town.

The lady interlocks her pinky with Athena's.

"God Bless you, dear."

☆

"You promised her?"

Athena sinks into her seat, "I pinky swore."

"Oh—you pinky swore! Well, that just makes this situation so much better!" Dean exhales.

"Dude, relax." Sam rolls his eyes.

"Yeah, dude, relax."

Dean squints his eyes at the rearview mirror, glaring at Athena. She presses her lips together and bunches her shoulders.

"She was upset and I wanted her to know that she could rely on me." Athena shrugs.

"What? By lying to her?" Dean asks.

"I'm not lying to her," Athena says. "I don't lie."

"Yeah, well, don't be too sure about that." Dean scoffs.

"What does that mean?" Athena asks, a crease forming between her brows.

"Guys let's not do this now..."

Athena shifts her gaze to Sam, noticing how tense he was. Then she looks at Dean, his eyes were filled with worry, but he was also angry—disappointed even. Athena's eyes widen and she slightly sits up.

"You told him?" Athena looks back at Sam.

Sam inhales and turns his head to Athena. "Athy, when it comes to your health—"

"When it comes to my health?" Athena quietly chuckles. "You haven't been around for years, and now you want to care about my health?"

"Hey, we're just worried about you—"

"And if you were actually worried about me, you would've noticed my Bulimia years ago, Dean!" Athena snaps her eyes over to her older brother. Her eyes start to burn. "That's what we're talking about, right? My eating disorder?"

There was so much tension in the car, Athena's never raised her voice before. She's never knowingly started crying in front of Sam and Dean either. Athena didn't know what happened, but hearing them talk about how much they care about her and yet, Sam never bothered to call or text after he left. Dean was always glued to John's side, that he never even noticed that Athena needed help a long time ago.

And they knew that's where most of their issues lied. They never bothered to look after each other during that period of time when after Sam left. And now there was guilt on all sides. Athena lets out a scoff when neither of them says anything.

She leans back in her seat and folds her arms. Her eyes turn to the window and a tear rolls down her cheek. She grits her teeth out of anger. This is why she never talked about her feelings. Anytime she did, everyone else just started to feel uncomfortable and stay silent.

"Great talk."

After the quiet ride to Bill Carlton's house, they got out of the car and made their way over to the house.

"Mr. Carlton!" Sam calls out.

Athena looks at the pier, her eyes shift to the Lake, seeing Mr. Carlton driving his boat onto the lake. Her jaw goes slack, "Guys?"

Sam and Dean turn to Athena and follow her eyes. Their eyes widen, seeing the man in the Lake.

"Awh, shit."

The siblings run toward Lake and stand at the edge of the pier.

"Mr. Carlton!" Athena shouts. "Stop!"

"You need to come back!"

Mr. Carlton ignores the Winchester's cries and continues further into the Lake.

Then, Mr. Carlton's boat is hit, sending him flying into the water. Never to be seen again.

"Sam, Dean, Athena. I didn't expect to see you here." was the first thing Andrea said, seeing them walk into the police station, with her father.

"So now you're on a first-name basis," Jake grumbles. "What are you doing here?"

"I brought you dinner." Andrea holds the food towards her dad.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sweetheart. I really don't have time."

Andrea glances at the three siblings, noticing their worried expressions.

"I heard about Bill Carlton. Is it true?" Andrea asks. "Is something going on with the Lake?"

"Right now, we don't know what the truth is, but I think it might be better if you and Lucas went on home."

A small whimper escapes Lucas' lips. He shoots up from his seat and runs over to Dean. He tugs on Dean's sleeve, fear across his face. Athena pulls her brows together.

"Lucas, hey, what is it?" Dean asks.

Andrea walks over to her son, prying his hand off of Dean's sleeve. Lucas starts to tremble.

"Lucas, it's okay. It's okay." Dean softly tries to reassure the shaken boy.

Andrea guides Lucas out of the station, leaving Dean worried for the boy.

Sam and Athena followed Jake into his office, Dean soon joined them.

"So, let me get this straight..." Jake starts, trying to comprehend what the three were trying to explain to him. "You see...something attack Bill's boat, sending Bill, who is a very good swimmer, by the way, into the drink, and you never see him again?"

Athena presses her lips together.

"Yeah, that about sums it up." Dean nods.

"And I'm supposed to believe this, even though I've already Sonar-Swept that entire lake, and what you're describing is impossible and you're not really wildlife service?"

Sam and Dean falter. "That's right, I checked." Jake states. "The departments never heard of you two."

"See—now we can explain that." Dean nervously chuckles.

"Enough please." Jake sighs. "The only reason you're breathing free air is one of Bill's neighbors saw him steering out that boat just before you did."

"So, we have a couple of options here. I can arrest you for impersonating Government Officials and hold you as Material Witnesses to Bill Carlton's disappearance, while throwing her..." he pokes at Athena. "...into the Foster Care System. Or we can chalk this all up to a bad day, you get into your car, you put this town in your rearview mirror, and you don't ever darken my doorstep again."

Athena squints her eyes at the man's finger that was shaking. Her eyes shift to the heads of sweat on his forehead. He was nervous.

He's hiding something.

"Door number two sounds good," Sam says, with Dean nodding.

Jake looks at the auburn-haired brunette, waiting for her to also agree.

"Yeah—sure." Athena nods mindlessly. "You're sweating...a lot, sir."

"Because you're stressing me out, girl."

Athena frowns, "That could be one of the reasons you're sweating immensely."

Jake squints his eyes and stands up.

"We're gonna go now!" Dean quickly stands up with Sam following his lead.

"Come on, Athy."

"But, he's—"

Sam and Dean grab her arms, lifting her off the ground and quickly exiting the Police Station.

☆

Flashback

Athena's laugh fills the bar.

"You can't do that!" Zach states.

"But, I came up with the rules." Athena says.

"Well, I think your rules are childish."

Athena nods her head, "I am a child."

Zach nods his head, "Point taken, child."

Athena giggles. Her smile saddens, once silence fills the bar. Realization sets into her and she's reminded as to why she was dropped off.

"Mr. Zach?"

"What's up, kid?"

Athena taps her fingernails against the bar table. "I have a confession to make."

"Well, isn't that a thing for church?" Zach asks.

"You don't have to confess everything in Church." Athena sighs.

Zach deadpans, "You said that like it was something I should've already known."

Athena scratches her wrist. "Okay, kid. Talk to me."

Her breathing quickens and she rubs her eye.

"I'm not lost."

Zach stops cleaning the countertop and looks at the young girl. "I am on an undercover mission." She fiddles with her fingers. "An undercover mission to...pick pockets."

Zach quirks a brow up.

"A-And I know that's wrong." Athena inhales. "I mean, not to brag but...I'm an intelligent girl and yet I knew that this was wrong. But me and my family-- we all have jobs to do and this is mine."

Athena continues to ramble on and Zach chuckles. She trails off as Zach's chuckle forms into a full-hearted laugh.

"Why are you laughing?" She puffs out her cheeks.

"Why are you rambling like you're in trouble?" Zach sighs. "Did you think I was gonna call the cops?"

Athena shakes her head, "No, I thought you were gonna yell at me and kick me out."

Zach pulls his brows together, "Why would I do that? You're just a kid—a nice one."

Athena looks down at the table and rubs her wrist. The same wrist that had the bruises on it.

"Where did you get the bruises?" Zach asks.

Athena freezes, "Fell." She winces.

Athena hated lying, but it beat the alternative. Telling the truth and pulling the family apart. They only had each other, besides it's not like they stayed in one state long enough for anyone to do anything about it.

"Athena—"

"You know I didn't fall." Athena squeaks, tears burning in her eyes. "I didn't fall. I mean, I usually trip, because I'm clumsy—but I scrape my elbows and knees. I don't get bruises!" She lifts her head up, meeting Zach's soft eyes. "I can't leave him, but I can keep him away from hurting me again...just for a moment..."

Athena covers her face and starts crying.

"Are you actually crying right now? Or putting on a show like you did outside the bar. For the undercover mission?" Zach inquires.

Athena pouts her lip, "I'm actually crying, Zachary."

"Ooh, Zachary, really? You're that mad?" Zach chuckles. He digs his hand into his pocket and pulls out his wallet.

Athena takes her hands off her face. "No, I can't..."

"And I can't let you get hurt because you didn't bring something back," Zach says, his voice was firm but had a soft tone to it. "I won't let it happen, Squirt."

Athena's eyes start to water again when he grabs her hand and places the money in her hand. "I'm guessing that car is yours."

She turns and sees the Chevy Impala coming to a stop. Athena's chest tightens and she inhales a deep breath. "Yeah..." she exhales. Her eyes shift to Zach.

"You sure you don't want to stay?" Zach asks. "I could hide you behind the bar. If you promise not to touch anything?"

Athena looks around the bar, there weren't many people in it now. But there was still a comfortable ambiance to it. Other bars, Athena never felt that before. She quietly cries. "I can't leave my brothers." She bunches her shoulders. "I mean...my eldest brother he's not very fond of me, but my other brother. He promised he would take me away when he's old enough to leave."

A smile forms on her lips, thinking about her future life. "We pinky swore."

"You don't go back on a pinky swear," Zach says.

"Exactly—"

A car horn is heard from outside and Athena flinches. She wipes her tears, "Thank you, Mr. Zach. For everything." She chuckles.

"Yeah, anytime, child. And I mean that." Zach places a napkin in front of her. "I've had this number for years—don't plan on changing it. You can call me whenever you want."

Athena grabs the napkin and exhales. He must've written it down earlier, knowing she needed help.

"Okay, I will."

"Promise...?"

Athena looks at Zach's pinky finger and snorts. She interlocks her pinky with his.

"Pinky promise."

Present

"Dean has a soft spot for the infant child."

"Shaddup."

"Athena's right," Sam says.

"You're always agreeing with her." Dean scoffs.

Sam blinks, then he bunches his shoulders. "Because she's always right."

Athena smiles, "Thank you, Sammy!"

"Dean, this job—I think it's over," Sam says.

"On the contrary, middle sibling." Athena holds up a finger, causing Sam to frown.

"Jake was acting suspicious." Athena leans forward, peaking her head between Sam and Dean.

"Very suspicious," Athena says in an eery tone, for dramatic effect.

"You're annoying." Dean states, mushing her face, so she sat back in her seat.

"Says the one mushing people." Athena rubs her nose. "I think you broke my nose."

"And you're dramatic," Dean adds.

"And you're dramatic," Athena repeats in a nasal tone.

Sam laughs softly. Even though Athena was intelligent and was mature for her age. There were times that he was reminded, that she was still a kid.

"If Bill murdered Peter Sweeney and Peter's spirit got its revenge, case closed," Sam says, looking at Athena.

"But, what if we leave and this isn't done?" Athena asks. "The Sheriff knows something, guys!"

"Athy's right. What if we missed something? What if more people get hurt?" Dean adds.

"Okay, I know I'm right. But you're missing the fact that I'm talking about the Sheriff." Athena speaks.

"Why would you guys think that?" Sam asks.

"Because Lucas was really scared." Dean answers.

Athena and Sam look at each other. The brunette smirks and wiggles her brows. "Told you." She whispers.

"I just don't want to leave town till I know the kid's okay." Dean shrugs a timid shoulder.

Sam chuckles, "Who are you and what have you done with our brother?"

"He's an imposter—I'm calling it now!" Athena calls out, her hands up.

"I've said it once and I'm gonna say it again. Shut up." Dean grumbles.

Once they get back to the town, Dean stops at Andrea's house. They make it to the front porch.

"Dean, are you sure about this?" Sam inquires. "It's pretty late, man."

"Are you gonna kick the door in?" Athena asks, lightly bouncing up and down, her fingers curled into fists. "Kick the door down!"

Sam and Dean look at the young girl. Athena looks at her brothers, then the window. Realization hits her and she stops bouncing. "The door's glass..."

"Yup." The brother's chorus.

Athena purses her lips, "My bad—ringing the doorbell'll do."

Dean chuckles softly, he rings the doorbell, but the door immediately swings open; Lucas standing there. His breathing was uneven his eyes were filled with tears.

"Lucas?"

The kid sprints back into the house, with the siblings following him. They run up the stairs, water spilling from them. Lucas starts to bang his hands on the door once again. Dean pulls Lucas back and kicks the door down in.

Sam and Dean run into the bathroom. Athena wraps her arms around Lucas. "It's okay, they're gonna save her." She softly reassured Lucas. The two kids watch as the brothers try and pull Andrea out of the flooding bathtub. Lucas turns away from the scene and wraps his arms around Athena's tears soaking her clothes.

Suddenly Andrea is piled out of the bathtub, falling to the ground with Sam and Dean. Athena lets out a breath of relief.

"Lucas, look. She's okay, you're mom's okay." Athena says.

Lucas turns to the bathroom and his eyes widen. He runs toward his mom.

After Andrea dried off and got dressed, she sat with Sam at the table. While Athena and Dean looked through archives in Andrea's basement.

"What are we looking for exactly?" Dean asks.

Athena shrugs, she grabs the step stool and climbs onto it. She skims across the titles of the books. She gnaws on her lower lip.

"Uh—anything, that could tie Bill Carlton with Peter," Athena says. "Maybe there could be somebody else connected too."

"All right, short stack," Dean says, grabbing one book. "Will this do?" He hands it to her.

Athena grabs the book and the front reads 'Jake - 12 years old. She looks at Dean before opening it, coming across a page filled with kids.

"Mother Theresa!" She hops off the stool and sprints out of the basement.

Dean presses his lips together, "I'll take that as a yes." He follows after her.

Before Athena could make it to the table, she trips and falls. Sam and Andrea jump up.

"Athena, are you—"

Athena jumps back onto her feet. "I'm good! I' good!"

She runs over to them and places the book on the table. "Hi—hey." She says, breathlessly. "Uh...do you recognize the kids in these pictures?" Athena takes a step back, her hands in her hips, like a detective.

Andrea blinks, "What?"

Athena was speaking so fast, Andrea needed time to comprehend. The auburn-haired brunette chews on one of her thumbnails.

"Um, no, I mean, except that's my dad right there," Andrea states, pointing at one of the kids. "He must have been about 12 in these pictures."

"Chris Bar's drowning..." Dean speaks. "The connection wasn't to Bill Carlton."

"It must have been to the Sheriff," Dean says.

Athena shrugs, "Hate to say I told ya so, but..." she holds her hands up and walks away. "...I told ya so."

"Bill and the Sheriff—they were both involved with Peter." Sam states.

Athena pulls her brows together, seeing Lucas staring out the window.

"Lucas...?" Athena speaks, catching everyone's attention.

"Lucas, what is it?" Dean asks.

Lucas walks out of the house, everyone follows after him. He walks toward the back of the house toward the lake.

"Lucas, honey?"

Lucas stops in his tracks and stares down at the grass below his feet. A chill runs down Athena's spine.

"Athena, take Lucas and Andrea back to the house and stay there, okay?"

Athena looks at her eldest brother and swallows. She nods her head and looks at Andrea. The woman looks at Athena and she can see the nervous expression across her face. Andrea grabs Lucas' hand and they follow after the girl, walking towards the house.

As soon as they got inside, Athena stands on her toes, peaking through the window. She watches her brothers dig in the backyard. Athena looks over at Andrea comforting her son. Her gut twists, thinking about the motherly love she'll never have. She always had an idea in her head, what her mom looked like. Chestnut brown hair, a smile that could warm up the darkest parts of the earth, blue eyes that could be seen miles away. John didn't have blue eyes, Athena had to get them from somewhere. The auburn-haired girl blinks, noticing how long she was staring at them. She wipes her tears before they could fall and looks out the window. Her stomach drops when she sees Jake aiming a gun at her brothers.

"Oh, no--uh..." Athena falls onto the flats of her feet.

Andrea looks at the girl, who was running towards the door. The woman looks out the window and her eyes widen. "Athena, wait!"

Athena's hand stop from grabbing the doorknob. She turns to the woman, "Look after Lucas."

Before the girl could object, Andrea runs out of the house, and towards the brothers. Athena looks at Lucas, "Uh--okay...Lucas what do you..."

Lucas walks out of the house, leaving Athena alone. The auburn-haired brunette presses her lips together and nods her head. "Alone...that sounds about right." she follows after the child.

Athena crouches down near the cellar opening with Lucas. She peaks over the edge, watching Jake wave the gun around. Athena continues to look at the scene unfolding, her heart ramming against her chest.

Athena looks to the side and her eyes widen. "Lucas?" she whispers, not seeing the boy by her side. The youngest Winchester, stands up, her eyes looking across the perimeter. Her eyes land on Lucas near the Lake.

"LUCAS!" Athena shouts, her heart beat grow more unstable. Her feet were still planted on the ground. She froze. Again. Athena's knees were close to buckling and she felt like she was going to sob. But then she saw how far away everyone else it. She was so close.

She could make it.

So, for the first time ever. Athena felt her feet start to move. She was running towards the kid.

Sam and Dean's eyes widen.

"ATHENA, DON'T!"

They run towards the two kids. Athena squints her eyes, seeing the water ripples form in the Lake. Her eyes widen.

She wasn't going to make it.

Athena heard the voice in her head grow louder.

Too slow for your own good.

Then she heard her father's voice.

Half-Blood burden.

As a hand emerges from the water, Athena shoves Lucas aside and the hand grasps onto the girl's jacket; forcing her under the water.

Sam and Dean quicken their speed down the dock and dive into the water. Andrea crouches down, wrapping her son into a tight hug with her eyes trained on the water. Not seeing Athena anywhere to be found.

Dean was the first to bring his head above water, then Sam.

"Sam?!"

Sam shakes his head.

The panic in both brothers rise, they dive back into the water, desperately searching for their little sister. Dean couldn't help but feel a tremendous amount of guilt, thinking about not being able to apologize for everything he put his sister through. Siding with their father when he would hurt her; not just pshycially but verbally, yelling at her. Half-Blooded Burden, that's the dumbest nickname ever.

Jake takes his jacket off and slowly steps into the water, until he was neck deep. "Peter, if you can here me, please, Peter, I'm sorry." he starts out. "I'm so--I'm so sorry."

"Dad, no!" Andrea cries.

"Peter, Athena--she's just a little girl. Please, it's not her fault--it's no one's fault but mine. Please take me!"

Sam and Dean both emerge above the water, catching their breath. Their eyes shift to the Sheriff.

"Jake, no!"

Suddenly, Jake is pulled into the water.

Without another second passing, the brothers go back under the water. Neither of them were going to get out of the Lake without their sister. No matter what, they weren't going to give up.

Dean catches sight of a body below him, sinking. He swallows the last of his air in his mouth, and swims down, the splayed auburn hair getting closer. He hooks his arms under Athena's and starts to swim toward the surface. Dean makes sure that Athena was the first above water, then him.

Sam shoots his head up from the water, gasping for air. He looks at Dean he had a worried expression across his face. Sam looks at Athena, seeing her not moving. His throat tightens, they all swim back over to the dock. Sam and Dean lift Athena onto the dock and get on as well.

"Athy?" Sam lightly touches her face. He places his ear near her mouth, not hearing or feeling any breathing. "Sh-She's not...she's not breathing!"

Dean places his fingers against her neck, checking her pulse. His heart drops into his stomach. "Shit."

Sam places his hands against her chest, starting CPR. Dean watches with distress, terrified that he might lose his sister.

"Are you doing it right?!--"

"Will you shut up?! I'm doing it!" Sam snaps, continuing.

Dean looks back at Athena, who still wasn't moving. "Come on, Athena. You gotta wake up."

Sam continues the CPR, his hands for the chest compressions becoming more shaky. Suddenly, the young girl coughs, water spewing from her blue lips. She moves her head to the side and gasps for air.

Sam and Dean both let out a relieved sigh. They surround the their sister. Dean pats Athena's back, "It's okay, let it out."

Athena inhales a deep breath, "Is...Lucas okay?"

Sam and Dean look at each other and laugh. "Thinking about others before yourself."

"Spoken like a true hunter."

☆

"I can carry that for you." Dean grabs her bag.

Sam opens the door for her and Athena raises her brows. "Thank you...?" she steps into the Motel. She inhales a soft breath and shivers.

"Are you cold?" Dean looks at the girl, who was still wrapped in the white towel. Athena shrugs, "I mean...a little--"

"Sam!"

"Bath!" Sam runs into the bathroom and starts to run hot water.

Athena's eyes follow Dean as he turns off the A.C. Her eye twitches out of annoyance.

"Wow, you guys are being kind." Athena lets out a dry chuckle. "I should almost die more often."

"Okay--1 you didn't almost die...you did die." Dean states. "And 2--don't joke like that again."

Athena quirks an eyebrow, "Fine. Then stop pretending to care about me because I almost died."

"I'm not pretending--"

"You've never offered to carry my bag before," Athena states, squinting her eyes. "You've never drawn me a bath." She folds her arms. "But I can tell you what you have always done."

Dean inhales, his guilt grows. "Athena--"

"Hey, I'm done with..." Sam trails off, realizing he walked into something.

"...turning...on the...water..." Sam inhales. "Did I miss something?"

"No, you didn't." Athena looks at the ground, gathering control over her emotions. She turns away from Dean and looks at Sam with a small smile. "Thank you guys for everything." she then walks into the bathroom and closes the door behind her.

Sam looks at Dean, who had guilt written all over his face.

"What just happened?"

Dean looks at his brother and sits on the bed with defeat. "I don't know how I'm supposed to make up for everything."

Sam crosses his arms, "She just needs time to process that you're being nice to her and not just for your own personal gain."

"I've always been nice--"

"Not to her." Sam cuts his brother off.

Dean looks down at his hands, he knew Sam was right. There was a part of Dean that thought if he was strict with Athena then John would praise him somehow. Did he really want his dad's approval that bad? Enough to make his little sister cry?

The next day, everyone was silent, packing everything back into the car. Athena kept her distance from her brothers, keeping her eyes on her Gameboy.

Dean tosses the duffel into the car and slams the door shut. Sam looks at his brother, "Look, we're not gonna save everybody."

Dean lets out a sigh, thinking about the Sheriff. "Yeah, I know."

"Sam, Athena, Dean,!"

Simultaneously, the siblings turn to the mother and son. Athena slips her Game into her jacket pocket, a smile forming on her lips. "Hey!"

"We're glad we caught you." Andrea chuckles, watching the siblings approach them. "We just, um, we made you lunch for the road. Lucas insisted on making the sandwiches himself."

"Can I give it to them now?" Lucas speaks.

Athena's smile widens.

"Of course." Andrea kisses the top of Lucas' head.

"Come on, Lucas lets load this in the car." Dean grabs the plate of sandwiches.

Sam looks at the woman, "How are you?"

Andrea looks at the man and inhales. "It's just gonna take a long time to sort through everything, you know?"

Athena tenses, "Andrea, I'm sorry." She rubs her arm, thinking about Andrea's father.

Andrea looks at the young girl. "You saved my son, Athena." She shakes her head slowly. "I can't ask for more than that."

"Dad loved me," Andrea admits. "He loved Lucas. No matter what he did, I just have to hold on to that."

Athena slowly nods her head. Even though Andrea forgave her, she still felt guilty. Somebody sacrificed themselves for her. There was a part of her that couldn't handle that, but she just swallows the lump in her throat; pushing down her guilt.

Andrea's eyes soften, knowing Athena still was in her head about Jake. The woman crouches down and wraps her arms around Athena. The young girl's eyes widen.

"You're a hero, Athena." She separates from the girl. "Remember that."

After the siblings packed up the car and started out towards the town, Athena spoke.

"Can we make a quick stop first, please?"

Sam and Dean look at each other before looking at the young girl, this was her first time talking to them since yesterday. Her voice was soft, but also distant.

"Uh, yeah sure. Where to?"

Athena sits on the couch, her eyes on her bandaged hands.

"My boy drowned?"

The young huntress swallows and looks at the elderly woman. "Uh, yes, ma'am. There were...these kids that bullied him and they..." her voice starts to shake and she takes a second to recover.

The woman slowly nods her head understanding. It took a lot of courage to even make a promise to find out the truth about what happened to Peter. And this 10 year old girl pinky swore without hesitation, and she found out the truth.

"Thank you."

Athena's eyes slightly widen, she looks back at the woman; a smile on her lips.

"Thank you so much."

"I mean—"

The woman pulls Athena into a warm embrace. Athena tenses up, but she soon relaxes, and hugs the woman back. The woman touches the back of Athena's head and quietly cries. Tears form in Athena's eyes as a thought runs through her head.

When was the last time I had a genuine hug like this?

━━━━━━━━━━

Author's Note:

Fun fact the sloth story is the reason I have a fear of them now 🙃 This chapter Chapter ended with 6,400 words??? PFFT