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Bobby Singer watched over his charges with a concealed smile. Seven year old Sam and eleven year old Dean argued again over movies. The older man didn't much pay attention to the argument as much as the tone and the very familiar way the brothers talked to each other. They had been with him about a week at this point. That was usually about how long it took them to relax a little and get back to their routine whenever they came to Bobby's.
At first Dean had been upset with his inability to go with his father. John had what he thought was a good tip about demons, one specific demon in particular. On those trips, thankfully, he still deemed Dean too young to witness or participate. Torturing demons was too much for an eleven year old, at least in John's eyes. Bobby knew it wouldn't be long before that was thrown out the window, so he enjoyed watching the two boys just be boys for a bit. Even if it wouldn't last.
Bobby's musings were interrupted by one of his many phones, this one a personal line.
He answered, “Yeah?”
There was heavy breathing and a pained soft voice on the other line, “Bobby?”
“Travis, that you? What happened?”
More heavy breathing, “I need your help Bobby please. I'm begging.”
“What's going on?”
“I'm at the cabin, please come as fast as you can.”
With that final statement the line went dead.
Bobby looked up at his temporary family, “Shake a leg fellas we gotta run.”
Travis's cabin wasn't more than three hours away. Bobby drove while the two young men sat in the back. They had been full of questions that he couldn't answer.
When they reached the cabin all was quiet. He turned to the boys.
“You got salt rounds and silver back there. Keep the door locked until I come back.” He showed them a small flask. “I'm gonna leave this on the door. Holy water. You make me take a swig before you let me in, you hear me? If I don't, Dean you get up here and take off. Don't you worry about me.” Both boys nodded and he exited the car, placing the flask where he said he would.
He cautiously made his way towards the small cabin Travis always used, silver knife drawn. He listened through the door and heard a faint voice, almost singing. He opened the door to be greeted by someone he didn't expect.
A little girl in a green flowered top, no more than 4 years old, was sitting on the floor with a coloring book. Bobby quickly hid his knife.
“Hi, are you Bobby?”
Very confused, he looked around the room, “Yeah.”
“Travis said to tell you to go into the bedroom, but I have to stay out here.”
Bobby nodded and made his way towards the bedroom door, making sure not to turn his back on the little girl. Never can be to careful. He opened the door and peeked inside. It was Travis, on the bed covered in blood. The injured man turned his head at Bobby's entrance.
He grimaced a smile, “Hey Bobby. You came.”
Bobby looked at the scene more. One of Travis's arms was chained to the bed with what looked like silver chains. His legs were tied with the same material.
After making sure the man was alone he entered the room and shut the door.
“Hey Travis.”
“I screwed up.” Travis lifted his shirt with his remaining arm. He had a bite mark take out of his chest.
Bobby's shoulders sunk, “Werewolf?”
Travis nodded,” I know where I'm headed Bobby. I'm at peace with that. But I need you to help me with Alison.”
Bobby gestured to the other room, “The girl? Since when you got a daughter?”
Travis chuckled as best he could with his injuries, “Ain't mine. I found her. Abandoned factory. Looked like a bomb had gone off. Dead demons every where. Off against the wall in a box was that little girl, couldn't have been more than 6 months old. I took her to look for her parents, but I never could find them. No missing babies anywhere that matched.”
Bobby shook his head, “Dammit Travis's who knows what she is!”
“She's human Bobby. I tested her every way I can and even took her to some seers. I don't know why they had her, but she ain't one of them. She's just a little girl.”
Bobby still shook his head, “Why didn't you give her to the damn police? They could've found her a family.”
“What if the demons had her for a reason? What if they came back? Police don't know how to deal with that. I kept her till I was sure no one was following her. And well, I got attached. That was four years ago. She really is the sweetest little girl Bobby, she really is.”
Bobby huffed, “You got anyone I can bring her to? Family somewhere?”
Travis shook his head, “No I need you to take her.”
Bobby's eyes shot open wide, “Me? What the hell am I gonna do with a child?”
“Please Bobby. I need someone that can protect her, show her how to protect herself. I still don't know why those demons wanted her.”
“Well, she was probably just a midnight snack for Pete's sake!”
The injured man raised his voice for the first time, “You don't know that!” He dissolved into coughing. Bobby went to help him but was waved off.
“I'm begging here Bobby. Please, please help this dying man with the one thing he ever cared about. I figure her birthday as September 15th. I named her after my mom. Alison Rose. Please Bobby.”
Bobby ripped off his hat to rub his face and head roughly. “Just had to bring the dying man's last wish crap up didn't you?”
Travis shrugged as best he could.
Bobby was torn in several different directions. Damn Travis for putting him in this position.
“Fine dammit, I'll take the kid!”
“You gotta swear to me you will take care of her and raise her as your own. She deserves that. She needs that.”
Bobby looked at the ashen man in the bed. “I swear.”
Travis closed his eyes and Bobby saw tears running down his face, “Thank you.”
Shuffling his feet, Bobby showed his discomfort with the emotional display, “Yeah well, She ends up all messed up I'm blaming you.”
Travis chuckled, “Deal.” He held up a pistol, “I got one sliver bullet. I will do it once you are gone. I don't want her to hear.”
Bobby nodded and made his way out of the room. The girl was now seated on the worn out couch with a pink back pack.
“Travis said I get to live with you now.”
Bobby tried not to look like the panicked man he was. “Yeah I guess. You ready to head out?”
She nodded her head and as she approached him, Bobby took stock of his new charge. Green shirt with flowers all over, tiny jeans, tiny sneakers. Her hair was brown with streaks of red, cut into a bob at her shoulders, huge brown eyes. She reached up and took his hand with her little one. Uncomfortable, Bobby led her out to the car.
The two boys were gawking out the windows as they approached. Bobby grabbed the flask off the door and took a swig. After a brief hesitation he handed the flask to the girl. She took a sip and handed it back. Clearly she was used to that routine.
Dean unlocked the door and Bobby opened up the back. He led Alison to her seat and she finally let go of his hand. Without a moments pause he got in the front.
“Who is this?” Dean asked.
Bobby sighed, “This is Alison. She's going to be staying with me.”
Sam put out his hand, “Sam Winchester and that's my brother Dean.”
The little girl shook his hand like a pro, “Alison.”
Dean still looked at her with suspicion, but Sam was immediately set on making her comfortable. He started asking her questions about her favorite foods and colors. The side of Bobby's mouth curled up. He may not know what he was going to do with her, but it looked like he could at least count on his charges to help her along.
With one last look at the cabin, Bobby drove off. He would have another hunter come by later and give Travis the hunter's funeral he deserved.