CHAPTER EIGHT: The Great Escapist

Dean doesn't know how the hell he and Bobby got stuck cleaning the bathrooms; all he knew that it was disgusting and he was pissed.

Ruby had come swinging a bucket of rags and cleaners giddily, looking as smug as ever as she made her way down to the young hunter's cell. He should've known it was nothing good if Ruby was happy about it. The bathroom was an ugly mint toothpaste color with 80's retro tile covering the floor. He swore that Crowley purposely tried to make it as grotesque as possible.

So Dean mopped while Bobby cleaned up by the sinks, a comfortable silence between the two before the baseball capped man broke it. "I uh- heard the escape plan was compromised." He said casually, his voice low as he glanced at Dean through one of the dirty mirrors of the unisex restroom.

The middle Winchester's brow creased before he paused in his task, resting both palms on the end of the mop and leaning on it. "What do you mean?" He asked, staring at the man as if he had grown wings.

Bobby continued scrubbing, not wanting to meet Dean's prying gaze. "Benny told me that Crowley found out." He said quickly and off-handedly, his voice shaking with nerves at the end.

The hunter's features turned suspicious, knowing full well that the vampire thought everything was fine. "No, Benny doesn't know that." He said slowly, resting the mop against one of the stall doors and moving closer to his surrogate father. "Bobby, how did you know that?"

The old drunk stopped, setting his rag down on the sink and turning to face the skeptical hunter. "Listen to me, I want you to know that that escape plan of yours was never goin' to work son." He began, begging with his eyes for Dean to understand what he was going to say next before the middle Winchester chimed in.

Memories of his conversation with Crowley flashed through Dean's head, the mention of having eyes and ears everywhere ringing a bell. He looked at Bobby and his freaked out look and everything just clicked! "You... You're the mole..." He breathed, his shoulders slouching as he backed up.

"I knew none of us were getting out alive anyway! It only made sense to put a stop to it." He explained logically, taking a step towards the distraught man. "I had to Dean, Crowley he-"

"No! Just no." Dean cut him off, not believing what he was hearing as he placed his palms on the side of his head. He shook it as if to clear it before throwing his hands up in the air. "Whatever he had over you, you don't sell your friends out! You fucking coward!" He barked, rushing forward and shoving the older man into the wall, his head smacking the wall with a painful thud. The young hunter braced his forearm against Bobby's throat, pressing forcefully as he leaned in close menacingly.

"It was the only way to make sure you were all safe, son-" Bobby began only to have Dean apply pressure to his throat to cut off his air.

The young hunter drove his free fist into Singer's nose, a loud crunch reverberating off the walls before he released his throat. Bobby slumped slightly and relaxed, Dean surprising him by throwing another punch. The old drunk had barely enough time to take a breath before Dean began wailing on his face, blood trickling down multiple cuts and his nose. Finally, Dean backed up and shook his hand out. "Don't ever... call me that." The middle Winchester said with absolute sorrow, some of his ferocity draining from his body as three guards rushed in, their eyes instantly finding Dean and the beaten face of Bobby.

"Get two isolation rooms ready." One of the demons said to another before they charged forward.

...

A low whistle echoed down the long hallway as Dean was escorted back to his cell, a raspy voice accompanying it. "Dean, Meg called, she'd like her scowl back." Cas quipped, the hunter sending him a glare as he passed his cell. "Hey, the last time somebody looked at me like that, I got laid." The angel smirked, standing up from his cot to get a closer look.

"Where the hell you been, brother?" Benny asked, concern lacing his voice as Dean rested his arms on the horizontal bars, clasping his hands in front of him. The vampire eyed his bruised and bloodied knuckles warily but decided to allow the hunter to explain.

"Isolation." He said plainly, running a hand down his face before returning to his original position. Both Benny and Castiel sucked in air, a soft 'ohh' escaping their lips in realization.

"So you got so mad you punched the wall?" The sentence had barely left the angel's lips when the door at the end of the hall and Bobby walked in with Meg as his escort, an immediate silence overtaking the room. The vampire and Cas's eyed widened in recognition at the elder hunter's black eye and crooked nose before they turned their shocked gazes towards the quiet Winchester, connecting the bruised face of the baseball capped hunter tothe shape of Dean's knuckles.

The young hunter dropped his gaze to the floor, missing the desperate glance Bobby had sent towards their end of the hallway. After a moment, Dean looked up with his brows scrunched together. "Where's everybody?" He questioned, recalling not seeing Sam when he had come in.

"Jo's sleeping and Charlie and that brother of yours got latrine duty." Benny clarified, stretching his arms over his head to try and relax his tense muscles. The three watched as Meg sauntered towards them with a smirk.

"Hello boys. Who's ready to raise a little Hell?"

…

"Come on, Gordon. Your turn." Ruby purred as she dragged the easily angered man out of his cell and out of the room.

"Once Ruby fetches Gordon, you got about twenty minutes to meet me." Meg directed, placing the small black key that unlocked all their cells into Dean's hand. "Get everyone out and hurry."

Dean watched as the door slammed shut, waiting a good ten seconds before hastily unlocking his cell. He rushed over to the one across from him, letting an excited Benny loose who followed Dean as he let the rest out.

Finally freeing Sam, Dean went to exit when his brother latched onto his arm and gave him a pointed look. With a sigh, the middle Winchester quickly freed Bobby but not before he pointed a threatening finger in his face. "Don't think this means anything, I'm just not as awful as a person as you." He spat, his words dripping with venom.

The group behind him was all shocked to silence but said nothing, just watched as Bobby stood there with an ashamed look encompassing his features.

…

"Once everyone is out, take a right out of the holding block and go about halfway down the hall, there will be a door that will lead you to another hallway. Follow that to the end and I'll meet you there." Meg gave Dean an encouraging smile, anticipation in her eager eyes. "Try not to get killed."

The elder hunter led the group out into the hall after making sure the coast was clear. The door they had to head to was just in sight when they heard voices coming from around the corner.

Charlie turned towards Dean, her eyes wide and afraid and completely out of character for the fiery red head. The elder Winchester patted her shoulder before motioning for them to follow him.

He took off down the hall, his combat boots pounding on the gravel floor before he skidded to a stop directly in front of their target. He threw the door open and ushered everyone in, just barely closing the door behind him before Crowley and Ruby came around the corner.

The group all panted hard, Dean and Sam resting their large bodies up against the door while the others leaned against the cement walls.

The only sound that could be heard was their breathing and the two sets of footsteps getting closer. Seeing no other choice, Jo waved her hand towards the end of the corridor they were supposed to be heading to, intending to just make a run for it.

Dean weighed his options as it seemed the footsteps stopped right outside the door. Without a second thought, he ran down the hall, various foot sizes following behind.

"Hey! What the hell is going on?!" Ruby hissed, standing at the end of the hall they just were, her eyes dark as night as her lips twitched with anger.

Sam glanced over his shoulder and saw Ruby take off. "We have to hurry!" The youngest Winchester yelled, urging Charlie on.

The loud thud that followed Jo hitting the floor caused the group to pause. "Oh, for fuck's sake." Castiel muttered when he eyed her ankle that was now bent at an odd angle, quickly scooping her up and putting her on his back. "Let's go!" He insisted, giving the blonde a piggyback ride down the hall.

Once they reached the end, they glanced around for any sign of Meg. Seeing none, panic started to seep into the group.

"Meg you bitch, where are you!" Dean growled, whirling around just in time for Ruby to punch him in the face. He grabbed his nose as blood started to pour from it, his vision blurred.

Castiel stepped forward, putting his palm out. "I suggest backing the hell up." He barked, a smug grin on his face.

Ruby chuckled and crossed her arms. "What are you gonna do about it, Angel boy? Aren't your wings clipped?" She quipped, not bothered by the dark-haired man before her.

Cas flicked his brows up before he sent Ruby flying up against the wall, her body suspended by an invisible force.

"How-" The blonde demon began, only to have Castiel approach her.

He brought his arm up as a self-satisfied smirk crept at his lips. "I may have had a little help." Without another word, he placed his palm to her forehead and her orifices lit up in a bright flash of orange light.

"You guys don't need my help. Clarence here can give you a hand." Meg noted from her position behind Benny where she had appeared. She glanced briefly as Ruby's lifeless body fell to the floor, her eye sockets still smoking. After noticing the sour faces directed at her, she rolled her eyes before continuing. "Come on, it's just down this hall."

The group turned, ready to follow her when an all too familiar Scottish accent sounded from behind them.

"Dean, did you forget something?"

….

TBC

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