The granite counter was one of the highest places in the kitchen aside from the cabinets that hung above. A few belongings were scattered on the counter and table, leading Dean to suspect that Stan had never expected to bring a borrower home. This was the least likely way he’d ever expected adoption to go after years of watching people dote on their purchases out the door.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of his former box in the trash to the side and the skin around his eyes tightened. If he never saw the inside of that again, he’d be happy.
For some reason, Stan was drawn to the kitchen toward the front of the house. There was a granite island there that was set higher up than the dinner table, seemingly an ideal place for Stan to get acquainted with the person he’d be essentially forcing to live with him.
He set the box almost reverently down on the counter, and he tried his best not to jostle it as he opened it up and tentatively peered inside.
Dean’s grip tightened on the cardboard, and he rested his head against the wall of the box. The car had rolled to a stop, and above him Stan moved, the shadows outside the slim window shifting around. Dean couldn’t see anything of the guy out his window.
The window to the side showed some of Stan’s designer clothing, the front was only the footwell of the car, and in the back all Dean could make out was the fabric the box was leaning against. He couldn’t even be 100% certain of the box’s position from what little he could make out.
Stan’s grip shifted slightly around the box as he settled in the driver’s seat. Without moving it, he tilted his head to look at the side where there was a thin gap in the cardboard so its passenger wouldn’t get stifled. Green eyes widened when they caught sight of something contrasting with the muted color of the box.
Fingers. Absolutely tiny fingers were holding on to the side of the box through that gap.
From within, he could just make out the scene as the box was handed over to the man who had bought his fate on a whim, and he grimaced through the jolt while a new grip settled around his container. Hands much larger and stronger than the girl’s– not that hers weren’t strong enough where it counted, as he knew all-too-well– closed around the box and pulled him closer to the man’s chest, blocking out the light on one side.
Stan’s voice boomed out from above, and Dean’s eyes were wide as he stared up where the human was.
The
second Picture for “A Friend In Need”. Poor Dean doesn’t have much room inside
a small cardboard box that is meant to transport small pets around.
It’s a bumpy ride that’s for sure! Especially when his new owners
fingers are seen pressing in on the box from above while he’s carted
around, not knowing where he’s headed.
It’s time for the sneak peek earned earlier last week for our upcoming debut of Brothers Kept! Starring Stan and his new borrower, A Friend in Need is coming soon!
Under the watchful eye of Dean’s new owner, Dean tried to dodge the girl’s grab out of instinct. The sight of those hands descending sent his pulse skyrocketing.
There was no use in dodging. He stood a very slight 3.82 inches tall, as his records listed, and under 14 ounces. There was no way for him to fight back against even a single wisp of a girl.
The fingers closed in, expertly pinching around his chest to prevent him from running off. The ring finger and pinky curled around his stomach and waist, and he was left with only his legs dangling free, both arms sealed to his sides.
Dean struggled, his face going white as she plucked him up out of the cage and he saw the yawning abyss stretching out under his feet. Probably no more than two feet up in the air, low enough down to have to look up at everyone, but more than ample a height for Dean to be severely injured if her grip slackened. She could even claim it was an accident if she hated him enough.
The box appeared underneath, and those thoughts vanished as Dean was dropped inside, hitting the ground with a small cry of pain he tried to stifle. He leapt to his feet but was too late to try and get out as the darkness over his head sealed him in, blocking out all light except the four slim slits cut into the box for air, one on each side.
Stan somehow managed to turn his grimace into a friendly smile when the attendant stood and handed him the tiny box. He had to remind his stiff arm to relax enough to take it from her.
“If you’ll be needing supplies, you’ll find we have a wide selection of just about everything to take care of the little things. Plenty of nutrients in the food brands we carry, and state-of-the-art–,”
“Actually,” Stan interrupted her again, hoping he looked less green than he felt, “I just remembered, I’ve got frozen goods in the boot, I really should hurry home. But I’ll take care of it soon!"
Flashing her a grin, Stan tucked the box against his middle and headed out of the store before he could be physically ill. He paid no heed to her startled "Take care!” after him.
Artwork and inspiration for the story all from @wolfie180g!
This was so much different than the pictures Sam had showed him on the laptop, the people he saw through the screen were moving and talking like normal people, yet somehow they fit inside the box.
“T-there are people in there!” Stan exclaimed, pointing at the screen as he turned a distressed look toward Sam.
In the cupboard, Dean slowly went through the new boxes John had brought home, wishing one or two of them was open or even just on the side. He finally decided to give climbing the new box of crackers a try; he just had to get his arm and knife in to tear a hole in the wrapper and get some food. Later on he could make a run for fresher food after the humans had their dinner.
Of course, Dean’s run of bad luck continued when he knocked over a small box of raisins trying to climb the bigger box.
Brothers Apart 