I blinked a couple of times, and looked off to the side, to avoid any awkwardness. That was weird. I have no idea what just happened— but it felt good. I looked back up to him, and he was staring up at the ceiling. He looked completely out of it. Like if he was in a different universe. He kept his concentration only at the ceiling, shutting everything else out. I looked up to see what he was looking at, but saw nothing of import. Just a blank color.

"Castiel, can you tell me about what you saw? That night?" I asked again. He still kept looking at the ceiling. I waited a bit, at least for some type of response.

"I saw dark." He replied, finally, after a couple of minutes.

"Yes. It was nighttime. Did you see anything considering the murder?" I added, making my question more specific. He looked down to the floor, and then back up again, tilting his head.

"Stars come out at nighttime..." he said softly. I sighed.

"Yes, Castiel. Stars do come out at nighttime. Did you hear what I said?"

"It shined. It shined like stars." He continued. He made no sense to me. Was he doing this on purpose, or.. was he trying to tell me something? I need to try a different approach. Something toward his interest.

"Have you ever seen stars Castiel?" I changed the subject. This made him look at me—finally. He stared at me for a bit, then drifted his attention elsewhere. He seemed lost in a huge room. Like if he was searching for something, or trying to figure out, or some impossible math problem. "Castiel?" I called him again. He faced me once more.

"No. I don't go outside. Meg says I can't." He replied. I gathered enough courage to take a few steps closer.

"When's the last time you've stepped outside? Breathed in actual oxygen? Smelled grass, or rain? Feel real sunlight?" I kept asking. He stared at me, like a computer searching through many files. And I waited, paitently.

"Thirty." He spoke, positive of the number.

"Days?"

"Years." He corrected me. That was a slap in the face. He's been on here that long? And not once stepped outside in that amount of time? How could he even be considered human without making any contact with the real world? "I was enrolled here when I was eight." Castiel added, looking at me with disappointed eyes.

"That's awful," I commented. "I would go nuts if I never saw the world for that long." Castiel nodded, and sat back down in his chair. He looked at his legos again. How in order they were. How they were kept in a straight line, and each had the same number of legos, each the same color. It was amazing how lost in thought he could get. How he could escape into his own mind, and think about anything. I walked over and put my hand on his shoulder. Immidately, he pulled from my grasp and stumbled backward, making his chair fall. He kept a distance, and panted lightly. I looked at him, my hands up in caution. He backed up to the wall, staring at me with fear and discomfort. I got the idea he didn't like to be touched. "Sorry. I won't touch you. I was trying to get your attention." 

"You could have called my name," Castiel responded, lowering his eyes to the floor. "I would have answered." I didn't respond. I obviously needed to do some research on autism, because I am not getting this.

"You haven't answered my question about the murder, about what you saw." I finally said, breaking the silence. He hesitated to answer. And he kept his eyes anywhere else but me. "I need to know this, what you know. So I can get my job done, and bring justice to that innocent girl." I added, hoping that it would persuade him to tell me. He licked his bottom lip, and he kept fidgeting his fingers. Something tells me what he saw, was traumatizing.

"I... rather not." He answered softly.

"Castiel. I need you to understand. Please, I'm begging you." I persisted. "I need your help Cas." After I finished talking, he looked up to me, with a confused expression. He squinted his eyes and tilted his head.

"'Cas'?" He repeated.

"Did I say that?" I questioned, both him and myself. He nodded. "O-Oh... I didn't realize it. Is that okay or—"

"It's okay," He said. "I am fond of it."

"Alright then..." I replied. The room fell silent. It was awkward. I need answers and he wouldn't budge. I would either waste my time here all day begging, or I can find a new way to get the information I need. But at the same time, I didn't want want him to feel uncomfortable or harrassed. I needed his full permission and authority that he wants to tell me what he saw. Other than that, I would be doing something completely unconstitutional, based on the fifth amendment. How could I get him to spill, without forcing it out of him? He's a paitent at an Autistic Center. And even the smallest of physical contact triggers him. Bribary? But what would he want? He's stuck in here all day, everyday, and he has no need for anything—wait. I know what to do now. "Cas." I spoke up. He lifted his head. He actually responded to the nickname. "Would you tell me everything you saw... If I were to take you outside?"

"Can you do that?" He perked up, his enthusiasm growing. "You can take me outside?"

"Sure I can. I got a badge for a reason. It's my job to take people out." I smiled, sticking my hands on my pockets.

"I would tell anything, to get even a glimsp of the blue sky I've been hearing so much about." Castiel sighed dreamily, as he turned to look at the wall the table was up against. "I would sit there, everyday, just to look up and hope there would someday there'll be a window there—just so I can even look outside." I stared at him. How much of a broken soul he was. How he's never been out of this building. How he probably spent his childhood alone. And that's because I was complaining about how lonely I was. I at least got to see the world, and spend my childhood with a brother. Castiel, he's been alone all his life. I felt so spoiled and ungreatful.

"Then I promise you, I will take you where ever you want, if you tell me what you saw." I offered. He turned to me again.

"Where ever I want?" He repeated. I nodded.

"Where ever you want." I reassured. Slowly, a smile graced his lips. The first smile I've seen him do. It was bright and happy. Like someone has finally answered his prayers. It was so full of joy, it made me smile.

For that one moment, I forgot why I was even there in the first place.

"Okay. I'll tell you." He answered. Victory, I thought. He walked closer to me. And in a quiet voice he said," I was out in the hallways. I sneaked out of my room... Don't tell Meg. I only wanted to go outside. It started to rain, and thunder and lightning came. It got scary." He explained, as I nodded. "So I tried to get back to my room, but I lost my way. That's when I heard screaming. I got closer to them, and poked my head into the room it was coming from. I saw—somebody—on top of her. It was too dark. I couldn't make out a face. But the person had a long blade. It was silver, and it glowed in the room as lightning flashed. As soon as I—saw the blood—I ran away...," He looked down,"I'm sorry. That's all I know..."

"No, it's okay!" I quickly said.

"Really?" He looked up again.

"Totally, you just helped me with the murder weapon. That's one thing we needed. Thank you Castiel." I replied, giving him a sympathetic look. He smiled again, begging to act bashful. He played with his fingers, as he shrugged his shoulders, and fixed his trenchcoat.

"Are you going to take me outside now?" He asked.

"Uh... no. Not right now." I replied nervously.

"But you said—!" He shouted. I stopped him.

"I know what I said. And I promise I will. You gotta tell me where you want to go first." I answered. He stood quiet for a minute, spaced out. We stood there for a good five minutes before he spoke again.

"I want to go to New York." He replied. I was surprised by his answer. I was so specific.

"Why there?" I asked, actually curious.

"Because I want to be somewhere where I can see as many people, buildings, lights, and stars." He responded quickly. "I saw on TV it was 'a place where dreams come true'. I want mine to come true too." He really impressed me. How a man sitting in the same room for thirty years with no contact with the outside world, still has the ability and the will to dream. But then yet, doesn't everyone?

"Okay. I'll take you to New York." I said finally. Castiel immidiately gleamed. And he quickly jumped toward me into an embrace. I was shocked at this point, I thought he didn't like to be touched. Cautiously, I slowly placed my arms around him. He was shorter then me, so his head was right under my chin. Surprisingly, he didn't move. We were in a full embrace.

What was this I feel? Compashion? Because... it's nice.

"Ahem." I heard Crolwey's voice. I forced Castiel away and turned to him. He had a small, smug look on his face. "Excuse me if I interrupted anything, but last time I checked, we're on an investigation. Not on a trip to YMCA." He looked at me. I rolled my eyes and pulled out a buisness card from the inside pocket of my coat. I gave it to Castiel.

"Here. In case you want to tell me anything else, give me a call." And I exited the room, pushing over Crowley. He followed behind me.

"What the hell was that Winchester?" He asked me. "You two had a Hug Fest in there."

"Shut up. Leave me alone." I responded quickly.

"No really, I didn't know you were so affectionate. I didn't think you still had a heart." He justified himself. "What did you do? Most autistic folks don't like to be touched or even stared at!" I walked out of double doors and out of the building. Doing whatever to avoid his question. Before I can open the door to my car, he slammed his hands on the hood. "Answer me." He sounded threatening. I looked up to him frustrated.

"I promised I'd take him to New York if he told me what he witnessed about the murder." I answered, completely calm. He gave me a look.

"Why would you do that! That's dangerous! And how the hell would you even get the poor soul out of the bloody building?!" He shouted at me.

"It was the only way I could get him to talk, alright?! And I'll figure out a way! God, just-just shut up and leave me alone Crowley!" I shouted back and got into my car, slamming the door behind me. He pissed me off so much. I hated it. He got into the car and I started it. I pulled out of the driveway and onto the road again.

I know I promised him... But for some reason, I want to take him because I want to... not because I have to, I thought.