Agony
Chapter Six
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Supernatural, and I'm not making any money from this fic. The plot of this story comes from a challenge posted on one of the fan fiction websites I frequent. Any character you don't recognise from the show, I probably own. Anything you recognise from another fandom, I don't own
Warning(s): AU for the second season of Supernatural; spoilers for the entirety of the first season; violence; some swearing; character hurt
Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to leave a review, and also put this fic onto Favourites/Story Alerts. I hope you all enjoy this latest chapter!
After leaving the motel, Sam gave a slight frown as he looked over at the Impala. Dean wouldn't be too happy if he took his brother's beloved car without him – or his permission – but the alternative was to either take a bus, or go back into the motel room to tell Dean what he was doing.
I love my brother, but he's really acting strangely right now – which is natural if he's possessed. But if he's not… Sam shook his head, unwilling to let himself dwell on that possibility. He has to be possessed. Besides, Sam wanted to try and contact Missouri. He felt that doing so while this close to the motel would be an extremely bad idea. I don't want the demon to know that I suspect…
As Sam unlocked the Impala and got in, he briefly considered giving their father a call. He quickly pushed that idea aside, though. Dad walked out on us… on Dean. All he cares about is the demon. Dad told me to shoot him when the demon was inside his body – who's to say that he wouldn't kill Dean?
Dean had spent most of their lives taking care of Sam. It was now the younger brother's turn to take care of the elder.
Sam turned the ignition on, and then put the car into gear. As he backed out of the space, he took one hand off the steering wheel to take out his cell phone and dial Missouri's number.
Please pick up, Sam begged silently as he slowly drove down the street. His free hand clenched and unclenched on the steering wheel as he listened impatiently to the sound of ringing on the other end of the phone.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, there was a barely audible click as the phone was picked up. "Hello, Sam," Missouri's comforting tone said. "What's wrong?"
Sam took a deep breath, feeling a little surprised by how relieved he felt to hear the psychic's voice. He wasn't surprised by the fact that Missouri knew it was him calling – she was a psychic, after all. "Missouri… How much do you know about what's just happened to me, my brother, and our dad?"
"Much more than I did before you rang," Missouri answered after a moment. "I was sorry to hear about the deaths of Caleb and Pastor Jim. It must have been hard for you all – especially with Jim."
"Yeah." Sam sighed a little. "I'm really worried about Dean, Missouri… I know you can't just pull facts out of the air, but I wondered if you would be able to come down here, and… see if you can tell whether or not he's really possessed."
"Sam, honey," Missouri said. "I know how scared you are for your brother. I'll do all that I can to help you, and that includes flying down to see you. I'll get a flight as soon as possible, and give you a call once I've booked it, all right?"
Sam let out the breath he hadn't even realised he'd been holding, and pushed away the sudden urge to cry. "Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you so much." I can't break down now… Because then no one will be there for Dean.
"You just hang in there, all right, Sam?" Missouri said. "Your brother needs you to be strong for him right now."
Yeah… That's what I keep telling myself. "I know," Sam replied.
"You take care of yourself, Sweetie," Missouri said. "I'll see you very soon, all right?"
"Yeah… Thanks again, Missouri," Sam said quietly. The sense of relief he felt at the psychic's support was indescribable. He hadn't even realised just how alone he felt until Missouri had agreed to help him.
"You're very welcome, Sweetie," Missouri replied gently. "I'll see you soon, all right?"
Sam nodded, even though Missouri couldn't see it. Knowing the psychic, though, she was probably aware of that. "I won't tell Dean that you're coming," he said. It's not like I want to lie to him – but I'm pretty sure my brother won't react well to knowing now that Missouri's coming down, whether he's possessed or not.
"You're probably right," Missouri agreed. "But you just be very careful, Sam. It'll be fine if your brother isn't possessed – but if he is, even the love Dean has for you won't let him protect you."
Sam said nothing, biting his lip slightly. He was beginning to wonder if Dean even did love him anymore. He swallowed, feeling close to tears again – but crying definitely wasn't going to help his brother.
Not at all.
"Don't ever doubt the fact that Dean loves you," Missouri told Sam in a slightly scolding tone. "Your brother's too stubborn to admit it himself, but he really needs you around. You're not going to give up on him."
Sam recognised Missouri's words as the order they were, and closed his eyes for a moment. "I'm not gonna give up on him," he agreed. She doesn't have to tell me that. If our positions were reversed, Dean would never give up on me – he'd do anything to find out what was going on and how to stop it. I can't and won't do any different.
"You just hang in there, Sam," Missouri continued. "And remember – you're not alone. You're never alone. I'll see you soon."
"Yeah…" Sam sighed a little. "Thank you again," he added. "Give me a call when you've booked the flight… Do you need my cell phone number?"
"Boy, have you forgotten who you're talking to?" Missouri demanded. "I don't need you to tell me what I can already find out!" She softened the scolding with her next words. "Give me a call if you have any problems, all right? Otherwise, I'll call you this afternoon – tomorrow at the latest."
"All right. Talk to you later – bye." Sam disconnected the call, and stared blankly out of the window for a moment. Talking to Missouri hadn't served to ease his fears at all. Though he had to admit that he now felt slightly better. Maybe it was just something to do with the way Missouri was.
Sam shook his head slightly, and turned his attention back to the driving, trying to push away his feelings of worry and guilt.
"So… Do you come here a lot?" the dark-haired woman asked, looking into Dean's eyes and smiling flirtatiously. She toyed with the straw in her drink with one hand, her full attention on the man.
Hey, I know I like the ladies – but usually, I like… you know… interacting with them myself, Dean muttered. He stared at the woman through his own eyes, powerless to do anything to warn her to get away from him.
Damn!
The demon ignored Dean's protests, just like it had since heading out of the motel. Dean gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as the demon talked to the woman, using the hunter's voice and some of his best pick-up lines.
As much as I hate it, I can't actually do much about it, Dean thought, a little bitterly. I probably can't even save the woman – I really hope she's not stupid enough to go home with a complete stranger. Dean didn't really hold much hope there, though. Most of the time, he wanted the exact opposite.
Maybe… if I can find out just what it wants… I'll be able to find a way of stopping the demon…
It's not going to happen. The demon's tone was cold, but at the same time, filled with an almost maniacal glee. You're playing with the big boys now, Deany. I'm nothing like the low-level demons you've faced before.
Dean stared blankly at the bar, watching as the demon raised the glass of vodka and drained half of the glass. Aw, man… Vodka's not even my favourite alcoholic drink. And I'm not even getting to taste it…
The demon growled, and Dean couldn't help smiling. Heh, I can still annoy the best of them… He quickly lost that smile, though, as he realised that the demon had turned his attention back to the woman – who was beginning to look somewhat disinterested in the whole conversation, perhaps because she had said the same thing twice.
"I thought I heard my cell phone ring," the demon apologised. "I had to listen for a moment to check it wasn't mine."
Oh, come on… She's not gonna fall for that
To Dean's surprise – and annoyance – the woman seemed to be buying it. She smiled at the demon, and then leaned forward to sip her drink, still keeping her eyes on him. "So… Shall we go back to your place?" she asked.
Oh, come on! I like being able to chase women – I don't like ones who are easy.
Easy prey is exactly what I'm looking for, the demon replied. You can't save her, so don't even try – or I'll hurt your brother.
Dean lowered his head, knowing that – for now – he was powerless. If it had to be a choice between his brother and a total stranger, he would choose his brother – every time.
And the demon was fully aware of that.
"Of course," the demon replied. "My kid brother's staying with me – but he won't be back for a while yet, so we'd be perfectly safe." He drained the rest of the vodka in one swallow, and Dean couldn't help grimacing slightly. I wonder what the demon wants with this woman – and why.
The woman nodded, and stood up. She then had to put a hand on the bar to steady herself, and laughed a little. "Whoa… I must have drunk a bit too much there."
"Janie?"
The demon turned, and Dean could see a little kid of about ten years old with shoulder-length black hair and wide dark eyes. The family resemblance to the woman the demon had been flirting with – Janie – was obvious.
"Rachel!" Janie looked a little chagrined as she caught her balance, and crouched down beside the girl. "I'm sorry," she addressed the demon, her eyes suddenly bright, and her expression more alert. "It's my little sister – I'm her guardian. But I left her with a babysitter this evening… What are you doing here?" she addressed Rachel.
The girl shrugged. "I wanted to see you," she answered. "You were gone, and I didn't know where you were." There was the faintest hint of accusation in her tone.
Janie frowned, glancing around while she crouched next to her sister. "Damn babysitter," she muttered. "I should have known I can't really trust a teenager to do a proper job." She sighed a little. "I'll take you home, all right?"
Dean could feel the demon's frustration and anger, and quickly yelled, You can't kill her! Pick someone else – she has a kid. Who would look after her if something happened to Janie?!
Do I look like I care? the demon demanded.
Dean had to think fast. As he spoke his next words, he sent a silent apology to whatever powers that were listening, and hoped it wouldn't cause him to fall further in his brother's view. Look… if you give your word not to harm anyone like Janie – and my brother – I'll help you. He hardly paused to think of the consequences of the vow he had just sworn. He remembered too much about his own childhood – and trying to take care of his little brother.
The demon hesitated, and Dean could almost see the little wheels turning inside the monster's mind. Finally, it replied, Fine. Point me in the direction of some other woman, and I'll take her instead.
Dean flinched at the order to choose someone else to die. But there was nothing else he could do. As the demon turned its gaze around the pub, Dean narrowed his eyes as he noticed an older woman sitting in one corner, looking quite worn and tired.
Dean studied her for as long as he could, and then made his decision – one of the hardest he had ever had to make.
Take her.