It was not a dream. This was really happening. John Winchester had never in his wildest dreams thought that he would ever have to go through something like this. True, he had gone through some pretty tight spots this? This was a not a hunter's but a father's worst nightmare come true.
He had to choose. Choose between his own sons. His life. After Mary died his own life he had devoted to hunting the evil creatures of night. His beloved wife had lost her life to those creatures. He wanted to protect his sons. He taught them, trained them to face the evil things that lurked in the dark. They had grown up to be trained hard core hunters. Nothing could faze them. Nothing could defeat them. John had seen to that.
But now he could see real fear in their eyes. Not fear for themselves, but for their dad and each other. Everyone had their weaknesses. It was fatal for a hunter to have weakness. It could very well mean their end. But his boys couldn't help themselves when it came to each other. They grew up together. The minute he had put his youngest son in the arms of his oldest in that burning room, he had become his responsibility. Unknowingly, John had bestowed his youngest to him and before he could even contemplate, the boy had been careened to his big brother. He was nurtured, protected and cherished by him. He looked up to him rather than his own dad. Big brother was hero. His savior.
And now he had to make a choice between them. Who will live and who will die. Who got to live his life to the fullest and whose life would end the minute he spoke the words. The demon looked on gleefully rubbing his hands as he gloated about the Winchester family. John paid him no attention. He had nothing but imminent hatred towards the son of a bitch. Instead he gaze was fixed on his sons who were pushed against the wall by the demon's power. The raw fear in their gazes tore at his heart. Both were wounded badly. They had fought bravely and truly with the demon, he noted with pride. He would always be proud of his sons. His soldiers.
"Clocks ticking Winchester! You better make up your mind!" the host with the demon residing inside spoke up from beside him. His eyes were completely black and lethal. The host had been badly wounded too. But the demon inside was stronger. Only exorcism will work. And they had no means for that now. The holy water had been thrown across the room, its contents spilling against the wall completely useless.
John turned his gaze towards the demon. Fire erupted in his eyes. if looks could kill, the demon would have been a puddle of jelly by now. But the demon simply glared back mirthlessly. He had the upper hand here.
"I will not choose between my sons, you evil son of bitch."
"Oh but you have to Johnny! Its Sam or Dean! Come on, it's not so hard is it?" the demon mocked.
"Take me instead! Leave my sons out of it!"
"Uh-huh. The offer is so tempting. But it's not your time old man. Now enough of this dilly-dallies. I give you one minute. Make your choice. Save your one son."
John gazed back at his sons. What was he supposed to do now? He couldn't do this. And if he didn't then he would lose both his sons.
"Dad. Please. You have to choose Sam. You can't let him die." His eldest spoke up. His voice was scratchy and weak but there was strong determination in it. his eyes shone with the raw fear of losing his little brother. Dean Winchester was a powerful man. Ruthless in a hunt. But he also had a big heart. And god help the one who messed with his family. Especially his little brother. He wouldn't think twice to end the person who would even dare to think about hurting Sam. John himself had seen the wrath he bestowed upon such people. There was no crossing Dean when it came to his brother. He took it as his job. The job John had himself placed upon Dean. To look after Sam. Watch out for his brother. And he had. In every situation. And he was now also.
"No! Dad! Not me. Not over Dean." His youngest son pleaded on the other end. He completely ignored Dean's glare and turned on his most pleading puppy dog eye expression on him. God help when he looked like that. From where he got that power, John had no idea. He could mould anyone to his command with that expression. Even though Dean was the protector among the two, Sam was no less. He literally worshipped his brother. Not that he said that aloud. But anyone could see that. He was equally protective of his older brother. Dean, being hot headed, tended to fall into more dangers than he cared to count. Sam was one who always watched his back. He protected not only Dean, but the bond between them. He kept it pure and strong. He was the heart of the family.
"Oh! Look at them! Isn't it sweet how they are so willing to sacrifice for each other. My heart just might break! By the way Johnny you have 30 seconds."
John closed his eyes. looking at his broken sons, the father in him was taking over. He had to think like a hunter. He had to get out of this. He had to save his sons. But there was no choice but to choose one of them. Or lose both. He closed the fatherly part of him and let the mind of the hunter take its place. He had to make a choice. A memory tugged at him. The information he had gathered about the demon who had killed Mary. The information that he had gathered about his youngest son. The heart breaking moment when he had known what he had known.
He snapped his eyes open.
"Ten seconds John."
He knew what he had to do. The father in him was already dead along with the son he was going to kill with his own hands.
"Seven."
He had to make that choice. He had to choose him over the other.
"Five."
"Dad?" his youngest spoke softly. He sounded so confused and vulnerable.
"Three. Who will die John?" the demon spoke in a low tone.
John took a deep breath and spoke one word. The word that was uttered defiantly by the hunter in him but with complete emptiness by the father in him. That one word that destroyed his family and his life.
" Sam."
