FROM BAD TO WORSE

A Supernatural story by: SILVERTAYL

DISCLAIMER:

You know the rules; I own no rights at all to do with SUPERNATURAL!

STORY SUMMARY:

They were heading to Tennessee on the trail of a werewolf; but on the way Sam gets ill and has to be hospitalized. With Sam in good hands and recovering, Dean continues on to Tennessee to hunt the werewolf, but when he fails to return, Sam now recovered sets out on a desperate hunt of his own to find his brother.

Chapter 1

Backwoods, Tennessee

When Gracie reached the juncture of the trees and the dirt track leading to the road, she stopped for a brief moment, glancing back over her shoulder at the farmhouse. The light from the almost full moon highlighted its shabbiness and years of neglect.

She could follow the winding track or she could take the faster more direct route through the trees of course the safer option would be to take the track but she needed to get to the road as quickly as possible her decision made she set off running through the trees. The dappled moonlight cutting through the trees was just enough light for her to keep up a steady pace without tripping on a tree root and falling on her face.

The last unhappy nineteen years going through Gracie's mind as she ran.

Gracie had met Wade Crocker when she was seventeen and married him when she was eighteen, fresh out of school, too young and so naive, little more than a child. Wade Crocker was sixteen years her senior, already a widower, charming and handsome, he filled her head with promises of marriage and a happy prosperous future on his family property, which turned out to be a ramshackle run down farm, scraping by on some ratty old corn fields.

Now that naive, starry-eyed, girl was gone the nineteen years between then and now had left her an empty shell, a husk, with nothing left inside. Beaten into submission by the man who had promised in church before god that he would love, honor and protect. But the man she thought she'd married that day turned into a monster when on their wedding night the first night in the house that was to become virtually a prison for Gracie, he had brutally beat and raped her virgin body, hurting her cruelly and scarring her in body and soul. Afterwards telling her that this was how it was going to be for her from now on and not to get any hopes of anything more. All Wade really wanted was someone to cook clean and bare children.

Nine months from that night Rae-Anne was born. For a little while after her birth Gracie was almost happy. She had a baby someone she could love, someone who needed and relied her.

But as Rae-Anne grew she changed from that loving child, becoming more like her father. Gracie saw in her the same cruel vicious traits as her father, and every year that went past those traits became more pronounced.

When Rae-Anne was seven Gracie had found her tormenting one of the black and white farm cats, laughing at the poor terrified creatures howls of pain as she held it down and cruelly twisted its legs and tail. The cat had lashed out with its claws scratching Rae-Anne's face. If Gracie hadn't intervened at that moment, Gracie could see from the look on her daughters face that she would have killed the cat.

Gracie had ministered to the poor creature before punish her daughter telling her she had deserved to get scratched. Rae-Anne had run straight to Wade working in the corn fields, crying and bleating about how her Mama had punished her and was horrible to her.

That night Wade had beat Gracie worse than he ever had, before raping her again and again; trying to put another demon seed in her belly then when he was through telling her this is what she could look forward to if she ever punished and upset his daughter. The bruises that time took weeks to fade, but thankfully Gracie had not fallen pregnant.

There had been many such incidents over the ensuing years, but Gracie had learned from that night never again to interfere in her daughters cruel habits. Gracie could not take another beating like that one ever again; she knew it would kill her. But what she had seen tonight would change everything.

Gracie had made a decision this night to get away, after what she had seen Rae-Anne doing in the barn she had to put an end to it, tonight.

She had followed Rae-Anne out to the barn, which was tucked away a fair way behind the house. The barn had once housed a couple of cows, but was now empty, except for some ancient farm equipment and an old Dodge pickup that Wade used to take the corn into town and bring back supplies. After supper both Wade and Rae-Anne had gone out to the barn, Wade had returned a short time later, drank himself into a stupor on bourbon before passing out drunk on the sofa, which was good because it meant that this night he would leave Gracie alone and not force himself on her again and also gave her an opportunity to find out what was going on in the barn, why they were both were spending so much time in there both day and night.

As she had got close to the barn she heard her daughter's laughter intermingled with a man's voice or rather a man's cries of pain and torment. Gracie peered through a gap in between the old warped boards on the side of the barn she took an involuntary gasp and her eyes widened, thankfully for Gracie Rae-Anne hadn't heard her gasp so intent was she on what she was doing. Gracie blinked a couple of times to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her and what she was seeing was for real. The light from the hurricane lamp burning clear and bright hanging above her daughters head highlighted the horrifying scene before her.

The cries were coming from a man his wrists shackled by thick metal cuffs attached to a thick chain and pulled high above his head, the chain was attached to a pulley hanging from one of the horizontal beams spanning the length of the barn, the other end of the chain was looped around a large metal stake deeply embedded into a vertical beam running from floor to roof; the end of the chain was secured over a hook by a thick metal ring, the man was naked, blood from where the shackles had cut into his wrists ran down his arms, his bare dirty feet dangled inches above the hard packed dirt floor. What she could see of his pale skin was broken, bruised and bleeding; his head had dropped forward his longish dark blond hair streaked with his own blood hid his face.

Rae-Anne had been beating him with another shorter length of chain and although from this angle Gracie couldn't see Rae-Anne's face she knew she would be smiling a glint of malicious cruelty in her pale eyes. She laughed with delight as the man's body swung with the momentum of the last hit against his defenseless body. Rae-Anne lifted the chain back over her shoulder and brought it down across his torso, opening up yet another jagged wound, he cried out and his head came up giving Gracie her first view of his face, contorted in agony his face was also bruised and bloody lips cracked and bleeding. Again the chain contacted his skin this time against his upper left thigh; he cried out and breathlessly begged Rae-Anne to stop. Rae-Anne laughed at his plea and brought the chain down again and again the man's body jerked and swung every time the chain came in contact with his tortured flesh.

Gracie couldn't watch any more, she stepped back from the wooden boards; her hand came up to cover her mouth as sickness churned in her stomach threatening to overwhelm her. What she was witnessing proved to her what she had known since Rae-Anne was seven her daughter was a cruel monster just like her father, and Wade knew about this, he had helped her was helping her, there was no way Rae-Anne was strong enough to pull the weight of that man up off the ground, even with the pulley.

Gracie knew what she had to do she had to get away, now tonight she had to get help for that poor man before Rae-Anne beat him to death. Who could she go to for help? She had no one, no family, and no friends, no one except for Mike, that's what she'd do, go to Mike in Irwin.

The house was nearly two miles from the unsealed road and that was miles from where it joined the two lane black top leading directly to Irwin, Gracie prayed that when she did reach the road that she could flag down a passing late night traveler maybe someone that had lost their way and take her to Irwin to Mike, if no one came past then she'd walk to Irwin the whole 28 miles.

After about ten minutes she stopped to get her breath back. She leaned a hand against a nearby tree then looked around. All around her were trees. To her right was a dense group of trees and no moon penetrated the dense canopy of those trees. Gracie straightened up ready to resume her desperate flight. She had a sudden feeling something or someone was there watching her, as she peered into the darkness a low throaty growl came from that direction followed by a flash of yellow, what looked like eyes.

"Who's there?" she asked. Her answer came in another throaty growl and a flash of yellow this time much closer. "Oh god."

Gracie ran again this time in fear of her life, tree branches whipped against her face but she didn't notice. She had to make it to the road, behind her the thing was giving chase, she could hear its deep grunting breaths the thud, crack and crackle of dead branches and leaves under its feet as it pounded through the underbrush, and it was gaining on her.

She risked a quick look over her shoulder and saw the thing that was chasing her, It resembled a wolf but was much larger in the brief glance Gracie saw a lot, its hind legs were longer than a wolf and appeared more human in shape, Gracie knew there were no wolves in Tennessee, and hadn't been for a very long time, so it had to be something else, but what. She scrambled up and over a small rise, sliding down the other side before gaining her feet again. She'd only gone maybe ten or twelve steps when she tripped over something in her path, a tree root or a fallen branch hidden by the carpet of leaves, falling forward landing heavily on her front. Sheer terror and the blood rushing past her eardrums blocked all other sound. Using her hands she pushed herself up onto her knees, then what ever was chasing her hit her from behind pushing her back onto the damp leaf covered ground. She lay there winded the creature had all four of it paws on her back she could feel its claws ripping through her thin blouse and tearing into the flesh of her back and its hot breath on the side of her face and neck, it growled again and sniffed at her, then to her horror it licked the side of her face, leaving a trail of foul smelling saliva in its wake.

Gracie rolled her eyes to the side looking into a pair of yellow eyes, the wolf like creature looked back at her so close she could see the whites of it eyes surrounding the yellow pupils she thought in her terrified mind it looked almost like it was smiling at her then the lips of its mouth curled back revealing long yellowed canine like teeth dripping with saliva. Gracie whimpered, already knowing what was coming next. The creature snarled and its mouth opened wide, long teeth angled downwards, she squeezed her eyes shut, a moment later she felt excruciating pain as the teeth pierced deep into the tender flesh on the side of her neck, she screamed in agony and then knew no more.

Gracie Crocker would never make it to Irwin.

Three months later

A motel in South Carolina.

With a long finger Sam drew an imaginary circle on the map of Tennessee spread out on the table. "Three deaths and two disappearances in this area of Tennessee in at last 5 months. The bodies of Dieter and Barbara Kraemar were found here," he stabbed at a spot on the map before continuing, "About two hundred meters from their car, here."

"Do they know why they left the car?" Dean asked looking sideways at Sam.

"Says the car had a dent in the hood, they think they hit an animal in the dark and followed it into the brush to see if it was hurt."

"So doing the right thing is what got them killed?"

"Ripped them apart to be precise."

"Huh, what about the other one?"

"Leon Smith, his broken down car was found here and his body or what was left of it was found here by the side of the road, the theory on him is when he broke down he started walking and was attacked by the same thing."

"Could be just a regular wolf."

"According to the Tennessee Wildlife Group web site there have been no Wolves in Tennessee since around 1900."

"So not a regular wolf, does the lunar cycle fit?"

"All three murders happened in the week leading up to the full moon."

"Well it sure sounds like a werewolf."

"Yep, a couple of local farm owners reported to the Sheriff in Irwin that something was killing their beef cattle."

"The two missing guys," Dean read the names from the print out in Sam's hand, "Simon Green and Esteban Fuentes, they weren't locals like the others."

"Green aged 22 was passing through on his way back to Ohio State after visiting his family in Florida, last seen in the area. He always drove back the same way. Fuentes aged 27 was heading to Texas to start a new job, last seen when the same Sheriff, err a Sheriff Washington pulled him over for having a busted tail light. The strange thing when they went missing it wasn't in the week leading up to the full moon. Green three weeks after the Kraemar's and Fuentes five weeks ago, oh and neither Gonzales or Green's car's were found."

"So maybe they're not connected to our dog-faced boy or.... girl." The brother's were thinking back to San Francisco and Madison. "Perhaps their disappearances are a coincidence and have nothing to do with the supernatural."

"Maybe not."

"When's the full moon?"

"Six nights from tonight."

"Outstanding research Sammy, we'll leave in the morning and be there by tomorrow night.

----- FBTW -----

Dean had woken early the next morning to the sound of Sam throwing up in the bathroom. His brain fuddled by sleep, Dean had gone to his brother doing his best to ease Sam's discomfort with soft spoken words whilst rubbing circles on his broad back until he had finished emptying everything he had eaten in the last 18 hours; Dean had helped him back to his bed wiping a damp wash cloth over his waxy green tinged face. "Sammy, we'll stay here today until you're better."

Sam's throat was dry and sore from the straining and it showed in his voice when he answered. "But Dean we need to get to Tennessee today."

"Tennessee can wait the full moon isn't for six nights."

"No Dean, just give me an hour and I'll be ready to go."

It was closer to two hours, before they had gotten on the road their departure delayed because Sam had thrown up twice more leaving him shaky and pale. Dean noticed the way Sam kept his hand pressed to his right side.

----- FBTW -----

North Carolina

They were travelling north on the 26 when a sign saying: ASHEVILLE NEXT EXIT 1 MILE, with a picture of a knife and fork, a bed and the Red Cross sign of a hospital below it flew by. Dean glanced at Sam sleeping with his head resting on Dean's thigh, long legs drawn up onto the bench seat his booted feet pushing against the passenger door his right arm wrapped around his middle; the left one dangling over the edge of the seat a fine sheen of perspiration coated his too pale face, brows drawn together in pain. Dean laid his palm against Sam's damp cheek again feeling the heat rolling off him and made a split decision he glanced in the rear view mirror before pulling the wheel to the right. The big black car responded instantly shooting off the 26 and onto the exit ramp. The sideways movement of the car travelling at such high speed caused Sam to groan but he didn't wake.

Two hours ago when Dean had stopped for a leak and refueling for both them and his baby at a gas station with a diner attached, he had tried to get Sam to come in to the diner with him, Sam had declined saying he wasn't hungry and he just wanted to stay in the car. Dean had hurriedly devoured two toasted cheese sandwiches and two exceptionally good mugs of coffee, then hurried back to the car not wanting to leave Sam alone for too long, he was carrying a brown paper bag containing a chicken sandwich hoping he might persuade Sam to eat it, a bag of peanut M&Ms for himself and an icy cold plastic bottle of water in also for Sam Through the passenger side window he could see Sam leaning back against the seat his eyes shut, even from here Dean could a shiver running through him every now and then.

Dean had pulled open the passenger side door with the familiar squeak of old hinges and put everything he was carrying on the floor then he laid a hand against Sam's forehead. Sam turned his head into Dean's palm, bloodshot, hazel eyes had opened and met Dean's concerned green ones. Dean was alarmed when he felt the heat radiating into his hand. "Jeezs Sam you're burning up."

Sam saw the worry written in his brother's eyes and tried to reassure Dean he was okay. Even though he wasn't. "I'm alright; it's just a bad dose of food poisoning." He didn't sound very convincing even to himself.

"Dude we ate the same thing last night and I'm not sick, and that 'I'm alright' line won't work on me cuz I invented it, it's mine exclusively, besides I can see you're not alright." Dean wasn't fooled. "Are you sure it's only food poisoning? Why are you holding your side all the time?"

Sam remembered similar words he'd said to Dean in Bobby's salvage yard when he was rebuilding the Impala after dad had died. "I'm not alright, but neither are you."

"Dude too many questions, I've got stomach cramps, they'll go away soon; when the poison's out of my system."

"Umm, I brought you a chicken sandwich, thought you might feel like eating something."

Sam shook his head. "Not hungry."

Dean unscrewed the lid off the cold bottle of water and held the bottle out to Sam. "Well at least drink some of this, I think you're dehydrated."

Sam eyed the bottle; his stomach did a flip-flop a sour taste rising into his throat. Dean was right, he was dehydrated, and he wasn't alright, I don't know if I can keep even water down, and this god awful pain in my side is getting worse by the minute. But if I take a sip maybe he'll be satisfied and just leave me alone so I can die in peace. Sam reached out for the bottle trying to hide the shaking of his hand, tipping the bottle up he took the tiniest sip and then handed the bottle back to Dean. Even that tiny sip deciding whether or not it to make an encore appearance. "Thanks."

"Is that all you're gonna' drink?" Dean looked at the bottle noting that the level in the bottle hadn't moved, "I've seen fly's drink more than that."

Sam shook his head, which was a bad idea because he now had a headache pounding behind his eyes. "I'll drink some more, but I'll bring it up all over the dash of the Impala and I'm sure you wouldn't want that."

Dean eyed his brother up and down before sighing and saying. "Well you got that right, okay here's the deal, if you're not any better when we reach the Tennessee border I'm taking you to a doctor."

"Tennessee border huh? Okay deal." Sam would agree to anything as long as Dean would let him be.

"Why don't you lie down in the back you can stretch out, you'd be more comfortable?"

Sam didn't want to move; movement only aggravated the pain in his side and the never ending nausea and made his head pound. "Nar I'm good where I am; besides I'd be lonely back there on my own."

Dean rolled his eyes and closed the door Sam watched him through the windscreen as he went around to the driver's side mumbling something about stubborn ass little brothers.

They'd only been back on the road for around thirty minutes when Sam's head had slipped sideways along the back of the seat. Dean had guided his shaggy head onto his thigh smoothing his too long hair away from his face.

They were still in North Carolina Dean knew Sam was no better in fact he thought he was worse. Dean wasn't sure now if Sam was asleep or semiconscious. He had made the right decision pulling off at the Asheville exit. Sam needed a hospital and he needed it now. Dean was pissed at himself for waiting so long. Tennessee and the werewolf would have to wait, Sam was more important and Dean had to fulfill his duty as big brother, guardian, and protector, his lifelong mantra running through his head, "Look out for Sammy." He always had and always would until the day he died.

TBC

So that's the first chapter of my new story, FROM BAD TO WORSE; poor Sam's not well Dean's worried and there's a werewolf on the loose. All reviews are appreciated. Thanks for reading. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Silvertayl