Supernatural 100 Drabble Challenge

Prompt Word: soar/sore (use one or both)

Word Count: 400

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Supernatural. I'm just having a bit of fun.

DEDICATION

By: Vanessa Sgroi

It didn't matter how many times he soared through the air. How many times he impacted with the hard ground. The trees. All rocks in the vicinity. And it certainly didn't matter that he'd be too sore to move once the hunt was over. What mattered was taking out this manticore before it killed again.

Dean hit the ground with a grunt and rough exhalation of air. He shook his head to clear it and dizzily made his way back to his feet. He grabbed his weapon just as the beast let out a roar, swooping in to take another swipe at Dean.

"C'mon, you mangy sonuvabitch, That the best you got?" he roared back. Dean knew the manticore was playing with him, but for now that suited his purposes just fine as he was merely the distraction allowing Sam to get set up for the kill.

Apparently play time was over. The manticore landed with a hiss and launched its venomous spines from its scorpion-like tail. Dean jumped out of the way and all but one of the spines embedded in a tree. One, however, found his thigh and buried itself deep.

Dean cried out as pain seared through his limb. Within seconds, his leg started to go numb as the venom began its work. Not getting a full dose, he knew it wouldn't be fatal but he was in for a miserable few days.

Just as he tucked and rolled beneath a leathery wing, he heard Sam yell. Heard the staccato discharge of a weapon. Heard their quarry howl, first in indignation, then in pain.

He laid there with his eyes closed until acrid smoke reached his nostrils. Dean opened his eyes and saw Sam kneeling next to him. He cleared his throat. "Thanks..."

"Sorry. I was two seconds too slow."

"Eh. I zigged when I should've zagged." Dean pointed to his leg. "This is gonna suck, isn't it?"

"Yeah, afraid so."

Dean groaned, holding out a hand for a lift. "Let's get on with it then." He swayed dangerously as the world spun around him. His leg refused to hold his weight.

Sam steadied him. "Want me to carry you?"

"No! No, absolutely not!"

Ten minutes later, Dean stopped. "Sammy..." That was all it took and he found himself slung over Sam's shoulder in a firemen's carry.

"This is so humiliating..."

FIN