I'm back. After your lovely reviews I just couldn't stop writing, so here's the next update. Now I'll have to get back to learning!
Chapter 3
Sam had to blink a few times, afraid that his mind was playing tricks on him. But Deans worried face didn't vanish, eyes horror-stricken – obviously coz of his hopeless situation – but relieved at the same time. Wait, not hopeless anymore. His brother was really standing on the edge of the cliff above him. Dean was alive, up and around and without doubt ready to save his ass again. Sam laughed out loud, his throbbing shoulder and aching muscles momentarily forgotten.
But it only took a short time for his smile to fade away. Dean might have survived the onslaught of the creature, but he definitely didn't come away unscathed. A nasty gash stood out from his pale and dirty face, glinting red, still looking fresh.
„Dean, you're alright?"
It was Deans time to laugh. „You ask me if I'm alright? Don't know if you noticed little brother, but I'm not the one hanging on a damn root above a gaping abyss. Tripped over your unnaturally large feet, didn't you?"
Sam gave him a blank look. „The rock gave way under my feet.", he tried to explain.
„No wonder, with that weight you're carrying around." Deans joking just showed Sam how freaked out he was. „Where did the Sasquatch go?"
„It was the one weighting a ton. Fell, heard the splashing and screech, don't know if it survived."
Dean looked past him and winced when he saw the sharp-edged rocks between the rapids.
„Probably not. One problem solved at least.", he said, relieved he wouldn't have to watch his back anymore and could concentrate on rescuing his brother. His eyes scanned Sam, trying to see if he was injured.
„How you're holding up?"
Sam rolled his eyes. „Peachy! Dean, you're bleeding!"
Dean seemed surprised by this. He touched his head and winced when he brushed the wound. His hand came away bloody. 'Where did that come from? Oh, of course...' He'd almost forgotten why he'd been knocked out in the first place, too occupied with finding a missing little brother, too afraid for Sam and what could have happened during his unvoluntary nap.
„It's just a scratch, don't worry. Where are you hurt? And don't tell me you're alright!"
Even if Sam tried to hide it, he could see how exhausted he was, could see the pain in his eyes. How long was he already hanging there? Sam bit his lip.
„My right shoulder is dislocated. No way I can climb up."
Dean cursed. He knew from own experience how much it hurt when you tried to move your arm, let alone put weight on it. His mind was racing.
„Hold on Sammy, I'll get you up in no time."
„Just hurry, don't think I'll be able to hold on much longer."
Sam didn't have to tell him twice. Dean stood up. But the world around him suddenly started spinning and he had to hold on to a nearby tree to catch himself. A pounding in his head followed, reminding him of the still bleeding gash that obviously wasn't as minor as he had thought. But head wounds always bled heavily. And he just couldn't worry about it now, Sam needed him and nothing would slow him down. He would take care of it later when his brother was safely sitting next to him again.
Dean rushed to their duffel bag, ripped it open and searched for the only thing that could save his brothers life now. He couldn't remember the last time they'd needed a rope. He'd even considered throwing it out when they had started out in the morning. Because of all the more important weapons they had to stash in it, especially for a hunt where they weren't perfectly sure how to waste the creature. Maybe he'd just had a bad feeling about this, but he thanked God for not going through with it. After a minute he felt the rough material between his fingers and gratefully pulled.
Meanwhile, Sam was desperately holding on. His brothers return had given him a short adrenalin burst, but he rapidly was loosing his strengh again. His hand was sweaty and he didn't dare to move at all, afraid that the pain in his shoulder could flare up again. And one unfocused moment could be his doom. He heard Dean rummage through their duffel bag in the distance. But while counting the minutes it took his brother to find the rope, something crossed his mind, something he didn't think about before. How'll he even get a hold of it when his right arm was practically useless? And even if he managed this part, would Dean be strong enough to pull him all the way up? Climbing wasn't an option, it already took everything out of him to not loose his grip. His brothers voice interuppted his brooding.
„Sam, I found the rope. Listen, I'll tie a loop in it so you'll be able to slip through and secure it around you."
Problem number one solved. Dean seemed to have done some brooding himself. And he always claimed that Sam was the smart one.
„Yeah. And then what? You can't pull me up on your own, Dean!"
„Ha, watch me Sammy!"
Dean knew that Sam had a point. But one step at a time, first he had to keep his brother from falling. He just hoped the rope would be long enough. He hurriedly started tying it around the nearest tree. „Better safe than sorry." he muttered. Cause his head still started to spin every time he turned or made a sharp move, his hands wouldn't stop trembling and he just wouldn't risk his brothers life. A minute later he inspected his work, testing the knots and with a satisfied nod, knelt down on the edge of the cliff. One look at Sam told him there was no more time to waste.
„Sam, you ready?"
„Hurry!" Dean threw the rope... and heaved a sigh of relief when it reached his brother without a problem.
The rope brushed Sam. Just in time because he felt his fingers slipping, his muscles cramping. Biting his lip, he tried to get his right arm to move, reaching for the loop. He couldn't suppress a moan, tears building up, but thankfully managed to slip it through. That was when the root unexpectedly refused to hold him any longer and split. Eyes wide and with a cry of terror he felt himself falling, Deans scream mixing up with his own.
TBC
I know I promised a much longer update, but I just couldn't resist to make a cut here. :) Please don't rip my head off...
