When Tomorrow Comes

Chapter 4 – A Kinder Gentler Demon

Sam pushed himself up straighter as he gazed at the Jersey Devil. "Wait, you can't be…"

"Why not Samuel? I know it's not my usual visage but then you would be blinded if I appeared to you in my true form. Many say I was one of God's most beautiful angels once." A soft sigh emanated from the monster's lips. "But for our little chat, I've borrowed my friend here."

"What do you want from me?" Sam asked as he tried to get his head around the fact that he was talking to Lucifer. Any moment now he expected to see unicorns flying over head with rainbows shooting out of their asses. He had just gotten used to angels being real, but this…

"Yes, I know it's hard to understand my son…"

"Stop calling me that!" Sam ground out. "John Winchester was my father not some demon spawn…"

A soft laugh filled the night again. "Well, you got me there Samuel. But since I created the first human demon, monsters like you all basically came from me. Besides I could use someone to replace Lillith, care to apply for the position?"

"I'll never follow you…" Sam tried to stand but his body refused to obey. He lifted his hand to his shoulder, wondering if the tattoo would prevent Lucifer from taking over his body. The thought of being possessed by him caused the young hunter to shudder. But he refused to show fear; he was after all a Winchester.

"Relax Samuel; I have no need for your vessel. I have already selected another who is willing to serve me. He has been one of my most faithful followers." The Jersey Devil moved a little closer.

"Many think I hate humans, but I really don't. You are fascinating creatures full of wonderful vices. The emotions are refreshing here unlike what is allowable with the so called angels. No, I couldn't stand to be stifled and for that I was cast out to suffer the indignity of a cage. I who only wanted to experience what you take for granted and hurt no one—I would think your friend Zachariah has done more to harm humans than me or any of my followers." The Jersey Devil shook its head.

"You and your followers have done enough damage. Forgive me if I don't believe you are the injured party here…" Sam gasped as the creature put its face almost next to his own. He could smell the rotted breath and had all he could do not to gag.

"Ah, but soon you will learn to accept me Samuel. I have big plans for you my son. You had no problem believing in Ruby's good intentions. The little demon was no where near my stature but in the end turned out to be one of the best I'd ever made. She too had her doubts before she accepted what I had to offer but soon she saw the error of her ways."

"Yeah, that worked out well for her. Both of your most loyal supporters are now dead. Believe me, there is nothing you could offer me…" Sam began.

"Not even the life of your brother or even your friend Bobby?" The Jersey Devil backed up and looked thoughtful for a moment before it continued. "Come on Samuel, how about a trade? Your soul for your brother's safety; it's not like your family hasn't done it before. Your father traded for Dean and he did it turn did it for you. It's your turn up at bat--now its time for you to return the favor. I mean, you're already past redemption here—no one will forgive you once they know what you've done. After all, you single handedly cursed the human race. Do them a favor and save your brother from the heartache of having to kill you himself."

Sam swallowed as he watched the creature standing in front of him. In his mind he thought back to how it had felt when Dean had made the deal for him. He also remembered how destroyed his big brother had been when their father made his own bargain. Then of course there was the lesson he was taught by the Trickster when he made Sam watch his sibling die over and over again. All of it ending with Ruby's revelation that he'd been responsible for letting Lucifer free. No, he'd learned his lesson. Demons weren't to be trusted.

"No thanks, I think we'll take our chances." Sam took a deep breath and slowly pushed himself upright. The forest spun for a moment but he didn't care. He would meet his death standing and facing the being he had let loose on the world. The demon had one thing right—he was to blame and he would accept the consequences. However he would die with his soul in tact; he owed his brother that much.

"Brave words, now. But we'll see how long you can stick to your convictions…" The words sent a chill down Sam's spine but he refused to let the being in front of him see how badly he was being affected. He clenched his trembling hands into fists as he tried to keep his body from collapsing in front of his foe.

"So what happens now?" Sam finally asked as his energy level waned. He wouldn't be able to remain standing much longer.

"Now I think I'll head to a nice Italian Restaurant for a glass of wine, some excellent pasta and a willing companion. After all, it has been a long time since I've been top side." Sam could have sworn he saw the Jersey Devil smile. He blinked as the beast shook its wings and began to turn from him.

"But the apocalypse…" Sam couldn't help but ask. After all, it was his doing that started it. He wondered how soon the war would begin. The creature stopped and turned to face him once more. The red eyes seemed to glow brighter for a brief moment. Sam listened, but there were no night sounds, even the trees had stopped their whispers on the wind. It was almost as if the world was waiting for the answer.

"Oh yes, that's right. The angels told you I'd destroy the world. But let me ask you Sammy, why would I want to get rid of such a wonderful playground? I mean, there is enough here to keep me entertained for some time I think. Why would I want to bring hell here to this lovely place? All I want is to be free Samuel. Is that too much to ask?"

Sam shook his head. None of this made any sense. There was supposed to be an epic battle, fire was supposed to reign from the skies and the earth should shudder from the presence of Lucifer. It had to be a trick. "I'm—I mean we're going to find a way to stop you…" Sam whispered. The angels had been right about one thing; Dean would be the one to stop the monster he'd released. But would Dean ever trust him enough to watch his back? The forest began to sway as his vision tunneled in and out. He could feel the unnatural heat radiating from his body.

"Ah well, as I said we'll see Samuel. We'll see…" The Jersey Devil moved back further and flapped its wings. "But for now, I think I'll leave you with my friend here. He's getting a bit impatient and wants to play. We'll talk again Samuel…"

With a loud screech the monster flapped its wings and disappeared into the night. Sam's knees finally buckled; his body no longer able to obey his commands. He gazed up into the night sky and wondered how long it would be before the demonic creature would decide to return. Hopefully dawn would break before it came to play some more. He wasn't sure how much more his body would take. As the world turned dark, he looked for the one person he had not right to ask anything more of. "Dean…I'm sorry" Sam's voice floated on the breeze but there was no answer.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Cas?" Dean blinked as he tried to focus on the figures sitting by the camp fire. He rubbed his eyes and glanced at his watch. He'd been asleep for about two hours.

"Yes, I have come to help." Castiel replied softly as he stood and moved towards the injured hunter.

Bobby also stood and knelt beside Dean. A hand was placed on his forehead for a brief moment while the older hunter looked into his eyes. "Good, looks like your concussion is getting better. How do you feel?"

"I'm fine—was fine before too!" Dean groused as he slowly stood. He felt a brief moment of dizziness and his ribs still hurt, but he definitely felt better than when he'd been forced to take a nap.

"Is he always this grouchy when he wakes?" Castiel said as he looked at Bobby.

"Only when he hasn't had his coffee. Hold on, I've got a pot brewing." The older hunter moved quickly to the fire and poured a cup. Dean took a sip before he looked around the camp site.

"Thanks Bobby…." He reached down and rolled up the sleeping bag he'd been using. "So Cas, do you know where Sam is?"

The angel shrugged his shoulders before he turned to look into the distance. "I can't be sure, but I feel that we should head in this direction."

"You think? Can't you get your angel mojo working a little better Cas?" Dean helped Bobby put out the fire and get the rest of the gear ready. How could an angel of the Lord not know where to find their missing member?

"I can no longer sense Sam. Things have--changed—I am no longer one of the chosen." Castiel's shoulders slumped slightly before he turned and seemed to gather himself. Dean was almost afraid to ask what the angel meant. Just as he was going to follow up and find out what exactly was going on with God's warrior Castiel began to speak.

"However I can sense something else…" Cas looked skyward for a moment before he began to walk quickly into the forest. "This way, quickly."

"What do you think?" Bobby whispered.

"I think he can hear you even if you whisper." The young hunter ducked as his mentor's cap swiped at his retreating back. "Seriously, I don't know Bobby. But we'll figure out what happened to him after we find Sammy. We better follow him. Even if he's lost some of his mojo, I'm betting he has an idea where to start looking."

Dean quickly fell in behind Castiel with Bobby bringing up the rear. As they walked the hunter thought about what the guardian angel could have meant. It was obvious more had gone down than just a discussion with the Archangel. In fact, he was willing to bet the heavenly visitor had been demoted in some fashion. The question was how far had Cas fallen? Would it be like with Anna—a fugitive to be hunted and killed because he broke ranks?

He stopped as Castiel held up his hand. The angel of the Lord seemed to gaze skyward for a moment before turning and heading in a new direction. His steps seemed to grow faster as the hunters increased their pace to keep him in their sights. "Hey, what's the rush? Do you know where Sammy is?" Dean asked quietly. He didn't want to alert anything that they might be coming.

Castiel turned and gazed at him for a moment before he answered. "There is evil close by. I can only assume that if we find it—we will find your brother." Without another word, the angel turned and began to move away.

Dean shuddered. What if the evil Castiel sensed was his brother?

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sam shuddered as he opened his eyes and looked out into the darkness of the forest. As he tried to focus he wondered had it just been yesterday that he'd been convinced he was the only one who could save his brother and the world from the impending war? The silence that surrounded him mocked him as he fought his way back to the conscious world. It was clear he was alone again—but then he didn't deserve to be around anyone. If fact, he was now a danger to those he had fought so hard to protect.

Gordon had the right idea. He had become a monster to kill what he felt was the one who would bring around the end. In hindsight, the man had been more right than any of them could have guessed. Yet he retained enough of himself that he knew in the end, he'd have to kill himself. A soft laugh escaped his dry cracked lips. As he looked down, he once again saw the sign of his failure, black veins once again appeared on his skin—the demon blood now a part of him would never be purged. He had become a monster.

"I told you, you're no better than the filthy things you hunt…" Gordon stood in front of him.

The young hunter hung his head. He couldn't deny what the man was saying. Even Dean had called him a monster. "I didn't know, I thought I was doing the right thing—I was trying to save…"

"Doesn't change the facts, you made the choices, you opened the door and you became what your father always knew you'd become…" Gordon moved closer, his eyes glittered in the moonlight. "He should have killed you when he had the chance."

The sound of wings in the night caused the injured man to blink. He turned and saw he was once again alone on the forest floor. His gaze moved skyward as the night sky was filled with a horrific cry. The monster was back.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

All three hunters looked up as a loud wailing filled the night. "What the hell?"

Bobby pulled out his shotgun and began to move faster. "Jersey Devil—gotta be!"

The men moved quickly towards the sound. A moment later a cry of pain was heard. "SAMMY!" Dean cried as he surged forward, his own gun raised. He broker through the tangled underbrush and stopped at the sight before his eyes. A large beast was perched on Sam's back. His brother had rolled himself into a tight ball, his arm protecting his head as the Jersey Devil tore at the skin on his exposed back. There was almost nothing left of his shirt, blood welled from the open wounds as his brother continued to try to protect himself.

"Get off him you son of a bitch!!" the enraged hunter cried as he surged forward and took aim. The first shot hit the creature in the back but still it continued to tear at his brother. "I thought you said consecrated iron would work!" Dean shouted as he turned the gun around and used it to hit the monster hoping to dislodge it. Finally after the second hit, the Jersey Devil rose into the sky. Another gun shot filled the air and the beast plummeted to the ground.

"Hit the damn wings!" Bobby called out as he reloaded and took aim once again. Dean quickly turned and blasted a large hole in the other wing as the Jersey Devil struggled to rise. Castiel quickly moved forward and placed his hand over the head of the beast and closed his eyes. A final loud shriek filled the night as the Jersey Devil twisted beneath the power of the angel. The hunters watched as the monster disappeared before their eyes.

Dean moved quickly towards his fallen brother. Sam's form shuddered, his arm still closed over his head. "Sammy?" the older man said softly. He didn't want to startle his younger sibling. He watched as his brother continued to shake, he could tell by the way he was curled that his wasn't aware of his presence yet. "Sam?" Dean tried once again before he gently reached forward and began to pull down his arm. He needed to see his brother's eyes to assure himself that Sam was still with him.

"D'n?"a soft voice whispered.

"Hey, take it easy. Looks like you've managed to let the fugly bat thing get a piece of you." He didn't like the way his sibling was shaking. It was clear Sam's shoulder was out of joint and a quick look also showed a badly swollen ankle.

Sam's hand moved up and grabbed him. "It's you…"

"Well who else would tramp through the woods to save your freaky rear end?" Dean pulled Sam towards him to get a better look at the wounds on his back. He sucked in a breath at the damage he saw. It was going to take more than a few stitches to get his brother fixed up. A moment later Bobby knelt down and placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. Dean noticed his brother flinch and look down, a soft sigh escaped his lips.

Bobby looked at Dean, his eyes filled with tears that didn't fall. It was clear Sam was uncomfortable around the older hunter. Their friend cleared his throat before he spoke softly to the injured young man. "You'll come back home Sam."

Dean watched as Sam sighed before he looked up. He didn't like the emptiness that filled the hazel eyes that blinked as they tried to focus. "M'sorry…"

"You don't owe me no apologies you idgit." Bobby remarked as he reached into his pack and pulled out a bottle of water. He held the bottle out and smiled as the young man took the offering with a soft "Thanks".

Dean stood and looked around and frowned. He'd been so focused on Sam he had totally forgotten about Castiel. "Hey Bobby? Where did…"

"I don't know, one minute he was getting rid of the New Jersey Devil and the next he was gone." Bobby shrugged. "Good riddance if you ask me…"

Dean raised his eyebrow at his friends comment. He understood his mentor's attitude to some extent, but the angel had tried to help in the end. Besides, he was sure that there was more to Cas's story regarding his battle with the Archangel. He was brought back from his musings as he felt his brother tilt sideways. "Whoa, stay with me Sammy…"

"We need to get him out of here. The truck I brought has room in the back. We can make him comfortable and head for a hotel to fix him up." Bobby remarked as he helped steady the injured man.

"Forget the hotel Bobby, he's gonna need a hospital…" Dean was startled when Sam pushed him back and struggled to stand.

"NO! No hosp'tl" With a soft cry Sam swayed and would have fallen if Bobby and Dean hadn't grabbed him to steady him.

"Look Sam, I know you don't like hospitals, but this arm and your ankle should be xrayed…"

"I can't—I don't know…" Sam swallowed before he continued. "What if they can tell?"

Dean looked at Bobby who shrugged. "Tell what Sammy?"

Sam's head hung down as he whispered. "They'll know I'm a monster."

Raven524: Well I am on vacation, but managed to break away long enough to finish this update. Hope you all continue to enjoy it!