Dark Dreams

Author's Note: I do not own anything. All Characters belong Kripke. This takes place pre-series. Dean is 16, Sam is 12. When you see 'This' That is a characters inner thoughts. All that is "This" is the spirit. No the lore may not be correct but, this is my interpretation of it.

Chapter 4: Setting up the Bait

John knew that Dean was right. The time it would take to find her would put others at risk. They could formulate a plan to use Dean as bait. John had a horrible taste in his mouth just thinking it. 'Use my own son as bait'. He hated himself for even entertaining the idea. 'Hadn't I just decided moments ago to take him off the case? What am I doing?'. Bobby looked at John and saw him contemplating what Dean had said. "You aren't seriously considering this?". Bobby pleaded with John to actually be stubborn and hold to his decision. Take Dean off the case and keep him safe. "Dean's right, we have bait and we could get this thing quicker. We wouldn't have to risk innocent children's lives". Bobby released the breath he had been holding. 'Stupid Winchester's. Gonna be the death of me'. "You sure John, I mean this is dangerous". Ellen added. John nodded and placed his hand on Dean's shoulder. "He can handle himself. He knows what he is doing. Had the best teachers". Dean smiled at the confidence his father had in him. He was proud to have him as his father.

They had come up with a new strategy to capture her face. They would use a camera to capture pictures of her. She couldn't hide her true face from them in there. They weren't going to go and do this in Bobby's house. It would open it up to other evil and spirits. They would go to a motel and do it there. Somewhere neutral and away from people. She had to get a glimpse of Dean, had to notice him. Then she would come for him and then they could gank her. The sooner the better.

They had said their goodbyes to Sam and Jim. Sammy took his time with Dean. "Do you really have to do this. Can't you let someone else do it?". Dean was sitting on the porch with him. Watching as the others went back and forth packing up the cars. "I have to Sammy. It's my job. I can't let another kid lose his brother". Sammy looked at him for a moment. "Your willing to risk me losing my brother?". Dean looked at him for a moment and could see the fear, sadness and anger in his eyes. Dean placed his arm around Sam's shoulders. "Never, you know why?". Sam shrugged. "I have something none of the others had. I have training, back up and John Winchester". That got a smile out of Sam. "I am coming back to you Sammy. I always will". Dean placed a kiss on the top of Sam's head. "Let's go". John yelled from the Impala. Dean nodded and stood. "You hear me kiddo". Sam nodded "You're coming back". Dean smiled and held out his fist. "Pound it". Sam smiled and pound his fist against Dean's. "Jerk". "Bitch".

They found a motel outside of town and away from civilians. They had decided to take the Pastor and Sam with them. John felt safer with both of his sons near. John had discussed another part of the plan with Dean on the ride over. "You need to get her attention, get her to notice you. Once she does that she'll come". Dean nodded and planned to be outside the motel as much as possible. He needed to get her to come to them. Hopefully he could fight her better than the others could.

They had gotten several rooms in the motel. John changed the usual set up with him and his kids. This time he would share with Dean while Pastor Jim and Sam would share a room. John didn't want to take any chances, he would protect Dean as best as he could until this was over. The others made arrangements amongst themselves. Dean was helping unpack the cars and get everyone settled. He promised to visit Sam before they went to bed. He went out to get another bag from the Impala when he felt it. Felt like he was being watched by something with no friendly intentions. He continued to the trunk trying to shake the feeling off. No matter what though he couldn't shake it and it only got stronger. He started to look around. It was already after sunset and hardly any street lights were in the area beyond the motel. Dean went back to the task of unpacking the Impala when he heard something. It sounded like a voice. He turned around again, looking for the source of the voice. "Hello?". Dean called out to the darkness. He heard the voice again. It almost sounded like it said his name. He looked to the motel and could hear the others. 'Maybe it was them I heard'. Dean was finished emptying the trunk from weapons and filling up the duffel bag. He turned to look into the darkness once more just to be sure. That's when he saw her. She was barely in the light, barely visible. Dean had been taught to let your eyes adjust and always 'look beyond the darkness, look for what's in it'. He squinted slightly and focused on her. "Miss, you ok?". He didn't want to give away what they were and their intentions just yet. May spook her off before the hunt even starts. "Ma'am". Dean called out to her again. She flickered in and out and then appeared closer to the motel. 'Well I think it is safe to say I got her attention'.

John had sent Dean to get the rest of the weapons packed and in the room not long ago but, it shouldn't take that long. "Dean". John yelled from the bed he was sitting on while the others set up equipment. He didn't get anything back. Maybe Dean had his head in the trunk. "Dean". John yelled again. When he didn't get anything again he looked at the others, grabbed his gun and made for his car.

Dean was standing near the car, looking at the woman. When the urge would feel slightly stronger he would look away. He knew it was a risk but, he had to get her to come back. 'Make it a challenge she can't resist'. That was what dad had said. Dean turned to her again, she was closer than before. It seemed that when he looked away she got closer. 'Just like her MO'. Dean thought as he looked away from her again. When he looked up again she was almost in front of him. He heard that voice again, the voice he had heard earlier. It was her, he could see her mouth move. She was saying his name, she was saying "My Dean". Suddenly a hand came over his eyes and he couldn't see anything. He finally heard the others yelling his name and some yelling out John's. Dean didn't realize he hadn't heard anything else around him. He could only hear her, her voice, her words, his name. He was spun around and found his father's face with panic and anger. "The hell were you doing?". John yelled when Dean still seemed to be a little out of it. He was still just realizing how close he came to falling into her trap. "She doesn't just use sight, she also uses sound". Dean said while he could still think clearly and the thought was still there. "What?". Bobby asked at the complete change of topic. "I, I couldn't hear anything or anyone else. I could only hear her, she was calling out to me. She used my name. She said 'My Dean'". Dean added as his knees gave out and he sank to the ground in his father's arms. John was fast and gripped him tighter. "I gotcha kiddo, I gotcha". John said as he laid Dean's head on his shoulder and pulled him closer to him.

Dean woke up in the motel room, in his bed. "What happened?". He asked, realizing his voice sounded different. It was raspy like when he was sick. He tried to clear his throat and tried again. "Dad?". John waited until Dean was fully aware and then yelled at him. "I am going to ask you again, what the hell where you thinking? Taking her on all by yourself". John was mad at Dean, at himself and at the Spirit for noticing him. "Answer me Dean". John said slightly harsher. It had it's desired effect and Dean snapped out of it. "Yes sir. Sorry sir. I was um, I was trying to get her attention. I thought if I acted like I didn't know what she was, she would be tempted. That if I gave her a challenge, she would be intrigued. I guess I underestimated her". Dean finished as he placed his head in his hands. He still had the headache from earlier. Maybe not as bad but, it was still there. "I told you to make it a challenge not a damn game. That was dangerous and stupid. The moment you felt something off or saw her you should have called for one of us. She just had to see you to get her attention". Dean nodded realizing his mistake and how he had treated it like a game, tempting her to come closer to him. Acting as if he was untouchable. It was as if he completely forgot his promise to Sammy. 'I'm coming back, I always will'. How could he be so stupid, so cocky. "You're right dad, I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I'm sorry". John sat next to Dean and pulled him into a hug. "I want to know that you are safe, that you will make the right decisions. We have to make the right play on this Dean". Dean nodded and knew his dad was right. "I'll tell you what though, you certainly got her attention". Dean couldn't help but smile. His dad gave a small laugh as he hugged his son once more. "You owe someone a visit before bed. Go make it and then come back here straight away". "Yes sir". Dean nodded. He stood and swayed for a moment. His father had a hand out incase he needed to steady his son. "I'm good, I'm ok". Dean said to his dad. He made his way to Sammy's room and knocked. Hopefully Jim wasn't asleep yet. He hated when he got disturbed in the middle of the night for nonsense. Luckily they both were up and Sammy was the one to open the door. It was already late so Dean wouldn't stay long. "Hey squirt". Dean said as he entered the room ruffling Sam's hair. "Don't call me that". Sam said as he fixed his hair. "Well I can't exactly call you your other name. At least not in front of the Pastor". Dean looked to Jim and winked. Jim shook his head and laughed. "Thank you Dean. Sam I am going to go wash up for bed. Please don't stay to long Dean, we all have a big day ahead". Dean nodded and answered "Yes sir". Dean sat on Sam's bed for a moment. "So I guess dad told you bout my screw up'. Sam nodded. "I don't agree how you went about it but, I do know you made yourself an interesting catch for her". Dean nodded. Sam always took something so simple and saw it from a completely different angle. Usually a more academic level. "Hey um, look. If things go a little wonky I need you to promise to behave for dad". Sam looked confused. "I always do". Dean shook his head. "I mean the fighting Sammy. I know you behave and are dependable. However you got the stubbornness of a mule. If he says to do something you do it. No questions asked ok". Sam wasn't completely comfortable with this conversation but nodded. He understood what Dean meant. 'If I die, get injured or don't make it back. Try to work it out with dad'. "Ok Dean, I will". Dean pulled Sam in for a quick hug. 'Why am I hugging everyone recently. Dean Winchester doesn't do hugs. At least he used to'. "Get some rest ok. I'll pencil brother time in tomorrow ok. I'll have my people call your people". Sam smiled and gave a small laugh. "You got it Dean".