Hound Dog
Chapter 7
Dean thought he'd done quite well, he'd got eight phone numbers and a request for a rendezvous down the alley behind the bar, which he'd had to decline because it was five to midnight. He was strolling back from the bar in the dark, when he heard a scuffling noise down an alley from his left. He stopped, his hunter senses shouting at him, and peered down into the darkness. He cursed himself for not bringing any gear with him, no shotgun, no holy water, not even a god-damn torch!
It all happened pretty quick, too quick for Dean's alcohol soaked system. A huge hound leapt out of the darkness and bowled Dean over, as he fell, he hit his head spectacularly on the road and his world plummeted into nauseating darkness.
At ten past midnight, Sam was starting to get annoyed. He could just picture Dean leaning over the bar and charming the barmaid, cursing Sam mentally for forcing him to return early. He shut down his laptop and was plunged into darkness, but he couldn't be bothered to get up and turn on a light. He sank into the darkness and the silence, with only a vague irritation, now mixed with concern, towards Dean, nibbling at his consciousness. Suddenly an eerie howl rent the air, a sound that sent a shiver up Sam's spine. He stood up as the loud howl echoed again, and he realised with a panicky jolt that it was outside. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialled Dean's number. It rang…and Sam heard the ring tone from where he stood. If Dean's phone was outside…then so was Dean. Sam's heart thudded against his chest and he went cold all over, sweat prickling at his brow. How could they have been so stupid? It was such an obvious way out for the hound, kidnap the brother of the victim. Sam moved slowly to the window and peered out. There it was, enormous, threatening, sitting stone still on the lawn of Missouri's house. He was glad she wasn't home, the hound may have got her instead. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, what he had been dreading seeing materialised under the dog's enormous claws. Dean. Ragged and beaten. He wasn't moving either. Sam hoped he was merely unconscious. The younger Winchester realised he was still dialling Dean's phone, so he hung up and put his cell down. The supernatural beast threw it's head back and howled again, revealing it's enormous teeth, which seemed to glow in the moonlight.
"Dean…" Sam muttered, and moved to the front door, which he opened, shivering as the cool night air ruffled his hair. He was still under the protection of the house as long as he didn't cross the boundaries, and he knew the protections Dean had placed on him from their Dad's journal would stop a mind invasion, as long as the hound didn't have physical contact. The dog obviously knew this and had purposefully hunted Dean for 'leverage', for an easy catch. He'd get it too.
"I suppose you want me to surrender? What happens if I don't?" Sam asked, knowing the answer anyway. The hound raised a paw, and with a stealy twang, four enormous three-inch claws shot out. The hound then lowered them to within an inch of Dean's exposed neck. The message was as clear as the claws on the mutt, and Sam immediately knew how this would play out, there was no other way. He couldn't risk shooting the dog. If he reached for the gun that continually resided near the door, the dog would realise too quick what was planned and Sam would lose his brother forever.
"I suppose you want a trade?" The mutt didn't answer, but he didn't need to…it was obvious…the only way. Sam sighed, he had known this would happen, he had felt it. Ever since the hound had attacked him, he knew it wouldn't rest until it had him. What was worrying him more was his fate when the demon got hold of him. He couldn't help his mind wandering back to the night in the cabin when the demon had possessed their Dad. They had all been so powerless, weak to stop it doing whatever the hell it wanted with them. Fear gripped Sam, but he ignored it. He knew there was no way out of this one. Slowly Sam pulled out his cell phone. The dog growled but didn't do anything else. Dean's phone rang out into the night as he dialled it. He waited until it went to voicemail and then left a message that he knew would haunt him and his brother forever.
"Dean…I hope you get this when you come to, right now, you're unconscious under the hounds claws…and quite frankly you look like shit," he chuckled but it was forced and sounded fake. He couldn't keep the fear out of it either and knew Dean would pick up on that immediately. Sam paused unsure how to continue, to say everything he felt, but as the hounds growls grew in intensity and the scales started to tip against Dean, Sam knew he'd have to hurry,
"I know you hate chick flick moments," he continued, his voice cracking under the pressure, "But…urrgh…look I have to do this, I can't risk losing you, man. You're my brother…my family. I love you, bro. Thanks…for everything. You've always got my back, and especially after Jess…thanks Dean…This isn't your fault, Ok? I have to do this…I can't…" He stopped and blinked the tears from his eyes, "Maybe I'll see you soon, ok? Tell Dad I love him, despite what happened. Make sure you find him, Ok?" He then hung up and pocketed the phone. He didn't think he'd have the opportunity to use it, but he couldn't let his only chance slip away. He took a deep breath then stepped off the doorstep onto the unprotected front lawn.
A/N- Oh God Sammy! Lol, i think i may be a little too close to this story...and the people in it...Anyway thanks for sticking with this, i reckon i'm about half way through but its hard to tell because I'm now into the 'unplanned' domain. Thats a fancy way of saying i have no friggin clue how things are going to happen and in what order! Sorry this chapter is a little short, but i just love the cliff hanger!
