Okay, here is the next chapter. It's not a long one either so I apologize. I hope you like it.

Cindy.

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The word was out. John had called Bobby and Caleb, informing them that the youngest Winchester was missing. They had in turn begun to make their own calls, informing the hunting world to be on the lookout for the wayward teenager. Caleb had then headed to Santa Cruz to meet up with the remaining Winchesters to help with the search. Sam had always held a special place in the hunter's heart and to say he was scared for the boy was an understatement. He didn't know the complete story but he was sure it had to do with John's stupidity and stubbornness when it came to his youngest son.

John had two sons who obeyed every order without question although Daniel would on occasion call his father out if he felt he was being too harsh with Sam, or Dean for that matter. Dean was more silent in the face of his father, but then comforting and understanding to his younger sibling behind closed doors. Both of the older siblings felt their main job was to watch over the baby of the family and they were both fierce in their protectiveness.

Caleb knew the story by heart. John had placed six month old Sam into Dean's arms then instructed Daniel to get his two younger brothers out of the burning house. And so from that day on it was Dean's mission to keep Sam safe from anyone or anything that would try and do him harm. Even hurt feelings were not allowed. And Daniel looked out for both Dean and Sam. Sam looked out for his two older brothers as best he could, but it seemed that he had a bigger target on his back than Daniel and Dean when it came to being in danger. Danger was attracted to Sam like moths to a flame, so the older Winchesters had their work cut out for them when it came to protecting him. John watched over all of his sons, hating the fact that he had been forced to raise them to be hunters, but knowing that until they found and killed whatever it was that took his Mary, his boys, especially Sam, would never be safe.

Caleb drove through the night, determined to reach Santa Cruz by early morning to help take up the hunt for the boy he considered to be a brother. All of the Winchester boys fit that mold in Caleb's eye, but Sam was the baby and as it was with Daniel and Dean, so it was with Caleb. Protect and keep Sam safe at all costs.

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John had one more call to make. He dialed the number and waited for the call to be answered. Of the few friends John and his boys had accumulated, Pastor Jim would be the most likely one for Sam to contact. Sam had spent many days with Jim over the course of his earlier childhood and Jim had taken him under his wing, had become his mentor in a way. They had a unique bond that John was sometimes envious of. Sam could, and would tell Jim anything and Jim would listen with patient ears, knowing the young boy usually just needed a sounding board. Jim was always happy to oblige.

On the third ring the call was picked up and John felt a lump form in his throat, making it difficult to speak. He cleared his throat then tried again. "Jim, I need to know, have you heard from Sam?"

"Sam? No John. Why? What's happened?" Jim asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Sam uh...well, he uh...he ran off a few days ago and we can't find him anywhere. He's not answering his phone. In fact, it's turned off because we can't even get a read on his GPS," John spit out before taking a breath.

"Oh John. What did you do to him this time?" Jim asked, but no venom was in his tone, only weariness.

"I said some things, Dean said some things. Sam may have gotten the impression we didn't want him around. And coupled with what we found out that Sam already believes...well...I don't think he's coming home on his own," John replied tiredly.

Jim gasped, his shock keeping him from speaking for a moment. When he did finally find his voice he said, "What did you say to the poor boy John?"

"That's not really something I want to discuss right now. I just don't have time to get into it. Just know that it was bad and leave it at that."

Jim sighed heavily, then replied, "What do you want me to do?"

"Just stay there. Hopefully Sam will call and let you know he's okay. Maybe even where he is. Just...just let me know if you hear from him Jim. Please."

Jim felt a lump in his throat. John never begged, so he knew just how serious the situation was. He could only guess as to what was said to Sam, and he shook his head sadly at what the boy must be feeling right now.

"I'll let you know if I hear from him John, you know that. I'll say a prayer. You'll find him John. Have faith," Jim said to his distraught friend.

"Faith? Hasn't really done me much good Jim. But, I have faith in you. Thanks Jim," John said, then ended the call.

John sat heavily on a kitchen chair. He could hear Daniel and Dean's voices in the livingroom discussing what they would do once Caleb showed up. John had so hoped that Sam would have contacted Jim, so when he learned that Sam hadn't, it only drove home the fact that he had truly lost his baby boy. John didn't know if his family could survive the loss. Sam was the glue that held this family together, the heart and soul of it, and without him the family would eventually fall to pieces. Daniel and Dean would be devastated. And whom was John kidding? He would be devastated also. If they lost Sam, they would lose the last pure gift that Mary had left them. The only thing that kept the grief of her loss from completely overwhelming them.

'No!' John thought, 'Failure is not an option! We will find our boy and bring him home. I'm so sorry Mary. I'm so sorry for hurting our angel so badly. I promise I will make this right. I promise you, and I promise Sammy.'

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Sorry there was no action, but there is plenty of that coming up! Please review.

Hey, I've decided I am going to post a third chapter tonight because I may only be able to post one or two tomorrow and possibly none on Sunday. I am taking my computer to my brother-in-law tomorrow night so he can work on it and I don't know when it will be available to me again. I hope you all don't mind a third chapter. LOL

Cindy.