Hey everyone sorry this update is up a little later than usual. Long day yesterday. Anyway I know I'm leaving this chapter off at a nasty place but I'm in a hurry and didn't have time to write anymore. Thanks for all the support so far!

Disclaimer—Still don't own Supernatural or any of its characters.

Chapter 7

Sam and Dean trudged through the leaf-covered path; the crunching of dry leaves under their feet was oddly satisfying. The mud was sticking to their boots making them carry the extra weight. Neither brother complained each lost in his own thoughts.

Sam kept his eyes down watching the back of Dean's shoes as they picked more and more mud. Every time Dean stepped a loud squishing sound was made that made Sam smile. His brother was really picky about the condition of his boots and if he couldn't get all the mud off of them Sam knew Dean would pitch a fit for a week, before going out and buying a new pair.

A cool wind was blowing about them making Sam shiver slightly before pulling his jacket closer around him and zipping it up. He looked around him eyes on alert for any movement. He knew the werewolf couldn't attack during the day or even for a few more days when the full moon was out but the black dog could appear at any time.

The thought that death could be peering at him from him behind all the vast trees made him inch a little closer to his brother; making him bump into him as Dean had stopped.

"Sam! What the hell? Pay attention to where you're going!" Dean said turning around to glare at Sam. They had come to a split in the path and he wanted to check out both directions. He knew they could search faster if they split up. "Why don't you head off this way and I'll go that way." Dean pointing Sam towards the right path while he was planning on taking the left.

"Dean, do you think that's such a great idea?" Sam asked getting the odd feeling that they shouldn't split up. He couldn't explain it but he didn't want to be away from Dean.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Dean asked surprised at Sam's reaction. He looked into his brother's eyes and saw the fear behind the dark brown, although Sam was trying desperately to hide it. "Sammy, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Sam said looking away from his brother. His panic was flowing through his veins faster then his blood.

"Sam? I can see something is bugging you." Dean said narrowing his eyebrows slightly.

"Nothing." Sam said almost bitterly and started down the right path. Dean caught his arm and wheeled Sam around to look at him.

"Sammy! Tell me what is wrong!" Dean was not kidding the fact that something was bothering Sam this much scared the shit out of him.

"For the last time Dean it's nothing!" Sam was growing angry now. He didn't want his brother prying any deeper. He knew Dean wasn't stupid and would get the truth out of him if he wasn't careful. That was the last thing he wanted. Dean couldn't find out about the death omen, not yet.

Dean could feel Sam backing off and decided not to press it. Sam would tell him when he was ready. He always did. "Ok let's move then. It's almost two so if we hurry we can meet back here in an hour, then head back to town."

"Sure thing, Dean." Sam smiled and started off down his path again. Dean watched until Sam disappeared before starting down his own path. Something was off about Sam. He didn't know what it was but he had a feeling that it was something to do with the black dog Sam kept seeing. He had had the feeling that Sam had been hiding something from him earlier when he asked about it. Now he knew for sure that Sam was hiding something. He shrugged; he could always do his own research later or get Sam to talk. Either way he was going to figure out what was bugging Sam.

Sam was extremely edgy, he had the feeling he was being watched but every which way he turned, he couldn't see anything. He continued to crunch through the leaves and snapped stray twigs. He kept his eyes down but his ears on alert for any sound around him. The only thing besides the crunching under his feet was the sound of water and knew he must be near a lake or a river. By the sounds of it a river as the water sounded like it was rushing fast.

Sam continued down his path feeling guilty for the way he had talked to Dean. He knew his brother was only trying to help him, to figure out what the hell was bugging him. Sam bit his lip. It wasn't Dean's fault that he had a death omen after him. It wasn't Dean's fault that Sam was scared to death of what would happen to him. Sam could only imagine what would happen to Dean if Sam was claimed by the death omen leaving his brother alone. He shuddered at the thought. Knowing Dean, which he did, he would become more reckless then usual and more than likely get himself killed on a hunt.

The sound of rushing water was closer now and Sam looked over the edge of the path and saw a large river. The water was flowing hard and fast. The sight of the water was somehow calming the way it ran over the rocks and sparkled in the sunlight.

An imprint in the mud next to the river caught Sam's eye. He edged his way down so he could examine it more closely. His boots sank in the squishy mud and he had to struggle to pull his feet out. He bent down next to the print so he could examine the print. It looked familiar a large paw print from some kind of animal. Sam fingered the size of it and felt himself chill slightly. It was the same shape and size of the prints the black dog left in the bathroom the other night when it had covered the bathroom in blood.

Sam once again had the distinct feeling that he was being watched. The smell of rotting corpses filled the air and he felt hot breath on his neck. Sam stood and spun around coming face to face with the bear sized dog. The bright red eyes bore into him like stoplights. Sam took an unconscious step backwards and felt himself sliding in the slippery mud.

The dog didn't advance but watched him with knowing in its eyes. Sam noticed that the dog seemed to be dripping water from its shaggy coat. Almost as if it had gone swimming in the river. The dog took a step forwards shimmering slightly changing from solid to a ghost like appearance. The dog barked sharply and Sam took another step back and felt himself loosing his balance. He waved his arms wildly but it did no good…he tumbled into the icy cold water.

The shock of landing in the icy water made him release all the air he had had in his lungs. He felt the water close over his head and struggled to reach the surface, but he couldn't seem to move. Something seemed to be holding him down and the more he struggled the more entangled he became.

Sam tried not to breathe in; his lungs were burning from the loss of oxygen. His brain was swimming he couldn't think. He looked up desperately towards the surface and struggled once more to break the surface of the water. The black dog was looking down at him, waiting. Sam unconsciously inhaled water into his lungs. His limbs felt so heavy and black was starting to cross his vision.

'I'm sorry Dean.' Sam thought as he felt himself disconnect with his body. A stream of bubbles floated from his mouth, as his arms floated lifelessly to the surface.