A small, plastic, golden statue flew haphazardly, sheering from its base and flying free when Bobby used one of the trophies to pummel into Lucy's head. The trophy figurine bounced and landed next to Dean. Again, the wood base careened at her head, the impact rocking her a few feet from Dean. Bobby followed the move with a quick dose of holy water. "Get away from that boy!"

Lucy rolled from the blows, moving further away from Dean. "Oh, but he loves me."

"I've been waiting for you to show your mug. Knew there had to be some demonic hussy keeping tabs, but didn't know where." He tossed more water, letting the pain hiss on his rival. "You hell trash pack will pay for what you have done to those boys. You will give Sam back to us and …"

Cocking her head to the side, she glared at him. "He doesn't want to come back." The cruelest smiled spread on her face so large that her pearl white teeth glistened. She move closer, but he waved the flask of holy water in his hand. "This is Sam's choice. He had to come willing to us. And you… you have nothing we want that is a better bargain."

"That may be, but you took something precious from me and now… now you will get your ass back in hell!" Bobby screamed as he tossed holy water and drove Lucy back further into the hallway. The first thing they both saw was the open door of the gym- the same one that Dean had inched towards earlier. At first Bobby's face was drawn as if he feared her possibility of escape, but she did something even he didn't expect.

Lucy flicked a match, tossing it towards the gasoline line she poured earlier, forcing Bobby to jump for the tiny torch before it brought the school in a blaze. He managed to catch the flame in his hands, scorching his fingers, but the school and Dean were safe for the moment. Lucy dashed down the expanse of the hallway, and then skittered thorough the entrance, all the while laughing madly as she fled.

Bobby nursed his finger for a moment, not really showing the appropriate concern for an escaped demon, but a sly smile flashed on his face. He bent down slowly, checking Dean's pulse. "Okay, kiddo…just relax. This will all be over soon and I'll explain everything." He rubbed the knot on Dean's head before he stood and walked towards the open gym door.

When he entered, he was greeted by the sight of a trapped demon, screaming madly without a clue as to why she could not move. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!"

"Clear poly-sealant. Works wonders… goes on white and dries clear. Perfect for your invisible Devil's traps. Got them all over the place in here when we redid the floors. Actually, this whole place has been a giant trap for you for a long time. Just been waiting to see who would show up if I pried the corners off of Dean's mind."

"You! You should not trifle…"

"Stow it sister…let's see how you like a little exorcism. If I had the colt right now, I'd blow you to kingdom come! I want answers and I got all day to watch you scream."

-xx-x-xx-x-xx-xx-x


Some men quicken when danger approached and this was usually true for Dean. At the moment he was utterly disheartened with his mind in confusion and fragments. Still, somewhere deep within him his hunting intuition told him to wake up. He crawled even before his eyes opened. When they did, his first thought was for the kids. He wiggled a bit, moving before all his functions kicked in, until his hand could dislodge a crow bar on one of the blocked doors.

Dean flopped, trying to regain his focus. He grabbed his head, and shifted his upper body up. Once he was on his wobbly legs, he supported his back against the wall before he moved again. Pain screamed at him. A large knot had formed on the back of his head, throbbing as if someone was still pounding on it. When things finally settled and cleared a bit, he found his balance returning.

Whatever the pain, his insight told him to assess the danger. He didn't know why he needed to do this. He just knew it felt right. When he glanced down the hallway, both of his so-called-would-be friends were gone. Distantly, he heard 

music coming from the auditorium. An indication the students and staff were blissfully unaware of any danger. He took comfort in that.

Then, he heard shouting and screaming of indescribable torture. As a shrill blood curdling scream rang from the gym, he ran with all his might. He arrived just in time to see a large cloud of black smoke pour of the Lucy's mouth. "HOLY…."

"Dean?" Bobby said. "Wait… I can explain."

There was no explanation necessary in Dean's mind, there was only running-running from this madness. He turned and bolted out the door, sprinted for the hallway exit. Bobby immediately pursued, but he had a difficult time keeping up.

Not even stopping, Dean barely slowed down when his body slammed and opened the fire door. He rushed outside. Ernie or Bobby, whatever his intentions, Dean didn't care. He had been played. He felt it as if he were used garbage to be tossed around for everyone's pleasure. Letting his instincts lead him, he knew one truth- Chicago. You were being led to Chicago. His gut had almost taken him to Chicago before. He may not know why he knows this Sam guy on TV or why anyone he knew would be watching a fire, but it felt right. For the first time in months, it felt like he knew what he was doing. Nothing or no one would stop him now.

So, he just ran as fast as he could. Even with his head injury, he was still faster than Bobby. The older man was at his heels though, screaming wait and pushing himself way too hard to catch up.

Dean dived down the stairs in front of the school, more than he descended them, just bounces of his feet taking two to three steps at a time. At breakneck speed, he slid across a car in the lot to the driver side of his truck, ripped the door open, and jumped inside. He even started the engine before his driver side door had closed.

He stepped on the gas and took a breath, watching Bobby disappear in his rearview mirror.

-xx-xx-x-xx-xx-x-x


4 hour later…..

Two shadow figures danced in graceful battle in almost sheer darkness. Every move and countermove seemed choreographed, but there was urgency there. It was a battle, not a friendly spar. From the determination and force in every kick and blow, neither opponent would give up easy. When Sam moved, the figure before him blocked and struck with a series of blows. Finally, Sam found himself flung straight on his back, landing against the hardwood of his apartment floor.

"Whoa, Easy tiger!" A man said as he pinned Sam.

"Dean?"

Sam sat straight up, feeling a crushing on his chest. When he glanced down the amulet around his neck glowed. With more and more frequency that damn thing glowed. He took it off, tossing it against the wall as if he wanted it to shatter and stop haunting him. Before the necklace hit anything, a panic rose in Sam when he thought the item might break and be lost to him. The necklace thudded and landed unharmed, but the glow of earlier had stopped.

Sam tossed in his bed. His hair covered parts of his eyes, dangling across his face, clinging to the sweat of his face. The shades of silver glinted in his eyes, the once hazel brown iris paled to a shining pool of nothingness. A muttered groan left him as he tried moving from the bed, the silk blankets slipping off his body. He couldn't find rest tonight.

It was frustrating. His dreams held so many deep and secretive meanings. He was surrounded by thousands in a demonic army, but something was wrong. Did he need more power? Now, a name appeared in his dream. The same damn name that two other demons had uttered during torture and threats. Why had two demons under his captured mentioned the name Dean? When he thought on it, nothing popped in his head, but it seemed to be important.

He tossed his leather jacket around him and wrapped it closer to him. Finally, he retrieved his precious talisman and let it fall over his heart. For whatever reason, he felt at ease. He hadn't felt at ease as far back as he could remember. The golden idol began to warm. Then he heard a voice calling him. "Sammy? Sammy please...I need help." It begged.

Sam's dark eyes rose and he quickly sat up, staring at the man who had apparently been standing in front of him this whole time looking intently at Sam.

"We have to move." Dean said.

"You expect me to jump. Do you know…" Those silver eyes watched every movement, studying the man in front of hm with curiosity.

"Sam? Dad got hurt in Pittsburgh… he's really bad….please just get dressed…"

Sam froze as the vision disappeared, falling away. Sam didn't know what to think. It could be factions of the other army giving him these illusions, but he would know it. He could read their thoughts so easily. How could he degrade himself with thought of some human?

There was something pure about the vision, and it left a pleading in his mind. He focused on the image, searching for something. Finally, there was a spark- the man was a hunter- a good one- maybe the best. No details about him, just the knowledge that this Dean was a demon hunter. Suddenly, he felt a threat. He convinced himself this was an omen. He feared this man, knew there was supposed to be an ending. Dean was supposed to be dead. He didn't know how he knew that or by what means this hunter was doomed for death or even how he had survived. Instead he focused on one fact. If this man had cheated death, he was a big threat to any of Sam's plans.

There was fear now when he should rightfully fear no one. He was a god among men. This man was coming for him and no spoiled little brat of a hunter. He stopped his self- motivating demand. "Son?" There was a family of hunters and Dean was in that line, but he didn't know from where the line sprang forth. No matter, no hunter would get the chance to get near him. There was no reason to let this one live. He would send out the troops and search this one out. As this Dean died, he would spit in his face just before he gutted him.