A.N. Yey for the weekend :D Also, I will be catching up on responding to you comments for the previous chapter later tonight. To be honest, I've just been getting in from work and doing my very best slob impression, (you should see it, it's spectacular). Chick xxx
CHAPTER 8
ooo
Snapped twigs and sticks on the forest floor, flattened ferns, crushed mosses...All combined to guide Dean along the route that Sam's laughing run had taken him. Hyper aware, Dean followed in Sam's footprints, forcing himself not to rush, to move at a steady pace, to make certain he didn't miss any signs indicating that Sam had passed that way. The forest was becoming thicker, with trees crowding in on each other, blocking out more light, making the surroundings darker, heavier. Wild flowers were not so evident, being replaced by ivy, creeping over the ground and twisting it's way on thick, knotted stems up the trunks of trees. In the gloom of the trees, the air felt cooler and the sound of birdsong was replaced by the occasional calls of woodpigeons and the flap of their wings as they moved from branch to branch.
...
Dean's anxiety was now combined with anger and frustration. He didn't know what was out there, taking people, but he hated it for choosing Sam and he looked forward to showing it just how much when he found it And I will find you, I swear! Looking ahead, Dean saw that there appeared to be an area where the foliage of the tall trees thinned out a little. Thick, golden shafts of evening sunlight speared through the gloom, floodlighting the darting dance of midges and a myriad of other tiny hovering and flying insects. The tracks left behind by Sam's passing, lead Dean in that direction.
...
Hurrying now, Dean pushed though bracken and shade loving woodland shrubs, emerging into a small, roughly circular glade, no more than six yards across. Sam was stood at it's centre, lit by one of the rays of sunlight, his face turned up to the sky, eyes closed and a peaceful smile on his face. He made no movement in response to his brother's arrival. Slowly, as though approaching a wild deer, Dean crept closer to him.
"Sammy? Hey...You ok there?"
At first there was no response from Sam and he remained perfectly still. With some trepidation, Dean touched Sam's arm softly.
"Sam...It's time you opened your eyes now. I've been looking for you."
Sam lowered his head and blinked his eyes open. He turned to look at Dean, and the glorious smile that he gave his older brother instantly transported Dean back in time, to the memory of baby Sammy's first real smile; the one he gifted to Dean on a Sunday morning when Dean peered down over the side of the baby's crib to say his regular 'Ello bwuvver.
"Dee?"
Dean returned his brother's smile.
"Yeah. It's me. What you doin' Sammy?"
Sam put a finger up to his lips.
"Shhh...Listen."
Dean did, but heard nothing out of the ordinary.
"What am I listening to Sam?"
"The harp. You can hear it...Can't you?"
"No Sam. I can't."
Sam frowned and looked puzzled.
"That's strange...Don't you think?"
Dean was floundering, beginning to feel out of his depth.
"Where's the sound coming from? Which direction?
Sam glanced around the clearing dreamily.
"Everywhere."
Dean's mind was racing. Some kinda enchantment, has to be. Gotta break it's hold. Gotta get Sam away from here. Get him safe. Keep a hold of him, or I'm gonna lose him.
Dean took a deep breath, threw his head back, and yelled,
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
...
Half a dozen terrified woodpigeons took flight, and Sam himself took a rapid step backward, startled. He began frantically looking around the glade, panting rapid breaths. Dean's grip on his arm tightened and he gave Sam a shake.
"Hey...You with me now? Sam?"
Sam stared at Dean, looking as though he had just woken from a dream.
"Yeah...Yeah, I'm here...Er...Dean?...Where is here? How'd I get here? Shit! Dean. What the Hell's going on?"
Dean began to move, tugging on Sam's arm.
"First things first little brother...Lets get away from here."
...
By the time the brothers made it back to camp, the sky was glowing red, pinks and golds from the setting sun, and Sam was shivering. Dean sat his brother down on one of the boulder seats. Going to the low slung tent, he dragged one of the sleeping bags out. Returning to Sam he wrapped it around his brother like a cloak before turning his attention to the remains of the fire, re-kindling it with dry twigs before placing larger pieces of wood onto it. Very soon he had the fire burning cheerily again and heating up a metal pan of water for coffee. Checking on Sam, Dean was relieved to see that Sam was no longer shivering quite so violently. He squatted down on the floor next to the younger hunter.
"Feelin' better?"
"Yeah...Some. What happened back there Dean?"
"How much can you remember?"
Sam stared thoughtfully at the fire.
"I remember I was winding you up about the guided Yeti hunt and took off running with you right behind me. I...I think I managed to lose you...And then there was this music, unbelievable music. And...I think you told the trees off? Yeah, that's right, you did. And then you were dragging my ass back here. That's about it."
Dean nodded his understanding before bowing his head and staring at his own feet thoughtfully. Sam pulled the sleeping bag tighter around himself. Dean lifted his head and stood up, turning away from Sam.
"Dean? What you doin'?"
Dean glanced back down at his brother when he heard the underlying worry in Sam's tone.
"Grabbing myself a beer. You want one?"
Sam drained his coffee.
"No thanks, another one of these would be good though?"
Sam's worry increased when Dean simply nodded and took the mug from him and went to make him a second drink without any wise ass comment, handing the fresh coffee to him before going to break open the six pack. Walking back over to Sam, Dean glanced upwards at the sky which was now streaked with mauves, deep sapphire blues and lipstick pinks as the sun dropped low in the sky and dusk rushed forward to take it's place. Dean sat himself down on the second boulder. He raised the bottle of beer in Sam's direction before swallowing half of it down, then wiping his sleeve across his chin to catch a dribble before it dripped onto his tee.
"Well Sammy...I'm not saying I like it, 'cos I really don't...But, it looks to me like you're the bait for this job."
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A.N. To all you Sam folk, please forgive me for picking on him. I won't hurt him too much...Honest ;p
