Battle of Evermore
Sharp Shooter - Pony
Chapter Seven; Portrait (He Knew)
Disclaimer; I own nothing
Worn out from getting tackled countless times and scoring five touchdowns, Sam collapsed onto the lumpy living room couch. He was beat from the intense foot ball game that had just finished at the score 22 to 20, and so was everyone else. Dean was currently in the kitchen lapping up cup after cup of water, while Dad and Travis had taken seats at the dining room table with a couple of beers. Travis was fanning himself with one of Sam's library books, and Dad was still wiping sweat off his brow.
"You've got two true athletes, John," Travis averred, chuckling good heartedly," Damn near passed out trying to catch that youngest of yours. I thought you said he was the brainy one?"
For what must have been the first time in months, Dad grinned. Sam was surprised his face didn't crack from the strain. "Sam keeps in shape running to the library," Dad said, his deep gaze averting to Sam for a moment. "He's always bringing back the thickest books he can find."
"That's not true," Sam shot, then pointed to the book Travis was holding," That one isn't thick."
Travis stopped using the text as a fan and read the title. "A recipe book?" He shot Sam a questioning look.
Sam just shrugged in response. Dean's cooking could use some diversity. He peeled his bangs from his forehead and pushed them to the side before standing up and going into the kitchen to turn on some music. Sam knew country wouldn't fly with Dad and Travis around, so he tuned in to a local rock station. It wasn't exactly classic rock, but it was hopefully close enough.
Spinning a hand towel into a tight form, Dean came up behind Sam and whipped the back of his little brother's leg with it. "Good game, you and Dad almost beat us."
Only slightly irritated by the now stinging sensation in his leg, Sam didn't bother to hit his brother back. "You only won because Travis tripped me."
"Keep telling yourself that, shorty," Dean said with a grin, perfect white teeth taunting Sam.
Not falling for the bait, Sam retorted," One day I'll be taller than you, and I'll be the one calling you shorty. Just you wait, it'll happen."
"Gonna find yourself some fairy dust to do that?" Dean teased.
This time Sam landed a solid punch to Dean's shoulder, and the brothers were sure to get into one of their wrestling matches had it not been for the complaints of the older men in the dining room distracting them. Oblivious to anything outside their conversation, Sam and Dean hadn't noticed Nirvana playing over the radio, but Travis and Dad had.
"Turn that shit off," Travis said in disgust.
Sam rolled his eyes, but followed the order; turning the radio off grudgingly.
For the next hour or so, Sam and Dean stayed in the kitchen and talked about random subjects that came to mind while occasionally fetching beers for their dad and Travis. It wasn't until Dad said he was going to head in for the night that Sam and Dean came out of the kitchen and into the dining room. Travis motioned for them to take a seat at the table with him.
"So what have you boys been up to?" Travis asked, and then added with a chuckle," Other than beating kids up, that is."
Dean joked around about scoring with various girls at their high school, but Sam couldn't help but see right through Dean's trophy winning smile and see that his brother really was busting at the seems to tell Travis about what had been really going on at home. Dean was just as concerned about Dad as Sam was, if not more, from his recent actions. Sam grimaced when he remembered hunting without Dad. It had to be weighing on his older brother, but either Dean didn't want to drag Travis into it, or he didn't want to voice his worries with Sam around.
"I'm gonna take a shower then hit the hay myself," Dean finally said with a yawn, standing up and stretching," Don't stay up too late Sammy, we're going for a run tomorrow morning."
Sure, like you're getting up any earlier than twelve. Sam could tell from his brother's sluggish movements that Dean was exhausted from the week, so he wasn't going to worry about what time he turned in. Or maybe he could get up early and torture Dean, maybe with a little Loretta Lynn for an alarm clock …
Sam's devious thoughts were interrupted though when Travis cleared his throat.
"You've been awfully quiet, something on your mind?" The older hunter asked, watching Sam for a reaction.
Trained in the art of lying and masking emotions, Sam kept his face and body in the same calm state they'd previously been in, but his heart and mind were racing inside him. Should I tell him or let it drop?
Eyes darting to the hall way first, checking for any signs of his father or brother, Sam relented and told Travis about what had been going on in the past month with Dad. Travis nodded his head along, but didn't say anything until Sam was finished. The teenager felt ten times lighter getting that off his chest, and he was glad Travis had let him do it all at once without any questions.
"John really let you two go off on your own?" Travis asked disbelievingly. "He must have a good reason, but it just doesn't sound like him. John loves you two too much."
Sam held back a snort at that last part. Loves us too much? Freakin' hilarious. He kept himself from commenting, showing the same respect for Travis as he had for Sam. The two remained in thoughtful silent for a little while, Sam trying to remember a time when Dad had shown him and Dean how much he loved them.
Finally, Sam broke the silence. "Why are you in Columbus, anyway?"
"Checking out the deaths at one of the local hospitals," Travis said off handedly, and then scanned the titles of the books at the table. "And by the looks of it, so are you."
Sam shrugged. "I was interested. Do you have any idea what's behind it?"
"I've got some in mind, but I'm not for sure." Travis checked the watch on his wrist," You best be heading off to bed now, before that brother of yours comes looking for you."
"I'm not a little kid," Sam argued half heartedly, sleepiness tugging at his eye lids," But I guess I don't want to worry Dean."
Travis winked at Sam. "Right."
-SN-
A week later and Travis was still investigating. Sam was doing some investigating work of his own, but currently he was sitting in the school yard with his friends, eating lunch and just hanging out. Sam liked living in the south, because down south in months like October, when the air would start to hold a biting chill to it up north, it was still pleasantly warm.
He stretched his feet out in front of him on the grass and tried to soak up the sunlight to soothe his aching bones. All the symptoms of fatigue, head aches, and just overall crappiness that he'd gotten after first coming to Columbus had hit Sam hard the night before, and he still wasn't feeling much better. While listening to Jose and Carson talk, Sam tried to ignore the nauseous feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"Is she really in love this time, or is it just another hot guy she fell for?" Carson was asking, a disbelieving tone to his voice.
Jose fluttered his eye lashes as he imitated his sister," It's for real this time, me and Alex are like, so totally in love."
Carson bust out in laughter at the impersonation, but Sam's ears caught the name Alex and wondered if it was his brother Jose's sister was going out with. Now that he thought about it, Dean had mentioned his date's name was Faye.
Sam smirked. "Your sister's boyfriend doesn't happen to pick her up in an old black car, does he?"
Jose looked confused, but nodded. "He drives an old Chevy model."
"Alex is my brother," Sam said, amazed that Dean managed to hook up with his friend's sister.
"No really?" Jose spoke with his accented voice. "Then no offense when I say your bro's crazy for going out with Faye, she's bossy and mean and thinks she knows everything."
"No offense taken," Sam said with a small smile.
Lori started to say what a coincidence that was, but Sam became distracted by an over powering feeling in his gut. Great, I'm going to throw up at school. He took deep breaths to try and keep his stomach at bay, but then Sam started to cough. Something metallic tasting came out of his throat and into his hand.
Looking down, Sam froze when he saw a glob of bloody goo. This was not good. Luckily, none of his friends saw it and Sam was able to wipe the mess onto the grass covertly, but now his heart rate started to pick up. Why was he coughing up bloody phlegm? That sounded just like the beginning of –
"I gotta go you guys, just remembered something I forgot in my locker," Sam said hurriedly, collecting his back pack and lunch before heading back inside the school building.
When he got to his locker, Sam grabbed out the book on tuberculosis that had articles he'd cut from the newspaper on the strange deaths at St. Elizabeth's. In one article it said that the beginning stages of the patients illness was what seemed like a cold, then it would go away for a couple of weeks and come back with a vengeance. Sam squeezed his eyes shut. Oh shit.
Opening his eyes back up, he thought he caught sight of a woman at the corner of his vision. Whipping around, Sam just caught the sight of a strand of long blond hair disappearing behind a corner. This is just what I need! Sam took off after the woman, who he recognized had the features of the one he constantly caught a glimpse of at night.
"Hey, come back!" he shouted down the hall, but when he turned the corner found no one in sight.
He ran around the connecting corridors, but found no sign of the woman anywhere. By the time he was back at his locker, Sam felt like he'd just ran a marathon, and he had troubles keeping his breathing regular. That would be the fatigue. The school bell started to ring to signal the end of lunch period, and Sam found himself caught in the mob of students trying to get to their lockers before class.
Ignoring the throbbing head ache he had and the great effort it took to keep moving, Sam made it through the rest of the school day, but by the time he got onto the bus and was seated next to Dean, he thought he would die if he walked another step.
"Hey Sammy," Dean greeted cheerily, but faltered when he got a good look at his little brother. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," Sam lied, forcing his eye lids up so he didn't look so tired. "I just need a nap is all."
Dean grinned. "What, are you four?"
Sam couldn't work up the energy to punch Dean, so he pretended to give him the silent treatment for the comment. Dean thought that was a normal enough response and turned on his walkman, getting lost in his music. At least he won't worry, Sam told himself while mentally preparing for the rest of the day until he could talk to Travis alone that night.
Unfortunately, life wasn't giving Sam a break. After having the substitute bus driver miss their stop nearly three times, Sam stumbled off the bus with the hope of lying down as soon as he got home. But the moment he walked in the door, the phone started ringing. It was Jose asking if Sam wanted to go to the arcade with him and Carson, which Sam politely turned down with the excuse of having a lot of homework. Dean heard this, and after Sam hung up the phone, started interrogating him on why he'd told Jose that when he'd just told Dean a few minutes earlier he didn't have any.
"It's not normal, Sammy," Dean was saying, his words slipping through one of Sam's ears and out the other," I'm the one who lies, not you."
"Look, I'm tired, okay?" Sam finally snapped, throwing his book bag on the floor before stomping to their room.
He felt like a little kid when he threw himself onto his bed, like he was having a temper tantrum, but hopefully the performance would stop Dean from bugging him any more. Any other time he'd be off with Faye or playing some pool, but no, today he's got to stay home. Sam figured that was just his luck.
When he finished glaring at the wall and all of his irritation had seeped out and he was left feeling deflated, Sam's thoughts went back to whatever sickness he had. I'll sleep for an hour or so now, then go to the library. Maybe it'll be easier to research what could possibly do this, now that I'm one of the victims. Sam thought back to the image of the beautiful woman. She must have something to do with it, and Sam bet if he asked around, he'd find out some of the other victim's had seen her too.
I wish Travis would come back already. Sam drifted off to sleep with that thought.
-SN-
"Wow, Sammy, you weren't kidding about being tired," Dean admonished as Sam walked zombie like into the kitchen where Dean was currently cooking some rice and chicken.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" Sam croaked, rubbing tiredly at his mess of brown hair that was angled oddly towards the ceiling. "I wanted to go to the library."
Dean glanced toward the clock, which blinked back at him '7:55.' He turned back to his cooking. "Guess you're not going today."
"No kidding," Sam said while struggling to pull himself onto the counter to sit.
"Are you hungry?" Dean asked after a moment.
Sam took in the scent of the food. Any other time it would have smelled delicious, but now it was almost vomit inducing. "No, not really."
"You're not hungry?" Dean asked in disbelief, even pausing from adding spices to the chicken to stare at his little brother open mouthed. "Since when?"
"Since now," Sam shot back. He searched for a topic to change the subject, so Dean wouldn't continue to ask questions. "Is Travis back yet?"
"No, I think him and Dad were going out to the bar," Dean said, focusing his attention on stirring the rice so it didn't burn.
Sam shook his head. I think I'm cursed. He slid off the counter and sauntered into the living room, taking one of the Norse mythology books he'd gotten from the library with him. His head felt about ten times larger than normal, but he needed to get to the bottom of this sickness before it was too late. Too late being about five days from now, when I won't have enough energy to stay conscious.
Sam forced himself to focus as he opened the book, and his eyes immediately fell on the page that held the title 'Norns.'
They were creatures that normally took on the form of a beautiful, almost divine looking, woman. Just like the one I've been seeing! Norns could change the future, and among their powers to do so was bending what happened in the past. Some of these creatures were benevolent and performed small favors for those they saw fit, but most were malevolent and tricked men into deals they wouldn't fulfill. These deals usually consisted of the man offering some sort of sacrifice in payment for whatever the Norns were supposed to do, and then the Norn would then steal the life force from the sacrifice.
Lori said Sara's father wouldn't even see his dying daughter, Maybe because of guilt? It would fit. If only Sam had some way of questioning the guy - like if there was an adult to help him, who could pose as some sort of grief counselor. Why did Dad and Travis have to choose tonight to go out? Sam supposed maybe Dean could act old enough for the job, but did he really want to tell Dean about what was going on? His brother had seemed so at ease lately ….
"Sammy!"
Speaking of the devil, Sam thought as his brother sat down on the couch next to him with a beer. He'd finished eating dinner and had come to disrupt Sam. All he does is eat, sleep and bother me.
"Hey Dean," Sam said with gritted teeth, trying to hide his irritation," Dad know you're getting into his beer?"
Dean waved off his brother's concerns. "What are you reading, Geek-Tron?"
"Stuff," Sam answered shortly, unappreciative of the nickname.
"Must be interesting," Dean said, slowly inching closer to Sam so he could read over his shoulder.
Noticing the action, Sam looked at the page number on the book and mentally catalogued it before slamming the thick text shut and placing it on the floor at his feet. He couldn't leave a page mark, or Dean would want to check out what he was reading, because the only time Sam didn't want his brother to read something was when he decided to.
"Are you trying to hide something, Sammy?" Dean eyed his little brother suspiciously.
Sam's heart rate started to pick up; because Dean could always tell when Sam was lying, but luck finally showed itself to Sam when the phone started to ring and it happened to be Faye on the other line.
"Thank God," Sam whispered to himself.
He shut his eyes to calm his racing heart, but accidentally let himself slip into sleep. It wasn't hard, with the dull thump of his heart echoing in his over sensitive mind, serenading him to sleep in a way only a sick person's body could. What Sam didn't know at the time was that this was going to be one of his last peaceful nights for a while.
a/n: Sorry for the wait! It took a classic country cd to inspire me to finish this chapter. Amazing, no? If you're ever bored, I suggest picking up a Johnny Cash album. John Winchester will never be far from your mind while you're listening to it.
