Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters. I and am not making any money on this…I'm just having fun!

Thief of the Night

Chapter 10 – Calling for Help

The oldest Winchester had spent the last hour trying to read through his youngest son's notes. He had been impressed with the amount of information his son had gathered and organized. Sam had compiled a list of possible supernatural beings in addition to soul eaters who caused or fed off illness or weakened individuals. The list had been long—longer than he thought possible.

It was clear Sam had been working his way through the list, crossing off each thing as he eliminated it based on the information they had. His youngest had picked up on what he should have seen right away. Since there was no apparent connection, he'd scrapped the idea that the supernatural being caused the illness, but rather was drawn to the sick or injured person.

He smiled softly as he saw his son had circled Raven Mocker on the list. He'd found out that it was a local legend from the Cherokee people who had lived here during colonial times. It tracked with what the doctor had mentioned. As he continued to try to decipher his son's notes, his cell phone rang. John answered it on the first ring.

"Bobby, tell me you have something for me?" John said as he looked towards the room where his youngest was sleeping. A twinge of guilt crept up on him as he realized Sam had figured it out without any help from him or Dean. In fact, because of him and his stupid pride, they'd lost valuable time.

"Well your doctor friend may have been onto somethin' John. According to what I could find out, the Raven Mocker is one mean son of a btch. It was one of the most feared supernatural beings by the local Indian tribes."

"I know Bobby. I've been looking over Sammy's notes. The kid found out more in one day than I had been able to dig up over the past week." John sighed as he remembered how he'd acted when Sam questioned his conclusions. He knew his son was sharp when it came to research but he'd just gotten so tired of being questioned by his youngest, he'd discounted what he'd found. When had it become a contest of who was better?

"Let me guess, the kid probably found out the Raven Mocker is a type of witch. Which means it will be difficult to find it or we could even be dealing with more than one. The damn thing increases its life span by stealing the years the victim would have had if they hadn't died." John could hear the concern in his old friend's voice.

"We have to be sure Bobby. I can't take the chance—if we're wrong again Sam could…" John refused to say it out loud. He couldn't be wrong this time because the price of his failure would be too high. He couldn't lose Mary's baby boy, his son. It would destroy him.

"There's one sure way to know Johnny. You need to dig up the last victim's body and see if he's still got his heart…"

"Bobby, Dean and I interviewed all the surviving families or friends of the victims. I checked the coroner's reports. None of them mentioned the person was missing a heart. I think they would have mentioned something like that—maybe we are on the wrong track…"

Bobby snorted into the phone. "You idgit, this is a witch we're talkin' about. The heart would be taken without leavin' a mark on the body. No one would know unless they was lookin' for it. You know as well as I do, in the case of illness there's no autopsy—the medical examiner was just signing off on cause of death. Believe me, the witch takes the heart and eats it after the victim dies; that's how it steals the person's life."

John paced with the phone in his hand. He already knew where Mr. Jackson was buried. He could dig him up later tonight, but without Dean's help it could be risky. Before he could finish his line of thought Bobby interrupted him. "I'm about four hours from you—I left as soon as you called. Just wait for me and I'll give you a hand…"

The hunter smiled. "Thanks Bobby. I can't leave Sam alone…"

"You got that right Johnny. The boy is in a whole lot of trouble if it is a Raven Mocker. The things are damn near impossible to kill." Once again Bobby's concern filtered through the phone and filled the oldest Winchester's heart with dread.

"How do I protect him then?" He asked his old friend. He already had placed wards around the cabin and even put a dream catcher over Sam's bed. But he knew none of that would stop a determined witch.

"You can't John. That's why it's so dangerous. When the witch takes on the form of the Raven, it's invisible to all but the one who is affected. It can attack him when he is awake or when he's asleep. According to what I found, it continues to terrorize the victim until they become weaker and weaker. Eventually they die and the witch takes off with the heart right under the noses of anyone who is present."

"Great! So how the hell do we kill this thing?" John asked. His fear for his son increased as he realized what they might be up against.

"I could only find one way Johnny and you aren't gonna like it. You have to identify the witch's true form—you have to face the actual witch. Once its cover is blown, the creature will die within seven days." Bobby sighed on the other end of the phone. It was clear the older hunter was worried. Which meant John's level of concern rose another notch.

"I'll wait for you to get here. Once we know for sure what we're dealing with, I think I might have a lead on who the Raven Mocker might be…" John looked at the almost full IV bag on the kitchen counter. It made perfect sense. The Raven Mocker could pose as a doctor which would give it access to anyone who became ill or badly injured. But first he was going to verify what they were hunting—then he'd take care of the good doctor.

"Good, don't do nothin' stupid Johnny—I know how you get when one of your boys is threatened…." Bobby warned as he ended the conversation.

"No, I was stupid before and now my youngest is paying the price…" John whispered as he placed his head in his hands.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Dean held his little brother up while he tried to get some more of the sports drink into him that his father had left in the room. He could see Sam was a little more alert, but his little brother still hadn't said anything. He saw his brother's eyes looking out towards the main room. They both could hear their father talking to Bobby on the phone.

"Bobby, Dean and I interviewed all the surviving families or friends of the victims. None of them mentioned the person was missing a heart…I think they would have mentioned something like that—maybe we are on the wrong track…"

His father's voice sounded worried. He had never known his Dad to second guess himself like this. He looked down at Sam and knew it was because of his fear for his youngest son. "Don't worry Sammy, Dad will figure it out…"

"Thanks Bobby. I can't leave Sam alone…"

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sam blinked as he heard the words. Once again his father made it clear he couldn't be trusted, but then after what had happened he didn't blame him. He saw Dean listening to what his father was saying but he tuned it out. He didn't need to hear anymore about how disappointed his father was with him. He didn't want to be reminded of what a burden he was to his family—a total screw up.

A lone tear fell down his cheek as he tried to figure out what to do. He couldn't keep holding his father and brother back like this.

"You're a burden to us all Sam." His father's voice echoed in his mind. Sam blinked and looked around but his Dad was still on the phone with Bobby. His breathing hitched as he tried to figure out where the voice was coming from.

"We'd be better off if you would just leave." This time it was Dean's voice but Sam hadn't seen his brother's lips move. He closed his eyes and swallowed. Now he was hearing things. No wonder his Dad and brother didn't believe him. If he was hearing voices did that mean he was getting worse? Had he really seen the Raven or was he just imagining it? He'd been researching the Raven Mocker just before he left, could his mind be forcing the pieces together to fit when in fact it was something else?

And yet deep down he knew he was right. It was a Raven Mocker and he was being targeted. Hell his father was arguing with Bobby over the missing hearts of the victims. A sure sign it wasn't a soul eater. He placed his own hand over his chest for a moment as the horror of what he might be facing took root. The witch had to take his heart and eat it to gain longer life.

The sound of wings caused him to open his eyes and look towards the window. There right in front of him the Raven was perched on the sill. Its head was cocked as if it was trying to decide whether or not to attack. He closed his eyes and reopened them, but the bird was still there glaring at him. Hard black eyes glinted in the soft lighting of the room, eyes filled with evil and hunger.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Dean didn't notice his younger brother tense as he heard the words. He had turned to put the sports drink back on the table and was trying to catch the rest of his father's conversation with Bobby. By the time he turned around, Sam was staring off into space, his eyes slightly unfocused. He wished he could tell what was going on inside his brother's head. He could see the fear and also despair in his little brother's hazel eyes. Sam's eyes were a barometer to his brother's state of being.

"Sounds like Bobby is coming Sammy. I bet he'll bring along some of his old dusty books for you to read. I know how much you like going through them when we visit his house. Hey maybe we can go there after you're feeling better—would you like that Sam?" Dean watched as his brother's gaze slid sideways to look out the window. His eyes grew large for a moment and his breathing hitched before he heard his brother whisper.

"Go away…I don't want you here." Sam's eyes closed slowly as he gave in to his body's need for rest. Dean felt tears form in his eyes as he looked at his younger brother. He'd left to prove himself he said, but what if he had really wanted to get away from him?

The older sibling realized he'd been a little hard on Sam lately. He really was sorry about some of the things he'd said and didn't say. But it hurt to think Sam didn't want him any more. It hurt a lot worse than anything he'd encountered. "Sammy please—just give me a chance. I'll make it up to you. Don't give up on me—on our family. You belong here, with me and Dad not with some old lady who doesn't even know you. You're a Winchester even if you don't believe it right now. I'll make sure you do once you feel better."

Dean heard a noise near the door as his father entered the room. "How's he doing son?"

The older boy took a deep breath and quickly wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. It wouldn't do to let his Dad see him upset. "Ah--he seems to be fine Dad. He still has a low grade fever and I think he was in a little pain when he woke up but I gave him the pills you left. He also drank half the bottle of sports drink…"

"Good job Dean. Bobby will be here in a few hours to help. We have to go dig up Mr. Jackson to see if we really are dealing with a Raven Mocker. I need you to stay here with Sam. No one comes in except for me or Bobby—you understand Dean?" Dean could see the concern in his father's face as he looked at his youngest lying so quiet on the bed.

"I understand Dad. I heard some of what you said to Bobby. Did he know how to kill it?" Dean wanted to shoot something. He couldn't help but think whatever they had been hunting was responsible for his brother's current condition and no one hurt his brother. Of course, he knew his father and him hadn't helped either. He'd be more careful in the future but right now they had to concentrate on keeping Sam safe from this new threat.

"We have to find its true form and then it will die on its own in seven days according to Bobby." John ran a hand through his hair as he paced the room. "The problem will be in identifying its true form. The damn thing could be anyone…"

"You think it might be Robert?" Dean said as he looked at the small bandage on his brother's hand.

"It fits. He'd have access to anyone who was sick or injured. He could then target them easily enough. Unfortunately in its animal form, the son of btch is invisible to anyone but the victim. So he doesn't have to stick around in his human form."

"Well I say we don't take any chances Dad. If all we have to do is identify him—why don't we just pay the good doctor a visit and beat the truth out of him." Dean saw his Dad smile sadly at him.

"We—I mean—I was already wrong once on this hunt Dean. I won't risk your brother on a hunch. First we make sure it's a Raven Mocker. Then we talk to Robert." Dean saw his father smile softly and move towards the bed. He turned and saw Sam's hazel eyes watching them.

His father stopped, his face paled as he heard his son whisper. "Its here Dad—Raven Mocker—I can see it…" Sam turned towards the window again, his eyes filled with fear.

Both Dean and his father looked towards the window but could see nothing. His father had pulled out his gun, but there was nothing to aim at. Dean watched Sam begin to shake as his good arm rose as if to deflect an unseen blow. He heard his brother cry out in pain. "Sammy!" Dean lunged towards the bed and covered his brother's body with his own. He could hear his father moving around the room but there was nothing for them to fight—nothing for them to even aim at.

"Sammy, where is it?" Dean asked as he felt his brother tremble beneath him. "On the dresser Dean—it hurts—the claws—make it stop Dean please!" Sam cried.

Dean wanted to help, but he didn't know what to do. There were no claw marks and yet his brother had yelped in pain. As he looked down at the terrified teenager a thought came into his mind. "Sam, you can see it right?"

Liquid hazel eyes looked up at him as his little brother nodded. "Okay, I've got an idea. Dad, is that gun loaded with silver bullets?"

"Yes Dean, but I can't see where to aim it—besides it won't kill it according to Bobby." His father moved to sit beside Sam on the bed, his gun still pulled and ready.

Dean rolled off Sam and knelt beside his brother on the bed. "Sam, listen to me. Do you think you can shoot?"

Sam blinked and looked at his brother. It was clear he didn't understand. "You can see it but we can't. I think if you shoot it with the silver bullets it might make it go away for a little while. Do you think if I help you hold the gun—can you aim and fire?"

"Good idea Dean. Sammy, you can do this son. Take the gun and aim it where you see the Raven…" His father gently placed the gun in his son's right hand. Dean watched as Sam struggled to do what they asked. His hand shook, but the gun slowly raised and pointed towards the far corner of the room. Dean helped steady his brother's hand while he coaxed his injured sibling.

"That's it Sam, you're a good shot. Just aim and pull the trigger…." Dean saw his brother concentrate for a moment before his finger pulled the trigger. There was a loud bang followed by the sound of the bullet hitting the wooden wall of the cabin.

"Did you get it son?" His father asked quietly.

"It's gone Dad. I think it's gone…" Sam's voice sounded relieved as he let the gun drop to his side. It was clear his little brother was exhausted. Dean took the gun from his brother as he patted him on the shoulder.

"Good job Sammy. I knew you could do it. We'll keep the gun here and you tell me whenever you see the Raven. We should be able to at least buy Dad and Bobby some time to figure out who the Raven Mocker is…" Dean saw a small smile on Sam's face.

"Knew it wasn't a soul eater—didn't make sense. Sorry Dad, I should have figured it out sooner…" Sam said as his eyes began to close.

"No son, you did nothing wrong. Now I want you to try to rest and do what your brother says. Bobby and I are just going to check to make sure it is what we think it is." He patted his son's shoulder when he saw the objection in his young son's eyes. "I know you're probably right Sam, but we have to make sure. If it is a Raven Mocker then I have a good idea of who it might be…"

"Who Dad?" Sam whispered. He still had a strange feeling he knew as well. But he couldn't figure out how.

"I think it might be the doctor who was here earlier. He's been in this area for a long time and had the perfect opportunity to select his victims. Hell he may have even helped some of them along to make them weaker." Dean saw the hard glint in his father's eye. It was clear that the doctor was in for a rough time.

"But what if it's not Dad? What if we're wrong?" Sam asked quietly.

Dean held his breath and waited for the explosion. He was shocked when his father shook his head and sighed. "Then we look for someone else Sam. I don't care if we have to question every person in this area—we'll find the damn thing and get rid of it."

"Okay Dad." Sam said as his eyes finally drifted shut. Dean pulled the blanket up higher and tucked it under his brother's chin.

"Do you want me to do anything else Dad?" The young hunter felt useless. He wanted to do something other than watch his little brother—he needed to help.

"You can keep your brother safe Dean while I figure this out—just keep your brother safe." Dean nodded as he watched his Dad quietly leave the room. His father was right. Now that the hunt had found them, their main priority had to be Sam.

"Don't worry Sammy; I've got your back. You just stay with me okay?" Dean pulled the gun closer to him as he sat down in the chair to wait.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The witch fumed as it looked out over the forest where it made its home. How dare the man child shoot! The bullet had hurt but the wound was already healed. Never before had the being been driven from its victim. It was clear something else needed to be done.

Normally it was content to simply tire the victim out using their own fears and pain to weaken them. It loved the feeling of power and enjoyed the terror it was able to invoke in the person. Especially when it could mimic the voices of those close to the person; it would use the victims' own fears against them. But Sam Winchester felt different from the start. There was something about the boy that drew the being to him. A power that it sensed could destroy it given a chance, but if it could take the power from the boy its life would be prolonged for many years to come.

The problem would come in separating the cub from the overprotective father and brother. The witch had heard enough of the hunter's plans to know time was running out. It would have to speed things up if it wanted to get the boys heart and get safely away. As the forest grew dark the witch smiled. Perhaps there was a way to move things along with a little help from Mother Nature.

It could smell the storm brewing on the wind. Tonight when the father was out it would launch its plan. Feeling better the witch moved to prepare. It had a lot to accomplish and only a short time to do so. Once Sammy Winchester was dead it would need to move on quickly. That would take some preparation.

TBC

Raven524: So for all who wondered what a Raven Mocker is, now hopefully it has become clear. I have tried to respond to everyone who has left a review—hopefully the site forwarded the responses but if not, please accept my heartfelt thanks for all the support I've received. Now ready for some more Limp Sam yet?