Warnings and declaimers see Chapter 1
Chapter 10 Hospital
Sam was about to bolt off along the ditch when Bobby grabbed his arm.
"Sam stop for a second." He panted.
"But Bobby, we are so close."
"I'm not gonna stop you, boy. I'm gonna run back and get the truck and drive up the service road in case he's up there. We can get him home quicker that way. You keep goin, just keep an eye out for me and let me know when you find him, okay?"
"Yeah Bobby, good idea."
Bobby headed off in the direction of the parking lot as quick as he could. Sam set off at a fast jog scanning for signs of his brother as he went. He saw spots where Dean had stopped, given the flat grass and the marks in the ditch. Sam was fully appreciatied just how tough his brother really was. He was his hero and had been for a long time, but it was times like this when it was brought home fully to him just how strong his brother was. When Dean was away on a hunt with their dad, Sam didnt have much of a chance to see his big brother in action, because he was normally left behind and when Dean was with Sam he was protective more than anything else. Dean had never let him down as far as always returning from a hunt, because Sam made him promise every time before he left with their dad. He always looked like he wanted to stay with Sam but then he would always hug Sam roughly and kiss the top of his head before giving him his promise. Sam pushed on as fast as his legs would go, coming out of the ditch and bolting down the road only slowing when he saw boot marks in the gravel and snow.
Sam ran into Bobby's yard yelling as loud as he could but there was no answer. He was about to run back down the drive and find Bobby when a shape at Bobby's front door caught his eye.
"Dean!" He yelled and flew to the doorway almost banging his head on the door as he skidded to a stop.
"Dean, Dean, Dean." He yelled as he felt Deans neck for a pulse.
It was thready but there. Sam lowered Dean's slumped form so he was lying flat on the porch. Sam could feel the heat coming off his brother like he had just opened an oven, sweat pouring off his face. Sam patted Dean's face and rubbed a hand through his normally spiky hair.
"Come on big brother, wake Deaney, you're scaring me, come on". Sam was so panicked he was using Dean's nickname from when he was very little.
Dean murmured and opened his eyes half way, a hand reaching for his brother. Sam took his hand and squeezed hard willing Dean to be okay.
"Hey Dean. You made it big brother."
"Sammy?"
"Yeah, Dean it's me."
"You okay?"
"Am I okay? I'm not the one who was lost in the forest for two days. You nearly gave me and Bobby a heart attack." Sam held Dean's head in his arm, not caring about the heat just glad his brother was showing signs of life.
"Bobby?" Dean's eyes slid around looking for Bobby.
"He's getting the truck, he'll be here in a minute."
Dean moved restlessly then tried to sit up but started to cough and fell back down.
"Don't move Dean just stay still. Bobby will be here to help in a minute." Sam rubbed a hand over Dean's cheek trying to soothe him.
Dean looked into Sam's eyes and smiled slightly trying to reassure his brother but Sam had just started to take in what a mess Dean was. He was wet with sweat and shaking like mad,very pale and had died blood in a number of places. Sam heard the truck pull in behind him and he turned and waved Bobby over.
Bobby reached Sam and Dean on the porch and assessed Dean quickly, there was no point taking him inside he needed medical help straight away.
"Hi Dean. How you feelin?" Bobby felt Deans head and pulse as he spoke.
Dean turned his glassy eyes to Bobby.
"Hey Bobby." He muttered "Is your dog okay? I'm sorry I tried to keep him safe."
"Shh shh. Its okay, Dean. Castro is fine, just worry about yourself for once. Save your strength. How is your foot? Do you think it's broken?"
Bobby touched the swollen foot gently. Dean nodded slowly.
"I'm going to pick you up and put you in the truck. You want me on your right? Will that feel better?"
Dean nodded again. Bobby knew the young man was in a bad way because he was letting him carry him to the truck instead of trying to stand like he normally would.
Dean's face paled even further when Bobby lifted him off the porch. Sam ran and opened the passenger door of the truck. Bobby laid Dean across the front seat of the truck, with his feet facing the driver's seat and his back against the passenger door. Bobby called Sam over and had him sit in the passenger seat under Dean and lay Dean's back against his chest. Sam put his arms around his brother holding him upright. Bobby got in and placed his jacket under Deans left foot as gently as he could, then started the trunk and drove off smoothly.
Once he was on the road Bobby glanced over to see Dean had shifted slightly so he could see Sam's face and had gone back to holding Sam's hand. Dean's eyes were barely open and after a few minutes he pushed his face into Sam's neck. Sam looked stunned that his older brother was burrowing into him looking for comfort when it was normally him doing it to Dean. Sam murmured to Dean and ran a hand through Deans wet hair, something Dean did to Sam when he was hurt or upset.
"Where we goin'?"
"Hang on Dean. We're getting you some help okay? You just have to hang on. You've done really well so far, just a little further okay?"
"Sammy."
"Yeah Dean?"
"Love you, Sammy. Missed you."
Okay, Dean was officially delirious. Dean Winchester did not tell his brother he loved him, even if it were true, it was just to girly. Dean's eyes rolled back in his head and flopped onto Sam with all his weight.
"Dean stay with me. Dean, Dean you can't go, you always promise and you always come back. Dean please wake up." Sam was babbling he was that scared for his brother.
Sam's shaking fingers went to Dean's neck as the truck pulled up, they had arrived at the hospital.
Bobby jumped out, flung the passenger door open and scooped Dean off Sam's lap. Sam made sure Dean's left foot didn't hit anything as Bobby pulled him out of the truck. Bobby and Sam raced into the ER, Dean unconscious and floppy in Bobby's arms.
"Please, I need help. My nephew was lost in the forest for two nights and he's real sick."
Bobby practically yelled at the triage nurse. A doctor came out of some doors to Bobby's right and took a quick look at Dean and ushered them through the doors to the ER area. Bobby and Sam followed the doctor to a bed in an exam room and Bobby placed Dean gently on the bed.
"What happened to ..? "
The doctor asked as he examined Dean.
"Dean. He was attacked by some guys on bikes and as far as we can tell they took him into the forest and left him there. How he got the injuries I can't exactly say except it must have happened when they chased him into the forest. He was there for two nights and walked out this afternoon."
Bobby was surprised he could actually tell as much truth as he could about Deans injuries. Normally they had to make up some story to explain the hunting injuries they sustained.
"He walked out of the forest on his own?"
"Yeah."
"Wow, he must be one tough kid. How old is he?"
"Fifteen."
"Well, he was probably tied up at some stage and pulled along judging by the depth of the cuts and burns on his wrists. He has a good case of exposure all right. The important thing is that his breathing and heart rate are monitored."
The doctor had seen Sam and was trying to reassure the youth that his friend would be okay. "Are you Dean's friend?"
"He's my brother," Sam said a little aggressively.
"Ah, very good. You look tired. Are you okay?"
"Sam and I have spent the last couple of days looking for his brother non stop, doc. We're both pretty tired." Bobby explained.
"Yes, I understand." The doctor hadn't stopped his exam as he talked to them. He pulled Dean T shirt slowly off his stomach. "We have a problem here."
"You think?" Bobby quipped.
"Ah, a rather large one I'm afraid." He leaned over and pressed a button as he pushed a thermometer into Dean's ear.
After a moment it beeped and he pulled it out, he frowned but didn't look surprised.
"Dean has a quite bad infection. It's turned lymphatic and he needs immediate treatment. Its about to get very busy in here so I'm going to have to ask you to sit outside while we make sure Dean gets the best treatment we can provide."
"Oh, okay doc just make sure he is okay."
"He has a broken foot." Sam spoke up not wanting to leave his brother.
"I will make sure it's looked after, thank you Sam. I'm Dr Kelly by the way. I will look after Dean for you. As soon as we have him sorted we will let you know."
Dr Kelly turned back to Dean as two nurses entered the room. One walked over and helped the doctor and the other escorted Bobby and Sam out to the waiting room to fill out the inevitable paperwork.
TBC