Chapter 10:

Dean turned to say something to Sam and finding that the sasquatch wasn't next to him, turned completely around in order to locate him. A moment later he cursed – Sam was nowhere to be seen! Due to his sibling's ridiculous height, Dean knew that he would be visible above the crowds if he was anywhere nearby.

"Where the hell is Sammy? I specifically told him to stay right by me!" Dean's tone showed his exasperation.

Bobby looked around too, noticing for the first time that the youngest Winchester was no longer with them. "The little idjit," he grumbled, running one hand over his beard.

"That kid is so gonna get his behind swatted," muttered Dean, turning abruptly on his heels.

Bobby turned too, but Dean halted the older hunter with a hand on his arm and shook his head. "Don't worry, I've got this. You're gonna be late for your friend. I'll call you when I find him."

Thinking of calling, a thought crossed Dean's mind as he impatiently backtracked the way he had come – what had happened to Sam's cell phone? It definitely wasn't in his duffle, as Dean had emptied it completely when checking for weapons and Sammy hadn't come to him with it asking how it worked, so he strongly suspected that it had been left behind in the warehouse where Sam had been cursed. Perhaps it had fallen out of his pocket when he was thrown against the wall? Just on the off-chance that his sasquatch of a sibling did still have his cell phone, Dean pulled his own out of his pocket and hit speed dial 1. As expected, the automated voice on the end of the line said that the call could not be connected.

Dean made it back to the intersection only a minute after Sam had left it. If he had only turned around and looked the other way, he would have spotted his baby brother heading in the opposite direction.

Two minutes later, he reached the ornate marble fountain, which was the last spot where he was absolutely certain his baby brother had still been with them - Sam had spent five minutes gawping at the cascading, frothing water from the dolphins' mouths and had asked his big brother to explain how it worked.

Dean was getting increasingly irritated. He should have come across Sam by now. Surely the kid had the sense not to just wander off once he realised he was lost? Though apparently he didn't. However, along with the irritation, Dean felt the stirrings of something else – anxiety. But that didn't make sense. What could possibly happen to the kid in a crowded shopping mall? For some reason, his big brother radar had gone on high alert and even though Dean told himself he was being stupid, he was determined to find Sam as quickly as possible.

He approached a security guard who was standing nearby. A glance at his name tag told Dean that he was called Neil Smith.

"Excuse me, sir, but could you help me? I've lost my brother. He's an adult, but he was in a car accident a couple of years ago and suffered brain damage and now only has the understanding of a young child. I'm really worried about him."

Dean could see the genuine sympathy that flickered in Neil's eyes. "Of course, Mr...?"

"Winchester," supplied Dean.

"Right, Mr Winchester, we will do everything in our power to reunite you. Now if I could just take down some details?"

Dean couldn't help cynically wondering if the guard would be as helpful and sympathetic if the missing person wasn't 'disabled'.

After giving a detailed description of what his absentee sibling looked like and what he was wearing, Dean listened as Neil radioed the information through to the main security office. He kept glancing around, expecting to see Sam coming towards him looking sheepish.

Neil turned back to Dean. "All security personnel have been alerted and will keep an eye out for a young adult matching your brother's description. As soon as he's been located they will contact me."

Two minutes later a message was heard over the shopping mall's intercom system: WOULD SAM WINCHESTER PLEASE GO TO A HELP-DESK OR A SECURITY GUARD. YOUR BROTHER IS LOOKING FOR YOU.

Supernatural ~ Supernatural ~ Supernatural

Jason Wentworth and Sam had only exited through the automatic doors and into the car park a couple of minutes before the intercom message rang out.

Sam trotted obediently after the friend of Bobby's. "Are you really sure Dean's not mad at me, sir? He told me to stay with him, so I shouldn't have gotten lost."

Jason Wentworth looked back at Sam as they made their way across the parking lot, a friendly, reassuring smile fixed unwaveringly on his face. "He didn't seem angry, so I wouldn't worry about it. But he was in a real rush and didn't have time to hang around and look for you."

"Where did they go?"

"Umm…to pick up a stranded hunter friend." Jason was relieved that the Winchester brat didn't seem to have picked up on his hesitation.

"How do you know, Uncle Bobby?"

Why the hell did he have to ask questions? "My dad is a close friend of his."

"Oh." Sam nodded and glanced around. He spotted something and paused mid-stride. "I wasn't lost for very long. Are you sure they've set off?"

Sam had never seen another car like theirs in real life, only ever on TV and in his brother's car magazines, and yet a few rows over, there was a sleek black Impala. Although they'd approached from a completely different direction, Sam also thought that this was the area of the parking lot that they'd parked in earlier, but he wasn't one hundred percent certain. Sam really hoped that they hadn't set off yet, because although this man seemed nice enough, he was really quite shy of strangers and would much rather ride with Dean to wherever he needed to go.

"Yeah, they've definitely gone. I waved them off myself."

They continued moving towards the other Impala. Dean will be so excited when I tell him I've seen another one.

Jason halted by a blue ford parked in the next row and opened the passenger door for Sam.

"In you get."

The tall boy stepped forward to comply, casting a last glance at the familiar-looking classic car. He caught sight of what was on the backseat and froze - there were his bags of new toys that they'd dumped there earlier instead of putting them in the trunk. He could even see the bulky plastic castle sticking out of the top of one.

Sam immediately backed up, his heart beginning to race. This man had lied to him!

"Errr, I don't want to come with you. Tell Dean I'll wait for him here."

Jason didn't know what had tipped the kid off, but it was evident that something had. With an animalistic snarl, he lunged forward and grabbed hold of the retreating boy's arm.

"You're coming with me!"

"No!" Sam pulled back as hard as he could, but Jason was using his demonic strength and his struggles were futile.

"Please let me go…..please," pleaded Sam, tears beginning to stream down his cheeks. He was looking at Jason's face imploringly, so he noticed immediately when the man's eyes turned completely black. Even in his state of total panic, the alarm bells went off in Sam's head, remembering what he'd read in his Dad's journal.

Jason had now pulled the recalcitrant boy to the side of his vehicle and was preparing to stuff him forcibly through the passenger door.

Sam was desperate. In a last ditch attempt to break free from his captor, he executed the leg sweep manoeuvre that Dean had so patiently taught him. With lots of practise, he had managed to perfect the move after his disastrous introduction to it. It worked like a charm – Jason went down like a sack of rocks, letting go of Sam's arm in surprise and cracking his head on the wing mirror on the way down.

However, as Sam turned to run he felt a vice-like grip encircle his ankle. Jason had shot his hand out and grabbed the only part of the fleeing boy that he could reach. With a quick yank, he brought Sam crashing down. Hot pain flared through the boy's elbows and knees as they connected with the unyielding tarmac.

"You're gonna pay for that," snarled Jason, tightening his grip on the ankle to such an extent that Sam whimpered in pain.

Sam then did the only thing that he could think of. It was the very first defensive move that his father had ever taught him. He squirmed to look at the man sprawled on the ground next to him, took aim with his free foot and kicked Jason as hard as he could in the groin.

Jason swore and let go of Sam, his body involuntarily curling up to try and minimise the pain.

Sam immediately scrambled away on hands and knees until he was certain he was out of reach. Only then, did he stagger to his feet and sprint as fast as could, limping slightly due to his jarred knees and sore ankle, towards the nearest entrance to the shopping mall.

Once inside he skidded to a halt. He needed Dean! How could he find him? The appearance of a sobbing adult in a heaving public place caused quite a spectacle and a considerable number of people stopped and openly stared, but only one, a kindly elderly lady tried to help.

"Hello, Sweetie. Are you all right?"

Sam shook his head. "C-can't talk to st-strangers," he stammered through his tears. He watched the automatic doors fearfully, petrified that the man who had tried to kidnap him would reappear.

The lady, Penny, placed a gentle hand on his arm, but Sam immediately flinched back. What if she was trying to take him too?

Penny quickly withdrew her hand. "Don't worry, Sweetheart. I'm going to go get you some help. Okay?"

Sam nodded. Maybe she could find Dean?

The Good Samaritan moved through the gawking crowd shaking her head sadly. Whatever happened to love your neighbour? she thought. It made her angry that people could find the distressed state that the young man was obviously in entertaining. At last she found what she was looking for – a security guard.

After listening to Penny's explanation, the guard questioned her about what the young man was wearing and what he looked like, as they made their way back to where the boy was.

"Did he seem, well…all there?" he asked, convinced that he'd just found the missing brain-damaged Sam Winchester.

Penny gave him a cold look. "I don't like your turn of phrase. All I know is that he's upset and needs to be helped."

Sam was standing exactly where Penny had left him.

"Here you are, Sweetie. This man can help you."

"You're Sam Winchester aren't you? Your brother's looking for you," said the guard, not unfriendly, "If you'll just come with me, I'll take you to him."

Sam's eyes widened in panic and he backed away. "No, I'm not g-going anywhere with y-you!" That other man had known his name too, it could be another trick!

"It's okay, son," soothed the guard, fearful that the frantic boy was going to turn tail and run, "I'll radio through our position and get your brother to come to you instead. How's that sound?"

Penny was careful not to go too close and startle the boy. "See, it's going to be okay. Your brother will be here soon. You don't need to be upset."

Supernatural ~ Supernatural ~ Supernatural ~

Dean's irritation melted completely when he saw how distraught his baby brother looked. Sam was standing, hugging himself protectively while eyeing the security guard and a grey-haired woman in front of him warily. The kid was also sobbing his heart out. Dean was instantly worried and hurried forward – Sammy hadn't been this upset when he had gotten lost when he was only six.

Sam risked a glance away from the guard and lady to look around. The man had said that Dean was coming for him. He needed Dean! Dean would make everything better! But what if the guard was lying like the man who had tried to kidnap him?

"Dean!" Sam ran towards his brother and Dean suddenly found his arms full of crying, trembling Sammy.

"Hey, it's okay," soothed Dean, his arms instinctively tightening around the younger boy's shaking frame, "I've gotcha, you're alright."

"Do you need anything else, Mr Winchester?" asked Neil, who had escorted Dean to where his brother had been found.

Dean flashed a grateful smile at the guard. "No, thank you for all your help."

"I'm just glad you've found him safe and sound. You must have been so worried given his condition."

Dean nodded again in thanks, before turning his attention back to his distraught brother.

"Calm down, Buddy. It's okay, you're not lost anymore. You hear me?"

He felt Sam nod against his shoulder where his head was buried.

"I w-was so scared, D-dean," he sniffed.

"Yeah, but you're okay now. Though we will be having a little chat about doing as you're told….I remember specifically telling you to stay with me and Bobby," he scolded gently.

"I know," murmured Sam, "I'm sorry. I d-didn't mean to g-get left behind and then that m-man…." Sam gave another sob, fear washing over him once more as he remembered.

"The man who helped you?" prompted Dean. He was concerned by the degree of distress that the kid was displaying. Something didn't add up.

Sam shook his head violently against his brother's shoulder.

"N-no, the one who tried t-to kidnap m-me."

Dean stiffened, his thoughts immediately in a whirl. Someone had tried to take his Sammy?

"You mean the security guard who wanted you to go with him?" he queried, knowing from Neil that his brother had refused to go with the guard who found him.

"No, n-not him, the m-man with bl-black eyes. I think it w-was a d-demon, Dean."

Dean was certain his heart had stopped. Suddenly his brother's extreme reaction was starting to make sense. He needed to find out exactly what had happened and fast, but not in the middle of a public place.

Dean glanced around and noticed for the first time that they had quite an audience, but then it wasn't every day that you saw two grown men hugging in the middle of a shopping mall.

Remembering that there were some benches skirting the parking lot, Dean gently disentangled himself from his brother's embrace and took hold of Sam's hand, leading him towards the exit.

"Let's get some fresh air, kiddo, and you can tell me all about it."

Sam sniffled and willingly followed his brother. His sobbing was starting to taper off. Dean wouldn't let anything happen to him! He was safe.

Dean noticed Sam's slight limp and his growing anger and worry increased. "Did the man hurt you, Sammy?"

Sam nodded. "He made me fall over and grabbed me. My ankle hurts the worst."

Dean couldn't understand how someone could forcibly try and take his brother in the middle of a crowded shopping mall without anyone lifting a finger to stop them.

"Didn't anyone try and help you when the man knocked you over?"

"There wasn't anyone around, Dean."

Dean looked puzzled. "But it was heaving. Were you in a bathroom or something?"

"He didn't attack me until I'd followed him to the car park."

For a moment Dean was totally stunned. Then he let go of Sam's hand, put both hands on the tall boy's shoulders and shook him. Hard.

"Dammit, Sammy! You went with a perfect stranger? You know better than that! What the hell were you thinking?"

At Dean's raised voice, Sam burst into fresh sobs and as soon as his brother stopped shaking him he turned away from Dean, hugging himself protectively and staring miserably at the floor.

"I-I'm so-horry, D-dean. I d-didn't kn-know. H-he knew m-my n-name a-and y-yours and u-uncle B-bobby's. He s-said you'd s-sent h-him. I w-was dumb t-to b-believe h-him." Sam was crying so hard as a result of Dean's censure that he could hardly talk.

Dean cursed himself – he was totally freaked by the fact that a demon had nearly gotten Sam and he'd lost control of his heightened emotions for just a moment.

"No, Sammy, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you." Dean pulled his sobbing brother into his arms, relieved that the boy had obviously forgiven his outburst, as he melted into him and didn't pull away. "You know like when you're tired and haven't had enough sleep and you take it out on people around you even though they've done nothing?" He felt Sam nod against his shoulder. "Well that's what I just did to you. I'm mad at the man who tried to take you, not you, but I lashed out at you, because I can't get him right now. I'm really sorry. So we're good?"

Sam nodded again, his breathing ragged as he fought to control his sobs once more. Dean cupped the back of his brother's neck with one hand and used his thumb to rub gentle, soothing circles. He pressed a tender kiss to Sam's temple and murmured a string of soft reassurances. After a few minutes, Sam calmed down sufficiently to be able to speak properly again and Dean once more took his hand and led him towards the nearest bench.

Once seated, with Dean's strong, supportive arm around his shoulders, Sam haltingly recounted the events from when he got separated from Dean until he was reunited with him in detail. Occasionally his big brother would interrupt with a question. What Dean learned from Sam left him reeling and he really needed to talk to Bobby, but that would have to wait until the youngest Winchester wasn't present. In the meanwhile, he had to put on a calm front for Sam. He wanted nothing more than to gut the demon responsible, but logic told him that it would have long gone and anyway, he couldn't search for it with Sam in tow.

"I'm proud of you, kiddo. You were really brave! And you remembered your training. Well done!" Dean couldn't bring himself to contemplate what could have happened if Sammy hadn't managed to escape.

Sam smiled at his big brother's praise, his dimples finally making an appearance.

Dean knelt on the ground in front of Sam so that he could check the kid's injuries. By the morning, Dean had no doubt that the boy would be sporting some magnificent bruises on his elbows and knees from his fall, but luckily the skin hadn't broken. His ankle was slightly swollen and there was already considerable bruising evident, but Dean was thankful that no serious, lasting damage had been done.

He sat himself back on the bench next to Sam and placed two fingers under the boy's chin, gently bringing his head round so that he could look him in the eyes.

"I need you to listen to me, Sammy. This is really serious. I'm not mad that you went with that demon…it would have fooled most people. But I don't want it happening again, so from now on, I want you to promise me that you won't go anywhere with anyone unless either me or Bobby are present. Okay?"

"Or Dad," put in Sam.

Dean swallowed around the sudden lump in his throat. "Yeah Sammy, that's right, if me, Uncle Bobby or Dad are there it's fine, otherwise, you don't go. Under any circumstances. Understood? No matter what they tell you or what they know. I want you to promise me."

"Okay, Dean. I promise."

"Good." Dean stood up, an idea having just crossed his mind. "Come on. Let's go buy you a cell phone. Then you can always get hold of me in an emergency."

Sam's eyes widened. Under other circumstances, Dean would have found it comical. "My own cell phone? Really? But they're ridiculously expensive. That's just so cool!"

Dean couldn't help grinning at his Sam's enthusiasm and contemplated his brother vigilantly as they walked back towards the shopping mall. He was relieved to note that the kid no longer appeared scared or upset, though it was evident from his red-rimmed eyes that he had been crying.

"Where's Uncle Bobby?" asked Sam.

"Oh, sh….sugar!" Dean changed what he was going to say at the last second. "Bobby's gonna kill me. I was supposed to ring when I found you."

He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and frowned when he saw two missed calls from the older hunter. The ringer had been set to silent so he hadn't heard it go off. He hit speed dial 3 and waited. Bobby picked up on the second ring.

"I'm really sorry, Bobby. I forgot…"

Bobby cut him off harshly. "You forgot? Yah idjit! Here was me panickin' that somethin' had happened when I didn't hear from you and you blinkin' forgot!..."

Dean moved the phone away from his head as the volume of the hunter's rant hurt his ear.

"Uncle Bobby's mad, huh?" asked Sam. He couldn't make out the words, but from the sounds emitting from the phone it was obvious that his surrogate uncle was yelling.

"You could say that," muttered Dean, waiting for a pause in the ensuing rant, so that he could get a word in.

Eventually, Bobby stopped to take breath and Dean jumped in. "Something did happen. We kinda have a situation here."

"What happened?" Worry was now evident in the older hunter's tone.

Dean glanced at Sam who was watching him. He had to be careful what he said. "A demon tried to take Sam, Bobby…"

"What?" Dean had expected the explosion.

"Yeah, so I'll explain everything later okay? He's all right though, so don't worry."

"Where are you?" asked the older hunter gruffly, catching on immediately that Dean didn't want to discuss things in front of Sam. "I'm gonna cut my lunch date short."

"You sure? You don't have to. We'll be in the telecommunications shop. I think it's a good idea for Sammy to have a cell phone."

Supernatural ~ Supernatural ~ Supernatural ~

Dean pulled up outside Bobby's. Sam was on the verge of falling asleep in the backseat. With the shock that the kid had had earlier, Dean wasn't surprised that the emotional trauma had worn him out.

He opened the passenger door for him. "Come on, Tiger. Why don't you go have a lie down for a bit?"

That woke Sam right up. "I'm not a baby, Dean. I don't need an afternoon nap," he replied indignantly.

"I know you're not." Dean held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I just thought you might wanna try out my new bed, it's totally amazing!" he grinned.

Sam shook his shaggy head. "I'm not stupid either, Dean. I don't need a nap, so bribing me with your bed isn't gonna work. Anyway, I want you to show me my new phone."

Dean sat down next to Sam on the worn leather sofa and helped the boy to unpack and assemble the cell phone.

"I can't believe they're so small now," babbled Sam, "I mean Dad's was gigantic and so heavy."

Dean took the phone and immediately stored his own and Bobby's numbers in it, before modelling how to make a call. He then demonstrated how to send a text message. Sam was totally enthralled.

"Wow," he breathed, "it's totally amazing. And it can really play music and take pictures too?"

"Yeah, Sammy, it can. We need to charge it properly now though, so why don't we watch some TV?"

As Dean took the phone to charge, he quickly checked it to make sure that the GPS was turned on – he'd feel better if he had a way to track the kid!

Twenty minutes later, Dean looked down at Sam who was leaning on him fast asleep.

"So much for not needing a nap, kiddo," he murmured softly, gently running his hands through the boy's tousled bangs. He looked up as Bobby entered.

"How's he doin'?" questioned the older hunter, careful to keep his voice low and not awaken the sleeping child.

Dean ran an agitated hand over his face before replying. "Better than me, Bobby, he seems fine."

Bobby nodded. "That's kids for you. Resilient they are. You wanna talk about it?"

Dean shook his head. "Not 'til he's gone to bed proper tonight. I can't risk him waking up and overhearing."

Sam slept until nearly suppertime. Dean was quite uncomfortable by this point. He had been careful not to move and accidentally wake his sibling, but his muscles were protesting at having remained in the same position for over two hours.

"Hey, Sammy. You okay?" Dean felt the stirring against him and saw two sleepy hazel eyes blinking up at him.

Sam pushed himself up into a sitting position, for a moment the last vestiges of sleep making him disorientated. "Dean? Why am I sleeping on the sofa?"

"Because it turns out you did need a nap after all, princess," he teased, standing and stretching his cramped muscles.

"Jerk." Sam punched his brother's thigh before yawning and stretching himself. His eyes suddenly fell on the toy bags that someone must have carried in from the car while he had been asleep - he figured it must have been Bobby as he'd evidently been using Dean as a pillow. A sudden smile lit up his face as he remembered the gift he had bought for his brother.

"Dean," he instructed eagerly, "close your eyes and hold out your hands."

"Why?" asked Dean suspiciously.

"I've got something for you."

"What?"

"Just do it…..pleeeeease." Sam had his puppy-dog eyes out.

Dean sighed and complied. He fully expected this to be another prank and to find his hands suddenly full of slime or something.

"Don't open 'em 'til I tell you," Sam instructed.

Dean heard a rustling sound and then felt something placed in his outstretched palms.

"Can I look now?"

"Yeah."

Dean opened his eyes and saw his baby brother beaming at him before glancing down to see what his hands held. On seeing what it was, Dean felt his heart constrict and became aware of an uncomfortable prickling sensation behind his eyes. He understood the sacrifice. He knew how many toys his brother could have purchased in the place of the perfect replica of the Impala he now held.

"So do you like it?" Sam was beginning to sound anxious and Dean realised that he had just been standing there, staring at it.

"I love it, Sammy!" Dean pulled his brother into a hug. "Thank you. You're the best little brother ever!"

Supernatural ~ Supernatural ~ Supernatural ~

Dean made his way back downstairs to Bobby after checking on Sam.

"He asleep yet?" asked the older hunter when Dean entered the library.

"Yeah, sleeping like a babe."

"Good. Now tell me what the blazes happened today!"

Dean carefully recounted the events at the shopping mall. Bobby looked shocked and didn't say a word when Dean finally finished the tale and he wondered if the older hunter had drawn the same disturbing conclusions that he had.

"Demons know about Sam's predicament, Bobby…it's obvious from how that SOB treated him and what he said. I dunno if he saw us in the toyshop or what, but he knows. He knows Sam's vulnerable and can't protect himself. And if one demon knows, you can pretty much guarantee others soon will if they don't already. And why did he try to take him? Was it a spur of the moment decision? Or was it somethin' to do with the plan that yellow-eyed SOB has?"

Dean slammed his fist into the wall in frustration.

"Hey, son, listen to me," Bobby found his voice, "It's gonna be okay." He stood and moved over to the boy he thought of as his own and put a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"How can it be, Bobby? He's helpless like this."

Bobby could see the fear written in the younger hunter's eyes: the fear that he wouldn't be able to protect his baby brother – his reason for living. "He wasn't helpless today, Dean. He got away all on his own. And nothing's going to happen to him. We won't let it!"

Dean took a few deep breaths to calm himself and when he looked back at Bobby, the anger was replaced with a deep sadness.

"He's gonna hate me, Bobby. Worse than he ever did Dad." Dean's voice sounded broken, defeated.

"What do you mean, son? That boy worships the ground you walk on. You gotta know that."

"Now maybe," Dean conceded, "but what about when he's older? Keeping him on a short leash is fine now while he's just a little kid, but what about when he's a teenager? I can't see it going down well that I won't let him go see a movie on his own when he's fourteen say. And there's no way I'm letting him out of my sight! Not while I know some demon has plans for him!" Dean gave a self-deprecating laugh before continuing. "And he hated Dad's restrictions….they'll be nothing compared to mine. And I wanted to give him a chance at a happy, normal childhood…yeah, right!"

"Dean!" Bobby's tone was sharp. "We won't let it come to that. That warlock may still turn up and cure him and even if he doesn't, we have other options open to us."

Dean didn't look convinced. "Like what?"

"Hunting down that evil yellow-eyed brute that started all this for a start. We just have to find out what the plans for Sam are and stop 'em!"

"You make it sound so simple."

"Well it is. And in the meantime, we just keep him safe."

Dean nodded, forcibly getting a firm grip on his runaway emotions. "Thanks, Bobby. For everything."

"Get away with yah, you idjit, you're family."

Four hours later, Bobby paused in the doorway of his spare bedroom and felt his heart swell as he watched his boys sleeping. Sam must have had a nightmare, because he was in Dean's bed, snuggled into his side and the older boy had his arm protectively flung across his waist. He grinned as he made his way to his own room – the king-sized bed had definitely been a worthwhile investment!

Author's note: So Sammy has successfully escaped Jason's clutches…or has he?