Chapter 10

Dean woke up to find himself in shackles chained to a wall. He was on the ground and it felt like he had suffered a kick to the guts. He lifted his head to look around and that was when he noticed the shackles on his wrists. He wanted to curse since he could slip cuffs since Dad had taught him how but he was helpless when it came to iron shackles. This was meant to keep them locked up.

Dean managed to drag himself to a sitting position and he looked around. That deputy Charlie Russ was still alive but Dean didn't have much hope for the guy that ran off. Charlie was sitting against the rock wall and he was semi-conscious. Dean then focused on his attention on looking for his brother. A slight moan got his attention.

Sam was unconscious on the ground and Dean could make out blood matting his hair. That coot must've hit Sam with a rock or something. The distance between them could easily be reached but the only thing that was a sticking point was the fact that they were chained to the wall. Dean had no idea if he could get to his brother but he had to try.

Slowly he pushed himself up and dusted himself off. It was pointless since they were in a dirt hole but it was something to do and it felt strangely comforting. The nice thing Dean could say about his captors was that they gave him length to stand up. It would have been a pain to sit and/or kneel all the time. He jerked the chains to judge the length and started walking towards his brother. The last time one of them was in shackles, he ended up getting flung by a witch and a dislocated shoulder.

Dean didn't rush since the last thing he wanted to do was provide entertainment for these douches by falling down. He had just a little bit of slack but he was close enough to get a look at his brother. "Sam? Sammy?"

Sam felt like he had been in a car wreck with the way his head was hurting. He was aware that he was on a dirt floor and something was clamped tightly around his wrists. He could feel the prodding from someone and judging by the voice, it was Dean. He was surprised that Dean hadn't started punching him in the shoulder. He knew he had to let his brother know that he was okay somewhat otherwise… "N' fine Dean."

"Yeah sure you are princess."

"Bite me jerk."

"That's my Sammy," Dean replied with a slight smile in his voice. He wished he could have patted his brother's back but he couldn't reach that far. Sam was going to have to move if he wanted to get closer (nothing implied there). He peered at Sam's head and couldn't help but say, "Crazy coot hit you pretty hard. You have Old Faithful gushing out of your head."

Sam rolled his eyes as he started to move to a sitting position. He winced from the pain in his head. He replied, "Head wounds usually bleed Dean."

"Not like that."

"Yes they do," Sam replied aware that he was getting into a pointless argument. "Even Angie will tell you that."

Dean tugged his brother closer towards him, a bit alarmed that Sam was allowing himself to be pulled along without protest. He adjusted Sam's seated position and took to looking at Sam's injury. It really wasn't that bad once he parted the mop of hair that made Sam look like a shaggy puppy. "Well not too bad."

"My head would say otherwise. Dean what happened?"

"We were ambushed. There was more than one of those things we saw. They chased us and caught us. Damn. It's like when Angie pulled that same stunt when you were in training." Dean looked around while keeping an eye on Sam. His brother was trying to stay awake. "That coot with the scared kid hit you on the back of the head."

"Why would he do that?"

"Because there is always bigger fish to fry," the coot called from the other side of the bars. He was laughing and jumping in a crazy like dance. He added, "They love it when the game fights back."

"Yeah well they ain't seen nothing if it were a fair fight," Dean retorted. "And you're going to pay for what you did to my brother."

"Tis nothing but a scratch but the real fun is in a real bloody match."

Dean rolled his eyes and made a slight sound with his tongue clicking on his teeth. "Not another crazy like that fallen." He looked at Sam who had closed his eyes and was sort of looking up at the ceiling. "Hey Sammy, don't clock out on me."

Sam didn't open his eyes but managed to reply, "Not even thinking about it. Still have to work on your deal." He paused a moment as if to think about something. He then asked, "Hey Dean, so you think Angie may know of other ideas besides that council thing, like turning you into one like her?"

Dean looked at Sam. If his brother was entertaining ideas like him going vamp, then he was either really out of it or desperate. Dean was hoping it was the former but since Sam was determined, it was probably the latter. Since there was nothing better to do and he didn't have anything to pick his locks with, he decided to humor Sam and then maybe chew him out later. "What do you mean turn one into her?"

Normally Sam wouldn't have considered this idea ever since he read about it since he knew she would have outright refused and Dean would have shouted at him for being stupid. With a head full of muddy thoughts and head still ringing from the blow, he just babbled, "Angie could turn you and you could still live. Rare thing but Chasers can do it. She could teach you n…"

"Okay stop it Sam. You're talking nonsense," Dean replied as he shook his brother awake. "You know full well she would say no even if you badgered her to death. Now I'm not pinning everything on her plan but right now it seems to be a way out without it backfiring and turning you into a stiff. You got me?"

Sam jerked wide awake. He was aware now after Dean jolted him awake. He was aware that he rambled on about what Angela could do and he felt stupid for mentioning it. God it felt like he was drunk when he said it. He would never ask her to do that even though it crossed his mind the minute he found out about it. "Sorry Dean. Just…"

"Yeah I get ya. Just don't do anything stupid okay?"

"Didn't we commit stupid by getting caught?"

"Shut up, bitch," Dean replied with a slight smirk on his face. "If anything I was following your lead on the whole rescuing survivors bit."

"Were not. You would have done it if I hadn't said a thing."

"Sure thing Sammy."

"Whatever. So you figure something out?"

"Unless you managed to become an expert in slipping shackles within the last five minutes."

That had Sam looking down at his bonds. He made a slight face at the last time he had been shackled and he had his shoulder dislocated for good measure. Apparently those things were smart to chain him and Dean up. "No. Did you?"

Dean looked at Sam. It was hardly the time to joke around but Dean knew that Sam was trying to divert his mind from the fact that at the moment they were in trouble and they had no way getting free for the time being. "Working on it. Check your pockets Sam."

Sam frowned at Dean but did as he was told. He reached in and found that he had nothing except for lint from his jeans. "Nothing. Not even my phone."

"Same here," Dean replied. "These guys are good. Whatever they are."

"Did you get a good look?"

"Yeah and I don't want to say it but I think there is such a thing a wolf man."

"Looks more like something out of World of Warcraft or something like that," Sam replied. He caught the look that Dean shot at him and he replied, "Angie plays when she's bored."

"Sure Sam."

"Whatever, cretin."

"That's a new one dork."

"What are you five?" Sam was not in the mood for Dean playing around but he did have to admit that it was a bit comforting. There was only one person missing in this whole thing and she was probably out like a light. "Just saying that these wolf men are new things. Maybe it's one of those genetic things since we know what werewolves look like and that asshole Venator was a Halfling like Angie but with wolf… you know."

"Brings a whole new meaning to the fact that there's a new species being discovered everyday," Dean replied acknowledging where Sam was going with this. He thought he had it down that there were shifters that were the predecessors to the werewolf like that douche Lykos and there were werewolves and there Halflings like the Venator. This would probably be classed as that missing link.

"Tell me about it," Sam replied.

At that moment there was a noise and there were three of those things. They weren't in their monster form but that didn't mean that either Winchester should go easy with them. They were quick and Dean's knees were sore from his face plant. That didn't matter as he got to his feet and placed himself between them and his brother. "Back off."

The one who was the leader of the trio gave a slight grin. He was amused by the human's attempt at protecting the one that looked to be a good challenge. He said, "You have little to no choice in the matter."

Dean retorted, "We'll see about that." As soon as one made a move for Sam, Dean pounced. He was limited in his range but he did manage to use his bindings to his advantage. What he lacked in actual fist power, he lopped the slack of Sam's chains at them and was pleased that he had made contact.

It was short lived when he got a punch to the gut and a backhand to the face. It frustrated him that he dropped to his knees but it pissed him off that one of them held him in a chokehold. For Dean, it was instinct to struggle especially how they were treating Sam. He gritted his teeth as they yanked Sam up to his feet and he could see the cuffs cut into his brother's wrists. "Bastards leave him alone."

A punch to the stomach was for Dean's troubles and a voice saying, "You're very brave. Most don't bother to fight once they've seen us."

"Haven't seen nothing yet. Now Leave Sam alone."

"Dean."

Dean looked up to see Sam on his feet and one to the scumbags that was so going to die tugging the length of chain between his brother's hands. Sam was looking at him and silently telling him to stop struggling and he started towards him to try and calm him down but that action was misinterpreted for an attack and Sam was shoved roughly backwards but yanked forward by the chains and the cuffs cut into his wrists further. "Sonofabitch. He didn't do anything."

Dean watched as Sam was half dragged and half walked out of the cell and forced down a tunnel. He on the other hand put up a fight and was hit repeatedly until one grew impatient and jerked him forward until he landed in an ungraceful face plant. He felt the cuffs cut his wrist as he cursed and was dragged for his troubles out of the cage. He managed to see that they left Charlie alone so at least one of them was going to be okay.

It was probably a good five minutes before the furbags stopped dragging Dean and let him stand up. There were scrapes on his palms and a couple of scratches on his face as well as the bruises that were going to form from the hits that he took and the whole front of himself was covered with dirt. He looked at his captors and asked, "Tired of dragging me through the dirt?"

He was pushed roughly to follow the one holding his chains and was told, "Shut up. A little dirt doesn't hurt the sport."

Dean didn't like the sound of that. Still that didn't mean that he couldn't give it all he got. "Right and I'm sure leading me like a dog fits in there as well."

The one holding his chain turned to face him and said, "If you like, we can drag you all the way there. I would love to see how you would fare during the twists and turns."

Dean looked down at his captor with a slight sneer. He let the guy know silently that he was not easily intimidated. "Tough guys… pff. You couldn't win in a fair fight."

"We'll see about that. Now be good and maybe they'll be nicer to, what's his name? Oh yes Sam."

Dean had little choice but to follow but that didn't mean that he was going to make it easy. He wouldn't do anything to cause pain to Sam but Dean got the feeling that they were both going to feel pain no matter what. The least he could do was spare Sam some of that pain.

Sometimes Dean, if you want to get the better of your opponent, you play along for a little while. Then you strike when they least expect it.

Dean muttered to himself, "Thanks for the tip Angie." He remembered that from when she taught him the value of patience during one of their training sessions. He would play along and he prayed that Angela would get them out of this. He talked to himself occasionally jerking back his chain when they pulled him forward until he was led into a chamber like place. There were caverns above and more of those things were looking down and growling. The next thing he knew, his shackles were being undone and he was pushed into the center where that crazy coot was waiting for him and grinning like an idiot. Dean got the picture and he wasn't too thrilled. "Sonofabitch."

Meanwhile Sam followed along not giving too much trouble. Unlike Dean, he had a greater amount of patience and usually bided his time when it came to opportunity. This wasn't the time and he tried to convey that to his brother. What he was really holding out for was the fact that Angela would discover that they were missing and would come after them.

He didn't doubt she would come and he knew neither did Dean. The question remaining was a matter of when and Sam knew that if she had to back track and figure out what happened, that could take time. Maybe she would run into that guy that they helped escape. That would help.

"Why does he want this one?"

Sam diverted his attention to the fact that his escort had brought him to a guarded entrance. The guard was looking at him with menacing eye. He was the one that asked the question and he added, "He's the one that killed Tom and Luca. I can smell it on him."

His jailer replied, "You know he likes the ones that are the meek lambs."

Meek lamb my ass is what Dean would say, Sam thought to himself and his brother was right. When Sam was really riled up, he was not the meek lamb but that was a rare thing. He would fight but he was not a killer… except for maybe Jake Talley.

She once asked him if he felt regret for killing him. He really couldn't answer that to her and she gave a sort of thoughtful nod. Sam thought that she was quizzing him on it but later he realized that she was trying to see if he developed a liking for it; killing humans. It occurred to him that Jake was not her first nor would he be the last full human that she had killed and worried him a bit but she never killed unless it was a necessity.

Sam looked at the two that were talking. They were in human form but they could turn into those wolf man things. He tried to see it as she would and he started to make headway but was interrupted when the jailer said, "He may have given the fatal shot but the boss wants him."

The guard growled in annoyance, "Why not just turn him? He killed two of our own. He could be a benefit and his first can be that partner of his."

"We act on his orders." The jailer glared at the guard and for a moment Sam thought he detected a slight change in their appearance. He was pretty good at catching Angela when her eyes flickered from surprise so he wasn't mistaken that it was a show of power.

"Fine. He's in there." The guard motioned for them to pass. He grinned maliciously at Sam and said to him, "Oh you're going to have a good time with the boss. He knows what to do with your kind."

Sam said nothing but was tugged into a chamber. It looked like one of those caves that were described in those fantasy books and the like but there were no stalactites and stalagmites. Certainly there was no dragon… as if those existed. It was furnished, which was a surprise, considering that they were in a mine. What sparked Sam's interest was the glittering in the walls. He would have liked to have taken a closer look but with the jailer there, he would rather not risk starting anything.

"Fascinating isn't it? The Ellis Coal Mining Co. not only still has fine quality coal but it also sits upon a wealth of diamonds."

Sam turned to see a man who looked somewhere between his 30s and 40s and he was richly tones. Flanked behind him was a girl who was cowering in fear. Sam thought she was a prisoner but she looked at him with pity as she took a basin and left the area. That left Sam to focus on the newcomer and he realized that his jailer had left. An answer seemed expected of him so he replied, "Is that why you kidnap people. To hide the fact that you found diamonds?"

The man laughed at that. He liked what he saw and figured that he would do good for entertainment for the others and to remind them of who was boss. The other one would prove to be just as well but he was a scrapper. This one was different. He peered at him and replied, "What use do we have for diamonds, human? You're kind are the ones that hold onto wealth like it was your life."

"Not all of us."

"Yes. Your clothing says otherwise. Let me guess: you travel from town to town, use an alias and you know things that most humans consider to be fairytales."

Sam didn't flinch at that. This guy knew a few things but he wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of telling. He replied, "I don't know what you are talking about."

The man chuckled. He had come across this tactic before. "Yes you do. You are a hunter, trained to hunt down things with unique weapons like salt, iron and silver." He looked at Sam and at the look he added, "You're not the first hunter that has crossed my path. Some of them proved adept and made fine additions to my pack."

"Interesting description since you have werewolf blood in you."

"You seem like a smart lad. You didn't resist knowing that you would get a beating if you misbehaved and you are maintaining this polite façade in order to buy yourself time until you escape." The man circled Sam. "You see the others that tried that before were unsuccessful but their intelligence is valued."

"So you turned them."

"Made them a part of something. Of course the hunters understand now what it means to be a freak; to be chased out of town because of what you are even if your father is one of the most respected men in town." The man had worked his way to a wall and pounded on it for good measure as he vented. "He did everything and still they cast me out. I made them pay though."

"Revenge is never the best thing."

The man came close until he was toe to toe and looked Sam in the eye. He replied, "There is nothing but vengeance." He suddenly became distracted by something.

Sam didn't flinch when the buy moved as fast as he did. Angela moved that fast when she vamped out and he had seen her do it. What had him frowning slightly was the fact that the man in front of him was frowning and he appeared to be sniffing him. It would have been ample opportunity to try and strangle the guy with his shackles but he was too slow. Suddenly he felt himself being shoved backwards and hard into the wall.

Sam was effectively winded and his shoulders ached where the diamonds cut and poked him. He had fallen to the ground and he tried getting gulps of air. He wasn't to get reprieve since he was grabbed by his hair and shirt collar. Sam grabbed the guy's wrists so that his hair wasn't pulled out by the roots and grimaced.

"Who do you work for? Did she send you?"

"What?" Sam frowned as he was trying to get his hair free.

His response didn't help and he was thrown into a table that collapsed as soon as he hit. He was dragged from the wreckage by his ankle and given a forceful pull until he was back in the center. He heard, "Did she send you?"

Sam had no clue what this guy was talking about. "I don't know what you're talking about."

The guy was enraged and gave Sam a kick to his midsection. It was enough force to lift Sam and send him bumping into a cabinet. Something fell and crashed on the ground. Sam did what he could to protect his head from whatever it was. With everything going on, he couldn't protest when the guy grabbed his shirt front and hauled him to his feet. He was pulled with enough force that he felt the guy's fist dig in his chest. Sam said, "Who are you talking about?"

The guy grabbed Sam's hair and held him so he could take a deep whiff of the scents that clung to him. He recognized the one that stood out very well. He then jerked Sam's face so he could look him in the eye and he asked, "Did she send you? The one with the sword of vengeance? The mortal enemy of my kind?"

Sam frowned in puzzlement. Was this guy referring to Angie? He couldn't respond and that didn't appear to please the guy. He next thing he saw was a punch come straight for his face and it connected making Dean's punches seem like a girl's punch. He fell to the ground and did his best to protect his body and a one point though he struck back but the guy kept asking him the same thing and each time he refused to or couldn't answer. The only thought that was coherent in his mind was that she was going to show up.

A/N: So Sam and Dean finally come face to face with Lupei and it looks like they are going to get a beating. Stay tuned fo rnext time on Pack of Strays...