Chapter 11

Missouri felt helpless. This wasn't about anything supernatural. It was about raw emotion. There was no way to help Sam unless, and until, he was able to respond to her. She'd read about catatonia before. She'd even seen it. But this time, a voodoo priest wasn't going to break any spell. She took Sam's hands into her own again. God, help us, please. Bring this boy back.

The phone rang. Missouri jumped slightly, her heart pounding. It's Sam's cell phone. Her mind finally registered and she instantly thought of Dean. She picked the phone up. No caller identification. She knew who it was, though. She took a deep breath and answered it.

"Hello?" Her voice was tentative and it sounded small to her.

There was a pause on the line. She looked over at Sam, who was still unresponsive.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" She asked again.

"I need to speak with Sam Winchester," a gruff voice on the other end of the line finally spoke.

Missouri began to pick up on feelings from the caller. She could also sense evil was surrounding him, just like it had John that first time. She frowned.

"Gordon Walker, you have no idea what you're doing."

"I said I need to speak to Sam Winchester."

"Well, he's not here." It wasn't really a lie.

"Okay, then I suggest you give him a message. He's got mail. There's a nice little video in his inbox. Why don't you pop some popcorn and when Sam gets back, huddle around the laptop and watch the movie together ― Missouri."

The psychic's anger rose at Gordon's arrogance and stupidity.

"Listen to me, boy, what you're dealing with is a force far beyond anything you've ever encountered. If you try to round up the children you will lose this war. There won't be any hunter's left to take up the fight. I can sense the evil around you now Gordon, you'll be among the first to go." Missouri heard the deep laugh on the other end of the line.

"Oh, you always were such a drama queen, old woman. If you think you can protect demon-boy, you're crazier than I thought you were. You're putting yourself and everyone else, at risk. Sam's on the cusp right now. He's gonna go full throttle dark side on your ass and there isn't a thing that you, and your freaky powers, can do about it," he paused. "But I digress. I don't need to get all metaphysical here. If he doesn't help us, his brother dies. That's a very simple, straightforward message, don't you think? So, you may want to help Dean out here, and make sure Sammy does his part. At least that way, you may be able to save one of your precious Winchester boys."

Missouri heard the dial tone before she could respond. She had been able to hold the connection with Gordon long enough to sense the evil that Sammy must have been referring to in his shining. It was white hot, powerful, and it shook her to her very core. She stood shakily and walked over to the table that held the laptop. The monitor was on, emitting the vibrant light from the screen that served to help illuminate the dark motel room. She moved the mouse and pointed the cursor over the inbox. Her heart pounding, she clicked the mouse; one unread email waited, sender unspecified. She looked over her shoulder at Sammy again. He hadn't moved. Except for the almost imperceptible rocking, he was still gone. She clicked the mouse. Inside the email was a message and an attachment:

Thought you might like to see how we've been keeping busy while we wait for you to do your part, Sammy. You'd better hurry up. Dean doesn't seem to get along well with the other hunters, kind of like his old man, that way. What about you? Are you like your old man, Sammy?

Summon the others, or your brother is dead.

G

With deep dread, Missouri clicked on the attachment. A video file opened and the images caused her to gasp. Dean! Oh, child. Hot tears sprang to her eyes as she watched the eldest Winchester being beaten with baseball bats. The sound of the weapons hitting his flesh was almost more than Missouri could take. She swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. Dean's body was discolored from large cuts and bruises, and he hung limply by his wrists, unconscious. If it hadn't been for her abilities, she might have thought he was dead. But she could still feel his energy, although it was frighteningly low. The men who beat him wore black hoods over their heads. Cowards! I know who you are, and I know what's coming to you.

"DEAN!"

Missouri was startled as she heard the anguished cry behind her. She whirled to see Sam standing there, transfixed by the monitor, tears streaking his pale face. Relief and concern warred within her as she watched the boy. He was clearly agonized by what he was seeing, but at least he was back with her, and for that she was grateful.

Sam made a deep, guttural sound that reminded Missouri of a feral animal. It was an inhuman sound, and she cringed at the implication. For the first time, she was afraid of Sam Winchester.

"I am going to kill them!" As he spat the words, a force began to rip through the motel room, sending items flying and smashing against the walls. Missouri quickly ducked to avoid being caught in the torrent. The laptop monitor exploded, glass flying off in different directions, nearly hitting her in the head. She was assailed by the rage emanating from Sam and it nearly took her breath away.

"Sam! Stop!"

He looked down at her and she could have sworn for a second that his eyes had flashed yellow.

"I know where they are Missouri. I can see everything now. For what they've done to Dean, they are going to beg for death before I'm through with them."