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Hunted

Chapter eleven

Dean ran through the woods as fast as he could ignoring the pain in his twisted ankle. He didn't even try to protect himself from the branches and bushes that sliced at his face and body. He knew time was running out for Sam, if the Wendigo didn't get him then the men that were hunting them would. He prayed he hadn't made a mistake by leaving Sam but he had no choice, it would have taken him twice as long to climb the cliff as it would to reach his car and double back. But the thought that he had left his injured brother alone to defend for himself was screaming inside his brain. If anything happened to Sam…. He knew he would never forgive himself.

On top of the cliff

Sam watched as his brother ran off through the thick woods. He shut his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief, at least Dean should make it out alive….but he wasn't so sure about himself. He looked down the cliff and could see the Wendigo slowly getting closer. He knew he was no match for it even if he was well. The only thing that could destroy it was fire and they had used the last flare they had brought into the woods with them to destroy the one they had killed the other day. He had never heard of two Wendigos inhabiting the same forest but apparently they did. Sam looked around for a place to hide as he kept his hand pressed tightly over his sore stomach. He didn't know which hurt worse, his stomach or his knee. For a moment he thought 'so this is the way I'm going to die, at the hands of a Wendigo' He took a little satisfaction in knowing that at least he'd die by the hands of something they hunted rather then die in a show down with humans.

For a brief second he thought of jumping off the cliff, it would be a lot less painful then being ripped apart and eaten alive by the creature. But Dean told him he'd be back and he didn't want his brother to think he took the coward's way out. He finally found a tree which had a thick covering of leaves high up in its branches and painfully began to climb up it. He knew if the Wendigo could climb cliffs it wouldn't have much trouble climbing a tree but it was the only thing he had, plus maybe it would at least hide him from the men that were also after him. Once he was secure near the top of the tree he rested and his thoughts turned to Dean. He knew his brother would be devastated by his death and he didn't want that. Dean had protected him all his life but there was no way he could protect him now. He hoped once he was gone Dean would stop hunting and try to lead a normal life. But in his heart he knew this was all Dean knew. He himself had gotten out of the life for a short period when he went to Stanford. He had enjoyed his brief chance at normalcy and had actually fallen in love. The thought of Jessica caused a sharp pain in his heart. But the life his family led had taken Jessica from him and now he had nothing but his brother. Even their dad had died because of what they did for a living. He allowed himself a small smile as he pictured Dean working a nine to five job. No….he knew that would never happen.

Back at the car

Dean finally reached the car and didn't even allow himself time to catch his breath; Sam's life was in danger. He threw open the trunk and grabbed an automatic pistol, flare gun, and a first aide kit. He also picked up a small kit which contained collapsible poles that could be linked together plus a blanket and straps. He had no idea what shape Sam was going to be in when he found him and figured he might have to strap the blanket to the poles and make a litter to drag him out of the woods if he had to. As soon as he had everything he needed he turned and headed back into the woods.

"Hang in there Sammy, I'm coming." He said softly as he hurried back to his brother praying he'd get there in time.

TBC