Something Different About The Darkness.
Summary. . . . . . Traipsing through the woods on a hunt with few clues, the guys become separated when a freak accident occurs. Alone and injured Sam seeks shelter in a cave, but is he alone? And just who or what is preventing Dean from getting help?
Disclaimer. . . . . On my Christmas wish list, I just have to be nice all year now!
A.N. . . . . . . Sorry about the wait, I hope the content makes up for it? Thanks as always for taking time to read, you guys rock! Peanut x
Bobby, after coercing information out of Dean on the drive over, was able to tell Leo most of what had happened to the boys on the mountain. The hunt with the sketchy at best clues; the prank that went disastrously wrong; Sam's tumble; Dean's search and wrong turn; the blocked cave way and Dean's tunnelling escapade; his finding of Sam trapped under the rubble; his subsequent dash for rescue; the storm that rose from no where and the constant feeling of being watched; his conclusion that someone wanted Sam alone and his flight back to the cave; the blast that knocked him off his feet; meeting up with Bobby and their conclusion that demons were involved; their rush back to the cave together and their finding of it now unblocked; the dangerous and deadly Sam that now lurked inside; ending up his tale with Sam's attempt to kill Dean. The only part that he could not tell was what exactly happened to Sam. Leo though had a thought on that one. After taking a few minutes to digest the epic tale he spoke up.
"You're right to think demons were involved. For Sam to have turned so quickly there can be no other explanation. I'd hazard a guess at a pretty powerful son of a bitch too." He stopped talking as a thought entered his mind before adding. "Where were the boys hunting?"
"Not too far from here, north-northwest of Summit City. They had climbed a little ways up Shasta mountain."
"Well that explains a lot. Shasta's known for it's spiritual vortex, they probably disturbed something and if the rumours are true I think I might know just who we are dealing with here. Did you see any writings or etchings on the walls?"
"I was kinda busy trying to find Sam to take a look, and then I had to revive Dean, but now I come to think about it I think I saw some kind of binding ritual symbols, I could have been wrong though."
"If you did I could narrow the culprit down to just one, Barbas. It's long been rumoured that he was bound somewhere here on earth by natives loyal to Azazeal, but where no one really knew. Someone, and I'm guessing at another demon here, with a huge interest in Sam, must have found out where and pushed and manipulated events so that Sam was led there. But why Sam? Why so interested in him? And he's not stupid, why would he read the passage to revive Barbas?"
Trying to deflect Leo's attention away from the interest in Sam, Bobby chose instead to focus on why the ritual had been read, replying. "That's something only Sam can tell us."
Both Bobby and Leo fell into contemplative silence after that, forgetting for a minute that Dean was even in the room until he spoke.
"So can you fix him?" Dean asked, pain, sorrow, anguish and fear radiating from his voice, and his eyes when he finally lifted his head. "Can you fix Sam? Can you bring my brother back?"
Leo had never seen the usually so cock sure Dean Winchester look so devastated, so lost before. He feared what would happen if he could not achieve the outcome he so desperately needed. Yet at the same time he feared Dean's reaction to the suggestions he was about to make. Dean, along with nearly every other hunter, having in the past having mocked the "wacky, hoo dooy" treatments Leo specialized in.
"I believe that I can help. I believe that I can bring Sam back." He finally answered.
"Then why do I feel as though there's a but coming?" Dean shot back.
"But, you're not going to like what I suggest. It's the only way I know of though Dean. Can you afford to try elsewhere? To take Sam elsewhere?"
Dean sighed deeply, regretting ever listening to Bobby and bringing Sam here, yet deep down he knew that there was no one better for miles, if there was anyone at all. "What are you going to do?"
"There's a spell, steeped in mystery, ye olde worldy stuff, ya know. It will remove all traces of Barbas that were left behind and allow me access to Sam's clear mind. I've only ever heard of it being used once before, and if the situation wasn't so dire I wouldn't even suggest using it now."
"You not convincing me to try this out here, Leo! What has you so spooked? What are you fearing? What will happen to Sam?" Dean looked the older man in the eye, realization dawning almost immediately. "It's gonna hurt Sam, isn't it? It's gonna cause him more pain!" Dean had risen in anger as he spoke, ready to storm from the room, coming to a stuttering halt as he noticed something else written all over Leo's face. "Could it kill him?" When Leo didn't answer quick enough, Dean lunged forward grabbing the smaller man by the shirt and slamming him into the wall. "Could. It. Kill. Sam?"
Even though the anger Leo was famous for rose, he stayed still knowing that Dean was only lashing out through concern. Nodding in response he went to speak, only for Dean to cut him off.
"Don't, just don't! Don't try and tell me it's the only way, you find another route."
"There is no other way Dean, this is it. Yes there are risks, but can you afford not to take them? Can you risk leaving Sam this way? Can you risk taking that chance?" When Dean didn't answer, Leo added. "I didn't think so. Now let me go!"
Dean stepped back dejectedly, knowing he had no choice but to allow Leo to do the spell. "Okay we'll do it your way."
"Dean there's more to this than just the spell. That's just the start, once that's done and Barbas's hex has been removed, I'm going to try and get Sam back using crystals."
"You gotta be freakin kidding me! You aint using that mumbo jumbo crap on Sam."
"Dean!" It was Bobby's voice that spoke up this time. "Give it a rest, Let Leo work, it's not as if we have a whole host of other options."
Taking Dean's silence as an agreement to commence, Leo started issuing orders. "I need some hallowed earth, agrimony, camphor, cayenne and holy water. Dean go into the kitchen you'll find them in the tall cupboard on the top shelf. Bobby I need you to go into the basement, you'll find candles there, bring three of the short, thick black ones. There should also be some matches, bring those too. I'll start getting everything else ready."
Moving into the main room of his house, Leo strode over to the bookcases that lined the length of one wall. Pulling on the spine of one of the tomes, he was rewarded with the soft click and whirl as the shelf pushed forward, pushing it to one side he entered his armoury. Walking past the multitude of weapons that were stored there, he aimed instead for the back room; the room he store all his research books in. Opening the drawer of the desk he kept in the corner he took out some chalk before turning to the books and picking out the one he needed. Pushing back the rug that covered the concrete floor, he set to work drawing out the symbols he required.
Satisfied he had everything in order he stood up just as Bobby and Dean returned. Sending them off to get Sam, Leo set about mixing the agrimony, camphor and cayenne into a bronze vessel he took down from a shelf above his desk. Once that was done he started to place the candles on the symbols he had just drawn, one either side of where Sam would be lying, and one where his feet would be.
As Dean and Bobby returned carrying a still unresponsive Sam, Leo directed them where to place him before lighting the candles. Moving to Sam's head he stooped down and knelt behind it, placing the rest of the ingredients to one side, along with the vessel, and a small intricately inscribed knife on the other. Looking at the others, Dean in particular, he spoke.
"We're ready. No matter what, do not stop me from finishing!" Picking up the vessel he started chanting.
A.N. . . . . . . Ha. Ha. Haaaaaa! Evil cliffy yet again! Hope you all enjoyed the read, catch you soon, Peanut x