CHAPTER TEN

In the darkness of the manor, silent whispers echoed in the hallways. In the library lied John in his own pool of blood, a gash from his throat to his waist bled deeply as John tried to get to his feet. After some effort and much agony, he made his way to the outside where he'd been attacked. He collapsed in the brush not far from the porch, heaving heavily as he lay on the cold, wet grass. John didn't have the chance to fight against the thing that had wounded him, paying the ultimate price for turning his back. The doppelganger had won again, this time though angering John in the process.

The doppelganger was angry; John didn't have the journals on him. She shoved him to the ground as John sighed in desperation. The journals were safe with Dean, for now. The bitch would go after him, he knew, but Dean was stronger and more determined than he. He would take her out or even wound her to escape her ugly grasp.

"Oh Dean, I hope you don't come looking for me." John whispered, as he coughed up some of the blood lingering in his mouth. He closed his eyes and drifted into the darkness, Dean was in danger and he too weak to help.

**********

The winds blew through the small café, it was closing time and the young woman had to go. A man dressed in black had taken her arm and she smiled up to him, the knife he pulled made her eyes widen in fear as he plunged it into her heart. She collapsed to the ground, falling into her own blood. The man wiped his knife with her clothing before taking off into the darkness. One down, three to go.

**********

Dean woke with a start in the Impala. He was having nightmares, much like those Sam use to have before the accident. But why in the hell was he having them now? He shook his head, no since wasting time analyzing a dream when he had a mission to do. He had to find his father and fast.

"Where the hell are you dad?" He muttered as he started the ignition and took off down the dark roads.

He went back to Jen's house and parked. The place was too silent for his liking, yet as he circled the house did he hear the moans in the shrubbery. He walked over and found his father badly beaten.

"Dad!" he cried out and knelt to his side, "Are you alright?"

"Dean, the doppelganger is alive and is after your brother."

"It wants the amulet, but I have it, not Sam."

"She'll use him to get to the amulet."

Dean muttered, "Damn it dad, we should have not of left together, that way you'd been safe and Sam wouldn't be in danger."

"I wasn't about to leave my weapons behind Dean." He tried to argue and failed. He coughed again, his chest heaving harshly.

"Alright dad, I get your point, but we have to get out of here."

"I agree." He said and tried to stand, he leant heavily on Dean for support.

They got to the Impala; John had to leave the truck behind. Dean couldn't drive both cars and his dad wasn't in any condition to drive.

"I'll leave the truck Dean," he said, "But the hell will I leave my shotgun behind to that bitch." He hissed as his throat dried out, "Get it from the cab and bring it to me boy."

"Why dad?"

"Because I'm going to light that bitch up like the fourth of July."

Dean sniffled back a laugh, he had to keep his head in the game. Sam was in danger and they had work to do. So he grabbed his father's shotgun and handed it to him before getting into the car himself and pulling away.

"Ok Dean, here is the deal. First we check up on Sam then we go after the bitch."

Dean nodded, "If anything happens to Sam, that thing is going to wish I killed it."

"That or wish I killed it with the rock salt gun."

Dean laughed, "Sam would've taken her out. He's been reckless since Jess died."

"I don't blame him; I felt the same way when your mother died."

Dean kept his eyes on the road yet he knew his father was hurting, not just from the attack but his heart was still broken after all these years.

"Dad, can I ask you something?"

"Sure Dean." He said softly.

"Was it hard bringing Sam and me up all these years?"

"It was son, but I wasn't about to give you off to the family so that I could be on the road. I needed you both close by. I'm sorry that it was a burden on you Dean, but Sam looks up to you."

Dean shook his head, "I don't mind dad. Without Sam I would've gotten hurt worse then I did. Sam is my right hand man and that's all there is to it."

John sighed, "Just as long as we're altogether, we'll be fine."

Dean pulled back into the parking lot of the hospital, John slowly got out and limped as he made his way to the entrance. Dean wanted to help him but his father waved him off, John would do this all by himself with or without help and god helped anyone that told him otherwise.

"Dad, someone's going to see that you're hurt." Dean whispered, but it was too late Dr. Lane had taken one look at John and came rushing to his side. "Mr. White, are you alright?"

John nodded, "Just take me to my son."

"You need to be looked at. Your wound to the head is infected."

"Look Doctor, I appreciate the concern but I want to see Sal. NOW!"

The doctor nodded, "Yes sir."

They were led to Sam's room, but he wasn't there. John was fretting and Dean looked at the doctor in disbelief. "Where is my brother?"

"He should be here."

"Well does it look like it?" John said nastily, "You better find out where he is. A coma patient just doesn't get up and walk away."

Dr. Lane took off to the nurse's station as Dean sat in the chair waiting for word of Sam. John was going to strangle someone if Sam wasn't found.