The curse left his lips a moment before the pain shot through his body. He had been looking to his left when he should have been looking right and the large creature had gotten the jump on him. Sharp claws tore through the outer layers of clothing; he had been wearing, and deep into the flesh and muscle beneath.
A rush of warm thick liquid could be felt running down the right side of his body and he started to feel the all too familiar pull of unconsciousness tugging at him. He fought the darkness, pulling on inner reserves, knowing that if he blacked out he stood no chance against the creature.
A shot rang out, the creature screamed and fled off into the night. He heard footsteps beating their way to him, his name being called and he felt strong arms lift him from the hard ground. He wanted to give into the darkness; to let it take him but he couldn't he had to tell the one who was holding him something, something important.
"Dad," the word came out as a muted whisper, blood bubbling across his lips as he spoke. "Dad," he tried again and he reached up weakly grasping his father's arm, "It's headed towards the cabin. It's headed towards Sam." He heard his dad curse and took that as a sign he had been heard. He let go of his dad's arm and gave into the blackness.
John sat holding his son in his arms, rocking back and forth as curse after curse left his lips. Caleb had circled back after he had lost the last wolf's trail and had dropped down beside his two friends. He looked at the older of the two and nodded having understood what needed to be done without any words being said.
Caleb took John's place and he wrapped his arms tightly around the still body John had been holding. He carefully lifted the injured man and positioned him in a fireman's carry. Nodding he said to his friend, "I'll take this one back to the apartment, Johnny. I'll make sure he's taken care of. You just get to your youngest." John clasped the younger man's shoulder and then took off in the direction the creature had fled.
Sam sat in one of the overstuffed chairs that adorned the living room of the cabin that Allison's parents had lent to her and her small group of friends for the night. Allison sat on his lap laughing at some silly joke one of their friends had told. The night had gone better than Sam could have imagined.
They had gone to the little steak house outside of town for dinner and then headed to the Recreation Center and the dance. They danced the night away and Sam found himself thinking less and less about his brother and the hunt and more and more about Allison and how much he really liked her.
He sat one arm wrapped around her waist with her snuggled tight against him. She smelt like jasmine and vanilla. Her hair and skin were remarkably soft; her lips full and inviting. The night was perfect and he hoped against all hope that it didn't have to end.
Sam sighed, who was he kidding, of course it would end; nothing this good would/could ever last. His life would take her away from him, just like it takes everything away from him; unless he got away, far away. The darkness was always there, waiting to creep in, it was just a matter of time.
Allison shifted in his arms; she had felt his sigh. "Sam, what's wrong," she asked.
He looked into her clear blue eyes and his heart fluttered. He wanted to tell her the truth, but he knew he couldn't. In his mind he could see her fleeing from him, casting frightened looks back over her shoulder as she feared this mad-man would be chasing her. So, he did the only thing he could; he lied with just enough of the truth to make it believable.
"It's just I wish this night would never end. It's nice being here alone with you. We'll not alone, alone, but you know what I mean," his cheeks turned a light pink and he shyly looked away. He cleared his throat and became serious, "But, all good things must come to an end. Tomorrow we'll wake up, head off to get some breakfast and I'll take you home, and that will be that; the same old, same old will start all over again."
Allison reached out and cupped his chin in her hands, gently forcing him to look at her. When his hazel eyes met her blue, she gave him a soft sweet smile. She lent in, gave him a gentle kiss and replied, "Sam, you're so sweet; that's one of the things I love about you. But, just because this night can't go on forever, that doesn't mean there won't be other nights just as special. We have the whole summer together. You sound like you think the world's coming to an end or something. For someone so young, you worry like someone twice your age. Come on, I think the crew has decided to make s'mores in the fireplace, why don't we join them? Could be fun."
Allison had stood and began pulling Sam up from the chair when a loud crash from outside, proceeded by an eerie howling, had her jumping back into his arms causing them both to fall back into the chair. At that moment Sam's cell starting ringing and his stomach knotted. 'This can't be good,' he thought as he struggled to answer his cell through the twisted knot of arms and legs that he and Allison had turned into.
Sam dug his phone out of his pocket and answered it; his heart sank when he heard the panic in the caller's voice. "Sam," Caleb said an uncharacteristic alarm in his voice, "it's me Caleb. Sam, you need to listen to me, your dad is heading towards the cabin. One of the wolves got the jump on Dean and then headed off in your direction…."
The blood drained from Sam's face and with a fear laden voice he interrupted Caleb, "Dean? What happened? How is he?"
"Sam," Caleb answered his tone gentle yet firm, "Right now that's not important. I'm with your brother and will see he's taken care of. Right now I need you to focus. Listen to me; the wolf's headed in your direction and your dad's right behind. You need to get yourself and the others out of there."
"Sam," Caleb yelled into the phone when he heard a loud crash and the sound of glass breaking followed by a high pitched scream. The phone went dead and Caleb realized that he had called to late. "Dammit, Johnny you need to get to Sam."
The large bulky body of the werewolf crashed through the window that was situated closest to where Sam and Allison had been sitting. Its eye's were wild and filled with what Sam could only describe as rage. Its nose wiggled as it sniffed the air around it and slowly it turned its attention to the overturned chair and the two forms that were lying on the floor in a tangled heap.
The wolf let out another blood curdling scream and it dropped to all fours as it slowly crept to where Sam and Allison lie. Allison tried but was unsuccessful in keeping a small squeak of fear from escaping her lips. The beasts beady eyes focused on her and with one swipe of its large hand it knocked her unconscious.
In what appeared to be slow motion the creature turned its full attention back to Sam and wore what looked to be a smile on its elongated snout. It rested its nose against Sam's neck and took in a long slow breath. It breathed in his scent and it recognized the underlying familiarity between him and two of the other men who had been chasing it earlier.
The wolf drew its nose from Sam's neck and gave Sam another smile. The look in the creature's eyes had shifted from rage to murderous fascination and Sam knew that he had been chosen as its next victim. The wolf licked his lips, bowed its head and slowly licked Sam's face.
Sam's stomach turned at the intimacy of the action. He squirmed which only served to further please the creature he was currently pinned under. The creature let out a soft sigh of pleasure and shifted its weight giving Sam the opportunity he had been waiting for. He twisted his arm and the small silver knife he had strapped to his arm slipped down and into his hand. Without any warning Sam thrust his hand upward driving the knife's blade deep into the creature's chest.
The creature let out a surprised howl and pulled on the knife with both of its hands. This gave Sam another opportunity as he used the being's distraction to his advantage. Sam placed his hands on its shoulders and pushed as hard as he could; the creature having been caught off guard and off balance toppled backwards off Sam.
The knife that had once been lodged in the wolf's chest skidded across the cabin's floor. Sam had managed to get to his feet and dove for the knife. With the knife once again in his hand Sam turned and stared the creature down.
Allison stirred and the movement drew the creature's attention. Even though it was more animal than human, at this particular moment, the human core remained and it felt the attachment that Sam had with Allison. Realizing the threat Sam posed to its well being the wolf pounced on Allison. It grabbed her roughly about the wrists and pulled her up.
Allison let out a startled yelp and her blue eyes sought out Sam. Her eyes locked with his and the fear and uncertainty he saw in them felt like a dagger had been driven deep into his soul. Allison found her voice and when she spoke she sounded little and lost. "Sam," she whispered and in that one word was a plea for answers and help.
Sam had become aware that he, Allison and the wolf were not alone. He risked a glance over his shoulder and cursed when he saw the rest of their companions had slipped into the room and had been watching in stunned silence. "You all need to get out of here," Sam said as he turned his attention back to Allison and the wolf, "Leave slowly. Once you're outside get in your cars, lock the doors and drive off." When he noticed no one had taken a step he more forcibly said, "Leave now!" The group slowly filtered out of the room and did as instructed. Sam breathed a sigh of relief and turned his full attention back to Allison.
John had arrived at the cabin, saw the shattered window and watched as the kids hurriedly filed out of the cabin, jumped in their cars and drove off. John felt his panic grow when he didn't see Sam or Allison in the group. He crept up to the broken window and looked inside. He saw Sam facing off with the wolf but didn't see Allison; she was hidden behind the creature's massive frame. John raised his gun, aimed for the spot on the creatures back that once the silver bullet tore through the path it would take would land it in the creature's heart and he pulled the trigger.
The gun's report hit Sam's ears the same time he saw the creature start to fall forward. Time seemed to slow and Sam watched as the wolf fell to the floor landing on top of Allison. "No," he heard himself call out and felt his legs move towards the two fallen bodies.
The wolf had changed back into human form and even though the natural form wasn't as massive it was still large enough to crush Allison. Sam pulled the creature off and quickly checked her for injuries. Allison had hit her head on a table that was nearby and had once again been knocked unconscience, a nasty goose egg and bruise had formed on her forehead and her wrists were starting to bruise, but other than that she appeared to be alright.
John climbed through the broken window and knelt down beside Sam. He placed a hand under Sam's chin and pulled his son's face towards him. His dark eyes locked on Sam's and when he was certain he had his attention he spoke, "Sam, son, hey," when Sam only shook his head John continued, "Sam you did good here but, now I need you take Allison to the car and get her out of here,"
Sam kept staring at his dad shock having set in, so John firmed up his voice, "Sam, look at me. Ok, good. Now listen, take Allison out of here. She needs to go to a hospital. Son, please snap out of it; Allison needs you."
The last part got through to Sam and he nodded. He, with his dad's help, got Allison out to the car. Sam slipped behind the steering wheel, started the engine and jumped when his dad tapped on the window. Sam rolled down the window and John leaned in, "Sam when you get to the hospital tell them it was an animal attack and that it happened so quickly you can't really remember anything, ok? I'll be there as soon as I'm finished here."
Sam drove off and John turned his attention to the task at hand. He salted the remains of the werewolf, lit a match and stepped back to watch the cabin burn. Once John was satisfied the fire had done its job of eliminating any evidence of what had happened he started the long walk back to town and his boys.
