"Got it," John called out as he stepped from Celia's R.V. In his hands he carried a black leather bound book about the size of a notebook. He stepped off the last step and headed for the small table that sat right beside the vehicle. Bobby sat on the chair next to John's and waited for John to open the book. After a few minutes of reading John shook his head, "This doesn't make any sense Bobby. What does any of this have to do with Sam and the demon attack on my boys? You told me that Bastion said this book would hold the answers we were looking for."
From behind him he heard someone clear their throat, "Oh, but John it does. That is why I can't allow you to read anymore then you already have. I'll make you a deal, you hand over the book to me right now and I promise that no one will get hurt."
John slowly stood from his chair an open flask held in his hand He was fully prepared to give the person behind him a face full of holy water changing his mind in mid turn when the words that were spoken next froze not only his movements but his heart. "I'd think twice about doing what you are thinking of doing Johnny boy, we wouldn't want anything else to happen to your boy now would we."
The flask slipped from John's hands, his knees grew weak and he felt himself falling. Bobby reached out catching his friend before he hit the ground. Dread filled his heart when he saw Dean's still unconscious form floating beside the now possessed Dr. Jameson. "Give me the book, John and I promise you that I will return your son and the doctor here back to the hospital no worse for the wear. Refuse and I promise that you will watch your son die a slow agonizing death."
"Like I trust anything you have to say. Why are you so interested in my family? What do you want with my Sammy," John took pause at this. He looked around and noticed that Sam was no where to be seen. Taking a step forward he ground out to the demon, "Where is Sam? What have you done with Sam?"
"Johnny, Sammy's fine. He's not the one you have to worry about. He's back at the hospital locked in a closet. I kept him there for his, as well as, my own protection. You see my father is already angry enough with me; I can't risk him getting angrier. That is why I need the book so I can destroy it and keep his plans hidden. So I'm giving you this choice, you can spare the life of your oldest son and allow the secrets of your youngest to remain just that, secret…..or," Seth shrugged, "you can forfeit Dean's life and keep the book. The choice is yours."
Bobby couldn't believe what he was seeing. John was actually thinking about it. He knew that John had devoted his life to finding out what happened to his wife and just what it had to do with Sam, but he couldn't believe that John had to think about saving Dean or holding onto this new source of information.
It became evident that the demon couldn't believe it either, "John, I must say that I'm disappointed in you," he guided Dean's form so that he was now floating in front of him. He grabbed the young hunter around the waist and pulled him back into his body. Reaching out he traced his finger along the young mans collar bone an angry welt growing behind where his finger had been. Dean let out an anguished moan and he cried out for his father to help him. "John, times running out. Dean for the book. It can't really be that difficult a decision, can it? Do you need more convincing? I would be more than happy to oblige." Seth once again traced his finger along the welt line, only this time it left behind a deep cut.
The sight of his son's blood snapped John out of thoughts. "Stop," he called out, "hand me my son and I will give you the book. Just, please, don't hurt him again."
"Good boy, Johnny," Seth took the book from John's outstretched hand, "You had me worried there for a bit." Seth looked at the book, "The trouble you could have caused. Oh well, no matter now," he tossed the book into an open campfire and smiled as he watched it burn.
"You got your book. Give me my son."
"Uh, sorry Johnny, can't do that. He's my ticket out of here. Head back to the hospital, you will find him there tucked safely in his bed, I promise." Seth disappeared taking Dean with him.
John's chest tightened and his knees gave way. Bobby moved over to and wrapped his arms around the distraught father, Bobby's firm grip being the only thing that kept John from falling to his knees. John looked at Bobby, "When will this be over? When will me and my boys be able to live the kind of life they deserve? When will the pain finally stop? We were so close Bobby. I know that book held the answers, I can feel it. Bobby that book could have helped me end this, now I don't even have that or Dean. What did Mary and I do to deserve this?"
"John, don't, just don't. Getting all worked up wont help with anything. Your boys need you, Dean especially right now. That demon said he would take Dean back to the hospital," Bobby caught the look that John shot him, "I'm not saying I trust it, I'm just saying before you go losing it shouldn't we check it out. Besides, Sam is still there locked in the closet. I'm sure he is as scared as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Come on that as a good place to start." John could see the logic behind what Bobby was saying and he agreed.
Sam had curled up in one of the back corners of the closet. He had pulled his knees up to his chest and placed his chin on top of them. The tears he had been crying had long ago ran dry and he sat there, his eyes closed, praying that someone would find him and soon. He had been sitting in that dark closet for what had felt like hours when from the other side he heard Dr. Jameson's voice. The anger that had begun to die down once again flared to life. He listened as the doctor complained about how easy it would be to take Dean out then and there, but how he wasn't able to because of his father.
With only a thought the closet door creaked open. Sam quietly snuck out and stood staring at the back of the man who had taken his brother and had locked him a closet. Sam's hands clenched and unclenched and his breathing took on a labored pattern. This monster was going to pay for what he did. Sam was going to make sure of it, and just like he had at the Danforth's he sent out a white light that struck the doctor in middle of the back.
Stunned, Seth turned around to see Sam standing there his hand out to him, his will drawing the demon out from the doctor's body. Sam's other head went to his head and he grimaced as sharp pain began to build behind his eyes. His nose started to bleed and the world began to go black. The last thing Sam saw was the demon's smoke leave the doctor's body and burn its way down through the hospital floor.
Dr. Jameson was the first to come too. His head felt as if it was split in two and his stomach rolled sending a wave of nausea throughout his body. He slowly sat up and took in his surroundings. He remembered an oppressive black smoke forcing its way into his body and then no longer having any control over his actions. He stared in horror as his mind replayed what happened next; his being forced to kidnap Dean, lock Sam in a closet then use Dean as a bargaining chip to get a book from John. He shook as he remembered his finger being used as a tool to cut into his patient's skin. Oh, god, Dean he thought as he scrambled to his young patients side.
Sam stirred and opened his eyes. He was surprised to find himself lying on the cold tile of the hospital's floor. His body hurt and he couldn't figure out why. He slowly sat up and took in a sharp breath when a pain shot through his head. With the world spinning he pushed himself so he was sitting with his back supported by the wall behind him. He looked up at Dr. Jameson who was urgently checking his brother over and for a few seconds he was afraid that the doctor was going to hurt Dean. The feeling passed quickly and closing his eyes he laid his head back against the wall.
He wasn't aware of the yellow eyes that watched him through a crack in the doorway. A frown creased the lips of the man with the yellow eyes. "Seth was right, Sam is strong," the man said to himself, "However he is still to physically weak to push the full potential of his powers. I can't risk taking him now. I'll have to stick with the original plan. I'll wait until he's older and at the right moment I'll take him along with the others and let them decide amongst themselves who shall rule with me. Until then I'll have to keep my eyes on this one, he has shown the most promise."