Here is another chapter for your reading pleasure. Enjoy and please take a moment to review and let me know what you think. Huggers!
AAU 21 Boiling Point
As they neared the end of the trail the big Wolfhound growled deep in her throat and leaped into the woods. The climb up the side of the mountain was steep and treacherous but her long legs pushed hard attacking the dangerous terrain. Leap after wild leap she struggled upward. With a final push she crested the edge of the cliff and settled to the ground her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Below her Krista whispered her name calling her back, but the call went unheeded. Reaching level ground she turned and lay down watching Krista and Dean. The big Wolfhound sighed, leaving this way was causing her mistress pain, but it had to be done.
"Krista," Dean growled touching her arm lightly to draw her attention. "It's time, remember what I told you. Stay low, keep close to the hillside and stay hidden for as long as you can."
The ranger nodded pushing at the unease that had settled around her heart. Duchess was all she had and now even the quiet comfort of the dogs' presence was gone. She prayed the Wolfhound wouldn't get herself killed.
"I know Dean. I have to press the medallion against the creature's skin. It will nullify his magic." Blue eyes traced the trail the Wolfhound had taken, her worry more for the dog than for herself.
Dean turned Krista to face him and slowly pushed back a lock of hair that had escaped its confines. "The Duchess will take care of herself Krista. Time to focus on the job ahead, our lives and hers depend on it."
"I know," she ground out. Frustrated by her fear and the Wolfhounds abandonment she let the anger at the whole situation flow through her. It was time to rid the world of the vicious creature.
Running his thumb across her cheek he stepped back. "Time to rock and roll," he growled. The shotgun came up as he spun away heading for the end of the trail and a showdown. Sam was waiting!
Krista mumbled beneath her breath, mirroring the hunter's words. "Time to rock and roll," her left hand wrapped around the medallion hovering over her heart. She felt the warmth of its magic flare lending her strength.
A hundred feet above them, hidden in the trees the wolfhound climbed to her feet. On silent paws she made her way across the rock strewn ground toward her destination. Her head hung low her teeth bared, ready to sink her sharp teeth into the creature's neck. It was time for vengeance, it would not be long.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Sam lay on the ground where he'd fallen. Breathing was hard. The fall had pushed the air from his lungs. He lay there helplessly. At the mercy of the crazed creature he had come to despise above all else.
Behind him at the mouth of the cave he heard Charlie's cry of pain as the Clurichaun yanked the chains shackled to the boy's ankles. He turned, anger flaring as he watched the boy fall sideways.
Charlie fell hard, his left shoulder striking the ground first. Even from this distance he could hear the crack of bone against the rock. He winced when a cry of pain was torn from the boy's throat.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Shamus was done with pretense. "Yer punishment is yet to come boy-o. Ye think to defy me! Ya cannot win boy. If'n ya want to eat, ya gots to work. No more mollycoddling. Now on yer feet boy-o, I'm gonna make sure ya never defy me again – NEVER!" The creatures screamed.
Charlie lay still his eyes flashing angrily. "No Shamus, I'd rather die than be trapped here with you."
Shamus whirled to face Charlie. Openhanded, he slammed the boy across the face, splitting his lip. "It ain't yerself that's gonna die boy, but the runtling. If'n you don't do as I say he'll end up at the bottom of the cliff all broken and smashed. Can ya live with his death on yer conscience boy-o?"
Charlie cried out a trembling hand came up to swipe at the blood flowing down his chin. It wasn't submission that sparked in the youth's eyes it was hatred.
Shamus chuckled and swiped his bloody hand across his leg. "What say you boy-o? Time to get ya to work or shall I send the runt over the edge.
He didn't want Sam to die, he wouldn't be able to live knowing Sam had died because of him. Charlie knew beyond all doubt that Shamus would kill him if he didn't comply. Broken at last Charlie slumped to the ground. The anger faded, as did the hope that Sam had brought with him. His voice was low, the sound heartbreaking as he whispered his assent. "I'll work Shamus, don't hurt him."
Shamus cackled gleefully, "I did na here ya boy, what did ya say?'
Charlie looked up his words achingly soft as he spoke. "I won't defy you any more Shamus, I promise, only don't hurt him. I'll do anything you want."
"Anything I want?" Shamus stood over him his fist ready to slam the boy again. "I think yer lyin boy-o," he snarled. "I'm gonna make sure ya never defy me again."
Jumping back the Clurichaun yanked at the chains, chuckling when he heard the boy's suppressed groan of agony. "Yes boy-o you will never defy me again. I'll show ya what will happen if'n ya do.
He didn't let the boy gain his feet but dragged him across the ground before embedding the chains into the tree beside Sam. Turning to face Sam he grinned, a slick, evil grin.
Sam didn't have long to wait before the Clurichaun struck. Shamus loved the sound of his captives' pain as he kicked the young hunter in the shoulder and again in the back.
"Yer a thorn in me side runtling. I will nah have it, time to pull the thorn and cleanse the wound. It's past time fer ya da die, past time," he chuckled maliciously.
A few feet away Charlie heard the words, fear clutched at his heart. "No Shamus, no," he screamed. "You promised."
Lightening fast Shamus crossed the distance sending a large hairy foot slamming into Charlie's gut. "Shut up boy-o, this is yer punishment for spilling me wine." Grabbing Charlie by the front of his shirt Shamus pulled him close. His hot fetid breath blew across the boy's face. "Watch and learn boy-o, cause if'n ya don't you'll be next. It will na be hard to replace ya so just remember it boy-o."
Charlie fell back to ground a great sobbing cry hung in his throat. "No Shamus, no," he cried over and over as he watched the Clurichaun stride away. The Clurichaun's evil laughter filled the air.
Sam lay on the ground and stared at the maniacal creature as he threatened the boy. He knew what was coming when Shamus spun to face him. The evil smile on the creature's face sent fear tumbling through him. He'd seen it before, but the truth stared at him from Shamus's eyes. The time of his death lay close.
All he could think about as he scrambled away into the underbrush beside the tree was his brother. Dean wasn't going to make it. His brother would never know what had happened to him.
The Clurichaun chuckled as he neared his fleeing captive. "Whatz the matter runtling, do ya think ya can escape me?" Reaching for the chain attached to Sam's ankle he pulled it from the tree.
Lulled by the peace and quiet of his new home and its distance from the human world, Shamus had pulled back the magic that protected him. He was safe he told himself he didn't need to waste the energy any longer.
Suddenly Sam's booted foot snaked out catching him in the jaw watching with hatred blazing in his eyes as Shamus shrieked in surprise.
Unprepared the Clurichaun fell backwards howling in pain and rage.
Sam was down but he wasn't out – at least not yet. Yanking the chain from the Clurichaun's hands he spun the heavy metal in an arc above his head before slamming it into Shamus's skull.
The Clurichaun wailed in pain as the chain struck him across the cheek. The rusty metal cut deep splitting the skin wide. Blood gushed from the wound. A beefy hand reached up to cover the cut, coming away slick with his own blood. Shock registered on the Clurichaun's face, shock and a gruesome hatred.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
She raced through the woods dodging trees and bushes as she heading for the cliff above Shamus's cave. The big Wolfhound could smell the enemy, the putrid scent fueling her hatred. Soon very soon she would have the creature's neck between her teeth.
Closing in on her target she slowed her head dropping low her teeth bared in hatred. Seconds later she reached the edge of the cliff overlooking the small plateau. Movement at the far side of the clearing drew her attention. At the sight of her enemy sitting on the ground his life's blood streaming down his neck she grinned in anticipation. It was time to rid the world of his evil. Creeping forward she dropped her front feet over the edge and leaped.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Nearing the clearing Dean heard the creatures howl of pain. Breaking into a run, he brought the shotgun up, ignoring the pain that seared through his injured shoulder. Instead, the hunter embraced it, gritting his teeth in determination he raced out of the tree line into the clearing, his eyes wide with shock at the scene before him.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
The Clurichaun flicked his hand and sent the young hunter crashing into the tree.
Stunned Sam slide sideways and gasped for breath. His body echoed with the shock of impact. Numb fingers loosed their grip on the rusty chain. The darkness of unconsciousness closed in around him.
"Yer dead runtling, ya hear me yer DEAD!" Shamus screamed in rage. Metal clanged against metal. The chain flew through the air. Shamus caught it with ease. Wrapping his hand around it he snapped it tight. The cuffs cut deep into his victim's ankles as he dragged Sam forward.
Shamus had wanted to torture his captive, make his death slow. The runtling's attack had surprised him, adding fuel to the rage burning in his heart. Hand over fist he hauled on the chain dragging his victim forward. "Dead, dead, dead," the Clurichaun chanted.
Opening his fist Shamus reached out. Magic flared and Sam's body snapped upward. The young hunter's head lolled sideways barely aware of the fist that wrapped itself in his tattered shirt. "I'm done with yer trouble," he seethed.
The Clurichaun's magic flared bright as Sam's limp body was lifted high above the creatures head. Cackling laughter filled the clearing as the Clurichaun heaved his captive into the air and shoved him toward the cliff. "Time ya learnt ta fly runtling,"
The sound of gunfire split the hushed silence of the little clearing.
Dean lowered the still smoldering weapon slightly and saw that while the Clurichaun stumbled from the impact, he did not go down. Sunova…. He could only stare in shocked disbelief knowing there was absolutely nothing he could do. He broke into a run, yet knowing he would never be able to close the distance between them in time. Pain like nothing he'd ever known stabbed through his heart.
He watched his brother fly through the air. His body landed with a sickening thud inches from the cliff's edge. But it didn't end there. The events seemed to slow down in his mind as Sam's tumbling momentum carried him over.
"SAM!" he screamed.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A nasty Cliffi! Will Sam plummet to his death – maybe – maybe not – you'll have to stay tuned in, until the next chapter to find out. It's coming soon.