A.N. Thank you for your good wishes, thank you for your support, thank you for making me laugh when I needed it. Your comments and reviews are so much more than that right now, and I'm so very grateful!

Chick xxx

CHAPTER 26

Decisions and issues of trust

Standing between the two rocky uphill paths, Dean berated himself. Come on Winchester, figure it. Picture the fall...Dammit! Which fucking way? He turned his focus inwards, attempting to connect the dots between his first head over heels roll and his final landing position in the stone valley between the steep slopes. The problem being that he was attempting to floodlight an image that had occurred in terminal darkness. During his chaotic twisting and tumbling, keeping score of his gymnastics really hadn't been a priority. Sonovabitch...Might just as well flip a coin, if I'd got one...An' if I could frigging see which way up it landed!" Making a random choice, Dean began to painfully slither and scramble his way upward the incline, hoping to find level ground.

...

At last he reached the top and dragged himself onto a relatively flat walkway. Easing himself upright, he sought out the tunnel wall. Staying close to it, he continued his journey, this time shuffling and sliding his booted feet slowly along the trail, feeling for any unexpected danger under foot. A small sound in the distance made him pause. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on listening. Tuning into the sound again, he recognised it as a combination of footfalls, and the noise made by scattering pebbles. Someone, or something, was heading rapidly in his direction.

...

Dean crouched down and flattened himself against the tunnel wall, waiting. Opening his eyes he squinted into the pitch black, at first seeing nothing. Then, some way off, he thought he saw a pin prick of light, so tiny that, initially, he didn't trust his own eyes. Gradually, however, the sound of someone moving down the tunnel in his direction became louder, and the tiny spot of light grew, becoming clearer as the distance between Dean and the newcomer shortened. Dean considered his options. Here in the dark and with the sudden downhill section waiting behind him, running became the most fruitless and dangerous choice. Standing himself upright, he leaned against the rocky wall for support, and called out a challenge.

"Hey!...You, with the light. Who are you? What're you doin' down here? Answer me!"

The footfalls stopped, and a nervous voice responded.

"Dean? Dean...Is that you?"

"Who wants to know?"

"Dean! At last! It's me...Becky. Stay still, I'm coming down to you, wait till I bring the light over."

"Becky? Shit! The bitch sent you after me, didn't she?"

Dean could see the light bobbing closer, eventually enabling him to discern that it was being given off by a winter white flame which lit up Becky's worried face and hurt his eyes. He squinted as Becky finally spotted him and scurried across.

"Well? Did the old douche bag tell you to come find me?"

"Yes...But it's ok Dean. She's not here. She's had to go prepare something for when she...For when you...Well, you know...But it means we've got the chance to get away, both of us. Come on, hurry."

As Becky's light shone on Dean, he shook his head.

"Sorry lady. No offence, but I've heard that one before."

Becky looked pleadingly at him.

"I'm telling you the truth Dean. If we're quick, we can both escape."

"Why should I trust you? You're her friggin' familiar."

Becky flashed Dean a smile.

"Managed to fool you too huh? Damn, but I'm good!"

"What? What do you mean?"

"She doesn't control me Dean...Really. We haven't got all night though. I'm getting out of this place. So, you coming?...Or not?"

Dean turned to look back down into the dark tunnel, then at Becky again, scrutinising her, trying to read her, looking for some sign that marked her as belonging to Hecate.

"Dean...I don't want to rush you, but time's moving on."

Dean bowed his head, uncertainty flowing through him. When he raised his head again, he gave the woman a short nod.

"Guess I've not much option. I'll just have to trust you, won't I?"

...

With the aid of the light, the return journey back to the cavern was made so much quicker and easier. Dean was both surprised and disappointed to realise what little progress he had made in his attempt to get away. As they neared the end of the tunnel, Becky stopped and raised a hand to Dean.

"Wait here. I'll check she's not around."

Stepping into the light of the cavern, Becky glanced around whilst Dean watched, still suspicious of Becky's intent.

"It's ok, it's clear. Come on."

Cautiously, Dean emerged from the tunnel. A chuckle coming from one side sent a chill running through him. Turning, he saw Hecate, casually leaning against the cavern wall where she had been waiting, out of Dean's line of sight.

"Welcome back child. Jussst in time."

...

Dean didn't have a chance, the spell hit fast and hard. He cried out as a familiar pain sent him reeling to the floor, the impact made even worse when he landed on his injured shoulder. Dean's howls turned to hollered curses tumbling out of his mouth between gasps for air and sobs of anguish, whilst Hecate stood over him, her laughter increasingly turning to the sound of cackling. Twisting his head away, Dean's pained eyes caught sight of Becky, watching calmly, a slight smile on her face. Then, as suddenly as the attack began, it ended, and at last Dean's tormented body stopped seizing. He lay still, drawing in ragged breaths, hating the weakness left by the physically draining effect of Hecate's torturous magic.

...

"Get him up girl and fixss him to the ssstake."

"Yes Mistress."

Pushing Dean onto his back, Becky grabbed hold of his hands and tried to heave him up into a sitting position, but merely eliciting further choked off sounds of pain at the impact on the dislocated shoulder. Realising she was getting nowhere alone, Becky gave up tugging at Dean and knelt down by his head, patting at his cheek until the hunter opened his eyes to blink up at her.

"Dean...I need you to stand up, do you understand? I can't move you on my own, I need you to help me...Ok?"

Dean wearily closed his eyes again.

"Screw you."

...

Staring down at the uncooperative man, Becky realised that her earlier unease was once more tingling up her spine, clearly it was something to do with him, Dean. Becky glanced across to the waiting stake. Maybe...Maybe this is all wrong?

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A.N. More soon!

Chick xxx