Author's Note: I never thought I would have 200-plus reviews. Thank you all so much for your wonderful support! I wouldn't be doing this without you.
SPN
"It's… It's Ethan… Ethan's taking him to a lake. He's gonna drown him!"
Dean Winchester, heir of the Syndicate, could not believe the words pouring from the angel's mouth. He and Gwen were just leaving the cave, where they'd discovered a monstrous entity like nothing they'd ever seen before, but no sign of Sam, when they noticed the two visitors huddling on the ground a few yards down the slope. Castiel was obviously hurt, but as they rushed to offer their assistance, they were just in time to hear him accuse Ethan of kidnapping and premeditating murder.
It had to be a mistake. Ethan would never… Ethan loved Sam. They were practically brothers. He would never hurt the kid. They were family.
"Wait!" Gwen exclaimed, frantically removing her goggles and ski mask. Dean followed her example—it was already dawn, and light was starting to infiltrate the forest canopy. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Dean's counterpart was still kneeling beside his friend, but his shoulders were tense, and his fury was palpable. "Ethan? As in, the hunter who killed Lilith?"
The angel nodded. "I believe so… Yes…"
"No!" Dean objected while his counterpart pulled up a map on his phone. "That's not possible! I know Ethan! Do you hear me? He's not capable…"
His counterpart ignored him. "Okay, here we go. Closest lake is five miles away." He glanced from the phone to the angel. "Just five miles, Cas. You think you can make it?"
The angel grimaced, attempting to sit up, and Gwen—always eager to help—hastened to his side, offering him support. He groaned, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Dean. I'm still too depleted. You'll have to make a run for it."
He cursed under his breath. "Son of a… Five miles, Cas! That's a thirty minute run!"
"Then hurry!"
At the angel's command, Dean's counterpart leapt to his feet and tore off through the trees. Dean watched him go in shock. How could they suspect Ethan? It didn't make any sense! Ethan was…
Ethan was in danger! If Dean's counterpart found him… No. Ethan was Dean's best friend. He wouldn't let anything happen to him. He would give his life for him.
"Dean, wait!" he called after his counterpart, breaking into a run. He had to stop him! Had to stop him! Had to stop him!
SPN
Almost there. Almost there. Ethan could make out the water shimmering in the sunlight; he could hear it splashing on the rocks. Just a few more yards, and they could rest. Needless to say, they were both exhausted—Ethan from dragging Sam, and Sam from trying to escape. They always tried to escape. His victims. He couldn't blame them for that. They knew their lives were just about over, and it was very emotional for them. Very stressful. He always tried to give them a few minutes to clear their heads, to come to terms with their fates. They never did, but at least he made the offer.
Sam, though… Sam was different. Stubborn. Defiant. Even with ten broken toes, he continued to fight, writhing against his captor like a squirming puppy. Damn, he was frustrating. He didn't deserve the slightest bit of consideration. If only they could spend the whole morning together. Ethan longed to hurt him in every possible way. He despised rushing. But it was all for the best. He could satisfy his immediate cravings, and then, when this whole thing blew over, he could take his time with the other Sam. His Sam.
Finally, they emerged from the treeline and found themselves on the edge of a clear blue lake. Exquisite! A precious jewel set in the rugged wilderness! Ethan was thrilled to see not a sandy beach, but a rocky shoreline with gravel everywhere, and even a few boulders jutting out of the water. Nice! He couldn't have asked for a better location.
Of course, Sam didn't share his enthusiasm. When he glimpsed the lake, he panicked, thrashing around with fresh urgency. His muffled cries were so sweet to hear. Ethan laughed, heaving him forward and tossing him ankle-deep into the ice-cold water. He reflexively jerked onto his back, splashing water all over himself, to keep Ethan in his line of sight. "Mph-mff-mmm-pppfff!" He was already shivering, but with his legs tied and his feet severely damaged, he wasn't going anywhere.
Ethan towered over him, basking in his fear. "Listen to me, pretty boy. Your life's in my hands. We don't have much time, so I want you to calm down and appreciate every moment I give you." He entered the water. Sam shied away, but didn't have anywhere to go—he certainly didn't want to squirm deeper into the lake. Ethan crouched down and mounted his legs. Sam shook his head, objecting helplessly as Ethan stretched out on top of him, lying down on his chest. Water splashed over them—too shallow to submerge them, but deep enough to drench them. So cold. So refreshing. Ethan grabbed Sam's jaw and tilted his head back, getting his hair as wet as possible.
"MPHHFFF!"
"Mmmm…" Ethan slid up to press his cheek against Sam's face, moaning in his ear. "I've waited so long for this, pretty boy. You have no idea…"
SPN
Dean raced through the trees as quickly as he could, desperate to save his brother. This wasn't happening. Ethan!? He actually liked Ethan! The son of a bitch killed Lilith and saved his world from the apocalypse. Dean admired him. Damn it! Now the manipulative bastard was alone with Sam, and Dean could only pray that he would reach them in time.
It made sense. Obviously, someone was abusing the Sam from this reality, and if it wasn't a Campbell or a Winchester, who else could get away with it? Prince Charming's best friend. Dean was gonna kill him! Whether or not he reached them in time, Dean was gonna break every bone in Ethan's body!
SPN
Cas! Please don't be dead! Cas, I need your help!
Sam couldn't stop praying as he languished under Ethan's body weight. The sick bastard was crushing him, the water was freezing, and it felt like they'd been lying there for hours. He didn't want to die, so he wasn't in a hurry for Ethan to get up, but God, the water was so, so cold. And he was in so much pain. He just wanted it to stop.
"All right, pretty boy," Ethan whispered in his ear. "Let's do this." He leaned back and hauled Sam up by the front of his T-shirt. Water splashed and trickled everywhere as they trudged deeper into the lake. Much to Sam's horror, he couldn't fight—his body was shaking too fiercely—he couldn't function.
No! CAS!
Ethan brought him over to a large boulder that was protruding from the surface. He shoved him down on top of it, so he was staring over the edge at his own reflection. Crap!
"Don't worry, Sam," Ethan teased, entwining his fingers in his hair. "You're not gonna drown. Not right away. I want to draw this moment out…"
Sam frantically pulled back, but Ethan was ready for a fight and pushed down forcefully, dunking Sam's head under the water. He held his breath and began twisting his body, trying to roll over, but Ethan countered by slipping his free hand under Sam's arms, and planting it firmly on the back of his pelvis—right where he had his bone marrow biopsy. The pain was paralyzing, and Sam howled despite himself. Water filled his nose—it was already saturating his gag—creeping toward his throat.
Suddenly, Ethan yanked his head up. Pain flared through his scalp. Water splashed everywhere. Sam found himself staring at the sun, and he clenched his eyes shut. He could breathe! Thank God, he could breathe!
But at the same time, his gag was still wet, dripping water down his chin, and down his throat. His chest tightened, and he writhed against his captor, but again, Ethan's hand pressed roughly on his pelvis, sending shock waves through his body. He was going to die. He was actually going to die!
"Savor what's left of your life, Sammy," Ethan whispered in his ear. "Treasure it with me." Laughing, he plunged Sam's head back into the icy depths.
SPN
He had spent a year in Purgatory, on the run. Always on the run—cross country, just like this. There were days when he ran, not five miles, but ten—fifteen—sometimes a whole marathon. All for the sake of survival. But this time, it wasn't his life on the line. It was Sam's. He could do this. He would do this.
Hang on, Sammy! I'm coming!
SPN
The little runt was wearing out. Ethan had to give him longer reprieves to keep him alive, especially with the wet gag hindering his recovery. He could breathe through his nose, but with the water in his mouth, dribbling down his throat, he was constantly choking and coughing—drowning, but not drowning. It had to be torture for him, and Ethan loved it. He could do this all friggin' day—if Sammy was up for it. His strength was fading. He could hardly fight anymore.
"Don't quit on me just yet, pretty boy. I'm still having fun."
SPN
Come on, Dean! You can go faster than this! Hurry!
He barreled past the treeline and perceived two figures hunched over a large rock, waist-deep in a shimmering blue lake. One figure was holding the other's head under the water, and much to Dean's horror, the victim was barely moving.
"SAM!"
Brandishing his knife, Dean threw himself into the water. Immediately, the criminal whipped his head around, and sure enough, it was Prince Charming's friend. Ethan. His eyes widened and he turned to defend himself—dropping Sam in the process. When Dean closed in on them, he feinted low, then slashed high, but Ethan dove out of the way, thankfully putting some distance between himself and Sam. As Dean turned to follow the bastard, he heard his brother's head breaking the surface, splashing water everywhere. By some miracle, he was alive!
Squaring off against Ethan, Dean lunged forward, aiming for his throat. This time, Ethan blocked and punched Dean in the face. His head whipped backwards, and Ethan tackled him, using his weight to submerge him. But Dean was still gripping his knife, and he sliced the blade through Ethan's leg. The bastard recoiled, and Dean—holding his breath—swam after him. Maybe he could stab him in the nuts.
Suddenly, two hands gripped the back of his tactical vest and yanked him above of the water. Who—? He turned, lashing out instinctively, but his assailant saw it coming and blocked.
"Dean, no!" It was Prince Charming. "I can't let you hurt him!"
Under different circumstances, Dean might have given his twin the benefit of the doubt, but he was pissed, and he wasn't thinking clearly. He couldn't even phrase a witty retort. Instead, he kicked Prince Charming away from him and went back after Ethan, who was swimming out deeper into the lake.
"Dean, STOP!" his twin yelled after him. "It's not what you think!"
The ground fell out from under Dean's feet, and he began to swim in earnest. Damn, it was cold! What if Sam had hypothermia? Son of a bitch!
"DEAN!"
He kept going, pushing himself faster and faster. He never thought he'd be grateful for a year in Purgatory, but he was in the best shape of his life, and he was gaining on Ethan. Holding his breath, he dove back under the surface and raced forward. When he caught up, he grabbed Ethan's ankle and dragged him under. He aimed the knife at his bloody leg, but Ethan recovered quickly, grabbing Dean's wrist and kicking out with his other foot. Dean absorbed the blow, straining against Ethan's hold. They grappled against each other, spinning through the water, bubbles gushing everywhere. Then, they were ascending upwards, and their heads breached the surface.
Dean gasped for breath while Ethan kicked him again. He kicked back, snarling angrily. Then, he managed to throw himself on top of the bastard and shoved his head back under the water. Ethan squirmed, but Dean's free hand managed to snatch his hair, holding him still so he could knee him in the face. No one got away with hurting his brother. No one.
"DEAN!"
This time, it wasn't Prince Charming's voice crying out to him.
It was Sam's.
Dean whipped his head around. Much to his surprise—and alarm—the kid was in the shallow end of the lake, on his knees, with Prince Charming holding a large knife to his throat. Seriously!? What the hell!?
"LET HIM GO!" Prince Charming shouted, barely containing his fury. "OR YOUR BROTHER DIES!"
Son of a bitch!
Dean released Ethan, who immediately swam away from him. Still, Prince Charming held Sam hostage, more than willing to go through with his threat. Dean knew that look on his face—he wasn't bluffing. No wonder the other Sam fled. He must have known his brother would choose Ethan over him.
When the bastard came up for air, several yards to the left, he glanced frantically from Dean over to Sam and Prince Charming.
His friend jerked his head towards the rocky shore. "Ethan, get out of here! GO! NOW!"
In the distant treeline, Dean caught sight of movement. Gwen. She arrived on the scene, took stock of the situation, and didn't hesitate—didn't even blink. She aimed her submachine gun, fired a single round, and struck Ethan straight in the head. His body lurched backwards, plummeting beneath the surface.
SPN
It was like a fog lifting. As Ethan's body sank to the bottom of the lake, Dean's head began to clear, and as it cleared, his blood ran cold.
He remembered. Oh God, he remembered. The way Ethan looked at Sam… the way he treated Sam… the way he… the way he… And Dean did nothing! He just stood by and allowed it to happen, over and over and over again! How could he…? How…?
Sammy!
Dean dropped his knife. He stumbled backwards. He turned… doubled over… collapsed… and emptied his stomach.
SPN
Please Review!
