Chapter 37

"Jack," hollered Sam jumping up.

"No!" screamed Dean, but Sam was unable to help himself. He was tired of being afraid.

He wanted to act. He focused and used his powers.

"Jack," he hollered for the second time. A black bolt spilled out of the top of the cave and scorched the rocks where Alanya stood. He jumped, not expecting the younger Winchester to take action, and looked back furiously. Sam was using his powers against him.

Alanya howled, seething at the audacity of the young man. How dare he," he thought angrily and bore his eyes into Sam's head once again. Sam screamed in pain and agony and hit his knees.

"SAMMY!" yelled Dean and knelt down beside him. Sam looked up at his brother and became afraid once again. Dean saw the change. He reached out to touch him, but Sam knocked his hand away and shoved him back.

"Sam please," said Dean. "No. Don't do this again."

"Stay away from me!" yelled Sam and seized his head, the pain excruciating.

"You will not do that to him again," yelled Jack. "I won't let you! I won't let you hurt him, not again!" Jack screamed at the top of his voice. John watched intently as Sam backed away from everyone, afraid of them all. Alanya laughed wickedly.

Jack shook his head and shoved Alanya back, but was slammed to the ground.

Brad turned and glared at the demon, placing himself back in front of Jack to shield him. Jack looked over at Sam, but he wasn't responding to his brother at all. He was torn, his mind in pieces. He wanted to fight but he was afraid.

"Sam," said Dean nervously. "Listen. Don't let him do this to you again. You're getting better. Don't let him make you forget." Sam looked at his brother and grinned. Dean grinned back. Sam concentrated once again. The air around the young hunter shimmered with power as he took a step up and stood by Brad.

"Sam!" yelled Dean apprehensively. This was not what he'd had in mind. Sam shoved Alanya back two steps which made him mad.

Outrage flooded the creature, body and soul and he screamed with glee hitting Sam head on, throwing him backward into the stone pillar that his brother had been tied too. His head hit and he crumpled to the ground. He lifted a shaky hand to the gash the blow had caused and pulled it down seconds later. His whole hand was covered with blood. Sam's vision wavered as he tried to hold on to consciousness. Dizziness and nausea came and Alanya continued to pour it on.

He bore into Sam's head for the third time with his eyes and Sam screamed in agony, fire shooting through his skull in droves.

"Oh God!" yelled Dean. "SAM!" He charged but didn't stand a chance. Alanya shoved him back effortlessly.

"Stay there boys and let the adults play," said Alanya sarcastically then turned to Dean. "Better teach your little brother some discipline Dean or I will understand!" Dean attempted to go to his brother but Alanya prevented him.

"UNDERSTAND!" warned Alanya dangerously. Dean nodded. "Say it!"

"I understand! Please!" Alanya grinned and released him and he ran over to Sam and held him. Satisfied, Alanya turned his attention back to the two hunters before him. He was full of hate and had fire in his eyes. Jack was still on the ground and Brad stood in front of him to protect him.

"You will not save him Brad."

"Watch me." Behind him he could hear Jack struggling, trying to get to his feet. He was confused, the noises in his head getting louder and louder. "Where was he? Why was he here?" Brad heard him in his head and turned toward him, worried.

"Jack?" he asked. Jack looked up at Brad and winced from the pain in his head that was growing in leaps and bounds.

"It's me." Jack closed his eyes. When he opened them again he remembered where he was and why. Slowly and with great effort he finally got to his feet. He had to do this or his friends would die. Armed with a new conviction he looked weakly at Brad who was holding Alanya off, using his mind alone, and giving Jack a chance to recover.

Gathering, Jack turned to face his opponent, his enemy. He hurled powers at the demon to gain the time he needed. He heard the cry of pain and outrage coming from his prey. Inside Jack felt sly pleasure. For the first time in a long time Jack caused Alanya pain and it fueled him with new energy, but Alanya waved his hand, sending Brad through the air, to crash forcibly to the ground. "I'll kill him Jack," screamed Alanya. "I'll kill them all!" Jack watched Brad and saw that he was ok.

"No you won't," said Jack in a low voice. "I won't let you." He winced as Alanya begin talking in his head. He staggered backwards, his legs jelly. He braced himself against the wall. Alanya was saying things, horrible things in Jack's head, but the demon's mouth never moved. Jack was so tired but he couldn't quit. He had to keep on or one by one, the others would pay.