No one ever told me life was kind.

Straight Through The Heart

Sam's pov….

Sean was in school after a monster fight with Dean and me about going. We both felt that he needed time in a normal atmosphere and away from us. It was then that I was finally able to ask Dean what happened to Sean in the last two years.

"He's changed, Dean, really changed. There's a look in his eyes that scares me. Who is he, what is he?"

"You've missed a lot during your two year gallivanting in higher learning. He has changed, grown, developed become something greater."

"Give me details."

"He was devastated when you left, absolutely devastated. He was so mad at Dad; he wouldn't eat and hardly talked at all. Dad even backed off on hunting and bought him a guitar."

"I was wondering where that came from. I haven't seen him play it at all."

"He used to play it all the time. He drove me crazy with it, and he was getting fairly good. After you left, we ended up in Salem, Sean's choice. He said he met some guide named William who took him on some tour of the past. He learned a lot on his little journey and it seemed to be the starting point of his growth."

"Then what?"

"Then we had several adventures including a run in with Big Foot and he took charge on a case with a vengeful spirit in a hospital. He was so proud that he was right and I was wrong. That's where we figured out that he knew how to visualize alarm codes. Then the case of the demonic teacher; I thought we were going to die that night."

"He's really come into his own, a powerful force."

"Yeah and it's nearly killed him more than once."

"He told me about the shapeshifter nearly choking him, and Dad using him as bait with the Lady Midday creature, but then he just sort of stopped talking about the hunts," I said.

"Yeah, well, they were taking their toll. Sam, he tried to kill himself, and he would've been successful if not for someone else's sacrifice. Since then I'm not really sure what goes on in his head. He has a powerful circle of protection, but I can only hope that he doesn't outgrow it or leave it behind. He had to watch two people die for him, but we found out that he is a true hero. How does an eleven year old put all that together and make sense of it? How do we? Now Dad is gone and I don't know what to do," Dean said with exasperation in his voice.

"Are his dreams getting stronger?"

"Yes and so is he. Sam, he killed a demon, not exorcised it, but killed it. Stabbed it in the heart, knew exactly what to do. Then we had another hunt pop up and he was stuck in a bathroom with a possessed teacher and he was so casual about it. He wasn't at all concerned, like it was a big joke. That scared me more than when he killed the demon."

"What happened?"

"I exorcised it, but Sean didn't bat an eyelash the whole time. He was more worried about finding his flashing teeth than the evil in front of him."

"His what?"

"Long story. Anyway now that Dad is out of the picture, I'm finding out why he was so stressed all the time and it wasn't always due to the evil we were chasing. Sean is an even bigger challenge than what we hunt sometimes."

I was able to get more details from Dean concerning Sean and his changes. The poor kid, like puberty isn't tough enough, he has to go through psychic changes as well. I'll admit that life was going to be different.

"Dean, can we protect him? I mean will we be able to protect him?"

"I have no idea, Sammy, I have no idea."

I was mulling over all the information that Dean had fed me when his cell phone rang.

"Great it's the school. Sean is in the office."

"What? Why?"

"Apparently the class was asked to look up a song that represented what they felt their life was or maybe a certain experience."

"So what's the problem?"

"What's the problem? The problem is that he didn't fake it, he just tossed a big problem right into our lap!"

"What song did he choose?"

"Bad Moon Rising, by Credence Clearwater Rival. Now he is waiting to see the school psychologist and I, or we, need to come down there. Why don't you come play parent with me and see just how much fun it is?"

We got there and Sean was nowhere to be found. The principal, Mrs. Holland, was waiting for us. "Come in, Mr. Winchester and…" "Oh Sam Winchester, another brother." I offered. "Welcome Mr. Winchester number two. As I explained to you on the phone, Sean's choice of songs sent up a red flag. It was especially difficult for his teacher, Ms. Andrews."

"Why is that?" I asked.

"She recently lost her son, he was only ten years old and was murdered just a few months ago. It was devastating to us all and Tara is barely holding it together. She was a single parent and goes home to an empty house. We've all tried to be there for her, but nothing can make the horror any less for her. I know Sean didn't mean anything by the song, since you are new to the area he probably isn't even aware of her loss, but was just an odd choice for a sixth grader."

"Where is Sean now?" I asked.

"He is with the school psychologist," Mrs. Holland answered.

"Oh God," Dean squeaked. "Could we possible speak with Ms. Andrews?"

"Not today, she needed to go home and unwind."

"I understand, how about the psychologist?" I asked.

"Sure, she is probably about done with Sean anyway." She led us to the hallway and pointed. "Just walk to the end and take a right, Mrs. Hawkins room is the third room on the left. We'll keep in touch."

We knocked on the door and a young woman answered. "Yes?" she inquired.

"We're Sean's brothers and thought we might be able to take him home," Dean wondered.

She turned around and we saw Sean sitting at a table with a piece of paper and markers in front of him. "He won't say much; I was trying to get him to draw a picture of his feelings but he just rolled his eyes at me and pushed the markers away. What has his behavior been like at home? Have there been any changes?"

Dean and I looked at each other, if she only knew.

"Umm our dad recently left on a long trip. I think that has been bothering him more than he lets on. Did he say anything to you?"

"No, you can take him, but I'll want to see him in a few days."

When she returned to the table she flipped the paper over and found that Sean had left her something to ponder; the song. Bad Moon Rising, in its entirety.

I see the bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin'.
I see bad times today.

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

I hear hurricanes a blowing.
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers over flowing.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.
All right!

Hope you got your things together.
Hope you are quite prepared to die.
Looks like we're in for nasty weather.
One eye is taken for an eye.

When we got to the car it was like Dad had never left. Dean started in immediately. "What the hell is wrong with you? Under the radar, stay under the radar. You just stood up and waved your arms up and down. Do you know the teacher had to go home? She is dealing with a tragedy and you just threw it in her face," Dean ranted.

"I know, she needed to leave, it's what I wanted" Sean answered as he stared out the window.

"Why would you do that?" I asked shocked.

"Because she was in danger. Aaron wasn't killed by a person, well I guess he was, but anyway, Ms. Andrews may meet the same fate if we don't help."

"Why was she safer at home?" I asked.

"She was planning on staying after school to work on a project, it wasn't going to end well. Aaron had been trying to warn her, but she doesn't understand."

"What are you talking about?" Dean demanded.

"Her son Aaron was killed by a man who was possessed by a demon and for whatever reason, he is now after Ms. Andrews. Aaron is trying to warn her, but she doesn't get it. Aaron is very scared and she is picking up on his fear but nothing else. Today she was safer at home; tomorrow, I have no idea. We need to figure this out fast," Sean stated. We googled Aaron Andrews and learned that ten weeks ago he was found in a vacant lot with a broken neck. It seemed to be a totally random killing. There was no mention of Aaron's father.

Sean was reading his Social Studies book and had remained stoic and impassive since we picked him up.

"When did he become so detached and disconnected?" I asked Dean as I looked over at my younger brother.

"I guess when horror strikes you at three minutes old, by the time you get to eleven not much gets you excited. I think that he believes his destiny is written and no matter what he does, his path his formed. He has no choices in life just fate," Dean answered me.

"Did his little ordeal happen after his deal with the demon?"

"You mean his suicide attempt, because that's what it was. I suppose so. He's like me, he just gets tired, physically tired, emotionally tired. We didn't get a two year break like you did."

"Look I needed out, this life wasn't for me. Sean probably feels how I do."

"And how is that?"

"Trapped."

The next day we picked Sean up from school and he reported that Ms. Andrews was absent. He wasn't concerned as he felt she was still safe. I helped him with his homework and we had just finished when he had an overwhelming desire to go to the laundry mat.

We did have a load so it really was a good idea, but an unusual request. We got everything going and Sean drifted off to watch TV. I pulled out my book and Dean started a conversation with a woman that had just come in and was throwing her wet clothes into the dryer.

Dean and the woman headed over to a nearby table and seemed to be in an intense conversation. Sean seemed to be keeping an eye on them. I wondered what he was up to. After several minutes Dean motioned him over to the table. I got up and sat on the other side of the bank of washers, out of sight

.

"Sean? Why are you here?" the woman asked.

"I can help you. Everything Dean said is true. I knew you'd be here tonight and I want to help you and Aaron," Sean explained.

"Stop it; what Dean told me can't be true. I wanted to believe it, believe that people can see the unseen and know the unknown, but you're just being cruel and I don't appreciate it at all," she said as the tears began to flow.

"Your son's name was Aaron he was ten years old with blond hair and blue eyes," Sean began.

"Stop, anyone could've gotten that information," she cried.

"He loved to skateboard, but wasn't very good at it. You were worried about broken bones and stitches. He loved Tony Hawk and asked for several items from his clothing line for his upcoming birthday. You bought him three shirts and two pairs of shorts, but he never got to wear them. He loved cats but was afraid of big dogs. He still liked playing with his Legos even though he told you he was too old for them. He told you he hated his nickname, Bubba, but he really didn't want you stop calling him that. He was failing math because he didn't understand it, but was afraid to tell you because he thought you would think he was stupid. He wrote you note about how much he loved you and tucked it in your top drawer for Mother's Day. Do I need to go on?"

"How? How do you know these things?"

"When he was five he burned himself on the stove trying to make you pancakes for your birthday. I know these things because he told me so that you would let me help you. Do you know why your dryer isn't working?" A nod, no. "He pulled out the plug in the back so you would come here and we could meet. He is afraid for you."

"Why?"

"What killed him wasn't human and it is after you."

"Well, Sean, don't pull any punches; just lay it right out there," Dean said.

"We have no time to play around. Listen to me, I can help, we can help, but you have to believe me and do what I say."

"Okay, what do you want me to do?"

"Answer my questions honestly. Have you ever played with an Ouija board?"

"No never!" She stated emphatically.

"Where's Aaron's father?"

"He left when Aaron was a toddler. The relationship was never solid and it didn't end on good terms. I haven't seen or heard from him since. But he was interested in the occult, actually his family was deep into that world. Would that mean anything?"

"It might," Dean answered.

I came around the machines and introduced myself. "He may have inadvertently or purposely pulled something through and it went after Aaron. It could have been recent or something that was lying dormant, waiting for a certain time or situation."

"Aaron is trying to protect you. He is safe, but he really needs to move on, but he won't until he knows you're okay. We need to find this evil and send it back to hell, and then you both may be able to find some peace," Sean said.

"Did he…did he…..?" She tried.

"Suffer?" Sean asked. She nodded yes. "No he didn't, I promise you that he didn't."

We talked until the laundry was done and Sean convinced her to come back to our motel. She was not to be alone; it just wasn't safe for her, not anymore.

As Sean padded out of the bathroom in his sweats and t-shirt with his toothbrush in hand, Tara, as she asked to be called, told him that the reason the song Bad Moon Rising hit her so hard was because she had been hearing it for the last several days.

"It would be on when I woke up, when I got in the car, when I went into the teachers' lounge, then you pushed play and when it began, I thought I was going to lose my mind."

"There was a reason, it's a warning things are going to get ugly," Sean told her.

"We need to see if there is some kind of pattern or history, something to help us figure out what we're dealing with," I said.

"Ya think?" was Dean's smartass answer.

The next morning we were up and Dean took Sean and Tara to school and you guessed it, Bad Moon Rising came onto the radio. Sean had some dreams overnight but needed time to wade through them and come up with some theories.

We researched and made phone calls and came up with rumors and hearsay. Keith Schmidt lived with his parents until he was 22 and Aaron was born. It was said that his family was involved in satanic rituals and worship. How involved he was wasn't clear. Some said he was trying to get away from it and others were certain he was training to take over the coven. From our conversation the night before, Tara told us that Keith lived with her and Aaron for two years. One night he came to her and said it wasn't working out and he needed to get away, that their lifestyles weren't compatible. And she hadn't had any contact since. His family had left town a few weeks before and she thought that Keith's leaving was possibly connected.

After school we put our heads together and, with Sean's insight, tried to form a picture.

"Keith's family is into the occult, they leave town then he leaves town, coincidence I doubt it," Dean said.

"We never really clicked, but I was surprised by his leaving," Tara added.

"He was trying to protect you," Sean dropped into the conversation.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Oh my God I understand it now," he said.

"Understand what?" we all asked.

"His family, mostly his father, wanted a sacrifice, to prove that Keith was faithful to them, to the society," he explained.

"What was he supposed to sacrifice?" I asked.

"Not what, who," Sean said.

Tara looked at Sean and swallowed hard and asked who. "You and Aaron, he was to kill you and Aaron. That's why he left; he disappeared, tried to run from his family. He led them to believe he had done it, but they finally discovered his secret."

"And?" Dean asked.

"They found him, and they killed him. Now they are after you."

"His family?" Tara asked.

"They killed Keith, wanted to do that personally. You don't cross evil and get away with it. But as for Aaron they did summon help and that malevolent being is now after you and it's strong."

"The moon is rising, is that meaningful?" Tara asked.

"Yes, very much so, hence the warning from the song, we need to be ready," Sean declared.

We pulled out our exorcism notes and had salt and holy water at the ready. Sean went to his pre-battle trance and we waited.

We were fighting fatigue when the door flew open. Evil had come to visit. We pushed Tara into the circle of salt and Sean took his position.

"You can't have her," Sean said with as much confidence as he could muster.

"Maybe I'll take you instead," the demon said as he pinned Sean against the wall.

That had never happened before; Sean had always been immune to the physical control of demons. This was a strong entity. Sean looked at us, his eyes big, but they were unwavering. We began the exorcism ritual but it didn't seem to have much of an effect.

"You think you can beat me? I laugh in your face, you weaklings. You have no idea what you have before you," the demon chuckled.

Sean's eyes narrowed as he spoke. "I know you, I know who you are."

"Do tell," the demon taunted.

"I've felt you before."

"Is it Scotty or Mal?" Dean asked.

"How many demons do you know by name?" I asked in astonishment.

"No, it's neither of those," Sean said.

"Keep guessing; meanwhile, I'll get to work since you're stuck to the wall and everything."

The demon started its own ritual and Tara seemed to be in pain.

"Belam, that's your name," Sean declared. "I remember you, I know who you are, you son of a bitch," Sean screamed as recognition came across his face.

"Sean, who is he?" Dean yelled.

As he answered, Sean's rage was allowing him freedom from his invisible prison. "It was you, you killed my mother. I couldn't do anything then, but you will not kill this woman, not today, not ever."

"I don't think you can stop me, you're not up to it," was Belam's response.

"Maybe not but I have help."

Belam looked at Dean and me and just smiled. "Not much help. What a group, a childless mother and motherless children, such tragedies to those in this room."

But as we looked back to Sean he was standing with a young boy we assumed was Aaron. Tara nearly fainted and was heading out of the circle before Dean yelled at her to stay inside of it. Sean was now totally free and he and Aaron were heading towards the demon; what they had in mind was anybody's guess.

Belam looked slightly more unsettled than he had earlier but was nowhere near panic. Did Sean happen to have anymore of that dirt in his pocket that he had used in Massachusetts? The boys continued towards the demon and as they were within arm's reach, another figure came into play. There was another entity directly behind Belam. Tara looked like she was going to collapse any second. With the third participant in the mix things were getting crowded. I looked at Dean and he shrugged as the new member began chanting something that was unfamiliar to us, could this possibly be Keith, Aaron's father? The anger was just rolling off of both Sean and Aaron, the three made a triangle around the demon. The incantation continued and the demon's presence began to weaken. It seemed to be coming to a head when Sean reached out and placed his hand on Belam's heart. "You ripped my heart out all those years ago and I have never, and will never, forgive that."

"You don't have the courage to kill me!"

"I have the courage not to; I am going to send you so far back to hell you will be battling my children when you resurface."

"Your child, now that is a story in itself," Belam said smirking.

Sean didn't respond despite both Sam and Dean's eyebrows rising up. The invocation continued but the demon was maintaining. I looked over at Tara, she was barely hanging on, but when I looked back to Sean I saw his mother Sarah standing behind him, she was whispering into his ear. Sean was so upset he could barely stand. Keith finished his spell and told Sean it was up to him. He looked back at his mom and they seemed to come to an understanding as he nodded and she placed her hand on his back near where his heart would be. I had no idea what to expect.

"I will not let you take this man with you; you will not end his life as your final act." Sean said alluding to the victim the demon was possessing. "You will see me in your nightmares and when you return you had better be prepared."

"I won't be the only one to have nightmares," came Belam's response and just as he finished, there was a loud pop and flash of light. The wind blew straight up and I dove for the floor.

When it was over Keith was gone and Aaron was having a last moment with Tara. Sarah was nowhere to be seen and Sean had collapsed on the floor. I ran to him and it was only when I went to pick him up I realized he was unconscious.

"Dean, help me!" I screamed.

We lifted him up onto the bed and Dean ran to get a wet rag. As we wiped his face with water, Sean came around. He began to gag and we got him on his side just as he vomited.

"Sean, hey little man, are you okay?" Dean asked.

"I have the mother of all headaches and I'm exhausted, is he gone?" Sean asked.

"Yes," we both said.

"Good, I need to sleep." He rolled onto his back and slipped into sleep.

Tara was alone and I went over to see if she was alright. She was shaking, but ready to go home. We stayed with Sean while Dean took the still unaware man who had been possessed by Belam to a vacant room in the motel. When he returned, I took Tara home.

"Why didn't he kill the demon? He could've, right?" Tara asked.

"If he had, it would've meant killing the one who is possessed also. Demons are like parasites, they often use a host. If they die, the host dies too. Sean didn't want to be responsible for that. He didn't want to give Belam's last act on this earth a victory of taking someone else's life."

"Keith, he helped, didn't he?"

"Yeah, he sure did. I've been in this business a long time and never heard the invocation that he said. It was the catalyst."

"The woman was that….?"

"Sean's mother, she died when he was a newborn. I believe that she didn't want Sean to seek vengeance for her. He doesn't need to carry that, not yet anyway."

"She asked Sean not to kill the demon?"

"I think so."

"The demon mentioned a child, do you know what that means?" She asked.

"No idea, but demons lie, I'm sure it was just a lie." But even as I said it, I had to admit I was very curious. I made a mental note to ask Sean about it when he was feeling better.

Sean slept like the dead for over 24 hours. Tara stopped by shortly after he woke up to check on him and profess her thanks.

"Aaron is gone, but I got to say goodbye, thanks to you. Your mother is so proud of you. She would give anything to stay with you. You and I both have tremendous holes in our lives, but we both have the strength to go on."

Sean looked towards us and forced a smile.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked.

"Listen," he said as he turned up the bedside radio.

We all listened to the last verses of Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult.

Love of two is one
Here but now they're gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear we couldn't go on
The door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew then he appeared
Saying don't be afraid

Come on baby... And we had no fear
And we ran to him... Then we started to fly
We looked backward and said goodbye
We had become like they are
We had taken his hand
We had become like they are

"One day we will become as they are and what a day it will be," Sean said with emotion.

(The last two paragraphs are from Blue Oyster Cult's song, Don't Fear the Reaper.)