Hello all! I am back with another SPN story :). This is going to be several chapters long, and I guess could be considered a "case story" This is my first attempted at one, so please bear with me. I have been working this idea for about three weeks now, I wrote it and then re-wrote it, and realized it made no sense whatsoever! LOL. Anyway I think I have something that is acceptable to post so here I am! This chapter is mainly the background info, that you need to know in order for it all to make sense. But I promise there will be tons of big bro Dean and hurt/sick Sammy! (I mean its the best kind) And once again, if anything seems off, or doesn't make sense let me know, I will be happy to fix it :) And don't forget to leave a review! I love to hear what you guys think :)
Few tips- if in the story you see anything that looks like this,
—
then has italic writing, this means its a flashback to the case.
if there is anything that looks like this,
that means we are going back to Sam and Dean in the impala after the case is over.
And anything in just normal writing is Dean going over the case. I know it sounds confusing but I promise it does make sense!
Disclaimer- I don't own SPN or any of the characters. I only own the plot. :)
And its kind of hard to tell you what spoilers there will be, but in this chapter then there are spoilers from season nine and up. (they are very small, but better safe than sorry) Also keep in mind as the story moves along there will be other spoilers. Anyway the story takes place in season 11 when Amara isn't super pressing. There is a language warning you have been warned. SO without further ado, here is my story,
The Clock is Ticking
Chapter one
"How are you feeling?" Dean looked over at Sam and asked him the question he had been asking ever since they finished their last hunt 5 hours ago. He had been running the events of the latest case over and over again in his head. It was a difficult hunt to say the least. It looked to be a simple salt and burn case, which is why they took it. Amara may be at large but they had exhausted everything they had to find her, and there was nothing. A big fat load of friggien nothing.
Hence a nice easy hunt, take their minds off of.. well everything, and come back with a clear head.
Well that's what Sam had said,
"It's an easy salt and burn Dean. We have done worse, and right now I need to get out, and so do you"
It was true. Dean had been going crazy stuck in the bunker, but that "easy" hunt wasn't freakin easy. It was a ghost so Dean gave a little credit but it was a Ghost who died from a horrific illness. An illness that had no cure. At first they thought it was the Ghost Sickness. One that affected Dean so many years ago, but this was different. It used fear to kill the victims, but the fear affected each person differently. There was no way of telling what would happen.
One of the first victims went crazy with pure fear. That's what drawed them in. They knew how to deal with it, but the next victim died from jealousy. Apparently his wife was cheating on him and he got so jealous he became sick and crazy and then took his own life.
—
"Wait wait wait, I thought it was fear that we were dealing with! Now jealousy?" The brothers were walking back to the Impala after checking out the dead jealous husband at the Morgue.
"Maybe he had a fear of being left behind, I mean the poor guy clearly loved his wife, and she just threw that away," Dean grunted to that response. But Sam did have a point,
"But Dean, I still don't understand why this "ghost sickness" is affecting people differently? Or even is this the ghost sickness? Are we dealing with something entirely new?" Sam looked over at Dean. Dean just sighed and got into the car.
—
After that, the next victim died from a bad -no very bad- case of the flu.
—
"Who dies from the freakin flu?" Was the question Dean continued to mutter under his breath as Sam and him were in the car driving to the house of the flu victim.
"Dean.." Sam warned him. At that Dean looked up at Sam, anger clear on his face.
"No I mean it! What the hell! You said this was easy. This is not friggin easy!" Sam just sighed and looked apologetically at him before going quiet for the rest of the trip.
—
Yeah, Dean wasn't letting go of the whole "it is an easy case" statement anytime soon.
It went on like that. One after the other. The only thing that each victim had in common was that they were all construction builders. (That part they found out at the morgue) And here was the juicy part. They were all working on the same run down building.
They were tearing it down to build a new senior home center. But clearly that didn't sit well with the ghost. After days of excessive research they learned that the building was an old science/ Research facility. It was built in 1940 and was trying to find cures for diseases.
Dean scoffed in his seat, stupid scientist with their stupid experiments
They were about 2 hours out from the Bunker. He looked over at Sam who still hadn't answered his question, of if he was feeling ok.
"Hey Sam" he snapped at him. Sam looked up at him shaken from whatever daze he was in,
"Answer me when I ask if you are ok dude" Dean's anger died down and was replaced with raw concern.
"Dean I feel fine, I don't think it got me. It just flew me across the room, and what you saw was only your imagination, a simple trick of the mind." When that didn't reassure Dean, Sam added,
"Hey, I'm ok. Really, I would tell you if I didn't." Dean sighed and looked back at the road.
"Yeah ok." But deep down he knew what he saw was true. And if the victims of the case were any signs as to show what was to become of his Sammy, he only had a matter of time left. And he would be lying if he said it didn't shake him to his very core.
Later that same day, after another trip to the morgue, to see the full report of the flu victim, and see if there was anything that might help break some light to this case (to which they left with a healthy load of freakin 'nothing) they went to interview the family of the flu victim. They would have done the family of the jealous husband, if the wife cared enough. (Which she didn't) So that left them with the flu family.
—
Knock knock! A lovely young woman answered the door, and hiding behind her was a beautiful little boy. Dean smiled despite himself, it reminded him all too much of baby Sammy when he would hide just like that but behind Dean. He snapped out of his gaze when Sam started talking.
"Good afternoon Ma'am, I'm Special Agent Young and this is my partner Special Agent Angus. We would like to ask you a few questions about your late Husband" after a slight pause he added, "you have our deepest condolences" It always amazed Dean how easily Sam could act professional and sympathetic at the same time. The kind mother invited them in and they all sat at the dining table.
"We know this is going to be hard for you Ma'am…"
Sam got cut off by her,
"Oh please Lily is fine" Sam smiled and continued,
"Lily, but anything you can give us will help," Dean saw Lily look away from them, her whole body tensing.
Lily looked down at her son,
"Tommy, why don't you go upstairs, yeah? I'll be up a bit later, ok?" She rubbed his hair and gently nudged him upstairs. With Tommy gone, she turned back to the "Special Agents" And said,
"Whatever you need to know, agents" Sam and Dean looked at each other and smiled. Sam started the questions,
"Now, we know your husband was a construction worker, do you know how long he had been working on the old research building?"
"Oh well, he was one of the first workers to be added to the project. So for about 6 months." Sam smiled and looked at Dean, he asked the next question,
"Lily, did your husband ever mention something strange or out of the ordinary while working?" Lily looked confused at this question,
"No sir, unless you count him saying he thought he saw a ghost?" She laughed a little at that, "but ghosts aren't real" At that, both brothers looked at each other quickly. Sam hurriedly added,
"Did he say anything else about this''ghosts ``?'' Again Lily looked confused and even a bit irritated,
"No, other than he thought it "flew through him" but what does this have to do with anything? I mean-" Dean cut her off,
"Wait, you said the ghost flew through him?"
"Yes?, but Agents, ghosts aren't real-"
"How long after the ghost supposedly "flew through him" did the flu symptoms rise?" Dean pressed. Lily looked at Dean with a funny look before answering,
"Let's see, he got home around 1:30pm on Friday and he started showing symptoms around 1:30pm Saturday, so 24 hours I guess? He then," she paused, and started to blink rapidly, 'he then passed 48 hours later. But Agents, what does this have to do with anything? My husband died from the flu!" Sam and Dean sat back in their seats. 24 hours. That was definitely different to the ghost sickness Dean had. With him it started out with small fears, then gradually got worse until the big final fall. But no signs till 24 hours later? Anyone could be affected and would have no clue! But then another question was raised. Could it be transferred? Dean's ghost sickness did, so who's to say this one couldn't.
"Lily, have you or your son been experiencing any of the same symptoms that your husband did? Any at all in the last 24 hours?" Sam said with urgency in his voice.
"No Agents, no, for the past 48 hours I have been keeping an eye on both me and Tommy. Nothing. Is there something I'm missing? Is Tommy in danger? Am I?" Lily was getting up ready to run up the stairs, grab Tommy and go, but Dean ushered her back down, and said,
"No, we think you are safe, there is one more question though, was your husband afraid of getting the flu or something?" Lily took a few deep breaths and responded,
"No, no but he was a germaphobe"
—
The rest of the interviews went like that, every victim started showing symptoms after 24 hours of a supposed ghost flying through them while working on the building. And each time they were affected by something they were absolutely terrified by. But you could only get affected if the ghost came in contact with you. After a day filled with grief stricken families, the brothers went back to their run down motel of the week, to figure out their next step. They still didn't know who the ghost was, and if there was a way to cure this new ghost sickness. They just assumed they would need to get rid of the ghost like they did with Dean. Which meant they needed to find the remains. In the end they decided to go explore the old run down building the next day, to see if they could find anything on this ghost, and the new and improved ghost sickness. Sam being the freak nerd researcher, dug up a ton on the building.
There was a whole crew of scientists working on the cure for multiple diseases. And they were using rats and mice for the testing. But after a while nothing was working. They were running out of mice to use. Then one day the head scientist got an idea. Instead of using mice, where the results vary, and after a while run out, they should use something that the world has an endless supply of. Humans! Many disagreed with this idea, and left the project all together. Some stayed but eventually they left too. All but one scientist remained and he continued his work on poor homeless people found on the street. He would perform different experiments on them, trying this and that. Until one day his crazy brain got a crazy idea (even crazier than using humans) He knew the brain was a delicate part of the body, the part that controls the rest of your body. So if you tweaked it just so, then maybe, just maybe the brain would solve the body's problem on its own. Unlock the potential.
After the mad scientist tried to "unlock the brain's full potential" It also unlocked a ton of unforeseen consequences.
—
"Unforeseen my ass, oh yeah what a great idea, let's mess with the brain and hope nothing bad happens" Sam and Dean were investigating the old building when they came across the scientists journal. Turns out his name was Gregory Lloyd. Sam couldn't help but chuckle at Dean's remark. As they continued to read the journal they learned that the test subjects all responded positively for the first 24 hours. Nothing was wrong and they seemed fine whatever disease was inside of them showed no sign of it ever affecting them . But after the 24 hour mark, things went downhill. The test subjects started going crazy. Even crazier than Gregory. They were overtaken by fear, but each person had a different fear they were going crazy by. Then 48 hours later they lost all control and lashed out, killing Gregory. After that they themselves died of whatever Gregory did to them.
—
Well once they learned that piece of news they had a better understanding of what was causing the fear in the construction builders, but they still needed to find the ghost. They were left with two possible solutions. One the ghost was Gregory Lloyd, or two the ghost was one of the first victims of Gregory's expreminets all those years ago. The boys called it a day and went back to the motel to do more research on who the possible ghost could be.
—
It was the third hour of scrolling mindlessly on the internet. Dean was about to hit the hay, when Sam gave a cry of victory,
"HA! Dean, I found something!" Dean stood up from his seat and went over to Sam's side. He then stole the computer from Sam's hand, and saw that he had highlighted a section, Dean read it out loud.
"The legend of Dr. Lloyd," Dean paused and looked at Sam, disbelief written all over his face. Sam urged him to read on,
"The legend states that 71 years ago, a mad scientist, going by the name Gregory Lloyd, went rogue while being a part of a research team, created to find cures for diseases such as, cancer, diabetes, asthma etc. He used humans as a test subject and as the legend states, he tried to rearrange the brain, hoping to "trick" it into solving the body's problem all on its own. The testing subjects all went crazy, and killed the Dr. shortly after they themselves died too. But it is said, in the old abandoned building, that you can hear the footsteps of Dr. Lloyd, and if you're not careful he will try to finish the experiment he started." Dean finished reading and looked up at Sam, who was waiting to see if Dean approved of his find. Like a dog when they find a bone buried in the ground. Dean smiled and said,
"Well there's our ghost!"
—
The next day the boys headed back to the old building to find themselves the ghost of Gregory Lloyd. Seeing as you could only get affected with the illness by being touched by Dr. Lloyd, the best course of action would be to remove the ghost from the equation. Hence a salt and burn. After spending many cautious hours roaming around the old building trying to find the remains of one Gregory Lloyd, they quite literally stumbled across them.
—
Dean was walking behind Sam, double checking every place he looked. This was their third hour of looking for the bones of Gregory Lloyd, and Dean was so close to calling it day. After checking multiple death records, and cemorties, they could not find even one single bone of Gergory. The only place left to look would be the old science building. So that's where they were. Dean yawned and rubbed his eyes, stopping for a mer second, when he heard Sam cry out in pain.
Terror seized his heart,
"SAM!" running to where the cry came from he found Sam, on his hands and knees. And he was smiling?
"Dean! I think I found them!" Dean's heart was still pounding,
"Found what? Are you hurt?" Sam looked up at him confusion written over his face,
"What? No! Look the fall just took me by surprise," Dean rolled his eyes and muttered,
"Bitch, scared the living crap out of me"
"Heard that," Sam looked up at Dean and gave him his best bitch face. But it was quickly replaced with excitement, "And I think I found Gregory Lloyd, or what is left of him, that is." Dean followed Sam's eyesight to see a skeleton covered in cobwebs, and other gross stuff, but the defining part was the worn out science coat that was covering the body, and a very very old nametag. Dean picked it up and read, "Dr. Gregory Lloyd".
"Ugh finally! About time we found the bastard." Dean heard Sam stand up and grab the duffle bag with all their ghost equipment.
"Seeing as I promised you an easy salt and burn, you do the honors." Sam bit back a laugh when he heard Dean growl at the world "easy". But he picked up the salt, gas, and lighter anyway.
As Dean set to work, Sam picked up his salt rock shotgun and stood ready to defend Dean. He knew from experience that the ghost always tried to stop them from lighting their bodys. And right on cue, the ghost of one Mr. Gregory Lloyd, materialized and tried to stop Dean. But Sam was quick, he shot the ghost in the stomach. The victory was short lived when Sam felt himself being thrown into the wall. The shotgun knocked out from his hands. He let out a muffled cry before the world went black.
Dean whipped around when he heard Sam crash into the wall. His body slumped, and unconscious. His heart was pounding, wanting so badly to run to Sam, but knew he couldn't, not with the ghost still there. Working faster he grabbed the lighter and lit the body on fire. But as he watched the bones burn, out of the corner of his eye he saw the ghost in its final moments, while Sam was knocked out, reaching out and touching Sam.
—
They left that day, Dean constantly worrying about, one; Sam's head and two; if he felt ok because the ghost touched him. And Sam being his bitchy whiny self kept saying he was fine, and that the ghost is gone now so none of it should matter. Dean wasn't so convinced. He planned to keep an eye glued on Sam, for the next 24 hours. He knew from personal experience how awful the ghost sickness is, and he flat out refused to let Sammy go through it too. He just couldn't.
First chapter done! WOOO! There will be more so don't worry. And I know its kind of boring at first, but I pinky promise it will be more exciting. Please leave me a review and let me know what you think! Have a fantastic day,
-OnceUponaKitten
P.S.- I have been having a pretty bad week, things have been going wrong left and right, SO here is a video that always cheers me up, and I thought I would give my find to you guys, in case anyone needs a good laugh! (its like 5 seconds long, and I would be shocked if it didn't make you laugh LOL)
watch?v=2LuiXF1i_JE (if the link doesn't work then look up, shut up- penguin slap. it should be the first video)