Sam paced the kitchen, he had put on Dean's old hoodie which cascaded around his nervous figure, and it was little comfort as the moments passed in silence, lacking the rumble of the impala pulling into the gravel driveway.
"He's fine Sam." Bobby insisted, nurturing his beer. "The boy is 16 he knows how to take care of himself, he's probably just getting too handsy with a girl, you know how he is."
"Yeah." Sam mumbled, he knew Dean loved women (loved was an understatement) but Dean had never once stayed out with a girl when he was worried about Sam.
Unless Dean had finally figured out he was better off without Sam holding him back, because if that was the case…
Sam's thoughts were interrupted by one of Bobby's many phones going off, the volume blaring, it echoed in the old home. Bobby got up with a huff and made his way over to the wall.
"John?... Woah hang on there….. yeah ok….. sorry we've had a busy day, I wasn't inside much… well shit John I'm not a fool of course Sam is ok."
Sam felt his heart jump at the mention of his name. Was his dad worried about him? Why?
"Dean? I haven't seen him… followed?... by who?..." there was a long pause while Bobby ran a hand down his face in frustrated tension, then exploded "DON'T YOU GIVE ME THAT SHIT JOHN, I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED."
More silence, Sam bit his lip, fingers nervously pulling at the hoodies tattered sleeves, doing his best not to hover. His dad couldn't tell, Bobby couldn't know the details because then Bobby would know that Sam deserved everything and Bobby would hate him and-
Bobby resumed in a level (but strained) voice "Ok then, glad we're on the same page, no he's not home yet … you're right, this isn't good. Where are you at?...that's only a couple hours away, you meet us in town, we'll go try and find Dean."
With that the phone call was over and Bobby let out a sigh before turning to Sam. "Get your coat, let's go find your brother."
Sam didn't need to be told twice, he skipped his coat, and was out the door before Bobby grabbed the keys.
Dean's head hurt, throbbed with pulsing agony so sharp it sent red flashes through his blinded eyes. He stifled a groan, his hunting instincts kicking in, causing him to remain complacent as he assessed the situation. He vaguely recalled the crash, and the men who knocked him out. He kept his body slack against the restraints, his wrists tied to something, maybe with a rope? Whatever he was tied to was low enough that he was sitting on the ground, his legs sprawled out at awkward angles and a hellish cramp was settling in but he didn't dare move.
Dean kept his eyes closed, his body lax as he listened, straining at the slightest sound, there was the low rumble of some machinery, after a moment he recognized it from his many nights on the road, a crappy window AC unit. Otherwise he didn't hear anything, not even breathing, so wherever he was maybe they had left him alone? He waited, then cautiously squinted one eye open.
The bright light sent a shot of pain through his head and he quickly closed his eyes, not able to stifle the groan that slipped past at the unexpected agony. It must have been a hell of a concussion. Dean slowly recovered, the red lights dulling into throbs, and tried again.
It was indeed a hotel room, one that looked eerily similar to the hundreds that Dean had spent nights in. It was empty, and Dean allowed himself to stretch out, relieving the cramping in his legs. He was sitting on the floor between the beds, his hands rope tied to a beam that ran along the wall used to secure the furniture from thieves. Dean tested the ropes, they were secured tightly but they were just rope, with enough time he should be able to wear them down. Though that could take hours, hours that Dean didn't have because it was clear whatever was going on Sam was involved, and if Sam was involved Dean needed to be there.
Dean began the exhausting journey of rubbing his wrists against the wooden beam, slowly fraying the ropes, it would take time, and there was no telling how long Dean had been left already, or when someone was coming back. The pulled shades indicated that it was still night, Dean just hoped it was the same one.
As he continued the methodical movement he could feel the rope cutting into his wrists, chafing, it felt like he was grading off his skin, but he stuck with it even as sweat began to bead down into his eyes from the efforts and his shoulders began to cramp, begging for relief.
He heard the lock on the door begin to slide and instantly went limp, hoping that his efforts would go unnoticed, his hands were hidden by his body but any close inspection would show he had been awake.
"We've been waiting a long time for you Sam Winchester." A gruff voice barked, Dean tensed, it took all his training to relax as he heard what had to be someone, a very small but feisty someone, being forced into the room.
"Dean!" It was Sam's voice, desperate and panicked. Dean remained still, slumped against the wall, heart pounding as he imagined the scene playing out in front of him.
"Knew your brother would get you out of hiding." A laugh and what sounded like Sam being thrown to the floor, landing with a thump on Dean's left. "We've heard all about your family, after your dad took out our buddy we did our own digging" a snort "Dean and you have quite the reputation."
Dean heard Sam next to him, the boy's breath coming in rapid short bursts "What do you want?" Sam cried, a voice that tried so hard to be brave.
"Stay where you are!" Dean felt the cold metal of a pistol pressed to his head. "Wouldn't want anything happening to your brother would we? Not before the fun has begun."
"Leave him alone." Sam growled, but Dean could hear the fear in his voice. "He has nothing to do with this."
"Damn right." the gun was removed and Dean heard the man crouch, likely getting down to Sam's level. Dean could picture it, the man inches away from Sam's face, Sam huddled up between the bed and the wall, trying his best to be brave. "See us and your teach, we shared a few interests, got some stuff on each other, mutually assured destruction you see, well cops turned up at his place and now our buddy's dead and our life is ruined."
Dean knew it was risky, but he had to know what was going on. He squinted, just enough to see the man running the cool side of the gun against Sam's cheek. Dean knew this was the moment to act, with a flash he kicked out at the man, there wasn't much strength in the awkward angle, but it was enough. The man fell over, the gun falling out of his grip and clattering to the floor.
"Now Sam!" The yell wasn't needed, Sam, moving in a blur, had grabbed the gun, and with hands trembling it was pointed at the man.
"Don't move." Sam demanded, not taking his eyes off the man, he crouched next to Dean, and with one hand began to untie the knots binding his hands. It was awkward, and it took a while, but Sam's focus never wavered and the gun never lowered. Dean had never seen such hard determination in his brother, it scared him, such a contrast from Sam's normal soft features.
Dean was free, and with a gentle assurance, he took the gun from Sam. Using the same rope that had bound Dean Sam quickly tied the man's hands, strapping him to the spot Dean had just been in. "How many are there?" Dean questioned.
The man, short and fat, and heavily balding, gave a toothy grin "You'll never find us all, kill me now but we'll be coming for little Sammy."
"What do you want with him?" Dean's voice was cold, he noticed Sam tense at the question.
"Aww Dean just look at him." the gruff man did as he spoke, gaze lingering on Sam and he licked his lips "I've never experienced it myself but the way Simmons talked, God" the man gave a low growl
Dean took a step forward, rage building rapidly. "You are sick!" He growled "a disgusting piece of filth that should never have been born, and believe you me." He lowered his voice, enough that Sam couldn't hear "You will suffer a hundred times what you put my brother through. You would wish for days that you were dead, every hour I let you live will be the purest of agony you can't even imagine."
If Baldy was scared at Dean's threat, he didn't show it. Just let out a chaotic chortle. "You get rid of me, that's fine, my life is over. My family knows now what I have done. There's no point in me going on, I just want one last meal." Dean let out a growl, lowering the gun to the man's temple, fingers itching to end it simple and clean, he let out a slow breath, eyes hard and focused, he would make this bastard, and every other one of them pay.
The door slammed open, Dean spun to see Bobby, but before releaf set in he saw the man holding Bobby by the arms, and the gun pointed at the old hunter.
"You'll want to drop that there pistol" it was an old gentleman, late 60s, wearing a freaking cowboy hat. He had Bobby's arms in one grip and the gun held firmly against the back of the skull.
Dean looked from Bobby to Sam to the two men. "Don't do it son." Bobby said firmly, in such faith that Dean wanted nothing more than to follow instructions.
But the look on Sam's face was enough to make Dean's blood turn cold. Sam, in all the fear and all the uncharacteristic terror lately, he had never looked more scared than that moment. His face was pure white, a beam of sweat forming on his brow, lips slightly parted as if panting, He couldn't risk his brother having to watch Bobby, a man as dear as family, get killed in front of him. They were outmatched, and he had to put all his bets that his father would get there in time and figure something out.
The gun clattered to the ground as Dean put his hands up in surrender, stepping back from Baldy.
"Damn it boy!" Bobby snapped, grunting as he was shoved harshly into the room, Cowboy's grip tightening.
"Good" the Cowboy grinned a toothy yellow smile. "Now untie him." He nodded at his companion.
Dean's blood boiled as he forced himself to untie Baldy's ropes, the bastard chuckled when he finished, rubbing his wrists before grabbing Dean harshly and forcing him to the ground before binding him even tighter than before. "I will have fun making you pay for that." He growled, just over a whisper. Dean glanced at Sam, hoping he hadn't heard the threat, it was clear he had.
"No" Sam cried, but he remained frozen, unable to move without Bobby or Dean suffering the consequences.
Baldy finished tying up Dean and made his way over to Sam, who stood numbingly still, eyes locked onto Deans.
It's ok
Dean tried to convey it with his eyes, tried to reassure Sam as the Bald Bastard put a sweaty palm against the boy's cheek. He whispered something and Sam's eyes widened, flickering from Dean back to the man.
Sam whispered, so low that Dean couldn't make it out.
The man smiled, pulling Sam closer, wrapping a meaty arm around him and Dean's stomach lurched as the man leaned in and whispered into Sam's ear.
"Keep your Fucking Hands off him!" Dean screamed, struggling against the ties. To Dean's relief Sam pulled away, disgust radiating off his face.
The man pulled Sam back by the collar and pressed his lips to Sam's, harshly pulling the boy against him.
"I WILL KILL YOU" Dean Screamed, pulling against the ropes as they dug into his raw flesh, blood soaking into the fibers. "KEEP YOUR BASTARD HANDS OFF MY BROTHER!"
Sam pushed the man off him, gasping and gagging as he hunched, breathing heavily.
The Slap that followed would have had Sam sprawled to the floor had the gruff man not held him up, a hand still tight on the collar. "You forget our deal so quickly?" He Growled just loud enough for Dean to hear. "I can take everything I want, your only leverage is offering to give it." He licked his lips and whispered something into Sam's ear.
Just like that it was like Sam's whole demeanor changed. Gone was the scared but defiant boy who had held a gun on the man just moments before. Now Sam's eyes were dull as he whispered a soft "Yes Sir."
The man stood and pointed at Bobby. "Knock him out." Dean watched in horror as in a moment Bobby was on the floor, unconscious, a large lump forming where the butt of the gun was slammed against his head.
"You had better be sharing" The Cowboy grinned, looking like a maned wolf.
"Let him go!" Dean yelled as Sam was held by the bald man. "Sam, SAM! Look at me!" Dean struggled, the pain of his wrists a dull throb in the back of his mind. Sam looked up for a moment, hollow dull eyes matching Dean's.
"I'm sorry" It wasn't said, so much as mouthed before Sam cast his eyes down. Dean begged, pleaded, but Sam never looked up, silent and hollow, following robotically as Baldy led him out of the hotel.
The Cowboy followed, and Dean heard an old diesel engine start and then take off down the road, leaving him and Bobby alone in the hotel
Sam gone,
with two men, no, monsters who were going to destroy his baby brother.
Bobby unconscious, possibly badly hurt, no telling when help could come.
And him, useless, unable to protect the one thing he promised would never be hurt again.