Things had gotten quiet for a change. With Sam a senior in high school the hunts have become almost become non existent. John, from time to time, regrets that Dean was always on hunts with him and maybe missed his chance at being a teenager. He knows Sam is determined not to follow his brother's footsteps. He tries to give Sam the life he wants even if it's only for a short time. He hopes Sam understands when he needs to leave and exorcise his inner demons.
Sam does understand. He knows his father is usually home a few days later and accepts it the occasional disappearance. To keep his father happy he tries to go out with him on the shorter hunts. To Sam they seem like one big manly bonding session, as they wiped out bad ass monsters, and rescued damsels in distress.
"Quit glamorizing it Sammy." Dean said laughing. "That last big ugly was no damsel in distress."
"I don't know Dean she sure was interested in you." Sam gives his brother a friendly jab remembering the witch they had just dispatched.
"Ewww" Dean says jabbing him back. They start to wrestle, throwing each other around like brothers do. John scours the internet for signs of a future job ignoring them.
"This looks interesting." He tells them after pulling up a page of a small town newspaper in Colorado.
"Looks like something quick and easy. In and out." He says as Sam and Dean come over to the table to read the article.
LOCALS SEE FURRY MAN IN RUNNING THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS.
A local man today said he saw what he thought might be a bear rummaging through his garbage. Upon closer look he saw it was using tools to pry open the garbage dumpster. Trying not to frighten it he called the cops as soon as he re-entered the safety of his home. The cops came out and chased it through several back alleys before losing it in a wooded area off of Markus Street. Residents are asked to call the authorities if it is sighted again. "It stood up like a man" The local man was quoted. "It turned and faced me so I ran back inside.
Sam and Dean start to laugh out loud before they even finished the article. John gives them an annoyed look.
"Jesus Dad, a 'furry man'. Come on now." Dean sits down cracking up. Sam joins him at the table and they both laugh at the police composite of the "furry man". Even John cracks a smile when he sees the picture.
"Dad isn't Big Foot dead? They prove it to be a hoax." Sam laughs envisioning the idea of chasing a big furry man though the woods.
"Big foot was a hoax but I think this is something different." John trying to maintain himself.
"Yeah, a guy who really needs a shave." Dean says cracking up even harder.
"Seriously guys there might be something too this. Apparently this creature has been sighted more than a dozen times in the last 2 yrs. All the witnesses say the same thing. They think its bear at first until they get a closer look at it. At least one person swore it even spoke to him." John tries to convince them.
"Yeah Dad it said 'brother could you spare a razor'." Sam says as he falls on the floor laughing.
"Ok boys I see where this is going." but John can't help laughing as well.
"If we go, Dad, we're gonna have to take some extra equipment with us on this gig." Dean says winking at his brother.
"And what would that be Son." John asks curious.
"Extra razors" the two of them shout at once laughing uncontrollably.
They arrive in Colorado the next evening. After talking it over with the local authorities, it is decided that they would try to capture the creature and then release it higher up in the mountains. No point in killing it since it seems to be only after food. The trio converges on a section of woods just outside the town limits. Still unsure of what they are dealing with they lay trails of food leading to a clearing where they have set their trap.
"You sure this cage is big enough to hold this thing, Dad?" Sam asks looking at the cage.
"I don't know Sam, why don't you climb in and find out?" Dean laughs giving his brother a jab. Sam responds by chucking a piece of meat at him hitting Dean in the back. Dean is about to fire back when their father steps in.
"Ah boys." John says giving them a stern look. The boys look at each other before breaking into fits of laughter. After another look from John they quickly stop.
"Umm sorry Dad." Dean says sheepishly. Sam turns and quickly resumes what he was working on but not before he rolls his eyes at his brother. Dean flips him off in response.
Finally finished they sit back and wait. Soon they hear it moving through the woods. John motions to the boys to go in different directions to encircle the approaching creature. They separate and move to herd it into the trap. The creature follows the food trail to the clearing but stops and looks around.
Suddenly without warning it charges at the closest person it sees, Dean. Standing only a few feet away Dean only has time to get off one shot before the creature picks him up and slams him into a tree. Sam watches in horror as his brother is tossed like a rag doll hitting the tree with a terrible thud. The creature turns and runs off with John hot on its trail. Sam rushes over to his brother but Dean just waves him off.
"I'm ok dude." Dean says but has to grimace a bit as he gets up. Sam watches Dean as he slowly gets up off the ground genuinely concerned.
"Jesus Dean, are you sure you're ok?" He asks. Before Dean can answer they hear gunshots in the distance. Sam grabs his rifle and takes off in the direction of the shots. Dean starts to follow but is stopped by a sharp pain in his side that takes his breath away. Quickly Sam returns followed by John moments later.
"Son of a bitch. I almost had it." John swearing as he walks up. He looks over a Dean.
"You ok, he threw you pretty hard into that tree." John looks for signs his son is lying to him
"I'm ok Dad. Nothing a good hot shower can't fix." Dean reaches down and rubs his left ribcage and side. He hopes the darkness hides the pain in his face as he fingers a possible broken rib.
"I'll take a look at you as soon as we get back to the motel." John says trying not to baby Dean
"No Dad I'm fine honestly." Dean tries to protest.
"Ok son." John says giving him the benefit of the doubt. "We'll try again in the morning to get this thing, ok boys?"
"Sure thing, Dad." Dean answers. Sam nods his agreement. John watches his oldest son as they head back to the car. He knows his son is stubborn but assumes that if he were really hurt he would tell him.
"Dean's tough. A good nights rest is all he needs" he thinks to himself
Dean heads to the shower right away when they get back to the motel room. Sam starts to unpack their things as John returns to his own room. Sam can hear the water running and waits for the shower to kick in. Instead he hears Dean starting to cough followed by a moan. Concerned he gets up and goes to the bathroom door.
"Dean you ok?" he asks knocking on the door. Without waiting for an answer he opens the door. Dean stands there staring down at his hand. Sam follows his gaze and is shocked to see blood there. Dean gives him a frightened look.
"What is it Dean?" he asks heading towards his brother. Dean starts to cough again and spits up blood before collapsing in front of Sam. Sam jumps to grab him easing him to the floor. He screams for his father in the next room. John rushes over immediately and is stunned to see his oldest son on the floor.
"What is it? What happened?" He looks at Sam demanding an answer.
"I don't know Dad. When I didn't hear the shower come on I came over to check on him. He was coughing up blood and then just he passed out. I barely caught him before he hit the floor." Sam holds Deans head in his lap. John tries to remain calm at the sight of his son unconscious laying on the floor. Sam gently calls Dean's name trying to get a response. The sound of his brother's voice brings Dean around a little bit. Opening his eyes he looks up and sees Sam looking down at him with scared eyes.
"Hey Dean you had us worried." Sam voice can't hide his growing fear.
"What happened?" Dean says with a weak voice.
"Son where's it hurt?" John looks at Dean concerned.
"My left side Dad." Dean weakly answers. John pulls Dean's shirt up to reveal a huge red swelling on his left side. John touches it gingerly but stops when Dean cries out.
"Well son, it looks like the tree won and you lost." John tries to sound encouraging. "Lets get you to the hospital and have the doctors take a look at you."
"Aww Dad I don't want to go to the hospital." Dean tries to protest.
"Dean, come on now it looks pretty bad." Sam tries to convince him. "Don't make us hogtie you to the trunk and drag you there." Dean gives Sam a weak smile.
"Do you think you can walk to the car son or should I call an ambulance?" John asks trying to hide his growing concern.
"No ambulance Dad, I can make it." Dean struggles to get up, only succeeding with Sam's and John's assistance. They gingerly walk him out to the car and lay him in the back seat. Even though he hasn't said a word, John's speed to the hospital proves to Sam just how hurt his father thinks Dean is.