A/N: Nope, still don't own the show Supernatural or any of its characters-and for anyone who still doesn't know-the show is renewed for next season on the new network the CW! Woo-hoo! Okay, just needed to get that out of my system :)
A/N 2: Well, I recently watched the year 2000 movie "Grizzly Falls"(for research, yeah) and I feel better now about my bear's strange behavior-the bear in that movie did even more unbelievable things and it didn't even have the excuse of being possessed. It's a cute movie though if you're interested-but no Sam or Dean in it, alas. Thanks again to pizzapixie, Ghostwriter, Nate and Jake, Maygin, carocali, Kaewi, and Beautiful Ally for reviewing :)
Sam sighed. At least he was warmer out in the sun. The bear had lumbered up to him and then, apparently confused when all he did was sit patiently, had settled down next to him. He'd flinched back when its large muzzle approached his shoulder, but all it did was sniff and then the sad eyes looked at him as it drew back. The ghost was apparently still in charge and wanted to check her work.
"I won't run." he told her. "You would catch me anyway. But I need food and water to survive, and I can't replace your children. You should let the bear go and live its life, it was never meant to do things like kidnap people."
He had a sudden thought. "You can understand me, right?"
The intelligent look encouraged him to continue. "I can lead you to your children. I know where their bodies went. Your spirit can join them. Let me help."
He flashed his most earnest, trustworthy gaze at the possessed bear. It cocked its head, studying him intently. Then it grunted and backed away. Feeling a flash of success, Sam rose and tentatively took a step towards the stream. The bear merely observed him and he sighed in relief. With renewed hope, he started out following the stream slowly, heading towards the welcome center. The bear padded beside him, and then suddenly ran into the stream. It splashed for a minute then emerged carrying something in its jaws. It lifted its muzzle, clearly offering its catch to Sam.
He smiled genuinely, but shook his head. "That's okay; the bear needs its strength. You eat it."
Apparently accepting his refusal, the animal started eating the fish as Sam continued alongside the stream. 'With luck, I can be back at the welcome center soon and use their phone to call Dean.' He had lost his when the bear had first grabbed him, figuring it had fallen out somewhere. The sun began to rise steadily in the sky.
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Dean sighed. Putting the bodies back where they belonged hadn't worked, and neither had pretending to burn the bones. This called for something more drastic. He picked one of the resting places at random, and brushed the dirt away from the little form. Squeezing the lighter fluid onto it, he grimaced in sympathy, knowing Sam wouldn't have wanted him to destroy a museum exhibit.
'Sorry bro, but it's saving the body or it's saving you, and that isn't really a contest.' he thought.
He lit the lighter and held it close to the unfortunate child's remains.
"Hey mama ghost! I mean it this time; this kid is going on without you unless you bring my brother back right now!"
He had a fleeting thought that maybe this wasn't the best idea in the world, and wondered what would happen to the bear if the ghost left it abruptly to come to him, but then dismissed it. Short of searching the entire park, he didn't know how else he was going to find Sam. Not giving himself time for second-guessing, he touched the lighter to the fluid-covered body.
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Sam didn't know what hit him. Correction, he knew what, but not why. One minute he was walking along the stream, the bear ambling contentedly along behind him; the next it was roaring as though in anguish and charging him. Eyes widening, he threw himself to the side but wasn't quick enough. A massive paw slammed into his hurt shoulder and he cried out in pain as he fell.
He rolled desperately, wondering what had set the animal off. The bear was enraged, growling and grunting. It reared up on its hind legs, and then would have dropped down onto Sam if he hadn't scrambled out of the way. It was trying to bite him, its eyes pure white, and Sam knew that something had pissed off the ghost. Dean! It had to be something his brother was doing, he just knew it. He didn't have time to ponder it however as the large possessed animal continued to attack him.
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Dean watched the little body burn and waited. Finally the flames started to die down. Nothing else had happened, no ghost had appeared. He sighed. He was flat out of options and had no idea what to try next. He supposed that maybe the park official had had the right idea and maybe searching the park was the way to go. The bear and Sam had to be somewhere. He looked at the two flags where the other dead kids rested. He could burn them too, but there didn't seem to be a point.
He looked up into bright daylight. Whatever he did, those museum people would be missing their display soon. If he wanted to use the bodies to draw out the ghost he'd have to finish it quickly. This might be one of their first stops. Then he realized that maybe being impatient was his problem. It might take the ghost time to get there, especially if it was still in the bear's body. Curious, he climbed back up the ladder and emerged from the dig area, really taking a look around.
The field was bordered by road on three sides, but one side connected to the woods. Dean shaded his eyes with his hand and saw the fence bordering the field, and then forest. He followed the line of forest as it went off into the distance, and then decided to consult the map. He descended back into the pit and opened the pack. Looking at the map he grunted and shook his head. Of course. The forest connected to the protected woods of the park. The ghost probably felt more comfortable in the woods, and traveled back and forth to her children's resting place without the need for crossing the road or going into developed areas. It would be easier for the bear to come that way as well.
"Okay, so I guess I wait." He said aloud. "But maybe you can use just a little more incentive."
Flicking open the lighter, he threatened a second body.
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Sam gasped in pain and kept rolling, trying to heave his body away from the maddened animal. It continued to try and bite him, and he realized he would have to try and fight back. Bringing his legs up he kicked out hard, catching the bear on the jaw. Shaking its head it backed away and he scrambled to stand, turning to run. Several hundred pounds smashed into him and he went down again. At the last moment he saw the large rock on the ground rushing up to meet his head and he had time for one brief thought, 'Oh crap'. Then darkness descended.
The bear growled, rising to her full height on her back legs. The ghostly eyes looked down at her prey's inert form and then off into the distance. Dropping back to all fours, the bear's teeth grabbed Sam by the back of his jacket near his neck and effortlessly lifted, and began to drag the unconscious body across the ground, following a familiar path.
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Dean sighed again, staring at the second burning body. This waiting was getting on his nerves. He decided to keep busy, and dug the last child back out of its resting place. This way he would have options, he thought. The last of the flames finally went out, and once the sound of the crackling faded to silence he could hear the EMF meter in the pack begin to shrill.
'Finally!' he thought. Grabbing the salt-filled shotgun in one hand and the little body under his other arm he carefully climbed the ladder, blinking in the sunlight. He stepped onto the field surrounding the pit and looked around, hearing the grunting first, coming from the direction of the forest. Turning that way he froze at the sight that met his eyes, and then his grip on the body tightened. 'Sam!' he thought but couldn't utter aloud.
Grieving ghost-possessed bear and anxious brother eyed one another for a timeless moment.
Slowly and carefully Dean placed the ghost's last dead child on the ground at his feet, watching as the bear mimicked his actions, lowering his brothers limp body and finally releasing him from its jaws. Dean quietly raised the shotgun and the bear placed a massive paw on Sam's back, the threat clear. Swallowing, the older brother held out his empty hand and then gently dropped the shotgun, backing away from it and the little body. The bear lifted its paw and grunted, and then more quickly than Dean could process it shot forward, gently grabbed the little dirt covered form of the child, and lumbered off, making little sounds he couldn't interpret as it went.
Dean shook off his momentary shock. "Sam!" he shouted as he raced to his brother's side.
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Will be continued hopefully very soon. I know the story is getting a bit weak, plot-wise anyway, and I apologize. That's what I get for starting something I had no idea how to end. I literally wrote myself into a hole and had to grab at straws. Anyone else have that kind of a Rumpelstiltskin moment? So gold this story will not be, but hopefully at least entertaining :) Thanks for reading, and have a great day.