A/N
Just to let you know, I've added an extra note to the previous chapter regarding some of the questions you had.
Also, I would like to apologize for not responding to every single review. Please understand that I'm just so busy right now and hardly even find a decent time to write. Hopefully after Sunday I'll be able to respond to all your reviews and questions. I didn't even get the chance to edit the last 3 (or was it 4?) chapters, and by edit I mean make it more acceptable to read of course. Remember, english is my second language after all and I don't have a beta, so an error-free piece is very much impossible I'm afraid.
Unconditional
Part 8
Dean never felt so helpless in his entire life as he did at that particular moment- tied to a heavy wooden chest, watching his brother lying so still on the floor, bleeding steadily to death, and not being able to do a damn thing to stop it. He felt rage, frustration and overwhelming guilt boil inside his soul and eat him alive.
"If it helps, I am really sorry," the man who right now Dean hated and despised more than anything else, uttered shamelessly. Dean tore his gaze from his brother and glared venomously at the man, his mind swimming with the endless ways he could murder that man painfully-very painfully.
"I know how you must feel right now," the man spoke in a sympathetic voice that made Dean sick, "I have a brother of my own. But it will soon be over. Your brother will suffer no more. He will go peacefully and you will be comforted by the fact that he died with a cleansed soul."
Dean tried for the hundredth time to work on freeing himself from the ropes but only managed to add more bloody scrapes to his already bruised and bloody hands. A soft moan from Sam made him jump and he whirled to face his brother. "Sammy?"
Sam moaned again then went still just as fast. Dean felt his heart beat painfully in his chest. He swallowed thickly and turned to the man who obviously was the leader since everyone seemed to answer to him. "Please," Dean begged shakily, "I'll do anything.. just help him. Please, don't let him die." Dean swallowed a painful lump that rose to his throat as he struggled to keep his emotions under control.
"I'm sorry," the leader shook his head sadly. "It's your brother's fate and you must accept that."
There was a sudden creak from the door and then another man joined them. He stepped toward the leader and whispered urgently in his ears.
The leader nodded and turned to Dean. "I have to leave," he announced, "There are some pressing matters I need to attend to. By the time I return your brother will probably be gone."
"Tell me your name," Dean suddenly demanded before the man could leave.
The leader raised his eyebrows, "You can call me Chris, but why the sudden interest?"
"I want to remember the name of the man I'm going to kill," Dean replied stonily, eyes unblinking.
The leader smiled slightly, "I see you're still in denial." He walked to Sam and once more knelt by the young hunter's side. "I meant what I said: I truly am sorry. I know how painful it is to lose someone you love. But I'm going to try and make it a little bearable." He then put a hand on Sam's face and patted his cheeks. Sam was unresponsive.
"What are you doing!" Dean screamed in fury, "Haven't you done enough! Leave him alone!"
The leader motioned for the man standing on his right to hand him the glass of water sitting on the table nearby. When handed to him, he splashed a good amount on Sam's face and and resumed patting his cheeks. The water successfully revived Sam and he moaned as he began to regain consciousness.
"I'm trying to wake him up so you can say your farewell properly."
"How considerate of you!" Dean mocked bitterly, yet he could not stop the hopeful leap of his heart at the sound of his brother awakening up.
The leader patted Sam a little more until he was sure the young man would remain awake. After that he rose to his feet. "We will be around so I advice you not to make any stupid moves." And after giving stern directions to the man beside him the leader left with the other men, leaving only two watching over the two brothers.
0O0O0O0O0O0O0
Sam moaned and groaned as a sudden pain laced through his side and sent uncontrollable agony through his whole body. The pain got so unbearable he began to whimper.
The sound of his brother's torturous whimper tore at his heart. Dean tightened his lips and decided to reach out to his brother. After all, the two guards were a good distance away, engaged in some unknown conversation and Dean figured he has a chance to help his brother in some way. "Sammy? Sammy, can you hear me, buddy?"
Sam stilled as the sound of his older brother's voice reached him. He blinked his teary eyes open and whispered weakly, "Dean?"
"Yeah, Sammy. I'm right here, little brother."
"Hurt," Sam suddenly gasped as new waves of pain hit him and caused him to arch his back in agony.
"I know, Sammy. I know," Dean bit his lip in desperate anger. "Sammy?"
Sam moaned and turned his head to the direction of Dean's voice- but was not quiet able to make it all the way.
"Sam I need you to listen to me. Okay, Sammy?"
"'Kay," Sam acknowledged softly.
Dean drew in a much needed breath before he continued, "I want you to put your hand on your side and press down hard. Can you do that, Sammy?"
"My side hurts," Sam croaked as he kicked his legs in an attempt to stop the stiffling pain.
"I know it does Sam," Dean struggled to keep his voice calm and firm, "It's also bleeding quite badly, so I need you to press down on the wound to stop the bleeding a little, okay?"
Sam remained quiet.
"Sammy?"
"Dean," Sam suddenly spoke again, his voice a little clearer, "wh-where are you?"
"I'm right here, kiddo," Dean felt a burning sensation tug at the corners of his eyes and blinked it away angrily.
Sam raised his arm weakly, "Where?" he demanded.
"I can't come closer right now, Sam," Dean fought to keep his voice steady, "You need to listen to me and do what I tell you, Sammy. I need you to put pressure on your side."
Sam swallowed.
"Sam, please." Dean's voice broke.
"'Kay," Sam told him as his hands moved to his left side following his brother's instructions. He hissed when his hand touched his sticky and throbbing side and began to thrash in pain once more.
"Sammy, you need to do this," this time Dean didn't bother to stop the angry tears that found their way down his face. He was just glad Sam couldn't see him. "You need to press down hard."
"But it hurts, Dean!" Sam whimpered, "God, it hurts so much!"
"Damn it, Sammy! I told you to press down! Stop being a baby!"
Sam froze and wondered in his confused mind why Dean sounded so angry at him. He was overwhelmed by a strange need to please his brother so he proceeded once again to do what his brother ordered. This time he gritted his teeth as he slowly lowered his hand over his side and closed his eyes tightly against the excruciating pain when he pressed it down.
"That's it, Sammy. Good job! Press harder for me, kiddo!"
Sam groaned - It was painful enough to have to press down, now Dean wants him to press harder?
"Sam?"
Sam opened his eyes again and slowly, carefully, pressed down a little harder.
"That's my boy!"
"Dean?" Sam's voice sounded frighteningly weak and slurry, Dean feared he would pass out again.
"Yeah, Sammy. I need you to stay awake for me. Okay, tiger?"
"'m tired," Sam murmured.
"I know. Believe me I know. But you have to stay awake. It's important buddy, okay?"
Once again Sam complied, "Okay."
Dean sighed and turned toward the two guards, who both seemed still engrossed in their conversation and not paying much attention to them. Turning his attention back to Sam, Dean eyed the constantly growing pool of blood around his brother dreadfully and noticed Sam's shaking hands that were pressed weakly on his side. He was loosing him! He was loosing his brother! Just how much more blood can Sam loose before he... before he... Dean closed his eyes against the disturbing image and fought for control over his sanity. He has to think. He has to find a way to help Sam and now. God, it was his fault! No, now is not the time for this! Think! Dean bowed his head and prayed. He prayed for his brother and most of all he prayed for a miracle.
0O0O0O0O0O0O0
A sudden noise broke the semi-silent air around them. The two guards stiffened – their conversation coming to a halt. Quickly their rifles were drawn and ready, one of them stood over Dean while the other slowly made his way to the door. The noise was suddenly louder – this time there was screaming and shouting. Dean frowned and his muscles tensed in anticipation.
The guard reached the door and opened it carefully, and in the exact minute two bullets tore at his chest and sent him sprawling to the ground. The other guard shouted and pointed his gun at the mysterious man now standing boldly at the door covered in shadow. But he had as much luck as his partner, for before he had the chance to react, the mysterious man did, and his bullets skillfully found their way to the guard's heart. He fell lifelessly to the floor, a single shot he managed to take at the man went harmlessly astray.
The mysterious man walked toward where Dean and Sam were, and as the pale rays of light finally revealed the man's identity to Dean, the young hunter breathed, his heart beating wildly. "Dad!"
John Winchester nodded and cast a worried glance toward his youngest son.
"He's really bad, dad!" Dean quickly choked, "Please, help him. Don't worry about me. Help Sam."
"Not now, Dean," John told him thickly, just as new sounds of cracking guns reached their ears. Father and son turned around to face the new unwelcomed threat.
The leader – Chris – stepped forward, a mild smile twisting his lips. "Now, that's what I'd call a stupid move, John. I thought you were smarter than this."
John stared at him coldly, his gun pointed at the man's head. John's hand was unwavering and his hold strangely confident.
"Did you really believe it would be that easy?"
"Did you really believe I'd let you kill my boys?" John retorted darkly.
"What exactly are you planning to do now, John? Shoot me? You know there are many of us and only one of you. I'm sure you can do the math."
"At least I'd have the satisfaction of taking you with me."
"You know I don't fear death, John. I've got nothing to lose, but you," Chris pointed a finger at him, "you have something to lose. You have another son. You give up and surrender right now, and I'll let you and Dean walk out of here unharmed. You have my word."
John was silent and for a moment fear gripped Dean's heart. His father can't possibly consider that option! Could he? "Dad, don't!"
John turned toward Dean and in a fluid motion threw an object toward his son. Dean's eyes widened as a knife sailed its way toward him. He flinched as it sank in the wood inches away from his arm. He wasted no time to react and slowly raised his body upward and carefully began to slide his weight toward the knife, using the impeded object to cut the ropes that tied him to the chest. It was a slow process as the ropes were thick and strong, but Dean kept working without a moment pause.
It took John a second to throw the knife at Dean and quickly, before anyone could react, he was back facing the men, his gun never left its previous target. He trusted Dean to do what needed to be done.
"It won't work John!"
John ignored him.
"Sam is not your son anymore. He's the devil's child, and you're throwing your life and your son's life for nothing."
"Don't dare call him that!" John warned dangerously, "He is my son. Always been – always will."
"Last chance John. Last chance before you die- before all of you die."
John kept his gun trained on Chris, his eyes hard and unblinking.
Out of nowhere, a roaring new voice made itself heard. Chris frowned as he turned frantically around. "What in God's name was that!" He turned to John and scowled threateningly at him, "Who did you bring with you?"
John looked confused, he swallowed, "I didn't bring anyone."
Finally Dean was free, and scrambled toward his brother in a flash ignoring his aching muscles and everything else. He lowered himself beside Sam, and gently cradled his brother's head in his lap, noting with panic how cold his brother's skin felt. He gagged at the amount of blood surrounding him. Slowly, Dean pried Sam's now lifeless hand from his side and placed both of his in its place, pressing down hard. Sam hardly moved at all. "Come on, Sammy! Stay with me! Don't you dare leave me! Do you hear!"
Dean was hunched over his brother, and slowly placed his chin against Sam's damp head, rocking both of them back and forth, not at all aware of the big commotion taking place around them. All his concentration and thoughts were on his brother.
Soon the earth began to shake beneath them, the walls trembled, and a voice roared and thundered sending chills of terror through the bravest of them all.
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