Chapter 1

Sam sat rigid in the bed, every muscle tense, his blue t-shirt dampened with sweat, trying desparately to catch his breath, but more importantly not wake Dean. Sam loved his brother, but he was getting tired of the whole "Sam did you have another nitemare" routine. The same questions pouring from his brother's mouth with the same worried glance. One would think that after 6 months of repitition his brother could come up with some new material, or at the very least a new approach. Dean knew his answers, they never changed. Sam didnt know what angred him more, Dean's constant pushing or the fact that he couldnt control this thing.

Sam turned his head to catch a glimpse of the clock. 3:30. Fantastic, i didnt even get 4 hours. Sam sighed, his head hurt. That wasn't a new occurance, it hurt all the time now. He could barely focus on the news clippings, search results, or think clearly for that matter. Dean's comments about him focusing were getting all the more frequent. Yet another thing that Dean did to piss him off.

Sam started rubbing his temples, his tired fingers moving circular over the bone.
Relief The only thought that managed to push through the haze. Sam smirked. It wasnt like the pills did anything anyway. They only served as a method of control. At least he could determine when he took them, how many, and what he took them with. It wasnt a big thing, but it was something only HE could decide, not Dean.

Sam swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet hitting the coarse carpet. As he stood up, he swayed a little, grasping the nite stand for support. He shot a glance over as his sleeping brother shifted. Please, God, dont let him wake up Getting his balance he moved sleathily toward the bathroom, closing the door behind him. At least all that hunting was good for something He reached over and flicked the switch. Bad move. The dull flureoscents radiated brighter than the sun, each flick piercing. Sam drew his left arm up across his face shielding the light and let a moan escape from his lips. Where are those pills

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Dean shifted, his eyes slightly opening. Sam's sleeping habits, or lack thereof, were beginning to affect him. He rolled over to take check on sam in the twin across from him--the empty twin. Dean shot up instantly awake. "Sam." he whispered, "Sam!" Panic was starting to set in. "SAM!" Then he saw it, a stream of light pouring onto the floor from under the bathroom door. Dean sighed, releasing a breath he hadnt realized he had been holding the whole time. He got up and knocked on the door, just to make sure. "Sammy you in there?" No answer. He knocked again. Still no reply. okay, if that's the way you want it man. Dean threw the door open, silently hoping to catch sammy doing something that would yield years of teasing. But not tonite.

Dean stopped cold. His breathing growing rapid. His mind taking in the scene in pieces...

Water.
Glass.
Pills.
Blood.
Sam.