Sam half crawled, half fell down the fire escape while periodically shouting Dean's name in a state of the utmost panic. Once he reached the ground he dragged himself to the body that his mind would not accept as his brother's.

"Dean…" Sam cried weakly as he reached to turn him over, his fingers frantically searching for a pulse. Dean's face and body were covered in cuts and burns and blood was gushing from a gash in the back of his head.

And there was no pulse.

Utterly overwhelmed, Sam rocked, his head in his hands, tears now flowing freely. He couldn't accept it, would not accept it. Dean his brother, the ever-resilient, the immortal hero, was lying dead beside him and his world was breaking. Fractioned shards of memories, of green-eyed smiles, and witty aphorisms, pierced Sam's heart and left him broken. When no tears were left, Sam still sat, staring, grasping Dean's hand as if for dear life. In the east, the sun was rising, the blood-red sky complimenting the scene to perfection.

"Sam," came a soft voice from behind him.

Sam turned and saw his mother and found himself laughing at the realization that he was going crazy.

"Sam," she whispered as she kneeled and placed her hand on his shoulder. Sam was immediately filled with a warmth, a completion that couldn't be unreal.

"Mom?" Sam managed as he wiped his eyes with the hand not holding Dean's. "Are you really here?"

"Oh honey," his mom sighed as she turned from Sam's wide-eyed question to gaze at her eldest son, gone too soon. She reached to grasp Dean's other hand with her left and held Sam's with her right. The three Winchester's creating a circle, of love and loss.

"Mom, why did he die? Why did he save me? Why…" Sam sobbed as she cut him off.

"Sam stop. This is not your fault. Your brother saved you because he loved you. Don't question what you know is simple and true."

"Mom, but why are you here? Why can I see you?" Sam queried confusedly.

"Sam I am here to help you."

"What? How?" Sam couldn't keep the bitterness from his voice.

"There is a way to alter the situation," she explained softly.

"What? You mean I can save Dean?" Sam asked jerking his head quickly towards Dean as if expecting to see his chest rise and fall with breath.

"Sam, all you have to do is wake up."

"Wake up? I am awake Mom," Sam answered angrily.

"No Sam," she replied now placing Dean's hand down gently and letting go of Sam's as she rose to stand. "Wake up."

"Mom wait!" Sam yelled to the now fading figure that was his mother. "Wait! Please! I have to save Dean!"

She was gone. And Dean was dead. And he was alone.

Wake up? What did that mean? "I AM AWAKE!" Sam stood and screamed at the sky. He screamed till he fell in pain from his leg and exhaustion. He dragged himself till he was next to Dean and he lay down his hand once again fiercely clasping Dean's. "I am awake…" he muttered till his eyes fluttered and he slowly fell into black.

Don't worry! There is a twist next chapter, I promise. Feel free to share thoughts…!