Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…just having fun!

Den of Thieves

Chapter 14 – The Choice

Dean tried to get past the spirit to check on his brother. Thomas motioned for Dean to go ahead as he floated over towards the doorway to the chamber. Dean tried to keep an eye on what Thomas was doing while he bent quickly to check on Sam.

Sam groaned as he felt his brother's hand swipe the hair out of his eyes. Sam opened his eyes and gasped at the amount of pain in his rib's. He swore that he had felt another one snap when he hit the wall. "Dean…are you ok?" Sam asked as he struggle to sit up.

"Sure kiddo…but I'm not the one laying on the floor looking up…here let me help you." Dean helped Sam sit up motioning with his eyes towards Thomas.

"So, Thomas, you got us here…I still don't understand why…we never did anything to you!" Dean stood in front of Sam as he watched Thomas open the door and speak quietly to the pixies outside.

"I do what I have to do to survive Dean…no more and no less. Those monsters who took my life from me, they got what they deserved when I lured them down here with a promise of more riches. But instead of riches, all they got was a quick lesson in revenge."

"Yeah…I can understand them…by why all the others?" Dean waved towards the room that contained all the bones.

"Unfortunately, the spells I used have a curse attached to them. I have to feed on the energy of those who have wronged me. Their life force helps me to remain strong and maintain my corporeal presence in this world. However, after a while, the body I inhabit needs to be replaced…that's where you come in…you're body is in good shape and should last me a number of years. Besides, I've already tasted some of your essence…you are strong in spirit as well as body. Once I possess your dead body…I will be powerful again!"

"Ok….well, I can't say that I'm comfortable with the whole tasting my essence thing and you'll excuse me if I don't want to give up the use of my body…I have plans for it yet…you see there is this really cute chick back in town and I promised her I'd call…you know how it is…"

Sam remained quiet during the exchange trying to figure out some way to help his brother. Hitting the wall had definitely taken more out of him than he had…right now he was barely staying conscious. But he had to think of something; otherwise his brother would be the next victim.

"Oh…I think you'll give your body to me willingly…once you see what I have to offer you!" Thomas motioned for some of the pixies to enter the room…they immediately began to swarm over Sam's body, clawing and tearing at him as they had done to Dean. Dean tried to get to Sam, but he found himself thrown away by Thomas.

Sam yelled in pain as more of the pixies began taking out their revenge on him. Sam stopped struggling as he felt the blackness calling to him once again. "Dean…don't do anything…don't…" Sam fell unconscious with one final groan, his head hitting the floor with a loud crack.

"Leave him alone…if you hurt my brother I'll kill you…I'll kill you all and then see you in hell!" Dean struggled to get to his younger brother, but Thomas would not allow him any closer.

"It's quite simple Dean…I have no use for your brother. I admit his power is strong, but since he did not get a chance to steal from me…I can't use his body. So, here's the deal. I will have my friends here take Sam outside and leave him somewhere that he can be easily found. All you have to do is allow me to possess your body!"

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John Winchester had spent most of the day and part of the night getting to the area that Sam had indicated in his text message. As he pulled his rented truck next to the Black Impala…he couldn't help the feeling of dread at the stillness around him.

There was nothing moving near the house and as far as he could tell, there was no one in the house. He would have to search it of course, but his gut told him that Sam and Dean would not be there. Knowing time was scarce, John quietly moved towards the house. He entered the first floor and began a quick search. After about 15 minutes of looking around, John had not found any sign of his sons.

John took another quick look around outside and then grabbed a rope out of his pack, he secured it to the same stump that Sam had used earlier. He looked closer at the stump and saw that part of a rope remained…it looked like it had been chewed through. "I hope that wasn't one of the boys on the other end" John thought grimly as he lowered the rope into the hole.

John had stopped in town to get a map of the mine. He had taken the time to review it before he got to the ghost town. He knew that the main shaft would lead him to the first horizontal tunnel. The tunnel would come out near the end of the ghost town with the other side leading to the copper deposits. He was pretty sure that if his son's had found the other exit, they would have called him by now. That meant he needed to head towards the copper deposits and hope that he would find them.

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Dean looked at Thomas, trying to figure out a way to get both him and Sammy out of this situation. In the back of his mind, a voice kept telling him to stall for time…maybe Dad would get here soon. Dean had no doubt that his father was on his way and would do whatever was necessary to save his sons. He just hoped he would get here in time.

"No way, how do I know that you will keep your word? You could possess me and then do away with Sam. No, first we both take him to where he can be found, and then I will return here with you…argh!" Dean felt himself thrown against the wall with enough force to knock the wind out of him. He watched in horror as the pixies once again grabbed him and roughly dragged him over towards the altar. They left him at the base of the altar and returned to Sam, rubbing their hands together gleefully.

"Last chance cowboy…either you get up on the altar and allow my friends here to secure you…or you can watch as they tear him into shreds!"

Sam moaned as he felt the sharp claws digging into his back. He tried to curl into a ball to protect himself as best he could, but the pain was almost unbearable.

"Stop…ok…ok…you got me…just leave him alone!" Dean shouted as he stood up painfully and sat on the edge of the stone table. The pixies immediately swarmed over to him, forcing him to lie down; tying his hands and feet with the bloodied ropes.

As Dean struggled against the bonds that held him, he heard a low moan from the floor. "Dean…Dean…where…Oh God…No!" Sam sat up straight as he realized where his brother was.

"You bastard…let him go…take me instead…just let him…"

"Sammy no…you have to get out of here…just leave…it will be fine, you'll see" Dean was struggling to keep his voice calm in hopes that Sam would do as he asked.

Thomas watched the interaction of the two brothers and actually felt a slight moment of regret...but it lasted only a moment and was replaced by hunger. "Young hunter, I'm not totally heartless...you can take a few moments to say good bye to your brother while I prepare for the ritual. Don't try anything as my friends here still want a piece of you." Thomas took the book that had fallen from Sam's hands and placed it back on the book shelf.

Sam rose slowly to his feet, stumbling as he went to stand beside his brother. "Dean…I can't go…you can't do this…I…" Sam's face was lined with tears as he looked down on the face of his brother. Damn it…what good were these powers of his if he couldn't use them to save the ones he loved!

Dean watched the emotions crossing Sam's face. "Sammy…Sam, listen to me…listen to me…it will be alright…this isn't over yet…but you need to do this for me…I can't protect us both…do you understand me Sammy…just go!"

Sam put his hands in his pocket and looked like he was going to refuse, but at the last moment, he reached over and held his brother's bound hand, squeezing it tight. "Ok Dean…but you're right, this isn't over yet…I'll find a way to help you…I promise!"

Thomas came to stand at the head of the table, a large knife in his hand and an old chalice. Before Sam could respond, he turned to the pixies "Enough of this shit…I need to finish my preparations…you know what to do with this one…take him out of here now!"

"I'm going, I'm going" Sam mumbled as he let the pixies lead him away from his brother. He looked back briefly and nodded when he saw Dean give him a quick wink.

Thomas started to chant in Latin as he waved the knife over the chalice…as Sam left the room; Dean stared at the spirit hovering over him. "So…do you know any good ghost stories?"

Thomas laughed, "I knew you and I would get along! Just keep it up…you're going to need it before this night is through!"

TBC

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Raven524: Thanks again for the reviews…I warned you all it was going to get darker (no pun intended)…I'm afraid our boys are in for a bit of a rough night!. Let me know what you think! Till next time remember to R&R!