Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…I'm still just having fun!
Bait
Chapter 12 – Baiting the Trap
John paused and adjusted the ropes he was using to pull the travois. They had been making good time. From the position of the sun, it was not quite noon yet and they had already covered a lot of ground. Of course, as the incline got steeper, he knew that they would not be able to keep up the same pace, but he was starting to feel hopeful that they might be out of here some time tomorrow morning.
John was proud of his youngest son. He knew that the travois wasn't the most pleasant way for him to travel. He knew from the look of pain on the young man's face, that the jarring ride was hurting him. But Sam never made a sound…in fact, none of them did for fear that one or more of the vampires would hear them.
While the vampires generally avoided sunlight…John knew that they could come out during daylight if they chose to. He was just hoping that they decided to sleep as was their normal pattern. Looking ahead, he could see Dean in full combat mode. Dean was an accomplished hunter, blending in with his surroundings and reading the forest as well as men with twice his experience. Both boys were making their old man proud…now if he could only make them proud of him.
Dean held up his hand, motioning a shady area that would make a good place to take a break. John nodded and followed Dean. "Dad…let's rest here for a minute. I want to get more water into Sam and give him a couple more pain pills…then let me take over, you look beat!"
John almost declined, but decided to accept Dean's decision. It was hard for him to take orders…he was too used to giving them. "Fine…but you need to take a couple of those pills yourself…I've seen you grabbed your ribs more than once…take the ones that don't make you drowsy. They're not as strong, but will help!" John carefully lowered his burden to the ground….stretching his sore muscles.
"Hey Sammy…how are ya doing there kiddo?" Dean asked softly as he used part of the water on a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Sam's face.
Sam had been gritting his teeth for so long now; he thought his jaw might be permanently locked. He knew he was a burden to both his father and Dean, but he also understood that his body just wouldn't let him walk out of here. He tried to smile for his brother, but could tell he wasn't fooling him. "I'm ok Dean…any idea how much farther we need to go?"
"Unless we meet any obstacles, we should be within 4 miles of the ranch before the sun sets. So that means, you will be resting easy by late tomorrow morning" Dean paused to take a drink of water. His eyes widened as he saw Sam grab the bridge of his nose and groan…"Sammy?"
ooooooooo
Sam was in a meadow with the moonlight shining down on him. He could feel someone holding him tightly, cutting off his air supply. Kate's cold voice drifted into the night. "Drop your weapons or I'll break his neck!"
Sam wanted to scream no, but he couldn't get the words past his lips. He watched in horror as both his father and Dean lay down their weapons…hatred evident in their eyes as they looked at Kate and Sam.
Both Dean and his father were pushed down onto their knees by the other three vampires. Sam struggled against Kate, but she simply tightened her grip on his throat. "Now John Winchester, watch…watch as your son's die!" Before Sam could respond, the vampire holding Dean reached forward and broke his neck. Dean's sightless eyes stared into Sam's soul…apologizing even in death that he couldn't save his younger brother.
John let out a scream and struggled to get to his son…but the three vampires held him fast. Sam felt the pressure on his neck increasing…any moment now, he would join Dean.
ooooooooo
"No….Oh God…Dean…can't breathe…help me!" Sam was trying to pull something from around his neck, his eyes wild in his face.
"Sammy…Sam…stop, you're going to hurt yourself!" Dean was trying to hold Sam's arms still; his father was trying to help, looking at Dean for instructions.
"Are they always this bad?" John asked as he saw his young son's face reflect an agonizing pain.
"Yeah…unfortunately…we just have to wait until he comes back to us!" Dean began talking to Sam in his soothing voice. After a few moments, Sam calmed down and blinked as he tried to bring Dean's face into focus.
"Dean?" Sam whispered
"The one and only…how bad is it?" Dean poured some more water on the handkerchief and once again wiped Sam's sweaty face.
Sam looked at both his brother and father. He could read the concern in their eyes and he knew that if they continued on their current path…his vision awaited them. "The vampires are going to attack us tonight…we need to come up with a plan and prepare or else we all die!"
John sat back on his heels, for the first time in his life; he didn't know how to react. Dean on the other hand, was used to Sam's visions and took charge. "Ok Sam, tell me exactly what you saw…you know that your visions are merely a prediction of what could happen…we have changed the events in the past and we will do the same thing now…what we need is a plan!"
More shaken than he wanted to admit, John took charge once more. "Come on Dean, grab Sam and lets start walking. We can plan as we move…with luck, we may yet be able to get out of here before tonight. Dean nodded as he stepped over to pick up the travois. "Hold on little brother, you know I only have one speed when it comes to travel…fast!"
The three hunters were silent for a long while, each lost in their own thoughts. As the afternoon wore on, John and Dean switched roles a few times, but never stopped moving forward. Sam had remained unusually quiet and withdrawn, ignoring the worried looks that both his father and brother were sending in his direction.
Sam had been thinking…he knew that they wouldn't be safe until the vampires were all dead. He had an idea, but he was sure that his father and brother would not agree to it. He had to convince them it was the only way…he couldn't let his vision come true…even if it meant him sacrificing himself.
It was now only a couple of hours before sunset and true to Dean's prediction, they were within 4 miles of the ranch. Dean stopped and rubbed his aching shoulders as he looked over the landscape…there wasn't much cover up here. The woods were fairly thick, but there wasn't much underbrush to conceal them. If they didn't find something soon, they would be in trouble.
Dean started off once more, following his father's lead…maybe they could make the four miles…it looked like they might not have a choice. As they came out of the tree line into a small meadow, Dean heard Sam's sharp intake of breath. "Dad…hold up! Sammy what is it?" Dean asked quietly. They were too close now to make noise. The vampires might hear them.
Sam motioned for both Dean and his father to stop and listen to him. Dean carefully lowered the travois and walked over to squat by Sam. Sam looked at both of them and cleared his throat. "Look, I know you two aren't going to like this, but let me finish" Sam paused as if sensing something in the air and then continued. "I know how we can defeat the vampires, but it will mean that I have to be the bait."
TBC
Raven524: Ok, to all those who reviewed today begging for another chapter…here you go…you see I do respond to bribery in the form of reviews!