Alternate Life or Real Life? 20

Disclaimer: Well I guess it is the usual as per the chapter 1

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Author's note: Just wanted to say thanks to all of you who have stayed with Sam and Dean as they travel through the journey I am creating for them. It is coming to a climatic end, and well gee I might have a sequel ready to go very soon.

Hmm I have to keep the muses busy! LOL

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Author's Note: Sorry bout the length of time between updates, a pesky thing known as Real Life got in the way. SIGH

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CHAPTER 20

Dean drove carefully through the still slumbering town, Seemingly asleep; Sam rested his head against his window. Though from experience Dean knew that Sam was awake and aware of his surroundings. 'So Sammy when you gonna stop playing possum and talk to me?'

'When you call me Sam.' Came the reply, slowly Sam sat up straighter and turned to watch Dean drive, 'you know Dude I can take over for a while, I promise to drive carefully.'

'Nah I'm fine, you just keep resting.'

'Dude if I rest anymore I am going to turn into a pumpkin or something like that. So care to enlighten me on why we are driving out of Trinity when this is where Belle disappeared?'

'Okay this might sound pretty lame but I was thinking if we retrace our steps from where you started to get sick we might be able to trigger something and get a clue on where to start.'

'I got bitten in another state Dean.'

'Yeah but you didn't really get sick until we were about here.' Dean slammed on the brakes and pulled off onto the shoulder of the road. He could still see Sam getting sicker by the second, the scene kept playing in his mind, blocking out other thoughts.

Getting out of the car, he stood leaning on the roof and stared across to where he first pulled over, the scene so clear it was like he was watching a movie.

'Dean? Hey you're starting to freak me out; I'm the one who does it to you.'

'It was here Sammy, where you collapsed the first time.' Dean said softly he nodded his head in the direction where he was looking. 'I only managed to stop the car before you tumbled out, puked, and passed out.'

'I ah, dunno what to say Dean.' Sam said, squinting as he felt a pull behind his eyes, rubbing at them he forced himself to ignore the growing pain and focus on what Dean was saying. Then the noise started, it hurt so much Sam thought that his eardrums were going to explode. 'Can't you hear that?'

'Hear what? Sammy? Sam? Hey oh shit it's happening again isn't it.' Dean ran around the car and managed to grab hold of his brother as Sam's knees started to buckle under him. 'What can you hear Sam?'

'That noise, ah Dean it's deafening.'

'Sam, Sammy I need you to look at me, that's it focus on me and my voice.' Dean forced himself to stay calm though the panic rising in his chest threatened to rip him apart. 'That's it Sam just breath and listen to my voice, there's no noise.'

'Dean I...' Sam started but then he paled and instead of speaking, vomited violently all over Dean's boots.

'Oh Dude that's so not funny.' Dean moaned looking down at the mess covering his black leather boots, 'it's just plain gross.'

'Sorry.' Sam managed to get out, and then he started to shiver uncontrollably, 'so cold.' He managed to get out through clenched teeth.

'Okay Sammy we're getting you outta here,' Dean guided his brother to the passenger side of the car and waited for him to sit down before he went to the boot and scrounged for something to clean his boots with. Moments later, he reappeared wearing a pair of runners leaving his boots in the boot until he could wash them properly. Sam sat resting his head back on the headrest staring blankly out the windscreen. Somehow, he managed to pull his long legs up and tucked his knees under his chin.

'I can hear it Dean, it's calling me.' Sam turned to stare at Dean, trying to focus on something rather than the calling.

'What is? Sam can you focus on where it is coming from?' Dean said, brightening as an idea formed, 'if we can find out where it is coming from, and what is creating it then we can put a stop to all of this.'

'Dean I ...' Sam started to speak but winced as another onslaught hit him, 'turn right down that track.' He ground out through clenched teeth, sweat dripped down his face with the effort he exerted in staying conscious.

'Sam you okay? We can get going and get you out of here if it's too much.'

'No ... no keep going Dean we have to stop this.' Sam said with a small smile for his brother he tried to show that it wasn't effecting him as much as it was, but by the look on Dean's face it was a wasted effort.

'Sammy please you're starting to scare me, this was a stupid idea.'

'No keep going Dean, the sound is getting stronger, we're getting close.' Sam rested his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes forcing himself to relax and to follow the call rather than fight it. Gradually his breathing eased and he appeared to be in less pain.

'Sam? Talk to me Dude.' Dean said leaning over to touch Sam's shoulder, 'you okay?'

'Yeah I think I have it under control, take a left at the fork.'

Dean stopped quizzing his brother as he concentrated on the narrow dirt road, taking the left fork without question, 'okay where now?'

'We'll have to go on foot soon, it's so close.' Sam sighed, 'so cold.'

'Stay with me Sammy.' Dean said as he pulled the car over onto the side of the road hiding it behind a row of leafy trees. 'Sam we have to get out now.'

Sam nodded weakly and fumbled to open the door, moving quickly Dean managed to get to Sam's side and help him out of the car. 'Lean on me Sammy.' He said wrapping the gangly youth's arm around his shoulder and slinging his own arm around Sam's narrow waist. 'Dude you have lost too much weight.'

'So sue me.' Sam said wrapping his long fingers around Dean's, 'it's easier if I keep my eyes closed.'

'Lead on Psychic Boy.' Dean said trying to lighten the mood settling between the two brothers.

They walked slowly, carefully through the brush stopping every few metres for Sam to catch his breath and to get his bearings. Finally, they came to a fenced off area, although there was no sign of any guards or guard dogs on duty, just a rusty looking padlock hanging from a heavy chain. 'Okay Sammy I'm just gonna ease you down here so I can pick the lock.'

Sam nodded his head and sank down on the soft grass thankfully, exhausted from fighting the constant pain, he felt himself slide into a warm embrace, glowing arms wrapped around his chest as his head rested against a soft welcoming breast. A gentle hand brushed back his heavy fringe and for the first time in a long time, he was pain free and relaxed.

Dean heard his brother moans softly, glancing down he stopped picking the lock and dropped his pick in shock when he saw the glowing translucent young woman cradling Sam tenderly against herself. She looked up and smiled at the elder brother, 'I am here Dean, and there is nothing to fear.' He heard her voice so clearly in his mind but she hadn't said a word.

'Isabelle?' Dean breathed instantly recognising the young woman he had never met before.

'Finish your task Dean; I will watch over Sam, he is healing.'

'Ah yeah okay.' Dean went back to working on the rusted lock, taking only another minute to open it and swing the gates open. 'Time to go Sammy.'

Sam's eyes opened slowly and he stared sleepily up at Dean, 'Dean? Belle she was here?'

'Yeah Dude, she was here.' Dean muttered still confused at how he knew someone that was a complete stranger and not only that but trusted her with Sam. 'Need a hand up?'

'Thanks.' Sam shook his head he needed to clear his thoughts as he gripped Dean's proffered hand and scrambled to his feet. Swaying dizzily, he pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes until the dizziness passed.

'You okay? Belle said that she healed you.'

'Yeah just the sound it ... it still hurts.' Sam winced, 'this way.'

They moved stealthily through the main yard, Sam leading Dean to a large office area that looked deserted. 'In there.' Sam whispered, 'it's getting stronger.'

Easily picking the next lock Dean took Sam's place and made his brother stay behind him, 'dunno what it is Sammy, just stay behind me.'

They walked through the deserted reception area and down a long hallway that seemingly wound downwards, until they could feel a drop in temperature, they were underground.

'Dean, ah it hurts.' Sam gasped stumbling he collided into the back of his brother, 'make it stop.' Blood dripped from his nose and ears as the sound started to rupture the blood vessels. Blood red tears ran down his face staining his cheeks until it mingled with the blood from his nosebleed.

Tenderly Dean eased Sam down onto the floor until he sat propped up against the wall, with a shaking hand he brushed back Sam's hair from his eyes and cupping his hand under Sam's chin he made him look up and meet his own stare. 'Sam, Sammy I need you to fight it now, we can't let it get to you now we've come too far.'

'So cold Dean.'

Dean took his leather jacket off and wrapped around Sam's shoulders, 'can you get up?'

Sam nodded and pushed himself up leaning against the wall he closed his eyes and took a deep withering breath, 'let's do this.'

Wrapping his arm around Sam's waist Dean helped his fast-weakening brother into the room where the offending sound was emanating from.

TBC