Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters. I and am not making any money on this…I'm just having fun filling in the time until September!

Ghost Hollow

Chapter 15 – Nightmares

Dean rushed to his brother's side, and holding him in his arms he spoke into the night. "You won't be getting him tonight or any other…so whatever you are, just let him go or I swear to God, I will kill you!"

Dean watched helplessly as his brother continued to shake in his arms. "Sammy, I don't know what to do to help you!"

Sam screamed as the pain in his head increased threatening to shatter his skull with its intensity. He shook his head as the same word continued over and over in his mind, a command that he knew he couldn't obey "COME". A simple word that brought with it the promise of release from his pain but Sam knew better. He knew that in the end it would mean his death or something even worse.

"Dean…don't let me…keep me…here!" Sam hissed his breath beginning to hitch in his throat as he fought against the attack.

"Don't worry Sammy, I've got your back!" Dean said quietly as he helped his brother stand and got him to the bed. He couldn't handcuff his brother again or he'd aggravate his brother's injuries. Dean chewed on his lower lip as Sam continued to toss on the bed.

"NO! I won't come, I will never choose to follow you…get out of my head you bitch!" Sam moaned as he grabbed the side of his head.

"Easy there bro!" Dean said quietly as he gently pulled Sam's hand down from his head. He encased Sam's cold hand within his warm one, hoping that his brother knew he was still there.

Sam could feel his brother near him, but he could also feel parts of himself being drawn away. It was the same way he had felt when he was kissed by Jess. Each time, he was bound closer to whatever it was that was hunting him. He knew that he had to resist, but it was getting hard. He was exhausted and only wanted to rest.

"Then come to me Sam." Jessica appeared again, a soft smile on her face. How he had loved her smile.

"That's it Sam, remember what we had. We can have that again if you will only follow me!"

Sam backed away from the apparition in his mind. "You are not Jess, my Jess is dead!"

Dean continued to watch as the tears ran down his brother's cheeks, a strangled sob escaping with a single word "Jess".

"Aw Sammy, not again!" Dean remembered how long it had taken Sam to get over her death the first time. Now somehow, it appeared that Sam was being forced to remember what he had lost. He knew his brother was strong, but he also knew Sam's fear. The same fear that had kept him from getting closer to Sarah. His brother wasn't sure he could survive losing someone that close to him again.

"Sam, you have to remember…our special spot, by the lake. We would sit there for hours and just watch the stars overhead. You once told me that I was the best thing that had happened to you other than your brother. Why won't you believe it's me now?" Jessica walked towards Sam, once again leaning in for a kiss.

This time Sam was prepared. "NO! You are not Jess, you are just using my memories of her to torment me…to break me. It won't happen!" Sam deliberately turned his back on Jess and closed his eyes, concentrating on the other voice he could hear faintly.

Dean heard his brother's sobs and did the only thing he could, he sat beside Sam and ran his hand through his brother's sweat soaked hair. "You hold on Sam, you've gotten through this before and I know you can do it again." Dean continued to talk, not sure what he was saying, but hoping that Sam could hear him where ever he was.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

In the woods the figure of old being stood with its eyes closed in concentration. While it had the power to torment, it could not leave the vicinity of the river, the source of its power since time began. The being was feeling weaker since Marie had been ripped from its grasp. It would soon need to find another to feed on to replenish it's energy.

Originally, it had only lured it's victims to their watery death. But then people were easily lured and were more plentiful. As time went on, it had become harder to lure and the time between each feeding had become longer and longer until the being feared it might actually fade.

Then one day a young woman came to its shores, begging for release from her misery. When the being cast its lure, the young woman came gratefully with no fear of what was to happen. At that moment, the being realized that if she was willing it could bind her to it and feed off the life energy long after the girl was dead. The girl agreed, but asked for something in return. The being agreed to only release those who had suffered a similar loss as the girl had suffered.

The arrangement had worked well for decades. The being had discovered that taking the life force of those who were filled with misery tasted sweeter and lasted longer than when the person was tricked into dying. It required less energy to lure them to their demise as many of them were more than willing to die rather than go on without their one true love.

But now, it was weakened and running out of options. As it continued to exert its influence to bring the young man to it; it realized that maybe force wasn't the way to get to the young man. There was another way, a way that if done correctly would bring the young man to it and make him willing to agree to a trade. Yes, it would work. But first it needed to rest and gather its strength.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Suddenly Sam's eyes snapped open as the pain in his head began to subside. "Oh God Dean, I don't know if I can go through that again!" Sam whispered.

Dean released his grip on his brother's hand and sat back taking a good look at his brother. Sam looked awful. His skin was pale and his breathing was still shallow. He could see Sam struggling to keep his eyes open, exhaustion written in the lines of his face. "How are you feeling bro'?" Dean asked already knowing the answer, he was shocked when Sam actually admitted he wasn't doing too well.

"I don't know Dean, I…I…don't think I can…Oh God, Jess!" Sam closed his eyes to hide the emotions that had been deeply buried but now were once more bubbling near the surface. A tear slipped from the corner of his eye as the pain of losing Jess consumed him once more.

"Sammy, I'm sorry…I wish there was something I could do…but you have to be strong and not give in. We need to find out what this thing is before it's too late!" Dean could see his brother pulling into himself like he had after Jessica's death. It had taken months before Dean could reach his brother. But if it took, years he would be there for Sam and help him find his way back.

"Dean…thanks man…I mean it. I know I can always count on you being there for me." Sam took a shuddering breath as he fought to get himself back under control.

"That's my job…now any idea on what we might be dealing with here?" Dean knew that if he could get Sam to focus on the job, he would forget for a short time about Jessica.

Sam tried to sit up on the bed, but his body was too weak. He made a fist and punched the bed in his frustration. "I have to do some research, but I think it's some type of shape shifting demon. I mean it wasn't affected by the rock salt, so that kind of rules out a spirit."

"Well that's actually good news." Dean said as he gently patted Sam on the shoulder.

"Why?"

"At least we don't have to go looking for horse bones…I mean really dude, this was Indian country at one time. Do you know how many horse bones are probably buried out there!"

Sam smiled and he tried to smother a yawn. "And we know how to get rid of a demonic shape shifter right Dean?"

"Yep, silver bullet to its' black heart! Now Sam, why don't you try to get some sleep. I'm going to see what I can find on the internet and also check out Dad's journal…maybe we'll get lucky."

"M'kay…but Dean?"

"Yeah Sammy?"

"Don't go anywhere ok?" Sam hated the needy sound in his voice, but he was afraid to be alone.

"I won't Sammy…I got your back tonight, just get some rest." Dean watched as Sam's eyes finally closed and his breathing evened out. He just hoped that Sam would be able to get a few hours of sleep. Meanwhile he intended to spend the night doing some research, starting with Sam's journal.

TBC

Raven524: Well another chapter done (and no cliff hanger!)…remember if you want me to continue, a push on the little button below will get the next chapter going!