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 17 – Horse with a Name

Sam lifted his head when he felt a hand on his shoulder followed by a glass of water and some pain pills. "Thanks Dean…I really wish these visions would stop taking so much out of me!"

"So you want to talk about it?" Dean asked quietly, letting Sam take the lead this time.

Sam swallowed. "We need to finish this tonight Dean…if we don't Shirley is going to die!"

"Holy crap, I thought she was a little off earlier…you don't think she's going to…well, you know…kill herself do you?"

"I don't know Dean, but she not only feels grief, but guilt over what happened prior to his death. All I know is we need to get there and stop this thing."

"Ok, so what the hell is a 'brook horse'? I've never heard of that before." Dean asked as he took the chair opposite Sam.

Sam continued to read the description on the web site. "It says here that the 'brook horse' is a water demon and is also known by many other names including kelpie and nix. It lures its prey to their death by drowning them in the river. It is a form of shape shifter in that it can change its form from human to horse. It can only kill when in the form of the horse. However there's nothing in the legends about it binding itself to a spirit…that must be something new for the one we are dealing with."

Dean sat back and thought about it for a few moments, snapping his fingers he conjectured. "You know Sam, the days of people hopping onto a horse and going for a ride are long over…a Harley maybe, but I'm betting it was getting harder for the demon to lure people to it. So it bound itself to a spirit to help lure those who were easy prey…people who had lost someone and were desperate to be reunited to their true love."

"Why Dean, have you been watching Oprah again!" Sam asked as he snorted.

Dean slapped Sam on the back. "Shut up!"

"You could be right Dean, that's why it's looking for a replacement for Marie." Sam winced as a sharp pain started in his head.

Dean saw the pain and changed the subject quickly. "So, does it say anything in there on how we can kill it?"

Sam continued to read for a few moments, but couldn't find a definite answer. "Well, other than ways to repel the demon. I don't see anything in here that would help in killing it. But if it's a type of shape shifter, wouldn't silver rounds work?" Sam asked looking at Dean.

"I'm not sure, either silver or consecrated iron should work. Of course, we probably should also remove its head and burn it all if we can; just to be on the safe side." Dean pulled his phone from his pocket and paused as he looked thoughtfully at it.

"Go ahead and call him Dean, Dad might know what to do." Sam said quietly. He knew that Dean missed his father more than he was letting on. But their father had insisted on continuing to hunt alone.

Dean dialed and waited, after almost a year of never being able to get his father on the phone, he was still amazed when his father would pick up. "Hey Dad, no Sam and I are fine…well sort of. Sammy's got a new girlfriend and we need to figure out a way to get rid of her." Dean smiled as he saw Sam roll his eyes and head for the bathroom.

Dean brought his father up to date on what they had discovered so far and also told him the affect it was having on Sam. "Dad, it's really messing with his head. I mean, it's almost like after Jessica died. I know he's hurting even though he thinks he's hiding from me."

Dean listened to what his father said, smiling as he confirmed what they had thought. "Consecrated Iron rounds or silver bullet to the heart should work. I'd try the consecrated iron rounds first, since it's repelled by iron or steel. Dean, you need to be careful son, this thing has already bound itself to Sam somehow. He is going to have trouble staying away from the thing. Whatever happens, you can't let your brother get on that horse!" John was worried. He knew how strongly his youngest son had felt about Jessica and he also knew the guilt that he still carried with him.

"Don't worry Dad, but I can't keep him out of it…you know Sam, he'll just follow me on his own. I'll look out for him."

"You look out for yourself too Dean, I mean it. Both of you be careful. Call me back and let me know what happened ok?" John wished he could be there, but he was in the middle of his own hunt and couldn't leave right away.

"I will Dad, you do the same!" Dean said as he hung up the phone.

"Ok Sammy, stop lounging around in the bathroom. We have to get our plan of attack together and get our things ready. Tonight we are going hunting!"

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sam and Dean both stood quietly on the bridge looking down into the swirling waters below. Sam shivered slightly as he remembered the last time he had been on this bridge. The horse had tried to drown him then and had almost succeeded. He just hoped that the thing would show itself before Shirley showed up.

Dean looked at his brother and was worried. Sam had been trying to hide it all afternoon, but he could tell that his brother was remembering Jessica. It was in the sighs he kept hearing from his brother and a few times he saw Sam rub at his eyes as if to remove unshed tears. Damn this thing for opening up the old wounds. He would see it in hell before he allowed it to hurt his brother any further.

"Hey Sam, you ok?" Dean asked quietly. He didn't like the quiet moody Sam that only meant trouble.

"Yeah, I'm fine Dean…really. It's just, I can't help thinking about her you know." Sam looked away quickly, he didn't want his brother to see his despair. It had been building all afternoon as memories of his time with Jessica kept playing in his mind, reminding him of what he had lost and of the guilt that was always a part of him. He longed to see her just one more time, to touch her face and to tell her that he was sorry.

Suddenly both boys turned as they heard the sound of horse's hoofs in the distance. Dean looked at Sam who nodded. "It's near by Dean…are you ready for this?"

"You bet, now remember what you promised Sam. You won't get on that horse no matter what happens right?" Dean still didn't like letting Sam anywhere near the thing, but he also knew it was the only way to bring it out in the open.

A few moments later, both boys gasped as the form of Jessica appeared in front of them. "Hello Sam, have you come to join me?"

Sam paused, gulping as he saw Jessica just as he had remembered her. Every fiber of his being wanted to grab her and never let her go again. "No….no, you aren't her…Jess is dead." But Sam's voice didn't sound as convinced as before.

Dean decided enough was enough. "He's not going with you now or ever you bitch!" Dean pulled his gun from his pocket and aimed at the apparition. "This ends now!" He said as he pulled the trigger and hit the apparition in the heart.

Jessica looked down at her chest, a smile curving her lips as she looked at Dean. "Silly human, I am immortal and cannot be killed. I've been here since time began and will be here long after time ends. But I'm glad you're here. You can help me convince your brother to come with me willingly!"

Dean gasped as he felt himself pushed towards the guard rail on the bridge. Before he or Sam could do anything, another hard push sent him over the edge. "DEAN!" Sam yelled as he ran to the rail and looked down.

Dean was dangling just below the rail, hanging from one of the steel girders that supported the bridge. He could easily climb down, but up would be a problem. "Sammy, watch out!" Dean called as he saw Jessica standing next to his brother, her hand on his shoulder.

"You can choose Sam, you either agree to bind yourself to me here, now…or I will take your brother in your place."

Sam turned to the woman, hatred burning from his eyes as he pulled his own gun from his pocket. "You will let him go or I swear to god I will kill you!"

"Now we both know that the gun won't work. Come with me Sam, and all the pain and suffering will cease. You can leave it all behind."

Dean heard the demon trying to entice his brother. He had to get back to Sam and quickly. "Sammy don't you do it…you hear me…don't you agree to anything that bitch tells you!" Dean began climbing down, hoping he could get back to the bridge before his brother did something stupid.

Sam watched as Jessica continued to move towards him. He could feel his resolve weakening, but he had promised Dean and Sam always kept his promises. "NO! I will not go with you, I saw what happened to Marie. You cannot force me to leave with you!"

Jessica looked at Sam and shook her head sadly. "Ok, then you can watch your brother die!"

Sam heard a sharp cry and a splash from below as he looked once again over the rail, but Dean was no where to be found. "DEAN! DEAN!" Sam yelled over and over again, but there was no answer except for the sound of the rushing water in the river below.

TBC

Raven524: Ok, so I couldn't resist any longer. This is a cliff hanger, but I will try to update soon. Of course, reviews always help me to write faster! So push the little button below and tell me what you think!