The Institute

Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone from Supernatural nor do I profit in any way. I just write for the love of writing about the boys and hurting them on the odd occasion.

Warnings:

Rated for language, violence, and torture.

NO Wincest or Slash involved in this or any of my stories.

Author's Note: This is not a supernatural story as such, though the demon may make an appearance later on.

Just one little other thing no agencies or agents were brainwashed, manipulated or tortured in anyway. :0)

CHAPTER 3 – Watch Your Back Dean.

Dean stared at his reflection in the mirror, heavy bags settled under his eyes and a few new creases joined them. He was exhausted but refused to sleep and relax while Sam was in that place.

Not that he could sleep anyway with images of Sam's beating coming out of nowhere when he shuts his eyes. The viciousness and speed of delivery made Dean feel physically ill.

The hot shower had helped with his aching body but nothing helped with the fracture to his heart and soul. No one, nothing could fix that except for Sam to come back safe and in one piece. Slowly picking up his razor Dean went to start shaving when suddenly his fingers went numb and he dropped it back into the basin. Something niggled at him in the back of his mind, swearing under his breath he quickly dressed and hurried into the living room. Sandy had already left for work at the diner so he knew he was alone. Sifting through the magazines and mail left on the coffee table and side tables Dean finally found what he was looking for.

Sandy had a pamphlet for the Institute already there. It caught his eye when he first arrived with Sandy and then he didn't give it another thought not knowing then where Sam was. Sinking down on the sofa, he opened the folder paper and read the information carefully trying to glean as much as he could from it.

Supposedly the place was created by a privately run organisation for the advanced study of psychic phenomena, a research facility only funded by charitable organisations, and private donations. Frustrated Dean tossed it on the table it didn't give him anything more than he already knew, a small receipt fluttered on the floor curious Dean picked it up, it was for a payment made to Sandy from the Institute.

'Hey Dean,' Sandy called from the kitchen banging the back door as she came in, 'just popped in during my break to bring you lunch, you here?'

'Living room,' Dean answered absently he still stared down at the receipt, taking a deep breath he shoved it in his pocket and stood to go and talk to Sandy when she appeared behind him. 'Whoa didn't hear you come in.' He spat out, acting startled, 'what's up?'

'Hey, I had a break and thought that I would bring you some nice homemade food for lunch better than the plastic fast food crap.' Sandy smiled holding a basket in her hand, 'actually it's a picnic I thought that we could go down near the river and have some lunch together.'

'Look Sandy that's great but I can't, I have to keep searching for Sam.' Dean said trying to sound apologetic.

'You still have to eat Dean, you won't do Sam any good if you starve yourself and end up in hospital.' Sandy persisted, 'I have some yummy things in here.'

'Sandy I do appreciate all of this I really do but ... I just can't take the time to go for a picnic.'

'Well how about we have it right here then?' Sandy compromised, 'I can set out the blanket on the floor here, and we can have the picnic right here.' Putting the basket down she pushed the table out of the way and arranged the blanket and then the food to Dean's amazement she had it all done in minutes. Running his fingers through his hair Dean shook his head and relented, deciding to use the time to find out exactly what Sandy knows about the Institute and why are they paying her?

The plush office deep in the heart of the compound shrouded in silence as the occupants waited for the doctor to come in and give his report. Seated around a very large and ornate wooden table six men all dressed in dark suits and ties, their white shirts identical to each other with the institute's insignia on the breast pocket.

A silver haired man sat at the head of the table with a large pile of files to his right and a pen and pad directly in front of him. He stared discreetly at the other men seated around him. All ranging in mid fifties to their sixties and all experts in their fields but more importantly all in agreement on the real reason for the institute's existence.

'Forgive me Mr Sloane for being so late,' the doctor panted as he came into the room, 'I had some ah trouble to take care of first.'

'What kind of trouble?' the question came from one of the men seated to the right of Mr Julian Sloane.

'One of the subjects continues to defy orders and had to be subdued.'

'Why bother with it then?'

'Because subject twenty-two is the strongest one yet and has great potential in the future of the program. It will submit very soon, it won't take much longer.'

'Which one of them is subject twenty-two?' Julian Sloane spoke for the first time.

Doctor Tobias Schlatter smiled knowingly and prepared for his presentation, 'I have done a power point to give a better overview of subject twenty-two. A Caucasian male aged twenty-four years of age,' as he spoke the doctor brought a slide of Sam up on the screen, the photo taken before they apprehended him, 'approximately six feet five inches tall, slim build, green eyes and dark brown collar length hair. The subject is an orphan, mother died when the subject was an infant, father more recently both died in tragic circumstances. Subject twenty-two has an older sibling who is here in town and is currently under surveillance.' Tobias paused as he flicked up another image on the screen, one of Dean and Sam together, clearly showing the features of both brothers. 'The older sibling is twenty-eight years of age, approximately six feet one inch tall, short dark blond hair and green eyes also. They have a very close bond and the elder seems to be the self-appointed protector.' Another image replaced the last one, this time it held a close up of each brother, 'subject twenty-two completed first two years in pre-law at Stanford, left after the girlfriend died and then the siblings started to travel. The elder one does not exhibit any metaphysical abilities however, is an excellent hunter, very perceptive, very violent, and aggressive.'

'Why allow the subject's sibling to remain free if he is so violent?'

'Good question Doctor Oakes, one way of controlling subject twenty-two's defiance is to use the fact that the sibling is still free. Threats against the elder sibling works extremely well in obtaining its compliance.' Tobias paused and watched them absorbing these facts before he continued. The next slide showed Sam strapped to the table during his first test and examination, then it showed him after the lethal beating and then the final slide showed Grace healing him. 'I have noticed that subjects twenty-one and twenty-two have formed a close bond, twenty-one seems to be quite taken with twenty-two.'

'Interesting development indeed, so tell us Tobias has there been any success with the new arrival?'

'Yes, indeed,' Tobias grinned and clicked on the next slide, this time it showed Sam lying on the table once again but this time blindfolded. 'During the sensory deprivation tests, subject twenty-two recorded a psychic event, a very powerful one; it also displayed a physical reaction to the vision, including vomiting and the onslaught of a migraine. It did however; start to revert to its defiant stance, disobeying direct orders and questions.'

'This vision is there any record of what it contained?' Another clone like man asked turning to stare at the doctor.

'Not this time, the event was very dramatic and short, however, I do believe that it concerned the older sibling as subject twenty-two screamed the name and became quite agitated at the conclusion of the vision, as well as slightly disorientated and on the verge of a panic attack.'

'Interesting, thank you Tobias, I agree with you after reading the file on subject twenty-two that it is something extraordinary. I expect a further update in three days time.' Sloane dismissed the doctor as he spoke waving his fingers, 'one thing I do ask for Doctor I want to know exactly what it sees during the event. How you glean this information I will leave in your capable hands, but we need to know what it sees so we can control it completely.'

'For the good of the program.' Tobias Schlatter said gathering his things together and turned to leave.

'For the good of the program.' Echoed behind him.

Sam sat with his back against the cool wall nursing his still aching head, his body still vibrated with the after-shocks of the electrocution. Swallowing dryly he slowly pushed himself up the wall and attempted to walk over to the bars, he hadn't heard from Grace for a while and started to worry for her.

'Grace you there?' Sam whispered pressing his sweating face against the bars.

'Hey Sam.' Grace answered her voice thick with tears she moved closer to the bars but stayed in the shadows.

'Grace what it is? What's wrong?' Sam asked straining to see her better.

'I – I can feel your pain, it hurts so much,' Grace gasped out, 'I have to heal you but they won't let me.'

'I am so sorry Grace, this isn't fair for you.' Sam said stumbling away from the bars, 'it's all my fault, I won't argue with them anymore and then maybe they won't ...'

'Sam please it's not your fault, listen to me they are sadistic and deal out punishment for anything.' Grace cried out when she saw Sam start to crumble, 'they make me heal all of the subjects.'

'There's more?' Sam gulped having trouble comprehending the enormity of this place, 'how many?'

'I – I'm not sure,' Grace sighed, 'they take me to them, it is always different places and injuries.'

'Why?'

'Coz they think that if they find out what causes people to have psychic ability then they can control them, use them and harness the gifts.'

'No, not ... the demons I can almost understand but humans, people that's just...'

'Sam I – I don't understand ... demons?'

Sam's head snapped up and his mouth dropped open slightly, he didn't realise that he had said that aloud. 'Ah yeah it's a long story.' Sam said with an elegant Gallic shrug and small curl of his lips.

'Get up subject twenty-two and move to the rear of your cell.' The cold voice of their guard saved Sam from explaining anymore. Gradually Sam pushed himself back up against the wall and staggered back towards the rear of his cramped cell. The door swung open and the guard stood with handcuffs dangling from one finger, 'hands out fingers linked, now subject twenty-two or your little friend will get a jolt.'

Sam glared at him but silently linked his fingers together and held his hands out in front of him; he forced himself to relax and not to fight back. 'The Doc wants to see you.' The guard sneered gripping Sam's arm he led him out of the cell and down the hallway to a set of stairs, 'move it.'

'Where?' Sam asked immediately regretting it when he felt the hands on his back and the push down two flights of stairs. Dazed and hurting Sam curled into a foetal position trying to blank out what was happening to him. A hand fisted in the back of his hair and he felt himself yanked upwards. Breathing heavily Sam tried to put weight on his right ankle but it gave way immediately, the only thing keeping him upright was the hand twisted cruelly in his hair.

'Move.' The order given and hands moved gripping his upper arm Sam tried to keep up limping badly, several times, he stumbled, and the last time he pitched forward and to one side colliding into the back of the guard. 'Clumsy idiot,' an elbow to his face shattered his nose and blood spurted everywhere. Crying out hoarsely Sam's hands covered his face but his obvious distress ignored as he felt himself dragged down the last small hallway, stopping only for the guard to unlock a door and pushed Sam ahead of him. 'Sit.' He shoved Sam backwards into a chair, unlocking the cuffs he fastened Sam's right wrist with the ones he already wore to the armrest of the chair and then he pulled another pair of cuffs out of his pocket and fastened them around the other armrest and Sam's left wrist. Two black plastic strips fastened each of Sam's ankles to the front legs of the chair.

Sam hissed as the guard fastened the tie too tightly around his injured ankle, black spots danced in front of his eyes as he felt himself drawn to the merciful darkness.

'Subject twenty-two ready for you Doctor.' The guard announced out of Sam's line of vision. 'It is still being resistant; as a result it fell down the stairs injuring itself.'

'I will call you when I need you.' The doctor dismissed the man before turning his attention to Sam.

'Subject twenty-two welcome to the next phase of your examinations and testing.' Tobias said pausing to see if Sam shot back an angry retort. The young man stayed silent and kept his eyes downcast. 'Very good,' the doctor mused though frowning slightly this was too easy. Picking up his recorder, he started a new tape, 'subject twenty-two, and test three continuing with the sensory deprivation.'

Sam lifted his head slightly, looking up at the doctor, his green eyes dull, dark, and filled with pain met the doctor's dark ones for a moment before Sam dropped his gaze again. He closed his eyes and tried to control his breathing once again.

'Interesting the subject is exhibiting signs of a panic attack in anticipation of a sensory deprivation test.' The doctor commented excitedly.

Sam closed his eyes and tried to let himself fall into the welcoming arms of darkness, his throbbing ankle bit at his awareness, he could feel the swelling wrapping around the plastic tie. His shoulders and back ached from the tumble and he knew that two more ribs were at least cracked. Sighing heavily he tried to ignore the doctor's excitement, as the man pressed more electrodes onto his head and scalp but then he felt him pushing something into his ears. Great, fucking great now he's gonna make me deaf. The thought blasted through Sam's dull musings. Once he blocked both of Sam's ears, he placed a set of block-out headphones on his head effectively silencing the world for the boy. Smiling he flicked Sam's eyelids until they slowly lifted and he was met with a dull stare. 'You are not to shut your eyes during this,' the doctor said aloud and held a prepared sign in front of Sam to read. Squinting Sam read the order and then turned a baleful glare to the doctor although he remained completely silent.

Staring up at the doctor Sam watched his every move as the man flicked switches and dials watching monitors carefully.

A shudder passed through Sam as he strained for the slightest sound but he couldn't even hear his own heart beating. A sharp pain behind his eyes caused Sam to gasp and squeeze his eyes shut, rewarded with a jolt of electricity; his eyes snapped open only to find the doctor standing there with strips of tape. In seconds, he taped Sam's eyes wide open preventing him from even blinking. His eyes watered as the pressure behind them increased until Sam screamed in pain. The smell of burnt flesh filled his nostrils and he strained to see any signs of fire. Then he realised that he was no longer in the same room with the doctor. In a large dorm a group of young people huddled together, no one spoke or moved as the smoke curled around their legs and large flames licked hungrily at the walls surrounding them. Sam yelled at them to move and tried to get to them but a glass wall separated him from them. They finally moved stepping away to line the walls giving themselves to the flames. Lying on the floor, unconscious and bleeding lay Dean. Embers igniting around his body encasing him in a fiery frame danced closer to his exposed skin. The vision blurred and shifted as his awareness returned, screaming incoherently he bucked at the chair trying to free himself.

'Subject twenty-two has another vision, during the hearing deprivation, needed to keep his eyes forced open throughout the event using tape. Blood Pressure reading is 195/220 and pulse rate is too fast to count accurately.' Tobias recorded before turning his attention directly to Sam.

'Subject twenty-two, describe your vision.' He ordered after removing the headphones and ear plugs. 'Describe your vision now.'

'Go to hell.' Sam spat out a steady ringing started in his ears causing him to feel dizzy and nauseous.

'Do not make me repeat myself,' Tobias snarled gripping Sam's chin he forced him to look up. 'I have decided that punishing you is only a short term solution to your continuing defiance, so I have changed my mind, you will still be physically punished but instead of allowing subject twenty-one to heal you, I will leave the two of you restrained in a room unable to touch. I know you understand what happens to her if she cannot heal. That will be on your conscious think about it and then answer me subject twenty-two.'

'Large dorm, young people huddled together, no speaking, or moving. I can't reach them, fire all around. They, they move and ... fire and smoke everywhere.'

You're not telling me everything the doctor thought as he clicked off the recorder, 'very good subject twenty-two.' Changing the tape Tobias moved to stand once again in front of Sam, 'What are you called?'

'Subject twenty-two,' Sam whispered.

'What are you called?'

'Subject twenty-two.'

'What are you called?'

'Subject twenty-two.'

'Very good subject twenty-two I am very pleased with your progress,' Tobias patted Sam on the shoulder and then spent five minutes writing notes and comments in a folder acting as though he was ignoring Sam completely. He watched the young man trying to control his breathing but he was losing his battle. Exhaustion and physical pain took over and soon Sam's head slumped forward.

Frowning the doctor took Sam's vitals again, blood pressure had not returned to normal this time, breathes and pulse still too fast, although his temperature had not changed, 'bring in subject twenty-one,' the doctor barked into the intercom not waiting for an answer he continued to make handwritten notes on the condition of the subject.

Sam shuddered and felt himself pulled backwards; invisible hands gripped his right arm and leg holding him tightly as he fought for control of his breathing, terrified he panicked and tried to scream but he had no control over his mouth let alone his vocal cords.

'Damn it,' the doctor yelled watching Sam suffering a series of strokes, 'where's subject twenty-one?' he roared thumping the intercom button.

'Subject twenty-one is still recovering from healing subject nineteen; it was harder on it than expected.'

'I need subject twenty-one here immediately, subject twenty-two is of no use to us if it is brain damaged.' The doctor snarled, 'bring it here now!'

The guards dragged Grace in looking confused, she was still trying to regain her equilibrium gasping aloud when she saw Sam.

'Heal him.' The doctor ordered without any preamble.

'I – I can't completely heal him.' Grace whispered bracing herself for more abuse.

'Reduce his blood pressure and heal the strokes, the rest can wait.' Tobias ordered, 'let subject twenty-one go.'

Grace lurched towards Sam's side and dropped to her knees, tears pricked her eyes as she saw the glassy look in his sea-green eyes. The paralysing effect on his right side from the strokes tore at her and she felt herself growing numb before making contact.

Weakly Sam shook his head 'No', his frozen vocal cords refusing to work for him, the effort too much and his head lolled to the side.

Taking a few deep breathes Grace placed her hands over Sam's temples and guided his face back needing to keep eye contact with him this time. Her body stiffened as she took the paralysis into her body and made it her own before sending scattering on the ether, then she sent cooling, calming thoughts to him as she fought his blood pressure. Sam gasped and his hands shot up to grip Grace's wrists pulling them away from his face breaking the contact. 'No more.' He whispered barely audible.

'Sam?' Grace pushed his name out as she started to fade back to her own essence feeling him leaving too soon.

'N-no more.' Sam said a little more forcefully turning a baleful stare at the watching doctor and guards, 'killing her.'

'Interesting development, subject twenty-two broke off healing process in order to save the life of subject twenty-one. It would rather perish than allow the full healing. Note subject twenty-two shows signs of true empathy; this will be needed to investigated further.' Tobias clicked off the recorder, 'guards take subject twenty-one back to its cell to recuperate.'

'And subject twenty-two?'

'It will remain here for now; I will summon you when I have finished with it.'

'Very good Doctor.' The guard said picking Grace up he carried her out of the room and away from Sam who started to watch the doctor move around the room.

'Why?' He croaked out unable to help himself anymore.

'That is a punishable offence subject twenty-two do you understand that?'

'Yes ... just why?' Sam persisted his voice fading with each word.

'You are special subject twenty-two, you have gifts that have to be studied and ... trained ah you have to be trained to use them effectively.'

'No ... don't ... believe,' Sam forced out the last word glaring up at his tormentor.

'It is of no consequence if you believe me or not,' the doctor smirked bending down until he stood nose to nose with Sam, 'you are mine subject twenty-two get used to it.'

'No.' Sam pushed the word out he could feel his strength waning with each passing second but he didn't want to back down, it was too important to stay stubborn, stay himself.

'You are subject twenty-two, you are the property of the Institute and are mine to use as I see fit.'

'No!'

'Yes subject twenty-two, and the sooner you learn that the easier it will be for you.' Tobias hissed turning away; he went to a table just out of Sam's line of sight.

'No ... never.' Sam grunted.

'That is enough subject twenty-two.'

'Sam ... my ... name ... is ... Sam.'

Tobias Schlatter gripped the edge of the bench and forced himself to calm down, after a few minutes he shook himself and then picked up a syringe, he didn't want to use the serum, but subject twenty-two's continuing defiance must stop; he must be compliant before the next presentation.

Stalking up to the young man he held the needle in front of Sam's eyes making sure that the young man saw it, 'this is because you refuse to comply with simple instructions and continue to defy me at all times. This is you fault.'

'No.' Sam ground out his eyes widening at the sight of the dripping needle.

'Last chance already went subject twenty-two when you defied me,' Tobias said twisting his fingers in Sam's hair; he pulled hard exposing the lean and slender neck. Sam winced as he felt the needle break through his skin numbing his mind and silencing his thoughts.

'What are you called?'

'Subject twenty-two.' Sam replied dully.

'What are you called?'

'Subject twenty-two.'

'What are you called?'

'Subject twenty-two.'

'Do you have any other name you are called?'

Sam paused, he could feel panic and confusion rising in him, he so wanted to say Sam Winchester but it remained stuck deep within him, 'subject twenty-two.' He whispered his eyes flaring with anger but whatever was in the drug forced him to comply.

'Excellent, now subject twenty-two answer questions about your abilities.'

'Yes sir.'

'When did you start experiencing them?'

'Two years ago.'

'Have you always experienced physical discomfort after each event?'

'Yes.'

'Have they ever been wrong?'

'No.'

'Can you change the outcome?'

'Sometimes.'

'Do you have any other abilities?'

'Telekinesis.'

'How often have you used this ability?'

'Only a couple of times, no control of it.'

'Is there a trigger?'

'High emotion and fear.' Inwardly Sam flinched as he answered each question truthfully, unable to stop himself as the drugs continued to snake around his mind.

'Anything else?'

'No.'

Tobias stood silent for a moment watching the warring going on across Sam's face, he could tell the toll each answer cost the young man, it won't be much longer and he will have broken subject twenty-two completely and then he will be able to assimilate the subject with the others.

'Very good subject twenty-two, about to commence test four,' the doctor moved around behind Sam and pushed his captive until he could see what the unseen bench held. A series of objects lined up looked innocuous enough but then he saw a small monitor hooked up to a video player.

'Test four, subject twenty-two's telekinetic power,' the doctor moved around to stand behind Sam once again but this time he moved close enough to push a brace like contraption around Sam's head effectively immobilising him. Then he placed the electrodes and patches on his forehead, scalp, temples, throat, and chest.

'Test four commencing now.' He pressed a button on remote control and immediately the screen flickered on. Images of bodies filled the screen; some mutilated beyond recognition, then horrific scenes of warfare, car accidents, and abused children. Tobias noted the rise in Sam's respirations, blood pressure, and emotions and excitedly recorded the results. Then he hit another button and the room filled with matching sounds, screams of pain, and babies crying. Sam tried to turn away from the images but the brace made it impossible. 'Close your eyes subject twenty-two and I will tape them open again.' Tobias hissed in his ear as he watched the monitors rising in line with the subject's anxiety.

The screen suddenly went blank and Sam let out a deep breath, terrified at possible consequences he didn't move anything, but then it flickered and another image started playing out. 'Dean!' Sam screamed watching as masked men started beating Dean, some using weapons, others using their bare fists as they gradually beat him to death. The screams filled Sam's ears deafening him, it was Dean's voice, it was Dean on the screen, and they were killing Dean because of him. 'No!' he roared, the objects on the table started to shake, as did the equipment in the room.

TBC