Opening her eyes and flinching as dust sprinkled onto her face, Sarah turned her head and lifted her hand up to clear the dirt from her skin. She then rolled from her back onto her side and peered around in the semi-darkness. Hearing dry coughing behind her, she turned back and could make out Sam's face as he looked up at her.

"Hey," Sam husked, prompting another bout of coughing. "You okay?"

"I think so." Sarah replied, slowly sitting upright and edging over to him. "You?"

"Yeah." Sam pushed himself up with his arms and drew his knees under him. Coughing from the movement, he patted his chest and winced as he took a deep breath. "Just inhaled half a cement quarry, that's all."

Sarah watched in concern as he covered his mouth and coughed hoarsely. She then saw him look around at the debris-filled room and he frowned in concern.

"Dean? Mina?" Sam called huskily, clutching at his bruised chest. "Guys? Where are you?"

Standing slowly, Sam looked around and saw that what little light there was came from the still functional display lights inside some of the smashed cabinets. He then looked up and saw that half of the ceiling had fallen away, exposing wires and pipes along the edges. The ominous hole in the roof was now clearly visible and he paused to stare up at the night sky for a moment.

"Sam?"

Gasping, and regretting the action instantly, Sam cleared his throat and followed the sound of her voice. "Mina?"

"Here." She called in reply.

Clambering across the chunks of ceiling, Sam could see her slowly sitting up and he hurried over to her. "You okay?" He checked the gash on her forehead and saw her nodding an affirmative. He then looked around them and frowned as he saw only rubble. "Dean?"

"He was right behind me," Mina urged, kneeling up and peering under the debris. She then groaned and quickly crawled past Sam. "Dean!"

Sam followed after her and then saw the arm that lay amid the broken concrete. "Oh no …"

Mina carefully lifted the small chunks of debris that covered Dean's head and sighed as she saw the blood in his dusty hair. She stroked her hand beside his neck and pressed her fingers against his skin.

Sam watched in fear as Mina waited for a few seconds and he then groaned in relief as she nodded and smiled up at him.

"Dean?" Mina called softly, sliding her hand up over the back of his neck and reaching under the larger pieces of ceiling that covered him. Feeling the gap between his body and the rubble, she took hold of the edge and helped Sam move it off of his brother.

As they nudged some of the pile that covered his legs, Dean moaned weakly and they both stopped moving the rubble. Sitting back on her heels, Mina leaned down and watched him slowly blink his eyes open.

"Dean!" Sam urged softly from the other side of his brother, gently placing his hand on Dean's shoulder. "It's okay. We're getting you out of here."

Dean frowned and lifted his head, blinking up at them in confusion. He then slowly moved his arm to slide his hand under his shoulder and roll himself backwards. "Ow!" He cried suddenly and flopped back down onto his front. "Oh shit - ! Shit! My - ow! - my leg!" Dean thumped his fist against the floor with a sob and then rested his head against the dusty floor. "My leg's caught." He managed, blowing out a sigh and scattering the dust around his face.

"What?" Sam moved down to peer under the rubble and shook his head slightly. "Mina, give me a hand?"

Mina nodded and shuffled along to squat on the other side of Dean's hips. She grabbed the large chunk of ceiling and watched Sam nod a signal to lift it.

"No!" Dean yelled suddenly, twisting his shoulders to look round at them and holding up his hand. "Stop! Stop!" He collapsed back down, half on his side and covered his face with one arm, whimpering softly. "Fuck …"

Sam again looked underneath the rubble and frowned in concern. Calling to Sarah to find his bag and bring a torch, he then looked back at Mina and saw his fear mirrored in her eyes.

"Dean?" Mina moved back up place her hand on Dean's side and flinched as he grabbed her fingers and squeezed them tightly.

"Shit!" Dean hissed through his clenched teeth and slowly lowered his arm. He turned his head to look up at her and winced in pain.

Mina moved up to sit behind his shoulders and let him rest his head on her thigh. She stroked her fingers through his hair and saw the sweat beads amid the dust on the side of his face. Looking up, she saw Sarah hurry over with the bag and torch and then watched as Sam shone the light under the rubble.

"Crap." Sam whispered.

"What?" Dean lifted his head and bit his lip against the pain as he tried to peer down past his thighs to wear rubble covered his lower legs. "Sam?" He asked quietly.

Sam shook his head and shrugged a reply. "Dude, we need to get this off you."

"Fine," Dean husked in agreement and rested his head back onto Mina's leg. "Just do it quickly."

Sam nodded and looked around the ruined exhibit, shining his torch around the mess that remained. He then got to his feet and hurried over to one of the few display cases that had not been smashed to pieces. Stooping to pick up a chunk of rubble, he threw it at the cabinet and the glass shattered noisily. Grabbing the long decorated spear, he hurried back and frowned in thought.

"Right." Sam sighed and wiped his forehead with his arm. "I'll lever up the heavier bits and Sarah can hold back the other stuff." He watched Sarah nod in agreement and he then turned to Mina and shrugged slightly. "When I give the word, you pull him clear."

"Okay." Mina moved away from Dean and carefully supported his head as he rolled back onto his front. Hearing him crying gently, she leaned over to press a kiss onto the top of his head and then took hold of his hands.

"Shit!" Dean groaned into the floor and gripped Mina's hands tightly. "Please do this fast."

"We'll do our best." Mina assured and got to her feet. She watched Sam carefully slide the spear under the rubble and he then got into a good position to lift.

"On three." Sam ordered and slowly began to count.

"Wait!" Dean shouted suddenly, his breathing noisy and fast. "Can't you do that thing where you pretend it's three and then - ow!"

Mina saw the signal Sam gave and pulled as hard as she could. With the rubble away from his legs, Dean was easy to slide and she jogged back a few steps before lowering his arms. He was sobbing loudly and she helped him roll onto his side. Dean wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face into her chest, his whole body shaking.

"Shit." Sam groaned in dismay and knelt down to look at Dean's damaged left leg. His jeans were torn and wet with blood and the leg underneath oddly shaped. Swallowing back the sudden urge to vomit, Sam grabbed the bag Sarah had collected and pulled out a sharp knife.

"Sammy?" Dean murmured into Mina's shirt, gasping as he tried to catch his breath.

Sam sliced the knife through the hem of Dean's jeans and then grabbed the material to tear it clear. He shuddered as his brother cried out in protest and then Sam peered at the damage, groaning out a sigh. "Oh god, dude … it's bad."

Mina held on tightly to Dean and peered down at his obviously broken leg. Sure that she could see a sharp piece of bone protruding from the skin over Dean's shin, she closed her eyes and held him closer to her.

Sam could taste bile in his throat as he examined the lower half of Dean's leg and the saw the dark swelling under the skin and the blood that oozed from the open fracture. "Dude, we need to get you to a hospital. Fast."

As if on cue, sirens could then be heard echoing through the city as they raced in response to the alarms that must have been activated and Sam groaned in annoyance. "Why can't they be late, this once." He muttered, unbuckling his belt and sliding it from his jeans. "I need to stop this bleeding." Sam sighed and turned to Sarah, pointing at her scarf.

"What - ?" Dean rolled onto his back and bit his lip, his face full of pain. "What are you doing?" He managed, propping himself up on his elbows.

"Stopping you from bleeding out." Sam shrugged and glanced up at his brother's pale face. "And it might hurt."

Dean frowned and then flung back his head, choking on a sob and collapsing back against the floor. He covered his face with his hands and arched his neck, groaning through his fingers. "You ... bastard!"

Sam tied his belt around the woolen padding and his throat tightened as he heard his brother crying softly. Happy that his make-shift dressing was secure, he sat back on his heels and hung his head. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's not you." Dean whispered quickly, sniffing back tears and grimacing behind his hands. "I didn't mean you."

Sam nodded and got to his feet. Turning away from his brother, he paused to catch his breath and then began to search through the rubble to again find the crossbow. He smiled gratefully as Sarah helped him locate their belongings amid the mess and they loaded up their bags.

"Crap …" Dean moved his hands from his face and glanced up at Mina. "I think I'm gonna puke."

"Nice." Mina offered dryly, "It'll go well with the other decor in here."

Dean smiled thinly and gave a small nod. "Don't you just - " He frowned and moaned slightly, closing his eyes against the pain shooting through his leg. "Don't you just love what we've done with the place?" He managed quietly, screwing his eyes tightly closed.

Mina laughed softly and bent down to kiss his cold forehead. "Just fabulous, darling."

Dean's smile returned and he looked back up at her, his eyes unfocused and full of pain. "This really hurts …" He whispered, biting his lip as he fought back tears.

"I know."

"Dude, you need to promise me something." Dean muttered under his breath.

"Anything." Mina replied easily, leaning closer to his face so she could hear him.

"When - " Dean clenched his teeth and grunted softly, "When you kill that fucking thing …?"

"Yeah."

Dean opened his eyes and managed a quick smile. "Do it slowly."

Mina smiled and nodded, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. "You got it." She then felt him sigh against her face and watched his eyes roll back. "Oh no. No!" She nudged his shoulder and patted his cheek with her hand. "Dean?"

"Yeah," Dean groaned and blinked his eyes back open. "I'm still here."

"You just keep it that way." Mina urged sternly, "Okay?"

Dean nodded a reply and closed his eyes.

"Sam!" Mina called, looking up and watching Sam and Sarah rushing back over. "We need to get him to a hospital."

Sam nodded and frowned as he saw the dark staining that almost covered the grey scarf wrapped around Dean's leg. "Yeah." He gave Sarah his bag and put the crossbow strap over his head. "Let's go."

Dean groaned in protest as Mina slid her hands under his shoulders and helped him sit up. He hung his head and sank back against her, his breathing fast and heavy.

"Come on, dude." Sam crouched down and slipped his brother's arm around his neck. Watching Mina do the same, he leaned forward and saw her nod in readiness.

"Ow!" Dean threw back his head and sobbed in protest as he was pulled up onto his good leg. "No! I can't!" He pleaded, rolling his head to the side and leaning against his brother heavily. "Sammy, I can't! Please!"

Sam frowned as he supported his brother's weight and could sense Dean sinking lower as his uninjured leg began to buckle. "Dude!" Sam encouraged urgently, "Come on!"

"No!" Dean husked breathlessly and his head sank onto his chest.

"Dean!" Sam gasped as his brother suddenly sagged between them. "Dean?" He groaned and turned, slipping his brother's arm back over his head and seeing his lack of response. Sam quickly helped Mina lower Dean back to the floor and checked his brother's pulse.

"Sam?" Sarah urged worriedly.

"He passed out." Sam sighed and glanced up at Mina. "Here." He unwound the strap from his shoulders and handed her the crossbow. He then grabbed his brother's arm and grunted with the effort of lifting Dean up over his shoulder.

Mina helped Sam stand and get his balance, grabbing Dean's legs and pulling him further towards Sam's neck. She then stood back and, happy that Sam had his brother in a secure carry hold, she picked up the loaded crossbow. Mina was then aware of the sticky substance on her hands and looked at her blood-soaked fingers in interest.

Sarah cleared as much rubble as she could from Sam's path and hurried over to push open what was left of the glass entrance doors. She helped him stagger through to the lobby and then looked back.

Mina ran her tongue over the roof of her mouth and tasted the sweetness of the blood she had licked from her fingers. It was nothing like she remembered; there was still the metallic taste of the iron content but there was also something else, something wonderful.

"Hey!"

Mina looked up and saw Sarah standing in front of her impatiently.

Sarah saw the strange look in Mina's dark eyes and then saw how she lowered her head to stare at the blood on her hands. "Oh no. You're not doing this. Not now." Sarah grated, stepping closer, "Hey!" She got no response and sighed in annoyance. "Mina!"

Mina gasped as Sarah's hand slapped against her cheek and she frowned as she lifted her head and seemed to suddenly realize Sarah was there.

"Snap out of it!" Sarah ordered angrily and pointed towards the door. "Move it!"

Mina watched Sarah in surprise and slowly stepped past her, seeing Sam smiling in slight amusement. They then heard the gunfire and shouts from outside the museum and paused to listen to the commotion. Then came a familiar terrifying shriek and they winced as the sound hurt their ears.

"Shit!" Sam sighed and turned to see Sarah and Mina hurrying over to him, equally panicked. "Let's go." He urged, nodding towards the fire exit signs.

The narrow street at the side of the museum was quiet and empty. From the front of the large building, sounds of the continuing fire-fight could be heard and - although concerned for the people involved - Sam had to acknowledge that it was a handy distraction.

Sweating and breathless, Sam groaned in relief as they made it to the parked Mercedes and Sarah pressed the remote unlock. He waited for her to open the door and then lowered his brother, carefully lying him back along the rear seat.

Mina hurried round to the other side and leaned in to grab Dean under his shoulders and pull him further into the car. She propped him up against the back seat and gently closed the door.

Sam was carefully positioning the injured leg along the cream leather and trying not to focus on the blood-soaked scarf that was wrapped round it when he then heard Dean groan softly. Looking up, he saw his brother starting to come round and watched as he frowned and then opened his eyes.

"Sam …?"

"Hey, bro." Sam stepped up into the car and held on to the front seat to lean in and place his hand on Dean's shoulder. "It's okay. We're getting you to help."

"Sam?" Dean repeated, more urgently. He grabbed Sam's arm and held his breath, wincing in pain.

"I know. You'll be okay." Sam gently prized his brother's fingers from his jacket and moved back to climb from the car.

Dean gasped and sat forward, reaching out for his brother with a small sob. "Sam! No!"

Blinking away tears, Sam stepped further back and tried to ignore his brother's continued protests. He avoided meeting Dean's panicked face as he closed the door and then turned to Sarah. "Get him to the nearest hospital."

"But - "

"Please!" Sam placed his hands on her shoulders and frowned in earnest. "Don't stop for anyone or anything. Just get him there."

Sarah nodded in agreement.

"Thank you." Sam kissed her mouth and then hugged her against him. "I'll call you as soon as this is over."

"You'd better." Sarah smiled thinly and climbed into the driver's seat.

Sam could still hear his brother's protests as he watched the Mercedes pull away at speed and arched his back, groaning wearily. Further gunfire and another intense wail then echoed around the buildings and he winced, turning towards the sound.

"They're playing our song." Mina offered dryly, handing him the crossbow.

Nodding in agreement, Sam took the weapon and jogged to the end of the street.

Edging their way cautiously along the side of the museum, Sam and Mina reached the corner and frowned as silence suddenly fell around them. Sam held his breath as he peered round to take a quick look and gasped in horror.

"Well?" Mina urged. She then saw him move back quickly and the color had drained from his face. She stepped past him and leaned round the edge of the building. And she was not quite ready for what she then saw.

Two ambulances and seven police patrol cars sat in a fanned out offensive position in the road. Their lights strobed blue pulses throughout the area and the beams from their headlights lit up the white front steps of the building. White steps now painted bright red with fresh blood. And then she saw the bodies scattered about.

"I can't believe this …" Sam husked, seeing the terror on Mina's face as she stepped back and sank against the wall.

"No one will." Mina whispered.

Sam closed his eyes and thumped his head against the wall. "We did this." He then opened his eyes and looked down at Mina's sad face. "Now how the hell do we end it?"

Mina considered this for a moment and then shrugged her shoulders. "Bait?" She watched Sam frown in uncertainty and smiled thinly. "Unless you can think of a better idea …?"

"Actually," He smiled suddenly, "I was just thinking the same thing."

"Okay, then." Mina nodded and took a deep breath. "So … rock-paper-scissors?"

Sam laughed softly and shook his head. "I can see why he likes you." He offered warmly and then placed his hand on her shoulder. "But I think I need to go."

"Yeah, I know, " Mina grinned up at him, "I just wanted to make you feel better."

Handing her the crossbow, Sam's smile faded a little and he frowned at her. "I hope you're a good shot."

"Yeah!" Mina chuckled and clicked off the safety. "So do I." She saw the uncertainty in Sam's eyes and gave a small shrug. "Well, your brother sure is and I'll be his target if I miss."

"Not the comfort I was hoping for." Sam commented and stepped cautiously around the side of the building.

His heart was thudding in his head as he climbed the steps to the centre, avoiding looking at the dead police and paramedics. Looking around at the otherwise empty street, he took a deep breath and paused in the centre of the staircase. He then peered up into the dark sky and frowned in uncertainty.

"Hey!" Sam shouted suddenly, his voice echoing around the empty buildings of the financial district. Across the park he could hear the gentle rush of the tide against the ferry jetties and he turned to peer across at the water. "I'm here!" He offered in a slightly quieter voice. "Come get me, you son-of-a-bitch."

And then he heard noise above him. Turning and looking up, Sam saw the black creature that sat on the angled front of the museum and his heart leapt into his throat.

The huge bat-wolf regarded Sam in what seemed to be curious interest. Swinging its tail idly back and forth beneath its perch, the creature studied Sam and remained still.

"Hey!" Sam raised his arms as he called up to the demon and watched its lack of response. "Well? You don't want a piece of this, bitch?" He continued, a voice somewhere within him reminding him that taunting a demon was a seriously bad idea.

Craning its neck forward, the demon snarled and cocked its head slightly. Bloodstained drool dripped from its mouth and its eyes flashed yellow.

Sam was frozen with fear as the demon launched from its perch and opened its wings to glide down towards him. Its wings were massive, reaching from the top step of the museum front and across to the nearest patrol car, the bony claw at the tip scraping across the car's roof. Sam watched in breathless wonder, unable to move.

The demon landed impossibly gracefully on the steps and hunched up its wings. Snarling at Sam, it stepped towards him and its hooves clanked on the marble steps.

Sam stared at the demon as it approached him and then found to his terror that he really could not move. He looked down at his feet and could see nothing holding him still and yet his legs were firmly stuck in place.

Mina watched the creature glide down from the sky and held her breath as she took in the full size and horror of the thing. It was like something from the worst, nightmarish horror stories and it sent a shiver up her spine. She then saw it land and aimed the crossbow, the demon's chest squarely within the cross-hairs of the scope.

The demon took a step forward towards Sam and Mina cursed in annoyance. Keeping her aim, she watched Sam standing in the target zone and she groaned in frustration. "Move, Sam!" She whispered, her finger paused over the trigger.

Mina frowned in confusion and watched the demon move closer to Sam. She then heard Sam speak and her disbelief grew. "What?" She husked, "Don't chat with it, Sam! Just move clear!"

Sam continued to talk to the creature and was stood directly in Mina's line of fire. Lowering the crossbow, she thought about moving to a different position and then gasped as she was suddenly grabbed from behind and dragged back from the edge of the building.

The creature edged towards Sam and kept its curious gaze on him. Opening its mouth to reveal sharp bloodstained teeth, the wolf-like head almost seemed to smile and then gave a long shriek.

Covering his ears and gasping in pain, Sam then heard the voice in his head and closed his eyes tightly.

You do not know what you are meddling with, child.

Sam looked back up and saw the yellow eyes of the creature glowing even brighter. He shook his head to try and clear the fog in his mind and then stared back in fear.

I am older than the world. The voice inside his mind continued, And I can easily destroy it.

Watching the creature's unmoving mouth, Sam cleared his tight throat and took a deep breath. "Is that where your plans for me come in?" He asked quietly.

No longer, child.

Sam was unsure whether to be relieved or even more afraid and he paused for a moment.

Your father made certain of that.

"What?" Sam gasped, "What do you mean?" He then saw the creature's attention taken by something behind him and he groaned in frustration. "No, wait! Tell me! Please!" He demanded urgently.

The demon wailed a loud cry and leapt from the steps, flapping it's massive wings and lifting quickly up into the sky. Its tail flicked up as it launched and the sharp barbed end caught Sam's arm. He cried out and clutched at the bleeding wound. Then suddenly free from the strong hold, Sam toppled over and rolled down a few steps.

Stopped by the still body of a police officer, Sam gripped his throbbing arm and closed his eyes. He then sat himself up and turned to look behind him, hoping to see Mina taking aim. Instead he saw a middle-aged man in a grey combat suit fire a spear gun up into the sky.

A long line of cable unwound behind the spear as it tore upwards and sank into the demon's left leg. The creature screamed in pain and tried to fly free, only succeeding in snagging itself more securely on the hooked spear.

Turning back, Sam saw the end of the cable had been tied to one of the marble pillars at the front of the museum. He watched the unknown man smile proudly up at his catch and he then whistled a signal.

Hearing another spear being fired, Sam spun round and saw another man standing on the other side of the steps. Seeing the man's tattered leather jacket and cowboy boots, Sam frowned in interest. He then heard the creature cry out in pain and looked up to see it struggling violently to try and break free, the second spear buried in it's side.

Help me, child!

Sam groaned and held his head in his hands as the voice shouted loudly in his mind.

I can give you the answers you seek. Help me!

Looking back up at the creature, Sam sighed and slowly got to his feet. And then he saw the marksman stationed on the roof of the building opposite the museum. He suddenly had to fight the urge to warn the demon and then saw it turn in the air. With a cry of fright and anger, the creature flapped its powerful wings fiercely and whipped up a strong wind in the street below.

Sam looked on in silence as the third spear was fired and pierced through the demon's shoulder, tearing at the skin of its wing. Firmly caught, the demon only struggled harder and screamed in fury.

Your father will suffer for this!

Closing his eyes, Sam felt his throat tighten and reminded himself what this creature was and how deceitful it would be just to save itself. He then remembered that the demon had seemed about to tell him something about his future or about his father and Sam groaned in confusion.

"Sam!"

Spinning about, Sam saw Mina running towards him and climbed the steps to meet her. He gasped in protest as she slammed into him and hugged him tightly.

"Oh, thank god!" Mina exclaimed into his chest.

Sam smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "This was unexpected." He observed, stepping back from her and glancing around them.

Mina smiled and pointed across the street.

"What?" Sam peered over to where she indicated and then saw the battered old jeep that could just be seen at the entrance to a side street. He watched as the door opened and a familiar figure climbed out. "Carlos?" Sam breathed in wonder.

"Carlos." Mina confirmed and led Sam down the steps.

The ensnared demon was still writhing furiously in the air and trying to break free. The three cables that held it securely were then wound in slowly by the men that had fired them and Sam looked up to see the demon being pulled towards the ground.

"Sam!" Carlos ran across the road and greeted Sam warmly. He then pointed at Sam's torn jacket and frowned in concern.

"I'm fine." Sam waved dismissively, "Carlos, I don't understand." He frowned, "How - ?"

"Oh, please!" Carlos groaned, "When I got back to the roadhouse I was tortured by Ellen into telling her what had happened …" He threw his hands into the air and rolled his eyes. "She called everyone she could think of who might be close by and we eventually tracked you down." Carlos laughed and shook his head. "I told you this demon-hunt was a bad idea. And now you've got me cleaning up your mess!"

"Hey!" Sam defended, "We were doing just fine."

"Yeah," Carlos scoffed, "It sure looked that way." He smiled up at Sam and patted his back. "Come on. Let's finish the job and then we can all get a beer."

Sam let Carlos lead him back towards the museum and frowned in concern as he saw the creature had begun to tire. It was perched on the roof of a police patrol car, pink foam dripping from its lips and its bright eyes wide and full of fear.

You would not do this if you knew the truth, Sam.

Staring in uncertainty at the demon, Sam held its gaze and frowned in confusion.

"Here." Mina tapped Sam's shoulder and slid the crossbow strap over her head. She held out the weapon to him and nodded slowly.

Sam took the crossbow and held it in his hands, staring at the weapon for a moment. He then lifted his head and saw the demon turn to face him squarely. The creature's exhausted panting and heavy head made him feel almost sorry for it and he regarded it in interest.

"What are you waiting for?" Mina urged, "Shoot the evil fucker!"

Sam nodded and raised the crossbow. Peering through the scope, he lined up the cross-hairs and took a deep breath.

I understand, child. The voice said quietly, almost sorrowfully. And I am sorry.

Sam felt his chest ache and swallowed back tears. He then closed his eyes and began to pull back on the trigger.

"Sam!" Mina shouted in a panic, "Shoot it!" She then watched in uncertainty as Sam lowered the weapon and took a step back. Tripping on the steps behind him, Sam fell and landed heavily on the marble staircase. "Sam?" Mina hurried down to him and saw him double over, clutching his head in his hands.

"Oh god - !" Sam groaned, his face contorted with pain. "He's in - ow! Shit! I can't - !" Losing his balance, Sam tumbled down a few steps and lay on the sidewalk, curled up fetal-like and sobbing quietly.

"What the - ?" Mina knelt beside him and watched in horror as blood began to seep from his ears and nose. Looking up at the demon, she saw it's intense stare in Sam's direction and she groaned angrily. "Oh no you don't!" She declared and fetched the crossbow from where Sam had dropped it. Without another thought, she took aim and fired.

The four hunters whooped in delight and ran closer to see the fallen creature for themselves. Mina stepped forward and watched as the demon writhed in agony and it then fell silent.

Sam suddenly felt the pressure in his head release and sighed in grateful relief. Lifting his head to the sound of the continued cheering, he felt a wave of nausea rush over him and sat crossed -legged on the sidewalk to catch his breath.

The demon lay on its back on the roof of the patrol car, its body covering the roof and it's wings hanging over either side onto the road. Sam looked at the perfectly shot arrow protruding from the creature's chest and sighed as he allowed himself a smile.

Hearing the cheering and applause continuing, Sam watched as Mina climbed up onto the hood of the patrol car and stood between the creature's legs. "Mina?" He called out hoarsely, "What the hell are you doing?"

"Just making sure it's dead." Mina waved in dismissal and gave a small chuckle as she clambered onto the edge of the car's roof.

Sam groaned as the hunters began to call out suggestions as to which parts she should hack off for a souvenir and he shook his head in disgust. Rubbing at his forehead and taking a deep breath, he slowly got to his feet and swayed dizzily. It was because his head was spinning that he did not acknowledge the movement at first. Then he called out a panicked warning and saw that it was too late.

"No!" Sam ran forward and gasped in shock as the creature's tail flicked up and speared the barbed end neatly through the centre of Mina's back.