Dean pulled himself into the loft, and then grabbed Sammy's forearms. The Manticore was stronger than Dean Winchester, a thing he seldom would admit. The creature pulled Sam closer into his death grip despite his and Dean's efforts. Dean pulled his handgun from his waist and blasted the creature in one of his evil grey-blue eyes.

The creature howled in pain. Dean would have been pleased with himself, had Sammy not been bleeding profusely from his back. Dean pulled Sam up the ladders edge. Sam groaned loudly and rolled onto his right side. Dean assessed Sam quickly. His eyes filled with worry, but his faced determined to survive and help Sam. He turned his attention to the creature below.

The Manticore was already clawing his way back to the ladder. It leaped, digging his claws into the wood of the ladder. Dean whirled and kicked the ladder off balance, sending the creature crashing to the barn floor. The manticore made several jumps, but the barn loft was out of reach. The most it could for the moment was shriek and stalk from below.

Dean sighed and let out a slow breath. Speedily, he returned to Sammy. The wounds were worse than Dean had thought. Blood followed easily upon the hay and Sam was quickly getting foggy. Dean's momentary panic was rapidly replaced by determination to help Sam. He quickly removed Sam's shirt.

"AHHH…damn it."

"How….bad….. is it…. Dean?" Sam gasped slowly and groggily.

"I've hurt you worse." Dean was unsure if he was reassuring Sammy or himself.

"Yeah?" Sam replied, closing his eyes and biting his lip. Dean lowered Sam slowly to the loft floor. He removed his jacket, pulling his father's journal and his flask from the inner pockets before placing the rolled up jacket under Sam's head. He took off his outer long sleeve shirt to wrap Sam's wounds.

Dean poured the flask's liquor upon Sam's back. Dean waited for Sam to react, but the pain only registered as a slight moan. Sam's eyes rolled and closed into unconsciousness. Dean raised him gently to tie the shirt around his torso. Lowering Sammy slowly, Dean rested Sam's head on his upper hip, pulling him close to keep him warm. Sam breathed raggedly. Dean unrolled the jacket and covered Sam. He picked his father's journal from the loft floor and held it to his chest. His free hand instinctively rubbed is eyes, trying to push away the fear and pain that was creeping into him. He flicked the pages of the journal, glanced at Sammy, and then glanced upwards. He eyes were clear and welling. Dean tried to use this mojo to push them away. He brushed his eyes once more.

Looking down once more at Sammy in his lap and quickly back up again, Dean said aloud, "Dad…what…what … do I… do now? His voice trailing off into a crack as tears finally fell onto both of his cheeks. The creature below still howled and waited for a way to get his prey.

-xx—x-xx-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-xx-xx

Time passed slowly into hours as Dean watched over Sam. Dean rested his head against the barn loft wall. The manticore paced below, but was a least was quiet for a change. He frequently glanced hoping that monster would leave, so he could get Sam to a safe location.

Dean glanced down again, to see the manticore staring back at him. "I'm going to kill your ass," Dean passed through his teeth in a hiss. Dean aimed his gun at the creature for the millionth time. Unfortunately, the creature was smart enough to hide from his view when he did. It was time like these, he wished for an UZI, a tank, missile launcher.

Sam stirred and turned his head up to face Dean.

"Dean?" managed to escape Sam's throat.

"Sammy!" Dean's voice was a mix of hope and panic.

"What….wh.." Sam head teetered slightly…how long…

"About three hours. Still dark and still being stalked. I'm get to get that son of a bit…

A small chuckle emitted from Sam. "You…always say that.." Sam shuttered.

Dean readjusted the jacket covering Sam. "Go back to sleep Sammy."

Dean…you…need to get out… leave me here…you'll need to move…"

"Shut up Sam! I'm not leaving you. I'm gonna find a way down. Come back and carry your sorry ass out of here. Now, go back to sleep."

Sam provided no further argument, but closed his eyes. Sam's breathing and heart rate were weak and faint, but he was a Winchester. Nothing could stop the Winchesters. Dean leaned his head back against the barn. Three more hours passed before sleep finally took him too.

-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Dean awoke with a start, glanced as his watch, and realized he had dozed off. It wasn't long, but enough to be angry with himself for allowing it to happen. Sam was still asleep. Dean moved him gently and rose to look over the loft banisters. The creature was nowhere to be seen. Dean cursed himself again for kicking off the ladder- the only means of getting out of that loft even if it did save their skins. Dean crept to the far corner of the loft, which was located above the largest pile of hay. The thought of jumping made him uneasy, but his concern for Sammy was greater. Dean called out loudly to verify the possibility it was safe. He crossed one leg over the railing, steadying himself to get momentum to jump. Pushing as hard as his legs could, Dean landed hardly in the haystack. Pleased with himself, he turned to find the ladder to rescue Sam. He found himself staring at the remaining eye of Manticore.