Hey guys, I'm so sorry for the delaying in posting, but wasn't allowing me to upload my next chapter. I finally found a way around that problem. I hope you like this chapter. :)
John headed back inside the house with Dean following. Caleb was sitting at the kitchen table looking over some research. He looked up when he heard the backdoor open.
"Hey Caleb, I think it's time to get down to business. How do we kill this bastard?" asked John.
"Well memory demons are different from most demons in that they don't possess people. They have their own bodies," said Caleb.
"Wouldn't I have seen it?" asked Dean.
"No. They are invisible until just before they feed. For some reason they have to be visible when they feed," said Caleb.
"How do we kill it?" asked John anxiously.
"The only way to kill it is by beheading it. Just before it feeds when it becomes visible you can cut its head off," said Caleb.
"I don't like the idea of waiting till it comes for Dean, but if it's the only way to kill then I guess we have to do that," said John with a small sigh.
While John and Caleb were busy discussing how to kill the demon, Dean was struggling to stay awake. It was a struggle he was losing. I just need close my eyes for a second thought Dean. No sooner did his close his eyes then he was back in that room with his mom.
"Please Mommy. Please stop. It hurts," cried the little boy as pain engulfed his back.
John was quickly at Dean's side. He cursed himself for not paying more attention to Dean. He grabbed his shoulders and tried to hold him still.
"Dean wake. Come on son wake up," said John firmly.
Dean was thrashing about wildly, despite John's strong hold on him. John's fear grew with each passing second. He didn't know what more to do.
Caleb ran to the sink and got a glass of water. He raced back to the table and poured the water on Dean's face. At first Caleb feared it didn't work, but Dean finally started to come around.
"It happened again didn't?" asked Dean sadly.
John just nodded, not knowing what to say.
Dean could hear a small voice in the back of his head. He wanted to talk to Sam while he still could so he decided to give Sam a call at Pastor Jim's.
oooooOOOOooooo
Sam was reading a book hoping it would keep his mind off of what Dean was going through. It wasn't working. Pastor Jim came in to the family room to let him know Dean was on the phone for him. Sam jumped up off the sofa.
"Hey Sammy. How's it going? Are you having fun with Pastor Jim?" asked Dean.
"I'm fine. I wish I were home with you and Dad though," said Sam.
"I know you do. How's your hand?" asked Dean.
"Don't worry, Dean, my hand is fine. It doesn't hurt anymore," replied Sam truthfully.
Dean could hear the voice in the back of his head start to get louder, so he quickly explained what they had learned from Caleb, leaving out certain parts he felt Sam didn't need to hear. Telling Sammy not to worry Dean handed the phone to John so he could talk to Sam.
Dean was starting to understand why John hadn't wanted to tell him everything. He couldn't bring himself to tell Sam everything that was going to happen. With everything that was going on, Dean's foremost concern was Sam, as usual.
oooooOOOOooooo
Dean headed upstairs to change out of his wet shirt. The voice in his head kept getting louder. After changing shirts Dean headed back down to the kitchen. He knew he had to tell his dad about the voice he was hearing.
"Dad," said Dean walking into the kitchen.
"Yeah son," said John.
"I think it's getting worse," said Dean quietly.
"What do you mean," asked John.
"I keep hearing this voice in my head. It's me begging mom to stop hurting me," said Dean.
"Oh god," was all John could say.
It was happening like Caleb said it would. It was getting worse. Pretty soon it would completely take over Dean.
"Dean, you can still hear us right?" asked Caleb.
"I can, but the voice is steadily getting louder," said Dean.
Dean was starting to worry that when the voice became all he heard that he would hurt his dad or Caleb if they tried to hold him down. He knew what would have to be done.
"Dad, I need you to tie me up before it gets any worse," said Dean.
"Dean, no. I can't do that. You need to be free when the demon comes," said John.
"Dad, I could hurt you or Caleb. I can't help it. I've already hurt Sammy. I can't take the chance that I could hurt you," said Dean resolutely.
John understood where Dean was coming from, but he didn't like it. He felt like Dean would be a sitting duck for the memory demon.
"John, I hate to say this, but I think Dean's right on this one," said Caleb.
John reluctantly nodded his head in agreement. He didn't like it, but he was afraid that Dean would get hurt with all his trashing around. He headed out into the garage to get some rope.
The voice in Dean's head kept getting louder and louder. Suddenly the voice was no longer in Dean's head but was coming out of his mouth now.
"Please Mommy. Please stop," begged Dean.
John came back with the rope to find Caleb trying to hold Dean still. He rushed to Dean's side.
Dean fought with the voice in his head. He was struggling with himself to regain control. He was able to break free.
"Dad," said Dean.
"I'm right here son," replied John.
"It's getting worse. I don't think I can fight it off much longer," said Dean.
oooooOOOOooooo
Dean decided that he wanted to be in his room where he could lie down on his bed. He headed up there with John and Caleb following him. He sat down and the bed. The voice had returned and was starting to get louder again.
John sat next to Dean on the bed. He pulled his son into a hug.
"I love you son," John whispered in Dean's ear.
"I love you too, Dad," said Dean.
Dean lay down on the bed and John quickly tied him up. The voice had gotten even louder and was now coming out of his mouth again.
"Please Mommy. Please stop. I'll be good," screamed Dean. He was thrashing around on the bed, pulling against the rope that held him down.
John sat in a chair next to Dean's bed. He brushed his hand across Dean's forehead. It was breaking John's heart to see his son like this.
The memory demon stood outside the Winchesters' house. It was almost time. It could tell that Dean was close to the breaking point. Soon I will have what I want thought the demon, as a sickening smile spread across its face.
oooooOOOOooooo
John had only been sitting by Dean's side for a little while when Caleb came in to the room and offered to relieve him for a little while. Like Mary many years ago, John refused to leave his son's side.
"John, we need to discuss how we are going to take down the memory demon. I think Dean's worsening condition is a sign that the demon is coming very soon," said Caleb.
"Soon as in tonight?" asked John.
"Probably early tomorrow. They usually feed early in the morning. Which is why you need to get some rest," said a concerned Caleb.
John looked down at his son still thrashing around on his bed. He didn't want to leave his side, but he knew that he needed to get some sleep. He had to be on top of his game when he faced the memory demon.
"John, I'll stay with Dean. I promise I won't leave his side," said Caleb.
Reluctantly John left Dean's bedside, not before leaning down and whispering in his ear.
"We're gonna beat this thing Dean," whispered John.
John headed in to his bedroom and sat down on his bed. He picked up the picture of Mary from the bedside table and stared at it for a few seconds.
"Oh Mary," said John rubbing a hand over his face. It was times like these that he missed Mary the most.
"Don't you worry Mary. I'm gonna make this bastard pay for hurting our boy," said John as he set the picture down.
John lay down on the bed and exhaustion washed over him. He was asleep in minutes.
Caleb kept watch by Dean's bed as promised. He hoped that the demon came soon because he didn't know how much more Dean would be able to take. Caleb almost felt sorry for the memory Dean. Almost, because he knew hell hath no fury like John Winchester when someone or something messed with one of his kids.
oooooOOOOooooo
After sleeping for about six hours John woke up feeling refreshed. He got up and quickly changed into clean clothes and went to go check on Dean. He nearly broke down in tears at the sight that greeted him when he walked into Den bedroom. Dean was still thrashing around on his bed. His wrists were an angry red where they strained against the rope holding him down.
"How is he?" asked John.
"Pretty much the same although he did seem to calm down briefly. I think his body finally gave into exhaustion. It was only for a short while though," replied Caleb as he stood up and stretched.
"So Caleb, what's the plan for when the demon gets here?" asked John.
"Well memory demons are pretty single minded. When it gets here, it's sole focus will be on Dean. We should be able to hide out and surprise it. I think one of us should be in the closet, the other in the hallway. The demon will be able to transport itself right in here. We won't know when the demon gets here until it turns visible. We'll have about a minute maybe two before the demon starts to feed. John, this thing's a quick bastard. It doesn't take too long to feed," said Caleb.
"So that means we won't have much time to waste. Caleb you should go get some sleep. I'll wake you in a couple of hours," said John grimly as he sat down next to Dean.
As John sat and watched Dean, he couldn't help but remember three-year-old Dean thrashing around like this begging for Mary to stop. All those years ago, one single mistake had hurt his baby boy terribly. John had never really forgiven himself for that even though Mary had said she didn't blame him. Mary was so kind and loving . Damn that demon for trying to tarnish her memory thought John as he kept watch over his son.
More to Come
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