With The Coming of the Dawn

Summary

The hunters become the hunted when a creature stalks a remote community, and one of the brothers has a choice to make. Will both brothers survive the hunt and the decision of the other?

Disclaimer- As my bank manager will unhappily confirm, I don't own Supernatural or any of its characters. I have only borrowed them for a while…

Chapter 7

Sam carried his brother as fast as he could towards Elsie's. Dean was still unconscious though he was still moaning quietly. Unfortunately even being unconscious was offering Dean no reprieve from the pain. Now that Sam was in physical contact with his older brother, he could feel the pain almost as if it was his own, and it staggered him that Dean had managed to get as far as he had.

He adjusted Dean on his shoulder, Dean was no light weight but he was too light for the burden of guilt that now lay over Sam. He should have figured things out sooner, and it was his hesitation that had caused Dean to get injured in the first place. His father was right; he was to blame for Dean's injury and his agony now. He sure as hell should have stopped him from going on his own this morning. He didn't care what he had to do, he was not losing Dean.

The rain had plastered Sam's rich brown hair to his face, his face pure white and desperate. His eyes darted frantically searching for any possible sign of the creature's return. He could see Elsie's house growing nearer, and a figure hurrying towards him.

"Dad?" Sam called, instantly recognising his father's silhouette. For some reason he could feel his hackles rise and he faltered. Something was not quite right – Sam shook himself. He was obviously pissed that John was not with Dean, and now was not the time and place to get into that argument- that could wait till after Dean was ok, and anyway, why blame his father when the blame rested solely with him?

"Sam? What's wrong with Dean" His father asked urgently, for once concern showing openly in his face.

"Help me get him to Elsie's house. The creature that scratched him, its claws are poisonous. He's in agony Dad" Sam's voice wavered and cracked, the fear he had been trying to keep in check crashing over him. Dean could die…

"Give him to me son" Sam made to shake his head, but the look in his father's eyes shook him to the core. His father was looking at him in disgust and disappointment. It was clear that his father shared in his assessment just who was to blame in all of this. He wordlessly lowered his brother into a position where John could easily lift him.

His father headed towards Elsie's at a fast pace, and Sam hurriedly followed. It didn't occur to him that John had not needed directions…

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Elsie was already at the door, waiting. John hesitated in the doorway,

"Don't stand on ceremony son, get that poor boy inside" Elsie ordered. She looked at the man being carried and her heart went out to him and the two men following. She could sense the pain etched deep in his face, could feel it like a tremendous pressure bearing down on her, stealing her breath. Exactly like her son. She could also sense his brother, resonating, feeling it all along with him. She looked up at Sam as she steered John towards her son's old bedroom, but he averted his sorrow filled eyes quickly away.

"Please Elsie, I didn't know where else to go. Is there anything we can do for him?" He virtually begged, and Elsie's heart broke a little to see the proud, strong young man, virtually crumbling before her. Besides the obvious, something was very wrong here…

The Other smiled as he lowered the elder Winchester brother to the bed. The witch had managed for years to keep him and his pet out of the house, the charms and protections she had built into her home were some of the most powerful he had come across. However by inviting him into her home she had effectively nullified the wards she had, had invited in the very entity to which they had been specifically keyed. He couldn't have planned it better…

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Elsie caught at Sam's arm as he headed after his father and brother. "Samuel, I've just called Doctor Holmes and he is on his way, he should only be a couple of minutes". Sam curved his lips in an approximation of a smile.

"Thanks Elsie, I'm sorry to intrude on you. I just…" Sam faltered, his eyes glistening.

"Don't you worry yourself" Elsie smiled reassuringly, "I would have insisted you stay anyway. Matt's bedroll is in the bedroom wardrobe so you can stay with Dean. Your father can take the sofa." She squeezed Sam's arm, "This was the best place to bring him Sam" She tried to reassure the young hunter.

Sam thanked her again before going to see his brother. He stood in the doorway as his father looked down at Dean who had yet to stir.

"You're strong Dean, you'll be alright." John said gruffly, his eyes bright. One of the reasons that he stayed away from his boys other than leading the Demon to them was that he knew he would in their line of work, see them injured and perhaps killed. And it would kill him - he had lost Mary, he would not lose them too. He could not, would not, steer them away from this path for he genuinely believed that it was their responsibility, their crusade as Sam would put it. He had to believe that Mary's death had a reason other than random chance. They had been marked to live this life, but he could not bear to see his children hurt and in pain and to sit by helpless was more than he could stand. Better they resent him for his absence, than lose them completely.

"What were you doing out there son?" He whispered, barely loud enough for Sam to hear. "Why didn't you wait for me at the Mill?"

"Samuel?" Elsie's voice called,

John had looked up at Elsie's call to see Sam hovering in the doorway and felt a flare of anger. Where was Sam when Dean had needed him? He thought irrationally. He was mostly angry at himself, for splitting them up in the first place. Then again, they both could have been injured. He scowled, "I'm sorry son, I'll find this bastard and kill him." John rose to leave.

Sam had caught the glimpse of anger in his father's eyes as he turned to go to Elsie, and flinched – his burden of guilt growing. Elsie handed Sam a bowl of cold water and flannel. "Try to keep your brother cool, if needs be I will run a cold bath. We need to keep Dean's temperature down" Wordlessly he took the bowl from her and went to Dean who was beginning to stir.

"Sammy?" He called out softly. Sam couldn't believe his normally strong brother could sound so weak. Dean's body tensed as a wave of agonising pain washed over him. Dean felt a hand grasp his and he gripped it tightly, almost convulsively. He tried to open his eyes. He hissed in pain as the light stabbed like daggers in his eyes and quickly closed them again.

He felt something cool against his brow. "I'm here Dean," Sam murmured softly. He looked down at his brother. God he looked awful, his brothers face almost grey with pain and exhaustion, the only colour the bright flush of the fever. Dark smudges stood out starkly beneath his eyes and his body was shaking in the effort to control the pain that Sam, through his ever stronger connection with Dean, felt coursing though his older brothers body. Sam soaked the flannel and reapplied it to Dean's face, his own hands shaking. The younger brother was terrified – deep down he knew his brother was dying.

"Don't you dare leave me Dean" he whispered.

"Not going anywhere Sammy" Dean replied tiredly, "not unless there are hot chicks involved anyway" Dean had managed to open his eyes slightly and looked up at his brother. The poor kid looked terrified.

"Dean..." Sam started, the relief at hearing his brother's voice evident. A quick rap on the bedroom door interrupted him and a tall man in his late sixties came in. "I'm Doc Holmes" he introduced himself.

"What's up Doc?" Dean asked. Sam rolled his eyes. The Doctor just smiled, his bright eyes quickly assessing the two brothers. The older in obvious pain and flushed with fever, eyes glazed but still looking at him ferociously, as if trying to decide if he was a threat. The younger of the two, had risen and stood protectively between him and his brother, his youthful face lined with worry and fear, his eyes lost and full of sorrow.

"You must be Dean? And Sam? Elsie told me you had been attacked by an animal in the woods. She asked me to come." Dean nodded his permission for the Doctor to go ahead. "First Dean, show me where the animal caught you".

The doctor finished examining Dean and excused himself. Dean had been struggling to keep his eyes open, the examination though done as gently and quickly as possible, had exhausted what little reserves he had left. "Elsie can I have a quick word with you and Sam please?"

He lead them both outside. "Dean's wound is infected. I have cleaned and dressed it and here are some antibiotics and strong painkillers. Dean is in obvious pain though I am at a loss to see the cause other than the wound. Keep an eye on him and if he gets any worse call me straight away. Take his temperature hourly. I have given him an injection to help fight the infection and reduce his temperature. Keep him as cool as possible, run a cold bath if you have to, and keep him calm. His heart was a little fast and his blood pressure is higher than I'd like but his system is fighting a fairly severe infection. However I do not want to have to arrange him to go to hospital as yet as his system has had enough strain as it is and I wouldn't want him to put him through a long journey."

"He will be alright though won't he?" Sam asked - he had to be. The Doctor and Elsie exchanged looks. "Keep an eye on him Sam", the doctor reiterated "If there is any change at all, call me"

With a nod to Elsie, he let himself out. Elsie caught at Sam's arm before he left. Sam come with me I have something to show you."

She led him back into the kitchen. She went to one of the drawers and lifted out a small wooden box. She hesitated a moment before turning to Sam. "Missouri gave me this, years ago. She told me that it would help should anyone else survive one of the creature's attacks. It won't cure him Sam" She said quickly, seeing the desperate hope lighting the young hunter's eyes, "but it will relieve his pain and slow down the effects of the poison"

Sam looked down at the object held in Elsie's hand. It was a pure white stone, with veins of a crystalline sapphire like substance running though it. The stone had been fashioned into a pendant.

"What is it?"

"It's a leech-stone Sam. Make Dean wear it at all times until we find a way to help him. As far as I understand it, the crystal resonates on the same frequency as psychic emanations; it absorbs the pain caused and draws out much of the poison. It can only hold a certain amount which is why it cannot cure him completely. Missouri told me that it needs to be keyed to a person with an incantation" Elsie pulled out a piece of paper. She hesitated again, and then decided, No, that's all Sam needs to know for now.

Sam took the pendant. There's always a catch he thought to himself. Nothing is without a cost. But he trusted Elsie and Missouri, and to be honest, part of him didn't care as long as the cost wasn't paid by Dean. "Don't worry Samuel, it is completely safe, no harm will come to your brother from this. It is purely white magic, a healing stone, nothing more" Elsie reassured him, knowing that this was not entirely true. It wouldn't hurt Dean, but there was more to it than she was letting on.

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Dean was struggling to focus his eyes, his vision jumping between past and present. Where was Sam, he thought suddenly frantic, he's left you again, a voice seemed to whisper in his head. He will always leave you, no matter what you do to keep this family together; you will always end up alone…

"No…" Dean whispered - it's always you who looks after everyone, who puts you first? The voice continued to whisper cruelly

"It doesn't matter, he's my brother" but would a little gratitude kill him, the voice continued, if Jessica hadn't died, he wouldn't be here; he's only here for revenge for her, not because of any loyalty to you. Dean closed his eyes; the voice seemed to know all his doubts and fears…

Sam looked at his now sleeping brother. Dean's pain pinched face was flushed and he was twisting and murmuring in his sleep. Sam could hear a whispering at the edge of his senses though couldn't make out any words. He touched his brother's shoulder, and flinched at the renewal of pain, but at least Dean seemed to settle knowing he was near. Sam pulled out the pendant and tied it around his brother's neck, concerned that his normally alert brother didn't even stir when he raised his head slightly to tie the clasp.

He whispered the incantation quietly and his eyes widened when the leech stone glowed faintly for a moment. Dean's face relaxed slightly as his breathing that had been a little laboured, eased. Sam sat his back against the side of Dean's bed and pulled the laptop onto his knees.

I won't let you down Dean; I won't leave you to fight this alone…

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John stood outside of the window looking in at his two sons. "Now Elsie, where on Earth did you get a leech stone?" A wolfish smile widening and transforming his features. The red light in his eyes deepening slightly as John lost his foothold and the Other gained firm control. "And did you tell Sammy boy all? No, you know what he would do if he knew. You don't realise how much easier you have made this," John turned back to the house. "Let's stir things up a little..."

TBC