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DISCLAIMER

Supernatural belongs to the CW. I only own the plot and characters you don't recognize.

Sam fell on Chrissy's bed and rubbed his neck with his hands. He couldn't---he couldn't believe he was about to admit this, but he knew it had to be done.

"It was in Atlanta, Georgia. I was six," he began. "Kids were dying, being dragged under the bed. At the same time, I had made friends with this kid named George Leland and Mom and Dad said I could spend the night with him because they wanted to keep me safe." As he talked, Sam's mind went back.

Six-year old Sam watched as a large, boney hand reached out from underneath the bed. His breath hitched. What was it? He had never seen a creature like this before. He watched as the fingers wrapped themselves around George's wrist. Then, it pulled. Moving quickly, the boy smashed a small fist against the bones, successfully snapping one. There was a hiss. Suddenly, a large figure towered over the boy. Sam shrank against the wall, eyes wide. The Boogeyman grabbed George's wrist and pulled him off the bed. Without a word, it put one of its hands against George's throat. George went limp and the creature disappeared.

"Sam," Jessica said sympathetically. No wonder he had been so tense.

"I---I told Mom and Dad what I had seen, but by the time they figured out its m.o., the thing had already disappeared. There was never another case until now," Sam stated. "Mom was disappointed and Dad was ticked. Not that I blame them. I knew what was out there in the dark and when push came to shove, I totally choked. Ended up getting somebody killed," he continued. I was weak. I'm surprised they didn't tear me a new one, he thought to himself.

"You were six," Dean reminded his brother. I can't believe he's been beating himself up about this all this time, he silently thought.

"Don't. Just don't," Sam said. "I messed up, and things were never the same again." He blew out a shaky breath. "I---I really can't blame them for exiling me to Stanford," he said.

"That's bull!" Dean exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "Sending you to Stanford had nothing to do with what happened!" he shouted.

"Oh, no? They practically shoved me out of the house!" Sam yelled, standing up.

"Because you were getting reckless! You were completely obsessed with finding the thing that killed Casey! With getting revenge!" Dean cried.

"Of course I want revenge! It killed my twin! Your brother!" Sam shouted.

"Stop this! Both of you! There's no time!" Jessica interjected. "We have to stop the Boogeyman from killing anymore kids," she reminded them. "Oh, I'm still not used to saying things like that," she said to herself. The brothers each took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, Dean. I didn't mean to snap at you," the younger boy apologized.

"It's all right," his older brother stated. "Let's just---let's just see if we can figure out where it's gonna strike next," he suggested.

"But how is he pickin' 'em? I mean, different kids, different backgrounds---it's totally obscure," Sam said.

"That's where the leg work comes in," Dean declared. With that, the trio once more headed out.