Okay here's another shortie but I hope you like it. Please keep reading and reviewing. :)

Chapter 15: - Dean's gonna kill me!

Sam climbed into the Impala, turning on the heating as he shivered against the cold. He pulled out onto the main road which led into town, hoping to find a late night supermarket or take out.

As he drove along the quiet tree-lined street, he turned on the tape player to distract himself from his unease. As the player clicked into life, Metallica blared out full blast making him jump violently as the music assaulted his ears. Taking his eyes off the road for a split second, he fiddled with the volume to lower the rock beat, and turned his attention back towards the road ahead of him. His eyes widened in horror as he saw Dean and Alex lying in the street ahead of him.

His nerves seized as he sat paralyzed watching the scene before him. As his mind raced, his body kicked into gear, his feet slamming on the brakes as he swerved to avoid them. As he careened down the slope that edged the road, he threw his arms over his head bracing for impact as the Impala crashed into an old horse chestnut.

Pushing back with his hands, as his head slammed against the steering wheel, he groaned, wincing as blood oozed from his eyebrow. Panic rose within him as his eyes darted around the car, looking out over the tall dark woods. Shaking himself, as he tried to pull it together, he turned the key in the ignition, the engine roaring into life. The tires span wildly in the mud, as he floored the accelerator, trying to urge the car forwards. The tires sprayed the sticky brown sludge up the sides of the car as he slammed his fists against the steering wheel in frustration

Pushing the door open with his boot, he stumbled out, surveying the damage. "Shit!" he muttered, as he looked around him, anxiety pulsating through his chest. "Dean's gonna kill me!"

He slipped and slid his way up the sodden bank, using his hands to balance, clawing at the ground as his feet threatened to give way beneath him. He stumbled up as fast as he could, desperate to believe what he had seen was a dream, and that he was too tired to think straight. He couldn't bare the thought that they'd somehow managed to get here before him, that the demon had got to them and had left them lying in the road for him to hit.

Reaching the top, covered from head to toe in mud, he ran out into the road, looking up and down it desperately. Seeing nothing, fear clutched his heart. 'Did I dream that myself?' he thought, 'Or was it the demon?' He stood staring into space, trying to separate fiction from reality becoming more and more confused and disorientated. He needed to know what had just happened. Whether Dean and Alex were okay, or whether the demon had done something to them, to him. Making up his mind, he started back towards the motel on foot, breaking into a run as dread overtook him.

Deep within him, the demon smiled, feeling its influence surging through the young man, knowing soon he wouldn't be able to make that distinction.

"Where's the food," Alex quizzed, as Sam opened the door breathlessly. Concern passed over her face as she took in his filthy appearance and bedraggled form. Making eye contact, she gave him a silent significant look, wanting to know what had happened to him.

"More importantly where's the car?" Dean jumped in "I didn't hear you pull up, and what is that smell." He scrunched up his nose as the odour seeped into his lungs.

"You guys okay?" said Sam urgently, ignoring their questions and Alex's probing look.

"All things considered, yes," Alex muttered, her face creased with growing concern as Sam looked between them rapidly.

"You didn't leave the room?" Sam pressed; sweat shining on his clammy forehead, stinging his cut.

"No. I was a good little boy," Dean mimicked sarcastically.

"You sure!" Sam continued uncertainly, ignoring Dean's cutting wit.

"Yes I'm sure. I didn't leave this god forsaking room unless I can unwittingly astral project now!" Dean scoffed, choosing to ignore the niggling feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Why?" Alex asked, rising to her feet.

"Shit," Sam muttered. "I'm cracking up."

Alex walked towards him, reaching her hand to his forehead, touching it gently, as she looked at the fresh cut critically. "What happened?" she said, as she led him to a seat and retrieved a first aid kit. Drawing out a clean cloth and antiseptic, she dabbed the wound, muttering "Sorry" as he drew in a sharp intake of breath.

Glancing sideways at Dean, who was becoming increasingly nifty at being able to track them and look at them without seeing, he said in a low whisper, "I had a little accident."

Dean flushed. "You better not have scratched my girl," he said tartly.

"The Impala's fine," he lied, thanking god his brother wouldn't be able to see the damage. It was just the small matter of getting it free from the mud and back onto the road that was going to be the problem.

"Look we need the car," Sam said, after climbing out of the shower an hour later. "Now that I've had my face mask, I'd better go back and get it." Looking at Alex, he inclined his head towards the bathroom.

"What is it?" Alex whispered as she followed him, keeping an eye on Dean as he tried to eavesdrop.

"I kinda lied," Sam muttered, his cheeks flushing pink. "It's … umm, in a ditch."

Alex's eyes widened. "Ooo you're in deep shit," she grinned, letting out a giggle. "Dean's gonna kill you."

Sam pursed his lips. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Anytime," she smiled wickedly. Walking back into the main room, she said, "I'll go with you. We can go in my car. Saves you walking and we can bring back plenty of food."

Dean's stomach groaned at the very mention of the word. "I'm starving."

"Join the club," Sam sighed. He'd not eaten anything all day and his body was beginning to feel weak from the lack of sustenance.

"I'm coming with you," Dean said, fumbling round for his shoes. "I don't trust you driving my car again."

"And what are you gonna do smart ass. Drive it blindfolded," Sam retorted.

Dean scowled, having yet again forgotten his serious lack of sight.

"Look, just stay here out of trouble for ten minutes okay? I know it's not the best idea, but it would be stupid dragging you out with us, especially given the state of things. It would be dangerous. I don't want you walking out in front of a car and dying on my ass, and I can't leave Alex here to keep an eye on things cos I need her help."

Dean reddened with annoyance. "This isn't fair. And anyway I don't need babysitting! I can look after myself!" He hated this even more than Sam and Alex could imagine. Yes his hearing had become very alert, but he was still useless to them and he felt every bit of it. He was weak and vulnerable and it was beginning to drive him insane.

Alex smiled at him sympathetically, knowing it must be killing him to be left behind, to have to rely on them to help him with everything. "We won't be long," she tried consolingly, ruffling her hand through his hair affectionately. "Maybe you could begin tearing down this horrendous pink wallpaper, and if you're a good boy, I might even give you a sponge bath." She watched, smiling, as her words took effect.

Dean sat before her grinning broadly at the offer that was too good to refuse.

"I'll hold you to that," he laughed, knowing she was trying to make him feel better, inwardly adding, 'At least I can't see this decorating disaster.'

"Yeah, I reckoned you would," she chuckled, swatting him over the head.

Sam looked relieved as his brother relaxed grudgingly, giving into the inevitable. "Stay out of trouble," he warned, looking at him pointedly.

"Hey I can't help it. Trouble usually finds me," Dean pouted, making Sam break into a grin.

"Aye, I'd noticed," Alex laughed from behind them.