I guess I should warn you that this and the next couple of chapters may contain some more gross, gory stuff.

Chapter 14

"You have the journal; give it to your brother."

Sam could feel the book concealed inside the pocket in the lining of his jacket. Fear tore through him as he realized that giving Dean the journal would bring his vision to fruition. A battered and bloodied Dean had been holding that book in his vision. He wished that he and Bobby would have had time to read it. He had no clue what it might reveal to them.

Knowing Dean needed it to fight, he handed the book to his brother, who took it from him mechanically and immediately opened the pages and began to read. Sam's brow furrowed and his mouth twisted as he watched Dean. Aside from his battered physical body, the essence of his cocky, wise-cracking big brother was nowhere to be found He hated having to stand by while his brother was being controlled – no, possessed. A pang of guilt hit him as he recalled how he had treated Dean when he had been possessed by the demon, Meg. I hope Dean is still in there, not lost like I was. I physically hurt him, and I didn't even know what my own hands were doing. He shut his eyes against the painful memory. Dean never gave up on him, no matter how many horrible things he did during the possession. He knew that this time, when he needed him, he would be right beside Dean to help him, too.

"You must be. But not on this physical plane."

Sam's face contorted in annoyance and he looked up at the orbs. "What? Are you reading my thoughts?"

"Of course we are. We have been since you arrived. Now listen to us. We know that you can tap into your telekinetic abilities. You've done it before."

"But I can't control it! God! If you guys are so freakin' smart, you have to know that these so called powers I have are unpredictable at best. My brother's life can't rest on my ability to conjure them at will."

"We may be able to assist you. We cannot fight the evil ourselves, nor can you. But we can help you harness some of your energy so that you can direct it to your brother. He will need it. The umthakati is very strong and your brother has not been adequately prepared for this."

"You think?" Sam was seething. He felt that everything was spiraling out of his control. His fear was paralyzing him. He looked at Dean, who stood zombie-like in the middle of the room, still reading the journal methodically. He took a deep calming breath. "Alright what is it that I can do?"

Bobby touched his arm. "Whoa Sam, hang on a second."

"No, Bobby. If I can help Dean then I'll do whatever it takes. You know damn well he'd do the same for either of us."

"I do know that son. But I also don't want to have to explain to him that I let his little brother sacrifice himself to save him."

"There's not going to be any sacrificing, Bobby. We are going to kick this monster's ass back to hell, or wherever the fuck it came from. And then we are going to take one last look at Holyoke in our rearview mirror."

"Are you sure you aren't channeling Dean right now?"

Sam shook his head slightly and his mouth quirked in a small smile.

Enough of this! If you interfere with the brothers, Mr. Singer, you will be removed. It will not be pleasant. Sam, hold your hands out, palms up. We haven't much time.

Sam swallowed hard and looked at Bobby, who was clearly biting back an angry retort. The young hunter did as the sangoma told him, and hesitantly held out his hands, feeling at once vulnerable and hopeful that he could help Dean. As he did so, he told the obviously nervous hunter beside him to relax.

"I feel like they're being honest, Bobby. I don't sense malice from them."

"You can sense them?"

"Uh – yeah, strangely; I'm - I feel like . . . I feel really good all of the sudden. I feel strong and I feel the adrenaline like I did the first time I moved something. Only this feels like I'm completely in control."

The orbs were silent, but they hovered near Sam's upturned palms. Bobby watched carefully, ready to intervene, in spite of the warning he had received. He frowned as he saw the orbs begin to expand slightly and Sam took a deep breath in response.

"So, uh, Sam? Do you know how this is going to help Dean?" the older hunter asked nervously. He'd never encountered anything quite like this before.

"Not really, but I think if I need my power it will be there."

"It will be, but you must concentrate, even with our help, it is not easy. The umthakati nears. He is going to try to destroy your brother along with the energy of the victims who are housed in his body. Your brother has read the journal. He knows how to fight it, but we fear he may not have the strength, since he was nearly a victim himself."

Sam could feel himself getting stronger. "How do I lend my strength to Dean?"

"You direct it; just as you did that night when you moved the large cabinet with your mind. We are energy – you are energy, and so is your brother. We simply redirect ours so that he can do what he needs to do."

Sam grimaced slightly, still not sure how it would work.

"Perhaps a test so you can see that it will work. You must believe you can do this, or we will all lose. The book in your brother's hand; concentrate on it and bring it to you with your mind. Bring the book to your own palm."

Sam nodded and closed his eyes, concentrating on the journal in Dean's hands. A strange buzzing began to build in his head. He'd felt it once before, for only a brief moment, but he recognized it. He had described it to Dean: I saw you die and it just came out of me like a punch. Like a freak adrenaline thing.

Before Sam could even react further, the journal flew from Dean's hands into his own. Breathing heavily from both the effort and the swiftness of the action, Sam's wide dark eyes looked at Bobby with amazement. The older man mirrored Sam's emotion in his own eyes.

"God, Bobby, it worked! Take the journal. Tell me what Dean's supposed to do." He handed the book to the older man and turned his attention back towards Dean.

"Now Sam, you use the same method to direct energy to your brother as he needs it. Do you understand how it works, now?"

Sam nodded, still shocked by his ability to harness and feel real energy. It was amazing, and for the first time that day, he felt that maybe they had a chance to destroy the witch.

The heavy wooden door creaked open. Sam watched as his brother turned towards the sound. Dean's eyes were still vacant, but Sam could actually see the active energy that surrounded his brother's body. He was comforted by its strength, but terrified for his brother, and what it might do to him. Dean moved forward and Sam turned towards the door. The sight that greeted them was as frightening as it was surreal.

The witch stood before them. Sam nearly gagged at the sight. It had clearly been human at some point, but it now appeared as a skeleton with muscle, fresh blood seeping from the exposed flesh, dripping onto the floor. The small amount of skin that remained, hung like tattered, bloody rags from the bones The most unsettling part, though, was the monster's face, permanently fixed in a look of horror. It held no other emotion. In spite of the mutilation, Sam recognized the haunted eyes; Kendall's eyes. The monster had kept just enough of Kendall intact to use as his vessel. That was how it killed, taking a victim's body and using it to kill the next. He had skinned Kendall alive, and now he was advancing on Dean.