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Burial Ground
Chapter nineteen
They spent the rest of the day in the cabin only venturing out to get water from the well when they ran out. It was obvious to everyone that Sam's condition was slowly deteriorating. He lay on the cot covered in sweat, his heartbeat racing, his head rolling back and forth as his body tried to fight the fever. Ever so often Dean would gently raise Sam's head to give him a sip of water, but most of the time he either couldn't swallow it or ended up throwing it up. Dean could tell that his brother was growing weaker and weaker by the hour. Most of the time Sam was barely conscious, moaning in pain, the rest of the time he begged Dean to leave with the couple.
"I'm not going anywhere Sam."
"What are you going to do Dean….wait till my body's cold?"
"I don't want to hear this shit from you. You're going to be fine…you're not going to die." Dean told Sam as he wiped his forehead with a cool damp cloth.
"Dean please…..please leave…." Sam weakly reached up and pushed Dean's hand away. "I don't want to be the reason anyone else dies…Please take them…and get out of here"
"Sam, is we leave now or later it really doesn't make much difference. Without the artifact we're still screwed."
"There's not much food left….and the longer you wait the weaker everyone will be….You don't know what you might run into out there…you're going to need your strength."
Dean knew Sam was right about the food. The couple had lost their supply on the trail and Dean was now sharing the little bit he and Sam had packed with four people instead of two, he knew it wouldn't last long.
Mike walked over.
"Your brother's right." He said to Dean. "Once the food is gone we have nothing. I think we should take our chances out there…..We can send help back for him once we get to the ranger's station."
"I'm not leaving my brother." Dean said softly.
"Look at him!" Mike pointed toward Sam. "He's getting worse. He probably won't make it till morning."
"I told you I'm not leaving my brother!" Dean spun around glaring at Mike. "If you want to go, be my guest." He waved his hand toward the door. "You can leave anytime you want."
"You know we can't make it without you….Look I'm sorry about your brother, I really am, but I don't think he's going to make it."
"He'll make it." Dean said trying to convince himself as much as Mike.
Mike shook his head and walked back over to Andrea.
Later – early morning
Dean spent the rest of the night sponging cool water over Sam's fevered body. He couldn't understand why his brother was getting worse instead of better. He knew he had sucked most of the poison out of Sam's body and with the antivenin shot he had given him his brother should be improving, but he wasn't. Why? And then it came to him….the curse. The Indian curse wanted to claim another victim. No matter what he did….Sam was going to die.
"You're not getting him." Dean said as he stood up and grabbed his gun then headed toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Mike asked as both he and Andrea stood up.
"Just take care of my brother." He told them as he opened the door. "Stay inside till tomorrow then head for the ranger's station."
"Dean…Dean…" Sam called out weakly his face glistening with sweat. "Where….where are you going?"
"Everything's going to be alright Sam. It will all be over soon." He blinked back tears as he took one last look at his brother then left. He knew of only one way to end the curse….a human sacrifice.
TBC