Lost in thought, Sam was so startled to hear Dean screaming that he came crashing out of his chair. He bounded across the short distance and began pounding on the door "Dean!"
"Dean, open the door!" his fist flailing upon the bathroom door.
-x-xx-x-x-x-xx-x-xx--x
Jerking wildly, Dean walloped at his arms and torso. Distantly, he could hear Sam yelling and pounding ferociously. Dean had slid down the shower wall during the phantasm until the water stream was now striking his face. Still ballistic over his vision, he jumped from the shower quickly still scanning the area for crawling bugs. Ultimately realizing he had returned to reality, Dean could now hear the panic stricken Sam.
"Dean! OPEN THIS DMN DOOR OR I'M KICKING IT IN,!" Sam screamed at the door.
Stuttering slightly, Dean uttered uneasily thorough the door, "Sam. I'm fine. I'll be out in a moment." His breath raged with fear and his eyes darted wildly in disbelief.
Grabbing the towel in case Sam actually didn't believe the words he spoke, Dean sheathed his waist.
-x-x-x-xx-x-xx-x-x-xx-
Although Sam didn't buy that Dean was fine, he was relieved to hear his brother's shaky voice responding. Fear and worry spread through Sam like wildfire, but he refused to add to Dean's troubles at the moment. Leaning against the bathroom door, Sam spoke gently, "Dean…it's started." Sam moved a few steps back from the door allowing Dean time to become comfortable or composed enough to answer or emerge.
-x-x-x-xx-x-xx-x-x-xx-
Leaning his palms upon the cool sink counter, Dean took several stuttered breaths as his lips and teeth chattered. He admonished himself for allowing the Sandman to freak him in such a way. As if he was challenging himself to regain calm, Dean stared at his reflection watching the adrenaline overload causing his body to shake. Finally he decided he couldn't do anymore to control his body's involuntary reactions to the ungodly sensation he had just experienced. Turning away from his reflection, he slowly opened the door to Sam's compassionate face. A face that seemed to be on the verge of panic and tears.
Viewing Dean's state, Sam sucked in a hard breath of air and found words had escaped him. He allowed his lungs to push the aching air from him trying to find words that would comfort his loving brother.
Gently tapping Sam's arm to acknowledge that he understood Sam's intentions, Dean spoke bewilderedly, "I'm fine, Sam. I just need a moment.
Pressing his lips together, Sam nodded in sympathy. He realized Dean had left the showering pouring and utilized the excuse to give his brother a few deserving minutes of peace.
Spotting his duffel next to his bed, Dean quickly grabbed a pair of jockeys and a T-shirt. He quickly pulled them on and sat back upon his bed. Sam had finished his task, but remained in the bathroom for a few moments. Peeking out the door, Sam could see Dean staring at the strange morning brewing outside- the odd mixture that looked more like twilight than a breaking dawn. Leaning against the bathroom door's frame, Sam felt he would burst if he didn't speak to Dean. As he exited the restroom, Sam, feeling it was time to speak, hunkered down beside Dean.
Dean was breathing deeply, trying to regain some calmness. Sam said softly, "It HAS started? Dean….I…."
Too tired and too freaked to lie, Dean didn't sugarcoat the truth for Sam. "It's started, Sam. And it was worse than I thought it was going to be."
Sam touched his brother's arm and grasped it gently. Fear and panic were gripping Sam as his brother's gaunt face remained in a horrific state of abhorrence.
Stilling kneeling beside Dean, Sam waited for more information. Dean simply lowered his eyelids and relished not seeing anything but darkness. Belatedly, in a bereaved whisper, Dean spoke. "I'm okay, Sam. I just need to get some sleep."
Dean shifted further in his bed extending his aching body and legs out. A small groan was the only other thing Dean uttered as he turned his face away from the crouching Sam.
Sam's melancholy face lingered upon his brother back for moment, before he gave up and returned to his computer screen.
The computer still displayed the news story about Karen Brown. Lost more in thought than reading, his mind drifted back to how this mess had started. The beginning of what would lead to his brother's death.