Chapter 26 - Hitching A Ride

Sam was barely conscious as he and Dean made their way as far as possible from the dreaded house. Dean still had his arm supportively and protectively around Sam's waist, and he held most of Sam's weight.

'Gees Sam…you gotta lay off the doughnuts,' quipped Dean in an attempt to lighten the mood. Sam gave a small, weak laugh.

'Maybe your muscles aren't as strong as you think they are,' he wheezed back, before erupting into a coughing fit.

'Easy Sam,' soothed Dean. Slightly panicked, he looked around for any sign of civilization, his sharp eyes finally catching sight of a road 200 metres away.

'C'mon Sam,' urged Dean. 'I can see a road about 200 metres away. As soon as we get there, I promise you can rest.'

Sam just nodded his head numbly, and they continued to stumble along the uneven ground. Each step was an agonizing jolt through their tattered bodies, and both were equally as relieved when they hit the road. Dean helped ease Sam to the ground, and then collapsed beside him.

'Dean…is there really time to rest?' asked Sam skeptically. 'I mean…surely they've noticed that we've escaped by now. And we haven't exactly been moving away from them very fast…'

From his view on the ground, he could still see the mansion standing gloomily in the distance.

'No Sam, we'll be fine,' said Dean firmly. 'Here comes our ticket away from this place now.'

As Sam looked down the dusty and desolate road, a lone car appeared on the horizon, making its way toward them. Dean scrambled to his feet, and moved out onto the road, waving his arms to get the drivers attention. The driver pulled to a stop beside Dean, rolling her window down.

'Oh god…are you ok?' she gasped at the sight of the shirtless, bloodied man standing before her, and the equally bloodied man sitting on the side of the road, looking like he would faint any moment.

'Could we get a lift?' asked Dean, his exhausted eyes locking with the pretty brunettes. She looked back, the pity shining through her eyes.

'Sure thing sweethearts,' she said. Dean nodded his thanks and opened the back door before helping Sam off the road and into the car.

'Are you wanting to go anywhere specific?' the woman asked, glancing at Sam in the rear-view mirror as she sped along the road.

'Uh…this may sound stupid,' replied Dean. 'But where are we?'

'You're on the outskirts of Drysdale,' the woman answered without hesitation.

Dean's heart leapt with joy. They were still near Drysdale! That meant he could get the Impala from Katie's place where he had left it, and leave this god-forsaken town behind. He didn't care about killing this thing for once; Sam's health was more important.

'Uh…can you take us to 27 Beacons Point Road? One of my friend's live there.'

'Shouldn't you be going to the hospital?' the woman asked skeptically, looking back at Dean with concerned eyes.

Dean bit his lip, his eyes resting on Sam, who had fallen asleep beside him.

'Well, yeah,' Dean admitted. 'But we can't. Too many questions will be asked.'

'I'm not one to stick my nose in other people's business,' the woman said. 'So I won't ask. But you haven't tried killing me so I'm ignoring the fact that I picked up two bloodied men from the middle of nowhere that can't go to the hospital because "questions" will be asked.'

Dean smiled, mildly amused. 'What did you say your name was?'

Silence met him momentarily.

'Let's just say…Jane,' she finally replied.

'Now look who's being suspicious.'

Jane smirked at him in the mirror.

'Well then, Jane, thank you very much for helping my brother and I.'

'Do you have names?'

'Well, I guess that could be Sam and I could be Dean. But you'd never really know for sure.'

'Well Dean, it was a pleasure to help you out.'

Jane's car pulled to a halt outside Katie's house.

'Here we are,' she informed Dean.

'Sam…' said Dean softly, nudging his brother awake. 'C'mon man, time to go.'

Sam's eyes cracked open and he allowed Dean to help him out of the car and into the front seat of the Impala.

'Thanks again Jane,' Dean said gratefully. He reached out to shake her hand, but withdrew, remembering the burns. 'Sorry…but I don't think you'd wanna touch it.'

'You should get those burns looked at,' Jane said, concerned. 'They're infected. But anyway, it was no problem helping you. I do strongly suggest that you get Sam's fever down, and soon.'

'Yeah, will do.'

'Dean, if you need my help, just ask,' said Jane, pulling out a card and giving it to him. 'I have medical experience, and I'm only a phone call away.'

Dean nodded in thanks, and gave a short wave as she drove away and disappeared around the corner.

Dean watched her as she disappeared, an odd look on his face. Jane had been…too nice. Not many people would stop on a deserted highway for a half naked bloodied man. They would stay away. But the more he thought about it, the more stupid it sounded.

'C'mon Dean,' he scolded himself. 'She was just being nice.'

He pushed all uneasiness from his stomach, and quickly popped the trunk of his baby to retrieve a fresh t-shirt. He slid behind the wheel, the key in the starter, and glanced at Sam, who was out of it again. He had no clue of what to do with him…he'd never been this bad. Dean bit his lip, flipping the card over in his palm, and uttering a sigh, pulled out his spare mobile phone from the glove box. He dialed Jane's number.

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Jane watched Dean disappear in her rearview mirror. She uttered a small sigh, took a couple more turns, and then pulled to a stop alongside a road, fiddling with her phone mindlessly. She knew Dean would call.

As if on cue, her shrill ring-tone hit the air.

'Hello?'

'Hey Jane…it's Dean.'

'Calling already?'

'Uh...yeah. I'd really appreciate it if you came by the local motel and helped out with Sam.'

'That's why I gave you my number silly,' Jane said, with a false laugh, her eyes twinkling vindictively.

'Um…ok. Well, whenever you can…drop by. I'd really appreciate it.'

'Of course I will Dean. I'll see you soon.'

She snapped her phone shut, and rested it thoughtfully against her chin. Finally she snapped but into reality, flipped her phone open, and dialed a number.

'Jacob? It's Jane,' she said. 'Those boys are at the motel. I've got my eye on them.' She paused. 'No…of course I won't hurt them…yet. I know that master wants them alive.' She nodded her head. 'Yep. I'll make them so they're feeling ok. Then we can break them again.' Another pause. 'No, they don't suspect a thing. Just make sure you're ready when the time comes.' Silence. 'Good.'

She snapped her phone shut viciously, a sadistic smile creeping its way across her face. The Winchester boys wouldn't know what hit them.

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Here's the latest. Sorry it took a while, computer was being a bitch. hope you like it :)

and review, as always, please.

Nikki