I am overwhelmed by the response to this story. Thank you guys. :) School continues to be busy, but I always find time to write. Hope you all enjoy the new chapter.

Ch. 4

It seems to take forever to get through the small tunnel. Probably longer than it is because Sam is trying not to panic and Dean is ever aware of Sam trying not to panic. Eventually though, it starts to widen. Sam's sigh of relief is in time with Dean's.

As the tunnel widens, Dean keeps his hand around Sam's wrist, both of them separating as much as possible in order to reach their respective sides of the wall to see just how much it widens. They both stop walking at the same time, hands reaching the end of the tunnel to curve around the edge.

"I think it opens up here," Dean offers.

Sam gently pulls his hand from his brother's so Dean could pull out the flashlight. He breathes a sigh of relief when the light turns on to show them an open cavern. And the very first rail car. Sam looks to Dean with a smile. "Finally. Somewhere we can actually follow out."

Dean huffs. "I hope so. But there could easily be so many ways to get lost."

Sam's smile drops off his face. "That's true."

"Hey." Dean nudges him with his hand. "It's still better than feeling like we're totally lost, huh?" He desperately tries to get that smile back. Smiling Sam is always better than Sad Sam. When Sam's answering smile is small and soft, he puts an arm around his shoulders again and pulls him along.

It's obvious that the tunnel they just came through was new. Tools to continue the railway are laying around. Like they were just abandoned in a hurry. Both notice. Neither comment. Starting down the tunnel, they both start looking for signs of wear. More use of the tunnel probably means more chances for collapses or weaknesses.

For a long while, it's the single tunnel. Their feet follow the tracks, opting to leave the flashlight off for a bit when they conclude the tunnel looks okay. For kids who have grown up being taught to be afraid of the dark, it's oddly comforting to have the flashlight off. Something about not being able to see the complete emptiness that waits ahead of them. Just excepting the immediate darkness and not thinking of the rest.

Eventually though, it has to get difficult. They find the first intersection with a sudden 'Oof' and collapse of Dean.

Before Sam can panic, Dean has flicked the button on the flashlight. When light floods the area, Sam stares wide eyed at the sight that greets him. "What happened?"

Dean looks up from where he's practically face planted onto the ground, a scowl on his face. Pushing himself to his feet, he shines the flashlight down at a discarded shovel. "I tripped," he grumbles.

Sam snickers, grin growing wider against his control when Dean glares over at him. "You tripped? Oh wise one who will lead us out of here?"

Dean scowls, reaching over to shove Sam's head. "Shut up."

Sam stumbles to the side, still laughing when he freezes.

Dean looks ahead of them and sighs.

Two tunnels. Which one to take…

"Do you think they go to the same place?"

Sam shakes his head. "Not necessarily. Mines can be pretty elaborate in how they branch out. The tunnels follow the findings of the coal or whatever they're mining. If they meet up, that's a coincidence. Like right here. That's why the area we just came through was so big. There probably was a lot of coal there."

Dean hums in thought. "So which way do you suggest?"

Sam sighs. "How would I know, Dean?"

It's silent for a second. Then, "We could flip a coin? Which direction to take. If it dead ends or whatever, we'll come back. Fair?"

Sam glares. "We're putting our lives on the line of a coin flip?"

"You have any other ideas?"

Sam sadly shakes his head.

Dean digs a nickel out of his pocket. "Man. I think I lost the rest of my change back there," he pouts.

Sam swipes the nickel from his hand, rolling his eyes. "Right. We definitely need change down here." He flips the coin.

Dean huffs indignantly. "It was enough for a soda at most pop machines. That's one less drink that I'll have in my life now."

"Wow," Sam comments in disbelief at Dean's overwhelming disappointment at losing his quarters. He reaches down to lift the coin.

"Which way won?" Dean asks, changing the subject.

"The left one."

"Alright. Let's go then."

This tunnel seems to be staying okay as they walk. There are tracks, so it was often used. They going is steady. No new tunnels for a while. Eventually though, they do get to an area where a partial collapse had happened. They both stop before the pile of dirt, rocks, and beams. Dean moves the flashlight up to the top, finding an area that the light shines partially through to show that the cave-in doesn't reach the top.

"So… do you wanna go back or climb through?" Dean asks. Leaves it up to Sam to decide if he can handle another tight space.

Sam bites his lip.

"We'll do whatever you choose," Dean sooths, putting his hand on Sam's shoulder.

Sam sighs. "I hate it when you do that."

Dean chuckles. "Tell you what. We can try the other tunnel. Just see where it goes. If it dead ends or is caved in or whatever, we'll come back here."

Sam shakes his head with another sigh. "That's totally unreasonable and would take too long. I can try at least."

Dean squeezes his shoulder. "You sure?"

Sam nods. "Yeah. Let me just try."

The climb up the mound of dirt and debris isn't too hard. They both slide a little, Dean more than Sam just because Sam had smoothed it out first when he slid. Eventually Sam reaches the top. He looks into the dark tunnel and tries to keep his breathing even. Feeling a tap on his leg, he looks down to Dean handing him the flashlight. He takes it and shines it through the hole.

"How thick is the cave in?" Dean asks below him.

Sam huffs at himself. "Not that far. Maybe twenty feet." He climbs up to hold himself at the edge of the short tunnel to look through better. "Then it looks clear." He makes no move to go through.

"You alright?" There's that tap on his leg again. But it stays there this time. Reassuring grip of Dean's hand on his ankle.

Sam nods once. "I'm going through." He manages to keep his voice steady, but his breathing is picking up.

"I'm right here. Okay? If you need anything I'm here."

Sam smiles softly to himself. "I know." He turns the flashlight off. "I'm gonna see if this helps."

"Okay. Go ahead. I'll keep my hand on your ankle. You want me to keep talking to you?"

"Yeah. That'd be great." He pulls himself up, sliding his body into the tunnel. True to his word, Dean pulls himself up with his remaining hand. The hand on Sam's ankle never loosens but it also never pulls. Dean keeps it reassuring, not restricting. Pulling himself up with just his other arm.

Dean keeps talking. "You know what this reminds me of?"

"What?"

"That field trip. When I was in fourth grade. You remember?"

Despite himself, Sam smiles a little. "You dragged me into your class at the end of the day that she had passed out the permission slips and begged her that you could bring me."

Dean chuckles. "That I did. So you remember?"

Sam pulls himself forward, flinching when he feels the tunnel a little smaller. Something gets caught on his pants. He freezes.

"Easy. I'm right here." The hand squeezes his ankle once. "You alright?"

Sam takes a few breathes. Then starts forward again. "Yeah. Careful. Something pulled on my jeans. May be sharp."

"Okay."

"And yeah, I remember. I may have only been five, but you begged her for a half hour Dean. And she agreed as long as dad signed a permission slip for me too. Probably because it was such a small school, one more kid wouldn't hurt."

"I'm just smooth, Sammy."

Sam snorts. "Sure."

"But it was to that museum. And the kid's center had those tunnels like a cave. Remember? And we played in there forever."

Sam keeps shuffling forward, almost totally on his belly now. He feels himself trying to panic, but the good memory Dean is dragging up overpowers the bad. "Yeah. That was fun. I was so happy that you had taken me."

Dean shrugs behind him. "I didn't know when else you would have had a chance to go on a field trip. Wanted to make sure you were able to do something cool for once."

Sam smiles to himself. Dean has always thought of him. Even when they were so young. "Thanks, Dean. I'm not sure I ever said that."

It's quiet for a few seconds. Then Dean huffs. "No turning this into a chick-flick, Sammy." He moves forward. "Aw, shit!"

Sam freezes in panic. "What?"

Dean is huffing behind him, letting out a groan. "Something got me."

"What?!"

"Easy, Sammy. Just a scratch."

It's too late though. In wanting to turn around and check on his brother, he's reminded of how trapped he is. He can't turn around. Can't move back because his brother is there. Can only move forward. And that's the smallest part of the tunnel. "Dean."

Hearing the choked off sound of Sam's voice, Dean inhales sharply and surges forward as much as he can in the small space and laying his arm against Sam's leg. "Sammy. Calm down. It's okay. It's just us here. You aren't rapped. Go on ahead. Okay? I'm right behind you. Just keep moving."

Sam's hyperventilating now, choking back the cries that are trying to rip from his throat in his panic. It's like he's trapped in that closet again. Not knowing if he'll ever be found. If he'll ever get out. "Dean."

"Sammy. I need you to listen to me. I'm right here. Okay?"

"It's too small. I can't breathe."

"Yes you can. You aren't in that closet, Sam. There's plenty of air here. Right? Plenty of room for air in this tunnel. Just breathe." Dean gets his hand up to squeeze Sam's side in reassurance. "I'm right behind you. Just move forward. Okay?"

Unable to talk as he tries to pull air into his protesting lungs, Sam just nods and moves forward. Two scoots later and he stops, letting out a whine. He's flat on his stomach now. They're to the smallest part of the tunnel.

"Sam. Listen to me. We're almost there. Just this one last squeeze. You with me?"

"Dean. I can't-"

"Yes you can. Just a little more. It'll be smaller for me than it is for you. So I need you to hurry, okay. I don't want to get stuck. I'll have to keep moving in order to get through. If I stop, I'll probably get stuck for a while."

With that thought, Sam suddenly realizes something. If this is what the tunnel feels like to him, then it must be even more uncomfortable for Dean. He must feel worse right now. He starts moving forward, hooking his hands over the edge of the end and pulling himself out with a choked sound as it messes with his already panicking head. It's like being up against the hard walls of that closet again. Cramped and trapped with air running out.

The slide down that side of the cave-in is less than graceful. At the bottom, all he can do is pull air into his lungs, a few stray tears and remaining… almost sobs making their way out.

After a few grunts and groans, Dean suddenly slides to the bottom and immediately goes over to pull his brother into his arms. "Sammy. C'mere, Sammy."

Sam lets himself be pulled into his brother's arms, burying his face in his neck and breathing in the familiar smell. Even without his leather jacket on today, Dean still manages to smell like it. Along with gunpowder, and that smell that's always been unmistakably 'Dean'. Home. He wraps his arms around his brother's neck, finally feeling safe enough to start calming his racing heart.

"That's it. I'm here. I'm here." Dean rocks him a little bit, running his fingers through his hair. Without thought, he turns his face to kiss the top of his brother's head. "I'm right here. You're alright little brother."

"God, I'm sorry," Sam mumbles, wiping the back of his hand over his nose.

"Hey. It's alright. We'll get through this, okay? I'll be right here every step of the way. If you need anything, just ask."

"I know," Sam murmurs, turning his face more into his brother's neck. Takes in a deep breath of his brother's scent. Then shivers.

"You want your shirt back? It should be dry by now."

"Yeah." He sits up, but doesn't get far. One of Dean's arms doesn't move from where it's around his shoulders, keeping him sitting practically in his brother's lap.

Dean digs through the bag where it had rolled down after him and landed only a foot away. He pulls out Sam's shirt, pulling it over his brother's head when he feels that it's dry.

Sam huffs, but let's his brother help him. Knows it won't do any good to argue when Dean turns to 'mother hen' mode. Then just sits and waits as Dean pulls on his own shirt. "How'd you get the bag through there?"

"Pulled it behind me," Dean answers.

"Ah." Sam picks up the flashlight where it's still laying next to them and casting a slight glow on the surrounding area. He looks at the beam. "Is this dimmer, or is it just me?"

Dean snorts. "It's probably been doing that all day or however long we've been down here. It's just so dark, it's probably been hard to tell the difference. But I do know that there weren't new batteries in it."

Sam sighs. "Great."

"We'll be fine. You ready to keep moving?"

"I guess so."

They gather their things up, shining the flashlight down the tunnel before turning it off again. Then they keep going.

A minute later, Sam's stomach growls.

Dean sighs.