Okay, so it was an overwhelming vote to have a second chapter tonight, so here it is. Uh...this is not a pretty chapter. It is not all that graphic as I did not want the story to be a bloodfest. As it is, it's bad enough. So, that being said, you may want to grab your tissues folks. I'm thinking you're gonna need them.

Cindy.

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"Oh God…the hellhounds…they're here…"

Dean instinctively grabbed Sam's arm and pulled him around so that he stood between the younger man and the trees where Sam was looking, his eyes searching for what he knew he wouldn't be able to see. Only the intended victim could see the hellhounds, Dean knew this but still he tried to see. Bobby moved in front of Sam also, realizing it would do nothing to protect him, but needing to try anyway.

"Where are they Sam? How many?" Dean asked fearfully.

Sam continued to eye the trees, his gaze moving over the evergreens frantically. He pointed out and answered with a small, shaky voice.

"Over there…and there…"

Dean followed Sam's directions and swallowed nervously. "Can you see how many there are?"

"Uh…four…I see four…" Sam answered, his voice barely audible.

"Okay…stay behind Bobby and me," Dean instructed, knowing full well it would do no good.

"Dean…that won't stop them. You can't stop them," Sam said softly as he placed his hand on Dean's shoulder.

"I can sure as hell try can't I!?" Dean cried, his voice taking on a panicked tone.

"There's still time for you to get out of here so you don't have to see this…"

"I'm not leaving you alone Sammy…"

"I won't be alone…Castiel and Uriel will be here…"

"You're alone if I'm not here," Dean said as he turned his head to meet Sam's eyes.

Sam nodded his agreement. "I know Dean," he said softly.

Ruby stepped up to the group, eliciting a growl from Dean. She glared at the older Winchester before turning to Sam.

"Sam…whatever you did, there's still time change your mind…" she started.

"No…I can't. I have to do this," Sam replied.

"Sam…for once I agree with the demon bitch. Whatever the ramifications…we can deal with them. Please Sammy…" Dean pled.

"He can't back out Dean. If he does, all is lost. Sam has to go to hell…the bargain requires it," Castiel said from where he and Uriel stood a short distance away.

"No!" Dean cried. "You're angels for shits sake! Do something to stop this! Please Castiel…please…"

"We can't interfere Dean. We're here only to make sure that promises are kept…"

"You already said that! What good are you if you can't stop this?" Dean exclaimed.

"Sam accepted the bargain and now it has come due. We'll be here for you Dean…we'll help you…"

"Fuck me! What about Sam!? Who's here for him? Who'll help him?" Dean cried.

"Dean…you're here for me. That's all I need," Sam said, bringing Dean's attention back to him.

"Oh God Sammy…please don't leave me…I need you…" Dean pled, his eyes filling with tears.

"I'm sorry Dean. I…" Sam started, but his words were cut off as he was suddenly thrown to the ground, a spray of blood filling the air as four deep slashes appeared across his chest.

Dean stared in shock as Sam was thrust away from him. He barely noticed the fine mist of blood that coated his face as he lunged toward his brother.

"SAMMY! NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" he cried as Sam's agonized screams filled the night air.

Dean fell over Sam's body as he tried to block his brother from the invisible claws of the hellhounds. He felt Bobby as the older man dropped to shield Sam as well, but both men cried out as Sam was ripped from their clutches, his screams cutting them to their very souls. Dean scrambled across the ground, crying out in anguish as Sam was ripped open in front of him. Sam lay splayed out, his mouth open in an eternal scream, but no sound other than wet gurgles could be heard. Dean reached his brother and gathered him into his arms, swallowing back bile as his eyes fell onto Sam's destroyed throat. He turned terror filled eyes on Sam's face, the only part of Sam's body that had been spared.

"No Sammy…nonononono…Oh God…not you Sammy…not you…" he cried softly as he rocked the now still body of his baby brother. "I'm so sorry Sammy…I'm so sorry that you had to see me when…"

Dean flinched when he felt a hand on his shoulder and he slowly looked up to meet Bobby's concerned face. The older hunter gazed upon his friend with sad, tired eyes.

"Dean…he's gone. Sammy's gone…" Bobby whispered, his own tear filled eyes falling to the still body of the man he considered his son.

"No Bobby…he can't be. He can't be…" Dean said brokenly as he loosened his grip a little and looked down on Sam's pale face.

Blank, lifeless eyes stared back at him, the beauty and innocence of Sam's face marred by streaks of his own blood. Dean reached a shaky hand up and caressed Sam's cheek lovingly before gently brushing his fingers through his thick, chocolate hair.

"OhmyGodOhmyGodOhmyGod…" he whispered over and over as he began to rock Sam's body again.

Dean sat on the cold ground, Sam's cooling body cradled in his arms for nearly a half hour before anyone had the nerve to approach him. Bobby kneeled down beside the distraught hunter, purposely keeping his eyes on Dean to avoid the heart breaking sight of Sam's bloody, shredded body.

"Dean…it's time to let go. We need to take Sam away from here," the older man said, his hand gently gripping Dean's arm.

Dean flinched and slowly raised his eyes from Sam's face to gaze blankly at his friend. His eyes were red and puffy and held none of the brightness and life that Bobby was used to seeing in their green depths. They were now flat and so full of pain that it took all of Bobby's resolve to not gasp in shock. Bobby watched as recognition slowly came to his young comrade and smiled warmly as life returned to the man's eyes.

"He's dead Bobby. My…my brother's dead and I don't know why…" Dean whispered, his eyes filling once more.

"I know Dean, and we'll find that out, but right now, I need to get you and Sam off this cold ground. Can you help me with that kiddo?" Bobby said softly.

Dean gazed down once more at Sam's face and smiled lovingly. "He's so quiet Bobby. I need him to talk to me. I need him to start his twenty questions…ya know?"

"Yeah Dean, I know. Why don't we go back to the motel. You need to get some rest," Bobby replied.

"I'm never going to hear his voice again. God Bobby…there were times…so many times I just wanted him to shut up and now…now I'd give anything to hear him again…"

Bobby lowered his head, unable to watch the agony in Dean's eyes any longer. He felt Dean's pain, it was that palpable. He truly didn't know if Dean would recover from this. The young hunters whole life lay in his arms, torn to shreds and covered with blood. His whole reason for living was gone and Bobby was terrified that Dean wouldn't be too long in following. A low, steady voice brought Bobby out of his musings and he looked up warily.

"You'll hear him again Dean," Castiel said as he came to stand beside Bobby.

Dean slowly looked up, a frown marring his handsome face. "How? He's dead…he's in hell, probably being flayed by now. How will I hear him again?"

"Dean… he won't be there forever. The deal doesn't require it," Castiel answered.

"What do you mean? What does the deal require?" Dean asked hopefully.

"He will remain in hell for as long as you did Dean."

"What? Why for as long as me?"

"We'll speak of it later. Right now you need to listen to Bobby. You need to get Sam away from here."

Dean watched as Castiel kneeled beside him, the angel's eyes staring at the limp body cradled in his protective arms. Castiel reached down and rested his hand over Sam's lifeless eyes and when he removed it, the eyes were closed. Next, he ran his hand over the gashes littering Sam's body, starting at his throat and moving down over his chest, stomach, arms and legs, the wounds mending right before Dean's startled eyes. When Castiel was finished, he looked up at Dean and smiled sadly.

"Let me help you get him up Dean," the angel said softly.

"No…don't touch him. Please. I've been carrying him my whole life. He's my brother…mine…" Dean whispered as he began to lift Sam up, staggering under the heavy weight.

Bobby was beside him in an instant and helped him to his feet. Dean pulled Sam tight to his chest then started to walk toward the Impala. He stopped when Ruby stepped in front of him, glaring at the demon who stared down at his precious burden. If Dean didn't know better, he could swear he saw tears in her dark eyes. Ruby slowly raised her eyes to meet Dean's. A scowl formed on her face as she shook her head slowly.

"What a waste. He's no good to me now," she said as she turned and walked away, disappearing into the night.

"Bitch…" Dean said as he started toward the car again.

Bobby hurried ahead and opened the back door of the Impala then helped Dean slide Sam's body into the back seat. Dean ran to the other side and climbed in, lifting Sam's head and resting it on his lap. Bobby climbed behind the wheel and peered at Dean through the rearview mirror. The young man idly ran his fingers through his brother's hair as he softly whispered to the still man.

Bobby started the car and put it in gear before slowly driving away. He silently prayed that his friend would keep himself together, because if what Castiel had said was true, then Sam would return to them four months from tonight. The only problem was, who, or what would Sam be when that day came?

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Okay, I'm going into hiding now. I'll come out tomorrow when it's time to post again. Now, I have the final Junior bowling tournament this weekend and I'm a chaperone, so I can't promise two chapters on Saturday or Sunday. Long bus trips, days spent at the bowling alley, then chasing after the kids I'm responsible at the for at the hotel does not leave a lot of time. You will get at least one per day, that I can promise. So, I hope you will let me know what you think and that you will let me live, at least long enough to finish this story. Have a wonderful evening.

Cindy