It Only Takes a Second
Chapter 7
Disclaimer: see chapter 1
"Oh God, Sammy…" Caleb whispered out as he knelt next to the small boy's body, "Please God…" He whispered again as he reached a shaking hand toward Sammy's neck, holding his own breath until he found the faint thumping.
Caleb gently rolled the toddler over, careful of how quickly he turned him. The teen had dropped the flashlight next to his knees and the faint glow illuminated one side of the tiny, pale, mud and blood smeared face. Gentle cupping Sammy's cheek, Caleb gave the tiny boy's shoulder a slight shake, "Sammy? Sammy?" When there was no response the older boy slipped off his flannel shirt laying it over the unconscious boy, then he gently slipped his arms under Sammy's legs and neck, the child almost weightless as Caleb stood with him, "I got ya now, you're gonna be okay." he whispered.
Atticus had been sitting next to Sammy and as Caleb stood to make his way up the incline, the canine ran to the top, looking back watching the older boys slow progress. "Okay, we're to the top…" Caleb kissed Sammy's forehead as he closed his eyes and concentrated on his connection to Dean. Feeling the familiar link to the six-year old Caleb took a deep breath, "Let's get you home." Moonlight filtering through the trees helped illuminate his path, his flashlight forgotten at the bottom of the incline. Atticus ran a few steps a head then stopped to look back, "Go home Atticus!" Caleb told the dog as the animal took off into the darkness, knowing someone was helping his charge.
John was pacing the tree line, Jim had taken a seat next to Dean, the smaller boy leaning into the comfort the Pastor was providing, Mac sat at the end of the table, his eye's closed as he tried to connect to his son.
"It's been forty-five minutes, where the hell is he?" John's loud voice boomed as he ran his hand through his hair.
"He's close." Mac said as the sound of Atticus barking in the distance alerted the men that Caleb was nearing. John started to shine his flashlight into the wooded area as the dog came bouncing through the trees.
"Atticus!" Dean jumped down, racing to the dog, who bounced around the child than ran back to the tree line.
Jim and Mac had now joined John, shining flashlights into the darkened area, when Jim caught movement, "There!" he shouted as he ran into the trees, Mac and John following, Dean staying next to Atticus who remained at the tree line.
"Dad!" Caleb's voice broke as he saw the lights approaching, the fear and adrenaline that had been coursing though his system seemed to flee at that moment, as he took another step his knees gave out.
"Caleb!" Jim was the first to reach him as the boy stumbled and fell; the Pastor grabbed him before he fell forward.
Mac and John reached them as Jim still had his arms around the two boys; Mac noticed the pale features of his son and the terrifying stillness of the toddler in his arms, "Sammy?" John's voice broke as he took in the lax, unconscious form of his youngest.
"He's alive Dad," Caleb shaking voice spoke as he couldn't help but to lean into Jim for support.
Mac reached out and took the small boy; Caleb's arms falling limp onto his legs. The Doctor felt the coldness of the toddler's skin, as well as, noticing the numerous cuts and scraps that littered his small face. "We need to get them back to the house."
Mac stood as John reached for his son, the Doctor releasing the boy to his father, John holding the small child close, turning he headed out of the woods. It was Jim's voice that brought Mac's attention back to his son, "Mackland…" The psychic turned and found his son leaning heavily against the Pastor.
"Caleb," Mac knelt next to his son, taking the boy's face in his hands. The coldness of the teen's face shocked the Doctor, it was then he noticed that Caleb was only in his tee-shirt, plus knowing he was coming off an adrenaline rush, "Jim, help me get him inside." It was starting to worry the men as the teen remained silent. "Caleb, you with me Son?" Mac helped Jim pull the boy up, when the question was only met with silence Mac and Jim moved quickly to get Caleb to the house too, so the Doctor could tend both boys.
Dean watched as his father emerged from the woods, the small form of his brother in his arms, "Sammy!" the six-year old ran toward his father.
John's pace didn't slow as the small boy tried to keep up, "He'll be okay Dean, go get the door." Dean raced ahead and held the door open for his father as the man passed through and quickly made his way toward the stairs.
Dean looked back across the yard and saw Mac and Jim helping Caleb toward the house. "Damien?"
" 'kay, Deuce." A weak sounding voice was the first the Doctor and Pastor had heard from the boy since leaving the woods.
Mac and Jim awkwardly made their way up the stairs with the teen, once he was quickly deposited into his bed Jim looked at Mac, "You need to take care of Sammy, I've got him."
Mac turned and headed toward the adjoining room where John was quickly covering his youngest with blankets, "John I need my medical…" The Doctor was cut off as Dean came dragging a large, black bag into the room. Mac's spare medical bag was kept in the downstairs closet and none of the adults had been able to grab it, so Dean took it upon himself to drag the heavy satchel up the stairs, depositing it next to the Doctor. "Thank you Dean." Pulling out the needed items Mac began his assessment.
Jim tired to help an exhausted, semi-conscious Caleb out of his boots and jeans and into a pair of sweats. The teen barely able to help as his arms and legs seemed to weigh a ton. Jim pulled the quilt from the end of the older boys bed, laying it overtop of him as unfocused eyes watched him, "Sammy?" Caleb whispered out as Jim sat down next to him.
Gently laying a hand on the teens shoulder, Jim answered, "He's going to be just fine, you did good finding him, but you really should have called us before you took off." Jim's voice remained calm and even through the reprimand the Pastor's voice continued to offer comfort.
"Couldn't…explain…" Caleb was desperately trying to stay awake as his body involuntarily shivered, "further than…you thought."
Jim ran his hand over the boy's hair, "You rest now, I'm going to clean the scraps on your face and check you over, your father will be in shortly."
A weak nod was all the older man got in reply as Caleb's eyes slide shut, his breathing evening out as his body shook again. Jim walked over to the closet, retrieving another blanket for the teen, once covering him the Pastor headed toward the bathroom to retrieve the items he needed to take care of Caleb's superficial wounds, the emotional ones would have to wait.