AN: Okay, when I first began I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy writing this, but I'm reeeaaaaally enjoying this as of now. I managed to write pretty much this entire chapter and half of the next one all within like two hours. For me, that's a lot. Hope you like this next chapter!
"Gotta say, Dean. Your brother was a lot smarter than I expected last time. Finally gave the kid a bathroom break, and he used his own damn blood to make a devil's trap, got me stuck in it, and sent me back to Hell."
Wearily, Dean lifted his head, a ghost of a smile appearing on his face. "G-good. Hope you burned like you deserved."
That earned him a punch to his already injured chest. Compared to everything else though, it was more than tolerable.
"Ysee, Dean, I could go on and on about all the things I went through down there, but then that'd ruin the surprise."
Did this guy ever shut up?
"Nope! Gonna keep you in suspense right up until Sammy shows up, and then I'll slit your throat. You'll get a real clear picture of what Hell's like after that."
The smug grin on Raef's face started to slip away when Dean laughed. "Something funny, buddy?"
"Your big mistake from last time… Underestimating my brother? Yeah, you're doing it again." He let out another breathy laugh, ignoring the way the puff of air strained the lashes on his back, and the cuts on his chest. "Y-you think you'd've learned by now."
That got him a stomp on his broken toe, and he gave a hoarse shout.
"I have learned!" Raef punched Dean again, in the face this time. "Your brother's gonna be the one who underestimates me!" He took a breath, and collected his cool. Then he grinned. "You have no idea what I'm planning to do to him."
"You're not gonna lay a finger on him ever again, you sick, twisted, son of a bitch!" Dean shouted, tugging furiously on his bonds.
"If it makes you feel any better, you won't be alive to see it."
Dean spit his blood in Raef's face.
To his surprise (and secretly his relief) Raef just threw his- her? Oh screw it, his head back in laughter.
"Ysee, overtime, I've grown to appreciate the defiance my toys usually have. Makes it more fun to watch them break."
"Only thing that's gonna break here is your neck."
With nothing more than an off-putting smile, Raef calmly walked over to Dean, a knife in hand. In one quick swipe, Dean felt the skin of his ear slice open. He didn't even try not to scream.
"Like I said, Dean-o. It's fun to watch."
To Raef's complete and utter disbelief, Dean laughed. "Y-you're really one crazy son of a bitch, you know that."
"It's been said before." Raef deadpanned, one eyebrow up in curiosity in regards to Dean's change in attitude.
"Y-you and your damn theatrics. You think being more of an arrogant dick than the rest of 'em makes you better than them?" Dean forced out another laugh, shaking his head. "Uh-uh. Y'picked a scary meatsuit and got lucky at nabbing my brother once, and you really think that makes you special?"
Raef's fists were clenched.
"Nice thought, buddy. But Sammy's changed. This time, you're getting your ass kicked seven ways 'til Sunday. You ain't getting the drop on him again. You'll be lucky if all he does is send you back."
The whole condescending, big talk? Yeah, that was supposed to be Raef's game, and he was damn pissed as hell when Dean was trying to use it against him.
So many different ways to take this game now. Maybe cut off a finger to remind Dean who's in charge. Or call Sam and make him listen as he ripped Dean's heart out.
No, that would end the game too quickly. He wanted to see the look in Sam's eyes when he killed Dean. But still, he couldn't let Dean's isolence go unpunished.
An idea popped into Raef's head just then, one that was too good to resist. Dean was so damn sure of his little brother's strength, so Raef would have to show Dean just how wrong he was,
He'd broken Sam once before, and now he planned to do it again, only this time, he'd have an audience…
Barely an entire half an hour had passed since Raef's last call when Dean's phone began to ring. Sam had no idea whether that was a good or a bad sign.
Then again, in what world could Raef calling ever be considered a good thing?
Bracing himself for the worst, Sam answered the phone.
Before Sam could get so much as one word out, Raef started talking.
"You must not really care all that much about your brother, do you, Sammy?"
Oh, screw you. "That's bull, Raef."
"That so? Then how come it's taking you so damn long to find him, hmm?"
Clenching his fists and teeth, Sam spat, "I'm doing the best I-"
"Well your good isn't good enough." Raef interrupted. "We're tired of waiting for you, Sammy."
"Well then why don't you just cut the bull and tell me where the hell you are?!" Sam snapped, regretting it immediately, positive that his failure to keep his temper in check would be taken out on Dean.
The elongated silence rose nothing but sheer panic in Sam's gut, and then Raef finally responded, voice wrongfully calm. "Why do you think I'm calling?"
Sam nearly dropped the phone. "This-... You're joking, aren't you?"
"Not at all, buddy. I decided waiting around for you to show up could end up taking me by surprise, but if I know when you're coming, I can have everything set up just in time."
Have everything set up? Yeah, that sounded pleasant. "Why should I do anything you tell me? I know what'll happen when I show up. I get there just in time to watch you kill Dean, and then you torture me for as long as you want, or up until I'm dead, right?'
Raef laughed. "Not at all. See, I know that's what any other demon in the world would do, but as I'm so desperately trying to show big brother here, I'm not like other demons. No, you see, you show up, and then I leave big brother be."
This time, Sam did drop the phone.
Raef must have figured out what happened, because he laughed again. "Sammy? You still with us?"
Sam scrambled to pick up the phone. "Y-yeah, I'm still here."
"Good. Now, this deal sound good to you?"
A little too good, actually. "What's the catch?"
"What makes you think there is one?"
"The fact that you're a dick, and being anywhere remotely close to fair is beyond your capabilities."
"Temper, Sam." Sam heard a snap, and a muffled yell.
Muffled? Raef must have gagged Dean, no wonder he'd been so quiet. Well, up until now that is.
"Hey! Knock it off!" Sam shouted in response to hearing his brother in pain.
Sam heard a chuckle. "Sorry, couldn't resist. But, sadly, you are right. There is one, little, bitty catch."
Shocker. "What is it?'
"I want you to stay on the phone while you drive over here."
Wait, was that it? That-that couldn't be it. "O-okay…" Sam agreed shakily.
"Oh, did I forget to mention that I'll be carving up big brother while we wait for you to get here?"
Sam and the entire world went dead silent for a moment. "Wh-what?"
"You're gonna drive over here, phone somewhere where you can hear it, and you're gonna sit there and listen while I make your big brother scream until you show up. How's that for special, Dean?'
Sam heard an angry but garbled yell. He pushed out a scarily unsteady breath. "D-don't do this, Raef. You've hurt him enough already."
"The address is 478 Dolor Lane. The faster you get here, the sooner I stop hurting Dean. Hang up, and I kill him."
"Please…" Sam breathed out.
Raef offered no verbal response, Sam could only assume he was grinning.
And then Sam heard what he guessed was flesh sizzling against something hot. Going off of Raef's track record, probably a heated poker.
What made it worse was how Sam could tell Dean was trying not to scream. Even now, Dean was still trying to be strong for Sam. It was a classic Winchester trait, but Sam hated being on the other end of it.
"H-hang on, Dean. I-I'll be there soon, okay?" Sam tried so damn hard not to let his voice crack.
His efforts were rewarded with another choked off cry.
"He says to take your time."
Sam's stomach churned with revulsion and worry. Maybe he could distract Raef, talk to him, make him forget about hurting Dean. That-that was plausible, right?
"You leave him alone once I show up right? No tricks, I'm yours and Dean's free?"
The sound of a knife ripping through flesh threw Sam's theory out the window. "That's right, Sammy. All mine."
As far from heartwarming as that sounded, Sam was at least grateful that it would no longer be Dean suffering at Raef's hands because of him.
He'd gathered up all the weapons he'd need as quickly as he possibly could, and he jumped into the car, phone still blasting the sounds of Dean's misery on the passenger seat. As he drove, Sam's knuckles were white in the steering wheel.
For a while, the only sound that streamed through the car was Dean's pained cries. Sam tried to blink away the tears in his vision, barely even able to see the road.
"You still there, Sammy?'
Sam swallowed, trying to force away the lump in his throat, threatening to break his voice, so he kept his answer brief. "Yes."
"Good. I'd hate to end this now. You let me know when you're here, alright? You step a single foot in here before, and Dean's dead."
Oh, how Sam hated playing into his hands so easily, but it couldn't be helped, not with Dean's life at stake. "Y-Yes, Raef."
A few more agonisingly long minutes passed, each second marking another scream. But at last, Sam was there. Sam breached the entrance of the warehouse. "I'm here, Raef."
Dean's screams stopped. Silence. And then, "Well, my boy… Do come in."
AN: The address where Raef is keeping Dean has a meaning, who thinks they know what it means? First one to get it right gets a little shout out next chapter! Speaking of next chapter, here's your-
Sneak Peek: "'Dean was talking real big about you, know. Saying how you knew better than to just waltz right in here. Or how you were smarter than me. Or that I wouldn't get the drop on you again.'... Laying a hand on Sam's cheek, Raef smiled. 'Boy, am I excited to prove him wrong.'"
That's right, I couldn't help throwing in some hurt!Sam next chapter because it's me and I love him too much not to cause him pain. Next chapter will be the last, I promise I'm done milking this story out. Let me know what you guys think, and I will see y'all soon!