A.N. Sorry for the slight delay, working this week has been exhausting. And then I've been unable to actually upload the next chapter but I think a few people have had problems with that.

I had a couple of problems getting this to upload without a couple of things disappearing for some reason. But it seems to be ok now, if there's anything glaringly obvious please let me know.

I hope you enjoy the new chapter and will pretty please leave a review.

Sharp of tongue and spindle limbed he is, and cunning.

Sam leant his brother against the stone arch and fumbled with the door handles, his fingers were so numb from the cold he had trouble twisting the old metal knob. He was mildly surprised when it actually opened under his grasp, but in all fairness it was very unlikely that there'd be trespassers out here. He dragged the uncooperative lump that was his brother over the threshold and shut the heavy door against the elements. It wasn't much warmer inside, in fact it was still incredibly cold, but at least they were protected from the snow that was showing no signs of letting up.

He was pretty sure Dean was in shock, his skin had taken on a sickly shade of pale, and he was trembling so badly that Sam didn't think he'd be able to stitch him up even if he had the necessary equipment. At least he was hoping it was shock, shock was easier to deal with than hypothermia. But he was pretty sure it was a little of both.

Dean was leaning against the stone wall next to the door, both hands were pressed against his stomach with a strength that Sam didn't think was possible in his current predicament, but Dean kept his hands clamped there like he was trying to hold himself together.

They might be inside but they were still so far up shit creek that even if they had a paddle it'd be useless. OK. He had to stop, had to think, he had to slow down and figure this out, Dean was depending on him.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Think. Check Dean. Check for things that might be useful. Check Dean. Save Dean. Make Dean do the laundry for a month as payback for the brand new ulcer he was currently developing. Find Light.

His eyes searched the gloom, who would put a church all the way out here anyway? Still, it looked like it had been well cared for. It probably had sentimental meaning for the nearest town. If it was still in use then maybe they'd be in luck. He fumbled along the wall by the door and his heart leapt in dim hope as he found a light switch. With bated breath he flipped the switch; relieved when faded dull light crackled on overhead at least one thing had gone their way. Thank you health and safety and electric lighting. It still wasn't perfect but it was something.

Check Dean. Sam dropped down to Dean's level. He tried not to let himself dwell on Dean's shaky breathing, and told himself that when his fingers ghosted over his brother's wrist that the weak pulse was just because his fingers were so cold that he couldn't feel it properly. He couldn't let himself freak out, if he did then Dean was as good as dead.

"Dean, let me see." He tried to prise his brothers hands away from his abdomen, but Dean held on with surprising fierceness.

"Nuh-uh Sammy."

"Come on man. I have to look, let go."

Dean shot him a withering glare, and Sam was grateful that Dean still seemed to have the frame of mind to still be a stubborn jackass. Dean grudgingly let Sam ease his shaking hands away but kept them hovering nearby so he could clamp them back down if he needed to.

Dean was a mess, the fabric that was once his shirt was now sodden with blood, way too much blood. He gently removed the makeshift bandages and tore open what remained of Dean's t-shirt. He couldn't see anything through all the blood. He swung the small backpack he'd been carrying off his shoulder and emptied it onto the stone floor. Not that there was much that could help, holy water, guns, the usual, the tiny first aid kit they kept at the bottom would have helped if they had a blister or a bite but band-aids and antiseptic cream weren't going to be much use.

He pressed a spare shirt he'd shoved in the backpack against Deans' stomach.

"Dean, I need you to keep pressure on this ok? I have to go find something to get that blood off so I can see what I'm doing ok?"

His only response was a slight nod of the head and another rasping inhalation of breath as the hands returned.

Sam wasted no time, he ran down the aisle head darting around urgently, trying to spot something that might be of any use. The place was bare; the pews stood silent and solemn and empty. It was only a small church, tiny really, but there was a door at the back, the handle turned with ease and he found himself in a small room, most likely where the Vicar's used to prepare before a service. It too was practically empty. But not quite. There was a water dispenser, an actual water dispenser, full of wonderful pure water. And YES! A first aid kit. Sam gave a quick prayer of thanks to the practical nature of whoever had left these wonderful things for him to find.

He wrenched the water container from its base and instantly dropped it, precious water sloshed out onto the floor. Sam cursed and righted it, thankful that not too much had been spilled. He dragged it through the door to where Dean was waiting.

Thankfully his brother was still conscious; Sam supposed he had shock to thank for that. Dean's movements were slow and sluggish and didn't respond or give any indication that he was listening to what Sam was telling him. Sam set about cleaning the blood away from Dean's stomach, the bleeding had slowed, Sam tried not to think that it was because Dean's heart wasn't beating as strongly.

When he got most of the excess blood cleaned up, he could see the wounds on his brother's abdomen more clearly. They weren't as bad as they could have been, but they still weren't good. And no way in Hell did he have the resources to patch him up here, he needed a hospital. He couldn't tell how deep the cuts were without digging around inside his brother and there was no way he was about to do that. But they didn't look too deep or too wide; the main problem was the long, dirty gashes. He fumbled through the first aid kit he'd found, hoping against hope for a needle, thread, anything to stitch up the wounds. But the best he came up with was a roll of bandage, a slightly pathetic roll at that, not the heavy duty stuff they desperately needed.

Throughout all Sam's ministrations, Dean had remained quiet. The only signs he was still alive was his shaking and horrible wet rasping breaths drawn from struggling lungs. The way Dean seemed to be staring into the distance was weirding Sam out no end, he actually had to glace over his shoulder a couple of times to make sure that there was nothing sneaking up behind him.

"Dean?"

Dull green eyes moved slowly to meet Sam's. Dean's way of saying I'm listening and you'd better have figured out one hell of a plan geek boy.

"Dean I need to get you sat up a bit ok?" Sam didn't wait for an answer, just gently helped Dean slide up into more of a sitting position so he could start wrapping the bandages around his midsection. Sam bit back a groan when the cuts started to bleed again at the movement, but Dean didn't need anything else to worry about. After what seemed like forever, he managed to get Dean's stomach bandaged to his satisfaction, well as satisfied as he could be in this situation.

Dean's shoulder didn't seem too bad, but he did his best to stem the blood flow with the rest of the bandages and set about gently wriggling Dean into the last of the spare t-shirts and covering him in all the clothing he had available. Then finally he sank back against the wall next to his brother to think.

"Cold Sammy."

"I know Dean." Sam scooted closer to his brother and stretched an arm around his shoulders, hoping that body heat would help a little. He himself was down to only a thin t-shirt and was shivering like crazy, his fingers so numb he couldn't feel anything. But Dean had lost too much blood, Dean had been lying in the snow, Dean probably had hypothermia on top of everything else, Dean was going to die if they didn't get help soon.

"Any...b-bright ideas... college boy?"

"I'll figure something out Dean it'll be fine."

"Oh good... was worried t-t-there for...s-s-second." Dean gave what started as a weak chuckle and worked its way up to a racking cough. Sam kept a tight hold on Dean as he bent double, one hand across his middle, wincing at each cough and praying that he didn't do any more damage to his injuries.

The coughing fit eventually subsided and Dean leaned back heavily against his brother, both relishing the slight warmth and comfort.

"The way I figure it, we have two options." Sam started "One, you stay here while I go for help."

"Two?"

"Two, we both go, I'll help you walk, and we get help."

"...Don't...like either... of those 'dea's m-much."

"Me either Dean but I don't have a third."

Sam couldn't tell if Dean was fully registering what he was saying, his eyes kept drifting off to the head of the church. Sam was pretty sure that he was going to have to make this decision himself and he really didn't want to, he was terrified that he'd make the worst decision.

"Sam?" Dean dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

"Yeah?"

"He's kinda creeping me out."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Dude sat over there; get him to freaking move or something...s'w-weird."

Sam's heart leapt in his chest in panic as he followed Dean's gaze to the front of the church. There was no one there. They were alone.

"There's no one there man, the place is empty."

A scowl worked its way onto Dean's face, one that said Don't treat me like I'm stupid Sam, I'm older and it's not cool to screw with your big brother when he knows best and is pretty much dying here.

"G-g-get him to help S-s-s-sam."

Sam glanced around again worriedly; it was deserted, and so small that he'd know if there was anyone here, unless they were hiding in one of the pews or something. He turned Dean's head towards him and scrutinised his eyes, they were full of pain, fear, annoyance, and fatigue but they still had that cocky stubbornness to them. Was there someone there that he'd missed?

"Gerrof me." Dean let his head loll back to the front, his gaze settled on the same spot once again.

Sam lowered his voice "Tell me what you see Dean."

"N-n-not crazy."

"I know just humour me ok?"

Dean let out an annoyed sigh "S-s-s-second pew from front, dude with h-h-his h-h-head down. Not m-movin'. S'creepy."

Xxx

While Sam had been running around doing whatever a freaked out little brother does. Dean had been leaning up against the wall by the door, trying to urge his blood to stop departing his body. He liked his blood where it was, safely tucked up nice and cosy inside him and it damn well better stay there. He was tired, he was cold, he felt out of it, like the world was moving at different speeds, slowly, then too fast, then it was more a case of blink and you miss it. Things seemed to be happening in flashes and he couldn't remember what came in-between. One minute he was out in the snow, the next he was inside as someone somewhere turned the lights on. Then Sam was there, trying to make him let go, then Sam was gone but he wasn't worried because Sam had said something to him but he couldn't remember what.

He'd first noticed the man when he'd let his eyes drift shut, just for a minute, just while Sam was gone. He'd thought he could hear a noise from far away, a noise that didn't seem to belong and when he'd dragged his eyes open again, he was there. Sitting at the head of the church, head bowed as if in prayer, silent. He'd figured it was the Vicar or caretaker or something, someone Sam had found, who was now praying for his salvation. And then time had done another of its weird little flashes and Sam had been pouring water on him which he half expected to turn to ice when it hit his flesh, because he was sure he'd never been this cold before.

He'd not given the man much thought, it was only when Sam stopped fussing and started suggesting ways to get out of this epic mess they'd stepped in that it began to creep him out a bit. Normal people offered to help a potentially mortally wounded man, not just sit there ignoring him.

But now Sam was saying that he couldn't see him, maybe Sam was in shock or something.

"There's no one here but us" Sam was saying for what felt like the hundredth time. "Dean we can't just keep waiting here you need help. I'm going to go and I'll be back as soon as I can, just promise me you'll stay awake." Sam moved to stand up.

"NO!" Dean's hand shot out and grabbed onto Sam's arm with a strength he didn't know he possessed. "Sam, don't leave me here alone."

He could still see the man out of the corner of his eye; still see Sam, looking at him with that worried expression on his face. Something was wrong, very wrong; if his brain would just quit being so fuzzy then maybe he could figure out what it was.

Maybe it was the intensity in his eyes, or maybe Sam was just humouring him, but Sam eventually stopped chewing on his lip.

"I'm going to go check the place out ok? Just make sure it's safe?" He gently eased Dean's death grip off his arm and stood up. Dean watched as he made his way down the small church, scrutinising each pew as he went.

Dean's heart seemed to freeze as Sam approached the pew where the silent man was sitting; he'd still not moved which was the creepiest thing about him. Sam stopped, wandered down so he was right next to the stranger, shrugged and continued his search. How could he not see him, he was an inch away. As Sam disappeared into the room at the other end of the church, the man rose.

Dean shouldn't be scared. His heart shouldn't be hammering this wildly in his chest. He hunted ghosts for a living for crying out loud, it shouldn't bother him that the man was walking, no wait, make that floating, out of his pew and turning towards him, head still tucked down to his chin, hands now hanging at his sides. An inhuman laugh seemed to float from nowhere, disembodied, close but so far away at the same time. The man was moving slowly, suspended in air, the toes of his smart black shoes scraping gently on the floor as he glided towards Dean. He was moving so agonisingly slowly that Dean half wanted to shout at him to hurry the hell up, but he didn't think he could even if he wanted to, his voice seemed to have run off with half of his blood.

He was still about ten feet away when he started to lift his head, as slowly as the rest of him. The dark black hair made way for a forehead, and then without warning his head shot up and suddenly he was right in front of him. Dean forgot how to breathe. The man raised a finger to his lips and let out a soft Shhh and then raised a hand slowly to hover just above Dean's face and Dean remembered how to breathe and then he remembered how to scream.

"SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!"

Xxx

The second Sam burst back through the door, the man vanished. Leaving Dean looking around wildly as Sam slid to his knees at his side.

"What? What is it?"

"He was here! You walked right past him! Sam, something's wrong we have to get out of here."

Sam looked worriedly at Dean, he seemed more coherent, more alert, but he could be hallucinating, his body running on reserves. Still, they needed to get help fast, and if Dean was losing it then he might not be able to hold on until Sam got back.

"Ok, we'll go, if you're sure you can make it?"

"I'm sure as hell not staying here alone. Help me up."

Sam did his best to pull his brother to his feet without aggravating his injuries. As soon as they were both upright, the door handle started to rattle violently as if someone was trying to get in from outside.

The brother's glanced at each other.

"This is consecrated ground right?" Dean whispered.

"Yeah, something's wrong."

"Told you." Grumbled Dean

As soon as it had started, the rattling stopped and an eerie silence fell. A loud bang that sounded like a door slamming came from behind them. They whirled around, Dean gasping as fresh pain tore across his stomach at the sudden movement. The Church stood silent and still, Sam was starting to wonder if it was just exhaustion and stress catching up with them when he felt Dean stiffen next to him.

"He's back."

Sam still couldn't see anyone but he was willing to take this one on faith alone.

"Where?"

"Same place. He's still sitting there."

Sam turned slowly while Dean stared straight ahead, he wasn't sure why they were being so quiet, whatever it was already knew they were here. Gingerly he reached out and turned the handle. The door didn't budge; he turned around fully and jiggled it furiously, still nothing. He was heaving his whole weight against the door when Dean spoke.

"Uh, Sammy. Time to go."

"I'm trying Dean; I think we're on lockdown."

"Well figure something out fast 'cause he's coming."

Sam spun round, there was still nothing there, but Dean was shuffling backwards, pressing himself as far against the wall as he could. Sam stood in front of him, not sure how he could fight something he couldn't see but totally at a loss of what else to do.

"What's he doing now?"

"Can't see Sasquatch."

Sam ducked down so that Dean could peer over his shoulder.

"Gone."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, for now. We're in trouble here Sam."

Sam had to fight the urge to scoff at that, You don't say Dean? To be honest I'm surprised you're still alive never mind the fact that we've managed to get ourselves trapped here. He had to think, had to get them out of here, because Dean must be running on Hunter's adrenaline alone. Why couldn't he make his brain work, he was smart, he was going to be a lawyer and he couldn't think of a way to get them out of an old church?

"I'll distract him."

Great now his barely conscious brother was coming up with plans before him, brilliant. Wait, what?

"What? What do you mean distract him?"

"I don't think he's interested in you, so I'll keep his focus on me, you find a way out."

"Great plan Dean and what happens when I get out and can't get back in and you're stuck here with him? Huh?"

"Hey I just thought up the first part of the plan, it's your turn."

"No way, it's crazy; I'm not leaving you alone."

"Do you have a better suggestion?"

Sam gave an exasperated sigh "Not yet, but I'm thinking. Besides, we don't know that there's nothing else out there, I could jimmy open the frying pan window and land straight in the fire."

"I'm still not hearing a plan."

"Well what are we dealing with here? Reaper? Ghost?"

"Reaper? Good to know you have such faith in my ability to survive."

"This isn't the time for jokes Dean!"

"It's not a reaper, there's too much... I don't know... feeling?"

"Feeling?"

"You know what I mean. It's like it used to be human or something, I'm thinking ghost, scary ass ghost."

"But it's consecrated ground; can a ghost haunt consecrated ground?"

"What are you talking about? Of course they can, there are haunted graveyards all over the world."

"Great, so it's a ghost, what now? We don't exactly have research materials here."

"There's something about the way he keeps sitting there that's creeping me out. Like he's praying or something."

"Praying for wh..."

Sam trailed off as they heard a small soft scratching from the door, as though someone were dragging their fingernails very slowly down the length of the door, far too high for a person to reach. They turned slowly towards the source of the noise and followed the sound as it travelled down to the handle and then watched as the door knob began to twist as though someone were slowly opening it. Sam grabbed hold of it on instinct, keeping a tight hold, stopping it turning. As soon as he did, there came a soft knock on the wood, three slow knocks from someone or something entreating entrance. Then came three more, slightly louder than before, more insistent. Then another three, even louder. The knocks kept coming in threes, kept growing in volume, until the entire door frame shook with the force.

Dean was leaning heavily against the wall next to the door.

"He's back. I'm scared Sam."

Sam kept himself braced against the door, but his eyes shot up to look at Dean. Dean shouldn't be scared like this. Ok, it was a bad situation, but they'd dealt with worse. There was something different here though, something Sam couldn't put his finger on.

"He's standing up again Sam, I'm scared." Dean's voice had taken on a childish fear, he was weak, he was injured, he was out of his mind with pain and fear, he was vulnerable and he needed Sam to fix it.

Sam had to think, why couldn't he think? He closed his eyes and took a slow deep breath and then he could practically see the light bulb flick on above his head. Maybe Dean was the clue?

"Why are you scared Dean?"

"'Cause he's coming for me?"

"Think Dean, why is he coming for you?"

"'M Dyin'. Sammy he's coming."

The door trembled under Sam's grip as whatever was outside tried to get in. Wait. There's something trying to get in. Something else.

"Dean! Think, what is it that you're scared of?"

"He wants me. I'm dyin' and he's come to take me."

"What's he doing? What's he doing right now?"

"He's coming."

Sam groaned in frustration, Dean seemed to be getting more out of it, too focused on his fear.

"Ok, what did he do before, when he came at you before?" Sam waited for a response "DEAN!"

Dean seemed to startle from his trance, he looked worriedly at Sam.

"It's important Dean, tell me what he did before, when I wasn't here."

"He came for me. He uh... shushed me. And then he put his hand over my head, like he was going to take me. Sammy he's still coming, he's getting closer."

"What if he's not coming to get you Dean, what if it's something else? What do you remember? What happened before you saw him the first time?"

"I... uh... I had my eyes closed... There was a noise... and he was there..."

"What kind of noise, come on Dean!"

"I don't know... it didn't belong... it was wrong... something was wrong..."

"And then he came and it stopped? Is that right?" Sam was getting impatient "Dean is that right?"

"I... I don't know... maybe... I can't... think... I... Sam he's nearly here!"

"Listen to me Dean! I don't think he's coming for you! I think he's protecting you!"

Sam was sweating with the effort of keeping the door in place; something instinctual told him that whatever was outside couldn't be allowed to get in.

"But I'm scared Sam, if he's protecting me then why am I so scared."

"Because you're scared of what's on the other side of the door. I know you're confused but you have to trust me." Sam just hoped that he was right on this one. "When he gets to you, don't send him away."

"Are you crazy?"

"Please Dean, I can't hold on much longer!"

"I can't!"

"Yes you can! You have to!"

"What if you're wrong?"

"I'm not." Please don't let me be wrong.

Their eyes met, and Dean gave a brief nod. It chilled Sam to the core at how deathly pale his brother was and how he seemed to have such faith that Sam would do the right thing.

Sam could do nothing but watch, helpless, whatever Dean was facing he had to face it alone. It scared him to see his brave big brother so frightened, he used to think that Dean was invincible, strong, could protect him from anything. But in recent years he'd realised that under the charming mask was a very broken man, but despite this Dean never let Sam get too close, always maintained the appearance of the strong older brother, and Sam was kind of ok with that, which was why Dean's current behaviour bothered him so much. No matter what, he knew they were screwed.

As he watched, Dean seemed to shrink into himself against the stone wall, but Sam could see his resolve holding as he forced himself to look straight at the invisible being advancing towards him. Dean's breath seemed to catch in his throat, from the way he was looking Sam guessed that it was right in front of him now.

It all happened so quickly. So quickly that Sam would later think that it just wasn't fair, they hadn't really been given a chance.

Sam was so lost in his intense study of Dean that it took him a moment to realise that the door had stopped shaking. Unfortunately, the extra moment it took to register was the moment when an incredible boom resounded from the door, followed by an intense shockwave that threw him from the door. He lost his tenuous grip on the handle and found himself skidding down the aisle on his back. He'd been thrown far, too far, too far away from Dean.

"NO!" He heard his brother yell and to his dismay realised that Dean had lost his concentration when Sam had been tossed away from him and had sent his protector away again, leaving himself open to further harm.

Sam pushed himself up, stumbling over his feet in his haste. He wasn't far from his brother, not really, but everything was happening so fast that there was no way he could reach him in time. But that didn't stop him from trying.

He was almost there, just a few more steps and he could do something, could stop this. But it was too late. The thick wooden doors burst open and Sam only had time to yell a desperate "DEAN!" before he was overcome with a vicious flurry of snow, blinding him. The howling wind deafening him. Beating him back. Freezing snow choking him, cutting off his frenzied shouts.

It was over as quickly as it had started. The door slammed shut, the wind and snow dropped; the silence was almost as deafening as the wind had been. He frantically swiped the water from his eyes and looked around him. Everything looked the same, a few puddles the only indication that anything had happened. Sam's heart clenched as he realised that he was alone inside the old church. Dean was gone.

Thanks for reading, I should have the next chapter up next week sometime. Also does anyone think that I should change the summery, I'm not very good at them. Thanks.