Chapter 5

Castiel searches. He knows if he finds Sam dead, Dean will never forgive himself. Castiel doesn't quite understand the letter. He assumes it has to do with the intricacies of humans that he just doesn't quite comprehend, yet.

Castiel thinks about the puzzle that is Sam Winchester. He is a mass of contradictions. Demon blood is running through his veins, but Sam always tries to do the right thing. He knows he is allowed to be weak around his brother, allowed to lean on his brother, but at the same time, he's extremely strong and brave, doing everything he can to stand on his own two feet. He's so different from Dean and not just in the physical aspect. Even so, Castiel find himself drawn to Sam in a very similar way to how he is drawn to Dean.

Castiel may not know a lot about how humans work, but he knows that it's not right to care for two brothers in the same way. Even though he feels incomplete by just being with Dean, and not with Sam as well, Castiel knows it will have to suffice.

It's time that Castiel admits it to himself though. He doesn't just fear for Sam's life because of Dean. He fears for Sam's life for himself.

Suddenly Castiel sees something in his mind, as if it's being projected there, and he thinks he knows where Sam is and who has him.

Sam is dragged with unnatural strength. Then again, Sam is dealing with demons. He knows he should be putting up at least a little bit of a fight, but he feels so weak. He knows that was Meg's plan from the beginning—weaken Sam so much that he is unable to fight—and it worked.

With heavy lidded eyes, he sees something drawn on the ground. Around the odd symbol, a symbol Sam has never seen before, there are candles and some type of plant.

Sam puts up a token resistance, but it's no good. The demons work together. His legs are spread wide. He can't tell what they're tied to; all he knows is that he can't move them. He can see his arms restrained above his head to the grey pole.

His position makes him think of Jesus Christ on a cross, but it's not exactly the same.

"Do you know what you are going to be doing for me?" Meg asks, a taunt in her voice.

Sam shakes his head. He wants to know what he's unintentionally causing.

"You will be unleashing Lucifer." She laughs.

Sam's body grows cold. I thought Lucifer was trapped in the cage forever.

"I know you thought he'd never get out," she continues and Sam wonders if he spoke his thought out loud. "I didn't believe there was any other way, either. Until I began researching, at least."

Sam wants to tell her to 'shut up.' He doesn't want to hear her gloat. He stops himself though, realizing it buys much needed time. Inwardly, Sam thinks it's useless. He doubts Dean and Castiel even realize he was kidnapped. And if they did, there isn't a big chance that he'll be found.

Sam knows his shirt's being ripped off as Meg continues to talk. "Anyway, there is a way to call Lucifer and it's a way he would despise. To call Lucifer, there needs to be a sacrifice of his true vessel. When Lucifer is able to come forth, you, my dear Moose, are dead. That's not even the best part." Her smile is wide. "Lucifer will be trapped in your body and all of his power will be in my control due to a tether that will be created at the ritual's completion. You along with Lucifer, my dear Moose, will just be my puppet. With all of his power, Crowley will be out and I will rule Hell. There will be no one to stand in my way."

Sam swallows. He knew that when Meg mentioned a ritual, it wouldn't be good, but this is way worse than what he was expecting. Even so, Sam isn't surprised. Meg is all about self-interest. The only time she does anything is when it benefits herself in some way. Even when she was helping them with Castiel, it still benefited her because she needed protection from Crowley.

If she succeeds though, the Apocalypse might not be restarted because Lucifer would be trapped within Sam's body, but Meg being in charge of Hell is probably worse than Crowley. The male demon seemed to at least fear the Winchesters; if not respect them. Meg didn't seem inclined either way. Dean wouldn't stand a chance. The first thing on Meg's to-do list would be to destroy Dean.

Sam doesn't want to even consider what the world will become if Meg takes over Hell.

Suddenly, Sam feels a piercing pain in his stomach. He tries to see what's going on, even though he should just close his eyes, grit his teeth, and bear it. Still, Sam cranes his neck.

Meg is laughing as she shows him the knife. Sam sees his own blood on it and feels dizzy. It has never been easy to gross Sam out. If one is a hunter, they can't have trouble with blood or other bodily fluids. Knowing what his blood is being used for though, puts everything in a whole new perspective.

She continues to carve into his stomach. What she's carving exactly, Sam doesn't know.

Sam turns his head away and sees the demon rearranging some of the items around him. A demon in a male body sees him looking and smirks. He comes over with a knife out and Sam closes his eyes. He feels the knife slice his neck. It's not deep enough to be fatal though.

Sam opens his eyes, trying to avoid thinking about the sticky liquid that is dripping from his neck. The demon smears Sam's blood on the symbol that Sam is in the center of.

Sam knows what's happening. When he dies, it's going to be from blood loss. He wants to disappear into his mind. He tries to think happy thoughts. He remembers Bones; he loved that dog. He remembers meeting Jess and being so blissfully ignorant of what Dean was going through.

He feels another stab, causing Sam to flinch.

Sam remembers how Dean used to read him stories every night. He remembers that no matter what Dean was doing, Sam was always invited. No matter how much time Dean spent with him, he never made Sam feel like a burden.

He remembers seeing Dean after he came back from Hell for the first time. Despite all of the secrets he had, Dean was alive. He had the most important person in his life back at his side.

Another stab and this time it's through the arm. Obviously they don't want Sam dying too soon. His vision begins to blur. He closes his eyes. Part of Sam thinks it would be nice to just let darkness claim him, but he knows he has to fight it. He needs to keep a lookout for a chance to escape, no matter how small the chance actually is.

Meg is now standing over him, smiling with that maniacal look most demons have in their eyes. She cuts her arm and Sam thinks she's going to make him drink her blood. Of course that doesn't make any sense. The last thing she wants is for him to gain any strength.

She doesn't do anything with her bloody arm right away. She seems to be waiting for something. Sam turns his head, watching as the demons continue to smear his blood on the symbol. Wonder if she's waiting for them to be done before continuing. His thoughts are fuzzy, but he's still coherent enough to be thinking of an escape route.

The demons step back from their handiwork. Her smirk scares Sam, but he's too weak to fight the impending doom. She nods at a demon before kneeling down. Some unknown demon comes and rips Sam up so he's no longer laying down. Sam was still tied down though and feels his shoulders being ripped from their sockets. Sam screams, his eyes watering.

His throat is raw before he stops the screaming. It seems Meg wants Sam to watch. She places her bloody arm on the symbol carved into Sam's stomach, she begins to chant. As the chant is going on, Sam feels and sees his blood boiling. He won't be dying from blood loss like he originally expected.

His eyes droop despite the searing pain. He sees his blood on his stomach, bubbling around Meg's arm. He wants it all to go away. Please, help me, he thinks wearily, but there really is no hope behind it.

All of the sudden, there is a large amount of noises and light. Sam tries to focus, but he can't. At least my blood stopped boiling. It's his last thought before he stops fighting the darkness.