Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Place.
Summary. . . . . . . After John refuses to take a hunt he has been asked him to do, a fellow hunter takes drastic measures to ensure his participation.
Disclaimer. . . . . Don't own, so don't sue!
A.N. . . . . . . . I have to apologise to everyone for the late posting of this chapter and for the lack of review replies, I have somehow managed to damage my laptop, AGAIN! With a virus which is being a bugger to get rid of. I do appreciate each and every review and I hope that after this weekend when I reformat my laptop again I will be able to start replying. That being said I hope you all enjoy chapter 2, catch you later, Peanut x
Dean awoke again as the surface beneath the Impala's tyres became even more uneven, the bumps and potholes leading up to Jim's place causing the car to lurch and jerk, rousing the youngster who had fallen asleep with his head resting on the window. As soon as John had pulled the big car to a stop, Dean had been pushing the heavy door open and racing towards the house, barreling past the Pastor who had come to stand on the porch as soon as he had heard the growl of the all too familiar engine, without saying a word and headed for the sanctuary of the room Jim always kept ready and prepared for them.
Jim followed Dean with his eyes, questions forming but remaining unasked, before turning back towards the Impala, as he heard the creaking groan of another door opening, just in time to see a weary John Winchester climb out. One look at his face was all Jim need to know that something was seriously wrong, stepping off the porch steps he walked quickly over to where the other hunter stood leaning against the car, stretching out his arm in greeting as they met. As he shook John's hand he noticed the tired and resigned look that seemed to have aged the younger man since they had last got together, worry worming it's way inside him all the more he finally spoke up.
"John, it's good to see you again, although I am surprised that you didn't let me know you were in the area." When all he got in reply was a weary sigh, Jim added. "How are you? What's wrong with Dean?" As he still waited for an answer he looked around waiting to be pounced on and attacked by the five year old bundle of energy that was Sam. When the pounce never occurred Jim's worry escalated, looking back at John he anxiously asked. "Where's Sam?" At still receiving no answer he asked again, a little more forcefully. "John, where is Sammy?"
"I don't know." John finally replied.
"What do you mean you don't know? Where's Sam? What's happened?"
"Evan took him."
"What? Why?"
"Because I refused a hunt."
"And?" Jim asked dumbfounded.
"And what?"
"You've refused hunts before John, why take Sam because you did so this time?"
"I don't know Jim! You know what Evan's like. I swore I would never work with him after last time, but he wouldn't let this one go. You've heard the rumors, you know what he has done in the past to people who have refused to do his bidding."
"But why now? Why this hunt?" Seeing John quickly look away, Jim asked again his anger coming across in his tone. "Why now John? Why this hunt? What are you hiding from me? What was the hunt for? Answer me damn it!"
"He needs my expertise, or so he says. It's a hunt for psychics. Psychics connected somehow to the thing that took Mary."
"You're still hiding something from me John, if that was all there was to this you would have never refused the hunt. I can't help you if you shut me out! What else?"
John took a deep breath before answering. "Psychic kids, Jim. Human psychic kids."
Jim's face paled significantly, he managed to swallow down the bile that had risen in his throat at the thought of hunting children. A look of fear crossed his features as a thought occurred in his mind. He looked at John with a sense of dread as he asked. "Do you think he knows about Sammy?" John had told Jim long ago about his suspicions about his youngest child, about the terrifying night terrors that ravaged and plagued him, and about how on occasion those terrors had come true. Jim had, at first, been wary of John's suspicions until he had seen first hand Sam's nightmares manifest into reality.
He had been looking after both boys for John whilst he and Caleb had been chasing a pack of black dogs a few states over. Things had gone smoothly during the morning with them all enjoying playing games in the last of the summer sun. As the heat of the afternoon rose, Jim had put Sam down for his nap, allowing Dean to go down to the creek that bordered the churches grounds to fish with a local boy he had befriended and the boys father. He was just preparing a snack for them all when Sam started moaning in the other room. Setting down the utensils he had been using, Jim walked into living room to see Sam dreaming and in obvious pain, tossing and turning on the couch. As he rushed to the boys side, Jim's fears rose as Sam suddenly let loose the most bone chilling scream he had ever heard, shooting up from under the cover Jim had placed on him, tears streaming down his face, his eyes wide and unseeing.
"Deanie! Deanie!"
Placing his hands on the shaking boys shoulders, Jim gently tried to get Sam to awaken, to focus, bewildered when the youngster continued to stare blankly into space. Panic started to build within the Pastor as he witnessed the raw fear on Sam's face. He debated whether or not to call John, even going so far as to reach for the phone, when Sam suddenly snapped out of his trance like state and launched himself into Jim's startled arms, and Jim could do nothing more than try and comfort the inconsolable child. No matter what he asked, Sam would say no more than "Deanie, hurt, head." Just as Jim was about to scoop the youngster up and go looking for Dean, in an attempt to reassure Sam that his brother was okay, the back door to the parsonage banged open and Jim could only watch as an unconscious Dean was carried inside. Jim had never forgotten that day or the numerous times since that Sam had dreamed of events before they happened.
Jim came back to the present as John finally answered the question, fear and doubt making his usually commanding voice appear timid and unsure. "I don't know, Jim. I don't think he does."
Further response was cut off as the shrill ringing of the phone could be heard coming from inside.
A.N. . . . . . . Hope it was okay? I know there wasn't much action, that will come next chapter. Thanks as always for reading, Peanut x
