"Sam, we don't have time for you to fall apart right now…"

"I'm not falling apart!" Sam turned furious, but still tear-filled eyes on Bobby, who carried on as if he hadn't spoken at all. Sam would never know the pain it caused Bobby to do that.

"Look, I don't know how much longer Dean has. Tell me exactly what you did today. Were you on a hunt?"

For a brief moment it seemed, from the mutinous look he got from Sam, that he wasn't going to answer. But eventually Sam knuckled his eyes dry and began to recount the day's events.

"Uh, yeah. Well, not a hunt. It was an exorcism to get rid of a poltergeist. Nothing unusual. It went fine and the guy who owned the store was really pleased."

"What sort of store was it?"

"What difference does that make?"

One look at Bobby's face and Sam decided to just answer the question.

"It was a general hardware store – the guy said we could take anything we wanted as a thank you. I think he was a bit surprised when we chose a pick axe and a spade.."

"How did this guy know about you boys?"

"Oh, uh, well do you remember the time we had to exorcise the plane?"

"I recall."

"Yeah, well the guy who called us for that job, Jerry Panowski, is a customer at this guy's store. Seems he was actually in there when the poltergeist starting throwing things about. So he gave the guy Dean's number – his name's Grant Redwood."

"And there was nothing at all unusual about him?"

"Who Grant? No. He was just your average guy running a hardware store."

Bobby ran a calloused thumb over his grizzled beard.

"It just doesn't make any sense. Something out of the ordinary must have happened for Dean to suddenly start manifesting like this."

"A trigger of some sort?"

"Yeah, or maybe a curse or somethin'. Sam, how long was the job? Did you do anything else; go anywhere?"

"Uh, well it took a couple of hours to get there, then we were at the store for about 4 hours I guess. That took us to around 3.30. We got something to eat before we left, then it was another 2 hours or so before we got back here."

"And you called me at around 7, so it happened around an hour after you got back right?"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Did you guys go out at all? Go for a beer or somethin'?"

"No. We came straight back here. Dean wanted to get a shower and …" Sam paused, mid-sentence.

"And what Sam?"

"We kinda had a fight."

"What about?"

"About the stupid shower. Honestly Bobby, it was nothing – we fight about it all the time.."

"Tell me exactly what happened Sam"

"But what does it matter, it was nothing…"

"Sam! Just humour me, okay?"

"Alright. Well he said he was getting in the shower first and I said "why do you always get to go first?" and he said "cos I'm the oldest".

"Christ! Could you two BE any more juvenile?"

"Look, do you wanna hear about it or not?"

"Sorry, you're right. Go on Sam." Bobby tried to put on a conciliatory face, but it was a complete failure. All Sam saw was a rather odd grimace. With a puzzled shrug, he continued.

"Anyway, there isn't much more to tell. I pointed out I was the one with fertiliser in my hair and that it was only fair I should go first."

Movement from the bed instantly grabbed their attention. As they watched, Dean clutched more tightly onto the creature and it emitted a quiet whimper.

"He's listening to us."

"Sam, they're listening to us."

Bobby could see panic building in Sam. He had to get his focus back.

"How did you get fertiliser in your hair?"

Sam dragged his gaze from his brother back to Bobby.

"The poltergeist didn't take too kindly to me exorcising it. Started throwing stuff around."

"Did it get Dean?"

"No, I don't think so…"

"Could you see him the whole time?"

"Yeah… no wait, there was one time but it was just a second." Bobby nodded.

"It was right near the end. I looked down to check I'd got the wording right and when I looked up again Dean was on the floor. But he got right up Bobby, it wasn't a problem."

Bobby sighed. It wasn't much to work with. These boys were hit and thrown around all the time. Inwardly cursing his stiff joints, he got up from the chair and went over to Dean's bedside. Kneeling on the floor he started to check Dean over for any physical injuries. He didn't get far. There was a lump at the back of Dean's head and as he touched it Dean arched up off the bed. Bobby had to lunge across the bed to stop the creature from falling off the side as Dean released his grip on it – apparently in agony.

Bobby managed to get a hand to it but it squirmed around violently.

"Sam! I could use some help here!"

Sam watched the events unfold and though he knew he should be there helping, he couldn't bring himself to go anywhere near that thing. He definitely couldn't touch it.

"Sam, get your ass over here right now!"

"I can't!"

"Sam, what the hell is wrong with you?"

Sam was rooted to the spot. He wanted nothing more than to go and help his brother and Bobby, but that thing seemed to have some hold over him and he didn't think he could move a step towards it. He was utterly terrified of it.

Dean had gone back into an agitated dreaming unconsciousness. His eyes moved rapidly in every direction beneath his eyelids. Bobby had no choice but to let go of the creature, which immediately rolled off the side of the bed. It screamed as it landed on the floor and all Sam could do was clamp his hands over his ears. His whole body shook violently and he felt like he was going to pass out.

"Sam?"