Sorry - but here's the next chapter.

The OneThat Got Away

By Nomi

CHAPTER EIGHT

To the Battlefields

"I lost him."

Chief Ezra Collig cursed the moment he heard those three words from Officer Con Riley. But he and Fenton went back a long way; that was why he and Con were cruising the roads of Bayport for the last half hour, in vain hope of finding where that investigator had gone.

Riiinnnggg….

Con Riley, the caller ID told him.

Come on Con, have some good news for me, Ezra thought tiredly as he picked up the call.

"Chief, I just got a call from Mr. Hooper. Said his son and car was missing," Con said.

"WHAT?!" Ezra rasped out, shocked. Was the killer going after kids now?

"No… no…" Con's apologetic voice came over the cell when he realized what his chief might have misconstrued his statement as. "Fenton dropped by about half an hour ago to ask him about his holiday cabin in Southhaven Forest – about an hour's drive away. Mr. Hooper thought that Biff might have overheard the conversation…"

"And that boy's gone after the killer," Ezra surmised. He could feel a headache coming on already.

"Chief…?" Con started a little hesitantly.

"Yes?" He noted Con's tone, and started to get a really bad feeling in his guts.

"Mr. Hooper said that he's going to head down to the cabin, and I'm offering him a ride…"

"Con…" Ezra started in a warning tone.

"Sorry Chief, but Hooper said either he comes along, or he goes alone. And he said the cabin's located some distance away from the roads. I rather have him lead the way than fumbling my way through the beaten track in the middle of the night," Con stated.

Collig let out another string of curses after Con pass him the address and hung up. For a moment, he paused to consider his next move. All his men were currently patrolling the streets in case the killer decided to strike again. He could not afford to pull them off given the fact he had no material evidence that Fenton or that killer would be at the Hooper's cabin. Somehow, the season cop had a feeling that Fenton's onto something, and there'd be hell happening soon in that forest. He took out his cell phone and woke a number of his trusted men from bed, and requested them to meet him on Montauk Highway just off Brookhaven, fully armed, as soon as possible. From there, they'll head into Southhaven Forest together. In the meantime, Collig could only hope that the two distraught husbands and fathers would not do anything stupid.

---supernatural---

"Azazel?!" Sam and Dean both rasped out the name in shock when they saw those eerie yellow eyes.

The demon did not acknowledge that name, but simply charged towards Laura.

None of the four brothers hesitated. They fired their strange assortments of shotguns. The demon reacted swiftly. It leapt aside and missed all the 'holy bolts' headed its way, but one. Frank had anticipated the move and aimed for the expected movement of the demon rather than where the demon was. The demon howled in pain and rage as steam sizzled from its thigh. A psychic blast from the demon sent Frank crashing into a shelf. But Dean's next shot hit the demon's shoulders and deflected its attention away from Frank. Meanwhile, the other three finished their shots and retreated into the bedroom as planned. Seconds later, Dean and Frank followed the demon close behind.

"Not that same old under the carpet trick, Deanie. This is getting all too repetitive…" the demon drawled in a bored voice, halting at the door.

A sweep of its arm and the carpet was flung aside. The floor was clear. The demon looked up at the ceiling, it was also clear. It frowned and paused at the door, a suspicious expression on its face. Then the face brightened and the demon chuckled. Another sweep of its arm brought the carpet back onto the floor, but on its reverse side.

"Tsk… tsk… I could have been fooled…"

Dean gave a quick jerk on an almost invisible string which he and Frank had carefully set up. A heavy wooden ram-like object swung down from the living room's ceiling towards the demon, knocking the demon off balance onto carpet and right into the Devil's Trap.

Except the trap within a trap failed…

The demon, in its desperation, managed to twist around and hang on to that object, swinging clear of the double trap. His anger was expected, and the retribution was swift. All four brothers soon found themselves stuck to the various walls again, leaving a terrified Laura alone in the corner of the room.

"Oh, mommy… you've led me on a merry dance," the demon said most conversationally. "But the music's ended and its time to go…"

Angry shouting from the four males on the wall drew his attention away from the woman for a moment. The demon rolled his eyes and tightened his mental grip on their throats, strangling them to silence.

"Be patient, Deanie, and little Frankie too. I'll see that the two of you join mommy later. And please don't worry about Sammy and Joey. I promise to take very good care of them." It reached down for Laura's throat as the brothers watched on in horror.

A sudden flare of red flashed, bathing the entire room in an orangey light for the merest fraction of a second. An inhuman scream exploded from the demon's throat as it was flung backwards, out of the bedroom door, crashing into the dining table back in the living room.

The spell broke, and the four brothers landed unceremoniously on their bums on the floor, desperately gasping for air.

"Move!" Dean rasped out as he pushed Sam and Laura towards the nearest window.

They started tugging desperately at the boards they hammered in place just an hour before.

The Hardy brothers pitched in to help; the Winchesters had explained that there were only two ways to get rid of that demon. First was to try to exorcise it and sent it back to hell temporarily after entrapping it within a Devils Trap. That failed. The second was to kill it with the Colt, which they no longer had. Those shotguns and the 'holy bolts' were clearly only a delaying tactic. The only other option opened to them now was to run.

The boards came off, and while the Hardy brothers were helping their mother out of the window, Dean grabbed the nearest two shotguns and a bag of bullets. They would need them. Then together, all five of them ran into the woods, closing their ears to the demonic howls of fury dogging their footsteps.

---supernatural---

One moment it was savoring its success in cornering and killing its target at last, and the next moment, it was flung backwards by an unknown force, out of the bedroom and back into the living room. Next it knew, hell fires raced through its body, eliciting a scream of agony.

Then, images started to flow again, flashing by at such speed that everything was a blur. It had no idea how long it was there on the floor curled up in agony like a fetus. But when it was all over, it knew more about its own past. Its name was Azazel. He was one of the most powerful and feared demon in existence. He had a plan to shake the balance of power in two realms. But what happened? What exactly was the plan? And why was he here?

He was trying to kill a woman. Why her? He asked. Joey's no longer an infant. Ah, yes, he missed the deadline. He failed to kill her sixteen years ago. What happened?

Azazel racked his brains, but could not remember no matter how hard he tried. He howled his fury at his lost memories. Then… he might not be able to remember the past, but he could certainly recall in detail what just happened. He failed to kill that woman again… because something was protecting her. What? He closed his eyes and recalled those scenes as precisely as he could. Her neck… she was wearing something around her neck…

But what could that object be that afford her that level of protection? He remembered that red flash of light and chuckled. He had a good idea what that object might be now. That meant that her death was averted – paid for by someone else. And that also meant that that object was now of utmost importance to him. He must have it back at all cost.

Another important question; how did she get her hands on that object? Those were questions he needed answered, or that little unknown might come back to plaque him later. But, that could wait. He had more important things to do right now, like getting his hands on that object. The only problem was that she had to give it to him willingly. It was then he remembered Frankie…

He grabbed a knife from the kitchen and started his hunt.

---supernatural---

They were running deeper into the forest. They felt they had been running a long time. But only five minutes passed them by. Suddenly, the woman tripped, dragging down the blond headed youth with her.

"Come on, mom, you can do it!" Joe managed to force the words out in between his breaths.

Joe tugged at his mom's right arm, willing her to get up and continue their flight. Sam saw what happened and turned back, his arm reaching for Laura's other arm. He was surprised when she wrenched her arm away from him instead.

Laura took a long hard look at her sons. "Go, all of you."

"Mom?" She could hear the shock in her sons' voices.

Laura turned to the Winchester brothers. "Take care of them for me."

"No!" All four brothers protested.

"Don't be silly. It's me the demon wants." Laura told them calmly. "Leave me here, and all of you can get away."

"You cannot die, Ma'am," Sam insisted. "I have visions. I saw terrible things happening in the future if you die tonight. Believe me… all of us here are expendable tonight except for you."

"Look… We know it tried to kill me sixteen years ago, but it was unsuccessful. It tried to kill me again tonight..." Laura's voice faded off.

Suddenly it occurred to Frank both times they got away because the demon touched his mom's neck. "Mom, could it be that pendant you wore around your neck? The one you never took off?"

Laura's hand went to her neck and pulled out the circular pendant dangling at the end of a short chain. It was silver in color, and intricately carved with strange symbols on it.

"Do these symbols make any sense to either one of you?" Joe asked the Winchesters.

Before Sam or Dean could take a look, maniacal laughter cut through the night air. Frank and Dean swiveled around, their shotguns in their arms, ready to shoot on sight. They saw nothing but trees and shadows. A second later, a series of fireballs lit up the dark night, lighting up and burning every tree they touched. As the various trees around them started exploding into fire, and the brothers and Laura knew they were trapped.

The demon appeared out of the darkness, and in a swift move knocked the shotgun out of Dean's hand before lifting him up and throwing him forcefully away. Dean landed at the foot of an old tree with burning branches his head banged hard against one of the many protruding thick roots and was knocked unconscious.

Azazel then reached out with his mind and telekinetically held both Sam and Joe captive against the one tree he spared from his fiery attack. Then he turned his full attention on Frank – the leverage he needed. He laughed and nimbly dodged the shot that Frank fired at him. Soon, he stood before the lad. He easily caught the punch Frank threw at him with his demon enhanced speed. A powerful backhand send the elder Hardy flying towards the ground, hitting it with such force, it left him dazed.

Biff Hooper knew that something was very wrong when he saw the trees before him suddenly bursting into flames. He almost turned back, knowing that it would be foolish to walk into a forest fire. Then he heard a scream and knew that was Laura. He ran towards the sound, just in time to see Martin Greenwood towering over Frank. Martin?! Then he saw that Martin was about to deliver a vicious kick into Frank's stomach. Biff did not hesitate – he swiftly crossed the distance and jumped onto Martin's back, using his body weight and momentum to shove Martin away from Frank. He was stunned when Martin budged not at all, and next he knew, he crashed landed on his head on the hard ground, and blacked out.

Azazel smiled and reached down for Frank who was still struggling to regain his senses. He held up the young lad up by this throat with one hand, and made his way through the thickening smoke to where Laura was.

"Let him go!" Laura screamed at the demon the moment she saw him holding Frank by his neck. It was clear to her that Frank was struggling to breathe. "It's me you want… let my son go…"

"Remove that little silver thing you are wearing around your neck and give it to me," Azazel demanded. "Or you can watch your elder son choke to death before your eyes."

The heat from the fires was getting unbearable, and her vision was impaired the thick black smoke curling themselves around her. She wished she could see Joe one last time, but he was hidden from her sight. Nevertheless, she could hear him calling out to her, telling her not to remove her necklace. She could see that look from Frank's eyes that he was telling her the same thing. She had no doubt the demon would kill her as soon as she removed that necklace. But what choice did she have? Her elder son was slowly choking to death before her eyes. She reached up and removed that little silver pendant…

"Give it to me!" The demon said.

"Let him go first!" Laura insisted, her eyes flashing defiance despite her fear.

Azazel dropped Frank carelessly at his feet before turning back to her, his voice harsh. "Now, give it to me!"

Laura dropped the necklace onto its palm before rushing towards Frank, who was still gasping for breath. While the demon was still distracted, she tried to drag her son away with her.

The demon laughed. He held the pendant up high, muttered several ancient words. The pendant glowed for the last time, and vanished.

"I am back! I am whole again!" The demon exclaimed gleefully, its exuberant laughter rang through the burning forest. It remembered everything now, including who it was and the details of its master plan.

Then Azazel turned his eyes on the mother and son. "I must thank you for keeping a part of me alive when I should have been dead, Laura… but unfortunately, I cannot have you or Frank spoil what I had in mind for little Joey over there…"

And Laura watched with terrified eyes as the flaming hand reached out for her and Frank. She screamed.

---supernatural---

Fenton was fumbling through the burning woods when he heard a piercing scream. Laura! He realized. He turned and headed towards the direction of that scream. His eyes were tearing furiously as he squinted, trying to see beyond the thick sooty smoke. He tripped and fell against a tree. No, he fell against a body.

"Dad…"

Joe?! The father had to resist the urge to rub his eyes in disbelief. His younger son and the other guy, Sam, were plastered against the tree trunk, held there by… nothing. Fenton tried to pry Joe from the tree trunk…

"Don't bother, you can't" Sam said. "Go and save the woman. Hurry! Go!"

Fenton dug out the Colt from his pocket showed it to Sam. His heart lifted when he saw hope flashed in the young man's eyes. "I was told you know what to do with it…"

"Shoot in between the eyes or straight through the heart… now GO!" Sam yelled.

"Go, dad, hurry! Be careful of Martin – he's not Martin…" Joe urged him on.

Another scream cut through the smoke. Fenton threw his son one last glance. I'll be back for you, he promised his son with his eyes. Then he turned and left, feeling his way through the smoke as quickly as he could.

'I am back! I am whole again.'

Fenton heard the words, followed by the chilling laughter.

…unfortunately, I cannot have you or Frank spoil what I had in mind for little Joey over there…

He watched stunned as the boy he knew as Martin Greenwood began to reach out with flaming hands for his wife and elder son. He aimed the Colt at that creature. His hesitance cost him. The creature must have sensed his presence and sent the fireball after him instead. He ducked, but just barely. And Martin was before him. A hard punch into his stomach left him curled up in agony on the ground. Another kick at his hand sent the Colt flying. That was when he knew he failed his wife and sons.

"Hands in the air!" A familiar voice ordered. "And slowly step away…"

Con! Fenton finally managed to place the voice despite the pain he was in, and was torn between relief and fear.

Mr. Hooper was helping Laura helped Frank stand up. "We've to get out of here… the fire…" Mr. Hooper shouted for all to hear.

Azazel snarled. He hated being interrupted and that seemed to be happening all the time tonight. Being at the end of his patience, he telekinetically broke a piece of burning branch and sent it flying into the policeman pointing the useless gun at him. He smiled evilly as the police officer screamed in pain and terror and dropped his gun. Frank, who had recovered somewhat, and the other unknown man was desperately trying to pull him out from under the branch and then working desperately to beat out the fire.

Then he thought he heard something. Sirens in the distance… and more men arriving… He could hear the footsteps heading his way. He turned his head to the skies and could smell the first hint of dawn. Perhaps that woman was destined to live after all, Azazel conceded. Now, he had to concern himself with his own survival. He faded back into the thick black smoke just as a few more officers burst through the smoke and onto the scene.

---supernatural---

Joe heard a soft clattering sound, and looked down to see the Colt his dad was holding at his feet. His heart sank – his dad must have failed.

Then suddenly and without warning, the force that held him to the tree trunk was gone. He landed painfully on his butt, as did Sam right next to him. Then he froze as a shadow appeared out of the smoke before him. His hands automatically reached for the Colt. He felt better the moment his fingers curled around the trigger. He brought the Colt up and aimed it at the smoky shadow before him.

It was Martin, and Joe tightened his grip on the Colt and the trigger.

"Joe… what happened?" Martin asked in Martin's voice.

"Shoot, that Colt can kill the demon," Sam urged him.

Joe hesitated. A part of him noted that Martin looked lost, almost bewildered.

"He's holding a knife! Shoot! Before it's too late!" Sam continued to urge him.

What happened next happened in slow motion for Joe. It was almost as if someone else was controlling his limbs, and he aimed and fired. The bullet hit right between the eyes and straight through.

He saw the light went out of Martin's eyes.

A split second later, several more shots could be heard. Martin's body jerked violently a few more times, blood splattering as a number of bullets tore through his upper torso, before sinking slowing onto the ground.

And Joe was left clutching the Colt, staring at Martin's sightless eyes staring back accusingly at him.

---xxxSUPERNATURALxxx---