Well this is it. Thank you so much to everyone who has been reading and reviewing. I have appreciated it so much. Now, here is the final chapter of Run For Your Life.
***
The morning of the race Dean woke Sam up to give him a little gift. The gift was the warm-up jacket the cross-country team bought at the beginning of the season. Since the Winchesters could not afford the jacket, Sam never bought one. However, after the incident the school decided to purchase one for Sam.
"Sammy, wake up."
Sam moaned. "Don' wanna."
"Come on Sammy, I have something for you."
Sam sighed and rubbed his eyes. "What Dean?"
Dean then smiled and showed Sam the new jacket. "Your coach dropped it off this morning. The school figured you should have one."
Sam was speechless. He gaped open-mouthed at the jacket. He never bought any article of clothing related to a school he went to. In fact, most of his clothes in general were hand-me-downs from Dean.
Sam reached out and grabbed the jacket. "Wait this is seriously mine."
Dean laughed. "Yeah dude. Now go get dressed and put it on. We are leaving in twenty minutes for the race."
Sam immediately got out of bed, grabbed his crutches, slung his jacket over his shoulder, and migrated to the bathroom.
Dean smiled at Sam's retreating form. He just hoped today would be a good day for Sam.
***
Ten minutes later and John, Dean, and Caleb were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and eating bagels. They were all dressed and ready to head out to the race. All they were waiting for now was Sam.
Soon enough the familiar sound of crutches hitting the wooden floor in the apartment could be heard. Within moments a familiar figure crutched into the kitchen.
"What do you guys think?"
Dean, John, and Caleb looked at Sam. He had very loose jeans on, a black beanie for his head, and he was wearing his new jacket. The jacket fit Sam perfectly. The three men also noticed that for the first time in over a week, Sam had a bit of color to his pale skin.
The three men smiled at Sam. "You look great Sammy," said Dean. John and Caleb nodded in agreement.
The smile on Sam's face grew as he crutched to the table and took a seat. John grabbed Sam a banana and some milk to drink for breakfast. Once Sam was finished the group headed to the impala.
***
Sam and Dean were in the backseat. Dean nudged Sam's arm. "You okay dude."
Sam turned to look at Dean and offered a forced smile.
Dean shook his head as his Dad and Caleb continued to belt it out to songs on the radio. Dean then whispered to Sam to keep the conversation private, "Okay you are definitely not okay. Spill Sammy."
Sam looked down at the ground. "It's just, I don't know if I am ready to face everyone. I mean after everything that has happened."
"Sammy, you just hold your head up high. You are a hero and a leader. Just be who you are Sam. I mean you look like the same person, minus the casted leg, missing spleen, and stitched up head."
"Dude I'm only missing part of my spleen."
"Whatever you have to say to get you through the night, bitch."
Sam glared at Dean and said, "Jerk." Seconds later both boys were laughing. John heard the laughter and turned the music down.
"What's so funny boys?"
"Oh nothing dad, your baby son is just delusional."
"Am not Dean."
"Are too."
"Am not."
"Are too."
Caleb rolled his eyes and laughed. John just shook his head. "Boys this could go on forever, and I may kill you both if it does so for the sake of your lives knock it off."
A "yessir" came from both boys in the backseat, but seconds later John heard the argument continue in hushed whispers. John and Caleb just laughed before John cranked the music up again.
***
Fifteen minutes later, the impala parked in the lot next to the Northern Ridge National Park where the District Championship race was to be held.
Caleb, John, and Dean exited the car. John opened Sam's door and handed him his crutches, but Sam remained stationary in the car.
Caleb and Dean were grabbing lawn chairs and blankets from the trunk of the impala when they heard John whisper, "Are you okay Sam?"
Both men immediately walked over to John and saw Sam sitting in the car staring blankly ahead.
John repeated again, "Sam, are you okay?"
Nothing.
Dean then kneeled down next to Sam, grabbed his arm, and forcefully said, "Sammy."
Sam continued to stare straight ahead but a moment later spoke. "I was just thinking about that night in the woods. I was convinced I was going to die that night. I could tell Jack thought I was too. And all I could do that night was beg that I could live to see another day. I just kept thinking that I was too young to die. I mean the average life expectancy is now about eighty years old and I'm only sixteen."
Dean and the other two men did not know where Sam was going with his comment.
"Then in the hospital, I again thought I was going to die. Those two nights I did not think that I was going to miss a race. I just thought I was not going to live to see another day, and at that moment, all I wanted was to see another day. I'm not really sure why I've been depressed the last week. I'm alive when I shouldn't be. I should have died one of those two nights, but I did not. I am alive. I am not missing the race today. I may not be running in it, but I am not missing it. I'm here today, I'm here to watch the race."
Sam then turned to look at Dean. "I'm alive."
Dean smiled at Sam. Dean, John, and Caleb knew at that instant Sam had reached the acceptance stage of grief. It was at that moment the three men knew Sam was finally emotionally beginning to recover.
Dean then said to Sam, "Yes you are alive Sammy. You are alive. Now hero, what do you say we go watch the race. You would not want to miss the race because of your revelation in the car."
"No I would not."
Dean then helped Sam out of the car and helped him get his balance on his crutches. "You are going to be okay Sammy."
Sam smiled at Dean. "I know I will."
Sam then began crutching with John to where the team was congregating in the park. Caleb and Dean grabbed the chairs and blankets and then followed the two.
***
Once the four breached the entrance to the park, they looked for the Stonehill tent. Dean spotted it first and then the four made their way over to it.
Anna was the first from the team to spot Sam and she immediately ran over to him.
"Sam!"
Sam smiled as Anna gave him a hug. "Hey Anna!"
Anna got a good look at Sam. She noticed that for the first time in almost two weeks Sam was beginning to look like the old Sam again.
"Sam you look good, like really good."
Sam blushed. "Thanks Anna so do you."
Now it was Anna's turn to blush red. The cute awkward moment between the two was short lived when the entire team approached Sam
The other three men watched on with smiles on their faces as the team greeted Sam with hugs, handshakes, and pats on the back.
Coach Jones after greeting Sam walked over to Caleb, John, and Dean. "Hi guys, Sam is looking much better today."
"Yeah he's having a good day," John responded.
***
A few minutes later, the Winchesters and Caleb noticed that Sam was becoming somewhat shaky. The three men knew Sam needed to get off his feet.
Pete got the team to give Sam some space, while John and Dean helped Sam get back to the tent and into a chair. They then set up a second chair for Sam to stretch his casted leg out on.
The team began to warm-up and stretch while Sam watched on with a huge grin on his face. Sam felt a sense of normalcy just being at the race with his team. For the time being, Sam was able to forget about black dogs and unfortunate circumstances and just enjoy his team's presence.
***
The girls were scheduled to run first. Fifteen minutes before the start of the girls' race, Pete approached Sam.
"Sam I was hoping, as the team leader, that you would give the speech before the race."
Sam was shocked. Coach always gave the speech. "Wait you want me to do it?"
"Yes Sam I want you to do it."
Sam smiled. "I would be honored Coach."
Pete smiled at Sam. "Thanks Sam." Then Pete turned his attention to the team. "Ok. Girls I want you at the starting line in five minutes. Boys, I want you to continue warming up after the speech."
Pete's words were followed by oks from the team.
Pete then said, "Alright guys the speech today will be given by Sam."
Everyone then turned his or her attention to where Sam was sitting. Sam suddenly felt nervous. This was the most important race of the year and he had to pump the team up. Sam took a deep breath before beginning his speech.
"Alright guys it has been a great season. The summer training was difficult but we all got through it and had a very strong season." Sam paused. "I could continue on talking about each race and the strengths and weaknesses of every time we have competed but I'm not going to."
Confused expressions marred the faces of everyone listening. Sam took notice but continued on. "Jack, thank you man for convincing me to join the team. This has been the greatest last few months of my life. Guys this is an amazing team. We have all grown so close this year. A team is like a beating heart. Many things go into making a heart beat. If one thing does not work right, then the heart will not beat as well as it could. However, if everything works together, than the heart works like it should."
"This team works together. We are many people coming together as one team. This team pushes each other, and is there for each other no matter what." Sam looked at Jack and Anna. "This team was tested this year. There have been some rough spots during the season. I am not going to beat around the bush. What happened last week in the woods was not something expected but everyone pulled through. There were no casualties. Everyone is here today. Not one part of the team is missing. I may not be running with you guys today and let me tell you I want to so much, but I'm still here. We are all still here. The team is still whole. We have all emerged from a rough time and are all here sitting together preparing for this race. I may not be running with you all today, but I promise you I will be cheering for all of you louder than anyone else here."
"This is the day for Stonehill Cross-Country to shine. Run for everything you have. Run you're hardest. No regrets guys, no regrets. With no regrets, there can be no failure. There can only be total success. Good luck everyone and run for your life."
All of the runners began clapping and cheering again. The girls then headed out to the line. The course was a giant loop with the starting line and finish line being located in the same place.
Dean helped Sam stand and then escorted him to his position by the line. Caleb and John carried Sam's chair.
"Sammy that was a beautiful speech." Dean then pretended to wipe a tear away.
Sam laughed. "Shut up Dean."
Dean laughed. "But seriously Sam that was a darn good speech."
"You really think so."
"Yeah makes me want to go run cross-country."
"Thanks Dean." Sam said with a smile.
"Welcome Sammy."
***
Five minutes later the girls' race started and just as Sam promised, he was the loudest of everyone at the race. Anna won the girls' race and it appeared that the Stonehill girls had performed very well, but the official results would not be known until later.
After the race ended Anna ran over to Sam.
"Anna that was amazing!"
"Thanks Sam, and I could distinctly hear you cheering," Anna said with a laugh.
"Well I did promise didn't I?"
"Yes you did Sam Winchester. And I promised myself that if I won the race I would do something."
"Do what?" asked Sam.
A moment later Sam felt Anna kiss him and once his brain processed what was happening he reciprocated the kiss.
Caleb laughed as he saw John tense uncomfortably and turn away from the scene. Dean then yelled at Sam to get a room.
Sam and Anna stopped, both blushing fiercely as they realized they had just kissed in front of Sam's dad, 'uncle', and brother.
Pete then yelled at Anna. "Hey girl, if you're done smooching you want to lead the girls in a cool down."
Everyone laughed. Anna smiled at Sam before running off with the rest of the girls who all immediately began questioning Anna about what they just witnessed. Sam watched as the giggling girls all ran off.
Sam could not keep the grin off his face as the boys' race started.
***
Pete was worried about this race. He knew that without Sam, who most likely would have won the race, the team would have a much tougher chance of qualifying for States. Pete had had a talk with the boys while they were waiting by the starting line.
"Boys, I know this is hard because Sam is not running with you all today. Guys look at Sam. He has had a rough two weeks. Lets give him something today. I want you to run this race for Sam. Do it for Sam!"
The boys had then put their hands in the middle of the circle and yelled, "FOR SAM!"
Pete only hoped that the pep talk coupled with Sam's speech would be the motivation the boys needed.
***
Coming down the last one hundred yard stretch of the race Sam was screaming for Jack who was neck and neck with a runner from North Ridge High School.
Jack then heard Sam screaming for him. Jack looked at his best friend, whispered to himself, "for Sam," and then he pushed himself as hard as he could. At the last second, Jack pulled slightly in front of the other runner and to the loud cheers of Sam and the girls cross country team, won the race.
Sam immediately got up from his chair with some help from Dean and as fast as he could, crutched over to Jack. Jack ran over to Sam.
The two did a little handshake thing before giving each other a brotherly hug.
"Jack you were amazing!"
"Sam I did it all for you man. It was all for you."
***
The rest of the boys of Stonehill finished very well and Pete was anxious to see if Stonehill had made States.
The team, the Winchesters, Caleb, Pete, and everyone else at the race approached the score booth.
The announcer then spoke. "Everyone awesome job today. This was a fantastic Districts Race. I want to remind everyone of how this works. Top three teams qualify for States. First we are going to give out the trophies for the individual finishers."
The announcer then announced the third and second place girl finisher before announcing Anna as the first place winner. Sam and the team cheered loudly as Anna stood on the first place block. Then Jack also received his first place award.
Then the announcer said, "Before I award the team trophies we all wanted to mention something. Last week a tragic accident occurred in the Stonehill Forest."
Sam paled at the words. The guy was talking about him.
"Two runners were injured by a large animal. However, the boy with more serious injuries is well known to everyone in the running community. Sam Winchester has been winning every race he runs in this year. His absence in the race today was unfortunate, but his presence was strongly felt by his team, as the young man cheered for everyone quite loudly I may say."
Everyone chuckled at that.
"We wanted to mention that along with being a fantastic runner, Sam Winchester is a hero. Last week in the woods, Sam saved two fellow teammates from the dog, putting his life in jeopardy. Sam will you please come up here."
The announcer looked at Sam. Sam was shocked. They were recognizing him. Dean nudged Sam and told him to get up there. Sam then began crutching up to the announcer.
The announcer shook Sam's hand. Sam noticed that everyone was looking up Sam with a mixture of respect and sympathy.
The announcer continued. "Sam, today you are being awarded the State of Utah Outstanding Citizen Award for putting others before yourself and constantly showing maturity well beyond your years."
Sam felt like he was going to cry as the announcer held up the plaque with Sam's name on it. Sam looked around as everyone began screaming and cheering. Sam found his dad's face in the crowd. John was glowing with pride for his son and Sam felt his heart swell as he took notice of his dad's facial expression. Dean went up to hold Sam's plaque for him as the two walked back to the team.
The clapping and cheering for Sam continued for several more minutes.
Eventually everything died down and the girls' teams were announced. Stonehill came in first place. Sam and the boys cheered loudly for the girls.
Finally, it was time for the boys. "And the first place boys team that will be representing this district in the state meet next Saturday is…Stonehill High School."
Everyone began screaming. The boys ran up to the first place podium. Jack then yelled for Sam to join them. Sam crutched up. Jack told Sam to sit on the block. Jack then grabbed Sam's crutches.
"Sam we want you to hold the trophy Sam."
"No Jack you won the race."
"Sam we couldn't have done this without you. We all want you to hold the trophy."
The trophy was then placed in Sam's hands as everyone continued cheering for the boys. Pictures were taken and newspapers began interviewing Jack, Sam, and Anna.
All John, Dean, and Caleb noticed though was the smile on Sam's face. Sam was nowhere near fully recovered yet, but he was on his way.
John knew that he and Sam may butt heads all the time, but he loved Sam and never before felt more pride in Sam than he did today. His baby was alive and although had a long road of recovery ahead, John knew today as he watched Sam smile the brightest smile that he had seen in weeks, that everything would be okay. Sam would be okay.
John, Caleb, and Dean watched on with smiles on their face as Sam continued to recover emotionally and the three men knew this would lead to Sam making a full recovery physically very soon. Sam was alive and recovering, and that is all that mattered.
***
Well I am very sad to see my first story ever end, but I really enjoyed writing it. Thank you again to everyone! I could never have written this story without the reviews you guys gave. Thank you so much!! :)