Well, my internet is working better today thankfully! If I missed anybody in answering your reviews, I'm sorry as I wasn't sure if all of them actually went out. I appreciate all of your comments and always look forward to reading them! You guys are the best. Anywhoooo...here's more.

Cindy.

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Dean and Bobby both flinched when they heard the scream. Dean was on his feet in a heartbeat, turning circles trying to determine where the scream had come from. The darkness of the room was disorienting. He didn't know exactly what was happening, but the one thing he did know was that the scream had come from Sam.

"SAMMY!" Dean shouted, scanning the room in a desperate search for his duffel bag.

"Here Dean!" Bobby called as he crouched over the bag. He began to pull items from the bag and handed them to Dean.

"Where's it coming from Bobby?" Dean cried. The scream seemed to last forever before it died away.

"I think upstairs," Bobby replied, pocketing a bottle of holy water.

"Let's go!" Dean yelled, then began the search for the stairs.

"Dean, we need to be quiet. The demon can't know we're coming," Bobby said as he took hold of Dean's arm.

Dean looked at Bobby then nodded, "Yeah, okay. You're right. Now, where are the fucking stairs!"

"Over here Dean. Found 'em."

Dean headed for Bobby and they started up the stairs. Dean's foot had just reached the third step when another ear splitting scream rang out. Both he and Bobby broke into a run up the stairs and upon reaching the top saw that at the end of the hall, soft light was coming from a room. They quickly, but quietly made their way to the room as the screaming died away. What they saw when they reached the room made their blood run cold.

Sam was pinned to a wall, his hands impaled by two large spikes. Blood streamed from the wounds on both sides of his hands, making dark trails down the white walls from the backs of his hands, and pooling on the floor from his palms. Sweat covered his shaking body as his breath came out in quick pants. His eyes were wide and pain filled.

"Sammy!" Dean screamed as he ran into the room, all thoughts of remaining hidden gone. He sprayed the surprised demon with holy water as he ran into the room. Bobby did the same and the demon screeched as his skin sizzled and steamed.

Dean raced to Sam and grabbed him, supporting his body as the demon's hold loosened. Sam cried out as his weight pulled on his tortured hands.

"I got you Sammy. Don't worry, I'll get you outa' here!" Dean whispered urgently into Sam's ear.

"N...no Dean! You and Bo...Bobby have to g...get out," Sam gasped, the pain overwhelming.

"No way Sam," Dean said, looking into Sam's glassy eyes. "We're leaving together."

Although Sam was shivering, his skin was hot to the touch. He was deathly pale, but had a red flush to his cheeks. Dean feared he was going into shock. They had to get him to a hospital in a hurry. Dean looked at Sam's hands, his stomach queasy. He had to figure out a way to get Sam off the wall without hurting him further.

Dean heard a loud thud, followed by a groan and before he could turn he felt himself being flung backward against the wall, where he remained, held by an invisible force.

"Dean Winchester, you are becoming quite a thorn in my side," the demon hissed as he approached the trapped hunter. "Did you really think a little holy water would hold me for long?"

"I do what I can," the hunter replied, a smirk across his face.

"Well Samuel," the demon said, turning back to Sam. "It seems we will have an audience." The demon moved toward Sam, stopping at the table.

"You stay away from him you evil bastard!" Dean shouted, struggling against the force that held him.

"Dean...don't. Please," Sam cried softly.

"Listen to your brother Dean and I'll let you and your friend walk out of here. Your brother and I had a deal and you are one step away from breaking it," the demon said. It lifted something from the table and Dean's heart nearly stopped. The demon held the fabled crown of thorns, only this crown was made from barbed wire. The demon stepped toward Sam.

"NO! Don't you touch him! I'm going to rip you apart you son of a bitch!" Dean seethed.

Bobby watched the scene unfolding and struggled to break free from the wall. The demon had him held firmly and it was no use. He couldn't move. "Dean, this won't help Sam," he whispered to the man beside him.

"If it gets his attention away from Sam, then it will work," Dean whispered back.

"Silence!" the demon shouted and both hunters found they could no longer speak.

The demon walked to Sam, whose chin had fallen to his chest. Tremors shook Sam's body and his breathing had become shallow. His hands throbbed as they continued to bleed.

"Raise your head Samuel," the demon demanded, raising the barbed wire ring over his head. Sam slowly lifted his head and gazed into the demon's eyes. The demon smiled, then slowly pushed the barbed wire down over Sam's head.

"Ahhh...God!" Sam cried as the barbs tore through his scalp, some almost to the bone. Blood quickly began to trickle down his face and mixed with the sweat that already was dripping from his hairline.

Dean and Bobby struggled, their faces red from the exertion. Tears of frustration ran down Dean's cheeks as he tried to voice his fury. The only sound that came from him was a muffled cry. With a strength he didn't know he possessed, Dean was finally able to break the demon's hold, and was released from the wall, a scream ripping from his throat.

"NOOOO! Sam!!!" he cried, his rage propelling him toward the shocked demon. He was within three feet of the demon when he stopped mid step, unable to move any further.

"Dean, your strength surprises me," the demon hissed, staring Dean down.

"Let Sam go or I will kill you!" Dean threatened, fury lighting a fire in his eyes.

The demon took an involuntary step backward before laughing confidently. "You can't stop this Dean. Now, I am tired of this game."

The demon held his hand out toward Dean and instantly Dean started gasping. He grabbed at his throat as his face turned a deep shade of red. He couldn't get any air into his lungs as he tried to pry the invisible hand that was choking him away.

Sam watched through a fevered veil as his brother struggled for air. "De...Dean, NO!" he cried. "You...promised he would...live."

"That was before he interfered Samuel," the demon smirked.

"Let...him...go!"

"He will die Samuel, then your friend."

"NOOOO!" Sam screamed.

Suddenly the demon cried out and Dean dropped to the floor, gasping for air.

"Samuel? Wh..what are you doing?" the demon shouted as the man he inhabited dropped to his knees.

Sam's body shook and an electricity filled the room causing the men's hair to stand on end. Bobby dropped from the wall and quickly crawled to Dean's side, then pulled him up to a kneeling position.

Jake's body began to convulse uncontrollably, and he fell to his back. The convulsions continued, then Jake opened his mouth in an earth shattering scream. Black demon smoke poured from his mouth and swirled on the ceiling before disappearing in a flash of bright light.

Dean and Bobby looked toward the man on the floor. He thankfully appeared to be breathing. Bobby stood and pulled a shaky Dean up with him. Dean pulled free from Bobby and rushed to Sam.

Without the demon's hold on him, Sam had sagged away from the wall, the only thing keeping him from falling being his impaled hands. Dean reached him and carefully pushed him up in an effort to relieve the pressure on his hands.

"Bobby! Help me!" Dean cried, looking over his shoulder at the older man. Bobby left the unconscious Jake on the floor and rushed to help Dean hold a barely conscious Sam up. Sam raised his head slightly and looked at Dean with glassy eyes.

"De..an? You 'k?" he whispered, blood trickling from his nose and mouth.

"Yeah Sam. You saved me kiddo," Dean said as he tried to determine how to get Sam free without hurting him anymore than need be. "Bobby, how do we get him down?"

"Hold him and I'll try to pull the spikes out," Bobby replied. Dean nodded his head then stopped Bobby. "Wait. Maybe we should get this off first," he said, indicating the barbed wire.

"Hold him," Bobby said as he took hold of the ring and gently began to pull it from Sam's head. Sam cried out through gritted teeth, panting through the pain.

"Shhh. It's okay Sammy," Dean soothed, holding Sam firmly in his arms. Sam's head slowly lowered and rested on Dean's shoulder.

Once the barbed wire was off, Bobby examined Sam's hands to determine the best way to free him from the wall.

"I think the only way is to just pull them straight out. I'm sorry Dean but it's going to hurt him," Bobby said apologetically.

Dean closed his eyes, sighing before nodding his head. "Sammy? Hey kiddo, Bobby's gonna pull out spikes, but it's going to hurt. You okay with that?"

"S'k De..." Sam replied in a barely audible voice.

Dean looked at Bobby with weary eyes as Bobby dialed 911 on his cell. Once Bobby had summoned help, he went back to Sam's hands. The bleeding had slowed, but once the spikes were pulled, that would change. Bobby looked at Dean, his eyes questioning. Dean nodded and Bobby took hold of the first spike, pulling with all his strength until the spike pulled free from the wall and then through Sam's hand. Sam cried out as his arm dropped bonelessly to his side. Dean gripped Sam harder, bracing for the added weight.

"Sammy, you okay?" Dean asked, his voice hitching.

"Mmmm..." was the only reply he received.

Bobby moved quickly to the other hand, grasped the spike and pulled it free. The only sound from Sam was a small groan as his full weight fell into Dean. Bobby hurriedly grabbed Sam around the back and shoulders and helped Dean lower him to the floor. His shivering became more pronounced so Dean removed his jacket and wrapped it around Sam's shoulders and torso. Dean lifted his flannel shirt and ripped strips from his tee shirt. He and Bobby wrapped Sam's hands as best they could to help slow the flow of blood.

Dean leaned over Sam, who had made no sound save for a soft moan during their ministrations. "Sammy! Hey kiddo, you need to open your eyes for me," Dean pled as he lightly tapped Sam's cheek. Sam made no move to comply. Dean touched his neck and felt a weak but steady pulse. He lifted Sam's head and rested it on his lap then gently brushed Sam's wet bangs out of his eyes.

Bobby in the meantime had moved to check on Jake, who was starting to stir. "How's Sam? Dean! How is he?" Bobby asked, shaking Dean from his thoughts.

"He needs a hospital now Bobby! He barely has a pulse, he's burning up, and he's going into shock," Dean replied urgently.

"They're on their way Dean. I think I hear the sirens now. I'll go down and lead them in. Will you be okay?"

"Yeah, go Bobby. How's he doing?" Dean asked, nodding his head toward Jake.

"He'll be fine. Probably be freaked, but other than that, he's okay."

"Good. Thanks Bobby."

Bobby nodded, then headed down the stairs to wait for the paramedics.

Dean leaned over Sam as far as he could, speaking into his ear in hushed tones.

"You fight Sammy. Don't you dare leave me! You fight this and come back to me. You are so strong. You killed that demon and saved me. Now, save yourself."

Dean held Sam's head gently and waited for help to arrive.

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Not so evil?? I mean, I know Sammy's really in bad shape, but at least he's not in the demon's clutches anymore. Please let me know what you think.

Cindy.