Nineteen

Dean didn't remember passing out, but he theorized he had. The Basket Woman's iron grip had engulfed his entire body before he'd been dragged to where he was now. The unfamiliar part of the cave was damper than the rest and Dean suspected he was at the epicenter of the creature's lair. Dean remembered how he'd sent Puck and Sindri off to find help and a part of him was grateful that they'd come back with it, but the other half wished he could hear Puck's sarcasm and Sindri's wise responses even in the darkness. Dean's wrists were bound by the cave plants and he struggled against them trying to free himself.

"It's no use I've tried," a voice rang up from near Dean and the hunter shot his head in that direction. "Trust me you're not getting out of here anytime soon. I know I haven't."

Dean tried to make out the face in the darkness and after his eyes adjusted he found that he could indeed see another human being. The man was probably at least twenty years younger than him. He had a shorter brown hair and deep brown eyes. His chin was covered in facial hair, but amazingly it was only stubble. He looked slightly sweaty and very dirty but that was to be expected. His clothes were almost too tight on him, but they'd somehow sort of adjusted to his body shape. It looked as though he'd cut them in all the right places to keep moderately comfortable.

"You're gonna be here awhile," the man said, crossing his arms. Dean realized he was bound at the feet. "Trust me I tried to escape and she tied up my feet instead."

"You look like you've been here awhile," Dean still tried to break the binds. He refused to give up so easily. "Don't worry I'm here to rescue everyone."

"Yeah good luck with that one," the man rolled his eyes. "That was my appointed title when I ended up here. I helped some kids escape, God knows what happened to them when they ran away into the mountains, but I hope they made it."

"They did." Dean assured him. He spotted a sharp rock and got an idea. He started rutting the ropes against the jagged part as he talked to his cave companion.

"How do you know that?" the man inquired. He was a bit skeptical that Dean knew anything.

"Let's just say I've got friends on the other side," Dean explained. "I came from the town outside of this portal. I came to kill this Basket Woman monster."

"That's her name," the man joked. "Well at least I know how to formally address her now. But seriously dude there's no way you can kill her. Like I said I've been here for years and not once have I managed to even wound her."

"Well you don't have this," Dean popped his binds and silently thanked his lucky stars. He quietly crawled over to the man and showed him the knife. "I got it from a shaman in the next town over. It will kill her. I just have to close enough. One good stab and she's toast."

"I suppose you want me to show you where she hangs out in here too," the man said. "And where she keeps the children?"

"That'd be appreciated yeah." Dean nodded and there were a few moments of the two staring at each other before Dean popped the binds on the man's feet and helped him up with one hand. The man was skinny, but he'd kept fighting hunger and exhaustion clearly by the look on his face after Dean lifted him to his feet.

"And you're sure this knife can kill her?" the man asked. Dean could tell the man was scared for not only their safety, but everyone they were preparing to save. Dean didn't know the honest answer, I mean it wasn't like he'd test drove the knife on the bitch, but he had to have full confidence that it would work. It was the only hope the children had.

"Positive," Dean nodded in confirmation and started walking with the man behind him. "We're wasting daylight. Now what did you say your name was?"

"Didn't," the man said. "You?"

"Dean Winchester." Dean said.

"Well then Dean Winchester welcome to the fairy tale," the man said. "I'll be your tour guide. My name is Christopher Rolland."

Dean felt his stomach drop in shock as he kept walking.

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Sam led the group through the remainder of the mountains. The Rock Guardians had been the hardest part and Sam's ankle throbbed where one of them had grabbed him. He suspected it was sprained at the least, but there was no time to check. They had to push on. Sam gritted his teeth when his horse reared a little and his eyes shut tight for a moment before he saw the cause of his horse's distress. There were two people riding towards them. Sam had a hand on his knife and he saw Bobby do the same. Mike, however, stayed calm and managed to get his horse to do the same.

"Please," Sindri called out. "Please tell me you're here for Dean!"

"Yes," Sam replied, he took his hand slowly off of his knife and returned his grip to the reigns. "We are. Who are you?"

"My name is Sindri," the fairy bowed his head and motioned to his companion. "This is my fearless commander Puck. We were traveling with Dean."

"What do you mean 'were'?" Bobby inquired, prepared to kick some ass if needed.

"Dean he—" Sindri was exasperated.

"He gave himself up to the Basket Woman," Puck's voice was low and serious. "He claimed it was best if Sindri and I went and got help. So here we are and we found you. I wasn't expecting to find anymore humans though in these parts."

"I led them here," Mike moved his horse closer and stared into Puck's eyes. "Hello Puck I do believe it's been a long while."

"Michael," Puck breathed out. "You're back. I'll bet my father was ecstatic."

"There is no chosen one Puck," Mike explained a bit harshly. "You never did get off your high horse did you? Worried all the time about who would take your throne. Trust me I made it pretty clear to your father that the prophecy was bogus."

"I see," Puck nodded. "Either way Michael I'm glad you're back. We need someone other than my warriors who can help us take her down."

"I don't think I've ever seen you so humbled." Mike remarked. "It's refreshing."

"Let's just say that what happened today put a few things in perspective," Puck replied. "Now are we just going to stand here humans or are we going to kick some Basket Woman ass?"

"There's the Puck I remember." Mike smirked and nodded in response to his question before moving his horse next to the fairy. The two fairies and Mike stared at Bobby and Sam waiting for their responses and Sam's came in the form of him taking off with a determined look on his face. Mike laughed triumphantly and his horse bucked up and took off after Sam's. Bobby nodded and motioned for Sindri and Puck to take the lead before him and they did. Bobby followed just as fast and soon the group of five was headed full speed ahead to the Basket Woman's lair.

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