A little update to my story. I know it's been a while. Sorry about that!
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Thanks to everyone who reviewed my past chapters.
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"I will see you here in one week. I'll give you back Dean and you will surrender your soul voluntarily."
And he disappeared leaving Sam to re-open the link and reach out to his brother.
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§ Dean, are you alright? Where have they taken you? §
Sam didn't bother to hide his concern and his panic for the fate of his brother.
§ I'm in Hell Sam. § His brother's tense voice came back through to him.
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Chapter Three.
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§ I'm in Hell, Sam. §
Sam could detect the underlying tremor in his brother's mind-voice, and he cursed blasphemously..
Unlike himself, Dean had no wall holding his Hell memories at bay. He remembered each and every one, although in typical Dean fashion he had pushed them all down into the cellar of his unconsciousness, burying them deep, but like seeds under the winter snow they were ready to germinate as soon as Dean let his guard down, and being back in Hell would no doubt melt the snow!
He had to go back to Bobby's and re-group. They had a week to come up with a plan to get Dean back and if not, Dean was well worth his tattered soul if ever it came down to the ultimate choice.
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He opened his mind again to his brother.
§ Don't worry, Dean. We'll get you out. Just keep calm. Where exactly are you, bro? §
Dean made a three-hundred and sixty degree turn but all he saw was a bare room with four white walls, on which were written in tall red letters the words, Welcome to Hell...
§ I dunno, Sammy. All I can see are white walls complete with a "Welcome to the Pit." §
Sam was about to let out a sigh of relief when Dean continued.
§ Scratch that, Sam. The walls are becoming transparent and …. OH, God, Sammy they're all around me. Nothing but souls, screaming and pleading; on racks, being tortured by demons, and the ones nearest to me have all got Alastair's face…§ Dean's voice finished off almost in a sob.
§ Dean, man. Hang in there! Crowley's only trying to freak you out. It's all probably just an illusion. Don't you remember? I killed Alastair myself. There's no way it can be him! Dean, are you listening to me. Dean! § Sam was starting to feel panic at his brother's dismay.
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There was no response from Dean for what seemed an eternity, but then his brother's voice came back calmer than before. § Thanks Sam. I guess all the memories just overwhelmed me for a moment, I'm okay now. §
§ Right. That's good; that's good, Dean. § Sam tried to keep his voice calm and relaxed.
Just as Sam had recognised the fear in his big brother's voice, Dean had understood Sam's need to be reassured that he would manage to stay strong, even with the sights and sounds of Hell all around him.
§ Hey, Sasquatch. Don't worry. I'll be fine. I just needed a moment to pull myself together. It was a bit of a shock, is all. §
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One more item to add to the long list of vengeance for what Crowley and Cas were doing to him and Dean, especially Dean!
Sam felt his heart being surrounded by a wall to match the one in his head, although this time it wasn't to keep his Cage memories in, but to keep his normally altruistic sentiments from influencing the hate and resentment that now filled his heart towards the demon and the angel.
The Impala flew as if she had wings back to the Scrap-yard, seeming to understand that no time was to be lost in the effort to get her master back.
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"They've got him, Bobby," were Sam's unembellished words as he swept through the front door like a hurricane on steroids
"I hate to say I told you so but; I told you so! Where is he, the dumb-ass?"
"In Hell," was Sam's curt retort. He wasn't in the mood to be graceful.
"Well, the last time they made a real muck-up of keeping you both imprisoned, so this time round Crowley must'a got to direct things. How's Dean holding up?"
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Bobby didn't have to be telepathic to interpret the look on Sam's face and he sighed. "Well, he'll just have to hang on until we get him out; that is supposing we can!"
"Oh, we'll get him out Bobby; even If I have to open a Devil's Gate and go drag him out myself!"
"Right," Bobby smiled, thinking that Sam was joking, but the look on the Winchester's face was anything but ironic.
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"You're foolin' around, aren't you Sam. You don't really mean that?"
"I've never been more serious in my life, Bobby, "answered Sam.
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"Okaay! Now Sam, Calm down and let's take it slow. Just what happened when you went to meet Claire? Did she show up at all?"
"Oh, she came all right, only Cas was using her as a vessel, and my idiot big brother opened the car door and stepped out, like the most rookie of hunters. Two demons appeared and whisked him off to Hell, easy as you like," Sam finished off bitterly.
"Huh, your brother always did have a soft spot for kids, maybe because he raised one himself."
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Sam just smiled sadly recognising the truth in Bobby's words and knowing how little he had understood at the time Dean's love and care for the child he had been.
"Yeah. Anyway Cas gave me a week to think it over. If I let him take my soul, he'll bring Dean back safe and sound, otherwise..."
"Well boy, go on!"
"Well, he didn't exactly say what would happen to Dean if I refused, but somehow that makes me even more scared for him," Sam finished off uncertainly.
"You didn't tell that friggin' angel about the back door into Purgatory from Heaven and from Hell? I thought you might have, seeing they took Dean." Bobby enquired curiously.
"He gave me a week, Bobby. Time enough to think up something else. I didn't want to give him our ace in the hand until we've tried every other way."
The older hunter nodded his agreement.
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Sam turned his mind to his brother. He wanted to check in often on Dean, to offer him the only comfort he could at the moment.
§ Dean, are you okay? §
§I t's a bit noisy, Sam but I'll manage. Don't worry about me. Use that big brain of yours to get me out of here! §
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§ Dean, thanks! §
§ I'm so not following you Sammy, although that's nothing new. And just why are you thanking me? §
Sam's emotions came through perfectly discernable, via the mind-link.
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§ Thanks for everything you've done for me, Dude. I never really understood just how much; when I was a kid, I mean! You were no more than one yourself and you looked after me like a mother. §
§ Oh God kill me now! Sammy, I'm already in Hell. Please don't make it worse by putting me through one of your chick-flick moments. That just might be the finishing touch that'll send me right over the edge! §
§ Okay, Dean but I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate it. § Sam finished off quietly.
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§ Have you Bobby come up with anything yet? § Dean tried desperately to change the subject.
§ No, we're bouncing a few ideas around, but we'll get it, don't worry. §
§ What did Cas say to you after I was gone? He wants your soul or he'll kill me. Is that it? §
§Yeah, something like that. He's given me a week to think about it. §
§ Sammy. Don't you dare! You hear me. You are not, and I repeat, because I know you are hard of hearing when you want to be; you WILL NOT even think about doing what Cas asked. You get me, Sammy? Answer me. Tell me you will not ever do such a thing. §
§ Saaammmy! §
§ I promise, Dean. If the worst comes to the worst, I'll tell Cas about the back doors into Purgatory. § Sam confirmed.
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He would give up his soul for his brother but he knew how upset Dean would be if his essence disappeared from existence, leaving Dean alone.
Well, now that Dean had made him promise, he wouldn't mention that option again although he knew that if it came to saving his brother, no promise would hold.
He went to join Bobby in the library to study Eleanor's notes about Purgatory. They only had a week to get Dean back. There was no time to waste.
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XXXX TBC XXXX