Chapter Eight
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The little group went forward through the tunnels that wound their way around the outskirts of Hell; the moaning, screaming and pleading of the souls a never-ending litany in the background accompanying their every step.
Sam had been in a place like this for one hundred and eighty years; he wondered just how resistant the wall in his head must be if it managed to block out the memories of similar tortures that he had suffered at the hands of Lucifer.
Now and then there were cracks in the tunnel wall that gave on to the sight below, a boundless dark bowl-shaped area lit up by geysers of blazing fire, illuminating the terrible suffering of the souls stretched out on the racks.
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"Is this all of Hell?" Sam asked sickened by what he was seeing and hearing.
"No," Meg replied a shiver going through her. "Let's just say that this is one of the better areas. There are countless other sectors which you should hope never to see, Winchester."
Sam pushed everything to the back of his mind. It would do no good to give in to the terror that was threatening to paralyze him. He was here to get Dean out. He had to concentrate on that and nothing else.
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"Your brother's at the other extremity of the cavern," Meg informed him after conferring with her demons. "In some sort of glass cage."
Sam nodded; he already knew that.
Dean had described it to him via their mind-link but he had to act as if it was news, for the only person who knew about their telepathic bond was Bobby and that's how it had to stay.
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"Have you got a plan, Sam?" Meg snarked. "Or are you just thinking of walking up to the door and letting Dean out?"
"Actually, yeah! I had planned on you and your loyalists causing a little diversion and letting me get to Dean but..." he sighed as he checked out the four demons standing beside her. "I'd hoped that there might have been a bigger number than this!"
"Well, handsome. This is what we got. We can always turn ourselves round and head back up to Earth," she answered pissed.
Sam squared his jaw. That wasn't an option. He had come this far and he wasn't going anywhere without Dean.
"Well, we're just going to have to go with what we have," he replied resolutely.
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He studied the pit below him through one of the cracks in the tunnel wall. In the distance, beyond the leaping flames he could see the square shaped cell that Dean was being held in.
"Is there an exit from this tunnel near Dean's prison?" Sam asked the demons. "Yeah," one answered reluctantly, his loyalty to Meg the only thing keeping him from running off to save his ass. "There's an opening near to it. If you continue round you'll see it"
"Okay then. This is where we split up. You go down here and draw a little attention to yourselves while I get Dean out."
Meg stared at him as if he was out of his mind. "Alright," she hissed. "That's it! I'm getting out of here. I always knew you Winchesters were crazy but this! You expect me to go down there and get torn to pieces by a horde of pumped up demons just to save your brother's ass. I said I would help you get him out but I never said I would commit suicide for him."
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Sam puppied his eyes up to full intensity, having no idea if Meg would be in any way moved by his earnestness as he practically begged. "Meg. It's the only way I'm gonna have a chance of getting him out. Please! I promise that you'll never have anything to fear from Dean and me if you do this. You'll have us as allies for the rest of our lives."
He held her eyes with his own, praying that she'd agree.
"Fine," she answered much to Sam's complete surprise. "To think when I first met you Winchester, I was gonna have some great fun ripping you to shreds and look at me now, getting goofied by your woobie eyes, just like that stupid brother of yours!"
"Thanks, Meg," Sam said sincerely. "I won't forget. Here take this," he added as he handed over the demon killing knife. "The demons might think twice about attacking if they know you can kill them. What about your friends here?"
She shrugged."They're no heroes but they are loyal to me so, they'll watch my back."
"Okay. Give me fifteen minutes to get round to the exit and then raise a little hell!" Sam quipped.
This could well be his last moment of existence, just as well going out with a smile.
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"What about you Sam? What happens when you run into demons without the knife?"
"I don't need it Meg," Sam replied, a grimace on his face, as he set off down the tunnel. "I can manage a few demons."
He hurried forward, his words to Meg had been bold and although he knew his demon killing power worked, he wasn't sure if he could manage to take out more than one demon at a time. Well, he'd soon find out!
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§ Sam! What's going on? § Dean's worried mind-voice flowed through him.
§ I'm nearly there Dean. Meg's gonna cause a little diversion while I pull you out §
§ How did you get her to agree to that? § Dean asked amazed that Meg would put her ass on the line for them.
§ Well, how do I get you to do things, Dean? § Sam sent back, humour tingeing his thoughts.
§ Don't tell me she fell for the eyes. Dude! You puppy-eyed a demon! § Dean replied awed. § We gotta bottle it up or something! §
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Dean circled the cell impatiently, anxious for a first glimpse of his brother and he sighed in relief when he saw a familiar figure coming towards him, weaving his way through the torture racks which occupied all the available space outside his prison. Dean noticed how his little brother kept his eyes front trying to ignore as much as possible the suffering around him.
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Sam put his hand to the transparent wall as Dean lifted his own and placed it palm first against his brother's. They were together again.
He could see where the entrance to the cell was, something that had been invisible to Dean from the inside and he wrenched the door open.
"Sammy," was all Dean managed to get out as he pulled his brother into a rib-cracking hug while mentally entwining their thoughts and emotions.
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At that precise moment uproar could be heard coming from across the torture chamber.
§ That's Meg! Come on Dean, § Sam urged pulling away. § We gotta get out of here now. §
They exited the cell only to find themselves confronted by a group of demons. "Where do you think you're taking him?" one asked.
"Crowley ordered me to bring Winchester to his office," Sam answered calmly, hoping desperately that they would believe it and let him and Dean through.
"I never received any such order," the demon replied dubious. "I'll just check with the King."
The last thing they needed was Crowley showing up and Sam didn't think twice as he held out his arm to channel his power. He quickly took out the first demon but the others were coming at him.
He felt Dean's hand on his shoulder as if to encourage him and he aimed for the nearest one. To his surprise the little group of demons shimmered out of existence simultaneously.
Sam turned puzzled eyes on his brother. "What did you just do Dean?"
"Nothing, Dude." Dean answered equally surprised; his green eyes wide. "I just thought how much I wanted to take out those sons of bitches and how I wanted you to blast them to kingdom come."
"Dean," Sam declared enthusiastically. "I don't know what you did but it upped my power to the nth degree. I took out all three as if they were peanuts."
"Come on. Let's get out of here before any more show up. We've gotta go help Meg. I promised her I would do all I could to take her out with us."
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Sam led the way back into the tunnel and the brothers hurried back to where Meg had gone down into the cavern.
"Sam this is not a good idea. You gotta get out of here before Crowley shows up and gets his hands on the frigging soul that you're parading about so carelessly. I mean it's not as if Meg hasn't been in hell before. I don't want anything to happen to you Sammy." Dean said anxiously.
"Don't worry Dean. Just keep your hand on my shoulder and concentrate on killing all the demons around Meg and I'll do the rest." Sam replied reassuringly.
Dean sighed and hoped that his stubborn little brother was right.
Meg had her back to the wall, her cronies behind her, as Sam and Dean came to stand at her side
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§ Ready Dean § Sam asked through the mind-link.
§ Take it away, Sammy! § Dean sent back and Sam did. The power erupted from him sending the whole first ring of demons into oblivion. Sam could feel the flux flowing through the hand Dean had on his shoulder, boosting up his own. The second row of demons fell back, fearful at what had happened to those in front, whilst Meg and her minions looked on just as awed.
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"Move out, Meg," Dean ordered as their little group backed towards he tunnels, the demons seemingly undecided whether to attack again or not.
They entered the tunnel still walking backwards while Sam kept his eyes on the demons that were following them.
§ We gotta make a run for it Dean, § Sam sent out. § Before even more arrive. There's a right turn up ahead. When we get there, run like hell! §
"At the next bend, make a run for it Meg." Dean passed on to the demons hovering behind him.
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Run like Hell is exactly what they did, falling through the Devil's Gate while the demons shrieked behind them. Bobby added his weight to the doors as they all pushed to close them against the assault, finally managing to bolt them down.
"Bobby." Dean greeted the smiling man while looking around anxiously for his brother. "Good to see you again, kid," Bobby grinned as he added. "Sam's in the Impala."
Dean nodded and made his way to his baby. He saw Sam stretched out on the back seat and he pulled open the door.
"Sammy," he called as he leaned in tapping him gently on the cheek. "You okay in there? "
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Sam stirred hearing the familiar voice.
"M'fine, Dean." he answered drowsily. "When we came through the gate I felt myself being dragged back into my body and I must've passed out."
Dean held out a hand and Sam groggily pulled himself up, swinging his legs down over the seat on to the ground.
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"I see that your little foray into Hell was successfully concluded. It's good to see you again, Dean," Death said, his voice causing the hairs on Dean's neck to rise.
"I have to say you Winchesters never cease to amaze me."
He turned his attention to Sam.
"All is well, I hope, Sam? Separating a soul from a body is a little traumatizing but nothing that a good night's sleep won't mend. Did your wall hold up? I was a little worried that your little jaunt through Hell might have chipped it a little. It's encouraging to know I do such good work. Now gentlemen, I'd like a little word with you if I may. I suppose this car is as good a place as any to talk," and he proceeded to settle himself in the passenger seat.
Sam and Dean exchange puzzled glances.
"But….." Dean began.
"I said. Sit down, Dean!" Death ordered.
Dean quickly complied but Sam could have sworn that the Grim Reaper winked at him behind his brother's back.
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