Okay guys, my internet/email is acting up again (damn Montana weather!). I'm not sure that I will be able to reply to all of your comments so I am thanking each and everyone of you who left me a review! Your comments keep me going and they are much appreciated. Now, onto the update. This is a shorter chapter but I hope you will like it anyway.

Cindy.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Jakota, wake up," Dean whispered urgently shaking the sleeping hunter's shoulder.

Jakota jerked awake, his wide eyes darting around as he tried to focus on who the figure was standing next to his cot.

"Wh...what's going on?" he questioned warily, pulling himself up from the cot.

"Just get dressed, I'll fill you in on the way," Dean said. Turning to another cot, he shook the man who lay sleeping there. "Bryan, get up. We need to move. Now!"

Bryan bolted up, his eyes falling on Dean and his brother. He sat on the edge of his cot and bent over to put on his boots. He was fully clothed, having just collapsed onto his cot after a long day of patrolling the perimeter of the compound.

The three men hurried from the barracks as Dean filled the brothers in on the reason for their rude awakening. Dean explained that on his last sweep he witnessed a group of five men hiding in the trees at the northwest corner of the compound. He went on to explain that when one of the men tried to cross the salt line, he was driven back with a sharp cry of pain.

"Demons?" Jakota asked, his eyes widening.

"Shouldn't we get Sam?" Bryan asked as he rushed along beside the other two men.

"No, he's with Isaral. We can handle this," Dean said, pulling two bottles from his coat pockets and handing one to each man.

"How are we gonna do that Dean? Holy water will hurt 'em but it won't kill 'em," Bryan said.

"We just need to draw them to that old shack by the rock outcropping. I drew a devils trap on the ceiling. Once we get them there we exorcise them," Dean replied.

"I don't know Dean, I think we should get Sam," Jakota said, his eyes glancing to his brother.

"Look, I've been doing this a long time. I think I can handle things without the help of my little brother," Dean spat.

"Dean, we know how capable you are. We just think Sam might want to be involved is all," Jakota replied.

"Sam is with Isaral, as I said. Besides, he hasn't been feeling well the past few days. I'm not going to drag him into something when he's not healthy. I won't risk his safety like that," Dean said, holding his hand out to silence anymore speaking.

Jakota and Bryan glanced quickly at each other then quietly followed Dean through the trees. The three hunters pulled up behind a large tree when they heard voices up ahead of them. They peered from behind their hiding place and three men came into view. They looked normal in every way except one thing. Their eyes were coal black, no whites visible at all.

"I thought you said there were five," Bryan whispered.

"There are," a deep voice said from behind the three hunters.

The hunters spun around and came face to face with two black eyed men. The men sneered at the hunters as the other three demons circled behind them.

"Well, well, well. Dean Winchester, in the flesh. You have quite the reputation," one demon possessed man with shoulder length red hair hissed.

"I'm not surprised. I am very popular with the ladies," Dean smirked, glancing nervously to his companions, who both appeared quite nervous themselves.

"Ah, I've heard of your...colorful conversationalism," Red quipped, his grin widening.

"I do know how to keep things from getting boring," Dean replied.

"So...where's baby brother? I was so hoping to meet him," Red said.

"He's busy. Sorry to disappoint you," Dean replied, his hackles rising a bit at the mention of Sam.

"Well, that's too bad. Oh well, we'll be seeing him soon enough. Once he comes out to rescue you three clowns, he'll be all ours."

"What makes you think we'll need to be rescued?" Jakota asked, leering at the demon who was threatening his friend.

"What makes you think you won't?" the demon replied.

With that, Jakota was sent flying. He landed with a loud thud on the ground twenty feet away where he lay, groaning in pain. Bryan instantly started toward his brother, but was flung backwards into a tree, unable to move or talk. Dean suddenly flew backwards also, hitting the large tree they had been hiding behind. He tried pulling his head forward but was unable to move. The redheaded demon approached Dean as the other four split and stood guard over the brothers.

"So, Dean. How long before you think Sammy boy will come riding in on his white stallion to save the day?"

"He won't. He's too smart to run into a trap," Dean replied.

"Oh, I think he will if he knows big brother is in trouble."

"He doesn't know we're out here. Sorry, but your little plan is not gonna work."

"It'll work just fine. Sammy's the psychic wonder. The boy who would be king. And boy, do those powers of his kick in when big brother Dean is in danger. I think there's going to be a reason for Sam's abilities to kick in Dean," Red said, suddenly producing a long piece of rusty rebar and shoving it viciously through Dean's thigh.

Dean screamed with pain as the demon twisted the rebar in his leg. Blood flowed from the wound where the rebar entered and exited, and Dean began to feel lightheaded from pain and the sudden blood loss. The demon leaned forward, his face mere inches from Dean's.

"Now, all we do is wait," it whispered.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Well, Dean's hurting right about now! Wonder if the demon is right and Sam will come riding to the rescue, as it hopes. Find out tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

Cindy.