A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's…though I wished I owned the guys…*sighs*

Brooklyn had changed into the spare set of clothing she thought to pack. The weather had turned cooler once again but still she had been dressed in less in worse conditions. After burning the vampire they had pressed on knowing they would have to go past Saint Louis and further north. They didn't know Maximilian had seen past Dean's attempts to cover their trail was several days out and closing in with every mile.

Dean was back to full strength after feeding from his human. He didn't like using her as a sort of blood bank but Brooklyn knew the risks and had no after thought of allowing him to feed from her. He too had changed clothing and now the vampire and human had made it to Central Missouri.

The river was low and Brooklyn felt the trepidation creeping inside once again. Dean picked up on her fear and gently squeezed her hand.

"I can't….I can't swim this….No….." she continued shaking her head.

"Brook we have to," Dean broke it to her. "If we cross any bridges we'll be spotted and that's what they'll expect. I won't let go of you I promise."

It was hard for Brooklyn to even look at the water without remembering the night she nearly drowned when they escaped Alaric. Dean knew she was recalling that night with frightening detail but they didn't have another option. If they crossed any of the bridges they would be spotted instantly. He looked around and saw the lowest point. Several large sandbanks were jutting up from the water's surface which would provide them with a little dry land to trek but would hopefully ease Brooklyn's troubled soul. But then he sensed something else, something she had not told him and questioned silently if she had suffered an unspeakable terror when in captivity.

"Brook, we need to go," Brooklyn was shaking uncontrollably as the panic took control.

"No, please….I can't….." she said weakly. Dean looked at her straight in the eyes and kept her gaze locked with his.

"Brook, whatever they did to you it won't happen here. I will have you," Brooklyn felt her knees buckle but Dean wasn't about to let her fall. Gripping her hand with ferocity, the vampire pulled her to the water's edge and walked straight into the murky water. Brooklyn couldn't scream, as her voice was frozen. The water was ice cold as they were now up to their chests. Dean held her tighter as they made it to the first sandbar. He noticed she was afraid to look anywhere but at him which was good as he hoped it would keep her focused. They made it halfway across and now had to cross the deepest part of their trek. Here the current was swifter as several large branches swept past them. Brooklyn turned her head as the images of the torment threatened to replay. The water had been numbing and she couldn't feel anything for nearly a day after. Her captors had laughed when she begged them to stop. They had called her a filthy disgusting human, nothing more than food to them.

"Brook," Dean's voice gently snapped her from the painful recollection.

Brooklyn realized she was breathing hard and her eyes had been closed as tight as they could be. Dean feared for her but they were almost there.

"Brook, you know you can do this," Dean encouraged his human. She took a deep breath and put her trust in her vampire and let him lead her back in the water. Adrenaline poured into her veins and felt her legs propel her forward. Branches and sticks scraped against her legs but the protective layer of denim kept them from hurting her.

"We're almost there Brook," Dean hollered over his shoulder. Brooklyn continued to keep her head above water despite the pack on her back and shoulders. Dean didn't see the large branch coming towards them until it was too late.

Brooklyn hollered in pain as the sharp splintered ends ripped along her side and hip. Silt and water coated the fresh wounds and the human cried out as her body felt like it was on fire. Dean watched with horror as the blood flowed down the river and Brooklyn was now fighting to keep her head from dipping below. She stuck a hand along her side and felt where wood had ripped soft skin and flesh apart.

Dean kept kicking and pushing water behind watching the shore start to grow larger and closer. The current had picked up in intensity but to the vampire it was but a mere inconvenience. Brooklyn tried to kick and swim but her body was growing weaker from the blood loss and exhaustion. Dean's toes scraped across soft bottom then his other foot landed on the bottom. He continued dragging his human feeling the current decrease and the land increase. The vampire picked Brooklyn up and rushed for the shelter of the woods.

Maximilian kept on horseback following the fresh tracks. He had to admire Winchester for his strategy but he was no match for an expert military trained tracker. He had found slaves on less but this quarry was still a challenge nonetheless. He remembered hunting down humans in the steppes of Ukraine and in treacherous sands of the Mojave. No matter what the human did, there was always something left behind.

The faint scent of the human made his fangs drop down and the hunger came to light. He had remembered to bring supplies but the vampire wanted to taste the blood of the human slave Brooklyn along with a few other parts of her body. What Alaric didn't know couldn't hurt him.

Sam watched as the elite guard patrolled past the estate. He knew the Saltzmans were behind this but he wasn't afraid of the overdressed goons. Nancy had managed to slip a letter to him from Jessica but was almost caught by the elite guard. But Sam managed to hide her until they passed then hurried her out the back way.

My Sam,

I am recovering from my brother's ruthless attack but my father is determined to keep me here from seeing you. He has guards posted around the manor which is why I have Nancy doing my bidding. I do not regret my actions as your brother is now with the one his heart truly belongs to. When this nightmare is over I will denounce the Saltzman name and be with you. For now though we must keep the light between us brighter than ever even when adversity threatens to keep us apart.

Jessica

Sam had written a response and now patiently waited for Nancy to come through when she ran errands again. Bobby noticed the younger vampire brooding around the manor and sadly shook his head. He knew the Saltzmans could be cruel and heartless and this was but one of those times they threw their power around to intimidate others. He was unaware that Maximilian had been dispatched to find his brother and Brooklyn. All Sam knew was Nicholas sent handpicked bounty hunters to find them but had received word that some of lesser vampires now were in the fray. Sam knew they were only interested in money and blood, not honor or Law. He looked out the window once again watching the snow come down in a solid white curtain.

Nicholas Saltzman sat in his study reading the latest update in the hunt for Dean Winchester and the fugitive slave. He had been going over everything on the Winchester clan and had received information John was not at the estate. The vampire knew he was searching for his son but had managed to keep hidden from any trackers. Another dispatch from Alaric revealed Maximilian had set out to find them and it would be he who would return the vampire and human here. Nicholas went for the liquor cabinet and dispensed his favorite whiskey into the crystal tumbler, no glass for his family. He had already sent a plea out to the Council to charge Dean with theft of property and now waited for their response. Though Alaric was a member of the ruling body the Law allowed for the Council to convene without all of its members in special instances. But then again his son wouldn't object as it was Dean Winchester who would have to face the assembly.

For over 2,000 years his family had ruled this area with an iron fist and Nicholas wasn't about to let a lower class vampire make him look like a fool. He did not let such actions go by without being punished. He had sent slaves off to Denver for less and didn't think twice about killing another vampire. He had done it before when he was younger and rising to power and wouldn't bat an eye now. Whatever his sons needed to succeed Nicholas would provide it.

Dean gently put Brooklyn down on the ground and ripped away the torn shirt and pants. Dirt clogged the wounds and sticks protruded in flesh. Brooklyn whimpered as he carefully pulled the small twigs and other debris out.

"I'm sorry Brook," he said sadly. "I'm trying to be as gentle as I can."

"I know," she hissed between gritted teeth. Dean knew if he didn't clean the wounds infection would set in and she could die. "It just hurts so bad…."

Dean leaned over and kissed her forehead. He found what water remained in the canteen and knew he would have to use the precious liquid to clean away the dirt. But they needed shelter and source of water so she could heal.

"Brook I need to move you to a safe place. This may hurt," Brooklyn let a shrill cry out when her vampire carefully picked her up. The forest echoed with her painful screams. The exposed flesh burned as it rubbed against itself and continued to throb when Dean had her in his arms and moving further into the woods. He remembered reading about this area and how caves dotted the landscape. Some were used by humans as shelter while others were used by vampires smuggling outlawed items. Dean kept is sharp emerald orbs moving from side to side until he spotted something off in the distance.

The cavern was wide and deep with a rocky outcrop at the entrance. He hurried inside and juggled his hurt human while placing the cloak down on the ground. A fire had to be started and water needed to be found. Brooklyn was weak from dehydration and slowly started slipping into shock.

"Dean…" she looked up to her vampire. Dean sat down beside her and noticed the wound continued to bleed despite the last dry article being pressed against it which was acting as a bandage.

"Shhhh, don't speak," he said. "Just keep still Brook."

Brooklyn just closed her eyes and nodded as Dean attempted to do basic first aid on her. If they were at the estate it would simple, but out here his resources were greatly limited and scarce. He rummaged through the bag seeing that Brooklyn had packed a few medical items. The vampire pulled out the gauze, tape, ointment and painkillers. He searched further looking for suture and a needle but no such luck. Dean felt despondent as he looked over the meager items but decided to give one last look over through the bag. He searched the side pockets again and felt the tiny pouch tucked deep at the bottom. The waterproof sack held what he was looking for.

Feeling a renewed sense of hope and urgency, Dean grabbed the canteen and hurried off to find water. He found a creek a few yards from the cave and filled the canteen up. He would need to boil it somehow but realized he could do it in the canteen. He hurried back and spotted a peculiar looking plant to the right. The vampire held it delicately between his fingers and realized it was meadowsweet.

"Nature's painkiller," Dean grabbed a handful and raced back to Brooklyn.

Next update soon.....