Chapter 6

Bryan walked over to where Sam was standing. He was talking to Detective Langston and he could see that the cop was getting to him.

"Langston," said Bryan. "I've spoken to the captain. He's giving this case to me and my partner."

"What?" asked Langston, "You can't."

"Why not?" asked Bryan.

"It's a conflict of interest. You're both his friends." Tony walked up to Langston and got directly in his face.

"Yeah, we are," said Tony, "but we're also cops. Let me ask you a question?"

"What?"

"What are you doing?" asked Tony.

"I'm questioning a witness," said Langston.

"No you're not," countered Bryan. "You're interrogating a prisoner. You're treating him like he's guilty. He just witnessed a man being shot to death. He didn't pull the damn trigger!"

"Are you sure," asked Langston and Tony shoved him.

"Tony!" said Bryan and grabbed him, stopping him from pounding the cop.

"I'm just doing my job," said the detective.

"What's going on gentlemen?" All three looked as the captain walked over.

"Nothing," said Langston. The captain nodded and turned toward Tony lifting his eyebrows.

"Nothing," said Tony.

"I was just telling Tony and Bryan here that I was just doing my job," replied Langston.

"Well we sure appreciate it," said Tony sarcastically, "but we'll take it from here."

"Fine," said Langston and turned toward Sam. "I'll be watching you son." He snapped his notebook shut. Tony glared at the man and finally he walked away. Jack came to stand by Sam and waited. He knew what was going to happen. Sure enough, as soon as all the cops, CSI vans and coroner left and was out of site, Sam fell.

"Sam!" said Jack grabbing the young man. Bryan got on the other side.

"Help me get him inside," said Jack. Bryan nodded and together the two half carried Sam inside Jack's house.

They took him over to the couch and made him sit down. Sam couldn't think. He could barely move. Brad walked into the kitchen to make coffee and Jack sat on the coffee table in front of Sam.

"Sam," said Jack. "You did good." Sam looked at Jack who could see the terror in his eyes.

"Listen I want you to lay down. Brad's making coffee. I'll bring you a cup when it's done." Sam just sat there. He couldn't process Jack's words.

"Lay down Sam," said Bryan but before he could, the phone rang. Sam slowly took it out of his pocket and swallowed hard. He answered it on the third ring.

"Yeah?"

"It's me Sam. They're listening," said Dean.

"Dean! What've they done to you?" cried Sam.

"I'm alright," said Dean. He sounded strong, but he didn't sound at all right.

"I'm in Jack's house," said Sam.

"I know," said Dean.

"I'm on the couch," replied Sam.

"I know Sam. Don't worry about that now. They haven't given us long to talk, only a minute," said Dean.

Sam understood. "One minute and maybe never again," thought Sam. He jumped to his feet, thankful to hear is brother's voice, but now his legs would not support him and he collapsed falling back on the couch. "I'm sorry," said Sam.

"It's not your fault Sammy. Don't beat yourself up," said Dean.

"Who are they Dean? Are they deranged or something," asked Sam.

"They're creeps and probably crazy. I want you to make me a promise," said Dean.

"I'm dying here Dean," said Sam.

"Listen to me Sam. I want your promise. If anything happens to me……." Said Dean but Sam cut him off.

"Nothing is going to happen to you!"

"If anything happens to me," Dean insisted, "promise me you'll keep it together."

"I don't want to think about that Dean," said Sam desperately.

"You keep it together damn it! You keep it together and have a life. Go back to school."

"You're my life Dean," said Sam.

"You keep it together or I'm going to be pissed off," said Dean.

"I'll give them what they want. I'll get you back."

"You can't," replied Dean. "You can't give them what they want," said Dean.

"I'll do what they want!" Sam was yelling now. He felt so helpless, so angry.

"Sam they want you," said Dean. "He just told me." Sam didn't know what to say so he just held the phone.

"Sam if you don't keep it together I'll haunt your ass!" said Dean fearfully.

"DEAN!" yelled Sam. He didn't reply. "Why are you talking like this?! DEAN!"

"Dean?" The silence electrified him, brought him off the couch. "Dean? You hear me?" cried Sam.

"I hear you Sam," said the kidnapper. It was the same one who he had spoken to before.

"You son of a bitch!" yelled Sam.

"I understand your anger," said Nemesis.

"You piece of garbage!"

"I don't have much patience for it Sam," warned Nemesis.

"If you hurt him," warned Sam.

"I've already hurt him," said Nemesis and if you don't do this, I'll butcher the bastard like a side of beef." Sam closed his eyes. He felt so helpless. It brought the anger crashing down to humility.

"Please. Don't hurt my brother again. Don't," said Sam.

"Chill Sam," said Nemesis. "You just chill while I explain a few things."

"Okay. Alright, I need a few things explained. I'm lost here," said Sam. Again his legs felt weak and he knelt on the floor. For some reason he felt more comfortable on the floor, on his knees than he did on the couch.

"The cops," Nemesis said.

"I didn't tell them anything," said Sam.

"I know," said Nemesis.

"What you did to the dogwalker….I knew you had nothing to loose. I knew I couldn't mess with you.

"There are two cops in the house with you right now," said Nemesis. Sam looked up at Tony and Bryan, and fear flooded him