Chapter 23

Brad continued standing where he was. He shook his head but didn't try to move toward Sam.

"Sam," he said softly, as he stood there helpless. Sam had started shaking uncontrollably again and Brad watched as sweat began to pour from his face. As Brad watched him, he knew that Sam wouldn't be as easy to approach this time.

Brad knelt down but kept his distance. "Sam," he said again. "They're gone okay? They're not here. Not anymore. Let me come and get you." Sam shook his head. He could feel their eyes on him. They were watching him and not from a distance. They were close. He had to do what they said.

"Its been15 minutes Sam. They told you ten. You'll be okay if I come over there now and so will Dean. You did what they said." Brad still made no attempt to approach the young man.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "Are you hurt?"

"Brad?" asked Sam as if he was hearing his voice for the first time. Brad took a deep breath and then blew it out.

"Yeah Sam, it's me," he answered. "I'm coming over there okay?" Sam swallowed hard but nodded. Brad walked over to where he lay. He moved very slowly.

"How ya doing?" he asked.

"Dean is in bad shape," answered Sam. Brad nodded even though Sam couldn't see him.

"Look, I'm going to take off the blindfold first and then I'll take off the cuffs. Okay?" Sam nodded again. Brad removed the blindfold and Sam blinked against the sudden light. "You okay," he asked. Sam nodded again. The doctor reached into his pocket and pulled out a paper clip, then walked around behind Sam and removed the cuffs.

"Are you sure?" he asked. Sam nodded and said, "Dean's not."

"I know," replied Brad.

"Why did he let me go? He told me to give him what he wanted. He had me right there. He could have taken whatever he wanted, but he let me go. What kind of game is he playing?" Sam sounded broken, helpless.

"It's a mind game Sam," remarked Brad. "A sick one." He helped him to stand up.

"I don't understand. I don't know what he wants." He looked at Brad. His eyes were like a frightened child's. They were haunted and desperate. "What does he want?"

"Come inside. Let me check you out and then I'll tell you what I've found out." Sam nodded and allowed himself to be led inside and over to the treatment area. Jack was just beginning to stir. He opened his eyes and looked over at Brad who was making a reluctant Sam lie down. He didn't want to, but he was asleep almost as soon as he lay down his head.

"I thought he was taken," said Jack. Brad looked at his brother and nodded. "He was. Tony and Bryan went after him. They brought Sam back but I haven't heard from the others. I don't know if they've been taken or not. How are you?"

Jack nodded. "I'm better. I think." Brad grinned slightly, but everything was beginning to weigh him down.

At 6pm Sam woke up. Brad walked over to him. Jack had fallen back to sleep and Brad still had not heard from Tony or Bryan.

"How are you?" asked Brad. Sam didn't answer. He was staring at a box that was sitting on the other cot. Brad followed Sam's gaze. His eyes widened in shock as he saw it to. "How did that get there," he thought. "When could they have brought it in?" It looked just like the other two and it had Sam's name on it.

"Sam," said Brad, but he got up and walked over to the cot. He picked up the box, looked at Brad, and then opened it.

"NO!" he yelled and began to fall as all the strength went out of his legs. Brad ran over and caught him before he hit the floor.

"Come on Sam," he said and got him over to the bed. He walked back over to the box and peered inside. His stomach turned. Inside the box was an ear. It had blood all over it and Brad knew it was real, just like the toe. He closed the box and threw it down, and then ran over to Sam and grabbed his head in his hands, forcing him to look at him.

"Sam!" said Brad nervously. "Stay with me okay?" He didn't answer. Brad was desperate.

"Listen to me. When they took you, did they let you see Dean?" Sam nodded.

"Okay," said Brad. "I want you to think. Was he bleeding?" Sam racked his brain trying to remember. They had let him in the room with Dean. He had grabbed his head, just like Brad was doing to him now, and made him look at him. Except for his toe, Dean had not been cut and his toe was still attached to his foot with stitches. Sam shook his head.

"Okay then," said Brad. "The ear is not his. The kidnapper, Nemesis, is just messing with your head Sam. You've got to keep it together." Sam nodded and let out the breath he was holding. When Brad was positive that Sam wasn't going to freak out, he let him go.

"Are you okay now?" he asked. Sam nodded again but he wasn't sure. Not anymore. He didn't look at Brad. He glared. Brad stepped back, not liking the look he was getting from the young hunter.

"How did it get here?" asked Sam. Brad shook his head and said. "I don't know."

"You and Jack are the only ones here," stated Sam.

"What?" said Brad stepping back some more. "What are you trying to say?"

"Nothing," replied Sam but his eyes said different. He got up off the bed.

"Sam," said Brad. "Come on now." He let out a nervous laugh. He didn't like the way he was looking at him at all. Suddenly Sam got angry.

"You've kept things from me before," Sam accused.

"Because I didn't want to drive you over the edge," said Brad. "Come on Sam."

Sam walked over to Jack. There was a gun on the table. He looked at it, so did Brad. Sam was closer, Brad would never make it in time, but he knew what was about to happen.

"Sam, don't do this," Brad pleaded. "I didn't know the box was here. I don't know how it got here."

"How did it get here," asked Sam as if he didn't hear him. "You two were the only ones here." Brad stared at Sam and was getting angry himself.

"Listen to me Sam. I've got a feeling you're accusing me of messing with your head. I know you're scared. I know you're worried about Dean, which is why I don't come over there right now and kick your ass." He took a step, but Sam grabbed the gun and walked up to Jack's head. He pressed it to Jack's temple. His eyes popped open when he felt the cold barrel. He froze, afraid to move. Brad stopped. His anger turned to fear.

"Sam," said Brad gently and raised both hands. "You're loosing it man. You're doing what Nemesis wants. Put the gun down okay?" Sam kept right on holding it.

"Put it down Sam. Let me help you," said Brad. "You're scared. I get that, but I'm not the one doing this to you and you know it." Sam held the gun to Jack's head and cocked the hammer. He continued to glare at Brad.