Chapter 24

Jack began to concentrate, to use his powers to push Sam away, but the gun was pressed hard to his temple, the hammer cocked. He didn't want to hurt Sam and he didn't want Sam to hurt him or his brother either. He was just scared because that maniac, the kidnapper, was doing a number on his head. Jack could deal with that, but he swallowed hard anyway. It didn't make him any less nervous.

"Sam you know better, he said. "I told you a long time ago that I'd never hurt you and I meant that. You know Brad isn't the one doing this to you. You know it Sam, now put the gun down. Please."

"No," replied Sam but removed it from Jack's head. He held it in his hand and when Brad tried to take another step, he pointed it at him. Brad stopped and eyed the gun.

Resigned, Brad took a breath and kept his hands where Sam could see them. "Okay Sam," he said. "I won't move. I won't try anything, but I'm not the one doing this. Where do you want me?" Sam gestured toward the cell with the gun. Brad nodded and slowly walked over to it. He looked back at Sam and then started to walk inside.

"Hold it Brad," said Sam. He stopped and waited. Sam walked over, still aiming the gun. "Hands up," he said. Brad placed his hands on the bars. Sam searched him, removing his paper clips and the gun he was carrying. When he was finished, he opened the door.

"I'm not doing this to you Sam. I don't know where the box came from. I don't know how it got there. When you two were asleep, I went upstairs to make coffee. They must have brought it in then. It wasn't me Sam. You know it wasn't me." Sam wasn't listening. He gestured with the gun again and Brad walked inside the cell.

"Take off your jacket," instruted the young hunter. Brad did what he was told to do and handed it to Sam. He took it and locked the doctor inside, and then turned to Jack. He had gotten to his feet. Sam swung the gun in his direction. "Don't!" he warned, but Jack using his mind, knocked the gun out of Sam's hand and pushed him back toward the cell. Brad grabbed him through the bars, but Sam shoved Jack backwards.

"SAM!" said Jack forcefully, but the young man concentrated and levitated the gun at Jack's head. He froze, hands up. Sam cocked the gun, using his mind.

"Let me go Brad," Sam ordered. Brad looked at Sam and then at his little brother. He didn't have a choice. He was afraid he'd shoot Jack, so he let him go. Sam walked over and plucked the gun from the air. Jack could see that he was angry.

"Sit down!" said Sam. Jack took a seat and placed his hands on his legs in front of him so Sam could see them.

"Why are you using your powers againist me!" said Sam dangerously.

"Because you're trying to blow my head off Sam, and because you have my brother locked in a cell. We're trying to help you. We're trying to keep you from loosing your mind. Don't you know that? We're your friends." Sam cocked his head. "This wasn't working," thought Jack. He thought of the cave, and how he had spoken to Sam telepathically, when they were being held captive. Sam had been on another plane, fighting, but Jack had been able to pull him back. Maybe it would do the same now, or maybe, thought Jack, hearing a voice in his head would push him on over, but Jack had to try because Sam wasn't putting the gun down. He made his decision.

"Sam," he said in his head. He blinked as he heard Jack's voice in his mind. "You're scared and you're confused, but we are not your enemies and you know it. Let us help you." Brad spoke to the young hunter outloud and said, "Nemesis is doing this Sam, not us. Nemesis has your brother, not us. We can't help either one of you if you lock us up."

"Please Sam," said Jack outloud. "Let us help you. We're not doing this to you." Sam brought his hand up and rubbed his head and then the back of his neck, then sighing, he walked over and handed Jack the gun.

"I'm sorry," he said. Jack nodded. Sam opened the cell and let Brad out.

"I'm sorry Brad," he said. "I saw the ear and freaked out. I know it wasn't you or Jack." Brad grinned. "It's okay," he said. "If I was under the kind of pressure you're under, I might have done the same thing." Sam nodded.

"Are you okay now?" asked Jack. Sam nodded once again, but said, "I'm scared."

"I know," answered Jack. "Us too. We'll get him back. I promise." Sam nodded.

"Do you know where Tony and Bryan are?" Brad asked.

"Yeah," answered Sam. "Langston and his men took them before I was moved to where the kidnapper was."

"They've been captured?" asked Jack. "By Langston?"

"Yeah," said Sam and sat down.

"Shit!" said Jack. Brad jumped as the phone rang. He rushed to answer it, afraid to let it ring twice.

"I'm here," he said into the mouthpiece.

"Very good Brad. You answered on the first ring. I'm impressed. You're as much of a smart ass as Dean." said Nemesis.

"What do you want?" asked Brad.

"That was a lovely conversation you two had with the young hunter," taunted Nemesis. "You almost made me cry."

"What the hell do you want you son of a bitch!" said Brad through clenched teeth.

"Watch your mouth Brad," warned Nemesis. "You don't want to make me angry. I was calling to check on your brother. Sam's isn't doing so good." Brad closed his eyes.

"How is Jack?" asked Nemesis sounding like a concerned friend instead of a psychopath.

"Jack is fine," answered Brad. "What do you want?" He looked at his brother who had walked over to a now shaking Sam trying to get him to stay calm.

"Have you told Sam yet," asked Nemesis.

"You seem to know all the answers. Why don't you tell me."

"Okay fine. I know you haven't. What are you waiting for? Tell him." said Nemesis.

"No," said Brad.

"Excuse me?" asked Nemesis fiending shock.

"You're driving Sam insane already. I'm not going to help you!" said Brad.

"Really?" asked the kidnapper. Brad spun around when he heard Jack scream. He saw his brother fly through the air and crash into the bars of the cell, hitting his head and sinking to the floor.

"Jack," yelled Brad. Sam jumped up and stared. Jack was looking around frantically. In his minds eye, Jack saw himself in a very small room, no bigger than a closet with no windows. It was hot and he could feel the walls closing in on him. He began to hyperventilate.

"Stop!" Brad yelled into the phone. "He has a problem with small places! They suffocate him! He can't breathe!"

"Yes I know," said Nemesis and stopped. Jack looked around. The image in his head disappeared and he saw that he wasn't in a small room but the clinic. It had been an illusion. A very real one, thought Jack and shuddered involuntarily. He tried to get his breathing back to normal and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"You will do as I say. Don't mess with me Brad. Remember what I said. I'm handling you, just like I'm handling Sam. You tell him or the next time, I'll kill Jack. Understand?"

Brad just held the phone. "Answer me!" yelled Nemesis.

"Yes," said Brad.

"Tell Sam I'll call him in two hours. Tell him I hope he liked my present." said Nemesis and ended the call. Brad ran over to Jack.

"Are you okay," he asked his brother. Jack nodded. Brad looked at his watch. It was 6 pm.