Chapter 44
The man that Jack had pushed came to stand in front of him. He was angry and he had fire in his eyes. He grabbed Jack's jacket and pulled him close.
"We have your brother Jack. Remember that. One more stunt like that and you'll be an only child." The two held him still while the third threw a chain with handcuffs on each end over a beam in the shed's ceiling. They chained his hands above his head.
"Good boy," one of the men said when Jack didn't fight. All three went to wait for Nemesis.
"Is Brad okay," asked Jack nervously but they didn't answer so he tried again. "Is my brother okay?"
"For now," said one of the guards. "If you want him to stay that way you will not try anything." Jack fell silent. The men stood guard.
"How do you want to do this," asked Tony.
"Well if I'm going to get to Dean, I can't walk in there with you by my side." John replied. They had reached the house and saw Dean's Impala parked in the driveway.
"I want to go in there with you," quipped Tony. "My partner's in there."
"I know but you can't. Not right now," John answered. "If I'm going to be able to do this, I have to walk in there alone. If you're right, Dean's been turned against you all. I have to act like I just dropped by."
Tony looked toward the house and then back at his friend. He didn't like it but he knew that John had a point. If he went in there with him John wouldn't stand a chance with his son.
"Just be careful," said Tony finally. John nodded. "I will," he said and while Tony stayed back and hid, John walked up on the porch and took a deep breath. He knocked and prayed that this would work.
Inside the house, Dean jumped when he heard the noise. He looked down at Bryan and then slowly made his way over to the door to open it.
"Dad?" he said. He was a little shocked to see John Winchester standing there before him.
"Hello Dean," he said. "How are you?" Dean looked past his dad to the surroundings woods and then returned his father's gaze. "I'm good," he replied.
"How are you?" John nodded and held out his arms. Dean hugged him.
"So, are you going to make me stand out on the porch all night or can I come in?" asked John.
"Oh sorry," replied Dean a little sheepishly. He grinned and stepped aside. John walked inside. They both stood in the hallway.
"Is this as far as I'm going?" asked John. Dean shook his head. "No," he said, but before you go into the living room, I need to tell you something."
"Okay," said John expectantly. "What is it?"
"Dad, I've got Bryan tied up in there." Outwardly John didn't react, but inside he was nervous. He looked his son over. Dean didn't even look like himself. His eyes were dark and wild and his voice was cold. He didn't want to give away the fact that he already knew, so he looked at his son and said, "Want to tell me why?"
"They've hurt Sammy," replied Dean.
"Who?" asked John?
"Bryan, Tony, Brad and Jack," answered Dean. "I watched them do it. I got Sam away from them and brought Bryan along so the others would not try anything."
"Where's Sammy Dean? Where is your brother?"
"He's safe," answered Dean avoiding the question and his father's gaze. "I just wanted you to know." John nodded. Dean went into the living room first and he followed. He froze when he saw Bryan. He flinched when he saw the bruise to his face and the burn to his foot.
Bryan looked up at him but didn't speak. John turned to his oldest, "What happened to him," he asked.
"He tried to get away. He got to Sammy. I had to stop him," said Dean.
"Dean where is Sam," asked his father. John looked around the room then back to him. "Where is your brother?" He was trying very hard to keep the panic out of his voice.
"Safe," was all Dean would say.
"Where?" asked John raising his voice. Dean looked at him and then reluctantly walked over to the fireplace. He pushed the panel. John watched as a door opened. He walked inside. Sam was lying on the bed.
"Sammy!" said John nervously and rushed to his youngest son's side. Dean came in behind him. John felt his forehead and then brushed the hair out of his eyes. Sam didn't budge.
"What's the matter with him," said John getting angry.
"Nothing," replied Dean. "I just gave him a shot to make him sleep."
"You did what?" asked John astonished. "You drugged your brother?"
"I'm trying to protect him dad. I know what I saw. I caught Bryan in here. He had gotten away and tried to take him. They've hurt him dad, all of them. I'll do whatever I have to do to protect Sam!"
John squeezed his eyes shut and then slowly got to his feet and turned to look at Dean.
"I know what I saw!" yelled Dean beginning to get angry himself. John knew that wouldn't be good so he tried to calm him down.
"Okay Dean," he said. "I believe you. Listen do you think I could get something to drink? I want to have a talk with Bryan. Nobody hurts my boys. Nobody!" Dean blew out a breath and nodded.
"I'll get you something," he said.
"Thanks," John replied. He didn't want to but he walked out of the room and allowed Dean to lock Sam back inside. Dean went into the kitchen and John walked over to Bryan and stared down at him. Bryant wasn't too sure he liked what he saw.
"I did not hurt Sam!" he said. "I wouldn't do that and I did not try to get away. I just wanted to make sure he was okay. John please, you've got to believe me!"
John walked closer to Bryan and knelt down. Bryan braced not sure what to expect. He knew how John could be when the lives of his kids were at stake.
"I do believe you okay? Just calm down. How long has he been like this?"
"I don't know," replied Bryan relaxing a little. At least John wasn't going to pound him. "Me and Tony got him away from Nemesis and he seemed okay except for being sore and hurting from where he was tortured, but then he got a phone call and he's been like this ever since."
"Did he do that to you?" John asked and gestured toward his face and foot. Bryan nodded. "He has these dreams, nightmares. Nemesis gives them to him and then manipulates them and makes them a memory. He's controlling Dean and he don't even realize it."
"I know. Listen, just hang in there. Tony is outside." Bryan nodded and laid his head back against the pipe. "Is Sam okay?" he asked.
"He's asleep," replied John. "Dean said he just gave him something to make him sleep. I believe him. He doesn't want to hurt Sam. He's trying to protect him. I'm afraid that is going to change though if I don't reach him. He's unpredictable."
"What are you doing dad," asked Dean as he came back into the living room carrying coffee cups. John looked at Bryan. He got the message.
"I'm having a conversation with Bryan here. I want to know why he's hurting Sam when he's suppose to be such good friends with both of you." John continued to watch Bryan and he was angry. Bryan swallowed and hoped he read John right. He played along.
"I did not hurt Sam. I did not hurt Dean. None of us did," he said. John grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled his head back. Bryan winced.
"Are you calling my son a liar!" he asked dangerously.
"NO," yelled Bryan. "He just doesn't realize he's been brainwashed and that those memories he's having are not real!"
John let him go. He stood up and turned around. He took the coffee cup from Dean and set it down. He looked at his son.
"Dean," he said. "Listen to me. It's possible you know." Dean shook his head and said, "I know what I saw!"
"I know you think you do son," said John. Dean shook his head again, his anger beginning to rise. John knew it was now or never.
"He hurt Sam," yelled Dean and pointed at Bryan. "I saw him do it, now he's got you too!" Dean lunged. Bryan braced, but John caught him and held him still.
"He's gotten to you!" yelled Dean beginning to fight his father.
"Hold on!" said John desperately trying to hang onto him. "Nobody's gotten to me okay! John grabbed his arms tightly and turned him to face him.
"Tell me what you remember before the memory of them hurting Sam," said John.
"NO!" yelled Dean getting nervous because he knew the memories before that were fuzzy.
"Tell me Dean," said John forcibly shaking him. "What's the last thing you remember before you were kidnapped!"
"Let me go!" yelled Dean.
"Tell me," yelled John. Dean screamed.