Becky, I'll be sure to update Friday for your birthday.

Chapter 79

Dean's watch told him it was six o'clock already. "We rest up until dark okay?" he whispered. "Meanwhile, we'll figure out a way to escape."

"How?" asked Sam. "Oh I know. Why don't we just say, hey Nemesis my brother and I and our friends want to go home now. You don't mind do you?"

Dean didn't have an answer. Not yet. They couldn't climb over the staves. They were too high, too pointed and far too dangerous especially since Dean had those stitches in his chest and Sam had a couple of broken ribs, not to mention the blow he'd just received to his head. Besides, the others were inside. They couldn't try to shake the staves loose because they had no doubt that Harper and his men were watching them and Nemesis would be back soon.

"When it gets dark Sammy, we'll find a way." They sat together, their backs leaning against the palings. They felt defeated.

Sam huffed loudly. "It's hot in here," he said, "and sticky."

"Rest while we can Sam, that's about all we can do right now. Here let me look at your head." He turned and took Sam's head gently in his hands and inspected it. "You've got a large bump up there, but it's not cut or anything. How do you feel?"

"I hurt," revealed Sam. "My head hurts, my ribs hurt, my hands are killing me."

"I know," said Dean. "Look, just try to get some rest. We can't do anything until it gets dark. Okay?" Sam nodded. Dean turned back around and both closed their eyes, as the shadows lengthened around the cage, they fell silent and dozed a little.

Meanwhile, inside the old house the others were having their own problems. Tony and Bryan had been tied to a wooden post in the middle of the room. Jack was chained by his foot, to the wall. Brad's hands were cuffed behind him and he was sitting in a chair and John was cuffed to another one.

"What the hell did you do to my boys," asked John angrily. "Where are they?"

"Somewhere you can't get to them," replied Harper. "Nemesis is going to have some fun with those two. Now if you want them to live you will not try anything."

"I want to see them," said John. "How do I know they are ok?"

"You don't," replied Harper. "But do you really want to take that chance?"

"I want to see them," John said again.

"Tough," answered Harper. "I'm the one calling the shots here. It would be your best interest as well as there's to remember that." John closed his mouth. Harper grinned and turned toward Jack.

"Don't mess with him," said Brad angrily. Harper didn't pay him any attention. He walked over to Jack and shoved him back against the wall.

"When Nemesis gives me permission, you and I have some things to discuss."

"You're right about that," said Jack and received a punch in the gut. He grunted and bent over. Harper took out his gun, shoved him back against the wall once again and placed it right between his eyes, hammer cocked. Jack froze and held his breath.

"Harper!" said Nemesis as he walked back inside the cabin. "Now don't go and shoot the boy. I'm not done with him yet." Harper grinned and returned the gun to it's place in his waist band. Jack let out the breath he had been holding.

"Where are Sam and Dean," asked Tony.

"They are about to meet some friends of mine," replied the immortal.

"Where?" Bryan demanded. "What friends?"

"None of your business," declared the immortal.

Outside a low, throaty snarl brought Sam to his senses. He lay stretched out on the ground, eyes closed.

"Christ his head hurt" he thought. "Dean? Where was Dean?" He began to remember what had happened.

Sam's hand shot to his head. It felt like it had been kicked around a baseball diamond non stop. He groaned and let his hand drop to his side. It was easier that way. He just lay there. He opened his eyes and stared up at the night sky.

Another low snarl. More like a warning growl, Sam thought. It was deep, throaty and seemed like it was sending him a message. He watched the clusters of stars above. He moved his head-first to one side and then the other. The lump on it throbbed like crazy. He lifted his left hand to feel it.

A gut wrenching stench brought him to. He sat up. Flashes of pain shot fresh stars into his head.

"Sam," said Dean nervously. He came over to his brother and knelt down by his side. He put one hand on his chest because it was beginning to hurt. "Sammy?" He said it louder this time because it didn't seem like Sam heard him.

"Dean?"

"Sam man thank God you're awake. You passed out. You scared me to death when I couldn't wake you up."

"Yeah my head is killing me," he said. "So are my ribs."

"Yeah. I know," replied Dean. "Think you can get up?" Sam nodded and tried to get to his feet. When he stood, he swayed and Dean caught him. "Easy," he said and helped him to stay on his feet.

"I haven't heard Nemesis for awhile. He came out to check on us while you were unconscious. He went inside, but I hear his playmates."

"What?" asked Sam?" A low warning snarl was joined by another, and another. A third also joined in. This one had a higher pitch, like a female. Then, a sharp yelp as if it's owner had received a hefty swipe.

"What? You've got to be kidding me," said Sam.

"I wish I was. Its cougars Sam. They're here and they're close."

Sam turned and almost fell because he was dizzy, but Dean caught him before he did. He held his hands out in front of him, but couldn't see a thing. "God its dark," he said.

"I know," answered Dean. "And that smell." His outstretched arms touched palings placed about 4 inches apart. He fingered the twine holding them together at intervals and tugged at the staves. They had been hammered in firmly. Too firmly, thought Dean. There was no moving them, no tools to loosen them either. Dean's heart sank. So did Sam's.

"Great. Just great!" said Dean angrily. "Wooden bars all around and damn mountain lions waiting for our skins!"

A blinding light slashed through the darkness. Sam and Dean covered there eyes against the glare. Nemesis laugh rang out.

"Welcome boys," he said. "This is my little home away from home. He stood outlined in the yellow glow from the back doorway. He held a lighted candle in one hand, a rifle in the other. He didn't need the rifle but sometimes he liked doing things the old fashioned way. He glared at his prisoners.

"Dean," Sam whispered. "What is he going to do with us?" Nemesis hurried past their cage. "Here kitty, kitty, kitty," he called softly into the darkness.

Sam and Dean heard growls and snarls in answer to their master's call. Nemesis turned to look at Sam over his shoulder. "Does that answer your question boy," he asked. "You know they haven't had a good meal in a while."

"You're crazy," declared Dean. "All these generations you've been alive has driven you insane!"

"Dean hold on. Don't say anything to make him mad." Dean's eyes flashed with impatience. He grinned and kept his eyes on the immortal. "Yeah," he thought. "He was crazy, but crazy like a fox." Dean knew he had to be just as clever. He knew he had to get into his head and play him at his own game. The lives of his brother and friends depended on it.

"How is everyone else," he asked the enemy.

Nemesis glared at him and said, "Okay for now. I'll be changing that soon enough though."

"I want to see my kids!" John demanded "Now!"

"I don't really care what you want John," replied Harper. "I'm in charge here. Understand?"

John glared at the man before him. As soon as he got the chance he would kill this one himself, personally. Harper walked over to him.

"I know what you're thinking but please do remember that the lives of your sons and your friends are at stake, so I wouldn't try anything if I were you."