Chapter 4

A few days later, they managed to figure out who the shtriga was and where its common hunting grounds were. Dean still wasn't comfortable with using Sam as bait for this creature, but he knew that he didn't have a choice. He sighed, sitting on the bed next to his brother and explained what was going on.

Its okay Dean. I'll be fine. You'll keep me safe right?

Of course Sammy. I'll be right there.

Then don't worry.

Dean tried not to worry but he couldn't help it. Sam wouldn't be able to hear the impending attack to be able to get out of the way until it would be too late. This had trouble written all over it but, as usual, his father wouldn't hear a word of it. He wished he knew what it was about Sam that their father hated so much. He knew it couldn't be just the fact that he was deaf.

"Dean."

Dean shook his head and looked up at his father, "Yes sir?"

"Get Sam and let's go."

"Yes sir," Dean said. He grabbed his gun making sure it was loaded with the consecrated iron bullets that his father gave him before grabbing his brother's arm. "Ready?"

Sam nodded; I can do this, Dean. I won't let you down. I promise.

Dean nodded. He wasn't worried about Sam letting him down. He was worried about letting Sam down. He sighed as they followed their father to car. Sam climbed in the passenger seat of the impala since John was going to be riding with Caleb.

"Dean?"

Dean nodded to show Sam that he was listening.

Sam swallowed, "She won't kill me, right?"

Dean shook his head, "No. We won't let her."

~~~ADTH~~~

Dean was hidden in the bushes with his father and Caleb keeping a close eye on Sam. Just as he started to think that this wasn't going to work, something was closing in. John started firing as Caleb was telling him to wait. Faster than humanly possible, the shtriga took Sam and ran away.

"Dammit!" Dean cursed. "You were supposed to wait! It's not vulnerable unless it's feeding! What the hell were you thinking?!"

"Dean, calm down."

"Calm down?! My brother is gone because you acted like an idiot."

Caleb frowned, "Dean, come here and look at this."

Dean frowned and walked over to where Caleb was standing. The place Sam had been sitting not two seconds ago. He knelt down and chuckled. On the ground were his peanut M&M's.

"He must have had a feeling that he was going to be taken and he's leading us to the hideout," Caleb grinned.

Without out another word, Dean cocked his gun and followed the trail his brother left. Caleb and John blinked before quickly following him. By the time they caught up to him he was leaning against a cave. Dean motioned inside.

"I think he's storing them, like for food," he whispered. "You know like a Wendigo does."

Caleb nodded, understanding that Dean was telling them that they were all still alive. The problem is, in order for them to kill the creature it had to be feeding on one of the kids. They also needed to be close enough to shoot it. John watched as Dean silently slipped into the cave. He went to follow but Caleb stopped him.

"We'll trip off the shtriga if we all go in. Dean's got this."

A few seconds later, they heard three distinct gun shots and when they looked in the shtriga was dead and Dean was attempting to get all of the kids free. Caleb and John went in to help them. When John went to get Sam Dean grabbed his wrist and gave him a look that told him to back off. John looked taken aback, but he let Dean take care of his brother while he and Caleb took care of the rest of the children.

Sam opened his eyes and smiled, "Dean."

"Hey kiddo."

"Knew you'd save me."

Dean grinned as he cut him free, "Well I couldn't have done it without you leaving me a trail. Oh and you take my M&M's again, I'll kill you," he said as well as signed.

Sam laughed as they walked out of the cave. By the time they made it back to the motel John and Caleb were back from taking the children into town. Dean left Sam to pack up and rounded on his father. He grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

"Dean."

"Pull another stunt like that again and I swear I'm done. I don't know what your issue is and right now I don't care, but you don't EVER use Sam like that again. When I learned about all this crap, I told you I would do anything you asked as long as Sam was not going to be in danger."

"He wasn't in any danger. We were right there."

Dean blinked, "So you don't think him being kidnapped by the shtriga dangerous? Whatever. Put him in harm's way again and I swear to god we're gone."

Dean let go of his father's collar and went to help Sam finish packing up. Sam tapped his arm.

Dean?

Dean shook his head, "Don't worry about it little brother."

Sam frowned but shrugged as he grabbed his bag and followed his brother to the impala. Caleb was standing by his truck and smiled at the boys. He clapped a hand on Sam's shoulder.

"Good work Sam," he said, speaking slowly. "You'll make a fine hunter."

Sam grinned his wide, dimpled grin. Dean chuckled, ruffling his hair. Sam grumbled and smacked his hand away. When John finally exited the motel room, Dean ushered Sam into the impala while John and Caleb exchanged some harsh words with each other.

John climbed into the driver's seat, glanced at his sons and then pulled out of the motel parking lot. The only sound was that of one John's classic rock tapes. They had been driving for about half an hour before John broke the silence.

"Dean, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."

Dean shook his head, "No you didn't. That's your problem. You never think. You're just concerned about getting the job done that you don't care who gets caught in the crossfire. More than anything it's usually Sam. Like I said earlier, I don't what your problem is with him, but he's your son. Act like it."

John blinked not used to hearing his oldest talk to him like that. He glanced at his youngest in the back through the rearview mirror. Sam was asleep, sprawled across the bench seat. Sam reminded him of Mary in more ways than one. He sighed as he thought back to that night that Mary died in his nursery. He shook his head. It was his fault that Mary was gone, and it was also his fault that Dean almost died. If he let it continue Sam would end up killing Dean as well and he couldn't handle that.

Dean frowned as he glanced out the window, "Where are we headed? We have another job lined up?"

John didn't look at his son, "Pastor Jim."

TBC...