Chapter 23
"No!" Sam screams at his laptop.
"What?" Dean asks immediately as he pulls into the campus parking lot once again.
"Benjamin Flanders was cremated," Sam replies in defeat.
"Whatever man. We'll figure it out later. First we better find Lina. We'll check her dorm first," Dean says with purpose. He shifts the Impala into park and turns to Sam.
Sam shakes his head and speaks quietly to Dean.
"She's at the lake Dean. Why else would she call for help?"
"Okay fine. We'll check the lake first. Let's go," Dean says.
Sam and Dean slip out of the car and head to the trees. Sam silently thanks the midnight darkness for cloaking them as they rush to Lina's enclosure.
Lina's bag and towel are hanging on the tree, but there is no sign of her. Sam rushes to the shore and looks over the lake. The stagnant water provides no clues. Dean walks to Sam's side with Lina's pants gripped in his hand.
"These are the pants Lina was wearing yesterday. I don't think she ever left this lake," Dean says softly.
"De–," Sam immediately stops as he feels something slowly wrap around his ankle. His eyes widen and he turns to his brother. Dean looks at him with confusion.
"Dean, get the rock sal–," Sam starts, but it is too late.
Sam's whole body is pulled towards the lake. Dean's fingers graze his arm, but his reaction is too delayed. Sam crashes into the cold water. The temperature drops as he is pulled into the depths of the lake.
You helped the mermaid
You deserve this
Sam's heart stops as the angry voice fills his head. Sam opens his eyes in the darkness. Nothing is visible except Benjamin Flanders. His large calloused hand is clamped around Sam's ankle. He has shoulder length hair and an unkempt beard. His pale skin glows in the water, and a large scar is visible on his forehead. Once they reach the lake floor, Benjamin Flanders shoves Sam against the ground. Sam shakes his head to clear the ringing in his ears and notices Lina beside him. He reaches for her, but his hand is immediately shoved back to his side. Sam's lungs are beginning to burn. He does not struggle though, knowing he needs to conserve his energy. He turns to face Flanders when he notices something silver embedded in the ground next to him. Could it be iron? Sam thinks. He slowly reaches for the object; careful to make sure Flanders does not notice him. Flanders places his hand on Sam's chest and pushes down.
Why would you help this monster?
She killed me, Flanders whispers menacingly
You're like Jeremy
He betrayed me too
Sam's fingers clench around the metal object.
You must die too
With all the energy Sam has he swings the metal item at Flanders. The item cuts through Flanders form and causes him to disappear.
Thank god. It was iron, Sam thinks, We have to get out of here. Flanders will be back soon.
Sam attempts to move his limbs, but his body is too heavy. The dark water flowing around him makes it feel as though he is suspended in the night sky. Is this what it feels like to fly? Sam thinks. Sam grips the cool metal of the object and is jolted back to reality. Come on Sam, focus, he thinks. He attempts to move his arms again, but the slight movement causes ripples of exhaustion. Sam opens his mouth instinctually for relief. Though instead of fresh air, cold liquid fills his lungs instead. Sam sputters under water, but his panicked cries are lost to the depths of the lake. Sam can feel his lids growing heavy as his will to fight dissipates. I'm going to die, he thinks.
Dean, Sam weakly calls to the water.
Help me