Chapter Nine

Dean felt as though a great weight was lifted from his shoulders when Dr. Munroe gave Sam a clean bill of health. He had been so worried- scared- that he was going to lose his brother but the tests had all come back negative so Dean couldn't help but be positive.

"Dean," Sam muttered from the wheelchair, "I can walk you know."

The older brother just grinned, "Yeah, I know. But it's hospital policy or something that you have to leave using the chair."

Sam though, was having none of it and set both feet down, halting the wheelchair's progress down the hall.

"Sit down," Dean ordered but his brother ignored him. Standing, Sam glanced over his shoulder, his expression one of displeasure, "I have been idle much too long."

"Sam," Dean let go of the chair's arms and followed his sibling as he continued on down the hallway, "Sammy."

Dean caught up to his brother and strolled along beside him, telling himself that he'd never let Sam push him in some wheelchair either if he could help it.

Sam smiled when he saw the Impala idling by the doors, Bobby behind the wheel. The grizzled hunter exited the driver's side and Dean walked around to meet him.

"Thanks for coming, Bobby," the younger hunter said quietly.

The older man rolled his eyes, "I wouldn't have had to if you two idjits could take care of yerselves."

Dean smiled somewhat guiltily and nodded, "Yeah, well, you still want us to follow you?"

"Of course," the veteran hunter commented, "Sitting in those damn uncomfortable hospital chairs with you fretting over Sam ain't much of a visit."

Dean nodded and sat down in the driver's seat, Bobby closing the door for him.

The eldest Winchester started the Impala's engine and cranked the music loud. Sam scowled at Dean but didn't say anything.

W

The drive to Singer Salvage was quiet. Dean kept peering at his brother from the corner of his eye, worried at Sam's silence.

Give him a break, Dean thought, he just got out of the hospital.

Dean parked behind Bobby's pickup and got out, stretching although it had only been a twenty-minute drive. The grizzled hunter's 'guard dog' came trotting up and Dean bent down to scratch the Rottweiler's ears.

"Hey Rummy," the young man muttered as the dog groaned in pleasure.

The animal's demeanor changed when Sam came around the front of the Impala. The Rottweiler's ears lay flat against his skull and he growled menacingly, baring sharp teeth.

Sam eyed the dog suspiciously and took a step back. The Rottweiler jerked forward as though about to attack, barking threateningly.

Bobby grabbed the dog's collar and heaved it back, "What's the matter with you? Stupid animal."

Rumsfeld strained against Bobby's hold, eyes locked on Sam.

Dean grabbed his brother's arm, "Let's go inside."

Turning away from Bobby and the pissed off dog, Dean cringed as the Rottweiler continued to snarl and bark.

Once inside, Dean sighed and Sam relaxed visibly.

"What's his problem, huh?" Dean muttered but Sam didn't reply. He didn't look happy; his shoulders were tense and his eyes narrowed.

Both brothers looked up when Bobby stepped inside, shaking his head.

"I put Rum out on his chain," the hunter told them, "Dunno what's got into him."

"Maybe he got bit by a rabid bat," Dean suggested jokingly.

Bobby didn't look impressed.

"What? It could happen," Dean protested, "I read it in a Stephen King book."

Bobby rolled his eyes and turned to look at Sam.

"I'm sure he'll calm down," he assured the young man and Sam nodded.

SPN

Sam was elated. Rummy knew something wasn't right! The dog must be able to sense the dark entity!

If only Bobby and Dean would catch on as well.

Think Dean! Please! You know dogs can sense monsters! Open your eyes!

The topic had moved on though, from Rumsfeld's odd behaviour to some research Bobby was doing on gremlins.

Bobby… Dean… Please…

The dark entity laughed at Sam's futile attempt to be heard. It knew that even if the two hunters did realize what was happening, they'd be too late.

SPN

"Sammy, you feeling okay?" Dean asked, "You're pretty quiet."

"I'm fine, Dean," the younger man replied, his voice slightly annoyed.

"You'd tell me if you weren't feeling well, right?" Dean continued, not wanting to end up taking another trip to the hospital.

"The doctor said I was healthy, Dean," Sam reminded him, "I'm just a little tired."

Dean nodded, "Okay. Well, why don't you take a nap or something?"

Sam almost smiled, "That sounds like a good idea."

Dean watched as his brother walked up the stairs and disappeared. Sighing, the eldest Winchester ran a hand through his short-cropped hair.

Bobby looked curiously at the younger man.

"He's just got over the flu, Dean," the veteran hunter reminded him, "Of course it'll take a few days for Sam to act like himself again."

Dean nodded, "You're right. It was just… when I saw him lying on the motel room floor… I was so scared…"

"Dr. Monroe wasn't concerned," Bobby continued, "If she was, he'd still be in the hospital."

Dean nodded in agreement. The doctor knew what she was talking about.

W

As the days passed, Sam's mood began to change and he started acting more like his usual self. He smiled more, made jokes and rolled his eyes in exasperation at Dean's pestering.

The only thing that didn't change though, was Rumsfeld's attitude towards the younger man. Bobby had tried to let the dog inside the house but the Rottweiler had instantly ran to where Sam was sitting on the couch, growling and snapping at the young man.

Dean had joked as Bobby dragged the dog back outside, asking his sibling as he laughed, "Who are you and what have you done with Sammy?"

Instead of playing along, Sam had frowned and narrowed his eyes at Dean, looking almost suspicious.

Dean had stopped chuckling and smiling, "Oh I didn't mean it, Sam. It was a joke. Lighten up."

W

Sam lifted his head weakly, hoping that Dean had realized that something was amiss.

He knew he didn't have long, the dark entity was draining his strength quickly and soon he would cease to exist. Sam felt tears well up into his eyes. He lay curled up in a far corner of his mind, desperate to escape the encroaching darkness that had swallowed up most of his mind.

The entity approached Sam, a perfect mirror image of the young man but for the tendrils of darkness wafting around it like smoke.

"Can you feel it?" the monster asked, "Your time has nearly come."

Sam shrank away, trying to get as far away from the threat as possible.

The dark entity smiled cruelly, "Yes, you will die and I will live."

Sam shook his head; he did not want to die. Not like this, trapped in his own body while some supernatural bastard pretended to be him.

Sam gasped as a black tentacle shot out from the monster and wrapped around his waist. He struggled weakly against it but then another tentacle wrapped around his throat.

"Please…" Sam begged, "Please…"

Author's Note:

1. Thanks to yukio87, InsertUoriginalPenNameHere, reannablue, citrusbitrus, Mutilated Pancake, L.A.H.H, SamDeanLover28, BranchSuper, scootersmom, 3deliveryfan, and Stony Angel for reviewing.

2. Thanks to everyone who alerted, followed and favourited.

3. Please review if you have a moment!