to be honest: I'm not very satisfied with this chapter ...

Of Werewolves And Humans

Chapter 10 ~ Hide And Seek

THEN:

John fixed the human with a reassuring look and took the book away from his hand, replacing it with the weapon.

„Pull the trigger if you have to. - Just do me a favor and don't shoot at the black one with the brown eyes." He smiled cocky – just like Dean sometimes did.

NOW:

He was too slow. - He knew it. He wouldn't be able to escape that way, they'd track him down, no matter where he'd try to hide. So he kept running and tried to think thru the haze of panic. Tried to catch a streight thought. Tried to ignore the bitter cold that crept up his limps and clawed at his body.

Sam knew he wasn't able to keep his pace. His legs and feet hurt already, his lungs were screaming for oxygen.

Sam heard them. Heard paws connecting with the forest-ground, heard the rumbles and growls behind him. He was panting, his bare feet hurt from the cold and slippery ground under them. It wasn't just once that he stumbled and hit the ground. Other times he was able to catch himself before hitting the uneven surface beneath him.

The air felt heavy and hard to breath. His body was losing the battle against the effort of dashing forward.

He took a couple of steps forward, his left foot slipped away under him and he tumbled and fell, rolling down the slope to his left. Withered branches of bushes tore on his jeans and shirt and ripped holes into the them, scratching the skin beneath, while Sam tried to protect his face and head with his hands during the fall.

With a noisy plop he came to a hold on the foot of the slope, landing in a giant puddle of mud. Sam rolled on his back with a wince and blinked his eyes open – fighting to get much-needed oxygen into his lungs.

Holy fucking shit – THAT was cold. Now he shivered violently. The mud-soaked fabric stuck to his skin and he stunk. Holy crap … he stunk? Sam's eyes widened and he sat up awkwardly, drawing one breath in after another – calming himself down.

That was it. - He stunk.

He heard a high-pitched whine not too far away.

Sam looked down on himself, burying his hands in the cold mud on his sides and lifted them up, eying the dark-grey substance. A shiver tore down the length of his spine as he thought about getting that stuff all over him. But he had to. - If he wanted to survive he had to.

Dean slid behind the steering wheel and yawned. It had gotten later as he had wanted to. - But in the end they had found the issue and repaired the old pick up of old lady Morrison. And for a tight squeeze of his left butt-cheek he had gotten an extra-tip from the old girl. - So all in all not a bad day after all.

He turned the key in baby's ignition and the machine roared to life within the next moment. Dean smiled to himself as he pulled away from the Salvage and onto the road, the Impala's headlights illuminating him the short way thru the darkening afternoon.

Finally they'd move to Bobby's. Not just because of the human's needs. Also because Sheriff Mills had mentioned that the shifter (wich she had on lockdown in her basement) probably knew about him and his father – and their pack in general. What meant they could probably know about Sam. Wich was of course tricky.

They had killed all the witnesses – including the ones in the cells at the sheriff's station. And the only one who was left was high likely Sam. So if they knew that he was still alive they would want to get him out of the way for sure. The last thing people (even when they weren't human) needed were witnesses.

Dean Winchester floored the gas pedal as soon as he was outside the town to be faster at his destination. Five minutes later he pulled off of the main-road onto a sideway … and that was when an uneasy feeling started to settle over his mood and body. The woods seemed calm. - Nearly too calm. He didn't sense any deer … any movement. Nothing. And that was one nothing too much.

Dean swallowed around the growing lump in his throat and slowed down, letting his senses radiate from him, daring his instincts to scent the failure in all this.

Then – although he sat inside the car – he was able to sense the difference that hung in the air. Something wasn't right. And the closer he came to the cabin, the more intensive the feeling got.

Dean Winchester's stomach twisted violently as he pulled up in front of the house.

A dark giant form was laying sprawled out on the porch. The front door was wide open. And there was blood. - Dean was able to smell the heavy scent of iron hanging in the air.

He hurried to the dark figures side on the porch, instantly spotting an empty pole syringe in the animal's neck and a second one in his hind leg. Dean cursed silently, pulling both of them out and tossed them aside.

His father was out cold – but alive. He'd have one hell of a hangover in a couple of hours for sure. Dean glanced around, fumbling for the phone in his left jeans-pocket. While he rose he pressed the speed dial, warily watching his surroundings.

„Bobby. - Get the others. We need help." Dean slammed his phone shut and glanced at the Impala. „Time to play.", he growled to himself, as he made his way to the car's trunk and pulled a duffel-bag out.

Moments later he was stripping his clothes off and clawing on his skin. Joints shifted. Bones broke. And there he stood. One of the most stunning creatures among his kind. Almost taller as the Impala, sleek long brown and grey fur waving in the cool breeze. Dangerously green glowing eyes darted to the limp body on the porch.

A dangerous snarl followed by a threatening rumble came from the depths of the wolf's throat. His gaze wandering to the duffel-bag before him. Then he slipped with his head into the sling and shook his head so that the bag slid down, dangling from his neck.

The wolf rose his snout into the air and snuffed, taking in the foreign scents … and the one he was looking for – SAM's.

With a low growl he took off into the woods, following his nose deeper into the underwood. He sensed Sam … and the others. Wolves. They were following Sam – more likely hunting him. Dean snarled, increasing his pace further as he spotted something silvery gleaming in the pale light that was left from the day. Soon it'd be dark and Sam would've no chance to either orientate or see where he was going. And that'd be his definite death.

The wolf shook his head, growling at nothing. Sam wouldn't be able to protect himself, defend himself. He had to find him … and that fast.

He turned towards the gleaming thing and was stunned to see his father's Baretta. He must've given it to Sam. - It was a pity that the human had lost it. - He could've shot at them, could've defended himself.

The track led him down a slope towards a big puddle of mud. Sam must've fallen down here and … The wolf followed the trace a few yards away from the puddle and then stopped. Sam's scent was too faint and was vanishing too fast for him to follow. Dean's ever so green eyes darted back at the mud-puddle. Would a wolf be able to grin, he'd had a full-face-grin on him right now.

Good boy. - Covering his scent was one hell of an idea. On the other hand: how was he supposed to find Sam now?

Might as well he had to use his eyes and follow the tracks he could SEE. Then again … the wolves would choose the same abilities to get to Sam. - So he had to hurry nonetheless.

Figuring that the others wouldn't be too damp to track Sam down without sniffing him, he followed the wolves scent until he was able to hear them. There were four of them. No, six. One of them had to be a female one …

Dean lowered his body and glanced at the wolves, following them. It wouldn't last long until they'd perceive him, even when he was behind them. Then they split up. One of the wolves followed the female one, while the others took off in another direction. Dean would take this as an opportunity.

Then … there was blood – the iron smell and taste on his tongue of blood as he inhaled deeply. - Human blood. Sam's blood. It was faint and barely noticable, but the others must've sensed it too.

The pace of the two wolves increased until they were dashing towards their destination and Dean followed them – without caring about being recognised.

A low rumble and Dean jumped the females backup, taking him to the ground. The wolf yelped, as Dean buried his teeth in his throat, while they rolled to the side. The female one stopped in her tracks for a moment, sparing a glance at the both and took off again.

Dean tore a gash with his giant claws into the wolf's stomach beneath him, making it impossible to follow with an injury like that. And Dean would gain some advance while he'd take the female one down, while the male wolf would be healing – or at least tried to. He backed away for a moment and buried his fangs in the wolf's throat.

No, they wouldn't stay alive. Non of them. No one was hunting or hurting his mate without getting punished.

Yeah, there was no way to kill a bastard like that except you ripped his heart out, let him bleed out or poison him with a silver bullet.

Sam had claimed an elevation, where he had a better few thru the trees and bushes around. He was beyond exhausted and ready to lie down and die. He didn't car if they'd get to him. If they would tear him apart with their fangs and claws. His body simply cried for rest, so did his mind.

It wasn't long until it would be dark. Too dark to see anything. Then they'd get to him anyway, would've caught up. So why not shorten the whole thing and lie down and wait …

That was when he spotted something. - Could it really be?

Was this a hole, just a couple of feet away, that he saw thru the dim light? Maybe it was just a badger's burrow – or maybe it was the entrance to a cave. The hole looked big enough to get thru for Sam, but was too small for the lycans.

Sam drew in a shuddering breath and looked around – listening. It was so quiet. As quiet as it had been that morning. And he'd bet it was because of the wolves presence.

He was cold to the bones. His clothes hanging torn and limply from his broad shoulders. His hands were shaking, and his teeth chattering.

He had lost the gun – the gun John had given to him. He sure'd be mad at him. Damn mad, when he find out that he lost it. Rather – threw it away.

John had told him to pull the trigger. And Sam had tried – really tried. But somehow it didn't work. And so he had just thrown it at the damn creature. He hadn't even hit it. Failed his target with a couple of inches.

Somewhere from far away he heard a pained yelp and growls … They were close – too close.

Dean dashed thru the withered underwood, holding towards the wolf before him. And then – they had reached an elevation, surrounded by trees but otherwise blank – he jumped at her with a giant leap and took her to the ground with him. They rolled down on the other side, banging against trees and rolled over bushes, coming to a hold at the foot of it.

Dean landed on top of her, her long dangerous fangs dogged in his front leg. Dean yelped, trying to tear his abused leg from her mouth. But she wouldn't let go. He got a hold of her throat, like he had done with the other one.

Her eyes gleamed with a furious orange-red, as he tightened his hold on her throat, drawing crimson red liquid that soaked roughly thru her blonde-white fur. She yelped and let go of Dean's leg, trying to break free. But there was no way Dean would let go. No way he'd let her be. She was trying to kill Sam, kill his mate and he wouldn't let her do that.

Dean buried his giant fangs further into her throat and then ripped a big chunk of flesh brutally from her body. A low growl died in her throat and got replaced by a desperate gurgling sound. - She wouldn't heal before she bled out.

The wolf looked around, spitting the piece of meat on the ground beside him. Her pack was too far away to sense her death, to feel that one of them was in danger and needed help. - SO he got time. Time to cover his and Sam's tracks.

Dean limped away from the female wolf, who was taking her last strangled breaths before Dean morphed back into his human form. Panting, he opened his duffel and pulled a small spray-bottle out. He sprayed some of it onto the dying wolf and the nearby surroundings, shooting concerned glances at the small hole about fivty yards away from him.

When he was done, he tossed the spray back into the duffel. That'd cover their tracks long enough (hopefully) until Bobby and the others would find them. At least he hoped so.

Dean picked the duffel up and headed towards the hole. He stuffed the bag in it and crawled behind, shoving it ahead of him.

Arrived at the other end of the small entry he discovered that this hole was more of a cave. It was high enough for him to stand up – his roughly spiked hair brushing over the stony ceiling above him.

He lurked into the darkness, hearing the faint heartbeats he had been looking for, sensing that the cave was bigger as he had thought. Dean braced his hand on the fading wound on his lower arm for a moment, biting back a hiss.

There was something in the middle of the elliptical cavern, that was definitely the offspring of the faint thump that grew louder the closer Dean came.

He cursed silently, hearing the slow but steady breaths of the being, that laid crumbled on the floor. - It looked like the human had collapsed right there.

„Damn it.", he muttered under his heavy breathes. It was cold. Too cold for a human. Even Dean was freezing in his human form without all the fur. Sam would freeze to death in here. He didn't even didn't shake anymore.

Dean felt the dump floor under his feet. He fell to his knees beside him and touched Sam's forehead and cheek tentatively, feeling the clammy cold skin.

He didn't need to see Sam's face to know in what shape he was.

„Sammy?", he whispered gently, cupping the man's face in his hands. „Wake up." He lifted the human's upper body from the cold floor and pressed him against his chest, trying to warm him from what little he had to give. He knew it wouldn't be enough – not even close.

Sam stirred, a silent moan fell from his lips. Dean hushed him. They had to stay quiet or they'd find them.

„Keep quiet. - They're still out there.", he whispered.

Sam nodded weakly, guiding one of his hands on Dean's bicep, feeling the comfortable warmth the man was radiating.

Dean nearly flinched away from the death-cold touch. Sam was so cold. Too cold.

„It's okay. - We've to wait for Bobby and the others. - You found a nice place by the way.", he whispered. „A real nice place. - Cosy and all that." Okay, he couldn't leave it without a sarcastic touch.

Sam's yaw trembled.

„We've to get you warmed up a little, Sammy.", Dean whispered softly. „You saw them? The others?", he asked hesitantly.

Sam nodded. „Giant wolves.", he answered barely audible.

Dean nodded and his lips formed into a thin line. „Werewolves.", he corrected the human.

Sam nodded. He had figured they were. „Like you.", he breathed, resting his cheek on the other man's shoulder.

Dean froze, staring into nothingness for a moment, then silently cleared his throat. „You know?"

„Knew ya'nt human.", Sam muttered silently, letting the warmth of the other male's body soak thru his muddy fabric.

„I'll get a blanket. - Lay you on it.", Dean whispered, not showing his concern. „Then I'll change and we'll arrange a small cuddling-party down here." He frowned at the way Sam's hand started to lose the grip on his bicep. „You'll stay awake, okay? - I'm back in a minute."

Sam sighed.

Dean eased him back on the cold ground, feeling the full-body-shiver that wrecked the human's form as he did so.

„Back in a minute.", he whispered, spotting his duffel a few feet away.

He was on it to grab his bag, as he froze in his movement. He listened, biting back a curse. His eyes darted towards the small hole and blinked. A sound – for humans barely audible – reached his sensitive ears. They were there … they were searching for them. They knew Sam wasn't longer alone. His gaze wandered back at Sam's prone form and to the duffel. He prayed that he wouldn't move – not now. They'd be able to hear it, would know where they were.

His tense muscles relaxed slightly, as the movements seemed to disappear again, and he grabbed his duffel, eagerly rummaging thru it until he found what he had been looking for: a thin blanket.

Dean hurried to spread it out on the ground on the furthest wall from the hole, placing the duffel beside it. He eagerly hurried back to Sam's side, not wasting time. Dean guided his arms under his knees and shoulders and lifted him slowly. The human lay limply in his arms, as if life had already left him. Just the slow breaths and shallow thumps of the human's heart told him that he was still alive. - Still with him.

He ever so gently eased him onto the blanket and backed off, listening again and glancing at the hole. The world outside darkened now from minute to minute. Soon they'd be covered in complete darkness. Dean glanced at Sam before he did what he had to. - Taking on his wolf's form.

When it was done he went back to the blanket, licking over Sam's cheek.

He felt him stir and sensed a weary shifting. Wouldn't it have been so dark he would've seen the small smile that let Sam's lips curl up slightly. The wolf laid down beside him, rolling to his side. Sam's eyes closed for a moment, gathering all the strength he had left and inched closer to the animal. Soft fur caressing his exposed skin. He inched even closer, getting drawn towards the warm body like a moth to the lightbulb.

Dean offered the most of comfort he could give, laying still until Sam was settled. The human had curled up against his middle, his head resting on the side of his ribcage. Dean then curled up around Sam, trying to give him as much body-contact as possible. The human nestled into the long fur and the wolf's body, sniffing silently.

Dean would've growled comfortably, wouldn't it have let on their position. While Sam's breaths evened out again, the wolf kept his senses high alert to the world outside of the cavern. He heard and sensed movements of his kind on the outside every now and then. He hoped dearly that they wouldn't try to crawl thru the hole and that the skunk-tonic would last long enough to cover his and Sam's scent.

…... to be continued

first off:

THANK YOU nerdydragon, , samisnotevil, gianess, watergoddesskasey, elektra56765, pyrolover3, nightmare's pen FOR YOUR REVIEWS :)

these make me very happy.