Summary: AU: Stanford Era: "Dean … Sammy's in trouble." A late night phone call sends Dean Winchester and long-time friend, Caelan Hagan in a desperate search to find Sam before the unthinkable happens; uncovering lies and secrets involving the youngest Winchester, that have been years in the making.

Warnings: Violence, swearing, physical abuse, torture, implied adult themes. This chapter is a little bit darker with more violence, torture and sexual abuse.

Disclaimer: I don't own the supernatural characters.

Author's Note: Just another possibility on why Sam left for Stanford. Introducing new character, Caelan Hagan. Hope you enjoy.

Special Note: Thanks to Isdugat for your kind words. I'm glad you like it. Here's another chapter just for all you guys who have taken the time out to read this story and to all the people who have this story on their alerts or have put it on their favourite lists. Thanks. It means a lot.

DEMON SPAWN: THE PHONE CALL

CHAPTER FIVE

Now

"Don't believe I can do it, huh?" Sam's kidnapper taunted, pleased to notice that Sam seemed to express a little fear, but the thing still had too much defiance for the man's liking. Oh well, it would be fun to watch this Demon Spawn – my Demon Spawn – go down another notch on his plan to finally break this stubborn young thing.

"Well, let me tell you another little secret," he squatted down beside Sam's shackled arm and not so gently yanked the thing into a sitting position, grinning happily when he heard Sam's cries of pain, Sam's left arm hanging uselessly at his side, beads of sweat upon his brown from the excoriating pain he was in. "My Dad and your Dad are working a case together, even as we speak. All I have to do is place a call to my father and your Daddy will never be seen or heard from ever again."

Sam's eyes widened with horror as understanding hit him. If he didn't tell this … asshole exactly what he wanted to know then Sam would indirectly be responsible for his own father's death(his worst fear coming to life). He knew he'd get his family killed one day. And now it looked as if that day had finally come.

"Wait!" Sam gasped as Sicko deliberately put his phone on speaker and Sam could hear the dialling of a number.

"Ten seconds little Demon Spawn," his abductor said, amused at the young thing's horror-stricken expression. "Before your Daddy is sacrificed in the hunt to save an innocent Hunter's life."

Sam's stomach clenched in dread at the decision that was laid out before him. If he didn't tell him who Sam had called, then his father would die. If Sam did tell him, then Caelan would most likely die. It was a no win situation. Either way, someone Sam cared about and loved would die today … because of him.

Sam closed his eyes, grappling with the most difficult decision he had ever faced. This is what happened when Sam broke their rules. Sam reopened his eyes a few seconds later, tears within his eyes, his decision made, praying for God to have mercy on his soul for what he was about to do. "Okay, I'll tell you." Sam said in defeat. "Hang up the phone and I'll tell you, okay?"

Sicko searched Sam's eyes for a long heart beat before he smiled in triumph as he ended the call and turned to face Sam expectantly. "You've made the right decision," he murmured approvingly, running gentle fingers up and down Sam's check.

Sam flinched from Sicko's touch, but there was nowhere for him to go, swallowing back his revolution at being touched by this psychotic sicko in such an intimate and comforting gesture.

"Tell me who you called," the man urged softly and Sam couldn't help but notice the pleased and excited gleam within this man's pale eyes.

Sam hung his head, ashamed, but knowing that he had no other option but to tell the truth if he valued his father's life. Even if Sicko was bluffing, lying about their Dads hunting together, Sam knew he couldn't take that chance. He wouldn't gamble with his father's life on a maybe.

"I called … Caelan," Sam revealed in a soft, broken, subdued voice, tears of self-incrimination clouding his vision, feeling guilty at having betrayed his brother in order to save his father's life. "He doesn't know where I am," Sam rushed on as he met this monster's eyes, trying to save his friend/brother from the wrath of the sadistic man crouched before him, silently pleading with him to leave Caelan out of it. "It was a bit hard to tell Caelan where I am when I … don't even know where I am. I just …" Sam swallowed hard. "I just called to say goodbye."

Sicko's face remained expressionless as he slowly got to his feet and Sam was expecting to get a mouthful of boot; instead the crazy idiot burst out laughing. "You called Caelan? Caelan Hagen? Son of the late Connor Hagen? That's who you called for help?" He asked incredulously.

Sam blinked in surprise at this … Sicko's demented, mad laughter of glee, almost wishing that he would get kicked in the ribs again than listen to this crazy, almost hysterical laughter. This guy was really starting to creep him out!

"Oh that's fucking hilarious!" Sicko roared, almost doubling over in laughter. "You think Caelan Hagen would come here to rescue you?"

"Damn straight he would!" Sam declared strongly, becoming agitated at Sicko's lack of respect for Caelan Hagen, who had become more like a brother in the eighteen years that Sam had known him.

"Hmm. Interesting," Thankfully psycho's laughter eased as he eyed Sam critically and Sam couldn't help but squirm under his intense gaze. "I wonder … if Caelan discovered who was really responsible for his father's death. Would he come here to save you … or kill you?"

SW CH DW SW CH DW SW CH DW SW CH DW SW

Caelan looked out of the passenger window of the Impala, turning his back on Dean, feeling little shivers of anger and hurt race through the length of his body at having Dean throw '93 back in his face.

That was the worst damn year of his life.

Confused, angry and hurt at his father's unexpected death during a hunt, Caelan had a sinking suspicion that his father's death was no mere "accident". His father had been one of the best damn Hunters there was – right up there with the great John Winchester – and to hear that his Dad had died during a werewolf hunt … that explanation hadn't seemed entirely true to Caelan. His Dad knew how to take care of a damn werewolf! And now Hunters had told him that Connor had gotten careless and sloppy?

Yeah, the whole thing had seemed rotten to Caelan and he had gotten it into his head that maybe the other Hunters who had worked the case with his Dad had something to do with his Dad's so-called accident.

Against advice from other trusted Hunters that Caelan had grown up with and greatly respected and admired, Caelan had set his path on his suicide crusade of trying to pin his father's death on the other Hunters who had worked the same case as his late father.

Call it intuition or gut instinct, Caelan knew that these Hunters had something to do with his father's death. There was no investigation on Caelan's part to back up the claims that he accused these other Hunters of participating in – the murder and subsequent death of his father, because he knew that these assholes were involved somehow – and before he could comprehend what had happened, Caelan had nearly every other Hunter on his ass because of the outlandish claims he was spouting without any evidence except for the word of an angry and hurt twenty-year old young man who had been trying to find a valid reason for his Dad's death (according to those assholes who had been with his Dad on his last hunt ever).

But Caelan had never been able to prove anything. Of course, he hadn't been able to disprove it either. And now, eleven years after his Dad's supposed accident, Caelan still had the sense that he was missing a vital clue as to how his Dad had died. He still suspected there was foul-play involved in there somewhere. He just needed to find the proof first before throwing around accusations like premeditated murder. Caelan had learned his lesson. He was not going back down that road again.

Caelan was brought out of his bitter musings by the sound of Dean's voice, fill of pain, fear and guilt.

"Caelan … brother … will you please help me find Sammy?" Dean finished his sincere plea and Caelan could hear the remorse within his friend's voice.

Caelan let out a low sigh, shoving all of those bitter, resented feelings to the back of his mind. He knew Dean hadn't meant to sound as callous and cold as he did. Caelan knew that as soon as Dean had uttered those hurtful words and comments, he had instantly regretted it. Dean was upset, scared, angry and worried. And Caelan knew that when Dean felt like that, backed into a corner, helpless, he would come out fighting, lashing out at the closest person available to him. And unfortunately for Caelan, that person happened to be him right now.

Caelan turned to face Dean, his first instinct was to childishly strike back at Dean with some scathing words of his own, but when he actually looked at Dean, all of those thoughts vanished in an instant. Seeing his brother's raw, emotional pain, laying bare for anyone to see within his green eyes, Dean's expression one of worry and guilt, Caelan immediately pushed his own feelings to the side and tried to concentrate on the bigger picture right now rather than his own hurt feelings. Sammy was missing and they had to find him. That was the only thing that he should concentrate on right now. Sam needed them, and that's all that mattered. Later, Caelan might have something to say about the matter – and maybe exchange a few blows with the eldest Winchester sibling – but for now their mission was to find Sam Winchester and bring him home.

"What kind of question is that?" Caelan scoffed, his tone carefully masked to teasing indignation. "Of course you're going to need my help Dean. There's no way you could pull off a rescue without me, dude. You're just way too impulsive and brash to get the job done right by yourself."

Dean shot Caelan a relieved glance, his green eyes, prickling with tears. Because in that moment, Dean knew that Caelan had forgiven him for his stinging comments and for bringing up the incident of '93, although Dean would make sure to apologize properly to Caelan about that once they found Sammy and killed the son of a bitch who had abducted him in the first place.

"Thanks man," Dean whispered gratefully. "I really appreciate it, and … " Dean glanced over at his friend's curious, warning gaze before he grinned in typical Dean Winchester fashion and shrugged nonchalantly. "When we have Sammy back safe and sound, what do you say you and me find out what really happened to your old man?"

Caelan blinked in surprise at his friend's suggestion, feeling an instant of gratefulness toward Dean. Because in his own way, Dean was saying that he believed Caelan and he would back Caelan up no matter what. Caelan nodded and grinned back at Dean. "Now that sounds like an excellent plan brother," Caelan couldn't help but agree whole heartedly.

"So … are we good?" Dean asked, relaxing even more at his friend's easy smile and quick reply.

"Yeah man, we're good," Caelan said as Dean shifted the Impala into gear and sped off toward Palo Alto, toward Stanford and toward Sam.

CH DW SW CH DW SW CH DW SW CH DW SW CH

Sam's breath caught in his throat at the implications of this psychotic's words. "Wh-what do you mean? I – I'm not responsible for Caelan's Dad's death!"

"Aren't you?" Sicko challenged, a small smirk of smug satisfaction surfacing. "Because I happen to know for a fact that you are responsible for Connor's death."

"No!" Sam denied vehemently. "No, I'm not! That's impossible, I was just a kid … you're fucking lying!"

Sam's abductor paused and cocked his head to the right as he considered Sam's words. "Sorry little Demon Spawn, but I'm not lying." He said, his calm voice lowering a notch in mock sympathy, his pale blue eyes sparkling with delight at his Demon Spawn's emotional pain. "Connor was too damn nosy and inquisitive for his own good. He saw something he shouldn't have." Sicko leaned in and winked at Sam conspiratorially (like they were old friends sharing a good memory or a secret). "While you were being punished … between you and me … if you get my meaning,"

Sam's blood ran cold at the insidious accusations that this psychotic nut was telling him, trying to think back to that time when he was ten-years old, but nothing out of the ordinary occurred to him … except for it being the first of many of Sam's punishments.

"But … nothing happened … except the normal … punishments." Sam whispered, a sigh of relief escaping him at that comforting thought. Because the last thing he wanted was to be responsible for Caelan's Dad's death.

Sicko crouched down to Sam's level, placing not so gentle fingers upon his chin to lift Sam's face up so that he could see the terror within the young man's eyes when realisation suddenly dawned upon him. "Oh you're right, of course." He easily agreed. "Nothing happened on that anniversary of November 2nd, but before that …" Sicko's lips stretched into a wide lurid grin, licking his lips with lustful passion as memories assaulted him. "On your birthday … you and I … we had so much fun."

Sam tensed at Sicko's words, shaking his head to deny what he was hearing, even though a tiny bit of him realised the truth of Sicko's words. "No," Sam denied weakly "I would have remembered if …"

"Of course you can't remember it little Demon Spawn," Sicko chuckled, patting Sam's check condescendingly. "It was a … trial of sorts; to see how you would react to the drugs. I may have given you a little too much and …" he shrugged helplessly. "With you all doped up with that adorable kicked puppy look of yours … I couldn't resist. I had to see if I could get away with it. And I did … until Connor walked in."

For the first time since this had begun, Sam could see another emotion other than the usual calm and collected look within the man's pale blue eyes as Sicko stood to his feet and clenched his hands in frustration.

"Connor ruined everything! We were … one … and then … " Sicko closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths to calm himself and return back to his cool, calm and collected façade. "Father was not impressed," he revealed bitterly. "And so … Connor had to go. Simple as that. Because of you." Sicko taunted him, smiling with delight the moment he saw the dawning realisation enter little Sammy's expressive hazel eyes.

Sam felt as if he had been slammed onto the ground, the wind knocked out of him, shocked and appalled when Sicko's words made a horrible kind of sense. Sam's tenth birthday was a bit of a blur. He remembered having a family dinner with his Dad and brother before the older Winchesters had been called away to assist other Hunters in the area who were experiencing a bit of trouble hunting the shape-shifter they were after. Dean normally would have stayed behind to look after Sam but Dean had been needed this time and Caelan … Caelan was on another hunt two states over.

Sam frowned as he struggled to remember the events of that night. He knew Dean and his Dad wouldn't have left him by himself at ten-years old … but that's exactly what they had done … No, that wasn't right. They had left Sam alone but with the promise that Connor Hagen would be in to check on him in a couple of hours and that he should go to sleep. Sam had obeyed, feeling tired anyway … and that was the last thing that Sam could remember until Dean was shaking him awake the next morning, sprouting news that Caelan's Dad was missing.

"No," Sam gasped, his eyes blurring with unshed tears of horror and disbelief. "No, that's impossible … it's not my fault," Sam recalled some unexplained bruising and some very tender spots – especially when he sat down – and he remembered becoming a tad worried about the dry specks of blood in his underwear – but he had brushed them to the side dismissively, worried more about Connor's disappearance than his own injuries, a horrible feeling of dread filling him that something awful had happened to Connor Hagen.

Oh God, it was his fault!

Connor had died because he was doing his Dad a solid by coming to check on his young son. Connor had seen something he shouldn't have; been at the wrong place at the wrong time because of … him.

Sam's eyes narrowed as he glared up at his captor, rage filling his entire being at the thought of Caelan's father dying for such a stupid reason … because of him … because of them!

"You son of a bitch!" Sam snarled, forgetting for the moment that he was shackled and bound as he lunged at Sicko, white hot fury burning within him, feeling no pain from his shoulder or wrist, adrenaline and fury making him determined to strike out at this sick fucker now!

Sicko laughed as he easily dodged the young man's attack. "Aw, c'mon little Sammy, don't be like that. My father had to protect me you know. The last thing either of us needed was the wrath of the Winchesters. Connor Hagen had to go. If he had managed to tell John Winchester what he had seen … well, safe to say that I wouldn't be alive today to see the fear in those gorgeous eyes of yours! And our yearly punishments would have been greatly compromised. Connor was a threat. He had to go."

Sicko paused, smirking with pleasure as Sam struggled against the handcuffs, eager to get at him, fill of beautiful rage, anguish and fury. "Of course," Sicko couldn't help but continue, having too much fun taunting the young thing to stop now. "Daddy Winchester didn't pose much of a threat to us … considering that he was off on hunts; too busy worrying about avenging his dead wife than the safety and well-being of his two sons. And Caelan … well, let's just say that Caelan was off on his own mission of avenging his father's death and had little time for his favourite Winchester siblings." Sicko leaned over and squashed Sam's checks together in a mock act of affection.

Sam jerked his head out of Sicko's hands, the action sending shock-waves reverberating through his – yep, definitely dislocated – shoulder and all the way down his left arm. Sam only barely managed to keep from crying out in agony, lowering his head as he fought the darkness that wanted to invade his mind once more, determined not to show any sort of weakness to the … fucktard who had helped to murder one of the best men and Hunter's that Sam had had the privilege of encountering in his life.

Sam had let these bastards push him around too much in the past … not anymore. Sam was determined to show this … Hunter why both the evil sons of bitches and other Hunters feared the name Winchester.

"No, at the end of the day, the only Winchester that me and my old man had to worry about was the over protective, ever vigilant, perfect little saint who could do no fucking wrong; Dean bloody Winchester!" Sicko spat out in a sudden display of anger as he got up and began to pace back and forwards in front of Sam furiously. "Even my own father worships the ground Dean walks on." Sicko continued in an almost jealous rage. "If I had my way, I would have put that cocky little bastard down years ago!"

Sam raised his head, eyeing his abductor, kidnapper, torturer, psychotic sicko with narrowed, focused eyes; a calm stillness and anger seething over him as he watched the – stupid idiot who had just threatened his big brother – stop before Sam, his gaze unfocused, stewing in his own frustrated jealousy.

"Hey!" Sam growled, pleased to notice Sicko's eyes widen in alarm as Sam lunged forward and managed to land a solid fist upon his jaw, knocking Sicko onto his ass. "You don't get to talk about my brother like that! Ever!"

Sicko scrambled to his feet, his checks blustering red with embarrassment at having underestimated this thing, advancing toward Sam with a furious expression upon his face.

If looks could have killed, Sam no doubt would have been dead on the spot. For an instant, Sam feared that he had pushed this psychotic lunatic, sicko over the edge and he would be upon Sam in seconds, beating him to death with his bare hands.

At least that would by one way for this nightmare to end; Sam thought as he closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable to happen.

TBC