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.
Disclaimer: I don't own the supernatural characters.
Author's Note: Just another possibility on why Sam left for Stanford. Hope you enjoy.
If there is anything I have left out or you are still unsure about, please feel free to message me. You never know, I may have left it unintentionally unresolved for a reason (possibly a sequel).
Special Note: Thanks to Kas3y, Souless666, Pie Love Luci and Cheetah Grrl for your kind words. 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. Thanks to everyone for their patience and continued interest.
DEMON SPAWN: THE PHONE CALL
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Dean watched in fascination as with a wave of his hand, Nirkish's men swept through the lobby, gathering up all of the Armed Goon Patrol and leaving it empty except for the five of them.
Dean shared a worried look with both Caelan and Caleb. If this Nirkish guy could dissolve the Armed Goon Patrol with just a wave of his hand, it begged the question to be asked … what else could this guy do.
Dean suddenly felt very vulnerable and wary of this guy as he approached the three Hunters slowly, a brief smile of reassurance crossed his features, dissipating the wild, stormy aggravated look that had adorned his features while having his personal show down with old man Stewart.
"It's okay now, you're safe," Nirkish told them in what Dean suspected was supposed to be a soothing tone, but sounded more like an inanimate robot.
Nirkish paused in his advance toward the Hunters, noticing all three of their postures were tense, unsure of his true intentions and whether they were really as safe as he claimed they were. He looked at each of them in turn, his eyes automatically calculating and cataloguing every injury the three Hunters in front of him had obtained at the hands of the wayward and rouge member of The Organisation, Roger Stewart.
Satisfied that none of their injuries appeared to be life threatening, Nirkish was about to suggest that the Hunters get somewhere safe and recuperate, when something within Caelan Hagen's demeanour made him reassess the young man's vitals once more.
"Your emotional temperament does not seem to be in balance Caelan," he said at last, his head tilting to the side in a confuesed manner. "Why is that?"
"That's because old man Stewart decided to dose Caelan with a drug which causes aggressive anger!" Dean spat out bitterly, sick and tired of being yanked around by this organisation all day. Everything they had done to try and escape their clutches, this mysterious organisation had just reeled them back in, causing not only physical injuries but emotional scars too, which would take a hell of a lot longer to heal and work through than the physical injuries would.
These guys had a lot to answer for. Dean's anger needed to be directed at someone, and because the masterminds of this organisation weren't here to vent his frustrations upon, Dean couldn't help but get angry at the closest person available. And since he didn't know this Nirkish guy and whether he was connected to the organisation or not, but Dean figured he would do.
"What is it with you people thinking that you can just screw around with my brothers?" Dean demanded, his hands balled tightly into fists, nostrils beginning to flare as he glared up at this Nirkish guy, anger now taking over his common sense and fear.
"Dude, it's all good," Caelan said in a low voice, hoping to calm his friend down; because he had seen firsthand what Nirkish was capable of when he got pushed. And there was no way in hell he wanted Dean to go through something like that … and definitely not if it was because of him.
"No, it's not all good!" Dean hissed vehemently. "Nothing about what's happened today is all good! These guys have been screwing around with us for years … and I want to know why."
Dean turned his murderous gaze upon Nirkish. "Well?" Dean promoted, when Nirkish stayed silent, a look of amusement within his eyes. "What possible reason can you give me that would explain why my brothers have been targeted by you guys?"
This was the first time Nirkish had met Dean Winchester. He had heard of his legendary fierce loyalty and protection of the people he loved and how he never backed down from anyone if his family was threatened or in trouble. Now, having experienced it himself, he could see why so many people were intimidated by this young man, and Nirkish admired this young man's fearlessness.
But now was not the time to get into this. He had to clean up here before his brethren arrived, and if they found Sam Winchester still within this vicinity, they would take him. And there wasn't a damn thing any of them could do to stop it. So he had to get all of the Hunters out of here before they arrived, and if Caelan wasn't helped soon … he would also perish from the use of the highly controversial drug Roger Stewart had given him.
Time was something they were all running out of, so Nirkish had to hurry this along ASAP. Dean Winchester thought he was good at intimidation tactics … he was about to learn that Nirkish had perfected and mastered these techniques and tactics long before Dean was even conceived.
The playful twinkle left Nirkish's eyes as he stood up straighter, catching Dean's gaze and holding it within his own, his expression cold and emotionless as he started toward the young Hunter.
Dean swallowed nervously as Nirkish's gaze penetrated straight through him, beginning to think he had made a grievous error in trying to attack this man without knowing exactly what he was capable of.
Dean's instincts screamed at him to take a step back from this guy and the threat that Dean was beginning to perceive him to be, Nirkish looking at Dean as if he was nothing more than a bug to be squashed underfoot, but Dean held his ground, lifting his eyes to stare at this man defiantly. He may be regretting his rash behaviour and becoming more anxious than angry, but there was no way in hell he'd ever let this guy see that. He was a Winchester … and they didn't bow down to no one!
"Wait Nirkish … please," Caelan automatically stepped closer to Dean, as if he could somehow shield his friend and take on the wrath he could see brewing within Nirkish's blue eyes. "Dean didn't mean any disrespect. He doesn't know any better. Please, let me –"
Nirkish turned to glare hard at Caelan, effectively silencing Caelan's plea on Dean's behalf. "Ignorance is no excuse for being disrespectful." He told Caelan, his tone sending icy chills through all three Hunters before he turned that penetrating gaze back upon Dean Winchester, eyes sweeping up and down Dean's body, sizing the young Hunter up while also stalling for time, making Dean squirm before him with uncomfortable suspense – which was another intimidation tactic Nirkish had used over the years – growing worry within Dean's defiant green eyes.
Nirkish's half-smirk warped the man's features into vicious malice, causing Dean to silently tremble within the man's presence. Whatever was coming next, Dean knew it wouldn't be good.
"Do you honestly think that standing here and insulting someone who has just saved your ass is a good idea Dean?" Nirkish's voice was cold and deadly.
Dean swallowed convulsively, having lost the ability to speak, because of this man's overwhelming presence and aurora, too scared to become annoyed at himself … but later, he would be berating himself servery for this lack of control and weakness.
"Don't you think your time would be spent more wisely helping your injured sibling out of here before he is taken again?"
Wordlessly, Dean nodded, dumbstruck, knowing that should have been his first priority, but his frustration and anger had over-ruled his big brother instincts, wanting to get answers instead. Now, he wanted nothing more than to go to his fallen brother, see what damage he was in and get as far away from this hell-hole as he could.
Nirkish held Dean's gaze for several long seconds before he smiled and the darkness that had clutched at Dean's heart began to ease. "Good." Nirkish nodded; satisfied that Dean had gotten the message. "Your father and his friend are waiting for both of you outside the hospital, if you wish to join them. They will escort the two of you to the nearest medical facility where you will be given the medical attention that you may require. Caelan, Caleb and I can finish up here."
An array of emotions passed over Dean's face, shooting a glance toward Caelan and Caleb to make sure that they were on board with this plan … or more importantly, if they were okay with being left alone with this Nirkish guy for company.
Once Dean had been given a confirming look that the two Hunters would be okay, Dean nodded in grim determination, offering Caelan and Caleb a quick nod of thanks and a look promising to meet up later, Dean practically ran to his younger brother's fallen side, hoping like hell he hadn't just abandoned his friends – his family – to a very powerful and scary as hell mad man, his concern and priority once more focused firmly upon his younger brother. Dean was determined that this time, he would not fail his Sammy!
DW CH DW SW DW CH DW SW DW CH DW SW DW
Shaking himself out of his stunned stupor, Dean knelt beside his brother. "Sammy?" Dean's eyes scanned Sam's body for any life threatening injuries, hands automatically cupping his brother's face.
"Sammy, can you hear me?" Dean lightly tapped Sam's check with his fingers, anxious and desperate to see any signs of life from his little brother. "Come on buddy, you have to work with me here. I can't lift your lanky, heavy unconscious ass out of here as well as getting myself out as well.
Come on dude, just open your eyes for me, give me a sign you're still alive in there." Dean pleaded, running fingers through his brother's unruly dark hair in an effort not only to provide comfort for Sam but also to calm his out of control panic and fear that maybe Sammy wouldn't be waking up this time.
As if Sam could sense his brother's despairing mood, he groaned weakly, his eyes fluttering open and closed a few times before he finally managed to open them and looked into anxious green familiar eyes that he would know anywhere. "Dee …" Sam murmured, his voice husky and dry from lack of use. "Am I … am I dead?"
"No little brother," Dean chuckled, which was too close to sounding like a sob of relief for Dean's comfort. "You are definitely not dead."
"Wh – what's goin' on?" Sam asked, concentrating on forming the words correctly, noticing the anxious look within Dean's eyes fading slightly.
"We're getting out of here." Dean replied, quickly but gently helping to ease his brother into a sitting position and holding him there for several seconds until Sam's sense of balance returned. The last thing they needed was for Sam to get to his feet too quickly and have him face plant onto the floor, cracking his skull open in the process.
"I'm going to help you out of here. Then we'll meet up with Dad and Bobby round the back of the hospital and then the two of us are getting as far away from this place as humanly possible." Dean explained in a low, soothing tone, seeing the unasked questions flash within his brother's eyes at the mention of their Dad and Bobby.
"I'll explain everything once we're out of here." Dean assured his sibling, staring straight into confused, glassy hazel eyes. "You trust me, don't you little brother?"
"Always," Sam answered immediately, without the slightest hesitation or doubt.
"Then trust me when I say that the sooner we get out of here, the better I will feel." Dean's trademark smirk graced his lips in an effort to relieve the sudden seriousness of the situation. "Come on Sasquatch, let's get you to your feet, okay?"
Sam nodded and braced himself, trying to take most of his weight so that the two of them didn't topple over, but Dean was used to hauling a semi-conscious, towering little brother to his feet and had already spread his legs wide, taking the full brunt of both Sam's and his own weight as he pulled Sam to his feet.
"You good little brother?" Dean asked, his hold tightening about his brother as Sam swayed dangerously from side to side, a shakiness to his legs.
Sam gritted his teeth together and willed his dizziness away as he clung to his big brother as if his life depended upon it, before he nodded slightly to indicate that he was ready to move once the worst of the vertigo and passed.
"Okay, let's blow this freaky ass hospital." Dean offered his brother a light grin before tightening his hold once more, supporting Sam as the two Winchester siblings slowly made their way to the now clear exit.
"C – Caelan … Caleb …" Sam gasped, trying to twist his body around to make sure their friends were okay.
Dean halted Sam's movements with a slight shake of his head. "They're fine Sammy," Dean replied, keeping his tone light and even. "They're just going to help that Nirkish dude tie up some loose ends and then they'll join us later."
"Nirkish?" Sam frowned at the unfamiliar name. "Who …?"
"That freaky dude who brought you to the hospital earlier." Dean said, raising his eyebrows slightly. "Do you mean to tell me that you didn't catch the name of the man who rescued you from those SOBS that took you from the hospital?
Sammy, what have I told you about getting into cars with people you don't know? Do you not remember anything of what I taught you?" Dean sighed in exasperation, eyes twinkling teasingly to let Sam know that he wasn't as serious as he pretended to be.
"Shut up." Sam pouted. "I was kind of out of it while all of that was happening." Sam defended himself weakly, a slight blush coming to his checks as he remembered the epic panic attack he'd had while in the presence of his rescuer.
So, he wasn't Familiar Stranger after all – not that Sam had thought that was his actual name! – and now that Sam thought about it, he had a vague recollection of the man mentioning his name not long after rescuing Sam from the non-human brothers who had taken him from the hospital.
Well, Sam had been a little … preoccupied at time – having strange dreams that was him, but wasn't him at the same time; shock from being kidnapped for the second time that day, not to mention the aches and pains of his numerous wounds and fear of whether his brother was alive or dead after having been shot – it was no wonder Sam's brain was a little scrambled at the moment.
Dean chuckled, ruffling his brother's hair affectionately. "Yeah, okay, I'll give you that one little brother. But you and I will have to take about these … dreams you're having … and maybe I should reteach you the lessons on how to get away from would be kidnappers." Dean grinned at Sam's shocked look. "You still talk way too much when you're sick or hurt little brother. And yes, you just said all of that out loud."
Sam groaned loudly, slapping a hand against his forehead in frustration and annoyance. Damn his big mouth when he wasn't feeling one hundred percent. He wasn't even sure if he wanted Dean to even know about those dreams or not … now it looked like he didn't have a choice but to explain them to his brother, because Sam knew that Dean wouldn't let up on an issue if it concerned Sam, especially if it would cause Sam pain.
"Don't worry about Caelan and Caleb Sammy," Dean told his brother after sharing a knowing look with Caelan over his shoulder. "They know how to take care of themselves and if that Nirkish dude really meant us any harm, he would have killed us all ready and not helped us out."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Sam huffed out, nodding in agreement to Dean's assessment.
Dean's gaze softened, noticing that his younger brother was on the verge of crashing. "Come on Sammy, let's meet up with Dad and get you the hell out of this place. I'll feel a hell of a lot better once we put some distance between this hospital and this damn stupid organisation!"
DW SW CH DW SW CH DW SW CH DW SW CH DW
Caelan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his brothers exit the hospital. Finally, after hours of tracking Sam down, the younger Winchester was safe from this secret organisation … at least, for the time being.
Caelan couldn't help but grimace, the drug within him causing his anger and negative feelings to surge within him once more. He gritted his teeth together; hands clenched into fists, eyes squeezed shut, trying to ride out this wave of emotions.
"You okay Hags?" Caleb asked in a low, worried voice.
"Nope." Caelan replied through clenched teeth. "Just give me a few minutes," Caelan advised, warning his friend to stay back until the surging emotions began to lesson or diminish.
"Here, let me help you Caelan," Without asked for permission, and before either Caelan or Caleb could object or react to his sudden move, Nirkish placed two fingers upon Caelan's forehead, a white light flowing from his fingers briefly before he removed his fingers and stepped back. "Do you feel better now Caelan?" he asked curiously.
Caelan blinked, swallowing back his shout of protest, surprised that he was still alive after having been touched by the great, all powerful, dreaded Nirkish, but also a sense of wonder and astonishment filling him as he realized that he did feel better. The sense of wrongness and not him was completely gone and he was himself once more.
"Yeah, I do. Thanks." Caelan said gratefully.
"It was no problem Caelan," Nirkish waved away Caelan's gratitude with a wave of his hand. "You are lucky that I was able to get to you in time and that I was able to heal the adverse side effects of the drug Roger coerced his daughter into giving you otherwise you would have perished by morning."
Nirkish turned away from the two Hunters, looking toward the corridors of the hospital, unaware of the stunned look of horror that crossed Caelan's face as Nirkish thought about all he had to do in the short amount of time that he had.
"Right," Nirkish shook his thoughts back into an organized manner as he swivelled his head back to look at the two Hunters. "Caelan, Caleb, I'm sorry, but I require your assistance for just a little bit longer before you join up with the Winchesters, if that's okay?"
Caelan shared a bewildered look with Caleb before nodding his approval. Besides, after what they'd seen – Nirkish's power to willingly subdue the hot headed Dean Winchester; plus the healing abilities that he had performed upon Caelan mere moments ago – they'd be suicidal idiots not to agree to anything that Nirkish needed them for.
"Uh, yeah, that's fine. But … what did you mean when you said I could have perished? You don't mean I would have died … do you?"
Nirkish shook his head, amused by the younger man's antics, thankful that this altercation with The Organisation had left Caelan, Caleb and the Winchesters still alive and basically in one piece. Things could have been a lot worse if the Divine Elders had decided to get involved instead of just individuals from The Organisation's ranks, trying to wield a power they had no clue on how to use.
All of the Hunters involved in today's misadventures had dodged a bullet, dealing with only a fraction of what The Organisation's power could unleash.
"So, if you don't mind me asking … what exactly do you need us to do Sir?" Caleb politely inquired, gently pulling Nirkish from his inner thoughts.
Nirkish paused with his advance into the hospital, noticing the curious, apprehensive looks upon both Hunters faces before he smiled tightly. "I will round up all of The Organisation members within the hospital who conspired with Roger Stewart on this useless endeavour. I don't actually require either of your assistance in achieving this."
"Then what –?"
Nirkish held out his hand in order to stop the questions that he could see forming upon both sets of Hunters eyes. He eyed both Caelan and Caleb carefully and couldn't help but look at Caelan sympathetically. "I'm sorry Caelan, there's no easy way to say this and because of your personal relationship … I thought you should have someone supporting you through this … difficult time."
Caelan frowned, an icy chill racing through his body at Nirkish's words. "What are you talking about?"
Nirkish let out a low sigh of remorse. "Just as the drug that was used upon you had side effects that would have resulted in your death had I not been able to intervene, so does the drug that Roger Stewart dosed his daughter with in order to be able to control her."
Caelan's breath caught in his throat. "What does that mean?"
"The drug is burning through Elizabeth's body … within twenty-four hours her body will begin to shut down. She will slip into a coma, suffering an agonizing death as her organs shut down one by one before she will eventually die." Nirkish told the young Hunter as gently as he could, seeing the disbelief and anguish enter the Hunter's dark eyes.
Although Elizabeth had betrayed him, betrayed his family, Nirkish could see the great love this man still felt for her. Learning that Roger had … reconditioned Elizabeth to do his bidding, Nirkish could see that Caelan had already forgiven the woman for her unforgivable actions, knowing that she'd had no control over what had occurred.
"B – but … can't you heal her? Like you healed me?" Caelan pleaded, not willing to give up or give into despair until all avenues available to him had been explored.
Nirkish shook his head. "I'm sorry Caelan, not even my healing expertise will be able to help her now. The drug has already caused irreparable damage and if I try to mess around with that … I fear I may cause more harm." Nirkish explained apologetically.
"What harm can you do?" Caelan retorted, desperation clearly revealed upon his features now. "If she's already dying … what's the worst you could do?"
"A lot actually," Nirkish said, a haunted look crossing his features, his tone low, sad and regretful. "I'm sorry Caelan, but I can not heal her."
Caelan's expression hardened. "Where is she?" he demanded, almost hostility. If Nirkish wasn't going to help him, then Caelan would just have to find someone who could.
"She is being detained in the hospital room Sam Winchester used while he was here."
No sooner were the words out of Nirkish's mouth, Caelan was practically running down the hospital corridors in his haste to get to Elizabeth before it was too late.
"Caleb," Nirkish stopped the other Hunter before he could move to follow his in shock, grief-stricken friend. "Take care of him."
Caleb nodded before he spun around and took off after his friend.
Nirkish watched the two Hunters leave, wishing he could have prevented these men from going through everything they'd endured today or from finding out about The Organisation and all of the secrets that had been revealed today, but he knew that this meeting between them was inevitable.
These men – Hunters – would be crucial in future fights to come, but Nirkish had decided not to reveal that fact today. After everything they had been through, Nirkish didn't wish to burden them with more bad news.
For now, he would get all of them away from this place as fast as possible, mop up the mess both Roger Stewart and Marc Ley-Lamp had left behind and hopefully bide these young Hunters some time before The Organisation decided to get serious and come at them with everything they had.
Nirkish pushed that thought to the back of his mind. Today they had succeeded with a win. And although he knew that the relationship between the four Hunters – Caelan, Caleb, Dean and Sam – had been bent and almost broken, and it was going to take a lot of hard work, Nirkish knew that eventually the four Hunters bond would heal and be stronger than ever, making them prepared to face whatever danger that may ahead in the future.
TBC
Aten: I was going to end it here, but then I figured needed one more chapter in order to get the boys back together and on the right page again.
So, one more chapter to go guys … with maybe a sequel on the way – when I say maybe, I already have ideas for a sequel anyway because I haven't forgotten about Sicko or Marc Ley-Lamp, and I am sure you are still curious about this Organisation and the mysterious Divine Elders.
So, stay tuned for that. Anyway, like I said, one more chapter to go after this one.