Hello everyone. I'm sorry for the long delay. I made this a long chapter to try to make up for it. This story is nearing it's end, only a few more chapters to go. I am so grateful for all of the reviews and follows this story has gotten and I hope you will continue to let me know what you think. I also wanted to mention that there is a bit of violence in this chapter. Nothing extremely graphic but I just wanted to warn you.

Sam drove into the small town of Lawrence, Kansas with no feelings at all. Despite the fact that she knew a terrible event was about to happen…one that could result in multiple deaths…she still found herself feeling absolutely nothing.

After her little breakdown at the diner earlier in the day, she'd just drove. No more stops, no more delays. She wanted to get this over with as fast as possible. This sense of urgency is what drove her and it kept her focused on the task at hand.

She watched the scenery go by with little interest. Sam knew where she had to go.

It was strange. She had never been to Lawrence before but the roads seemed very familiar. She knew exactly which streets to take to get to her destination.

The tiny house was at the end of the street on the right hand side. Sam pulled the Impala up to the curb and got out of the car. She stood there for a moment and looked up at the building. It was a cute house, painted white, and outside stood a beautiful oak tree. A sense of warmth spread through her at the sight and she smiled softly.

The good feeling was short lived however.

Something moved in one of the upstairs windows. It was nothing more than a flash but it sent a shiver down her spine. It was time to face the music.

Sam walked calmly across the small stone path leading up to the front door. She slowly climbed up the porch steps and stopped in front of the wooden door. She took a deep breath and placed her hand on the doorknob. The door swung open soundlessly and she was greeted with a complete horror show. It was, of course, nothing she'd never seen before but that didn't make it any easier. It also…was a lot easier than it should have been.

The man of the house was lying in the middle of the foyer. His head was disconnected from his body and sitting just to the left of it. His eyes were wide open in a gruesome show of terror and surprise. Sam's eyes trailed blankly over him. There was nothing she could do and to waste time thinking about what she could have done to stop it…was foolish.

His wife was worse in a way. Her head was still attached but she was hanging from the banister of the stairs like Jesus, pinned to the cross. Her arms were wrenched out and tied to the railings with, what looked like pieces of her own long brown hair. She was completely naked and her body was marred by bruises. Someone had beaten her to death and hung her up like a pinata. Such hatred and anger…

Again, Sam moved on. There was nothing she could do for any of them. They were dead; rotting away like garbage.

Finally, her blank hazel eyes landed on the third and final victim.

The one that caused her heart to harden…was the little boy. He was sitting in a chair by the door. Just…sitting there. His hands were resting perfectly upon his tiny lap, looking for all the world, like he was just waiting for his parents to come home. His blue eyes were open and staring blankly ahead with a milky whiteness to them that proved he was never going to see anything ever again. He didn't have a mark on him. He was no more than six years old.

Sam stared at that little boy for a long time. He was never going to grow up. Never smile again…or laugh. Never have a family of his own. He'd been snuffed out before he'd even had a chance…

Eventually, Sam tore her eyes away and closed the front door behind her. She walked quietly past the bodies and into the living room. It was empty. She was just about to turn around and head toward the kitchen, when she heard it. Humming.

The tune was one she knew. It had been kind of an anthem for the children of Azazel. One that bonded them in their misery. Sam could remember when Jessica used to sing it after…certain things.

She followed the sound back toward the staircase. Gazing past the murdered family, Sam looked upward into the darkness of the second level, before slowly beginning her ascent. She headed down the dim hallway, walking past multiple closed doors. She ignored them all and continued on toward the last door on the left which was partly open with light streaming out.

The music grew louder as she approached and Sam knew Jessica was using it to draw her in. She didn't mind though. It made her former sister easier to find and Sam wasn't in the mood for games. She stopped in front of the door and took a deep breath. There were only two ways that this meeting was going to end. Judging from the massacre on the first floor…the second was seeming far more likely.

She hesitated for a brief moment before stepping forward into one of her nightmares.

The room was the little boys. It was painted blue with pictures of animals all over the walls. Definitely no more than six years old…

There was a tiny race car bed with a nightstand and dresser. Toys were strewn all over the room…like he had been in the middle of playing when tragedy struck.

Standing in the middle of all of this were two people. One was Jessica. The blond was beautiful…even with the blood of three people covering her. Sam had to force herself to remain stoic. Jessica had been so much to her in their shared captivity that it was hard to see her as anything but a sister. Things had changed though and there was no denying that anymore.

Jessica was standing over the second individual, holding his right arm in a vice like grip as he was forced to kneel on the carpeted floor. He was the man from her vision. The man she was here to protect and save. He was John Winchester…her father. Sam took a brief moment to study him.

He was older than she'd thought he'd be. Or maybe it was life that had aged him. Either way…John looked tired and broken. His strong face was bruised but that didn't stop him from glaring harshly up at his captor and Sam was reminded of Dean in that moment. They both appeared to be very stubborn men.

When she entered the room his brown eyes immediately shot over toward her with a look of contempt. Apparently he thought she was there to help Jessica. He thought she was a monster…and he was right.

"Hello Jessica." Sam said in an emotionless voice. There was no room for sentiment.

The blond looked up with cold, pale green eyes and a hollow smile. "Oh…hello beautiful girl. I'm glad you could join us. I've missed you so much Star. Or…should I call you Samantha now?"

Sam could see John's eyes go wide with shock. The contempt from earlier was replaced with a mixture of disbelief and reluctant hope. His mouth opened as if he wished to say something…but no words came out.

Sam tried not to think about him. All of her focus had to be on the girl in front of her. It was the only way they would make it out of this alive.

"How do you know my real name Jess? Did he tell you?"

Jessica stared ahead blankly for a moment before a more sinister looking smile appeared on her face. "Oh, I've known who you are for quite a while. Do you know how hard it was to go along with the entire charade? Pretending to be poor little Jessica Moore, the girl nobody wanted, all in an attempt to bend you to his will. I guess it kind of backfired a little. I honestly didn't expect you to leave us all behind like that, and I don't think anyone saw the whole team-up with Jacob thing coming either. That one was just absolutely amazing."

Sam listened with little interest. Jessica was trying to make her believe that their entire relationship was a lie? It was pathetic. Sam had seen the blond at her lowest. They had been through hell together…that was no lie. "I expected more from you, sister."

Jessica narrowed her eyes at the remembered endearment and squeezed John's arm even harder. To his credit the man didn't even flinch considering the fact that his arm must have felt like it was being crushed.

"You forget Jessica, that I know you. I know that you grew up a farmer's daughter in Texas. I know how much you wanted to escape that life and become something better. I know that every time he made you kill a child…you felt like you were killing yourself. Although, judging from what went on downstairs, that little issue no longer troubles you."

The blond smiled even wider and looked about to say something but Sam continued before she could.

"That self-loathing used to eat you up inside and every night you would come to me and beg me to end your pain. Every day we'd wake up and pray that we wouldn't have to see another friend succumb to him. You want me to believe that that was all a lie? I know you Jessica…you're not that good a liar."

Jessica narrowed her eyes even further before breaking out into a bone chilling laugh. "Still the same sanctimonious fool as always. Whatever, it doesn't matter anymore. I know what I have to do now. I know what's going to happen here."

"But it doesn't have to end like this Jess!" Sam yelled out in frustration, emotions finally getting the best of her. Maybe things didn't have to end the way she'd seen. Maybe she could get through to her friend. "You can let him go and come with me! We don't have to do this anymore! We…we can be free…"

Jessica stared at her with wide disbelieving eyes. "Are you serious? Free? Just look in the mirror Samantha! You think you're free? You forget that I can see things too, and I see the truth standing right in your own shadow."

Sam involuntarily flinched at Jessica's words. She didn't want to think that the blond knew about what haunted her.

Jessica smiled knowingly. "I wonder…does he see it to? That brother you're becoming so fond of?"

John's eyes widened even further in surprise.

"Leave him out of this Jessica." Sam said tensely in response.

Jessica laughed and Sam couldn't help but be convinced that there really was no hope in changing the blonds mind. She was just…too far gone.

"But why would you want to Sammy? This whole thing is about family isn't it? Take this place for example." Jessica said as she released John and waved both of her arms around. John slumped forward but he was still staring straight at Sam.

"What about this place? I don't understand."

Jessica laughed again. "Oh this is too good. She doesn't understand John, do you think I should tell her?"

John closed his eyes and Sam could see the grief written all over his face.

"This place, Sammy, is the place where you were born."

It was Sam's turn to be surprised. Her eyes immediately shifted around the room. This was where she was born? But…why would Jessica choose this place for her little game?

"Why did you bring me here Jessica?"

The blonde's eyes took on a wild look. Sam could see that she was deteriorating.

"Why? Well…because this was your beginning Sam. This was where your path was set in motion. John and Mary Winchester. They met at the garage where John here worked part time. Mary was looking for an escape from her past and the small town boy next door was just what she needed. Isn't that right John?" Jessica reached forward to ruffle his hair. John didn't react. In fact…his eyes became so distant that Sam didn't even think he knew what was happening anymore.

"They went out, got married, had sex and popped out a son. His name was Dean. Ahh, so cute. Four years later is when it gets really good. They brought a beautiful baby girl into the world. Her name was Samantha and she was the apple of her father's eye. All was well in the Winchester household for a little while. The perfect American family. But then something happened…"

Dean?

Yeah Sammy?

Why don't we have a mommy Dean?

…

Dean?

I…I told you to stop asking me that Sammy.

But-

No Sammy. I don't want to talk about it right now.

…Okay Dean.

"There was a fire…" Sam whispered as the memory flooded her mind. So many conversations without answers. A little girl who would never know the warmth of her mother.

John's head shot up and Jessica laughed hysterically. "That's right!" She screeched. "A beautiful fire. His fire."

Sam closed her eyes in pain. It was all true. She knew who she was now…and she'd never had a chance. Ever since the day she was born…she had belonged to him…

HAHAHAHAHA! The truth shall set you free! I told you all along that you were mine! Always my love…always…

"That's the expression I wanted to see! The utter despair and hopelessness! You want to be free Sam?! The only path to freedom…is DEATH!"

Jessica abruptly shoved John, causing him to fall face first onto the carpet, before she surged forward toward Sam and wrapped her pale hands around her neck. The two of them fell backward onto the ground. Sam hit hard with Jessica on top of her, still crushing her windpipe.

She struggled briefly before the fight just…drained out of her. She let her arms fall limply to her sides and stared up at the girl who she considered family…even still.

Jessica's blue eyes were wild and there was such…hatred on her face. Sam's guilt skyrocketed. She had abandoned them all when she'd escaped. Over the years they had always been there for each other…they were all they had. Sam had effectively cut ties and ran from each and every one of them. Jessica was only one of the sins she had committed.

Upon realizing that she had no intention of fighting back, Jessica threw her head back and screamed. Her hands tightened even more and Sam was finding it so hard to breath. Her vision was going dark and her body felt heavy and sluggish…but she still couldn't bring herself to fight back.

Sam thought of John, laying on the floor a few feet away. Her father; a man she never thought she'd meet again in her lifetime. She could add his eminent death at Jessica's hand to her list of sins. His eyes had held such pain and she wished she could have hugged him at least once.

As the darkness slowly consumed her, Sam's thoughts drifted to Dean. Her big brother. She still found it hard to believe that she even had a brother, let alone one as wonderful as Dean. She had never before felt such love from another human being. Dean loved her because she was his sister and that was it. There were no ulterior motives. Just the bond of family. It was the happiest she could ever remember being. Seeing all of the different faces he made when he was happy or sad or worried. Watching him eat pie…even seeing his face when he found out what she could do. Even then…he hadn't abandoned her…

But…that's what she was doing to him…

Abandoning him…

Leaving him without a father or a sister…

Something snapped inside of her when she imagined his heartbroken face. It was almost as though…a part of her just…faded away...

Sam's eyes flew open and all of her focus centered upon the blue eyed blond hovering above her. It was like a shockwave burst forth from her body and Jessica went flying backward into the wall behind her. The blonds crumpled body hit the floor with a dull thud as Sam sucked in several deep breaths.

That's my girl…use your gifts…kill her…

Sam slowly eased herself up into a sitting position and her dull hazel eyes shifted over toward Jessica. The blond was unconscious and a small puddle of blood was pooling under her head staining her beautiful hair a sickly pink. Sam blinked once and looked over at John. He was still lying where Jessica had shoved him but his head was turned to face her and his eyes were wide open in horror.

She barely paid him a second thought. Sam pushed herself to her feet and began making her way over toward Jessica. Once she was a few feet away she held her hand out toward the unconscious girl and focused her mind. A moment later Jessica's body started rising slowly up off of the floor like some weird marionette. Sam watched uncaringly as her blond head lolled lifelessly to the left.

It was like she was drifting through a fog…doing these things but…feeling like it was somebody else.

It's just the real you, my precious Star…

Once Jessica was level with herself, Sam lifted her other hand and, with a quick jerk…twisted the blonde's neck until there was a loud snap. It was horrifying how Jessica didn't even make a sound as she died. The girl who was once a central figure in Sam's entire world…gone…in the blink of an eye.

Beautiful…

The whispered word sent an excited chill down her spine and Sam smiled.

"Samantha."

The voice was soft but hard at the same time. Still smiling, she turned to face her father. Strangely though, she felt nothing toward him. Even the way he looked at her…like she was something that needed to be put down, meant nothing. In fact, she found it kind of funny.

"Hello John. It is so good to see you again. You're looking a little rough."

He was kneeling now, staring up at her with unreadable brown eyes. Sam could sense the shift in him though. When she'd first entered the room there had been reluctant hope…but now there was only wary determination. She knew what he was going to do. He was a hunter after all.

"Why are you so surprised John? It's been twelve years. What did you think would happen?"

His eyes shifted and Sam could see the pain hidden within them. She wanted to laugh but figured it would be in bad taste.

"You know, I don't even think that I can bring myself to call you father. You left me with him John. You left me with him and I...Samantha died. She never came back. She was a stupid pathetic waste of air and she…" Sam trailed off with a look of disgust. There was no point. John wasn't going to be making it out of the room alive anyway.

He seemed to understand and slowly pushed himself to his feet with a look of finality on his tired face. "I failed you Samantha…I will always have to live with that guilt. But…I'm going to do one last thing as your father. I'm going to end your suffering."

Without another word he surged forward and plowed right into her.

Sam had to admit that she didn't quite expect that. She knew he was going to attempt to kill her but she didn't think he'd do it without a moment's hesitation.

The momentum pushed them both out of the room and into the hallway. Sam's back smashed into the wall and a sharp pain suddenly pierced her side. Looking down she noticed a knife sticking out of her flesh. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in Jessica. The blond hadn't even searched him for weapons.

"Wow, John. I honestly didn't think you had it in you." Sam muttered, voice filled with spite.

She placed her hand gently on the side of his face. "But now…it's my turn." Power surged through her once more and within seconds John was slammed into the floor. He grunted in pain and before he could do anything, Sam stomped her foot down on his back.

Multiple times.

John groaned and she could feel him trying to push himself back to his feet. Sam wasn't about to let that happen. She removed her foot and took a step back before throwing him up against the wall. His head hit with a loud, satisfying, thud. Sam watched with a smile as his eyes rolled around wildly before settling on her.

"What? Don't you have anything to say to me? You did just try to kill your own daughter."

His eyes hardened. "My daughter died twelve years ago. You…you are a demon. I won't tolerate you pretending otherwise. She was stolen from me…I won't let you destroy her memory!"

He started thrashing around violently. For the first time, Sam could sense the depth of his pain. John Winchester had lost a wife and a daughter to the same monster. He wasn't even close to his own son, the only family he had left. This pain should mean something to her. Her father was in agony…but all she wanted to do was rip out what was left of his heart.

"Calm down John. You can't beat me, so don't even try." There was only so much pathetic struggling that she could take.

He fought for a moment longer before, finally, he slumped back against the wall.

"That's a good boy. Now, how should we finish this? I could crush you, but that seems a little…barbaric. Maybe I'll carve you up first. Maybe I'll even use the knife you used to stab me." Sam said as she ripped the blade from her side.

Blood began to trickle from the wound but she ignored it. Sam held the knife out in front of her and took a slow menacing step forward. John clocked every movement.

"I think I'll carve your eyes out first. That way you won't be able to see what's coming." She said softly as she took another slow step. John didn't even flinch. He was stronger than she anticipated. But, maybe that was a good thing. It would make breaking him, all the more satisfying.

"You were there when Jess killed those people? Well, I am a whole lot worse. I'm not known as the Star of Azazel for nothing. You see, John, I like killing people. It is something I'm quite passionate about. I've also found ways of making the pain last a very long time. You will die slowly and painfully, John. At the hands of your own child no less. I think this will be the best one yet. I know that I am greatly looking forward to it." Sam strode forward purposefully and, without a seconds hesitation, slammed the knife into his chest.

John didn't scream but he did grunt in pain. Sam had made sure not to hit anything vital. She didn't want him to die before the best part. With a satisfied smirk, Sam ripped the knife back out. Blood began to stream slowly from the wound and it stained his flannel shirt a deep crimson. Her favorite color.

"Beautiful…" She murmured in ecstasy.

"My god…what did he do to you?"

Startled, Sam looked up at John's face. He was looking down at her with something akin to pity in his eyes. It angered her in a way she hadn't felt before.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm so sorry sweetheart…I'm so, so sorry…"

Sam's anger skyrocketed. "Sorry?! You're sorry?! You are nowhere near as sorry as you're gonna be! It's your fault this happened to me! Twelve years! Twelve years in a hell you will never know! I will make you regret ever bringing me into this world!"

Overwhelmed with a burning rage, Sam lifted the knife high above her head and brought it down into the muscle of his right shoulder. This time John let out a scream of pain. It was the best sound in the world.

Yes…make him scream some more Star. Make him scream so loud they can hear it in hell…

She ripped the knife out again and slashed him across the chest multiple times. The sounds he made were terrific…but she could do better. Smiling wickedly, Sam lifted the knife and slowly inched the tip of the blade closer and closer to his left eye. John, through a haze of pain, tracked the movement with a sense of inevitability.

"Well, shall we get serious?" She asked, barely concealing her excitement. It had been so long since she felt so alive.

John's eyes widened and for the first time Sam could see a bit of actual fear in them. It was glorious. The blade inched even closer.

"Drop the knife, Sam, and step away from him."

Once again startled, Sam spun around in surprise to face who had spoken.

Standing at the top of the stairs, a grim look on his face, was none other than her big brother…Dean.

And in his hand was a shotgun…

It was pointed right at her chest.