Am I even going in the right direction? Sam thought and ran a hand through is sweat-damp hair. He stopped and leaned against a tree.
Several days had passed since Sam had encountered Lucifer in the abandoned house and he had run out of Tylenol despite his attempt to ration them and had been unable to find more.
Searing pain radiated out from the wound and the skin around it burned with heat. Without antibiotics soon, even if he found more painkillers, Sam knew he was going to die.
"Just a little further," he muttered to himself, "Just a couple more miles."
Sam closed his eyes. He had left the city days ago and had found himself wandering, lost, in the woods, having no real sense of direction once his fever returned. Pushing himself away from the tree, Sam staggered forward, tripping over underbrush and roots.
SPN
"How's it going?" Cas asked, peering down at the other side of the gate.
"Been quiet all day," Rick muttered, a pair of binoculars hanging from around his neck.
Cas nodded. When they had first arrived at Camp Chitaqua, stragglers had come in the first few days, seeking shelter from the demons and Croats. Now, survivors were few and far between. Oh, one might show up occasionally, or two, but that wasn't very likely. The camp was in the middle of the woods, not readily accessible or advertised. Only those who seemed to know about it from before could find it.
"Hey! I've got movement!" Rick barked suddenly and brought his binoculars up.
"What is it?" Cas asked, "A person?"
Rick remained silent for a moment, his gaze following the dirt road that led to the camp.
"Yeah, yeah it is."
"Croat?" Monty asked and walked down the catwalk towards them.
"Too far to tell," Rick muttered.
Cas peered in the direction Rick was looking, frowning.
"Get your weapons ready just in case," he said.
Monty pulled his gun and, once Rick lowered the binoculars, readied his as well.
"Let me have those," Cas held his hand out for the binoculars. Rick pulled them from around his neck and handed them to the former angel.
Cas found the figure Rick had seen and watched it approach slowly, limping, weaving along the road drunkenly.
"What do you think?" Monty asked.
Cas frowned, "I'm not sure. I don't think it's a Croat or a demon."
"Could it be a survivor?" Monty wondered aloud.
"We haven't seen anyone in months," Rick added and pointed his gun at the figure, ready to shoot.
"Come closer," Cas muttered, "Come on, come on. Let's see you."
"Should someone get Dean?" Monty asked uneasily.
Cas waved a dismissive hand in Monty's direction and then stopped.
"I don't believe it," he lowered the binoculars and stared out at the figure again for a moment before turning and heading down the catwalk to the stairs.
"Open the gate!" Cas cried, "Open it! Open it!"
The guards at the gate hesitated; they only opened the gate upon Dean's request, no one else's.
"I know who that is! Open the gate!" Cas cried.
"Go get Dean!" Rick shouted at Monty as the two men followed Cas off the wall.
The gate was opened only enough for Cas to slip through.
"I don't believe it," Cas gasped as he rushed outside, the gate closing behind him.
SPN
Sam raised one hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he caught sight of a tall wooden gate. He was too far away to tell what was on the other side but he hoped whoever was inside was friendly. He didn't think he could go much farther if they weren't.
"Please," Sam muttered to himself, "I just- just need some antibiotics… and then I'll go… I- I promise…"
Using the last of his energy, Sam staggered and stumbled towards the fence, unaware of movement at the gate.
SPN
Cas sprinted down the dirt road towards the hunter, hardly daring to believe his eyes.
"Sam!" he called out and the man lifted his head, a look of confusion on his face.
SPN
"Who said you could open the gate?" Dean snapped at the guards who were smart enough to look chagrinned.
"Cas wanted out," one said, "Said he knew whoever was out there."
Dean frowned, "The idiot. What the hell is he doing?"
He looked at Monty and Rick.
"Does he have a weapon?"
Monty looked to Rick, who shrugged, "I don't know."
Dean swore, "Damn it. Okay, open the gate."
The guards looked at him.
"Did I stutter? Open the gate, I'll take care of it."
They acted quickly to obey Dean's command, opening the gate enough for the hunter to slip through.
Reaching for his gun, Dean trotted forward to where Cas had made it the figure. The former angel holding the man at arms' length.
"CAS!" Dean shouted, raising his weapon, "Move away."
Cas turned to look at the hunter, "It's Sam!"
Dean frowned, "What?"
"Sam! It's Sam! He found us!"
Dean, weapon still raised, squinted, struggling get a better look at the figure.
SPN
Sam peered blearily at the familiar face in front of him.
"Cas, is it really you?" he asked.
"Yes, Sam and-" Cas began but Sam fell onto his knees, his strength drained.
"Whoa! Easy," Cas muttered, "Dean's coming."
Sam's eyes fluttered, "Dean?"
"Cas, what's this?" a familiar voice spoke and Sam forced his head up, gaze seeking his brother.
He found himself looking down the barrel of a gun instead.
"It's Sam," Cas reached out a hand, "Just look, Dean. Look."
SPN
Dean peered down at the man on his knees in the dirt. Keeping his weapon trained on the man, Dean stared at him.
"Dean," the man whispered and the hunter dropped his gun.
"Sam?" Dean asked, disbelieving.
"Hey, Dean," Sam managed before he crumpled to the ground.
"Sam!" Dean cried and reached for his brother, feeling heat pouring off him in waves.
"He's sick," Cas said, "Dean, look."
His gaze following his friend's pointing finger, Dean saw a soiled piece of cloth tied around his brother's leg.
"Let's get him inside," Dean reached down for his weapon and then grabbed one of his brother's arms. Cas took the other arm and together they began walking back to the camp.
Author's Note:
Thanks to everyone who left a review and thank you all for your patience!
