Chapter 7

Sam stopped and looked around at his surroundings trying to memorize the layout of the pocket dimension he was trapped in. He frowned for a moment before looking at Jasper who was waiting patiently for him.

"Jasper does this place ever change in size?" he asked the older hunter.

"Well, as far as I can tell it stays the same. Maybe a room might change in some way with the contents, but I've not really noticed that closely. The only thing I do know is there is no place you can hide that the creature won't find you."

"How many victims are here? Do you know?" Sam looked around when chill bumps popped out on his arms. He warily gazed behind him trying to catch a glimpse of the others that were trapped here too. He was sure they were nearby since spirits seemed to be drawn to the living.

"I'd say about a dozen or more. Some are so faint now that they can't hold their body shape any longer. From what I could glean from the ones who would talk to me is they are trapped here even after they die. This creature won't let them move on from here," Jasper explained, a sadness filling his voice at the end.

"I'm sorry to hear that. It must be hard on everyone." Sam started walking again, glancing right and left wondering if there were any spirits crammed into the corners.

"It does make a few go crazy but they can't harm others. Most of the spirits, once they're used up just find a place to settle and stay there going into a fugue state."

"Do you think if this creature can be killed, they can finally move on?"

"I don't know son. But it's something we could only hope would happen."

"What was that?" Sam asked when a noise ahead of them got his attention. He strained to hear as he cautiously took a step closer.

"What did you hear?" Jasper questioned staring ahead of them into the shadows.

A soft, childlike sob reached Sam's ears as he moved to a doorway to look inside. He took a step into the room and saw movement in one corner putting him on the defensive. He squinted slightly and realized he was looking into the frightened face of a female kid, younger than him.

"Hi," Sam spoke gently as he eased closer. "I won't hurt you. My name is Sam. Are you okay?"

"I'm lost," the small child whispered looking up at Sam with haunted, frightened eyes.

"It's okay, I'll help you," Sam offered holding out his hand to her.

The young girl looked into Sam's kind face for a moment before cautiously reaching out to take his hand and allow him to help her up. She was red-headed and had on jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers.

"What's your name child?" Jasper asked her.

The girl shielded behind Sam in fright when Jasper spoke.

"It's okay, that is Jasper, he's a friend," Sam assured her. "What's your name?"

"Harley," the young girl whispered to Sam as she studied Jasper with wary eyes.

"Harley, it's good to meet you. How long have you been in this place?"

"I don't know," she answered in a trembling voice. "I got separated from my friends when we went into the mirror house. I woke up in here and couldn't find anyone else." She clung to Sam's side and pressed her face into his shirt as she cried.

"It's okay Harley," Sam tried to comfort her as he patted her on the back. He felt a little awkward about it, but knew she needed the comfort right now. He knew she was scared, confused, and wanted to go home. "My brother is looking for me and if you stay with me, he'll get all of us out of here." Sam looked at Jasper as he spoke and saw an expression cross his face and wondered what he wasn't telling him.

"Really?" Harley asked looking hopefully into Sam's eyes.

"Yes, we can't give up hope."

"Sam, we should start moving again," Jasper cautioned him looking around.

"Will you come with us Harley?"

"I guess," Harley replied keeping a firm grip on his hand and let him lead her out into the hall.

They began to walk back down the dimly lit hall. Sam let Jasper take the lead and stayed close behind him, keeping Harley to his side. It felt more urgent now to get out of this place and save Harley. After walking for what seemed like forever, Sam noticed they passed the mirror where he had been pulled through.

"Jasper, should we find a place to rest?" Sam asked looking down at the shell-shocked girl as she stumbled slightly.

"We can do that Sam. How about up ahead?" he replied looking into a space to the left of them thinking it would be suitable for a break. He led them into the room and watched Sam guide the young girl to a bench to sit. She stayed close to his side as he dropped down beside her. "Why don't you two stay here and I'll look around. Be sure it's safe."

"Are you sure you'll be okay and safe yourself?"

"No place is safe here Sam, but I'll check to see if it is nearby," Jasper told him, patting his shoulder before leaving.

"Are you okay Harley?" Sam asked the girl as she leaned against his side.

"Is something going to get me?" she asked in a small voice.

"Not if I can help it. Don't be worrying about that. You just relax a bit, and we'll go find Jasper."

"Okay," Harley nodded shrinking more into herself as she hugged her arms around her body and shivered.

Sam slipped an arm around Harley's small body and pulled her close feeling her tremble. He tried to think of something to take her mind off their situation.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters Harley?" Sam asked her.

"I have an older brother and a younger sister."

"I have an older brother too; his name is Dean. He's the best big brother and he won't give up until he finds me."

"Are my parents looking for me too?"

"I'm sure of it. We've got to have positive thoughts Harley. Do you live around here?"

"The next town over. There were flyers posted around town and Kyle and Junie wanted to come. They begged our parents until they said yes. I didn't really care about coming."

"Same with me. Dean wanted to come and drug me alone. I think he just wanted to sample all the food they had to offer," said Sam with a small laugh. "He's an addict for greasy food."

"Sounds like Kyle. He loved the grilled corn and deep fried anything," Harley giggled, relaxing a little.

They sat together in silence as Sam mulled over everything on his mind. He jumped up when a wail echoed from down the hall like someone was in pain. He hurried to the door and looked the way Jasper had gone as a cold dread filled his soul. Sam knew that was a human wail and had a feeling it had been Jasper. The creature must have found him and was feeding off him. He wasn't sure what to do because he had no way of helping Jasper and was afraid to leave Harley alone. It wouldn't do either any good if he was caught by the creature and it started to drain him too. Tears filled his eyes that he blinked away before returning to Harley. Sam prayed for Dean to find them before it was too late.


A/N: Sam finds another victim of this monster and wants to help her. Can they get out of this in one piece? Sam is putting all his hope on his big brother. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I do like reviews/comments. NC