Fledgling Chapter 2:

Sam wandered around the perimeter of the farm watching as the sun went down behind the trees deep in thought. It wasn't like he didn't know this day would come. He had just childishly thought that maybe just maybe... he could somehow avoid this initiation. As each week had passed since he received his ring from Mackland he had begun to naively believe that the Triad wouldn't push him to into something he had made clear he didn't want. Sam stopped walking and stared at the sunset.

Sam pulled the familiar black pouch from his pocket and dumped the silver ring into his palm. It didn't look like anything special, just a plain silver band, but Sam could feel the slight hum of power coming from it. The Guardian's silver was shrouded in mystery, but that pulse he felt was the connection to The Brotherhood. He could appreciate that pull, that need to belong to something bigger. The problem was what else the ring brought up. As Sam held the ring, he felt a slight burning in the center of his palm. It didn't hurt per say, but it was an odd feeling. He remembered when Dean had received his ring, and Sam had asked what it was like to wear it. Dean described the pulse of energy, the connection to The Triad, but he never said anything about the burning sensation. Sam wasn't sure what to make of that, but deep down he felt a warning, like maybe he shouldn't have the ring. He had done a lot of research on the rings in the Hunter's Tomb, looking through journals and notes of hunters from the past. No one had ever described what he was feeling. It scared Sam and it was just another thing that made him feel like he didn't belong with his family.

Sam heard footsteps behind him, and he closed his fist around the ring. He turned to his side and saw Jim standing beside him.

"Searching for something Samuel?" Jim asked.

Sam shrugged his shoulders.

"Just thinking... I guess I needed some solitude."

"I understand son, I often look for that too. I spend hours staring at the pond deep in thought. Thinking about life and how it led me here."

Sam sighed.

"Yeah..."

"I know you are all grown up now, but I think I am still a good listener if there was anything you would like to discuss."

Sam looked up at Jim, the closest thing to a grandfather he had ever had. The pastor has a calmness about him, and it had never failed to make Sam feel safe.

"What do you think makes a great hunter?" Sam asked.

Jim looked at the boy, who was on the cusp of manhood. He had noticed Sam's struggle over the past few years. Sam, Dean and Caleb were all so different, each had their own struggles and he had watched the older two boys struggle to find their place among the Brotherhood. He had watched them both struggle, fail, doubt, but they had both found their way and their place. Caleb had wanted inclusion, Dean had wanted safety and it brought both boys closer and they were welcomed into the fold. They both had accepted the challenges set in front of them, and had become men of the Brotherhood. Sam was different. His place at the table was there for him, yet it sat empty. With each attempt to pull the boy closer he had pulled farther and farther away. Jim had watched as Sam had planted himself separately from the Brotherhood, and in turn away from his father and brother, and with each passing day he built walls around himself.

"That's a very complicated question Samuel." Jim said. "I guess in the simplest terms being a hunter is about protecting the world against evil. Being willing to fight for the greater good. Even at a great personal cost."

Sam nodded and swallowed his fist growing tighter around the silver ring, feeling the burning making its way into his fingers.

"And what about The Brotherhood? If being a hunter is about the greater good, what's different about being part of The Brotherhood?"

"The Brotherhood is a calling. You can be a hunter without being part of the Brotherhood. Few are chosen to join us."

"But what makes someone worthy of The Brotherhood Jim? If you can lay down your life for the greater good as a hunter, how can you not be worthy of The Brotherhood?"

"I am afraid I can't tell you that Sam."

Sam let out a groan of frustration.

"You are the Guardian Jim! Surely you know what is needed to be a part of The Brotherhood. You choose them."

"Samuel... I give out the rings. But the decision to make someone a part of us, is not purely up to me. I can't explain it, I play my part but so does each hunter and the universe. Perhaps, you could help me out, ask me what you are fishing for? I would like to help."

Jim watched the younger man struggle, his fist clenching tightly. Jim could feel the ring in the boy's hand, the power of it flowing through his own.

"You are sending me out to lead a hunt on behalf of the Brotherhood."

"I am."

"Why? What about me represents The Brotherhood? I am not like Dean and Caleb. I am not exactly a great representation of a Hunter."

"Why would you think that?"

Sam turned and looked at Jim with anger.

"Because I am not ready to die for your cause! I don't want to sacrifice my family for the greater good. I want to be safe. I want to keep them safe! What's the point of protecting the world against evil if there is nobody left?"

"And that is exactly what makes you a great asset to The Brotherhood. That very instinct you have to protect your family, to keep them alive to fight the next battle. That is not a weakness Samuel, your love for your family is your greatest strength. I know the struggle you have to not want to see your family in pain, but you are old enough to know that you can't always keep them safe. Dean would like to do the same for you, but he knows that pain is a part of life. You don't think he would protect you if you could?"

Sam was quiet for a moment.

"I know he would. But he will also throw himself in harm's way for the greater good. I am not sure I am willing to do that. My Dad does the same thing."

"And that hurts you?"

"Yes."

"You can't change who they are."

"I know... and I don't want to. But I am not willing to change either."

"I would never ask you to change to fit in here Samuel. You fit in just fine." Jim said.

Sam frowned. For the first time Jim's words fell flat. There was no comfort or help, and maybe he just needed to accept that even Jim couldn't make him feel whole.

"I have to go to the Tomb, get the research for this hunt. Do we know the hunters that are coming with me?"

Jim sighed sensing the conversation was over and that he hasn't been able to reassure the young hunter.

"They have worked with us before yes, Isaac and Will. They are hunters but not members of the inner circle. They are good men. They believe they are dealing with a Poltergeist and the information they sent over seems to support that. The house currently stands empty but a new family will be moving in next month. Go help them put the spirit to rest, and then you are done."

"Done... right..." Sam whispered. "Thanks Jim."

Sam began to walk back to the house but stopped when Jim called his name.

"My Boy..." Jim pointed down to Sam's clenched hand. "That ring is not supposed to be a burden, it was supposed to be a reward. I hope that you know that it was given to you because you earned it."

"Thanks for thinking that, Jim."

Sam walked away from the pastor and back up the stairs to his room. He took one last look at the ring in his hand before placing it back in its black velvet pouch. He felt his hand cool instantly. He took a deep breath and dropped the ring into his dresser drawer, before slamming it shut.

He headed down the stairs and into the Hunter's Tomb.

He had work to do.