Chapter 14

Ice glanced back to see how Titus was holding up and decided when he found a place that would be a decent spot for camp to stop for the night, he'd call a halt for the day. He knew Titus could use the rest and any injuries would need to be doctored. It wasn't long before he saw a place that would suit their needs.

"Is that thunder?" Dean questioned as he looked up trying to see through the trees.

"Sounds like it. We may get a storm tonight," Ice told him. "I think we need to stop and go ahead and set up camp."

"I agree," Sam added. "I can smell the rain in the air."

"Alright," Dean agreed.

"Up ahead looks like a good spot. We can drape the tarp across those branches for shelter."

"Okay, c'mon Ty, let's get you settled, and we'll get the camp set up," Dean told him guiding him to the spot. He helped him ease to the ground and lean against a tree. "I'll get the fire pit made while you guys get wood and put up the tarp."

"Okay," Sam replied dropping his pack to remove the tarps from it. He helped Ice clear the area and then tied the tarp into the branches letting it drape down to protect them. The other tarp was spread out on the ground to keep them dry. "I'll go that way and look for wood."

"Alright. But watch out for these white flowered plants," Ice offered pointing to an innocent looking plant that was growing nearby at the base of a tree. "They're only dangerous when they're blooming, like now. It's not poisonous but will give you a nasty rash for days if you touch it."

"I'll watch out," Sam replied looking closely at the plant for a moment.

"I'll go this way and look for wood."

Sam wandered from the camp in search of wood, being sure to mark his trail so he could find the camp again. He knew how easy it could be to get turned around and lost in these woods. He hadn't gone far when he found some broken branches that would be suitable once they were cut up with the hatchet. He pulled them back to camp and went back into the trees to look for more so they could keep the fire going all night.

When Sam broke through some bushes, he found a body of water nestled among the overgrowth. He frowned as he neared it because it didn't look like the other water they had run across. It was dark and murky looking and wasn't moving very fast. He stepped closer to see if it might be useable as a water source.

Something made a ripple on the surface of the water making Sam freeze as he knelt on the bank. He looked out over the water but didn't see anything. He started to reach his hand down to dip some water when suddenly a tentacle shot from the murky depth and wrapped around his wrist. Intense pain radiated up his arm as he tried to pull away only to be jerked toward the water.

"Help!" Sam yelled as his boots went into the water. He grabbed his gun from his waistband and fired into the water trying to make the creature let go. "Help!"

Ice heard Sam's cries for help and then a gunshot. He dropped the wood he was carrying and raced through the undergrowth and trees. He skidded to a stop when he saw Sam was knee deep in water and was being pulled deeper. He pulled out his sword and with one swift swipe cut the tentacle trying to drag Sam away.

Sam fell into the water and shuffled backwards until he was on dry land. He was panting hard as he looked up at Ice. He stuffed his gun back into a pocket and reached to jerk off the severed tentacle but was stopped by Ice's voice and hand.

"No don't!" Ice insisted, stopping Sam. "You can't remove it like that. We need to get back to camp." He helped Sam up so they could hurry back to camp.

"Why not?" Sam questioned looking at his wrist. He could still feel the pressure of the tentacle and a painful ache that was slowly going up his arm.

"I thought I heard a gunshot," Dean said when the two broke through the trees. "What's wrong?"

"Sam was attacked. Put a knife in the fire to get hot," Ice instructed. "Sit here Sam," he told Sam pointing to large rock that was by the camp.

"Crap Sam, what did you tangle with?" Dean asked when he saw the severed tentacle attached to Sam's wrist.

"I don't know," Sam grimaced in pain.

"This is going to hurt, but there's no other way to get it off without ripping your wrist apart," Ice explained. "The tentacle has barbs on the underside that dig into the skin so the creature can capture its prey and hang on to it."

"Hang in there Sammy," Dean told him placing a hand on his shoulder for comfort. He watched Ice remove the knife from the fire and used the blade to carefully peel the severed tentacle from Sam's wrist. He used a rag to wipe the blood and gunk away so he could see the barbs better. "I've got tweezers in the first aid kit," Dean offered as he opened his pack and dug around to find it. He opened it and pulled out tweezers and alcohol wipes to use. "Man, that stinks."

"Thanks. Yeah, it is rather potent." Ice replied accepting the offerings. He held Sam's arm up and began to gently remove the barbs and tossed them into the brush. When all were out, he wiped his wrist with an alcohol wipe making Sam hiss in discomfort as he clenched his jaw.

"I'll put some antibiotic cream on his wrist and wrap it with gauze," Dean told Ice when he was done.

They looked up into the trees when drops of rain began to fall through the branches.

"Move under the tarp Sammy and I'll bandage your wrist. No need for us getting wet."

"Okay," Sam nodded as he got to his feet, pausing to steady himself, and then moved to sit on his sleeping bag.

"We may need to catch some water for drinking," Ice noted knowing they couldn't drink the water Sam had found. He moved to adjust the tarp where it would catch rainwater. Once that was done, he used the hatchet to cut some branches to shield the fire so it wouldn't go out.

"There, all done," Dean said admiring his handiwork. "You should take something for pain." He found the bottle and shook two out for Sam.

"Thanks," Sam grunted getting his water bottle from a side pocket of his backpack.

"Sam, your arm might feel weak or sore from the poison in the barbs, but it doesn't last long," Ice told him. "And you might run a low-grade fever for a day or so."

"Yeah, my arm does feel sort of numb and tingly and the wrist still stings."

"Okay Ty, it's your turn. Let's see what you need doctored," Dean told Titus turning to him.

"I'm okay Dean," Titus replied. He didn't want to be any trouble and thought Sam was injured worse than him.

"Your wrists are raw, and you've got scrapes and scratches that need cleaning. Now quit arguing with me."

"Yes sir," Titus huffed holding out his arms for Dean to inspect them.

"Ice, what was that creature that was in the water?" Sam asked him.

"It's not got a name because they are rarely seen outside of the forest. I've heard stories about its existence from other hunters, but that was the first time I had actually seen one."

"It's strange how all the creatures seem so much larger here than the ones we deal with at home."

"I noticed when I came to your world that the air seemed heavier there, much denser. Maybe that's one of the reasons, but the scorchers aren't natural. They were made by a Mage who wanted to use them as guards for his castle, but the spell went wrong, and he couldn't control them. The creatures killed him and all his servants before escaping and making a home here in the Forbidden Forest where they are thriving."

"Wow. That's interesting. What else can you tell me about this land? Dean told me some, but I'd like to know more."

"Watch out Ice, Sammy's showing his nerdy side," Dean chuckled.

"Bite me," Sam snipped, giving Dean a bitch face before turning back to Ice. "I'd like to hear more, only if you don't mind telling me."

"I'd be glad to discuss it with you Sam," Ice replied smiling at his interest and feeling like they were bonding now.

"So, Ty, how'd you meet your wife?" Dean asked him as he cleaned his injuries, glad they weren't bad. He tuned Sam and Ice out and focused on Titus.

"I had gone to town for some supplies and saw her in the market," Titus began getting a faraway look on his face. "She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I asked around to see who she was and where she lived. I was in luck and found…Man, that stings!" his hissed when Dean cleaned a couple of deeper scrapes.

"Sorry about that, but I need to be sure they don't get infected."

"I know you're only looking out for me. Anyway, I found out where Tisha lived and after talking to York and Ice about her, they encouraged me to tell her how I felt and well, the rest is history. We courted and then were married. A year later, our son was born."

"I am honored that you named your son after me," Dean said warmly.

"I'm happy you are pleased. Tisha and I both agreed on the name. Are they okay?"

"Yes, we stopped and saw them on our way to find you. She is holding up but is worried about you. We did a few chores around the place to help her out."

"That's good. I was worried about them and blessed that she didn't want to come with me that day. I don't know what I would have done because I think those monsters would have killed her and Dean or sold them."

"Let's just be glad that didn't happen. I swear I can't believe how much you have grown since I last saw you," Dean sighed. "You seem like a fine young man. Your adopted family raised you well."

"I took your advice and learned all I could from York. I'm a farrier and blacksmith. York and I work together in town at a shop we opened together with the money from the pearl you gave me, and I visit outlying farms to see to their horses."

"Well, that sounds great Ty. I am so proud of you." Pride and respect beamed in his voice as he patted him on the back and gave him a hug.

"That means the world to me Dean. You treated me like a person and made sure others did too. Not many in this land of higher statute would do that. You gave me confidence and taught me so much."

"And you taught me too Ty. Well, I better get some dinner going before we lose the fire," he noted when the rain started coming down harder. "Ice, I think your water trap needs emptying."

"Thanks, I'll fill your pots first and then the bottles." Ice got up and took the cooking and coffee pot to the trap and filled them for Dean to use. He gathered the water bottles to fill when the trap had enough water.

Once the water was boiling, Dean fixed some stew and smiled when he found Sam had packed a sleeve of crackers and they had survived the trip. When the stew was done, he dished it out and added some crackers to each plate. As they ate, Dean kept an eye on Sam since he wasn't eating very much, and he could tell he wasn't feeling well. He made Sam take some more drugs and gave Titus some pills too and then told them to get some rest.

After talking with Ice, they decided to do the watch and not wake Sam for a turn. He wanted him to rest so they could continue their journey tomorrow. The companions sat side by side under the tarp as the rain continued into the night, only stopping before dawn.

A/N: Their journey will continue but what dangers are they going to face? I do like reviews/comments. NC

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