Chapter 11

"Ice, can I ask you something?" Sam questioned as they broke camp and got ready to search for any clues where the kidnappers had entered the Forbidden Forest.

"Sure Sam. What is it?" Ice replied looking up at him curious about what the question might be.

"Why is the forest called that? Was a spell or something cast over it? I'm getting these strange senses of uneasiness and uncertainty in my gut. And it's not something I take lightly since it has saved our lives a few times."

"This forest has been here since long before I was born. It is ancient. A lot of dark things happened in there and it seems like all the evil and strange beings are drawn to it making it their home. Stories were told to kids about the monsters that lurked in the woods to keep us from exploring it. It does affect people differently I think. Maybe you're just tuned in to that kind of thing and not being from here are more sensitive to it."

"Dean, hey hold up a minute," Sam called to him when he got ahead of them.

"What dude? Is there a problem?" Dean asked backtracking a few steps.

"No, I was just wondering when you and Ice went into the Forbidden Forest the first time did you get any strange vibes or anything?"

Dean's brows knitted together as he pressed his lips into a thin line thinking about their journey into the forest. After a few minutes he finally answered.

"Can't say I did, but it did seem creepy. Why? Are you having a moment?"

"I don't know," Sam huffed looking at the forest that loomed close by.

"Maybe Dean didn't feel any effects because he has been to this land before," Ice shrugged thinking Sam seemed like a complex person with many layers.

"Doesn't matter, we need to get going," Dean told them. "We'll be extra careful." He turned on his heels and stalked ahead.

"If you get any more 'feelings' let me know," Ice told Sam in a low voice. "I trust them."

"Alright," Sam nodded as they hurried after Dean, falling in step with him. He looked over at his brother's stern face that was focused on the task at hand, getting to the forest, finding Titus, and rescuing him.

It took them almost thirty minutes before coming to the beginning of the forest. They looked up and down the dense trees before heading to the left checking for any clues of where the kidnappers had entered. Another thirty minutes passed before Sam saw something in the brambles and when to check it out.

"I think this is the spot," he called to the others. "I found some strands of fabric in these thorns and look over there, the underbrush seems to be trampled."

Dean stepped into the forest to check the area out, brushing dead leaves and twigs out of the way. He found footprints in some soft mud and scuff marks or drag marks that led deeper into the woods.

"I think Titus is trying to leave us a trail. I found prints and scuff or drag marks heading this way. They've got a big lead on us, so we need to move fast and close the gap."

"Let's do this," Ice nodded as he shifted his pack and let Dean take the lead.

Sam didn't say anything as he scanned the area while he fell in behind them. He let his senses go on hyper alert trying to watch their back. The atmosphere changed and Sam could feel it. A chill ran down his spine making him tremble slightly, but he didn't say anything.

Dean moved as fast as the overgrown forest would allow, checking for prints or other clues as he hiked. He found more strands of fibers low on bushes and marks like someone dragging their foot in soft dirt. They caught a break when the way cleared and allowed for faster travel.

Hours later, Ice called for a short break. They got out water and power bars to eat not wanting to take time to fix anything else.

"We need to be looking for a camp for the night. It's going to get darker earlier here in the woods."

"Okay. Let's keep moving and search for a place ahead," Dean said sipping some water and storing the bottle in a side pocket. He shouldered his pack and adjusted the straps before snapping it in place. The others followed suit and they readied to continue the hunt.

Spn

"That fallen tree looks like a good spot," Dean suggested stopping at the large roots that stuck up in the air and looked at the gaping hole in the ground. It had been down for a while, and they moved around it to a spot where branches were broken, and they could clear a place to bed down. It gave them protection at their backs and a small fire wouldn't be as easily seen.

Each did their tasks, and the camp was quickly set up and sleeping beds rolled out. Sam fixed the meal this time and served it up with hunks of bread. He listened to the noises around them trying to identify them and if they were a threat. He watched Dean fix several torches in case they were needed during the night.

"I'm going to find a tree," Dean sighed getting up to go relieve himself. He walked away from the camp a short distance, ever mindful of his surroundings.

"That sounds like a good idea," Sam sighed getting up to do the same.

"You know the smell of your urine will keep some creatures away," Ice commented to hear a guff of a laugh coming from one of them.

"Maybe we should form a circle around the camp," Dean said when he came back and plopped on his bag. "Who's taking first watch?"

"I will," Ice told them. "You guys get some sleep."

"I'll take the next one then," Dean told him before settling back and using his pack for a pillow.

"Guess that means I have last watch," Sam mumbled stretching out on his bag and turning to his side away for the light of the fire. He tried to relax as he listened to the crackle of the fire and the humming coming from around them. It seemed to be coming from high up in the trees and almost seemed like a lullaby. He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.

Spn

"Wake up, your turn at watch," Dean grunted shaking Sam's leg to roust him.

"Okay," Sam slurred as he wiped his eyes and shook himself awake. He sat up and moved closer to the fire. After adding a few pieces of wood, he looked out into the darkness and listened to his brother settling down to sleep.

A strange call pierced the darkness and echoed among the trees until it faded away. Sam wasn't sure what kind of creature it was and hoped it stayed away from the camp. It wouldn't be long before it was dawn, and they'd have a quick breakfast and pick up the trail again.

Being in the forest made it hard to judge when dawn happened. Ice woke first and helped Sam get the fire going to heat some water. They looked at Dean who hadn't got up and Sam used a stick to poke his leg.

"Hey bro, time to get up," Sam called to him and frowned when he didn't answer. "Dean?" he questioned moving closer and froze when he realized something was moving under the blanket Dean had draped over him.

"What's wrong?" Ice asked going on alert when he saw Sam's body language.

"There's something under Dean's blanket…" Sam cautiously said as he reached to remove the blanket from his brother's body.

Sam gasped in horror when he saw a humongous snake had coiled itself around his brother. He traced the snake with his eyes starting at the head that was laying on Dean's calf and followed it up his back over his shoulder, and saw coils tucked into his stomach and finally the tail was wrapped around his ankle. There was no way Dean could move and he saw his brother staring wide eyed at him begging for help. Sweat was trickling down his face and his shirt was sticking to his body.

"Get out of its way," Ice cautioned as he jerked Sam backwards away from the huge head of the giant snake. "Don't startle it and it should go away on its own."

Sam couldn't help himself as he dug out a camera and took some pictures to prove this happened. He wanted to help his brother, but trusted Ice's judgement and stayed back allowing the snake to move on its own accord.

They watched the snake begin to move finally, its head gliding over Dean's legs as it unleased the hold on Dean's ankle and began to contract its body pulling its bulky form up the length of Dean's body, over his shoulder, down his back and finally over his legs. It slithered by the fire where they got a good look at it. It was brownish green to blend in with the vegetation and its head was about two feet across and Sam guessed it was probably twenty-five feet long as the body just kept coming until finally the tail disappeared into the brush.

"Holy shit!" Dean gasped as he sat up panting hard and brushing off his clothes and wiping the sweat from his face.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked him when he saw how pale he looked and the trembling of his hands.

"We were lucky. The dargar had recently eaten, so it wasn't looking for food," Ice told them. "Did you see the large lump partway down its body? I'd say it was a very large animal that will take it a week or more to digest."

"Crap, I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I woke up and realized something was under the blanket with me." He got up on wobbly legs and shuffled toward the trees to relieve himself not able to hold it any longer.

"It won't be back will it?" Sam asked warily, looking in the direction the snake has slithered away.

"No, it's going to find a place to settle down for the day so it can digest its meal."

"I vote to pack it up and get the hell out of here. We can have a cold meal later once we're away from here," Dean announced grabbing his sleeping bag and rolling it up. "Put the fire out Sammy. I don't want to hang around here."

"Okay Dean. Give us a minute to get ready to leave," Sam fussed kicking dirt on the fire and then rolling his sleeping bag to tie to his pack. He could tell the dargar unnerved Dean and couldn't blame him. He was not a fan of snakes either, especially one that could probably have eaten him.

They were on their way in record time with Dean leading as he headed in the direction of the last tracks he had found.

A/N: Couldn't resist doing that to Dean. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I do like reviews/comments. NC