Seven Bridges Road

XXVI. Hunted

LAKESIDE

"Before Dad died he, he told me something -- something about you," Dean said.

"What? Dean, what did Dad tell you?" Sam asked.

Dean looked at Sam. "He said that he wanted me to watch out for you two, to take care of you two."

Sam frowned. "He told you that a million times."

"No, this time was different. He said that I had to save you."

"Save me from what?"

"He just said that I had to save you, that nothing else mattered; and that if I couldn't, I'd..."

"You'd what?" Sam and Johanna pressed.

"That I'd have to kill you. He said I might have to kill you, Sammy."

"Kill me?" Sam repeated. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know."

"I mean, he must have had some kind of reason for saying it, right? Did he know the demon's plans for me? Am I supposed to go Darkside or something? What else did he say, Dean?"

"Nothing, that's it, I swear."

"How could you not have told me this? Or have not told Josie this?"

"Because it was Dad, and he begged me not to."

"Who cares?! Take some responsibility for yourself, Dean! You had no right to keep this from me or Johanna!"

"You think I wanted this? Huh? I wish to God he'd never opened his mouth. Then I wouldn't have to walk around with this screaming in my head all day."

Sam turned and took a few steps away, fuming. "We've just got to figure out what's going on, then, what the hell this all means."

"We do? I've been thinking about this, I think we should just lay low. You know? At least for awhile. It'd be safe. And that way I can make sure-"

"What? that I don't turn evil? That I don't turn into some kind of killer?"

"I never said that."

"Jeez, if you're not careful, you will have to waste me one day, Dean."

"I never said that! Damn it, Sam, this whole thing is spinning out of control. All right? You're immune to some weirdo demon virus, and Saoirse and I don't even know what the hell anymore. And you're pissed at me, I get it. That's fine, I deserve it. But we lay low until we figure out our next move, okay?"

"Forget it."

"Sam please, man. Hey, please. Just give me some time. Give me some time to think, okay? I'm begging you here, please. Please."

Sam nodded reluctantly and looked at Johanna who was staring disappointedly at Dean.

She glanced at her brother. "I'll stay with Dean. Good luck, Sammy."

"Be safe, Josie," Sam said.

"You too."

Sam left the motel room, a bag over his shoulder. He walked quietly past the Impala to a small black car. He opened the door with a coat hanger, looked around, and got in before driving away.

CABIN

Sam was standing outside a dark house, holding a piece of motel stationary from The Blue Rose Motel, with an address written on it. He approached the house cautiously. He picked the lock and entered; the house was dark. As he passed through the doorway, he tripped a wire at floor level, which triggered a grenade. It exploded and they screamed. His smoking boots dissolved into a flash of light.