Hollowing Souls

Mannequin 3: The Reckoning

"Alex!" Dean roughly shook her, and the angel fell backwards, breaking the connection. She stared down at Sam, whose eyes had fallen shut. "What the hell?" Dean snapped, fear fueling his anger.

Alex stared down at Sam. That wasn't right. If that was a memory, the devil shouldn't have said her name. No. She — she must have imagined it. "I'm okay," she promised shakily. "He's okay."

"Like hell he is!"

Alex winced at how accurate his phrasing was. "T-The wall isn't breaking," she managed to get out. That much she could tell. "B-But it's cracking. He's remembering part of hell."

Dean's face grew pale, and he tightened his grip on his brother's arm. "You were in his head?"

"Yea. I-I think I might have gotten behind the wall." Alex looked down at the hunter, and she rubbed her face. "I only saw one . . . memory. Maybe one just slipped through."

"Great." Dean tightened his grip, fingernails angrily digging into Sam's flesh. "If this is what one memory does, think of what will happen when it breaks."


"It won't be pretty."

"Sammy!" Dean turned back to his brother, voice shaking with fright. "S-Sam? Oh, come on. Sammy!" He felt for his brother's pulse then grabbed onto his jacket, shaking him even more forcefully. "Sammy! Come on, dammit!" His voice cracked, and he looked desperately over at Alex.

"Dean!" Alex reached out to stop him, keeping her voice soft. "You're hurting him."

Sam's eyes suddenly flew open, and neither missed the fire that danced in his eyes before flickering out. He inhaled sharply, gaze focusing on the ceiling.

"Hey hey hey." Dean shoved Alex out of the way, leaning over his brother. "You with me?"

Sam didn't answer. He was breathing heavily, trying to fight to air. He eventually managed to nod.

"Come on." Dean suddenly hauled Sam up off the ground. "Come on. Got to get you the hell out of here."

"Dean!" Alex jumped to her feet, reaching out to steady the sagging hunter. "Let him rest."

"Get the bags, Alex." Dean half-led, half-dragged Sam out the front door. With a shaky sigh, Alex did as he asked.

...

They drove for only an hour before Dean pulled the Impala off of the highway in search of coffee. They eventually found a large mobile coffee shop in the parking lot of a wooded park. Dean got out and promptly walked over, leaving Sam and Alex behind. Sam got out on shaky feet, and Alex followed, concerned for his safety. She watched as he leaned against the driver's side of the trunk, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Maybe you should sit down," Alex suggested worriedly, standing beside the hunter. "You're not looking too good."

"I'm fine."

Dean hurried back over to them, carrying their food, drinks, and a local newspaper. "How you feeling?" he asked.

"Like I was hit by a planet."

"Well, lucky for you I'm a doctor." Dean held out the food, which Alex took. "I got joe, grub, and . . ." He held up a small bottle of pills, shaking them for emphasis.

"What are they?"

"Effective."

Sam hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm good, thanks."

Alex snorted in light amusement. "Smart man."

Dean just frowned. "Suit yourself." He shoved the plastic bottle back in his pocket.