Fanfic
Título: Count On Me When It’s Harder To Breathe
Fandom: Supernatural
Disclaimer: Los personajes pertenecen a la CW, todo es ficción, blah, blah, blah.
Clasificación: Para todo público.
Status: Acabado, o puede que no *icono pensativo*
Spoilers: Gran spoiler del final de la 2º temporada, indispensable haberla visto. Indispensable también conocer las canciones que van saliendo y en cuya letra me inspiré para escribir los diálogos.
Idioma: Inglés, porque me salió escribirlo así, pero pienso traducirlo.
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- You sure about this, Sammy?
- It’s our last chance.
- Hey, I’m not talking about the ritual, I mean taking this road.
- Oh, right (Sam opens his handbag and takes out an old map with a lot of marks and signs on it). Yeap, it’s the only clear road.
- I’m still thinking that we should have gone after that werewolf, or whatever it was.
- Dean, hunting that beast down may take days, and we don’t have that time… you don’t have that time.
- I know (Dean turns his look towards the road, silent).
Twenty minutes past with no a word pronounced. Sam was still making small crosses in the map, but lifted his head when Dean stopped the car.
- What is it?
- We’re out of fuel (Dean opens the door with a worried expression). I’m gonna check out the engine (Sam follows him).
- We’re in the middle of nowhere, I thought the fuel tank was full.
- So did I.
- Dean, is not the gas… the car’s fine.
- What…? (he takes his head out of the car’s hood and looks at Sam that was scanning the area with the EVP). High?
- Extremely high, the place should be a nest.
- Another nest? I thought this was the “safe” way, Sam.
- Looks like there’s no more safe ways, but we have to get there before midnight, I don’t care what it takes (Sam goes back to the car and takes his bag and a gun).
- Leaving the car here? (says shocked, Sam shrinks his shoulders) Leaving MY car here? Ok, let me call Bobby first, he was just a few miles behind us (he tries to use the phone, Sam looks at him). Damn it!
- Doesn’t work either? C’mon, it’s a lonely road and the car will be safe under this tree (goes to the back of the car and Dean follows him, both start pushing the car out of the road).
A while after, both brothers go walking next to the desert road.
- Zeppelin drummer?
- John Bonham (says with a bored voice).
- Kansas bass?
- Billy Greer.
- Not bad.. first Boston vocalist?
- Mmm.. Brad Delp?
- Nice, Sammy, you’ve been doing your homework. Hit rock of Nazareth in the seventies?
- Son of a bitch.
- Hey!
- The song, Dean, “Hair of the dog” was known as “son of a bitch” due to the chorus lyrics…
- Uh.. I was talking about “Love hurts”, but.. (looks at Sam with weird expression) good one.
- Do we have to keep talking about classic rock history?
- I was just trying to kill time while we walk.. bitch (he whispers and coughs).
- I’m serious, man. We’re not in the best situation, I need to think…
- Ok kill-joy, I wanted to test if my.. influence.. was good to you. You know, lineage.
- What? Don’t… don’t even think about starting with that subject. You’re not gonna die, period. When will you understand what I mean when I say there’s no way we’re gonna give up?
They get to some sort of old cabin and jump the fence towards it.
- There’s gotta be someone here, this is the only house or something like it. This should be the place the hunters had been using for cover (Sam says knocking at the door).
- And these hunters are even friendly? How do we know if they are in our same side, uh?
- We don’t. But they’re chasing the same warlock we’re after, they’re our only lead.
- Ok (slides one hand to his back and pulls out a gun, Sam looks at him), just in case.
- Hello? (Sam knocks again and the door opens).
- Weird, let me go first.
When they get inside they find four bodies laying in the ground covered with blood, Sam turns his look and Dean moves to the closest body to examine it.
- Clean cut in the throat, seems like the other ones too. What do you think?
- The Warlock? No way… It’s too risky coming here knowing that half a dozen hunters are after him, it must have been somebody else, or something else.
- Yeah, well, any other lead we can follow?
- I… (Sam moves his mouth unable to say anything).
- Hey, it’s okay. Three months with trap after trap leading to nowhere, we had more important things to do that finding this guy.
- No, this should have gone first (he closes his eyes and when he opens them, they’re wet). It’s not just a job, it’s not something that could go wrong.. it’s about saving your life and we have (looks at his watch) eighteen hours. God damn it!
- Sammy.. Sammy (puts a hand on his brother’s shoulder)
- Don’t give me that tone, we’re not giving up, you’re not giving up yet (he crouches and starts to examine the bodies nervously).
- C’mon, what you looking for? We already have weapons.
- They should have some.. (opens the jacket of the second guy and pulls out a small notebook). Look at this.
- Anything about the warlock?
- Not sure… it’s some kind of list. Three places are erased but there’s still two more, the next one has coordinates. Got your compass here? (pulls the map out of his pocket and goes to the table, Dean gives him the compass).
- Alright, find the place, I’m gonna make sure there’s no one else around and see if I can find some food. Okey?
- Dokey.
Dean goes to the other room moving cautiously, when he convinces himself he’s alone, he goes right to the fridge. Smiles when he sees a couple beers inside and takes one.
- Bud.. well, not bad for a last beer.
He grabs his phone from his pocket and dials. After a few seconds he smiles hearing the signal.
- Bobby, it’s me. Yeah, we’re okay, we’ve been out of signal. This fucking place is never-ending. Did you get out? (with a strong wave he opens the bottle cover hitting it with the table border). Mississippi? So Sammy’s map is right, we’re out of Tennessee heading south, I was starting to think we were lost and these towns were not real places, you know? Like that set up that the yellow-eyed-demon made one year ago (he drinks from the bottle listening to the phone). No, he’s still insisting in going after the warlock, he thinks that guy maybe could, you know.. stop this. Black magic cause it, black magic may stop it. I already gave up weeks ago, I’m only here for Sammy, he’s too obstinate and won’t stop this quest. He feels guilty and wants to save me no matter what, but Bobby, I want you to tell him that I made that choice, okay? It’s not his fault (he sighs and looks back over his shoulder). I know you’d be willing to help him, but he can take care of himself (sighs again and takes another drink). Alright, I’ll try to convince him, see you tomorrow.
Dean goes back to Sam and finds him writing something on the map.
- The place is clear. I’ve found beer in the fridge.
- Mmmokay, I got the coordinates, twenty minutes south. According to these notes there’s another sacred place, an old monastery burned down in the last century. The other one is a cemetery, like the three first places they’ve been.
- I see, they’ve tried three cemeteries and they didn’t start for the ruins of a monastery? Amateurs (he smiles and finishes the beer).
- I guess they were discarding by order, anyway.. I think we should be leaving, every minute counts.
- You’re leading (says with a last sigh and follows his brother outside).
- All this walking is keeping us warm, hell, it’s freezing.
- That’s because you’re only wearing a t-shirt. Now… remember the plan? (gives a severe look to his brother). Let me talk, let me handle it.
- Of course, Sammy, you would convince a Kurt Cobain not to take his life.
- Kurt Cobain did not take his life, he passed away ‘cause of the drugs (Dean smiles and nods). Never mind.
- Right, that was one of your favorite Nirvana albums (he punches Sam in his shoulder and Sam’s forced to smile). Will you be my lawyer in Hell, little brother?
- What? (looks at him puzzled)
- You know… they say you can appeal down there. And, I know you, you wouldn’t let me in peace even in Hell.
- None sense. Specially ‘cause you don’t deserve to be there.
- See? That’s what I was talking about, if I die you’d crawl down to Hell to be my defense lawyer.
- Could you just stop joking about death? It’s all laughs for you but.. the possibility exists and I’m.. scared.
They stopped in front of a big tree, Sam puts down his bag and takes out a lantern and a gun. Dean takes a deep breathe and gasps before start talking.
- Okay, we’ve gone too far. I know you still got hope, but let’s face it Sammy, I’d prefer to be spending my last hours driving you outta here.
- We’re here for you, this is the last chance. All we tried was in vane, and I’m not gonna cut you down like that.
- Hey, you did your best. Maybe there’s a reason why none of it worked, maybe it’s my time, finally. I’ve cheated death too many times…
- And so did I!! (he drops the lantern and punches the tree). I don’t care about fate and I don’t care about “what should be”. You are all I have, and as well as you gave your life for me, I’d do the same.
- Sam, I’m sick of this life… and tired of it.
- Sick and tired? Enough with that crap, my brother is a fighter, and he’s gonna die old, right next to me (ends with a broken voice).
- Yeah, would be good to stick around a little more… but I’ve been here enough, the demon’s vanished, you’re not danger anymore, you don’t need me to protect you…
- Oh, you think so? (a female voice interrupted them, and a blond girl appeared behind the tree). I couldn’t help listening the sad speech goodbye as I was passing by.
Both brothers look at her shocked, she moves one step to them and crosses her arms.
- Meg.. (Dean says shocked) but how could you get…?
- Do I have to answer that question? Through the hell-gate you opened, moron.
- Actually, I think he was wondering how could you get that body back (says putting himself between Meg and his brother). That poor girl died after the exorcism.
- Well, while I’ve been down there I’ve “collected” a lot of new tricks (she lifts her hand and with a soft move Sam twists and is pushed towards the tree, falling unconscious). See?
- The only thing I can see is that you’re still a bitch.
- Oh, thanks for the compliment. Funny thing about this is that now you can’t kiss your mother neither speak to your father with that mouth. By the way, I heard he run off out of Hell too, you should be proud.
- Don’t talk about him like that.
- Fine, I’ll skip the painful part. What brings you guys here? Oh, wait.. let me guess (she pretends to be hesitating), looking for the warlock?
- Dean.. (Sam craves from the ground, waking up).
- Well, we have two options here (says Meg and Dean stares at her). One, I torture your brother and you watch him suffer (she doubts), but that would be tiring and repetitive. And two.. I just sit and enjoy the show, you disappointing your brother, his hero fading away.
- You have no idea what you’re talking about.
- Oh, I don’t? Dean, I might be a demon but I know something: life is precious. And your throwing yours away just because you’ve lived a bumpy ride. It’s insulting.
- Enough of it!! (he shouted). I’m not gonna hear that from you.
- Alright, but I pass too. You’re not worth it (she smiles and starts to walk), besides… there’s something that will hurt you more, and it’s lying right there on the ground (says pointing at Sam). And yes, when you’ll be dead and he’d be alone and helpless, I’ll come back to take care of him (she whispered at Dean’s ears while she passed next to him).
Suddenly Dean starts to cough and grabs his throat with both hands like he’s unable to breathe. Meg turns to him and laughs.
- Oh, come on! That’s pathetic.
- I’m… I’m not… (he looks at Sam, who’s still lying on the ground half conscious). Sammy… Sam!
Meg is staring at him while he tries hard to walk away, difficultly breathing, heading to the near building.
- Anyone? Is… is there anyone out there? (he coughs louder and falls on his knees). Please, is there anyone out there ‘cause it’s getting hard… (he coughs again) harder… to… breathe (finally falls to the ground wrenching).
- Oh, I thought the ‘B’ day was tomorrow (Meg says approaching, then notices a shape in one of the windows of the old building). I could have taken advantage of this situation but, unfortunately, I got something to do first.
- Sam… (Dean whispers in a last breath, Meg passes next to him and pushes his face to the grass with her boot).
- Be right back. Don’t die… yet.
She gets inside the building and pulls out a knife, then Sam starts to wake up.
- Dean? (he says looking around while he stands up) Dean!!
Sam runs to his brother, who lies on the ground, and starts to shake him trying to wake him up.
- C’mon Dean, talk to me.
- I… can’t… (he articulates with his mouth, unable to utter audibly).
- What? Come on, you still got one more day, we’ve calculated the exact date a thousand times (he groans, still shaking his brother).
- Whoa, whoa.. you’re gonna kill me before I stop breathing (he tosses loudly).
- Where the hell did she go? (he looks around searching for Meg).
- After the warlock, probably (he stands up, helped by Sam). But wait, don’t go chase her, stay with me.
- What?! (says with a shocked voice). It’s the first time I hear that coming out of your mouth.
- Sammy, we need to get out of here, now. You saw how she beat you, there’s no other option.
- Yeah, but.. if we leave now we might loose the warlock, and HE is our only option.
- That doesn’t matter anymore (he whispers).
- Alright, enough (he grabs Dean’s arm and stands him up, then both walk to the tree so that Dean could rest). Now you’re gonna hear me.
- But..
- It’s not the time, it’s not the place, blah, blah, blah… I know, but if I don’t say this right now maybe I won’t have another shot (Dean nods resigned). Ok… (he assents and takes a deep breath). I know that life ain't always good to you, I've seen exactly what it’s put you through, and then you got to thinking there was no way out, you started sinking and it pulled you down (Dean pulled down his head, without saying a word). But you've to get back up, because you know that life ain't over yet. I'm here for you so don't forget you can count on me… cause’ I will carry you till you carry on.
- Man, come on, you don’t have to say that..
- Knowing it is not the same that hearing it, ok? (he smiles and his brother smiles back) I’ve not always counted on you before, but you can count on me. See, in the last two years we’ve been more united than ever, we’re each other’s family and… you made me realize why life’s worth and in my priority scale you are on top. Seriously, life sucks in many ways for us but I wouldn’t change it.
- What you talking about? You won’t be a hunter forever.
- Maybe, I don’t know. But what I do know is that you are the only true thing I’ve always have, and I don’t care if our lives will be reduced to the hunt, as long as I would have my brother next to me (he whispers and gasps while he dries his eyes).
- Stop (Dean says serious), you’re breaking my heart (ends with a smile). No, mocks apart, thanks. Most of it is the same for me, and you were right.. it’s better hearing it, cause’ now I understand why you’d been so reticent about starting a new life after the demon was vanished.
- Yeah.. and now comes the ‘’but’’. But… it is too late, you’ve given up long way before.
Dean puts his hand on his brother’s shoulder and smiles at him. Then, starts to wrench again and sits down laying his back on the tree.
- Dean, what’s wrong?
- Dunno… I just… can’t breathe.
Meg is running upstairs throwing apart chairs and tables, and everything she finds in her way.
- You won’t last long.. the building only has four stories (says with a melodic voice).
The shape of a man gets inside a room and Meg runs towards and opens the door grasping her knife. She smiles when she sees him trying to escape through the window.
- Well, well, well… just the warlock I was looking for.
- I’ve avoided a lot of hunters, a chick won’t be much problem.
- Hey, easy (she says putting the knife down and approaching). I’m not here to kill you, just… let me get one thing clear and then we’ll talk.
- What do you want? (he asks shocked).
- Look through the window, see those two men?
- Yeah, more hunters.
- They’re not just any hunters, but I think you already knew that (she says lifting an eyebrow). Just tell me, is it right that you have power to reverse Dean’s curse?
- First, is not a curse, it’s the consequence of a demonic treat. So it’s more like a bond. And second, it’s irreversible.
- Stop fooling me, can you do something about it, yes or no? (says in a louder tone).
- Why on earth are you so interested?
- Because that bastard sent me right to hell two times already (she screams and her eyes fade to black). But… still you haven’t answered my question (says recovering her normal tone and the warlock looks at her frightened).
Outside, Dean is hurting more and more and Sam remains at his side.
- You’ll get through this, I promise, we just have to find that damn warlock (Sam says with anger). Hang on, please.
- Come on, Sammy, we’re out of options and I’ve already accepted this. It’s my time, it was long ago but I’m living borrowed time.
- And who the hell cares?
- Me (both look at each other silent). I let you talk before, now you let me. See, I know you wanted me to be there for you, but I’ve done enough in this life.
- That’s just a bunch of crap, that ‘’tired’’ thing again?
- Yeah (Sam turns his head and dries some tears from his eyes), it’s my best shot (he whispers and Sam doesn’t notice). Come on, you should understand it.
- I know, we’ve past through the same but it was different for you (he lifts his head and shows his wet eyes). You never complained, never even drop a tear in front of anybody. You’ve carried all inside and you’ve also carried with me. I do understand that more than dad ever did.. but what I don’t get is why you give up now. This last two years we’ve been more united than before, like real brothers, a shoulder to lean on and a reason to wake up every day and go out there hunting…
- Hey, hey, come on (he says when Sam breaks to cry), you’re right about all of that. So please don’t cry, don’t turn this into a soap opera series (Sam smiles but keeps moaning). It’s just what it has to happen, we’re only delaying it… So now, you gotta make it your own way but you’ll be alright. You’ll feel better tomorrow, please… don’t cry, don’t you cry tonight, Sammy.
- Wait… (says drying his tears), are you trying to console me with a Guns N’ Roses song?
- Uh… you know I’m a sucker for moments like this.
- Yeah, that’s totally you (both smile looking at each other).
Suddenly, a body falls from one of the windows of the old building. Sam runs to it and looks painfully at the hurt warlock. Meg slams the door in her way out of the building, and quickly starts running after the warlock. Sam stands up but she punches him in the face while she passes, meanwhile the warlock unsuccessfully tries to run away. Meg laughs and stops, allowing him to walk a few steps away.
- Move on, I could catch you easily but I’d prefer an exciting hunt.
The warlock headed to the woods, as fast as his apparently broken ankle let him. She waited for a few seconds and started chasing him again, after looking at Sam lying on the ground.
Sam started moving again, pressing his cheek with one hand right where Meg hit him.
- Dean, hey..
- I’m still here (he answers from the tree), and still can’t believe it…
- I know, she beat me with just one punch.
- No, I mean the fact that she pushed you away but forgot about me (says with half smile).
- Think we have time for this?
- You’re right, we don’t (Sam nods and starts looking at the woods). But I don’t give a shit (Sam looks at him again puzzled). I’m dying… and that blonde bitch is keeping all of your attention.
- Getting worse?
- Hell, yeah. I feel this sharp pain in my chest.
- All right, I understand. But…
- But you still wanna go after her?
- I still wanna save that man, because he might save you.
- Ok, go after the blondie… (Sam turns around to the woods), and hey.. speaking of Blondie, catch her one way or another.
Sam doubts for a second but continues his way to the woods. Using the small lantern he looks for any sign of Meg or the warlock, but the answer comes right to him.
- No.. no one told me about her… the way she lied (whispered the warlock, Sam finds him on the floor, scratched and bleeding).
- Ssh. Are you alright?
- It’s too late to say you’re sorry, how would I know and what would I care?
- What? What are you talking about? (says looking around pointing with the lantern to the darkness).
- Please don’t bother trying to find her, she’s not there… she’s not there (he sighs and closes his eyes, Sam looks at his watch and then pulls down his gun and the lantern, and walks his steps back where he came from).
He walks silent, accepting the fact that with that warlock died Dean’s last chance to survive. He walks silent, with eyes wide open but full of emptiness. He walks silent, and stops a few steps from Dean looking at him lying on the ground with his back against the tree. Sam doesn’t say a word, just remain silent and seats, more like falling.
Dean is silent too, ‘cause when he saw his brother returning from the woods with that look in his eyes, he saw how frustrated Sam was. And now Sam was just staring, without looking at any concrete thing.
- Your time is gonna come… good song, huh? (Sam says in almost a whisper).
- Yeah, I put that Zeppelin cassette yesterday and I thought you were gonna complain about the irony of the song, but hey… you know how much I love that album (Dean says with some hope in his voice, but Sam keeps silent). Ok, still avoiding the subject, I get it. But there some things I wanna say to you, Sammy (he looks at him trying to reach his eyes, but Sam seems pretty lost in his own thoughts). I’m not a perfect person, there’s many things I wish I didn’t do.. or didn’t say.. or maybe just have said instead of keeping it all to myself. That’s why I have to say before I… go… that I just want you to know that I’ve found a reason, for me (his voice starts to tremble and the words humble in his mouth), to… to change… who I used to be. A reason to show a side of me I didn’t know, hell, a reason for all that I do (he finally admits with a laugh), and that reason is you, Sammy. You made me wanna be a better person, you made see the good things in life (Sam drops a tear from his empty eyes). I know I probably sound like a chick, but I needed to tell you how I feel right now, maybe for the last time, otherwise you never have known what I’d say with my last breath.
- I know what you’d say right now (Sam speaks again, closing his eyes).
- You do? (Dean says looking at his brother).
- Lay your worry head to rest, don’t you cry no more… (he humbles).
- What?
- But there’s a difference between what is and what would never be (says drying his tears), because I never know what you would have said.
- Sam, what you talking about? (Dean says puzzled). Aren’t you listening to me?
Sam stands up and saves the lantern in his pocket, so as the gun in the back of his belt.
- I could have used one of these bullets to end this, but I’d be disappointing you with that coward decision.
- Seriously, dude.. what?!
Then Dean turns his look to the tree besides Sam, where his body is lying without moving. He’s watching the scene like he wasn’t there, like he was some kind of invisible double of himself, and the real one was dropped in the ground.
Sam grabs Dean’s body and carries him like a bag on his shoulder, crying silent, and walks away.
Gotta find a way
Yeah I can't wait another day
And nothin' gonna change
If we stay around here
Dean watches the scene dazed and confused, but getting notice of what has really happened. He sees Sam walks away with his body, his dead body, and realizes. Now he had become one of the things he always hunted… a ghost, a spirit, the essence of a dead person who still remains with unfinished business. But no, not him, Dean Winchester would never haunt his own brother like one of the damned spirits they’ve faced. Ghost or not, he was still the same Dean Winchester, and he swore to himself that no matter what existence waits for him now, he’d let Sam live in peace. Sam was a survivor, he sure knew that, and life has now equilibrated the balance, so he won’t change it.
Gotta do what it takes
Cause it’s all in our hands
We all make mistakes, yeah
But it's never to late… to start again
As Sam is walking he hears an engine turning on, he knows there’s still some tough things to face. But his brother would have wanted him to go on, to move on, no matter how much he wants to die right now ‘cause he can’t imagine life without him. But there was something he learned from his brother: life is precious, and you shouldn’t waste it. So he decided to stay alive, just for the fact of living.
Take another breath
And say another prayer
Then fly away from here
The engine sounded again, and Sam pictured what it was… Meg, in her motorcycle, hitting the road ‘cause now it was all over.
Lyrics implied:
- ‘’Harder to breathe’’ by Maroon 5
- ‘’Count on me’’ by Default
- ‘’Don’t cry’’ by Guns N’ Roses
- ‘’Carry on my wayward son’’ by Kansas
- ‘’She’s not there’’ by Steve Carlson
- ‘’The reason’’ by Hoobastank
- ‘’Fly away from here’’ by Aerosmith
Fandom: Supernatural
Disclaimer: Los personajes pertenecen a la CW, todo es ficción, blah, blah, blah.
Clasificación: Para todo público.
Status: Acabado, o puede que no *icono pensativo*
Spoilers: Gran spoiler del final de la 2º temporada, indispensable haberla visto. Indispensable también conocer las canciones que van saliendo y en cuya letra me inspiré para escribir los diálogos.
Idioma: Inglés, porque me salió escribirlo así, pero pienso traducirlo.
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- You sure about this, Sammy?
- It’s our last chance.
- Hey, I’m not talking about the ritual, I mean taking this road.
- Oh, right (Sam opens his handbag and takes out an old map with a lot of marks and signs on it). Yeap, it’s the only clear road.
- I’m still thinking that we should have gone after that werewolf, or whatever it was.
- Dean, hunting that beast down may take days, and we don’t have that time… you don’t have that time.
- I know (Dean turns his look towards the road, silent).
Twenty minutes past with no a word pronounced. Sam was still making small crosses in the map, but lifted his head when Dean stopped the car.
- What is it?
- We’re out of fuel (Dean opens the door with a worried expression). I’m gonna check out the engine (Sam follows him).
- We’re in the middle of nowhere, I thought the fuel tank was full.
- So did I.
- Dean, is not the gas… the car’s fine.
- What…? (he takes his head out of the car’s hood and looks at Sam that was scanning the area with the EVP). High?
- Extremely high, the place should be a nest.
- Another nest? I thought this was the “safe” way, Sam.
- Looks like there’s no more safe ways, but we have to get there before midnight, I don’t care what it takes (Sam goes back to the car and takes his bag and a gun).
- Leaving the car here? (says shocked, Sam shrinks his shoulders) Leaving MY car here? Ok, let me call Bobby first, he was just a few miles behind us (he tries to use the phone, Sam looks at him). Damn it!
- Doesn’t work either? C’mon, it’s a lonely road and the car will be safe under this tree (goes to the back of the car and Dean follows him, both start pushing the car out of the road).
A while after, both brothers go walking next to the desert road.
- Zeppelin drummer?
- John Bonham (says with a bored voice).
- Kansas bass?
- Billy Greer.
- Not bad.. first Boston vocalist?
- Mmm.. Brad Delp?
- Nice, Sammy, you’ve been doing your homework. Hit rock of Nazareth in the seventies?
- Son of a bitch.
- Hey!
- The song, Dean, “Hair of the dog” was known as “son of a bitch” due to the chorus lyrics…
- Uh.. I was talking about “Love hurts”, but.. (looks at Sam with weird expression) good one.
- Do we have to keep talking about classic rock history?
- I was just trying to kill time while we walk.. bitch (he whispers and coughs).
- I’m serious, man. We’re not in the best situation, I need to think…
- Ok kill-joy, I wanted to test if my.. influence.. was good to you. You know, lineage.
- What? Don’t… don’t even think about starting with that subject. You’re not gonna die, period. When will you understand what I mean when I say there’s no way we’re gonna give up?
They get to some sort of old cabin and jump the fence towards it.
- There’s gotta be someone here, this is the only house or something like it. This should be the place the hunters had been using for cover (Sam says knocking at the door).
- And these hunters are even friendly? How do we know if they are in our same side, uh?
- We don’t. But they’re chasing the same warlock we’re after, they’re our only lead.
- Ok (slides one hand to his back and pulls out a gun, Sam looks at him), just in case.
- Hello? (Sam knocks again and the door opens).
- Weird, let me go first.
When they get inside they find four bodies laying in the ground covered with blood, Sam turns his look and Dean moves to the closest body to examine it.
- Clean cut in the throat, seems like the other ones too. What do you think?
- The Warlock? No way… It’s too risky coming here knowing that half a dozen hunters are after him, it must have been somebody else, or something else.
- Yeah, well, any other lead we can follow?
- I… (Sam moves his mouth unable to say anything).
- Hey, it’s okay. Three months with trap after trap leading to nowhere, we had more important things to do that finding this guy.
- No, this should have gone first (he closes his eyes and when he opens them, they’re wet). It’s not just a job, it’s not something that could go wrong.. it’s about saving your life and we have (looks at his watch) eighteen hours. God damn it!
- Sammy.. Sammy (puts a hand on his brother’s shoulder)
- Don’t give me that tone, we’re not giving up, you’re not giving up yet (he crouches and starts to examine the bodies nervously).
- C’mon, what you looking for? We already have weapons.
- They should have some.. (opens the jacket of the second guy and pulls out a small notebook). Look at this.
- Anything about the warlock?
- Not sure… it’s some kind of list. Three places are erased but there’s still two more, the next one has coordinates. Got your compass here? (pulls the map out of his pocket and goes to the table, Dean gives him the compass).
- Alright, find the place, I’m gonna make sure there’s no one else around and see if I can find some food. Okey?
- Dokey.
Dean goes to the other room moving cautiously, when he convinces himself he’s alone, he goes right to the fridge. Smiles when he sees a couple beers inside and takes one.
- Bud.. well, not bad for a last beer.
He grabs his phone from his pocket and dials. After a few seconds he smiles hearing the signal.
- Bobby, it’s me. Yeah, we’re okay, we’ve been out of signal. This fucking place is never-ending. Did you get out? (with a strong wave he opens the bottle cover hitting it with the table border). Mississippi? So Sammy’s map is right, we’re out of Tennessee heading south, I was starting to think we were lost and these towns were not real places, you know? Like that set up that the yellow-eyed-demon made one year ago (he drinks from the bottle listening to the phone). No, he’s still insisting in going after the warlock, he thinks that guy maybe could, you know.. stop this. Black magic cause it, black magic may stop it. I already gave up weeks ago, I’m only here for Sammy, he’s too obstinate and won’t stop this quest. He feels guilty and wants to save me no matter what, but Bobby, I want you to tell him that I made that choice, okay? It’s not his fault (he sighs and looks back over his shoulder). I know you’d be willing to help him, but he can take care of himself (sighs again and takes another drink). Alright, I’ll try to convince him, see you tomorrow.
Dean goes back to Sam and finds him writing something on the map.
- The place is clear. I’ve found beer in the fridge.
- Mmmokay, I got the coordinates, twenty minutes south. According to these notes there’s another sacred place, an old monastery burned down in the last century. The other one is a cemetery, like the three first places they’ve been.
- I see, they’ve tried three cemeteries and they didn’t start for the ruins of a monastery? Amateurs (he smiles and finishes the beer).
- I guess they were discarding by order, anyway.. I think we should be leaving, every minute counts.
- You’re leading (says with a last sigh and follows his brother outside).
- All this walking is keeping us warm, hell, it’s freezing.
- That’s because you’re only wearing a t-shirt. Now… remember the plan? (gives a severe look to his brother). Let me talk, let me handle it.
- Of course, Sammy, you would convince a Kurt Cobain not to take his life.
- Kurt Cobain did not take his life, he passed away ‘cause of the drugs (Dean smiles and nods). Never mind.
- Right, that was one of your favorite Nirvana albums (he punches Sam in his shoulder and Sam’s forced to smile). Will you be my lawyer in Hell, little brother?
- What? (looks at him puzzled)
- You know… they say you can appeal down there. And, I know you, you wouldn’t let me in peace even in Hell.
- None sense. Specially ‘cause you don’t deserve to be there.
- See? That’s what I was talking about, if I die you’d crawl down to Hell to be my defense lawyer.
- Could you just stop joking about death? It’s all laughs for you but.. the possibility exists and I’m.. scared.
They stopped in front of a big tree, Sam puts down his bag and takes out a lantern and a gun. Dean takes a deep breathe and gasps before start talking.
- Okay, we’ve gone too far. I know you still got hope, but let’s face it Sammy, I’d prefer to be spending my last hours driving you outta here.
- We’re here for you, this is the last chance. All we tried was in vane, and I’m not gonna cut you down like that.
- Hey, you did your best. Maybe there’s a reason why none of it worked, maybe it’s my time, finally. I’ve cheated death too many times…
- And so did I!! (he drops the lantern and punches the tree). I don’t care about fate and I don’t care about “what should be”. You are all I have, and as well as you gave your life for me, I’d do the same.
- Sam, I’m sick of this life… and tired of it.
- Sick and tired? Enough with that crap, my brother is a fighter, and he’s gonna die old, right next to me (ends with a broken voice).
- Yeah, would be good to stick around a little more… but I’ve been here enough, the demon’s vanished, you’re not danger anymore, you don’t need me to protect you…
- Oh, you think so? (a female voice interrupted them, and a blond girl appeared behind the tree). I couldn’t help listening the sad speech goodbye as I was passing by.
Both brothers look at her shocked, she moves one step to them and crosses her arms.
- Meg.. (Dean says shocked) but how could you get…?
- Do I have to answer that question? Through the hell-gate you opened, moron.
- Actually, I think he was wondering how could you get that body back (says putting himself between Meg and his brother). That poor girl died after the exorcism.
- Well, while I’ve been down there I’ve “collected” a lot of new tricks (she lifts her hand and with a soft move Sam twists and is pushed towards the tree, falling unconscious). See?
- The only thing I can see is that you’re still a bitch.
- Oh, thanks for the compliment. Funny thing about this is that now you can’t kiss your mother neither speak to your father with that mouth. By the way, I heard he run off out of Hell too, you should be proud.
- Don’t talk about him like that.
- Fine, I’ll skip the painful part. What brings you guys here? Oh, wait.. let me guess (she pretends to be hesitating), looking for the warlock?
- Dean.. (Sam craves from the ground, waking up).
- Well, we have two options here (says Meg and Dean stares at her). One, I torture your brother and you watch him suffer (she doubts), but that would be tiring and repetitive. And two.. I just sit and enjoy the show, you disappointing your brother, his hero fading away.
- You have no idea what you’re talking about.
- Oh, I don’t? Dean, I might be a demon but I know something: life is precious. And your throwing yours away just because you’ve lived a bumpy ride. It’s insulting.
- Enough of it!! (he shouted). I’m not gonna hear that from you.
- Alright, but I pass too. You’re not worth it (she smiles and starts to walk), besides… there’s something that will hurt you more, and it’s lying right there on the ground (says pointing at Sam). And yes, when you’ll be dead and he’d be alone and helpless, I’ll come back to take care of him (she whispered at Dean’s ears while she passed next to him).
Suddenly Dean starts to cough and grabs his throat with both hands like he’s unable to breathe. Meg turns to him and laughs.
- Oh, come on! That’s pathetic.
- I’m… I’m not… (he looks at Sam, who’s still lying on the ground half conscious). Sammy… Sam!
Meg is staring at him while he tries hard to walk away, difficultly breathing, heading to the near building.
- Anyone? Is… is there anyone out there? (he coughs louder and falls on his knees). Please, is there anyone out there ‘cause it’s getting hard… (he coughs again) harder… to… breathe (finally falls to the ground wrenching).
- Oh, I thought the ‘B’ day was tomorrow (Meg says approaching, then notices a shape in one of the windows of the old building). I could have taken advantage of this situation but, unfortunately, I got something to do first.
- Sam… (Dean whispers in a last breath, Meg passes next to him and pushes his face to the grass with her boot).
- Be right back. Don’t die… yet.
She gets inside the building and pulls out a knife, then Sam starts to wake up.
- Dean? (he says looking around while he stands up) Dean!!
Sam runs to his brother, who lies on the ground, and starts to shake him trying to wake him up.
- C’mon Dean, talk to me.
- I… can’t… (he articulates with his mouth, unable to utter audibly).
- What? Come on, you still got one more day, we’ve calculated the exact date a thousand times (he groans, still shaking his brother).
- Whoa, whoa.. you’re gonna kill me before I stop breathing (he tosses loudly).
- Where the hell did she go? (he looks around searching for Meg).
- After the warlock, probably (he stands up, helped by Sam). But wait, don’t go chase her, stay with me.
- What?! (says with a shocked voice). It’s the first time I hear that coming out of your mouth.
- Sammy, we need to get out of here, now. You saw how she beat you, there’s no other option.
- Yeah, but.. if we leave now we might loose the warlock, and HE is our only option.
- That doesn’t matter anymore (he whispers).
- Alright, enough (he grabs Dean’s arm and stands him up, then both walk to the tree so that Dean could rest). Now you’re gonna hear me.
- But..
- It’s not the time, it’s not the place, blah, blah, blah… I know, but if I don’t say this right now maybe I won’t have another shot (Dean nods resigned). Ok… (he assents and takes a deep breath). I know that life ain't always good to you, I've seen exactly what it’s put you through, and then you got to thinking there was no way out, you started sinking and it pulled you down (Dean pulled down his head, without saying a word). But you've to get back up, because you know that life ain't over yet. I'm here for you so don't forget you can count on me… cause’ I will carry you till you carry on.
- Man, come on, you don’t have to say that..
- Knowing it is not the same that hearing it, ok? (he smiles and his brother smiles back) I’ve not always counted on you before, but you can count on me. See, in the last two years we’ve been more united than ever, we’re each other’s family and… you made me realize why life’s worth and in my priority scale you are on top. Seriously, life sucks in many ways for us but I wouldn’t change it.
- What you talking about? You won’t be a hunter forever.
- Maybe, I don’t know. But what I do know is that you are the only true thing I’ve always have, and I don’t care if our lives will be reduced to the hunt, as long as I would have my brother next to me (he whispers and gasps while he dries his eyes).
- Stop (Dean says serious), you’re breaking my heart (ends with a smile). No, mocks apart, thanks. Most of it is the same for me, and you were right.. it’s better hearing it, cause’ now I understand why you’d been so reticent about starting a new life after the demon was vanished.
- Yeah.. and now comes the ‘’but’’. But… it is too late, you’ve given up long way before.
Dean puts his hand on his brother’s shoulder and smiles at him. Then, starts to wrench again and sits down laying his back on the tree.
- Dean, what’s wrong?
- Dunno… I just… can’t breathe.
Meg is running upstairs throwing apart chairs and tables, and everything she finds in her way.
- You won’t last long.. the building only has four stories (says with a melodic voice).
The shape of a man gets inside a room and Meg runs towards and opens the door grasping her knife. She smiles when she sees him trying to escape through the window.
- Well, well, well… just the warlock I was looking for.
- I’ve avoided a lot of hunters, a chick won’t be much problem.
- Hey, easy (she says putting the knife down and approaching). I’m not here to kill you, just… let me get one thing clear and then we’ll talk.
- What do you want? (he asks shocked).
- Look through the window, see those two men?
- Yeah, more hunters.
- They’re not just any hunters, but I think you already knew that (she says lifting an eyebrow). Just tell me, is it right that you have power to reverse Dean’s curse?
- First, is not a curse, it’s the consequence of a demonic treat. So it’s more like a bond. And second, it’s irreversible.
- Stop fooling me, can you do something about it, yes or no? (says in a louder tone).
- Why on earth are you so interested?
- Because that bastard sent me right to hell two times already (she screams and her eyes fade to black). But… still you haven’t answered my question (says recovering her normal tone and the warlock looks at her frightened).
Outside, Dean is hurting more and more and Sam remains at his side.
- You’ll get through this, I promise, we just have to find that damn warlock (Sam says with anger). Hang on, please.
- Come on, Sammy, we’re out of options and I’ve already accepted this. It’s my time, it was long ago but I’m living borrowed time.
- And who the hell cares?
- Me (both look at each other silent). I let you talk before, now you let me. See, I know you wanted me to be there for you, but I’ve done enough in this life.
- That’s just a bunch of crap, that ‘’tired’’ thing again?
- Yeah (Sam turns his head and dries some tears from his eyes), it’s my best shot (he whispers and Sam doesn’t notice). Come on, you should understand it.
- I know, we’ve past through the same but it was different for you (he lifts his head and shows his wet eyes). You never complained, never even drop a tear in front of anybody. You’ve carried all inside and you’ve also carried with me. I do understand that more than dad ever did.. but what I don’t get is why you give up now. This last two years we’ve been more united than before, like real brothers, a shoulder to lean on and a reason to wake up every day and go out there hunting…
- Hey, hey, come on (he says when Sam breaks to cry), you’re right about all of that. So please don’t cry, don’t turn this into a soap opera series (Sam smiles but keeps moaning). It’s just what it has to happen, we’re only delaying it… So now, you gotta make it your own way but you’ll be alright. You’ll feel better tomorrow, please… don’t cry, don’t you cry tonight, Sammy.
- Wait… (says drying his tears), are you trying to console me with a Guns N’ Roses song?
- Uh… you know I’m a sucker for moments like this.
- Yeah, that’s totally you (both smile looking at each other).
Suddenly, a body falls from one of the windows of the old building. Sam runs to it and looks painfully at the hurt warlock. Meg slams the door in her way out of the building, and quickly starts running after the warlock. Sam stands up but she punches him in the face while she passes, meanwhile the warlock unsuccessfully tries to run away. Meg laughs and stops, allowing him to walk a few steps away.
- Move on, I could catch you easily but I’d prefer an exciting hunt.
The warlock headed to the woods, as fast as his apparently broken ankle let him. She waited for a few seconds and started chasing him again, after looking at Sam lying on the ground.
Sam started moving again, pressing his cheek with one hand right where Meg hit him.
- Dean, hey..
- I’m still here (he answers from the tree), and still can’t believe it…
- I know, she beat me with just one punch.
- No, I mean the fact that she pushed you away but forgot about me (says with half smile).
- Think we have time for this?
- You’re right, we don’t (Sam nods and starts looking at the woods). But I don’t give a shit (Sam looks at him again puzzled). I’m dying… and that blonde bitch is keeping all of your attention.
- Getting worse?
- Hell, yeah. I feel this sharp pain in my chest.
- All right, I understand. But…
- But you still wanna go after her?
- I still wanna save that man, because he might save you.
- Ok, go after the blondie… (Sam turns around to the woods), and hey.. speaking of Blondie, catch her one way or another.
Sam doubts for a second but continues his way to the woods. Using the small lantern he looks for any sign of Meg or the warlock, but the answer comes right to him.
- No.. no one told me about her… the way she lied (whispered the warlock, Sam finds him on the floor, scratched and bleeding).
- Ssh. Are you alright?
- It’s too late to say you’re sorry, how would I know and what would I care?
- What? What are you talking about? (says looking around pointing with the lantern to the darkness).
- Please don’t bother trying to find her, she’s not there… she’s not there (he sighs and closes his eyes, Sam looks at his watch and then pulls down his gun and the lantern, and walks his steps back where he came from).
He walks silent, accepting the fact that with that warlock died Dean’s last chance to survive. He walks silent, with eyes wide open but full of emptiness. He walks silent, and stops a few steps from Dean looking at him lying on the ground with his back against the tree. Sam doesn’t say a word, just remain silent and seats, more like falling.
Dean is silent too, ‘cause when he saw his brother returning from the woods with that look in his eyes, he saw how frustrated Sam was. And now Sam was just staring, without looking at any concrete thing.
- Your time is gonna come… good song, huh? (Sam says in almost a whisper).
- Yeah, I put that Zeppelin cassette yesterday and I thought you were gonna complain about the irony of the song, but hey… you know how much I love that album (Dean says with some hope in his voice, but Sam keeps silent). Ok, still avoiding the subject, I get it. But there some things I wanna say to you, Sammy (he looks at him trying to reach his eyes, but Sam seems pretty lost in his own thoughts). I’m not a perfect person, there’s many things I wish I didn’t do.. or didn’t say.. or maybe just have said instead of keeping it all to myself. That’s why I have to say before I… go… that I just want you to know that I’ve found a reason, for me (his voice starts to tremble and the words humble in his mouth), to… to change… who I used to be. A reason to show a side of me I didn’t know, hell, a reason for all that I do (he finally admits with a laugh), and that reason is you, Sammy. You made me wanna be a better person, you made see the good things in life (Sam drops a tear from his empty eyes). I know I probably sound like a chick, but I needed to tell you how I feel right now, maybe for the last time, otherwise you never have known what I’d say with my last breath.
- I know what you’d say right now (Sam speaks again, closing his eyes).
- You do? (Dean says looking at his brother).
- Lay your worry head to rest, don’t you cry no more… (he humbles).
- What?
- But there’s a difference between what is and what would never be (says drying his tears), because I never know what you would have said.
- Sam, what you talking about? (Dean says puzzled). Aren’t you listening to me?
Sam stands up and saves the lantern in his pocket, so as the gun in the back of his belt.
- I could have used one of these bullets to end this, but I’d be disappointing you with that coward decision.
- Seriously, dude.. what?!
Then Dean turns his look to the tree besides Sam, where his body is lying without moving. He’s watching the scene like he wasn’t there, like he was some kind of invisible double of himself, and the real one was dropped in the ground.
Sam grabs Dean’s body and carries him like a bag on his shoulder, crying silent, and walks away.
Gotta find a way
Yeah I can't wait another day
And nothin' gonna change
If we stay around here
Dean watches the scene dazed and confused, but getting notice of what has really happened. He sees Sam walks away with his body, his dead body, and realizes. Now he had become one of the things he always hunted… a ghost, a spirit, the essence of a dead person who still remains with unfinished business. But no, not him, Dean Winchester would never haunt his own brother like one of the damned spirits they’ve faced. Ghost or not, he was still the same Dean Winchester, and he swore to himself that no matter what existence waits for him now, he’d let Sam live in peace. Sam was a survivor, he sure knew that, and life has now equilibrated the balance, so he won’t change it.
Gotta do what it takes
Cause it’s all in our hands
We all make mistakes, yeah
But it's never to late… to start again
As Sam is walking he hears an engine turning on, he knows there’s still some tough things to face. But his brother would have wanted him to go on, to move on, no matter how much he wants to die right now ‘cause he can’t imagine life without him. But there was something he learned from his brother: life is precious, and you shouldn’t waste it. So he decided to stay alive, just for the fact of living.
Take another breath
And say another prayer
Then fly away from here
The engine sounded again, and Sam pictured what it was… Meg, in her motorcycle, hitting the road ‘cause now it was all over.
Lyrics implied:
- ‘’Harder to breathe’’ by Maroon 5
- ‘’Count on me’’ by Default
- ‘’Don’t cry’’ by Guns N’ Roses
- ‘’Carry on my wayward son’’ by Kansas
- ‘’She’s not there’’ by Steve Carlson
- ‘’The reason’’ by Hoobastank
- ‘’Fly away from here’’ by Aerosmith