hi, it's been a while. Years and years. I'm so very sorry for the long delay. There have been a lot of different things going on in my life over the last few years. Apart from my old laptop breaking and having trouble getting my stories from an apple to a windows format; I also got married four years ago; I now have a 1 1/2 year old son; and sadly lost my father to cancer last year. We've also moved recently, but I have been working on my stories for a little while now. This will be finished, and hopefully in a fairly short amount of time.

Thank you all for your patients, and hopefully you remember me after all these years.

THE HIGH ROAD

Chapter 8

Consciousness came back to Kerri slowly. The redhead blinked several times, her head swimming, the darkness around her refusing to lift. What the hell had happened? The last thing she remembered was walking through the forest. So how had she ended up face first in a ditch? She pushed herself up to her knees, stealing herself as a wave of nausea overtook her.

"Concussion, check." Kerri whispered. She took another moment, surveying her body to make sure that was her only injury. It was bad enough Dean wanted her to go home, what was he going to say when she told him she knocked herself out falling in a dark forest. What was even more embarrassing was that she'd been in the process of calling him when she tripped and fell. Yeah, that made her sound like a good asset to have on a hunt.

Kerri shifted off the ground, picking up her broken phone. "Great." How far had she fallen? Her eyes had slowly adjusted to the darkness, but it wasn't really helping her. She knew she was in a hole, but the fall alone had told her that. What she didn't know was how deep it was, and if it was in fact a hole and not just a drop off of a hill. Slowly and methodically the redhead moved around the area, taking care not to trip again. She needed to find a way out of there and quickly, before she became a hungry bear's lunch. As if on cue a low moan sounded from somewhere in the darkness.

Kerri froze, her heart nearly beating out of her chest. She wanted to call out for Dean, but she was pretty sure they were miles apart. Carefully she searched the ground, taking care not to make any sudden movements. She found a large stick and picked it up, clutching it as she made her way closer to the sound. Again she heard the moan, though this time there was something different about it. It sounded human.

"Hello?" Kerri asked, still holding the stick. Even if it was a person, that didn't mean they still didn't want to harm her. Her foot came into contact with something on the ground, a leg from the shape of it. Taking a deep breath she moved closer, crouching down to see the person better. It was definitely a man, lying prone on the wet ground. At least she hadn't been the only person to trip into the hole.

"Hello? Are you ok?" She inched closer, her heart skipping a beat as she got a better look. "Sam?"

What the hell was Sam doing here, and where was Dean? "Dean?" Kerri called out. Checking over Sam the best she could in the darkness. She had a flashlight, but she didn't want to use it and attract unwanted attention. He seemed ok, though still mostly unconscious, and if Sam was here Dean couldn't be far away. After all, why would they have split up?

"Dean?" Kerri called again quietly, getting up to check the surrounding area. Had Sam fallen in before her or after? How long had she been out? Had Sam been unconscious longer than her? Was Dean lying hurt somewhere nearby? She searched the area around Sam, quicker than she probably should have. Within a minute of looking she ran face first into a steep, muddy wall.

"Oh, no." The wall was straight and clean, cleaner than a hill or natural hole in the landscape would have been. She quickly made her way down the wall, feeling her way as she went. Soon she found herself in a neat square corner, followed by another wall and another corner. She followed the sides of the pit until she made her way back to Sam. They had fallen into a manmade trap, and what were the chances both she and Sam would have fallen into a disused old trap. No, someone wanted them there.

"Damn I'm stupid." Kerri sighed, turning back to Sam. The younger hunter was still out, but showing signs of waking. Kerri knelt beside him, checking his pockets, hoping his phone was still on him. From what she could see of the brunette it didn't look like he had simply fallen into the hole. He had dried blood running down the side of his face and he was half caked in mud. Kerri, on the other had had a few bumps and bruises, but nothing major.

"Wha-?" Sam jumped as Kerri searched through his pockets, his instincts coming back no matter how hurt he was.

"Shh, Sam, it's me, Kerri."

"Ker?"

"We're in a hole in the woods, what do you remember?"

"A hole?" Sam asked as Kerri helped him to sit.

"Like a pit, dug in the ground."

Sam's eyes flew open, looking around faster than he should have. He tilted to the side, Kerri barely catching him. "Wendigo."

"What? Where?"

"We found a Wendigo. Or we thing we found one, so we split up."

"So Dean doesn't know where you are?"

"No, can we call him?"

"My phone broke in the fall and I can't find yours."

"Can we climb out? How high is it?"

"I don't know, but I was knocked out and you look like you've been wrestling a cement truck."

"I can lift you."

"Alright, just rest a second."

"No, I'm good. Besides we need to get out of here as quickly as we can."

"Are you sure it's a Wendigo? Not that I'm complaining but this isn't the most secure of areas for dinner. What's the last thing you remember?"

"Once we got up here we found out a bunch of hikers had gone missing. We thought it was weird and then we found claw marks on some of the trees. We split up and after a while I heard something. And now I'm in a hole. How'd you get here?"

"I fell in while I was looking at my phone."

Sam raised his eyebrow, "you need to make up a better story when we find Dean."

"Oh I will. I fell fighting off bears."

"Better. Do you seriously think you can get out if I hoist you up?" Sam was talking clearer again, the haze of the concussion slowly waning.

"Yeah, it can't be that deep. I didn't feel any wood or anything when I was looking around so it's not a mine shaft or anything. I think someone dug it."

"Why would someone do that?"

"I don't know. Why would there be a Wendigo in the middle of another hunt?"

"Because that's our luck." Sam sighed, slowly standing with Kerri's help. She steadied him for a moment before he shrugged her off. "Ready?"

"Yeah." They moved over to one of the walls, Sam bracing himself against it.

"Alright." He cupped his hand, ready for Kerri. She put her foot in his waiting hand, pushing up off the ground, but instead of going up she fell to the ground as Sam let out a strangled cry.

"What, what is it?"

"My arm."

Kerri fished through her pocket, pulling out a small flashlight. She hadn't used it before because she didn't want to attract attention, but things were definitely going downhill and fast. She crawled over to Sam, finally getting a good look at the hunter. He was banged and bruised, a large gash disappearing into his hair. But what was more worrying was the angle his wrist was at. "Why didn't you tell me it was hurt?"

"Because it wasn't. At least, it didn't feel that bad."

"It's definitely broken. And I'm sure we just made it worse." Kerri shrugged off her outer shirt, pulling off a chunk of the fabric before putting it back on. She found the stick she had been using earlier and made a split for Sam's wrist. "You know, for a big guy you're awfully fragile."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Whatever happened to you, it happened before you fell into the hole."

"Like I said, I heard a noise behind me, then nothing. Do you think you can still climb out of here?"

"Uh, no. We need to find some way to get a hold of Dean. Preferably before whatever threw us down here comes back."

"You don't think it's a Wendigo?"

"I don't know it just feels a little more human than that. A Wendigo is just looking for dinner. And right now I feel more like bait."

"Yeah, but no one knew we were coming up here. We got the information from Evelyn, and it's not like anyone else knew about it."

"She tried to tell my dad. I don't know, Sam, everything just feels a little off."

"Do you really think someone would fake a hunt like that? People have been going missing since before we even knew about the locket."

"Maybe someone knew we'd eventually find out about the locket and come up here."

"Kerri, that's really a stretch. How would they even know we'd get the information from Evelyn in the first place? She died, no one knew she hung around."

"I'm just saying that maybe we're not as far ahead of the game as we think we are."

"Did something happen? Did you see something else?"

"No. I'm just saying this all feels a little too much like a set up. How's your arm?"

"Its fine and I know you're lying."

"Sam-."

"Come on, Kerri. What's going on? I already know you're doing something to shield yourself, so you might as well let me know what's going on."

"Honestly, I have no idea what's going on up here. I came up to tell you guys something but everything else is a surprise to me."

"You couldn't have used the phone?"

"It wasn't really over the phone news." Kerri answered sheepishly; moving the flashlight to check Sam's arm again. His arm was swelling and she knew he needed a hospital, but she was also stalling. She knew what Sam was going to say when she told him what she had done; and she wanted to prolong that as long as possible.

"You do know we're trying to help you, right? I could be sitting in a nice warm bed right now but instead I'm stuck in the bottom of a hole for you. I think I've earned an explanation."

"I searched my mind again after you left. I was hoping I could get a little bit more information about what Yellow Eyes wants. I saw him, but it wasn't in the past, or a memory. He was there."

"Yellow Eyes was at Bobby's?"

"No, he was still in my mind, but like, in my mind. Like with the mind walk you and I went on. He was in there. He's looking for me and that's the closest he can get. And he looks like Rayner now."

"You think he possessed Rayner?"

"I don't know. Maybe it was just how he manifested? I have no idea. There's more though, Sam. He'd been looking for someone for a long time, someone to become his library in a sense. It was just a coincidence it was me. Just a twist of fate. But you and Evelyn, he knew you were coming."

"Do you know his plans for me?" Sam sat up a little straighter. It broke Kerri's heart to see the want in his eyes. Everything he did, he did to help people. He was one of the best people Kerri knew, yet everyone kept saying he was evil. How was that even possible? How could someone like Sam turn into the dark warrior everyone said was coming?

"Not in so many words, but every time I see Yellow Eyes I always end up seeing you. Or someone who looks like you."

"Someone who looks like me destroying the world? Or do you see me destroying the world?"

"I don't see anyone destroying the world. The Demon you says that you're the end of everything. And that when you rise again the world will be born again and you'll lead it. I have no idea what any of that means, but I'm pretty sure that's Yellow Eyes vision of your future."

"Is that his vision, or is that the real future?"

"It's his vision. The future hasn't happened yet. Besides, I think he wants me to know what his vision is. It's weird, he seems proud of himself. Like he's bragging."

"Maybe whatever he did can't be changed." Sam closed his eyes and leaned back against the mud wall. He looked so tired, so beaten down by the world. And all Kerri wanted to do was fix him.

"We'll find a way. There's still the locket."

"The locket that just so happens to have a Wendigo near it at the same time Yellow Eyes is looking for you. Convenient. Besides, you said it yourself; it'll wipe your entire mind."

"I know." Kerri sighed; rubbing her face. "I told Dean to just let me go."

"What?"

"He's so focused on saving me that all three of us walked right into a trap. A trap we should have seen coming. We messed up, big time. There's more, too."

"What?"

"The Demon knows I did something to shield myself from him."

"Oh so you're finally now admitting that you did something. That's progress."

"I'm sorry, Sam. I just didn't want this all to turn into a huge mess."

"Things have a tendency to do that when you keep secrets. So what did you do?"

"I remembered the bracelet was in the car."

"That's it? All this time you just needed that bracelet. Wow."

"Bobby's pissed, though. He found out about it. Apparently it's the Ring of Solomon."

"Are kidding me?" Sam sat up straighter. "And you've had it all this time? You never knew what it was? Aren't you supposed to know everything?"

"I knew it got the job done and that's all that mattered. Bobby wants me to give it back. And for your information, I only know what I've learned. I retain information, not create it."

Sam sat up suddenly, spinning to face Kerri. "I know why we're here."

"Uh, I didn't think that was a secret."

"You said we walked right into a trap, and we did, but one that's bigger than we think. Why would Yellow Eyes tell you what he wants? Why would he show you everything after he's been so secretive? You needed a push."

"A push where?"

"Towards the locket. Think, why a locket? Why not some other artifact, like the bracelet. That's obviously keeping you safe, and it probably will as long as you have it. So why the locket?"

"But, Sam, we learned about the locket from Evelyn, remember?"

"Who told her? Did she find out about it on her own or did Yellow Eyes happen to let it slip. He's been playing us, we all know that. Maybe he was trying to get you up here before."

"Before the deal came due? That doesn't make any sense."

"Unless there was a bump in the road. Evelyn found out about the locket right when the psychic kids' powers started to manifest. Maybe Yellow Eye's plan wasn't as full proof as he thought. A lot of the kids ended up offing themselves or each other. Maybe he needed to speed it along and that's what ended up getting Evelyn and Tom killed. After everything he tried to do to help you, maybe Tom knew about the locket."

"Then why wouldn't he help me?"

"Because maybe it won't help you. Like I said, why a locket?"

"I don't know."

"Lockets store things. Pictures, hair, small valuables someone would want to keep close."

"Are you saying Yellow Eyes wants to store me in a locket?"

"What better way to keep everything he needs close at hand."

"That's incredibly creepy. But if you're right, it wouldn't make me a vegetable."

"You might look that way, but your mind and body would be separate, but both still alive."

"So my essence would be trapped in a locket around Yellow Eyes' neck for the rest of time. I honestly think I'd rather die."

"We can't let you near it. He did all this, he sent us here. Kerri he's here somewhere."

"Do you think he trapped us here?"

"Why? Whatever got me took me out then threw me here. If Yellow Eyes knows where the locket is then why not just meet us at the cabin, why trap us here?"

"Because that bastard Rayner kept all this information to himself." Kerri's heart skipped a beat at the cold, new voice. She and Sam both looked up to the edge of the pit, only to find Bruce Chetling staring down at them, gun in hand. "That's why I hate working with other hunters."

"Where's Dean?" Sam asked, struggling to stand. "What have you done with him?"

"Nothing, can't find him. Maybe there really is a Wendigo up here after all." Chetling laughed, flashing a makeshift claw he'd used to cut the trees. "Besides, he's not what I'm after." He smirked, turning the gun to Sam.

"I was just gonna shoot you three once I found you all, but now, I'm intrigued. And to think that little redhead of yours was bait the first time we met. I take it you didn't know what was in her noggin then."

"That doesn't concern you."

"Oh but now it does. Because if Rayner is working with a Demon to get his hands on her, that makes her my priority. And if I can lock up her broken little brain all nice and neat in a little necklace, well then my job is that much easier. Better to bargain with jewelry than a person. Less messy."

"What makes you think we'll take you to the locket?" Kerri asked defiantly. After all, she hadn't given up her secrets to the Trickster, why would she start now?

"Because I'll shoot Sam where he stands."

"You're not the first person to try that. And I'll say what I said before, I don't make deals." Kerri could feel Sam's eyes on her. He had been unconscious during the fight at the Roadhouse. He had no idea the Trickster had threatened his life, and that she hadn't done anything to stop it.

"So you'll just stand there and watch him die?"

"Some things are more important than one person. Besides, if you wanted him dead you would have killed him the moment you found him, instead of throwing him in a pit."

"Well played, little girl." Bruce chided after a moment. "Truth is I knew there was something off about you the moment Rayner called me. If he wanted me to take out the Winchesters, fine, but why did it have to be up here in the middle of nowhere? Now it seems I've got my answer. See, I'm always one for making a deal. And it seems now that I've stumbled on a two for one."