"People Are The Scary Ones"

Summary: An alternate version of "The Benders" storyline. Sam and Dean get caught in an even more deadly version of cat and mouse. Major hurt Sam. Brotherly fluff.

Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or any of its characters, nor do I intend to make a profit from this story in any way.

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Chapter 1:

Sam bolted upright in his bed.

Sweat pouring down his face, he panted heavily trying to catch his breath.

"Sammy?" Dean looked over at his brother. He was still partially asleep but the concern was clear on his face.

"I'm fine," Sam said once he regained his bearings, "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you." He said offhandedly, he was still a bit breathless.

"Fine my ass. What's wrong?"

Hearing that tone, Sam finally stole a glance over at Dean.

"Nothing, just – " he paused for a moment, feeling a bit self-conscious – "Jess…."

Dean instantly regretted prying.

"Nightmare?" he asked gently.

Sam just nodded.

Dean gave an understanding nod back. It's been a few months now since Sam watched Jess burn to her death. The nightmares were constant for the first few weeks but he hadn't had one in quite some time.

At least not that Dean was aware of.

Dean always hated situations like this. He wanted to help his brother more than anything but he just wasn't good at the whole chick flick, heart on your sleeve kind of thing. But it was Sam…

"Do you want to talk about it?" Dean asked a bit hesitantly.

Sam just shook his head, trying to clear it. "Uh, no… thanks." Sam untangled himself from the covers and got up. "I'm gonna take a walk, clear my head a little."

Without changing out of his sweats he put his shoes on and headed for the door.

Dean knew he needed space. The poor guy's really been through hell, and it killed him to think how much of it was his fault.

"Take your phone," Dean thought just before Sam walked out. He grabbed the phone from the night stand and tossed it to Sam.

Sam caught it and gave a slight chuckle.

"Thanks mom."

"Oh don't be a bitch." Dean quipped light-heartedly, glad Sam was still able to joke in his current state.

Sam gave a brief smirk and was gone.

Dean knew better than to try and follow him. He knew Sam could take care of himself but his protective instincts were always going to be there, no matter who was taller.

But Dean still couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he's had ever since they got to Minnesota.

Something was different about this case. The disappearances didn't follow any kind of pattern aside from being all males.

Maybe he should've went with Sam…

Jesus Christ he really did sound like a mom.

Dean flicked on the lamp next to his bed and searched for the remote. Just because he wasn't going to follow Sam didn't mean he couldn't wait until he came back before zonking out again.

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Sam decided to go for a run.

He needed to feel the cool air rush past him, the burn in his lungs from physical exertion made him feel more grounded.

He didn't really know where he was going, nor did he care. He stayed in a straight line though so he could just turn around and head back when he was ready.

It was actually a nice night out. A little colder than he would've liked but being 3 in the morning it was rather peaceful. The stars visible in the darkness.

Sam slowed as he came to a little park, welcoming the empty bench for a brief reprieve.

He sat for a moment and got his breathing under control. He slung his arms over the bench and leaned back a bit, taking in the night sky.

He remembered nights at Stanford when Jess would beg him to sneak out on the roof so they could just sit under the stars.

God he missed her.

He still couldn't get the image of her burning on the ceiling out of his mind. Her beautiful eyes locked in horror and fear.

It's his fault he knew.

He could try and blame Dean for coming back for him but the truth of the matter was if Dean wasn't there when he was, Sam would've died in that fire too. The yellow eyed demon would've came for him either way. He was the one who was tainted not Dean.

Dean...

Sam had to admit, although he still held a bit of a grudge for Dean dragging him back into the hunting business, it was nice to have him back in his life again.

To be brothers again.

He's been a lot more understanding about this whole coping thing than he'd expected. Even if he does still treat him like a kid from time to time.

Speaking of which he's surprised he hasn't gotten a call from the mother hen yet.

Sam pulled out his phone. Looking at the screen he couldn't believe what time it was. He had been running for nearly an hour.

Great, that means it'll take him an hour to get back. Guess he'd better get moving.

Sam stood up and put his phone back in his pocket.

He turned to start jogging back the way he came but as he did so was instantly met with the back of a shovel to the head.

Sam dropped like a fly, instantly out cold.

The two brothers standing over him just giggled at each other.

"Papa's gonna have a lot of fun with this one."

They giggled again. The other one reached down to grab Sam's feet and they started dragging him back to their truck...

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Ringing.

Dean's phone was ringing.

Dean nearly fell out of his bed as he startled awake.

He looked at his phone that had now gone to voicemail. He tried to rub his eyes awake.

The sun was peeking in through the curtains. The lamp and TV still on from last night.

When the hell did he fall asleep? He was waiting for Sam and then - Sam.

Dean looked over at his brother's bed. It looked exactly the same as it did before he left.

His phone was ringing again.

Dean was up in an instant. He was relieved when he saw Sam's name on the screen. He flipped it open and answered.

"Sam?"

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To Be Continued. I'll be doing weekly chapters for this fic, builds the suspense ;p

- J