Topic: The Missing

Sam Winchester · Date: 2011-04-05 12:24 EST

"Phillip, our feet go on the floor, not on the sofa," He said, as a gentle reminder, for the third time, only to be ignored again. He pulled his glasses off, and pinched the bridge of his nose, the tension in his neck and shoulders starting to wear the rest of his patience thin. "You know, Phillip," he looked toward his youngest son then. "If you don't put and keep your feet on the floor, The Bogeyman will pay you a visit." Instantly, the child's feet were on the floor, and he was staring at his Father with wide eyes.

After dinner, he was sitting in his office, working on the final edit of his speech for the conference the following day and his wife knocked lightly on the door. "How's it going?" she asked, watching him type and stare at the monitor.

"A lot better, now that there is some semblance of quiet in the house, Shelly."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Robert," She walked over to the desk and put her coffee cup on the flat, wooden surface, leaning one hip against the edge. "We have three sons, they are growing boys."

He frowned, already knowing where this was going. "I know, and if you are talking about my warning them of The Bogeyman, it's something that my Father, and his Father passed along to me. I turned out fine, Shelly."

"You are scaring the hell out of them, Robert. Every night they are sharing whispers and putting chairs against their closet doors, shining lights under their beds," she sighed. "It must have bothered you as a kid, you wrote your first paper about the Passivity phenomena."

"If they feel they are under another's control..." she held up a hand to stop him.

"They feel like they are being watched, Robert. They see illusions, misinterpretations of actual stimuli, making their coats look like the Hookman, their toys" shadows, some space creature to eat their brains. You've got to stop."

"I'm a Doctor, Shel. I'm not pushing them into some deep psychosis, just a little harmless childish fun." His thoughts turned to his own childhood, remembering seeing the same things, and remembering seeing them *move* only to scream out for his father, to have the man he loved, his hero, laugh and tease him throughout the next day. "Fine, Shelly, you win. I'll tell them tomorrow, when they get home from school, there is no Boog..." he was cut off with the scream of a little boy, causing him to jump to his feet. "No!"

He went into a full run, nearly knocking his wife over and then took the steps two at a time to the boys" rooms. Jimmy was in his bed, bolt upright and wide eyed. Adam was running from the room he shared with Phillip, he passed his Father and ran to the open and comforting arms of his Mother. Robert slid to a stop inside the room, the chair that was previously in front of the closet was broken and in the middle of the floor, the door, was partially open, revealing the inky darkness within.

"Okay, Joke's over boys," he forced a laugh, but hoped it was just a prank, while the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck standing straight up, told him it wasn't. "Phillip, come out. Breaking the chair was a bit much, boys." He looked at the oak chair, and remembered they bought it for its sturdiness. "Phillip Andrew Kiesler, Enough!"

"Dad, he's not hiding." Robert turned to look at Adam and Jimmy. "He came out threw a sack over him, and went back in there." Adam was calm, as if going into shock.

"He...who?" Robert asked, already knowing and dreading the answer, but watching his wife's angry, confused, crying eyes.

"The Bogeyman."

Sam Winchester · Date: 2011-04-05 16:48 EST

Room 29 of the Red Dragon Inn was not unlike the other rooms. It had two beds, a small table and chairs, a dresser, its own private bath, and a view of the adjacent buildings and the sky that intrigued a young Sam Winchester.

Dean would get up and tell him to stay in the room with the door locked and the Twelve Gauge Mossberg Pump Shotgun at the ready. Dean was always checking and rechecking the gun when he was in the room, so Sam was sure that should he need to point and pull the trigger, he would have no issues, but he was still a kid and kids were dreamers.

The sky held not one but two moons, and he thought it had to be a magical land they were in. He had met wolf girls, a young witch, a little blue dragon that had attacked his shoe, and even a ketchup-using, virgin-eating dragon. It had been a lot to take in in just a few days.

Across town, at the edge of darkness...

The rise in population of children had been fortuitous. The cages were filled with one or two in each, but there were still more to fill. He enjoyed the power to feed on the fear of those he had captured, and a stroll down the narrow walkway between the cages brought sobs and whimpers. Sweet, sweet fear. A long-fingered, gray-skinned hand reached out, as if it was a palpable source, and wafted it toward his hidden face. A sinister smile formed on his face as he stopped near a cage holding a lone, blond-haired girl that stared at him.

"Aren't you scared?" he asked in a voice that was smoke-cloaked in grave rot, and mismatched eyes watched her shake her head.

"No," she said quietly. "Troy says you don't exist, and that mommy just tells us you do, so we will mind."

He reached back, a slight recoil. The older the children got, the harder they were to convince, especially in the last several years with all of the violent video games and news stories. "Troy is your older brother, right?"

She nodded her blond head.

"Well, if you see him again, you can show him this!" His hand whipped through the air, and she screamed out in pain, a slash across her arm, bleeding freely. The blood, tears, and fear were a nice change from her indifference, and he smiled as he limped slowly away. It was nearly dark and there were more children to be had.

He stopped long enough to pick up his traveling bag, and turned to show a wicked, crooked, sharp-toothed grin to the faces that dared a glance his way. "See you soon, children."

Red Dragon Inn, Room 29...

Dean paced the floor, watching the sky grow dark outside the window, and occasionally looking toward his brother as Sam flipped through the pages of "borrowed" comic books. Dean sighed and shoved his hands through his hair.

"I know....Wait here, lock the door," Sam said, sensing the restlessness that was Dean.

"Don't unlock it for anyone, Sammy," Dean instructed. "I'm just going to go down and uh..." He wasn't going to say that he hoped to see Lilli or anything of that nature, as he knew their dad expected him to watch out and care for his little brother. "Just going to find us something to eat, okay?"

Sam only nodded. He knew the routine and followed it to the letter. He wondered if their Dad was really looking for them, but after his talk with Dean the previous night, he also wondered if he'd have any idea where to look.

The X-Men comic was placed carefully on Sam's neatly-made bed as he slid to the floor to follow Dean to the door and lock it behind him with a sigh. He knew that Dean meant well, but he had to wonder what kind of life his brother would have, always having to keep an eye on him.

Sam made his way back to the bed and climbed up carefully, so as not to knock the stack of comics to the floor. Once there, he pulled his shoes off and put them on the floor next to the bed, and while leaning over, he noticed a dark shadow under the bed across from his.

"I wish I..." He was thinking about the .45 his Dad had given him when he mentioned something about a monster in the closet, and that's when he saw the shotgun. He reached carefully for it, and pulled it up onto the bed with him and the comics. "Stop being silly, Sam." He laughed nervously and picked the comic book up to read again.

The voices downstairs were louder than normal, and he thought about joining his brother. It sounded like they were having a good time and safe from his own childish fears.

Sam Winchester · Date: 2011-04-05 18:00 EST

The page was turned slowly, he was reading every word, while watching The Juggernaut fight Colossus, trying to force himself to relax.

There was a scraping sound that caused him to jump. The shotgun was grabbed and held shakily toward the door. There were no closets in the inn room, just the bathroom, and the way in to the room. Both doors were being watched when there was a thump against the bed across from him. He swung the barrel of the shotgun in that direction and his own bed jumped, causing him to scream out for Dean and jump off the bed, into the floor. The gun fell free from his hands and Sam stared with wide, unblinking eyes as the man crawled slowly from the depths of shadows under the bed. He tried to scream again, but the sound caught in his throat, with a gesture from the gray skinned hand.

"Fear oozes from you," he flicked his tongue out, like a snake scenting the air. "Long standing fear," he smiled then. "That's rare for one your age, someone raised you right." The bag was pulled from where it hung on his shoulder as he limped slowly toward Sam. "Come, we will have such fun." The bag was being opened then, while Sam scurried backward into the wall, out of space.

"Dean!" He managed a final scream before the darkness of the sack claimed him.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but the room was dark, and he couldn't see his hand in front of his face. Sam tried to stand, only to find bars above his head that he banged into.

"Dean?" he whispered into the dark.

"Shh, he'll come back down here," an unrecognized voice said.

"Who are you?" Sam asked, suddenly panicked and feeling in vain for the gun. "My name's Phillip, and if you aren't quiet, he will be back down here to take one of us away."

"Who are you talking about?" Sam's curiosity made him ask the question he already knew the answer to.

"The Bogeyman," Phillip hissed. "Now shut up!"

Dean Winchester · Date: 2011-04-07 15:10 EST

The Red Dragon Inn, Room 29 Two nights ago...

A couple of ales later and Lilli was getting sleepy. Dean helped her into his bed and tucked her in, following nearly the same routine he did every night with Sam, though there would be no storytelling or checking beneath the beds or in the closet for monsters. She looked peaceful in her sleep, beautiful even, almost cherubic, Dean thought. He leaned close, tempted to kiss her, but he didn't want to wake her. She was Sleeping Beauty to his Prince Charming, he thought, and then dismissed the thought from his mind as childish, though he was only sixteen.

Each morning in RhyDin, he awoke one year older with new memories he hadn't had the day before, and he wondered when it would all end. Would he keep aging until he eventually died of old age? If that was the case, he had to find a way to break the spell soon or he wouldn't have much time left, and neither would anyone else who'd been likewise affected.

Dean watched Lilli as she slept, her breathing soft and even, and he tucked the blanket around her, feeling almost shy and awkward. He frowned as he watched her, conflicted feelings tugging at his heart. She had tried to help him find Sam, and when Sam was nowhere to be found, she'd tried to console him with ale and companionship. He was almost afraid to think she might care about him. He knew getting close to him was probably not a good idea.

He wondered if anyone would miss her or worry about her the way he was worried about Sam, but unlike Sam, she was safe, and he'd make sure she stayed safe, at least for the night.

Dean looked over at the window and the darkness that had gathered outside. Unlike his brother, he wasn't afraid of the dark. He hadn't been afraid of the dark since he was six and his father had taught him how to shoot. He'd been a natural even then, hitting nearly every target his father had set before him. Born to hunt, his father had said. He'd made his father proud that day and had tried to make him proud ever since, but he knew John Winchester wouldn't be proud of him today. He'd made a promise to keep his brother safe and had failed miserably. Despite Lilli's warning not to venture outside in the dark, Dean felt torn by the desire to look for his missing brother and to keep Lilli safe. He knew he couldn't leave her alone there or the very same thing might happen to her.

He hadn't been gone that long, just long enough to grab a pizza and some comic books for his brother. He'd told Sam to stay in the room, lock the doors, and not let anyone in, and from what Dean could tell, Sam had done just that. The key still in the lock, he'd had to pick it open with a pocket knife, but when Dean finally got the door open, Sam had been nowhere to be found. He'd searched everywhere he could think of, but to no avail. It was like Sam had just disappeared into thin air. Dean grabbed the pillow from Sam's empty bed, holding it close, breathing in his brother's scent, tears welling up in his eyes. He looked over at Lilli again, as if to make sure she was still safely asleep, and went to sit at the window to watch the dark streets in silent vigil for his brother's return. After a while, his eyes grew heavy and he drifted into a restless sleep, nightmares full of smoke and flames, more memory than dream.

When Dean awoke the next morning, Sam would still be missing and Dean would be seventeen.

Dean Winchester · Date: 2011-04-09 16:39 EST

It had been four days now, and there was still no sign of Sam anywhere. Dean had searched everywhere and was starting to panic.

Each day passed and Dean not only got a little older, but a little smarter and a lot angrier. Somehow, he knew Sam was out there somewhere, but where" He had heard rumors of kids going missing and had a feeling it was more than just a coincidence that he and Sam had found themselves in Rhydin. Maybe there was a job here and they were here to help, though at the age of twenty, with very little knowledge of demons and angels, he couldn't understand how or why anyone would have sent them there.

Four days and Dean realized he was in over his head. Every day Sam was missing, the trail got colder. He finally realized he needed help.

The first thing he did was leave a note at the inn for Vex. Maybe if someone had a bird's eye view, or in this case, a dragon's eye view, they'd spot something he'd missed. The note was brief but to the point.

Vex, I need your help. Sam has gone missing. He's been missing for four days, and I can't find him anywhere. Is there any way you can search from above" I'm not sure what to look for, but maybe you'll see something I've missed. I'm staying in Room 29 at the Red Dragon Inn. You can reach me there. Thanks. Dean Winchester

He then jotted another note, this one to Lilli. It stated almost the same exact thing, but asked if he could meet her somewhere. She had mentioned a spell of some sort that might help him track Sam. He'd never really asked anyone for help before and it might be a long shot, but he had to do something before it was too late. Before he lost Sam forever.

Sam Winchester · Date: 2011-04-12 20:00 EST

The time seemed to pass slowly for Sam. Most of the others that he could see when what he could only think was daylight breaking through from above. During those hours of what had become precious light, they made what little food they were given last as long as they could. Some of the children would talk to Sam, others cried quietly for a rescue from their parents. Only one did nothing, and that was the one he had talked to on the first night, Phillip.

After the first night what Dean had told him had come true. The stolen clothing that had been too big, seemed to fit better. The second night, the jeans were an inch above the shoes that his toes were pushing the ends of. The third night, he felt not unlike Bruce Banner, transforming into The Hulk. The shoes were cramping his toes as darkness fell and as he took them off he watched as the same guy that caught him paused in the room of cages, stood in silence, looking from cage to cage, as a person looking over a menu.

Sam watched every move that the creature made. The way he smiled if someone started crying, how he would slap the sides of cages to get a reaction from the occupants if they did nothing almost as if he was feeding on the fear of the kids. The creature stopped and looked at an obviously older Sam.

"Curious one, you are," He said, studying the boy. "Yesterday, a young boy, today a teenager that should no longer believe in me."

"It is hard not to believe in something that is staring at you," Sam replied. "Although, I'll admit you aren't as frightening today, as you were yesterday."

Memories were starting to return, hunting with his brother, and their father, and the way in which John and Dean always seemed to enjoy the hunt. One of the shoes was picked up slowly, keeping his eyes locked on the mismatched ones of his captor. He could tell the creature was still considering the differences in his recent addition. Thoughts again turned to Dean, and how worried he knew his brother would be, something would have to happen soon, that meant escape, or rescue.

"Leave him alone!" Phillip shouted, and kicked his cage door, trying to get the attention off of Sam.

"Phillip, don't," Sam said calmly as The Bagman turned to look toward Phillip.

"Ah, the fighter speaks," He turned his attention from Sam then, walking toward where Phillip sat, glaring at him defiantly. "So brave, yet I can taste the fear flowing from you, Phillip." He reached the cage and stood there, looking at the boy. "You taste good." he dragged out the last word, making a point and started to reach through the bars for the boy. "I will dine on your flesh tonight, as well as your fears."

The arm withdrew from the cage as a sneaker bounced off the back of his head, causing him to swivel his neck around and glare at Sam, who was holding the second, ready to throw again.

"Back off, Boog," Sam warned.

"Or what, you'll throw your other shoe?" The creature smiled, and as he reached for Sam, there was another scream from the cave.

Sam Winchester · Date: 2011-04-14 22:00 EST

The next morning, Sam woke to severe pain. The denim of the jeans had split in some seams and held tightly in others. The button had all but shot off into the darkness, the zipper bust open, and he moved to stand in the cage he'd been able to stand upright in, two days ago.

His head hit the bars before he got halfway upright, and through the stars in his vision, the memories returned of hitting a growth spurt at Eighteen. He managed to roll the jeans down and off of his legs, and the boxers, while tight were at least keeping the goods covered. The shirt was the next to go, or what was left of it, and he stayed crouched down, looking into the darkness.

"Keep it down!" Phillip hissed. "You are..."

"I know, I'm going to bring him down here, you've told me that, over and over." Sam was surprised by the sound of his own voice then. Deeper, and almost condescending in tone. "Look, Phillip, I think I can take him." Phillip was quiet a long time, before he finally asked. "Who are you?"

"It's me, Sam."

"It doesn't sound like you," Phillip said quietly. It was obvious to Sam then that he wasn't one of the others like his brother, Lilli, and other people who were magicked into a change.

"Trust me, okay?" Sam said, and he pushed against the door on the cage that was strong enough to hold younger children, but not strong enough to hold a young adult. The bars creaked, then groaned in protest before the door came off in his hands, causing him to blink. "That would have been handy a few days ago," He muttered.

"What was that noise?" The man called from upstairs.

Sam moved the door out of the way, and stepped out of the cage, stretching to his full height, all Six Feet, Four Inches. The muscle tone was there, and he started looking for anything to subdue his kidnapper.

"Don't make me come down there..." he warned.

"Or what?" Phillip shouted back toward the ceiling of the cave, causing his voice to echo throughout the room. Sam looked back his way, watching and wondering what he was doing, but in the near darkness, he could see the boy's smiling, dirty face, and he knew that he was hoping for a rescue. Sam grabbed a broken piece of what used to be a chair and moved toward the opening that the creature always entered through. He positioned himself to the side of the opening holding the chair piece like a club, and waiting.

"Fighter speaks yet again!" The Boog's voice echoed as he started down the natural stone steps for the room with the cages. "It is time to make an example, yes."

Sam could hear the feet on stone as the creature descended the steps, and even the sound of his tongue licking dry lips.

"A fine meal you will..." He paused when his eyes saw the empty cage that held the curiosity. "One is missing?" Confusion was in his tone, then he turned in time to catch the swing of Sam's club to the chin and jaw, with enough force to knock him into the cages, causing some occupants to scream.

Sam couldn't think, the world was blurry and dark but the creature was down. He turned and started up the steps, making his escape.

"Wait, what about us?" Phillip asked.

"I need help, I will be back for you, I promise!" He ran up the steps and then into the main room of the cave, toward what he assumed was the exit. He thought he could remember the way to the Inn, back to Dean, and hopefully some clothes.