Dean says that the world outside the bunker is far too dangerous for a thirteen year old Sam Winchester to wander about in but thirteen year old Sam is dying of boredom and honestly, what's the worst that could happen?

Dean returns to an empty motel room. (Sequel to Better Off Forgotten)

Sam is a wax statue in the hospital bed, a pale, silent, still imitation of himself.

Sam falls off a cliff and that might not be the worst part.

Sam Winchester was ready to die.

Dean does his best to look after Sam in the wake of Jessica's death.

Dean is in full-blown panic mode by the time he finishes the four hour drive to Palo Alto. Sam hasn't answered any of his dozen phone calls with anything other than one cryptic text message. Quit calling. You won't believe it 'til you see it.

The bites are viscous, jagged ovals that ooze blood and, a few of them, pus, ringed with deep purple bruises and the bright red flare of infection.