Metamorphosis



Summary
Sam and Dean investigate a man who is literally transforming into a monster.

Full Synopsis
Sam and Ruby are standing in front of a man, tied to a chair. He is glaring up at Sam. “Where’s Lilith?” Sam asks. “Kiss my ass,” the man replies, his eyes turning black. Sam smiles a little. “I’d watch myself if I were you.” “Why? Huh? Because you’re Sam Winchester, mister big hero?” the demon says. “And yet here you are, sluttin’ around with some demon. Real hero.” “Shut your mouth,” Sam says angrily. “Tell me about those months without your brother,” the demon continues. About all those things you and this demon bitch did in the dark. Huh? Tell me, hero.” Sam is getting angrier and angrier, and then he lifts his hand. The man begins to cough, and the demon slowly comes out of his mouth onto the floor and disappears. Ruby smiles at Sam as he catches his breath, and Sam smiles back a little. Behind him, something moves. Dean is watching from the shadows, and he looks away slowly, shock and fear etched all over his face.

Sam walks over and checks the man’s pulse, and then grins – the man is obviously alive. Ruby smiles. “How did that feel?” “Good,” Sam replies, untying the man. “No more headaches.” “None? That’s good,” Ruby says. Sam helps the man up, and starts to walk him towards the door, when suddenly the door opens, and in walks Dean. “So,” he says. “Anything you wanna tell me, Sam?” “Dean. Hold on, okay? Just let me ex…” Sam begins. “Just let me explain?” Dean cuts in. “You’re gonna explain this? Well how about you start with – who she is. And what the hell is she doing here.” They both look at Ruby, and she smiles at Dean. “Good to see you again, Dean,” she says. “Ruby?” Dean asks. “Is that Ruby?” Sam doesn’t say anything. Dean smirks humourlessly, and then throws himself at Ruby, pinning her against the wall and pulling out the knife. Sam stops him quickly, grabbing his arm, but Dean throws Sam against the wall and goes after Ruby again. She quickly twists him around so Dean’s against the wall and grabs his neck. “Ruby! Stop it!” Sam orders, then looks at the man. “Ruby, he’s hurt. Go.” She goes over and helps the man up, and Dean says “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” “The ER,” she says. “Unless you wanna go another round first.” She leaves, and Dean looks at Sam, then walks away, ignoring Sam as he tries to call him back.

Motel
In the motel, Sam is waiting at a table, a book lying in front of him. He’s obviously not really reading it. Dean comes into the room behind him, and Sam quickly stands up. Dean walks past him and starts packing his stuff. “Dean, what are you doing?” Sam asks. “Are you leaving?” “You don’t need me – you and Ruby go fight demons,” Dean says shortly. “Hold on – Dean, come on, man,” Sam tries. Dean suddenly turns around and punches him hard in the face. Sam recovers and looks at him. “Satisfied?” Dean punches him again, without a word. “Guess not,” Sam answers himself, blinking. “Do you even know how far off the reservation you’ve gone? How far from normal? How far from human?” Dean says furiously. “I’m just exorcising demons,” Sam says quietly. “With your mind!” Dean yells. “What else can you do?” “I can send them back to Hell,” Sam says. “It only works with demons, and that’s it.” Dean grabs the front of his shirt. “What else can you do!” “I told you!” Sam replies, shoving him off. “And I have every reason in the world to believe that,” Dean says, and turns away. “Look, I should have said something, I’m sorry, Dean, I am,” Sam says, moving after him. “But try to see the other side here.” “The other side?” Dean yells. “I’m pulling demons out of innocent people!” Sam says. “Use the knife!” Dean yells. “The knife kills the victim! What I do, most of them survive!” Sam replies. “Look, I’ve saved more people in the last five months than we save in a year!” Dean is silent a second. “Is that what Ruby wants you to think?” he asks quietly. “The way she tricked you into using your powers… slippery slope, brother. Just wait and see. Cause it’s gonna get darker, and darker… and God knows where it ends.” “I’m not gonna let it go too far,” Sam interrupts. Dean smiles without humour and turns away, smashing a lamp off the table. “It’s already gone too far, Sam. If I didn’t know you? I would want to hunt you. And so would other hunters.” Sam’s eyes are welling up. “You were gone. And I was here. I had to keep on fighting without you. And what I’m doing… it works.” “So tell me,” Dean says, “If it’s so terrific – then why did you lie about it to me? Why did an angel – tell me to stop you?” “What?” Sam says, shocked. “Cas told me to stop you. See what that means, Sam? That means that God doesn’t want you doing this. So you’re just gonna stand there and tell me that everything is ‘all good’.” Dean’s eyes are filling up now too. The two boys stare at each other for a moment, and then Sam’s cellphone rings. Dean looks a little crushed.“Hello?” Sam picks it up, squeezing the bridge of his nose as he tries to control his emotions. “Hey – Travis, yeah, hey. Yeah it’s good to hear your voice too… look it’s not really a good time right now. Yeah okay, well just give me the details…” He writes down what Travis tells him and hangs up.

Carthage, Missouri
A man and his wife are eating dinner, the man is eating and chewing furiously. He stops and looks up at his wife, who is staring at him. “Jack, are you stoned?” she asks. “What?” he says. “It’s good, I’m starving. Is there – is there dessert?” “It just so happens…” she says, smiling a little and starting to stand up. He scoops some more potatoes onto his plate, and then eyes his wife’s plate. “Hey babe – are you gonna finish your steak?” he asks. “You’re kidding, right? You’ve had two already,” she says. “I dunno… I’m just hungry,” he says. He takes her steak. “Or you have a tapeworm,” she says. “Please,” he says, still eating furiously. “I’ve never felt better.”

Later on, he is in the bathroom, brushing his teeth. Suddenly there is a loud cracking noise and he gasps in pain, leaning on the sink. There is more cracking, and he collapses further, yelling. His spine is shifting under his skin. Then it stops, and he slowly picks himself up, trying to look at his back in the mirror, but it looks normal.

On the road
Dean and Sam are driving in the Impala. “I can’t believe it,” Sam says. “Mom? A hunter?” “Wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen it myself,” Dean says, smiling a little. “That woman could kick some ass – she almost took me down.” “How’d she look?” Sam asks. “I mean, was she happy?” “She was awesome,” Dean replies. “Funny and smart… hopeful. Dad too, till of course…” Sam shakes his head and sighs. “What?” Dean asks. “Nothing. It’s just… our parents, and now we find out our grandparents, too. Our whole family murdered, and for what? So Yellow-Eyes could come in my nursery and bleed in my mouth?” Dean is silent suddenly, and then he looks at Sam. “Sam, I never said anything about demon blood.” Sam is silent, guilty. “You knew about that?” Dean asks. “Yeah… for about a year,” Sam confesses. “A whole year!” Dean says, shaking his head. “I should’ve told you, I’m sorry,” Sam says. “You’ve been saying that a lot lately, Sam,” Dean replies coldly. “But whatever. You don’t wanna tell me you don’t have to, it’s fine.” “Dean,” Sam begins, and then looks at Dean’s furious, hurt profile and stops. “Whatever.”

Jack’s House
Jack comes running down the stairs and calls “Hey babe, when’s dinner?” “Forty-five minutes,” his wife calls back. He opens the fridge and looks in. “I’m starving.” She calls back that the food is coming.

Outside, Sam and Dean are watching him through binoculars. “You sure that’s him?” Dean asks. “The only Jack Montgomery in town,” Sam replies. “And we’re looking for…?” Dean says. “Travis said to keep a look out for anything weird,” Sam answers. “Weird,” Dean says. “Yeah.” “Well I’ve seen big weird, little weird, weird with crazy on top,” Dean says, watching Jack as the man drinks a beer. “But this guy? Come on, this guy’s boring.” “I don’t know, Dean, Travis seemed pretty sure,” Sam replies, shrugging.

Inside, Jack is drinking a beer. He seems restless, and glances at the empty dinner table, then walks to the fridge and opens it, then grabs out a package of chicken and begins eating it furiously. Then he stops and puts it back, and grabs out a package of raw beef, which he begins to eat frantically, spilling blood and raw meat all over himself as he does. He stops as he wife calls, “Honey?”

Outside the boys watch Jack wolf down the raw meat. “I’d say that qualifies as weird,” Sam says.

Motel
Dean opens the door and the boys walk in, then Dean stops. “Travis,” he says, smiling. There is a middle-aged man with grey hair sitting at their table, drinking a beer. “See Sam? Told you we should’ve hid the beer,” Dean says, not bothering to whisper as the man stands up, grinning. “Smart ass,” Travis says, “Get over here.” He hugs Dean, then Sam. “Good to see you.” “You too,” the boys say. “Man you got tall kid,” Travis says to Sam, and Sam laughs. “How long has it been?” “Uh, gotta be ten years,” Sam says. “You still uh… what was it… a mathlete?” Travis asks. “Ha, no,” Sam says, smiling. “Yup,” Dean contradicts. “Sure is.” Travis laughs. “Been too long, boys. I mean look at you – grown men! John would’ve been damn proud of you – sticking together like this?” “Yeah – well, we’re thick as thieves,” Dean says, “Nothing more important than family.” Sam looks guilty, and Dean walks away. “Sorry I’m late for the dance,” Travis says, sitting down, and the boys follow suit. “Thanks for helping out an old man, I’m a little short-handed.” He lifts his arm, which is in a cast. “So – you track down Montgomery?” “Yeah, we found him at his home,” Sam replies. “He had a hell of a case of the munchies,” Dean puts in. “Topped off with a burger that he forgot to cook.” “That’s him alright,” Travis says. “What’s him?” Dean asks. “Boys… we got a Rugaru on our hands,” Travis replies. “A Rugaru? Is that made up? That sounds made up,” Dean says, glancing from Sam to Travis. “They’re mean, nasty little suckers,” Travis continues. “Rotted teeth, wormy skin, the works.” “Well that ain’t this guy,” Dean says. “He – he was wearing a cellphone on his belt.” “He’ll turn ugly soon enough,” Travis says seriously. He tells them that Rugarus start out human, then go into a sort of metamorphosis, like a maggot turning into a blowfly.

Jack’s wife is making dinner when Jack walks in, he goes to the fridge and eyes the new pack of raw beef. His wife suddenly gasps and drops the knife, she’s cut herself.

“But most of all?” Travis goes on, “They’re hungry.” “Hungry for what?” Dean asks. “First for everything,” Travis replies. “But then… long pig.” “Long pig?” Dean asks, confused. “He means human flesh,” Sam explains. “And that is my word of the day!” Dean says, smiling. “Hunger grows in, until they can’t fight it,” Travis says. “’Till they gotta take themselves a big juicy chunk, and then it happens.”

Jack is watching his wife run water over her cut finger, a strange look on his face.

“What happens?” Sam asks. “They transform completely, and fast,” Travis explains.

Jack’s wife wraps a towel around her finger, and turns to look at him. “I think I need stitches.” He stares at her. “I gotta go.” He heads for the door. “I gotta get out of here.” “What? Where are you going?” she calls. “Jack?” But he’s gone.

“One bite’s all it takes,” Travis says. “Eyes, teeth, skin – it all turns, no going back, either. They feed once, they’re a monster forever. And our man Jack’s headed there on a bullet train.” “How’d you find this guy if he’s walking talking human?” Dean asks. “Let’s just say it runs in his family,” Travis replies. “I killed his daddy back in ’78. Son of a bitch mangled eight bodies before I put him down. Guy used to be a dentist. Cadillac, trophy wife… little did I know pregnant trophy wife. She put the boy up for adoption – by the time I found out, he was long gone, lost in the system.” “You mean to tell me you couldn’t find someone?” Sam asks incredulously. Travis sighs. “I’m not sure I wanted to. The idea of hunting down some poor kid… I don’t think I had the heart. Nope. Wanted to wait. Make damn sure I had the right man. Apparently I do.”

Bar
Jack is at a bar, eating peanuts and drinking beer. He has already eaten three bowls. He can hear and see the blood on his wife’s finger still, like he can hear it in her veins. He finishes his drink and puts it down, calling over the bartender for another drink. “Can I get somemore peanuts?” he asks as the bartender comes over. As the man leaves to get them, Jack stares at himself in the mirror for a minute, then hears a voice say loudly, “Come on, what are you drinking?” He turns to see a woman sitting at the bar, a big man is leaning on the bar next to her. “Come on, my treat,” he says. “No, thank you,” she says, looking uncomfortable. “Oh don’t be like that,” the man says. “Have a drink with me.” “I’m waiting for someone,” she says. “Okay, well where is he?” the guy asks. “Hey douche bag,” Jack calls. “She doesn’t wanna talk to you.” “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you,” the guy says, putting down his drink. “I said,” Jack says, standing up and walking over, “She doesn’t wanna talk to you. You fat – sweaty – dick. Now leave her alone.” “You uh… seriously wanna do this, guy?” the big man says, looking disbelieving. “You know… I really think I do,” Jack replies. The man takes a swing at him, but Jack grabs his fist in his hand and squeezes, bending his hand back. The guy yells, his arm bone has snapped right out of the skin. Jack quickly drops his arm and leaves.

Motel
“So, fire huh?” Dean asks. He and Travis are preparing little propane tanks. “Only way I’ve found to kill these bastards,” Travis replies. “Deep fry ‘em.” “Well. That’s gonna be… horrible,” Dean says. “Is that what you did to Jack’s dad?” “Uh huh,” Travis replies, just as Sam enters the room, carrying some papers. “Not wasting any time, are you?” he says, looking at the tanks. “No time to waste,” Travis replies. “He hulks out, we won’t be finding bodies – just remains.” Sam sits down. “What if he doesn’t? Hulk out.” When Travis just stares at him, Sam elaborates. “I did a little homework. I’ve been checking out the lore on Rugarus.” “What, my thirty years of experience not good enough for you?” Travis asks. “What? No, ha, I just wanted to be prepared,” Sam says quickly. “I mean not that you didn’t…” “Sam loves research,” Dean cuts in. “He does. He keeps it under his mattress right next to his KY. It’s a sickness. It is.” “Look, everything you said checked out, of course, but uh… I found a couple of interesting stories,” Sam says. “About people who have this Rugaru gene, or whatever. See, they start to turn – but they never take the final step. See if they never eat human flesh, they never transform.” “So what, go Vegan, stay human?” Dean asks. “Basically. Or in this case, eat a lot of raw meat, just not…” “Long pig!” Dean puts in. “Right,” Sam replies as Dean smiles. Travis smiles. “Good on you for the diligence, Sam,” he says, getting up. “But those are fairy tales. Fact is, every Rugaru I ever saw or heard of – took that bite.” “Okay well that doesn’t mean that Jack will,” Sam says, standing up. Dean follows. “So what do we do? Sit and hope and wait for a body count?” Travis asks. “No we talk to him,” Sam replies. “Explain what’s happening, that way he can fight it.” “Fight it?” Travis laughs. “Are you kidding me? You ever been really hungry? I mean, haven’t – eaten – in – days hungry?” “Yeah,” Dean says, looking up. “Right then, someone slaps a big juicy sirloin in front of you, you walkin’ away?” Travis asks. Dean glances at Sam. “That’s what we are to him now,” Travis goes on. “Meat on legs. I’m sorry, I’m sure he’s a stand-up guy, but it’s pure base instinct. Everything in nature’s gotta eat – you think he can stop himself cause he’s nice?” “I dunno,” Sam says. “But we’re not gonna kill him, unless he does something to get killed for.” He walks out. Travis looks at Dean. “What’s up with your brother?” “Don’t get me started,” Dean says with a humourless smile.

Jack’s House
Jack’s wife is pouring herself some tea. She turns around and jumps, Jack is standing right behind her. “You scared me,” she says. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you,” he says. “How are you feeling?” She puts down her cup. “I’m feeling pissed, Jack.” She walks by him. “I had to drive myself to the hospital, last night. I was there until two.” “I’m so sorry,” he says. “What happened?” she asks. “I dunno – I saw your blood and I just… I got dizzy, and I had to get out,” he replies. “Well you could’ve called, I left you a dozen messages,” she says angrily. “I know, my phone died, I couldn’t find a pay phone… I was a mess. But I am… sorry. And I promise – it won’t ever happen again. Certainly – not to a wife as… stunning as you.” He walks over and puts his hands on her shoulders. She looks at him. “Better not. I swear, you know – one little cut… blood’s never bothered you before.” “Well,” he says, looking at her, “I’ve changed.” He kisses her. “This doesn’t get you off the hook, you know,” she says. “No, no… think diamonds.” He kisses her again, then lifts her onto the counter and begins to kiss her neck. “What has gotten into you?” she asks, looking surprised. “I dunno,” he murmurs, kissing her neck harder. “Hey,” she says. “Jack, just slow down.” He ignores her and kisses her hard on the mouth, then goes back to her neck. “Jack, I mean it, stop,” she says, trying to push him off, but he keeps going, running his hand up her leg. “Jack?” she says, and he pushes her back against the cupboard, and she hits her head. “Ow!” she says, pushing at him desperately. “Jack, stop – stop it, stop it!” she shoves him off and jumps off the counter, glaring at him. “You son of a bitch!” “I’m sorry,” he gasps. “What the hell is wrong with you?” she asks. “I don’t know,” he says quietly. “I don’t know.” He leaves.

On the road
“Alright so we’re gonna go have a little chat with this guy, which you know, I’m down. But I just wanna make sure if push comes, you’re gonna shove,” Dean says. Sam shakes his head and looks at him. “Meaning?” “Well odds are, we’re gonna have to burn this guy alive,” Dean replies. “This guy has a name,” Sam says. “And a wife.” “Yeah, who we’re probably gonna make a widow, okay? I mean you heard Travis,” Dean says. “He’s gonna turn, they always turn.” “Well maybe he won’t,” Sam says, getting a little angry. “Maybe he can fight it off.” “And maybe he can’t, that’s all I’m saying,” Dean replies. “Alright we’ll just have to see then, okay?” Sam tries. “See this is what I mean, Sam,” Dean says. “You sure your emotions aren’t getting in the way here?” Sam stares at him. “What’re you talking about?” “You know, nice dude, but he’s got something evil inside him,” Dean says carefully. “Something in his blood, maybe you can relate.” Sam is silent a second, then says “Stop the car.” “What?” Dean asks. “Stop the car, or I will,” Sam says firmly.

Dean pulls over, and Sam gets out of the car. Dean follows him. “You wanna know why I’ve been lying to you, Dean? Because of crap like this!” Sam yells right away. “What?” Dean asks. “The way you talk to me, the way you look at me, like I’m a freak!” Sam yells, walking past him. “I do not,” Dean begins. “You know or even worse, like I’m an idiot, like I don’t know the difference between right and wrong!” Sam continues, then pauses when Dean says nothing. “Do you know the difference, Sam?” Dean asks. “I mean you’ve been kinda strolling a dark road lately.” “You have no idea what I’m going through,” Sam interrupts. “None.” “Then enlighten me!” Dean yells. “I’ve got DEMON BLOOD in me, Dean!” Sam yells back. “This disease pumping through my veins, and I can’t ever rip it out, or scrub it clean! I’m a whole new level of freak! And I’m just trying to take this… curse, and make something good out of it! Because I have to.” Dean is silent for a minute. “Let’s just go talk to the guy,” he says finally. “I mean Jack. Okay?”

Jack’s House
Jack is watering the plants, standing like a zombie as Dean and Sam approach. “Jack Montgomery?” Sam asks. “I’m Sam Winchester, this is my brother, Dean. We need to talk.” Jack looks at Dean, but Dean looks away. “About?” Jack asks. “About you,” Sam says. “About how you’re changing.” “Excuse me?” Jack begins. “You’re probably feeling your bones, moving under your skin? And your appetite’s reaching hungry, hungry hippo level, so how am I doing so far?” Dean says. Jack stares. “Who the hell are you guys?” “We’re people who know a little something about something,” Dean says. “We’re people who can help,” Sam says. “Please, just hear us out.”

“A what?” Jack is saying. “A Rugaru,” Dean says. “Sounds made up, I know. But believe me, it’s not.” “Alright, I’ve noticed certain things… some strange things, but I’m just, I dunno. I’m sick, or something,” Jack says. “Your father was one of these things,” Sam interjects. “Your real father. He passed it on to you.” Jack stares at him for a second then shakes his head. “No. You guys… listen to yourselves… you sound like you’re…” “Let’s skip the whole you guys sound crazy, shall we?” Dean cuts in. “You’re hungry, Jack. You’re only going to get hungrier.” “Hungry for…?” Jack asks. “Long pig,” Dean replies. “A little man-burger helper, it may have crossed your mind already.” “No,” Jack says. “It doesn’t have to be like this, Jack, you can fight it off,” Sam tries. “Others have.” “We’re not gonna lie to you though, it’s not gonna be easy,” Dean says. “You’re gonna feel like an alcoholic swimming around in whiskey. But I’m telling you… you’ve gotta say no. Or…” “Or what?” Jack asks. “You feed once, and it’s all over,” Sam says. “And then we’ll have to stop you.” “Stop me,” he says. “My dad, did somebody… stop him?” “Yes,” Sam says. “Get off my property,” Jack says. “Right now. I see you guys again, I’m calling the cops.” “Jack, your wife… everybody you know, they’re in danger,” Sam tries to warn him. “NOW!” Jack yells. The boys walk away. “Good talk,” Dean says.

Jack is sitting on a bench somewhere, listening to his wife’s voice message. “Jack I don’t know where you are but you’re scaring me. Come home,” she says. “We need to talk – please?” Jack looks up and sees the girl from the bar at her window, she is getting undressed. As she unbuttons her shirt, she pulls closed the curtains. Jack stands up, and starts toward her apartment. Sam and Dean are watching, in the Impala. “Dammit Jack, no,” Sam says, grabbing the propane tank and jumping out of the car, followed closely by Dean.

Jack is running up the fire escape, and he goes to her window. The boys go through the apartment instead, running up the stairs. He watches her get changed, and then she turns out the light, and he sees himself reflected in her window. His eyes are red and bloodshot, he murmurs, “No…” and turns away.

Dean and Sam kick down the door and run in just as the woman comes out of the room. She screams, and Dean says, “No no, we’re here to save you, I guess.” But she locks herself in the room. “I’m calling the police!” she screams. “We should go,” Sam says, and Dean follows him out, closing the door behind him.

Jack’s House
Jack enters his house, and begins calling his wife. “Michelle? I’m home. Hey babe? You here?” There is no answer. He walks further in and stops, shocked. His wife is tied to a chair and gagged. He starts forward but someone grabs him fromt behind and puts a cloth over his face.

He wakes up handcuffed to one of the pillars in their house. “Michelle…” he says, looking over at her. Travis walks over, looking at him. “We’re going to stay calm,” Jack says, “We’re gonna give this man whatever he wants. Anything. Just take it and go, please.” Travis looks at him. “I’m sorry about this, Jack.” He walks over and takes the gag of Jack’s wife. “I really am. It’s not the way that I wanted it to go.” “Who are you?” Jack asks. “You already met some friends of mine,” Travis says. “Two brothers?” “They said that if I…” Jack begins, then stops, looking at his wife. “I haven’t hurt anybody.” “Not yet. But you would’ve,” Travis says. “They always do. I’m doing you a favour, son.” “Jack, what’s he talking about?” Michelle asks. “Tell her, Jack,” Travis says. “Tell her the truth, she deserves to know.” “Just let her go,” Jack says. “She’s not a part of this.” “A part of what?” she asks. “Jack?” “I really do apologize,” Travis says. “But she is a part of it. Michelle? Tell him what you told me when I got here.” “Michelle?” Jack says. She looks at him. “I said… ‘don’t hurt me. Because I’m pregnant’.” Jack is shocked. “Just hold on a minute,” he says to Travis. “Now you see the mess we’re in?” Travis ignores him. “I can’t make this mistake all over again. I won’t be around in thirty years, this has got to end now. I know you don’t believe me. But I’d give anything not to have to do this.” “You don’t have to do this!” Jack yells as Travis starts pouring gasoline all over the floor. “If you wanna kill me kill me, but not my wife!” he goes on. “Okay? I’m begging you!” “Ain’t got no choice,” Travis replies. “My condolences.” He continues with the gasoline. “No,” Jack says quietly, and then begins to pull on the handcuffs. He can hear his own blood flowing through his veins, his heart pounding. He breaks the handcuffs and leaps forward, knocking Travis down and punching him. When Travis hits Jack with his broken arm, Jack grabs it and breaks it. As Travis screams in pain, Jack pulls back his shirt, and bites his neck. Travis yells, and then slowly dies. Jack pulls back, chewing, and then turns to look at Michelle, who is watching in horror. He walks over to her slowly, and breaks the rope tying her up. She jumps up, screams “Stay away from me!” and then runs out the door. She runs outside, gets in her car, and drives away. Inside, Jack is clutching his stomach. His face is different now, twisted and strange. He can’t help himself, he goes back to Travis’s body.

Dean and Sam pull up outside Jack’s house and get out of the car. “Well I guess now we know where Travis is,” Dean says, seeing their friend’s car. “That stupid son of a bitch,” Sam says, and the boys run towards the house. They open the door and creep in. Everything seems to be in order, until they notice a large blood stain on the carpet. There is a trail of blood leading around the corner. They move forward and see a piece of body. “Think that’s Travis?” Dean asks. “What’s left of him,” Sam replies. “Guess you were right about Jack.” Suddenly Dean is thrown forward. “Dean!” Sam yells as Jack throws Dean onto the table in front of him, smashing his head against the glass. Dean is still. Sam fumbles with the propane tank, but Jack jumps him, knocking him down, and then hits him into unconsciousness.

Sam wakes up in a closet. He jumps up and tries the doorknob, but it’s locked. “Dean?” he calls. “Dean can’t come to the phone right now,” Jack calls back. “JACK! If you hurt him, I swear to God!” Sam yells, hitting the door. “Calm down! Your brother’s alive,” Jack says. He is crouching a little ways away from where Dean is still laying over the table, unconscious. “But not if you don’t calm down!” “Alright. Jack. Listen. Open the door, we can figure this out, okay?” Sam tries. “Oh we’ll have ourselves a little brainstorming session,” Jack says sarcastically. “Jack, please,” Sam says. “I don’t think so,” Jack replies. “After what you did?” “What?” Sam asks, carefully checking his pockets for anything he could use to pick the lock. “What are you talking about?” “You send your friend here… he tried to burn my wife alive!” Jack yells. “What?” Sam calls. “Why?” Jack thinks for a second, then says “He didn’t say. Psychopaths don’t have to explain themselves!” Sam lifts a wire hanger down off the pole. “Listen to me, you gotta believe me, my brother and I, we never would’ve hurt her, okay?” Jack is moving slowly towards Dean. He puts a finger in Dean’s blood, which is pooled on the table, then licks it off his finger. “God I’m so hungry,” he says. “Jack, don’t do this,” Sam says, leaning down to pick the lock. “I can never see my family again,” Jack says, “You two. Your friend. You made me into this!” “No one’s making you kill us,” Sam says firmly, still busy with the lock. “Listen to me. You’ve got this dark pit inside you, believe me, I know. But that doesn’t mean you have to fall into it. You don’t have to be a monster.” Jack laughs. “Have you seen me lately?” “It doesn’t matter what you are,” Sam says. “It only matters what you do. It’s your choice.” Jack thinks for a minute, then moves towards Dean. He sees Dean starting to wake up, his eyelashes fluttering. He starts to open his mouth and suddenly hears Sam yell “No!” he looks back and there’s Sam, standing with the propane tank in front of him. He makes a lunge for Sam, and Sam sets him on fire. Dean, who is awake now, watches in shock as Jack falls to the ground, screaming and burning.

On the road
Dean looks at Sam, who is silent. “You did the right thing, you know. That guy was a monster, there was no going back.” The boys are silent for a minute, then Dean speaks again. “Sam I wanna tell you I’m sorry… I’ve been kind of hard on you lately.” “Don’t worry about it, Dean,” Sam says. “It’s just that… your psychic thing, it scares the crap out of me,” Dean admits. “Look if it’s all the same, I’d really rather not talk about it,” Sam says. “What? You don’t wanna talk?” Dean looks surprised. “You?” “There’s nothing more to say,” Sam replies. “I can’t keep explaining myself to you, I can’t make you understand.” “Well why don’t you try?” Dean says. “I can’t,” Sam says. “Because this thing, this blood, it’s not in you, the way it’s in me. It’s just something I gotta deal with.” “You’re not alone,” Dean says. Sam is silent for a second. “Anyway it doesn’t matter. These powers… it’s playing with fire. I’m done with them. I’m done with everything.” “Really,” Dean says, disbelieving. “Well that’a s relief… thank you.” “Don’t thank me, I’m not doing it for you,” Sam says with a little laugh. “Or for the angels, or for anybody. This is my choice.”

Featured Music

 * Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseBreakers - Phillip's Theme

Featured Monster
Rugaru

Quotes

 * Dean: "Sam loves research. He does. He keeps it under his mattress with his KY."
 * Sam: "We need to talk." Jack: "About?" Sam: "About you. About how you're changing." Jack: "Excuse me?" Dean: "You're probably feeling your bones moving under your skin. And your appetite's reaching, you know, Hungry, Hungry Hippo levels. How am I doing so far?"
 * Jack: "Are you guys listening to yourselves? You sound like you're—" Dean: "Let's skip the whole 'You guys sound crazy!', shall we? You're hungry, Jack. You're only gonna get hungrier." Jack: "Hungry for...?" Dean: "Long pig. A little 'Manburger Helper'—may have crossed your mind already." Jack: [disbelieving] "...No. No." Sam: "It doesn't have to be like this, Jack. You can fight it off. Others have." Jack: [still disbelieving] "No." Dean: We're not gonna lie to you, though. It's not gonna be easy. You're gonna feel like an alcoholic swimming around in whiskey. But I'm tellin' you, you gotta say 'no'. Or..." Jack: [belligerent] "Or what?" Sam: "You feed once, and it's all over...and then we'll have to stop you." Jack: "...'Stop me'?" [belligerent] "My dad, did, uh...somebody 'stop him'?" Sam: "...Yes."