<P> At the start of the series, 22 - year - old Sam is seen as a senior at Stanford, applying for law school . Sam also has a girlfriend, Jessica, with whom he lives and secretly plans to marry . One night, Dean comes to Sam's apartment seeking his help after their father John goes missing . Sam eventually accompanies his brother . After defeating a woman in white and discovering a trail to lead them to their father, Sam returns to Stanford where he witnesses Jessica's death at the hands of a demon--exactly the same way his mother was killed . This incites him to go with Dean to find their father and to kill the demon in order to avenge the deaths of his mother and his lover . In the consequent episodes, the brothers deal with dangerous mythical creatures and urban legends such as the wendigo, Bloody Mary, and shapeshifters . During this time, Sam begins experiencing episodes of precognitive dreams and once displays telekinesis . </P> <P> As the search for John continues, Sam argues with Dean constantly--mostly about the way Dean obeys his father's orders without question, while Sam questions them and resents his father's treatment of them as "loyal little soldiers". The brothers eventually split up, with Dean going to investigate a mystery his father has assigned him while Sam decides to search for their father elsewhere . The two are eventually reunited after Dean apologizes . </P> <P> Later in the season, John is captured by demons, and the brothers manage to rescue him . However, they soon learn that the demon who killed their mother is in possession of their father's body . Though John begs Sam to kill him, Sam instead shoots John in the leg using the Colt, and the demon escapes . As Sam drives his father and a badly wounded Dean to a hospital, a truck driven by a demon - possessed man crashes into them, totaling Dean's Impala and gravely injuring the Winchesters . </P> <P> At the beginning of the second season, the Winchesters are at the Nashville hospital, with Sam and John escaping with minor injuries, while Dean is on the brink of death . In a deal with Azazel, John sacrifices his soul and the Colt in exchange for Dean's life . While the boys mourn their father's death, Sam expresses much guilt about never having a chance to reconcile with John, leading him to believe that his father died knowing his own son hated him . </P>

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