This is my first attempt at a mutli-chapter story as well as a Psych story.

I wrote this story as a birthday present to my roommate.

Disclaimer: It saddens my to say but I do not own Psych or any of its characters/actors.

Time of Dying

Chapter One

He couldn't believe it. Whether his brain was incapable or unwilling, it would not process the fact that his best friend was dead. The evidence was staring him in the face as the dull and lifeless eyes of his friend bore into his soul but he refused to accept it. Yet there Shawn Spencer was, cradling the body of his lifelong comrade as the blood of Gus continued to pool around them.

It was only the sadistic laugh that Shawn heard that brought him out of the fog that his mind had created. He looked around trying to locate the source of the sound. It took but a few moments for Shawn to spot the man standing in the shadows.

The man stepped out from the corner of the room. Shawn racked his brain trying to figure out who this man was but to no avail. He couldn't remember ever seeing this man before. The man was tall and muscular and wore and impeccably tailored suit. Shawn could see the gun he had tucked into his pants but the thing that scared the psychic the most was the smile that adorned the man's face. It was a smile that sent shudders down Shawn's spine as he could see that the man enjoyed the emotional pain that Shawn was suffering. The smile reached the madman's eyes and he could tell that man truly enjoyed killing the psychic's best friend.

"I'm delighted that we finally have the chance to meet Mr. Spencer. I am glad you received my invitation and decided to join me" the mystery man said.

Shawn's mind couldn't form words and thus he sat, still holding the body of his friend, as the man approached him. He was confused as to what this guy was talking about. An invitation? He certainly hadn't gotten one of those and if he had he sure as hell wouldn't have brought Gus with him. Gus he thought as a pang of sharp pain hit him and caused the ache in his heart to grow.

"I'm sorry to have had to kill your friend," he lied "but I needed you alone. The games we are going to play are really only meant for two and since both you and I are here there really wasn't any use for Mr. Guster."

'Wasn't a use for Gus? How could he say that? Gus was his best friend, his confidant, his brother. Gus was the person who Shawn went to for advice. Gus was the person he could rely on when he was having problems with his father or was worried about his relationship with Juliet. Gus was the most important person in his life and this man had killed him because he wasn't useful. What the Hell!' Shawn thought.

The man noticed the emotions that washed over Shawn's face.

"You seem to be confused and angry. I can understand the anger, I did kill your friend after all but you will get over it in time. If anything I did you a favor. Friends only slow you down and prevent you from reaching the top. They are simply of no use. For the confusion I'm not sure why you would feel that way. I all but left you breadcrumbs to find me. I wanted to be able to see the great psychic Shawn Spencer for myself. I wanted to meet the man that has made my life difficult for the last few months. I wanted to be able to look into your eyes as I killed you" his words becoming more and more menacing as he spoke.

The man's eyes darted over to the table that was sitting on the side of the otherwise empty room. The table was covered with a sheet but Shawn was sure he didn't want to know what was under the covering. Once again, a smile crossed the madman's face as he noticed the fear in the psychic's eyes and walked over to the table, removed the sheet, and revealed to Shawn the objects that lay on top. Shawn's eyes widened as he saw the wide array of knives that were carefully laid out and sure to be capable of delivering a great deal of pain.

Still confused Shawn managed to mumble out, "Who are you?" as he gazed up at the man.

"I'm disappointed. I thought you would have figured it out already. My name is Michael Macconi."

Shawn had heard that name before he just couldn't remember from where. He looked at the man before him. It wasn't until he focused on the man's steely blue eyes that he remembered where he had heard the name.

"You're the head of the Macconi drug cartel. You guys supply most of the drugs up and down the coast of southern California" Shawn remembered.

"Well we did until you came along Mr. Spencer and got one of my top guys locked up for murder" Macconi growled out.

That's where Shawn remembered the name from. He had heard it when Gus had read out loud an article in the newspaper. The article was about the death of Dante DiNardo, a big time drug dealer in the area. Later that same morning Shawn and Gus were hired as consultants on that case.

"You claimed that the spirit of the DiNardo's car led you to Anthony Russo, my second in command. With him in jail I have been unable to control my 'employees' and my business has dropped considerably as they squabbled trying to fill the now vacant position" Macconi sneered.

"I don't like when business is slow and since it is your fault Mr. Spencer, I thought I would share with you my displeasure" he shared as he ran his hands over the different knives adorning the table.

Shawn knew he should be afraid or even terrified of what Macconi just said to him but he couldn't bring himself to. All he could think of was the body in his lap. The body he refused to let go of even as Macconi had come closer and closer. He had failed his friend. He hadn't noticed the man that lurked in the shadows. For a man who centered his life on being observant he had missed a crucial piece of information and Gus had paid the price. For that he deserved everything that he had coming to him. He deserved to be the subject of whatever Macconi had up his sleeve. Whatever physical torture he had in store for him would never be enough punishment. He had failed his friend and therefore deserved all the pain the Macconi could dream up.

By this point Macconi was a mere feet from Shawn and Gus. He removed that gun from his waist, raised it, and Shawn's world went black.

Up Next: What happened to Shawn? Will Juliet and Lassiter get there in time?

So this chapter and the next one are on the short side, but I promise they will be getting much longer as time goes on.

At this point I have about half of this story written and the rest of it planned. I am aiming to update every Sunday. Please review and let me know what you think, even if you want to do it anonymously.