Ghost Train

Ghost Train

By Misstarana

Rated T - warnings apply. Dark themes and sexual violence are ahead – unless I chicken out Seriously, this is going to be a dark story and if sexual violence offends you then please do not read.

Starsky and Hutch do not belong to me and are only being borrowed for entertainment purposes. No profit is being made.

CHAPTER ONE

Hutch was laughing openly as he watched his playful partner buying an enormous packet of cotton candy. He shook his head at Cindy, his date. It was a great relief to see the brunet laughing and so relaxed and Hutch was pleased with their decision to visit the carnival. It had been a very difficult few months and Starsky's recovery from his abduction by the Marcus freaks had been long and slow. Not so much physically, but more so emotionally. Both of them had been a mess in the immediate aftermath, and even after taking some vacation time, Hutch was aware things weren't quite right. Starsky had flatly refused to talk to any professional, claiming that he had his partner to help him, and they'd tried to talk out the terror over many hours and a large quantity of beer. Hutch knew his partner very well, and knew when to push and when not to, but the occasional shadows which crossed his face, worried the blond. So when they had the opportunity for good fun, he made sure they took it. He never cared much for carnivals himself but he knew Starsky did. He'd been dating Cindy for several months now, and she'd recently introduced Starsky to her friend Penny. It was a rare occasion when a blind date was successful and they had double-dated over the last couple of weeks. Penny shared Starsky's sense of fun and had been delighted with the suggestion of the carnival.

Starsky had been very surprised by the suggestion but had decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. He was aware of Hutch's continuing concern and wanted to do what he could to show his worried partner that he was okay. He wasn't entirely sure that he was, but he wasn't about to admit that he had a strong feeling of being watched. He'd been more traumatized than he wanted to admit by the Marcus ordeal, and he wasn't going to admit he was still so jumpy.

"Talk about a kid in a toy store! Who'd believe he was such a tough cop?" Hutch and Cindy chuckled. Cindy shared Hutch's love for health food so had declined an offer for junk food, but she was also very fond of Starsky. Starsky didn't catch the words but heard the laughter and grabbing Penny, he walked back towards his highly amused partner.

"What ya laughin' at, blintz?" Starsky took a bite out of his brightly coloured candy.

"Uh, nothing, nothing at all, Starsk. Wanna ride the ferris wheel?" Hutch knew what Starsky's response would be but couldn't resist asking him.

"Uh, nah, don't thinks so. Gonna keep these two feet firmly on the ground! But you two go ahead." Starsky grimaced as he spoke.

"But, Dave, I'd like to go on the ride." Starsky gulped as Penny spoke to him. He hated heights but he hated admitting it more than anything, especially to a girl.

He glared at Hutch who was trying very hard not to laugh. He looked at Penny and saw she was perfectly serious.

"Okay, honey, let's go then." With a final glare at his partner, Starsky fairly stalked over to the ride and purchased the tickets. Starsky

took a deep breath as he stepped into the swaying carriage. How bad can it be? He tried to convince himself.

Hutch and Cindy climbed in the other side and the ride started. Penny and Cindy were enthralled by the view but Hutch was more interested in observing his partner trying so hard to be stoic. Biting back a grin, he pointed to the ground, suggesting other rides they should go on. Starsky glared at him again, but proceeded to look ahead, rather than down. When the wheel stopped with their carriage at the top, it was apparent to Hutch that Starsky was trying to fight his nausea and panic.

"Look, Dave, that looks an interesting ride." It was Penny speaking to him this time. Starsky shivered, still refusing to look down. "The sign is really interesting…, Ghost Train it says and the illuminated skull and crossbone look great."

Starsky opened his eyes as the wheel started moving again. They were going down, at last. In truth it had not even been a couple of minutes, but it felt like an eternity to him.

"Can we go on the ghost train, Dave? Please?" Penny seemed oblivious to Starsky's unease but Hutch grinned widely as the wheel stopped again and Starsky all but jumped from the carriage.

"It seems like your kind of ride, Starsk! It stays on the ground!" Hutch couldn't resist baiting him.

"Yeah, okay, Penny." With a final dirty look at his still grinning partner, they made their way to the unusual ride.

Starsky stared at the building, with the ominous painting of the skull and crossbone over it. He watched as a small vehicle came out of the blackened door and a couple of kids jumped out. It did appear to remain on the ground. But there was another issue.

"This is a kids ride! No way am I going on this!" Starsky was indignant.

"Hey, the carnival is for kids, and you fit in real well. I'm sure you'll have a ball." Hutch was trying not to laugh at Starsky's face.

"I take it then, Mr Hutchinson, Sir, you won't be taking a ride on the ghost train?" Starsky asked with pointed politeness.

"Uh, no, I think I'll grab a drink for Cindy. You don't want to take a ride do you?" Hutch winked at his date.

Cindy shook her head emphatically but Penny was very keen.

"Please, Dave, I've always loved rides at carnivals and was never allowed to go on them as a kid. This looks fun…" Her voice trailed off as another small vehicle came out, this time carrying two adults. Starsky was lost and he ignored Hutch as he turned to go and buy the tickets. Somehow he knew he'd never hear the end of this. Holding his head held high, and ignoring Hutch, he and Penny made their way to the gate and when the next car came round, he helped Penny step in, and then followed her. Seemingly oblivious to the laughing faces of his partner and Cindy, the car started to move and Starsky's car entered the dark building.

Almost immediately haunting music started and the sounds of screams hit him. He winced and jumped slightly and winced as he felt hands touching his shoulders. It was so dark, it was impossible to see anything except the faintest outlines of figures. Some scary ride for kids! Starsky thought. Suddenly a light would flash, showing a ghostly looking figure. Penny screamed, thoroughly enjoying herself but Starsky was suddenly uneasy. He knew he was being stupid feeling so uneasy on a kids ride, but he was. All the uneasy feelings he'd been experiencing over the last couple of months seemed to overwhelm him and he was suddenly sorry that he hadn't confided in Hutch. He didn't like how dark it was, or the sudden emergence of the figures. A sheet covered figure flew in front of them, causing Penny to scream again. Her screams echoed through the cavernous building. Fucking great, Hutchinson! Starsky thought to himself as he held Penny close. This is ridiculous! My heart is thundering over a stupid ride! The car shuddered to a stop. I just wasted my money on this ride and now it's broken down. I guess I should be grateful the ferris wheel didn't break down. Suddenly all noise stopped and the darkness seemed to encompass them more, along with the silence. It was a weird sensation to Starsky, sitting there in the complete dark, only hearing the sounds of his and Penny's breathing and his own breathing was increasing in rate. He was feeling more than a little edgy and the discomfort of claustrophobia was starting to bother him. Penny was sitting silently next to him but just as he was about to speak, he felt an arm go around his neck, holding him firmly in a headlock. He struggled but the hold became a stranglehold and his strength was spent in trying to breathe. His hands went up, trying to loosen the hold, without success. He tried to call out, to choke, but the grip just tightened and he felt himself starting to black out. He thought he could hear Penny's soft words, "I'm sorry, Dave, really sorry…."

"Simon has requested your company, Detective Starsky." Starsky gained sudden strength with the surge of panic the words instilled in him. He started to choke out help, but then his nose and mouth were smothered with a foul smelling rag. The chloroform worked quickly and effectively and his struggling soon ceased. He was completely unaware of being lifted out of the car, or of his legs and arms being bound tightly. A thick wadded piece of cloth was placed in his mouth and tied firmly in place. His wallet and gun were removed, before a sheet was pulled over him like a shroud, but he was out cold as he was lifted again and carried forward.