Same Disclaimers: S&H do not belong to me, and no profit is being made.
Same warnings: this is a dark story, with sexual violence, violence and some bad language. Please do not read if this offends.
Thank you for your kind reviews.
Chapter 4
Starsky had lost all track of time as the shadowy figures continued to surround him. His bonds had remained tight and he was unable to move away from the probing hands. No one had sought to hurt him yet but his confused mind couldn't comprehend this and he was trapped in a dark and frightening world. The world of Simon Marcus… He could close his eyes against the flickering candles, and ominous figures, but the chanting continued, as did the touches. He grimaced as he felt his robe being lifted and the hands started along his legs, and inner thighs. His tormentors were taking their time, not hurting him, but trying to break his resistance down. Hands were everywhere, stroking his head, his body, with no pain so far, but the relentless touching terrorizing him as he remained so helpless. He knew it could change very quickly and he would not be able to prevent them doing anything.
"Oh God, no….Hutch, please…." Starsky couldn't even buck away from the hands even though every instinct in him screamed against the increasingly close touches. Shutting his mind to the terror, he tried to focus on the memory of his partner and best friend. He had to believe Hutch would find him, although it was becoming more and more difficult to hold onto that hope.
"So, Detective Starsky, are you ready to admit you belong to us? Are you ready to accept Simon as your leader?" Starsky shook his head weakly. No way…He tried to concentrate on what Hutch would do when he found him, anything to avoid the hands all over him.
"What do you think, Detective Starsky? Do you think Hutchinson would like to be here too? Do you think he'd want to come to the party?" Starsky's reaction was as violent as it could be and Marcus smirked as he recognised a weakness he could exploit. Starsky had an Achilles heel all right, it was his partner. He pulled the gag down, wanting to hear Starsky's reaction.
"You sick fucker! This is between you and me. You know you can't beat me on your own so you wanna involve Hutch. You're nothin' more than a cowardly, perverted junkie…" Starsky's voice was weak as he breathed in deeply but there was no mistaking the venom. The thought of Hutch enduring the tortures Marcus' freaks were capable of was enough to send him over the edge. The surge of anger gave him the strength to lift his head slightly and to spit at Marcus. It missed Marcus who just grinned evilly at his angry prisoner.
"Oh, I can beat you, Starsky. I can and I will and then I'll get your partner. I think it's time you learn who's the master."
Starsky turned his face away from the mocking voice and when he felt his chin being grabbed and his face being turned so that he was facing Marcus, he closed his eyes defiantly.
Marcus simply laughed at the valiant resistance, knowing it was futile and enjoying Starsky's stubbornness.
As his eyes were closed, Starsky couldn't see the large knife that Penny brought out, but he felt the ropes over his chest and legs being cut, and his arms were grabbed as he was lifted into a sitting position. Dizzy and disoriented, Starsky opened his eyes to find himself staring at the very close face of Marcus who smirked at him. He involuntarily flinched as Marcus produced a long whip and started stroking it.
"Yes, Starsky, I think you need to learn some lessons. I wasn't going to hurt you but you're insistent on making this difficult. You're going to make this tough, aren't you. Okay, then, so be it."
Starsky refused to react as he watched Marcus swinging the whip but he swallowed hard. He knew he couldn't expect any mercy and he prayed he would be strong enough to survive until Hutch found him. Hutch would find him, he had to believe that. Memories of the broken bodies Marcus had left in his wake came unbidden and he had to force down his panic.
The men who were holding his arms pulled him off the bench. From having been in one position for so long, Starsky's legs immediately gave way and he collapsed to the ground. The chain securing his wrists was picked up and pulled forward, causing the heavy chain around his waist to cut into him and as he was pulled, he fell forward. Sounds of laughter echoed amongst the chanting, and he swore to himself as he was hauled along the ground, his body being scraped and jostled. With his ankles still bound, he was unable to help himself and he bit his lip in an attempt to remain silent. He didn't want to give them any satisfaction by protesting or swearing. After a few moments, his captors tired of dragging him so slowly, and he was lifted and carried outside and dropped. It was dark and cold, but he could see they were outside and they were clearly somewhere in the country. The flickering candles and moonlight provided some light but it was clear that no help was around. No one to hear any noise.
His captors quickly hauled him up and he was pushed face first against a solid tree. He heard several clicks as his wrists were unsecured from the waist chain and his wrists were pulled upwards, stretching him before they were secured again over what was obviously a branch. His feet remained on the ground so he was spared the agony of hanging by his wrists but he was still stretched and uncomfortable and he could feel the blood from his wrists trickling down his arms, bleeding which had been caused by the too tight chains. Taking a deep breath, Starsky tried to calm his racing heart.
"Oh, David, it doesn't have to be this way." Penny moved up to him and stroked the side of his face. "It could be so good…"
"Forget it! I'll never admit defeat. Marcus is an animal and you're no better than him." He recoiled as she slapped the back of his head hard.
"You're a fool. Simon will win whatever you say. It could have been a lot easier for you." She stood away, trying to hide the tears in her eyes. She knew all along that Dave was never going to give in and she was frightened about what was going to happen. For the first time, she felt some regrets for getting involved.
Starsky braced himself but nothing happened at first. Marcus stood next to him, holding the whip but remaining silent and staring at him. Vaguely Starsky became aware that the chanting had ceased, but the silence was heavy and he felt the terror encompassing him again.
"Whadda ya waiting for, you sick bunch of freaks?" Starsky's voice was weaker than he wanted.
Without a word Marcus walked behind him and grabbed the neck of the black robe. Pulling it forcefully, it ripped off easily, leaving Starsky naked again. Marcus continued his disconcerting stare at Starsky who had now started to tremble.
The chanting had recommenced softly and Starsky braced himself as he waited for the first blow.
The first sudden and violent contact of the whip across his back took his breath away, but he managed not to yell out. The second one followed quickly, and he gasped as the leather sliced into him. The third blow followed even more quickly and he was soon left gasping for breath as the lashes continued at a rapid rate. After several lashes, he was groaning and suddenly, without volition, he found himself yelling and cursing as the agony continued.
"You bastards! Oh so brave with me tied up…..arrrrrrrrr Sick mother fuckers….." Starsky forced the words out as his world narrowed into a pain-filled hole as the vicious strikes continued to lash him. He knew he was bleeding but he was only aware of the intense agony as the sweat and tears poured down his face. He continued to swear and curse, but he was rapidly weakening. As the violence continued, he found himself drifting out of awareness, but as soon as this happened, a bucket of water was thrown over him, denying him any oblivion.
The chanting continued, but finally the cruel whipping ended. His head was resting on the tree and he was left trying to catch his breath and to not throw up. His body was throbbing with intense pain, and he was no longer sure that Hutch could save him this time. He closed his eyes and remained leaning against the tree. He was sore, and cold, and in deep shock after the brutal beating.
Starsky was unaware of how long he'd been there when he heard the footsteps approaching him again. But he couldn't bring himself to react, even as Marcus touched his wounds. A flinch from the cruel touch was all that he could manage. Marcus breathed into his ears.
"Are you willing to join us yet?" The voice whispered.
Starsky turned his head slowly and looked at Marcus with bleary, pain-filled eyes. "Never you, bastard…"
Marcus tensed initially, frustrated at his prisoner's continuing defiance. No he hadn't won yet, but there couldn't be any doubt. He placed a bottle of water in front of Starsky's face.
"I see you're not quite convinced, Starsky. But you will be. Would you like a drink?" Starsky's mouth was dry and he knew he was weak from hunger and thirst but he didn't want to give an inch, or admit any weakness.
"Go to hell, you murdering bastard." Starsky croaked. He winced as Marcus grabbed his chin, and he felt his head being pulled back roughly. The bottle was placed against his mouth and poured into his throat. Desperately trying to spit out the contents, he was forced to swallow to avoid choking as Marcus continued to pour the liquid into his mouth.
"Can't have you thirsty, Starsky." Marcus mocked as he released Starsky's head. He dropped it against the tree as Starsky struggled to catch his breath. Footsteps walked away and Starsky was left alone, still tied to his tree and cold. When the first of the cramps started, he instinctively wanted to curl up, but secured as he was, he simply wasn't able to. As the cramps increased with intensity, he began to scream, his voice hoarse and weak but still unmistakeable.
"Huuuutch….."