Sounds of Screaming:

Chapter Eleven: No Pity for a Coward

Disclaimer: I just can't bear saying it anymore! Just check all previous chapters for the thing I'm meant to say here. ;)

Author's Note: Well done to you all for taking a crack at the previous chapter meaning "Nature Within Us" , but sadly, no-one's got the secret answer yet. Since it seems to be a tad difficult to get, I'm gonna give you a hint... Life & Death, it's a heavy price to pay...

So keep guessing guys!

Calleigh remained frozen in place, time seemed as chilling unmoving though her mind ran a mile a minute.

The flash...

Her mind was buzzing and calculating all at the same time. The answer seemed to be obvious yet eluded her.

Is that a...

She mentally ran through every possibility of the flash; windows were eliminated immediately, the flash came from atop the shop roof. It would have to be something round and small...

Realisation hit her like a bucket of cold water, as though her groggy mind was awaken from a dream, Calleigh realised what the flash was.

Oh God!

BANG!

Calleigh jumped at the noise, her hand moved for her gun whilst her mind registered the echo travelling through the alleyway. The noise had come from behind her. Something had hit the ground.

Someone had hit the ground hard, struck down with a force.

Slowly turning around, Calleigh gasped. The sight that met her sent a shockwave through her nerves.

"Ryan! Are you okay?"

Ryan didn't answer her; he lay flat on his back, un-moving. A quiet cough, a gasp for breath was all his lips could manage.

"Ryan!"

He still didn't answer her.

Horatio stood in silence, thinking over what Frank had just told him. In a way, it made sense, it was probably what was running through the killer's head and in a way, Horatio wanted it to be the answer.

"Think about it Horatio, Wolfe replaced Speed, that Vincent kid replaced Cooper. That's the whole "guilty" thing. You gotta have someone to replace to have a replacement."

Horatio remained silent, a weight lifting off his burdened shoulder. If Frank was right and boy did he hope he was right, it could mean none of his people were truly guilty.

But nothing ever ran so smoothly for the Lieutenant...there was always someone guilty in Miami.

"It's a possibility Frank...a possibility."

Frank nodded, knowing his idea was just a long-shot. "What you think it is Horatio?"

The red-haired Lieutenant stood in silence once more. He also had theories, though his were much simpler than Frank's.

Either the sender was trying to mess with him, make him distrust his team.

Or...

Or maybe two of these men truly were cold-blooded killers.

Calleigh ran over to Ryan as he struggled to lift his head, his expression dazed and confused. His forehead creased as the pain in his lower back throbbed, liquid pooling and seeping through his jacket and trousers.

The Southern CSI could barely suppress her laughter.

"Are you okay?"

Ryan sat up, groaning. Stretching out his arms, he flicked out his fingers, watching with distaste as the sludge and dirt flew off in lumps. He could feel the combination of filth, grime and God knows what else already drying into his clothes and skin.

It had to be me to slip on a banana peel didn't it?

"This. Is. Disgusting."

Ryan shot a look at Calleigh, who was smirking down at the young CSI. "I would help you up but.."

Calleigh eyed the sludge oozing off his hands with a wrinkled nose.

"Its fine, I got it." Ryan climbed up to his feet, sticking out his tongue and groaning as he attempted to shake off the rest of the liquid filth. His eyes squinted, features crunching up as he really felt the sludge cling to his skin.

"God I can feel it running down my leg, can I change or something?"

Calleigh couldn't help but laugh again, "Fraid not, you gotta help me get up there."

Ryan's eyes followed Calleigh's pointing finger, eyes resting at the top of a small shop across the street. "What's up there?"

Calleigh smirked again, "Follow me and I'll show you." She began to lead the way over to the opposing building, ducking under the tape and crossing the street. As they walked, Calleigh couldn't help but think of the first time they were at this scene.

"Ryan...are you ever gonna tell me where you were that night?"

Ryan looked at her with a steel coldness in his eyes; his eyes then turned away and looked ahead towards the building.

"It's nothing Cal, okay?"

Calleigh wasn't satisfied with his answer.

"Have you at least told Horatio or Natalia so we don't have to worry about you?"

His lips twitched a smile, "By "we", you mean you and Eric?"

Calleigh blushed lightly, but didn't smile; he wasn't going to get out of answering by changing the subject. After a moment, Ryan sighed deeply.

"No, no-one knows..."

He was disappointed in himself; he had tried to tell Natalia earlier, the truth was on the tip of his tongue...and then he had come out with another lie. As they stopped beside the building, Ryan's own thoughts were against him.

I'm such a coward.

Both CSI's craned their necks up to study the source of flashing light.

"Is that a camera?"

Calleigh nodded, "Yep, looks like it's in perfect position to catch the killer dumping Marie's body too."

Ryan looked back across at the crime scene, shocked. "I can't believe I missed that."

Once again, Calleigh's eyes travelled up to the sun's position. "Well, if you were out here this morning the sun would have been in your eyes. Don't beat yourself up Ryan."

Ryan nodded but didn't seem to be listening, his eyes travelled back up to the camera. "I can't believe I missed that."

Calleigh followed his line of sight. "I bet that's what our killer will say too."

Hm? So Ryan and the killer would say the same thing huh? Both have been called cowards too! Foreshadowing or Coincidence?

Ha...I bet you all thought I shot Calleigh last chapter...and then shot Ryan. Poor guy just slipped in the sludge, he's gonna need a shower! ;D (hands up if you'd pay to see it!) *two hands!*

And is Frank right with the connections? Is that how two of them are guilty or is the answer much more sinister?

Stay tuned to find out ;)

-Mel out ;D

Chapter title is "No Pity for a Coward" by Suicide Silence, because Ryan never gets a break does he? (Though I don't think of him as a coward, quite the opposite really. Such a hero though CBS never seem to notice :grumblegrumble: but they sure as hell don't pity or cut him slack either :()