Tortured

Chapter 6

by KaraB


Fandom: Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

Rating: T contains content not suitable for children under 13

Summary: The SVU squad works on solving a case and one of their own becomes a target. Cliché summary, but not the target you think.

Warnings: Mucho angst


Munch was shaking but it certainly wasn't with fear. He felt rage… at this psycho, at himself. A girl was dead and he'd done nothing to prevent it. That nothing could have been done didn't really matter. He stared at the man in front of him. "Then go ahead," Munch finally spoke. His voice was perfectly calm, his eyes daring the man to do something. "At least I don't get off on murdering people who can't fight back." A long pause ensued. "So what the hell are you waiting for?"

"I'll get to you Detective. Just not as quickly and mercifully as I did her."

"And that's supposed to scare me? You know I really don't care anymore." And he didn't. He was sick of the game… sick of being jerked around.

"Don't be so stressed and worried Detective," the man said in a cheerier tone. "Your friends will eventually find you. Just probably not alive."

"What a comforting thought," Munch responded wryly.


"Anything?" Cragen asked urgently. "We've got one hour left," he snapped.

Captain, you know we're doing everything we can," Elliot said.

"And that ain't gonna be good enough," Fin said, frustrated. "Shut up and stop wasting time," he snapped. "That tape is due to arrive tomorrow and I ain't planning on watching some psycho chopping up my partner."

No one argued with Fin, knowing it was pointless and that they would all be doing the same if it were their partner who was missing instead.

Casey walked in the room. "I've got you a location," she spoke, holding out a piece of paper.

Fin grabbed it, followed out by Elliot, Olivia and several other detectives. Cragen stopped to talk to her a minute. "You coming?" She nodded and followed him out to the car. "How did you get it?"

"I gave him immunity."

"I thought you said..." Cragen began.

"I did. And my boss will have my head. You owe me, big time, but I'll take the heat to save one of you guys. Just find him before anything happens."

"Oh, we intend to," Cragen replied. "We'll catch him and get you the evidence. Just lock him up so he can't hurt any more of my people. Or anyone else, for that matter."


Munch had always known that there was the possibility he'd get killed in the line. He'd seen it happen to others, he'd seen others lose partners. And even though he'd known it could happen to him, this was definitely not the way he'd pictured it happening. Beaten for hours in a dark room by some psycho and covered in blood.

"And what about the last meal… even death row inmates get that…"

This ain't death row, Detective. This is my own private version of hell for cops." He smiled. "You got to watch her die and now you will die too… Fitting end for a cop… unable to do his job in the end."

Munch moaned again, fighting the unconsciousness that threatened to overpower him. He wasn't going to go quietly. He didn't care how little success there was for resistance. I Where the hell are you guys? /I he fussed mentally.

It seemed like hours later between the beatings and the breaks the guy took. But it likely wasn't that long. Munch was struggling to sit back up as the guy had just left, and in a hurry to boot.

"Police!" That shout was the most welcome sound John Munch had heard in days. He recognized his partner's voice immediately. "Munch?"

It took Munch a long moment to recover and call out. "I'm here." He coughed after yelling out, the room he was in was filled with dust. He shifted... feeling how raw his wrists were in the tight restraints as well.

Suddenly the door burst open. Munch was blinded by the lights that shone in, but he could hear them.

"Munch!" Fin's voice was full of worry and concern... something to tease his partner about later... but for now... he was safe. He suddenly stopped trying to move, losing his energy. Fin began undoing the restraints, while Olivia moved to his side.

"John, are you okay?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Just get me the hell out of here." After Fin freed his arms, he leaned back against the wall, looking tired.

"Oh my God..." Elliot remarked from the other side of the room.

Olivia looked up. "What is it Elliot?" Cragen came in just then and surveyed the room.

"He killed another girl," Munch spoke up. "Maybe a couple hours ago."

Cragen knelt next to his detective. "Can you walk out of here?"

Munch nodded, Fin and Cragen both moving to help him. He shot them an annoyed look, but accepted the help. "Just get me the hell out of here," he said again.