Ok, so here it is, the long awaited update. I must say I was quite disspaointed, only four reviews this chapter? Come on guys, ou can do better than that! This story is drawing to a close and without support I might choose not to do a sequel. Come on guys! At least let me know that you're reading! Even if it's just stopping by to tell me that you liked it or hated it.

This chapter goes out to the wonderful X fuji X who reviewed absolutely every chapter. Watch and learn guys.

Reid lifted himself on one arm, his other clutched close to his chest, wrist bent at an unnatural angle. A heavily booted foot moved into his vision and slowly, deliberately, applied the considerable weight of its owner to the fingers of his hand. A slight whimper echoed in his ears as this fresh wave of agony briefly overwhelmed the dull aches and raging pains from the rest of his body. The boot slowly lifted, leaving red welts where the grip had broken the bruised and battered skin. It continued it's upward journey until it reached the level of Reid's already trembling elbow, it moved forward slowly to nudge the weak point in his support. He fell hard onto the stone. Caught between his body and the floor his wrist sent yet another wave of fire through his body. Overwhelmed his mind gave up the fight and let him lapse into unconsciousness.

When he came to, Reid found himself in a somewhat awkward position. He lifted his head, neck aching from the awkward position in which it had rested. The clouds from the night before had cleared and a merciless sun beat down on the steaming fields below. Reid rolled his shoulders, finding himself bound to an upright post, his legs caught beneath him. The ground fell steeply some feet away and piles of wood obsucred his view of the platform which supported him. The beautiful red head stepped into view. In the bright light she looked, if possible, even more regal. Her gaze fell on Reid and she smiled.

"I'm afraid my assistants have been a little, overzealous in your treatment." She laughed briefly, as if at some private, inner joke.

"But never fear. We shall not let you die unpurified. I'm sure once the manhunt for the poor missing Garwin boy we'll see who's the most concerned for your wellbeing. And who uses…unorthodox means to aid their search."

The woman brought a small lighter out of her pocket and bent down, touching the flame to the wood. She rose again and jumped down from the platform.

"Goodbye Reid, you've been most helpful. Even if you didn't mean to be."

Reid rested his head back against the stake behind him, glad of its support. A strange peace had stolen over him. There was nothing more they could do to hurt him now. As the fire licked its way closer he almost smiled at it. At least it wasn't cruel. It wasn't trying to hurt him. There was no hatred or pleasure in the pain, it was simply doing what it always did. As the first flames curled close to his his knees his thoughts turned to his friends. Caleb would hide them. They wouldn't be caught, alone or in the open. They would be safe. He sighed, watching the sun as the smoke darkened around him. The fire would reach him soon. Maybe they'd all leave him alone then. Maybe he'd see his father again. He could already here voices calling him. Calling him across to the other side. He was almost there alread the fire just had to lift him just a little more….

"REID!"

Nahahahahahaha, mine is an evil laugh! Shall I kill him? Give him peace? Or do you want a sequel? Come on, tell me. Otherwise I can end it quite nicely here. -evil grin- You know what to do if you want more.

Sammy