Sorry for the delay, I have had trouble with computers and rewriting parts. This is shorter than intended but I hope you still enjoy it.

I've enjoyed playing with this episode and the POVs.

Chapter Six

Hutch

My thoughts were ranging from panic-stricken to trying to maintain my cool as I raced to the ranch. I couldn't bear to think of the condition Starsky would be in by now, or what horrors he would have endured. They were certainly a bunch of sick freaks. As I drove in, I could see the rancher completing a burial. I sighed, maybe my hunch had played out after all. He didn't even look up as I approached.

I showed my ID. "Detective Hutchinson, Mr. Crow."

"I remember ya and I still got nothing to say. Don't get down wind of this stuff. It's quick lime." He continued to try to ignore me. I saw the carcass he was burying--a large bull.

" Looks like somebody did a job on your bull. When did it happen?" I wasn't easily deterred, especially when Starsky's life could depend on me.

"Last night, near as I can figure. I thought I seen the last of it, them tearing my herd to pieces like they done before I put the law on them but now they're back again!" I could sense his anger and frustration but doubted he was going to cooperate. "Damn good bull this time. Blood lines back to Noah's ark. If I catch them hooded snakes, I'll ventilate them, I'll gut 'em and give 'em what they give my stock."

I saw my chance. "If you want to get them, help me! Tell me where you saw them last, how many of them there were, what they were driving. Anything!"

"Sure. Then you'll stick beside me night and day so they don't come get me for squealing on 'em!" The tone was scornful.

"You'll have police protection. I promise you that!" Anything, but anything, please help me find my partner. I wasn't above begging for his life.

"Like you had for your partner, huh? It's on the radio. If they can get to him, I'd sure have some fine chance of lasting out the week! I got nothing to say! I'll look out for me." He turned away from me and I knew I'd lost the argument but I wasn't going to just let it go. I couldn't.

"You won't be able to stop them alone! Work with me and we'll finish it! A man's life could depend on what you know...my partner…"

I started after him, but the world exploded around me, the force of the explosion throwing me to the ground. The barn had exploded, with Crow inside. He had no chance and I could only watch in horror as the flames quickly engulfed the building. Before I could react, the sound of a motor revving some distance away caught my attention and I could see a black van driving away.

Knowing I couldn't do anything to help Crow, I raced to the Torino and squealed the tyres as I floored the gas pedal.

I was determined to catch the bastards but they were equally determined not to be caught. I lost sight of them as they squealed around a corner, but I pressed a little harder, following the trail of dust. Suddenly it was all over and I came to halt near where the van had stopped. I jumped out but the bastards had gone. I could almost hear Marcus' mocking laugh.

Starsky

No one could call me tractable, not even when my life could depend on it and when I was half terrified out of my mind and weak with pain. I didn't really think I had much hope of survival anyway, so I sure as hell didn't intend to make it easier for the freaks. Gail had to cut the ropes binding my ankles and she led me over to the tub. I was just so damn weak and sore. I wasn't at all sure I could make a run for it although I knew it was my one and only chance. I stepped carefully into the tub, not sure what to expect but the water was just pleasantly warm and I realized it would be soothing on my aching and sore body. Gail looked at me with the vacant look again as she started to sponge my cuts. I tried not to wince as the cuts were touched, and forced myself to relax into the warmth. Especially when I felt the ropes around my wrists loosening slightly. I leaned back and made no attempt to struggle even as she touched me all over my body. Timing had to be everything. The chanting of "Si-mon, Si-mon" was slightly distracting again, but I put my mind to wriggling my wrists out of the ropes. Gail was concentrating on washing my hair. After dousing it, the contact stopped and I realized my wrists were free.

"I think I'm through with showers, Gail... I really like being in deep water... it really loosens everything up... especially... ropes!" I moved around as quickly as my sore body would allow but Gail was gone. I pulled myself out of the tub, grabbing a hideous black robe as I did. No sense walking out of there stark naked. Ouch, it hurt pulling it on, and the material was rough on my cuts. The bath had done much to soothe my sores but I was still aching from the beatings I'd endured. No time to think about that yet. I warily made my way down the corridor, listening, watching. I walked down a long corridor which had a sliding door at the end and went through it. I was slightly startled when it shut behind me. I still had little idea of where I was but it sure was a creepy place. I crept around a corner and what I see nearly gave me a heart attack on the spot. A huge brown bear, standing on his hind legs and glaring at me was there. I backed up, but there was nowhere to go. My heart felt like it was going to explode in my chest as I tried to back away from the huge animal.