Hello again! I could have updated this yesterday as I had this chapter done the same time I had the last chapter done, but I couldn't help but leave it on a cliffy! (word stolen from a review on an earlier chapter.) I like cliffies.

Again, slight gore in this one. More so than before, but still not over the top.

Please review. I do love reviews. And would very much like to know your opinion.

Carlton had turned on the sirens and the flashing police lights on the top of his car. He was speeding through traffic, desperate to find the annoying psychic. Everyone stared at the road ahead of them in silence, all thinking about Shawn. All hoping that he was safe. Well, as safe as he could be in this situation. Juliet held her phone in her hand, still debating whether or not to call Shawn. Every time she decided she would call him, Henry would put a hand on her shoulder and shake his head, knowing that a phone call from the cops would only make Shawn's situation more difficult to get out of.

Gus stared out of his window, thinking about Shawn. If he had just gone with him maybe he wouldn't be in this mess. It was his phone call, after all, that got Shawn caught in the first place. Gus also had GPS on his phone. If he was with Shawn, the police could have used his phone to track them. Gus blamed himself.

Henry stared out of the window. He had put his son on this case. He could have said no. If he had said no, Shawn would have been safe. And even though he said that Shawn could be on the case, he still should have assigned him a partner, or something. It's too dangerous to do this alone. Any case is too dangerous to be alone. He should have assigned Lassiter or even Juliet to work with him. They at least had a gun. If danger was near, they could have prevented it. Henry blamed himself.

Carltonstared at the road ahead of him, trying to keep his mind focused on simply getting to the theatre. But, every now and then, his mind would wonder off. Shawn was right about cases. Even though he was a pain, Carlton could not deny that Shawn was a good cop. He should have trusted his theory. Or at least, ask Juliet to go with him. Just to make sure he didn't get into any trouble, like he always did. Carltonblamed himself.

Juliet stared out her window. Her boyfriend was in danger. He had a theory and no one believe him. Not even her. And she was his girlfriend. She should be trusting him and listening to his theories, no matter how ridiculous they were. She should have gone with him. She should have listened to him. Juliet blamed herself.

They all blamed themselves. And they all knew the only way to make up for this was by finding Shawn and the people who kidnapped him and bringing them to justice. There was no point in sulking around. They had to hurry and save Shawn. And that's what they all did.

A car pulled up in front of Carlton, causing him to slam on his breaks.

"CAN'T YOU SEE THE FLASHING LIGHTS?!" he yelled out. He reversed out of the crowded street and tried to make his way around the crowd of cars, only to have another car move up right in front him. Everyone in the car yelled out in frustration. "Son of a-" The radio then went off, McNabb trying to get to them.

"WHAT?!" Carlton yelled into the radio. Juliet snatched the radio from his hands.

"You just focus on getting us to the theatre" She said to Carlton. "What is it, McNabb?"

'We're at the motel. We found Shawn's motorbike just outside one of the rooms, but that's the only vehicle we found. We went inside but no one's there. But, I gotta say, this room looks untouched. There's dust everywhere. We did, however, find Shawn's phone in here. Also, there's a chair in the middle of the room and on the floor is blood. We're going through tests right now to identify the blood and we're looking for fingerprints."

"Thanks, Buzz. Keep looking and once your done make your way to the theatre" Juliet said and then she put the radio back down. Lassiter had finally gotten out of the traffic jam and was now making his way towards the theatre.

The four finally arrived at the theatre, taking much longer than it was supposed and taking much longer than any of them were willing to take. They all took notice to the car that was already parked out in front. They took it as a good sign. This hopefully meant that they were in fact right about Shawn's clues and that Shawn was here. If that was true, this meant they weren't too late. But they didn't want to get their hopes up too high. They had to keep hope and they to remain optimistic, but all the worst case scenarios remained in their heads.

What if it was all a trick? What if Shawn was killed as soon as they saw him? What if the kidnappers understood the clues Shawn was giving them and killed him? What if they killed him in the theatre. And the worst though of all, what if they had been too late? What if they come in just as Shawn was shot or stabbed. What then? How would any of them be able to live with themselves.

Carton and Juliet approached the parked car with their guns ready. They pointed the guns to the window of the car, checking each seat to make sure it was empty. Sure enough, it was. No one was in the car. But when Henry held up a torch to take a proper look inside, they found that the back seat was covered in blood. Gus was even able to hold back his normal reflexes in this situation. He was far too focused on the fact that that blood belonged to his possibly dead best friend.

The four of them ran towards the entrance of the theatre before Carlton turned back and faced Henry.

"Stay by the car" Carlton said, desperate to keep family out of this case. Then he turned back to the door.

"Excuse me?" Henry yelled.

"Stay by the car!" Carlton yelled back.

"If you think for one second I'm staying here while my son is in there possibly dead, you're in for a shock."

"We're going in. Stay by the car in case we miss them or in case they find a back exit."

"Lassiter, I-"

"The longer we argue about this, the less time we have to save your son! Now stay by the car!" Carlton yelled.

Henry stared after the two detectives and Gus as the three of them ran into the theatre. Henry looked up and prayed to God – something he never used to do often – that they would find his son in time. He took back every harsh word he said to him, every criticism and every single time he told his son no. If his son died before he got the chance to say he was sorry or before he got the chance to tell him how much he cared for him, Henry Spencer would never forgive himself.

Carlton entered the theatre first, gun already held up at a position to kill. He looked around, checking both corridors before signalling at the others to come in. Juliet went in next, gun up and ready. She and Carlton looked around, checking for any sign of the kidnappers, any sign of Shawn or any sign of a struggle. Gus entered last and was the first to notice the blood.

"Hey guys" he called out, crouching down to get a better look at the blood on the ground. "Take a look at this." Carlton and Juliet crouched down next to him. Carlton put his finger on top and played with it in his hands.

"It's not dry yet. This happened recently" Carlton said. Everyone let out a sigh of relief. Shawn was alive when he entered the theatre. Whether or not he was still alive was unknown to all of them. "The trail of blood continues on towards that direction" Carlton said, pointing towards the backstage. "But it stops soon after."

"We should follow it" Juliet said.

"But what if it's a trick?" Gus asked. "What if they set it up so that we follow the trail only to find Shawn isn't there and we're too late?" Carlton and Juliet exchanged glances.

"It's your call" Carlton said to Juliet.

"I… I don't… I don't kno-" Juliet was then cut off by a yell in pain, easily recognizable as Shawn, coming from the stage.

The three of them didn't have the time to exhale in relief that for the moment Shawn was alive. As soon as they heard the scream, they ran to Shawn's aid. They all tried to remember that for the moment he's alive. But that would quickly be replaced with the though; 'Yes, but for how long?'

They finally arrived at the stage to see a sight they all hoped never to have to see again. Natalie was sprawled on the floor, already starting to pick herself up. Shawn was on his knees, hands tied behind is back, face in pure agony. And then worst of all, William Pond was holding on to Shawn's head, holding a knife to Shawn's throat. A drop of blood already falling down his neck.

Carlton and Juliet both pointed their gun to William's head. "FREEZE!" they both yelled. Gus hid behind the two detectives and Natalie quickly stood up, searching frantically for her gun. William pulled Shawn up to his feet and placed his knife back onto Shawn's neck.

"Put down your weapon!" Carlton yelled.

"I know how this plays out now" William said. "Put down your guns, or he dies."

Juliet stared at Shawn. Shawn stared at both detectives, thankful they were there to save him, but unsure of what to do next.

The sound. It's still there. It sounds like something is rubbing against something else. That squeaking. The sound of a rope being strained. That's what the sound was!

"I SAID PUT DOWN YOUR WEAPON!" Carlton yelled. Natalie finally found her gun and held it up and pointed it to Juliet. Carlton switched his aim to Natalie.

"Put down your guns, or the psychic dies!" William yelled. "I will do it!"

Juliet remembered then… this man had killed four people with a knife. He would have killed Shawn a minute ago if the three of them hadn't walked in just in time. William Pond would kill Shawn. There was no doubt in Juliet's mind about it. Juliet put down her gun and placed it on the floor, focusing on Shawn only. Shawn was looking up, staring at something. Juliet followed his gaze but saw nothing, so she looked to her partner.

"Carlton, put it down" she said.

"You should listen to you partner" William said.

"Put your weapon down!" Carlton said again. "Put it down!"

"Do you really think I won't do it?" William asked. "Put down your gun!"

"Carlton-"

"Put down your weapon!"

William moved his knife from Shawn's throat and stabbed him in the gut. This time, he didn't yell. He didn't struggle he didn't yell he didn't even grunt. He just looked down at the knife in he stomach and suddenly felt himself collapsing to the ground. William held him up, supporting Shawn's full weight. He yanked his knife out of Shawn's stomach and put it back to Shawn's throat.

"LASSIE PUT DOWN YOUR GUN!" Gus yelled.

"Shawn…" Juliet said barely above a whisper. Tears were already falling as all she could do was stare at her doomed boyfriend. Carlton looked at Shawn, waiting for a sign that he was still alive. Shawn opened his eyes and stared at Carlton. And at last, he put his gun on the ground and kicked it over.

"Well, congratulations, psychic" William said. "You get one more chance to find me my money." Shawn looked up again, finally finding the source of the noise.

"Gus…" Shawn croaked. Gus stared at Shawn, hoping these wouldn't be his last words. "Gus, take a step back." Everyone stared at him in confusion. "Just take a step back!" Shawn said with as much force as he could. Gus quickly did as told and just as he did, one of the sand bags from the ceiling fell right where Gus was standing.

Gus stared at the sandbag in front of him in shock. He had come to save Shawn and yet… there was his best friend, practically dead, saving him. Once again. To everyone's surprise and confusion, Shawn was smiling.

"Gus, look around" Shawn said, his voice only just audible. "look at the set. Who's set is this?" Gus looked around, eyes wide.

"It's Helga Duff's set!"

"Exactly. That sandbag was meant to fall. That sandbag was meant to kill Helga Duff." Natalie immediately looked at her husband, suspecting him in an instant. She wouldn't be surprised if she found out that William had set that up.

"I don't understand what that has to do with my money" William said.

"It has everything to do with the money" Shawn said. "Helga Duff had left 2 million dollars to Drake Ramoray in her will. Drake intended on killing Helga Duff and getting her money. That's why you over heard him talking about rebuilding the theatre. He knew he'd get the money soon. It would look like an accident. A sand bag fell and hit Helga on the head. She died instantly. 2 million dollars are then delivered to Drake Ramoray and in Helga's memory, he rebuilds the theatre. Making it bigger and better."

"But Helga is still alive and well" Gus said.

"So… there's no money?" Natalie asked. Shawn chuckled.

"Not a penny." William stared at Natalie in shock. "So there" Shawn continued. "That solves your whole money case. Now if you don't mind, I'd very much like to go to the hospital." Shawn felt a lump in his throat and finally coughed, something he'd been holding in. Shawn coughed up blood. He lost strength and began to collapse again but William held him up, knowing very well that Shawn was his only way out of this way. Natalie put down her gun.

"What are you doing?" William asked. Natalie place her gun on the floor and kicked it out of the way. She put her hands behind her head and started walking towards Juliet and Carlton.

"There's no money" Natalie said. "It's not worth it. To run forever, being chased by cops and there's not even a penny for us." Juliet pulled out her handcuffs and cuffed Natalie's hands behind her back. "No one dies." Natalie repeated.

William stared at her wife, shocked. But he stayed strong. He was not going back to prison. Not in a million years. He still has Shawn. The detectives couldn't do anything while he was still holding Shawn. And, the proof was right in front of him. Neither Carlton nor Juliet went to get their guns. They just stared at Shawn, waiting for him to be safe again. William swallowed, trying desperately to come up with a plan to get out of this mess.

William pushed Shawn to the ground and ran towards the exit. Carlton ran to his gun, picked it up and chased after William. Gus and Juliet ran to Shawn. Juliet quickly untied Shawn and held him close. Gus got out his phone and quickly called the ambulance. Natalie didn't run, though she could have. She just stared at the dying man before her, knowing very well that she could have stopped this.

Carlton was chasing William, gun in hand. William was taking random turns, hoping to finally lose the cop that was chasing him. There was enough distance between them that if he could just get to the doors, he could lock Carlton in. and then he'd be home free. So he ran towards the doors and just as he made it out, he shut them and locked it. On the other side of the glass door, Carlton finally arrived. He shook the door, trying desperately to open it. Once he realized he couldn't, he pointed his gun to William's head, hoping that the glass wasn't bulletproof.

Henry was waiting by the car, just as Carlton had told him. All he could do was think about his son. Was he alive? Would he be alive in five minutes? Is he safe? Then, he looked at the entrance. He saw a man run to the doors. He just made it through before he shut them behind him and locked it. Then, he saw Carlton on the other side of the doors, desperately trying to open them. Then, Carlton pointed his gun at the man on the outside.

That was all Henry needed.

He ran towards the man on the outside and tackled him down. He punched him hard in the face. Luckily, surprise was on Henry's side. He was easily able to turn William over and with the pair of handcuffs Carlton left in his car, Henry handcuffed William's hands behind his back.

Henry picked William up and dragged him along with him. He unlocked the door and greeted Carlton, who was still lost for words after seeing Henry take down William so easily.

"Don't look so shocked, Lassiter" Henry said. "Now, where's my son?" Carlton snapped back into reality.

"Uhhh…."

"Oh my God" Henry said. "Is he…."

"No. But…" Henry handed William to Carlton, as if he were a used unwanted toy and then ran to the stage where he found his son on the floor covered in blood. His head was on Juliet's lap and Gus was sitting right next to Shawn, holding on to his hand. All three of them were crying. Henry approached his dying son, scared that the ambulance might not make it in time.

"Dad" Shawn said but Henry just put a finger to his lips.

"Save your strength, kiddo" he said. Shawn put a small smile on his face as more tears rolled down his face. Henry couldn't stay strong any more. He collapsed to the ground and held Shawn's hand, sobbing. Without saying a word, Henry managed to show Shawn exactly what he had wanted to tell him. Shawn squeezed his hand in reply. Showing his dad what he had wanted to tell him.

Lassiter approached them with Buzz McNabb behind him. Buzz grabbed Natalie's arm and escorted her out of the building. After, of course, telling Shawn what a great friend he was and that he was sorry he couldn't come earlier and help.

"You not gonna say bye, Lassie?" Shawn asked, trying to add in a little chuckle. But it just turned into another cough.

"Why would I do that?" Carlton asked.

"Dammit, Carlton!" Juliet said, tears still streaming down her face. "I know you and Shawn have had your differences but at least be here with him!"

"There's no point. An ambulance will arrive any minute and he'll be fine" Carlton said, trying to convince himself more so than to convince the others. Shawn managed to get a small chuckle in, before he finally gave into the darkness.

Despite the cries and the screams and the begging, Shawn gave in.

Surrounded by darkness, the pain was finally gone. He was numb all over. Nothing could hurt him anymore. And then he saw the most beautiful thing in the world. A glorious white light.