Lori- So... this chapter is rather... disturbing I would say. Thanks to all the reviewers!

Jaeh- Then again, people here live for… "disturbing", it would seem. And yeah, thanks to all the reviewers!

Disturbingness alert – breeching 8 and/or 9. Or maybe just a seven. Not for claustrophobic people (sort of). You are duly warned.

"Riley!?" Ben screamed, panic taking hold of him. His best friend, only a few paces away, so insanely close… He could save him. "RILEY!" He stepped forward, a boot kicking on the edge of the embers. "RILEY! Riley are you still there?! Oh God where is he…" Ben slammed his foot on to the blazing coals, and he leapt back when the heat seeped through his boot. "RILEY?!"

Ben exhaled, and stared at the coals. If I run through it fast enough… His mind didn't even have time to make internal calculations. Ben launched himself forward, but instead of shooting through the bed of fire his body jerked against a hand holding him back. He pulled at it, and Ben felt more hands tug at him until he stumbled back. "RILEY! Let me go! He's on the other side I could reach him let me go –"

"Ben! Ben what are you doing?!" Abigail screamed by his side – some part of him asked what the heck was Abigail doing in this dangerous and dark place – and pulled on his arm. "We don't know what's in there! Ben!"

"I could save him, Abigail!" He shouted, his voice echoing vaguely in the tunnel. "Riley! RILEY WHERE ARE YOU?! Answer me! Riley!" Nobody answered Ben, and he cursed vehemently. "I'm coming to get you Riley! I'm coming!"

"Ben, calm down!" Ben felt Sadusky's firm grip on his shoulder. Ben pulled against the hands with all his might. "NO! LET ME GO! RILEY'S IN THERE!"

Ben's mind reeled with horrifying images of what Devin might have done and might be doing that very moment. He pulled harder, screaming into the darkness. He tried shaking the hands off his arms. "RILEY! RILEY HANG ON I'M COMING! RILEY!"

"Ben – you have to think this through –" Sadusky said through gritted teeth. "It would be an unnecessary risk –"

Ben wrenched his body away, and his arm reflexively shot out and caught Sadusky square in the jaw. "Riley's worth it, Peter." He spat. "I need to get to him. He's not answering – Devin might already have him and I need to get to him now!"

Sadusky hold slackened a little, and Ben managed to pull himself off with a forceful tug. He almost headed straight into the coals, but Sadusky caught his arm again, and pulled harder.

"Ben. We'll find Riley. I promise you." Sadusky's firm but calming voice seemed to finally get through to Ben. Ben sighed, and he stopped struggling. He staggered back into the cool air of dawn. Ben breathed hard, tears blurring his eyesight. He glanced up at Sadusky, who turned to face his people. They were frozen there, watching him with sympathetic looks on their faces.

Sadusky immediately began shouting instructions to his men, directing a team to the funhouse. "I want you to search every nook and cranny of this place! Leave no stone unturned, we're not leaving here without Riley Poole!"

Ben felt worthless as he sank onto a bench. He felt like he failed his best friend. I couldn't even save him – he's counting on me and… He swiped angrily at the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes. "I was so close to saving him – I knew he was on the other side of the embers and now Devin's got him again!" Ben ran fingers through his hair and pounded his fist. "I was so. damned. close. I could have… Oh God Riley's still in trouble…" He stood up and kicked at the bench. "I could have saved him."

Abigail looked concerned when she approached Ben. She sat beside Ben, and wrapped her arms around him. "We'll find him soon, Ben. We'll find him really soon, it's not over yet. We can't give up." Abigail turned Ben's face to her, and Ben avoided her gaze. "We are not giving up."

Ben looked up at her blearily. "I just hope we're not too late."

Riley slowly clawed his way to consciousness. His body felt heavy and he ached all over. More than ached, burned – it hurt that much. He tried moving, and found that he couldn't. His mind sluggishly tried to put the pieces together.

A few minutes had gone by before he realized he was sitting down in a chair. Riley's hands were bound behind him again, clamped in cold handcuffs. After trying to jerk his legs, he realized they were bound to the chair too. Something was tightening around his neck.

Riley groaned and opened his eyes. The first thing that came into focus was Devin, leaning over him. He was tying something around Riley's neck… for a horrible moment Riley thought it was a noose.

"What…what are you…" his voice only came out as a croak.

"Ahh… good to have you back Mr. Poole."

Something felt, horribly, horribly wrong. It was an effort to get a sentence out; it felt like he mouth wasn't working right. Riley strained his memory and remembered the sharp pinprick in his neck. Devin must have injected some sort of drug into him. Everything seemed weirdly distorted and his body shook with exhaustion and pain. He knew he was fading fast, but he wasn't sure why.

Groaning, he blinked down at himself and his stomach churned over with shock. His clothing was totally different. He was wearing a black suit which was a little wrinkled and a little loose, but otherwise fit him well enough. It struck Riley then that Devin was tying a black tie around his neck, and he tried not to choke thinking about it.

He had thought he was hallucinating from whatever Devin had injected into him. But then he realized a hallucination would be merciful compared to what was happening to him. Whatever this is. What is happening?

"Wh…What is this?" Riley moaned, twisting his raw wrists in the handcuffs. Devin looked up briefly at Riley before returning to tying.

"Just relax. I'm almost done." Riley winced as Devin tugged the tie tightly over the cut on his neck. "There we go." He straightened Riley's tie and patted his chest. The cuts on his chest stung in agony, but Riley couldn't even scream.

Oh God… why am I…what did he… he wanted to throw up. It wasn't lost to Riley that Devin had… undressed him when he was unconscious, and he felt horribly violated. But he couldn't do anything about it, all he could do was sit here and wait to die, alone and humiliated, at the hands of this sadistic psychopath. He wanted to cry or scream or both, but he was so exhausted.

"If you feel a little odd it's only because of the tranquilizer I used on you," Devin chuckled, straightening the suit. "You won't be able to do much of anything for a while"

"Don't do this…" Riley choked out. "Let me go… Please."

Devin leered at him and brushed his hand over Riley's cheek, and stroked it with his thumb. "Now Mr. Poole, why would I do that? You're my little trophy. I earned you fair and square."

Riley closed his eyes to hide his fear, but he couldn't stop his body from trembling. Devin's hand lingered for a few moments before it dropped back into Devin's pocket. Riley opened his eyes, trying to breathe around the sob caught in his throat. I'm not going to give him the satisfaction. I'm not.

Devin had stepped back and tilted is head in scrutinizing manner, as if evaluating his work. Riley blearily noticed something in his hand. What is that… a camera? His stomach dropped. I don't want to know what that's being used for.

"I'm sure you noticed this lovely suit you're wearing," Devin said conversationally. "Used that one on another toy. He was dead when he was wearing it though. It's a little big on you, but that's okay, we'll make it work."

Riley squeezed his eyes closed, a part of him going out to this man he never knew. He was captured and tortured and taken away from his family just like he was. Riley had never truly hated someone, but it was the only thing he felt toward Devin. Pure, cold, hatred.

"Y-You… sick bastard," he whispered, a tear falling from his eye. "Go burn in hell." Devin just smiled and brushed some lint from Riley's shoulder.

Then he turned around and adjusted a small digital camera. "Riley… do you know what post-mortem photography is?"

Riley's breath was ragged as he began to struggle with the handcuffs. "Why don't…you enlighten me," he spat. Devin's eyes narrowed, at him as if displeased that Riley still had the energy to fight. "After someone dies… you dress them up, prop them in a chair, and it give the effect that they're still alive. You of course, are still alive. And that's rather unfortunate for you. But a proper burial is still in order."

Riley kept his eyes locked on Devin, trying to keep his the fear from his expression. He struggled desperately with his bound hands; his wrists fast becoming wet with blood. He knew he needed to get out now, but he couldn't, and it made him feel so helpless…

"I like to keep these pictures as mementos," Devin continued thoughtfully. "Each toy that I have brings a whole set of different memories."

"What do you do, put them in a scrapbook?" Riley said, still trying to pull the cuffs off. He grunted with the effort. "I bet you even put in some of those dainty ribbons and fuzzy wires."

Devin sneered, circling around him. He paused, seeing the blood dripping from his wrists.

"Riley…why struggle so much?" he said snidely. "Look at it this way, your little friends won't have to worry about arranging your funeral."

Riley closed his eyes. Ben…Abby… I never got to say goodbye…I'm sorry.

"It's a shame really…" Devin purred. "There still life to squeeze out of you…I would have loved to keep going… just to see how much you could take. But the sun is coming up, and no matter how fun the game if, it's getting pretty old."

Devin smiled coldly at him and Riley knew he was an old toy… a toy that the psychopath was done abusing.

"I can send some of these pictures to your dear friends…" Devin taunted him, making a show of adjusting the camera's settings. Riley fought back tears and shivers. He needed to be strong – if not for himself, for his friends.

"Now, Mr. Poole, tilt your head to the left." Riley didn't move. He breathed hard with fright and panic. He needed to be a defiant. He wouldn't go down without fighting, no sir, I wouldn't.

"Come on now, don't be stubborn." His face was roughly grabbed and turned, and Riley fought against it. "We want to see those pretty blue eyes." Devin brushed Riley's unruly hair with one hand, and fixed his collar. "There: that's perfect."

The thought of his friends finding nothing but these sick pictures was too much to bear.

"There we go. All done." Devin put down his camera and smirked down at Riley. "We're someplace where no one will ever find you. Right inside the carousel. Isn't that wonderful, Riley? Look at all the pretty horses." Riley remained silent. He refused to cater to his tormentor's amusement. A backhand across his face caused him to groan. "Answer Daddy's question, Riley." When Riley didn't answer he was struck again. "My toys must listen to me."

Riley spat out blood, and glared at Devin. "I'm not…your…toy," he whispered in anger. "I-I never was…"

Devin actually seemed surprised for a split second, and fury seemed to line his features. Then he struck Riley across the face so hard it made the chair fall to his side. Riley looked up as Devin leaned over him, the dark look on his face. "I thought we've been over this. You obey me."

"I don't." Riley said, defiance in his eyes. He spat at Devin's face. "I'm not. yours."

Then the evil smile returned and he knelt down and patted Riley on the head. "So, the little mouse can bite, but it does not make him stronger than he really is." He leaned in close to Riley, a smile on his face. "No, Riley. You will always be mine. You did what I told you. You were just a puppet, a little wind-up toy. And now you're an addition to my collection. You're going to be forever preserved. It should be an honor." He spread his arms in a proud gesture. "Hell, you are more than a part of the collection. You're my masterpiece! You're the only one who managed to survive – until this game, that is. But you did, and I am so proud of you!"

"They'll come… they'll find you… make you pay…for everything you've done." Riley ground out.

Devin tsked. "Not before you're dead. Did you even notice that?" He motioned to the corner of the dark circular room. Riley blearily tried to focus his eyes. What is that…

"That's you final resting place, Mr. Poole," Devin grinned. Riley blinked at the thing and then felt his insides turn cold. It's a coffin. A pinewood, old-fashioned coffin was there, black letters R.I.P written on it. It had a huge cross in the middle, too.

Riley realized he was staring at his own death, and he promptly threw up, leaning at his left.

"I'm sorry this is a little informal. Your friends complicated things, so I need to speed it along." Devin said almost apologetically.

He untied Riley's legs, humming as he did so. Riley gritted his teeth as the handcuffs were taken off, pulling some of his skin and he saw the blood on them as Devin tossed them to the ground. The tranquilizer made it so that he could barely struggle as Devin hauled him up.

"Oh and you probably figured out by now that you can't scream. Didn't even need to gag you." Devin beamed at him. " I must say, Riley, I had a really fun time. I'm going to miss playing with you. And I'm going to miss this place." Devin tapped Riley on the cheek, and pinched it. "I'm happy we got to talk for a bit."

Riley panicked – Devin was saying some of his last words to him, and it was a sign that everything was going to end soon. He was going to die, and he couldn't even scream for his life. There was nothing he could do; he was completely powerless to stop what was about to happen. Oh God. Is this really how I'm going to die?

Devin dragged him toward the coffin, whistling a cheerful tune the whole time. Riley's head jerked towards Devin when he started whistling a familiar tune – another nursery rhyme. His mind scrambled to determine what the song was. Devin started to hum under his breath, and whispered some of the words... "Three blind mice. Three blind mice… see how they run! See how they run!" Riley shuddered, and Devin's voice rose while the psycho laughed. "They all ran after the farmer's wife, who cut off their tails with a carving knife… Did you ever see such a sight in your life? as three blind mice… Three blind mice!"

Raw terror rose, and reality dropped on Riley like a bomb. I'm going to be buried alive. He tried jerking away one more time, but Devin just chuckled and shook his head.

"Devin, p-please… kill me first…"

"Ah, Mr. Poole," Devin leered, a thin smile on his pallid face. "Where would the fun be in that?"

Riley felt a scream well up he couldn't even release. He was going to die. He was going to die in a slow and miserable way, not even saying goodbye to anyone he loved. Devin heaved him up and dropped him into the awaiting coffin. Riley turned onto his back, and began to shake. He tried not to plead in terror. He was sure that if he spoke at this point, his words would come out as terrified gibbering. He wanted to at least die with the little dignity as he had left.

Devin leaned on the side of the coffin, gazing down at Riley. "We had some good times, isn't that right Riley?" He sighed fondly as if recalling happy memories. "You were too good. I wish it could have gone on longer… we could have had so much more fun."

Devin moved away and Riley heard a scraping sound and saw the lid being pulled over the coffin. Light diminished slowly until it only shone on one side of his face, and Riley stared at Devin with panic and terror. He tried valiantly not to make a sound, despite the fact that he felt like screaming his throat out.

Devin looked down at him. "Goodbye, Mr. Poole."

There was a resounding grating sound of the lid being pulled over him. Only a pinprick of light was Riley's companion in the darkness. Then he heard hammering. He knew nails were slowly driven into the coffin to lock the lid down tight, and Riley started pounding at the lid. He heard Devin laugh outside, and Riley tried kicking the lid off, but something held it down. The hammering then stopped completely.

And Riley was plunged into pitch blackness.

Lori- Yes, we're evil. So, so, so very evil.

Jaeh- Although you already know that, don't you? :p

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