Jaeh: Will Devin finally die? Will Riley ever be found? Will the FBI actually do something this time?!

Lori: I don't know Jaeh. Guess we'll just have to see in this chapter!

Ian cursed and glanced behind him. FBI would be swarming through the carnival in a few minutes, and he knew they would find him if he didn't get out now. It's what I get for helping, he thought bitterly. They took away all I had, and they'll do it again. No, I'm better off forgetting all about this and leaving right now. But something nagged him in his gut, but he ignored it. No, I don't care about him. Another voice answered him. Even so, you can't leave him to such a fate. You brought this upon him.

Ian Howe was not cruel by nature. He was conceited, ambitious and uncompromising, but not cruel. He never truly wanted to hurt anyone; he only found it necessary to achieve his means. And maybe it would have been easier for him to forget about Riley if it wasn't for the fact that he knew the twerp. During the treasure hunt they had spent a lot of time together. Sure, he was annoying to the point of being maddening. But, Ian couldn't leave him to suffer a fate worse than death. Especially since… well, Ben was right. It was Ian's fault this was happening.

Clutching his pistol in hand, he edged his way back toward the dark outlines of the tents and buildings. Then he gasped and crouched behind a booth, as a dark figure emerged from between two tents, whistling to himself. Ian watched as he wiped his hands and his shirt and silently pulled out a small square something from his pack. There was a tiny scratching sound and he tossed something onto the tent.

Then there was a blinding light as the tent burst into flames. Ian yelped and jumped back in his hiding place, but thankfully his voice was drowned out by the growing fire. Suddenly Devin bolted like some sort of nocturnal animal, and was gone more quickly than Ian thought possible. Ian cursed and darted from his hiding place after him.

He heard shouts and knew that the authorities must have been alerted to the flame. He's going to burn this whole place down, Ian suddenly realized. With Riley still in it! He spotted the dark figure darting over to the far fence and clicked the gun back. He was about to shoot, when he realized they needed Devin alive. Ian crouched behind a barrel to hide.

He watched Devin dart to another tent, clutching a can in one hand. Liquid sprayed all over the place as he threw the can. He struck a match, whistling to himself, and stared at the flame for a little while. The madman then grinned, and threw the match into the building, where the gasoline burst into flame, the light from the fire making Devin's face red. "And pop goes the weasel!" Devin said, and laughed. He raised a hand. "Oh Mister Ho-oooowe… Come out come out wherever you are! I know you're there."

"What the bloody hell are you doing? You're setting the place on fire!" Ian stared at the burning building. "What the hell!" He jumped out of the way when part of the roof fell, while Devin just calmly stepped aside, a chilling smile still wide across his face.

"Way to go, Captain Obvious. You noticed!"

Ian attempted to throw a punch at him, but Devin just evaded the fist. "Where's Riley?" Ian demanded, and threw another. Devin was a little too late this time, and Ian's knuckles connected with the other's teeth. Devin spit some blood, but still wore his creepy grin.

His teeth were bathed in blood, but Devin didn't seem to care. "If I tell you my little riddle, will you tell them? I mean, Ben and Abigail are with the Feds, or are you forgetting that you're wanted?"

Ian didn't answer. "Where's Riley. Now."

"It's not like you need to be there." Devin pointed out, waving a match as he walked towards another tent. "I mean, I'm sure they can find Riley on their own before the kid dies." Devin shrugged, lit the matchstick, and then threw it. Ian tried not to wince as the flame exploded onto the fabric. Devin's hand went up to his chin, as if in recollection, and smiled. "He was a nice kid. Nice toy. I had fun. So much fun..."

"Where. Is. He." Ian repeated, his hand clenching.

Devin's eyes roamed over his face, and they lit up in understanding. Devin threw his head back in laughter. "Wait – wait don't tell me. You're… feeling guilty?" He slapped his thigh and laughed louder. "Ian Howe. A big ol' teddy bear. So you feel guilty too! About bringing me into this!

"Well, it is sort of your own damn fault, isn't it? But…" Devin's laughter grew louder, if it was possible. "You…" His laughter died down, and Devin raised an eyebrow. "The big man feels guilty!"

"At least I'm not a deranged psychopath. Tell me where Riley is." Ian's stare was sharp enough to cut through stone, but Devin seemed unfazed. Devin instead hopped to another tent, and calmly set it on fire.

Devin rocked back and forth on his heels, and hummed and hawed. He then turned to Ian, a deranged, happy look on his face. "Tell you what. I'd give you a clue, and you just tap your little feet right to the police. Just remember, if you don't do it, Riley dies. If you do, he just might die. What do you say?"

"Just tell me." Ian's eyes bore into Devin's. He was fast losing his patience. "Tell me."

Devin pranced around a building, splashing gasoline on the walls. He grabbed his lighter, and played with his lighter. Devin frowned playfully at Ian. "Spoilsport. Fine, here's my riddle –"

"Riddles?" Ian stared at him incredulously. "Are you kidding me? Just tell me where the kid is! If he dies from this Devin I swear…"

"He'll be on your conscience, not mine, Mr. Howe." A smirk played at the corner of Devin's mouth. "'Up and down, round and round; that's the way I go; That's one clue, now, where do you think you should go?'"

"That doesn't make any sense!" Ian leaned against the wall, and crossed his arms. He held his gun at ready, safety off, his finger on the trigger. The heat from the now growing number of fires was palpable and Ian wasn't going to wait much longer.

Devin sighed. "Ian, Ian, Ian. You really have no patience for clues like this. Fine I'll give you one more if it'll get you to stop bothering me." Devin grinned and thought for only a moment, which made Ian think that he was planning this all along.

"Dirt marked with roses and crosses, scattered bones and ashes; dig deep, six feet down; to find your treasure underground." Devin shrugged. " That's all I'd give you. Tick tock, Ian, time's running out."

Ian opened his mouth to protest, raising his gun at the same time, but Devin suddenly lit the building on fire. Before Ian could even realize it, the fire spread right towards the section of the wall he leaned on, and he had to jump out of the way. He landed on the gravel, his right shoulder hitting the stones with a crunching sound. Ian hoped the sound was from the gravel, not his shoulder. Pain had flared up his arm, and Ian pushed himself off the ground. He glanced around for Devin. The psycho's gone. Dammit.

Ian walked towards the sirens. At least, he tried walking towards the sirens.

Ian found himself going around and around buildings and tents, trying to figure out where he would go.

You could just leave, you know. Take the clue with you. Grab the money again. Leave. You're not going to turn yourself in, Ian – your life was destroyed when they took you away. Don't let them take you now.

A voice in his head screamed for common sense, but guilt battled with the idea of just leaving Riley behind. After all, it was Ian's fault that this all happened.

He really didn't mean for this to happen. He only wanted to start a new life, and he figured that he deserved a part of that treasure that Ben got. He didn't want for this to go too far.

If you do this, then you could never go back. You'll be locked in that cell forever.

Ian knew he was selfish. He did a lot of things only for himself. He only occasionally went out of his way to help others – and that's only if he owed someone a favor. Like Shaw. Or Phil. He actually knew them, so he actually cared.

Well, hell, even if Riley was so bloody irritating, Ian knew him. How many times have I told myself that?

Ian glanced at his watch. It had been minutes. He didn't know what sort of crazy game Devin had in store for them, but Ian knew he needed to decide whether he would give the clues or not.

Ian sighed, and rubbed his temples with one hand.

He sped off towards the sounds of the sirens.

DEVIN PLEASE! PLEASE I'LL BE GOOD JUST LET ME OUT! Riley kicked against the coffin. He then heard a splatter of something against the lid, which felt heavier with each succeeding thunk of the something that he heard.

Riley's eyes widened. Dirt.

Oh God. He's starting to bury the coffin. Riley knew that when he was under, there would be no chance that Ben could find him. Let me out! PLEASE!

But the dirt kept pouring in. Every now and then he would here stones dropping against the box, until the sound got muffled, then muted, then gone.

He knew he was six feet under.

BEN! BEN GET ME OUT OF HERE! BEEEEN! Riley screamed in his head. He wanted to scream, but his throat wasn't working. His fists slammed on the lid, and it shook. Dirt rained down, and he coughed. GET ME OUT OF HERE!

SOMEBODY! ANYBODY! He punched the lid until his knuckles bled, and he scratched on the lid. Please! Please. He was exhausted to the point of collapse, but he didn't stop scratching, hoping that someone, or anyone, would hear him.

He panted from the effort. Sweat slid into his eyes, and he blinked. The air felt like it was thinning, and Riley tried calming himself down. The oxygen would just run out faster the longer that I do this.

He was trapped in a box. Six feet underground.

It was the stuff of nightmares. Riley wished he was in a nightmare.

But everything was so real. Riley's hands slid against the damp wood, trying not to hyperventilate.

Oh God let me out…. Please.

Ben stared at the flames that were now engulfing the carnival. He held Abigail in his arms as she cried softly, whispering Riley's name. The firemen were dispatched to bring the fires down as the FBI and SWAT team tried to cover ground.

Riley's still out there… Ben thought desperately. He's still out there… oh God, please, please don't let us be too late…

Just then, he squinted. Someone was walking out of the carnival silhouetted towards him. For a moment he thought it was Devin, until he saw who it really was.

"Ian!?" he gasped. Sadusky's agents immediately descended on the criminal. They pulled his hands behind his back and Sadusky just shook his head in disgust.

"Get him out of my sight."

The agents began to pull Ian away but he shouted, "Wait! I have to talk to Ben! I have a clue to where Riley is!"

Sadusky signaled his agents to stop and walked over to Ian, his face impassive. "And why do you suddenly come over here now with this clue?"

"Please," Ian implored. "Let me just talk to Ben for a moment. Devin gave me some sort of clue, I can't figure it out, but maybe Ben can."

Sadusky quirked an eyebrow and gave a nod. "Very well then," he said thoughtfully. "Make it quick."

Ian was pushed over to where Ben and Abigail still stood, their eyes narrowed in contempt at him.

"Why did you come back?" Ben asked, his voice quiet and angry. He wanted more than ever to punch Ian with all his strength – it's all Ian's fault. This is all Ian's fault, Ben thought. His eyes were downcast, but his fist tightened in anger.

"Listen," Ian panted. "I caught up to Devin. He gave me two clues. The first one is; ''Up and down, round and round; that's the way I go; That's one clue, now, where do you think you should go?'"

Ben frowned but didn't say anything which Ian seemed to take as a good sign and he barreled on. "The second clue is; Dirt marked with roses and crosses, scattered bones and ashes; dig deep, six feet down; to find your treasure underground.' That's all he told me Ben, I swear to you. I didn't want any of this to happen."

"To late for that," Ben whispered, his face emotionless. He didn't know what to feel.

A cop read Ian his rights, and began to lead him away. Ben glanced at Ian, and Ian cocked his head, and mouthed "good luck." Then he was lead into one of the many cop cars and the door slammed close.

"Well, I wonder if Mr. Howe actually had a change of heart." Ben jumped and realized Agent Sadusky was standing right next to him and Abigail.

"I doubt it," Abigail muttered. "It might be a trap."

"It could very well be but right now it's the only lead we got." Sadusky glanced at Ben. "So Ben, can your sleuthing skills help us?"

Ben nodded slowly. "Well it's simple. Too simple. 'Round and round, up and down'. My guess is the carousel. The carousel or the Ferris wheel. But the second part…" he shook his head and shivered. "It makes less sense."

Sadusky turned to one of his head agents. "Spellman gather two teams and get to the aforementioned places, stat. Make sure everyone is equipped with proper gear."

"Yes, sir." Spellman nodded and jogged toward the squad cars, making a call on her radio.

"But why would Devin give us a clue to where Riley is?" Abigail asked distraughtly. "It doesn't make sense."

"Because Devin doesn't make sense," Sadusky said darkly. "It's nothing more then a game to him. Whether Riley lives or dies, he doesn't care. He's in it for the thrill of being the master puppeteer pulling all the strings."

"I need to go," Ben suddenly said. Sadusky shook his head. "I'm afraid not Ben- only SWAT is trained enough for-"

Ben wasn't giving up. "You'll need me. I can help figure out the next clue… and… and- Riley will need me." Ben finished softly.

Abigail crossed his arms. "I have to go to," she insisted, narrowing her eyes.

"Two of you are out of the question."

"Then one of us should be fine. Let Ben go with you. It's like he said, he could be useful."

Sadusky waved a hand impatiently. "We don't have time for this. Ben if you want to come, follow me to get your vest."

Ben glanced and Abigail who smiled slightly and he kissed her passionately on the lips. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too. Be careful," she told him, her eyes full of tears. "And bring Riley back safe and sound."

Ben could only nod briefly and hurry after Sadusky.

The darkness was stifling, surrounding him, suffocating…. His breathing came back thunderous in his ears, reverting between gasping and whimpering. He managed to raise his weakened numb arms to the top of lid and felt with his hands. Smooth, still wouldn't budge.

His fingers were rubbed raw, and his face was wet. He wasn't sure if it was from sweat, or tears or the beads of blood dribbling from his fingers. He didn't know how long he was under, but it felt so long and so short at the same time.

He had clawed the ceiling again, for all the good it did… it felt like there was pressure on his chest. It was painful and his body redoubled it's effort to get oxygen. But he knew it was no use. It was strange, but he admired his body for not giving up. His mind had already given up.

He knew he was slowly poisoning himself with every intake of breath. He was suffocating on his own carbon dioxide and all the oxygen would be gone soon. It was hell, laying in this all-encompassing darkness, waiting to die.

His thoughts began to stray to his family… his friends… brief moments of clarity to his mind. He imagined Abigail crying, Ben's hand around her as he tried his best to be calm as they stood over his casket. It was so clear in his mind, but instead of feeling afraid for himself, Riley felt sadness for them.

They'll be so heartbroken… he never even got to say goodbye. I didn't even get to see Ben and Abigail one last time.

A tear slid out of his eye and he sighed. It was over… he suddenly felt so weary and drained and he was somehow glad it was over. It was peaceful almost….

This isn't so bad…almost like falling asleep…

Ben followed the SWAT team towards the carousal, heart pounding in his chest. Hang on Riley; we're coming. He tried to ignore the intense heat of the flames all around him. It had taken frustratingly long to suit up. He wore a fireproof suit over a bulletproof vest. Honestly, he wasn't thinking about his own safety at this point. Riley could have already been… Ben cut himself off, following after the men, one acted as a bodyguard for him. No, he's not. Riley's not dead. You need to concentrate. What's the second part of the riddle.

The team members spread over the carousal and Ben was hoping this would be simple, maybe just finding Riley tied to one of the horses, but he knew to wasn't that simple. There was something more to it.

"We have to search quickly," Sadusky was saying. "If the fire gets too close we'll have to pull out."

"Under," Ben said suddenly.

"What?" Sadusky glanced quickly at him.

"Devin wants us to go under the carousel. Under. And we'll need shovels."

Without waiting for a reply, Ben launched himself through the horses, banging his foot on the floorboards. Within a few moments he heard a hollow sounds and he dug his fingernails between the boards and pried them off, making a big enough hole for him to crawl down.

When he reached the bottom he looked around and realized it was more spacious than he anticipated. In fact, he could stand up fully although the top was dangerously close to his head.

He glanced around and his blood turned to ice. A chair sat at the far end, barely visible in the dim light. Ben saw the bindings on the ground. He approached it and squinted when he saw something resting on the chair. When he realized what they were his stomach almost emptied itself right there. Pictures of Riley… tied to the chair. Why would he do that?! Ben thought, rage clouding his thoughts. He didn't even want ransom, so why would he do that to him?!

But he knew it was just part of Devin's sick twisted sense of pleasure he got from hurting and humiliating others. Ben forced his eyes away from the chair only to land on the pair of handcuffs on the ground. When Ben saw the blood on them, his stomach did end up emptying itself. Catching his breath, a sense of undiluted horror took hold of him. Am I to late? Is this all that's left of my best friend?

But then, through tear-filled eyes he noticed something strange about the dirt. One patch on the far corner of the room was fresh and disturbed. Which meant something was buried underneath. Six feet under…

Ben didn't notice when the other agents came in with the shovels, he was already digging with his hands.

Riley actually raised his head when he heard the by-now familiar sound of someone shoveling, and he hit the lid hard with his forehead. Oh my God, they actually found me. Ignoring the ache spreading across his forehead, he started kicking and scratching the top. His voice was only coming out in squeaks, but he squeaked as loud as he can.

His chest and throat tightened more, but he didn't stop. White spots were dancing around in his vision, but Riley didn't care. If they heard him, they might get him out quicker! He pounded on the lids with renewed strength, scratching with his numb fingers. "Ben." He breathed, but no audible sound came out.

He had wondered how he would know if he had passed out or not in the darkness of the coffin – and he guessed he would find out now. Riley's breath quickened – he knew his air was running out, and the shovel came too slow for him…

He suddenly felt himself jostled and realized they must have pulled the coffin from the ground. He heard wood splintering and coughed as splinters mingled with dirt clots rained down on him.

He breathed in and out one last time, and was forced to hold his breath. His lungs burned, and even if he breathed in nothing would happen. Let me out let me out please please let me out...

Then there was a blinding light and a wash of cool air on his sweat-drenched face and body. He drew in a rasping breath of oxygen, and was temporarily blinded from being in darkness for what felt like an eternity. Someone took his arm, and pulled him up, cradling him.

"Riley… Riley it's okay…"

When the pinewood coffin was finally forced open, Ben nearly fell over in shock. It was Riley. He was so pale, almost deathly pale. Ben's stomach lurched when he saw the dark bloodstains smeared on the inside lid, evidence Riley was trying to claw his way out…

He distantly heard Sadusky telling the other few agents to give them space and something about paramedics, but he wasn't paying attention

As gently as he could, Ben scooped the still form up in his arms. Even as Ben set him down and felt for breath, he belatedly realized what Riley was wearing. … he was all alone during all of this. Tears filled Ben's vision. I wasn't there to stop the son of a bitch from doing this to you. Oh God, I'm so sorry Riley...

Ben's heart jumped as Riley coughed and drew a few rasping breaths.

"Riley… Riley, it's okay," Ben managed to whisper, a tear sliding down his face. Riley whimpered and squeezed his eyes shut before opening them. The blue orbs were so haunted and Ben couldn't imagine what his best friend was just put through. Riley just stared right through Ben, not responding to him, as he laid deadweight in Ben's arms.

"It's Ben," Ben muttered, trying to get Riley to respond. "You're safe now." Ben was horrified when he spotted the dark blood that stained most of Riley's hands. His fingers bled, the cracked nails caked in blood and Ben's own hand was covered now with it.

"Riley, Riley, It's me, it's Ben." He repeated, gently shaking the young man. Riley finally seemed to register who it was. His eyes went wide.

"B-Ben?" Ben's heart broke at how weak and terrified his friend's voice was.

"Yeah… it's me buddy," he whispered.

When Riley's eyes finally focused on Ben, they registered disbelief. Then they went bright with tears.

"Y-You found me..." Riley whispered. Ben drew riley close, trying to offer him some comfort. He felt Riley trembling.

"'Course I did," Ben swallowed, scared to hold Riley any tighter in case he had unseen injuries. Riley hid face on Ben's shoulder, and Ben felt the wetness of his tears.

"H-He m-made me…p-play his…games…." Riley croaked hoarsely. "I-I…couldn't…I'm s-sorry Ben!"

Ben felt his insides twist painfully but he tried to make his voice soothing. "It's all right Riley, it's all right now."

And Riley, who had been so brave throughout the whole ordeal, had held himself together by the seams…fell apart.

He broke down into high-pitched ragged sobs. He could barely move his numb and aching arms but he clung to Ben like his friend was the only thing that kept him from disappearing entirely. Ben gently rocked him, trying to provide Riley with the comfort he so desperately needed.

"D-Don't let him h-hurt me anymore!" Riley wept, his body shuddering uncontrollably. "P-Please… d-don't let him…" The sobs from his raw throat became incomprehensible.

"He's never going to hurt you again," Ben promised, tears falling from his own eyes. "You're safe now."

Riley's cries were heart-wrenching to hear and Ben had no idea what to do besides hug him, letting him know that he was safe.

"Shh, it's okay…" Ben murmured. But he knew it was a lie. It wasn't okay. Nothing was okay. "We're getting you out of here. You're going to be okay, Ri. It's going to be okay…"

Jaeh: Yay! They FINALLY found Riley!

Lori: :'( He's found but, thing's ain't going to be easy for him.

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