Chapter 6

Damian sat guarding the detective, who was broken, mangled, and dehydrated. He handed him a glass of water. Starsky held up his bound wrists.

"Okay, don't try anything, cop."

Then Reed's voice rang out. "Get in here, Damian!"

Damian fled quickly, leaving the detective with his arms unbound and the door ajar.

Starsky promptly loosened the strap that bound his legs. Rising from the ground, he looked down the narrow hall.

The brunet detective moved silently; it was his only chance to escape.

Meanwhile:

Damian rushed into the other room. Reed, who had his back turned, looked out a small window. "That no-good blond cop is here with another man. We need to ditch this place."

"Okay, I'll go get my cop."

Reed looked down the hall until he couldn't see Damian. "You're not worth anything but trouble." He grabbed his gun and followed the corridor to a secret door.

Starsky scanned the hall and looked for something to use as a weapon. He noticed a metal rod in a corner. It was about three-and-a-half feet long. He grabbed it and held it by his side.

After traveling for awhile, he thought. No windows, no doors? Then he looked up and whispered. "Ah, this is how one exits this dump."

He pulled the ladder down, groaning in pain as he clenched his side and ascended it. He looked down to check his surroundings.

Then pushed the door open.

The sky was a welcome sight.

He pulled himself up and out of the prison that had held him captive.

His head was spinning.

He ran towards the densest trees.

~~ ~

Reed, who was well on his way, heard Damian scream. "Where's my cop?" His voice echoed through every corridor in the bunker. Reed ignored his cry and continued editing the bunker.

Meanwhile:

The curly-haired detective tried to stay low as he made his way toward the wooded area.

Hutch was hidden behind a tree, his binoculars pressed to his face. He caught sight of his partner. "Come on, Starsk."

The sun was hot on Starsky's forehead. Heavy droplets of sweat ran down, so he wiped his face with his sleeve.

Without warning, Damian rushed towards the detective. He grabbed him by the dark curly hair and pressed his gun to Starsky's head. "You're going to die today, cop." Starsky stayed frozen; he didn't want to give the crazed man an excuse.

The blond detective watched in horror as he moved forward. Captain Dobey grabbed his shoulder. "I don't need you both shot."

In the corner of his eye' Hutch saw the other officers moving in. The blond grabbed his two-way radio. "Get an officer in the tree closest to the right. Don't shoot; wait for my command. I repeat: don't shoot; wait for my command."

Starsky started gasping for breath; his eyes saw a blur of blond hair in the distance. The only chance he had was now. With his elbow jabbed into his captor's chest, he struggled. Damian fell to the ground, but managed to shoot the detective in the chest and leg.

Hutch voiced his command: "Now!" A single shot rang out through the once-silent woods. The shot had killed Damian instantly.

The blond detective raced to his partner, embracing him; he saw blood coming through his shirt. He ripped Starsky's shirt open, revealing a bloody chest. "I need paramedics fast!"

Captain Dobey ran towards his two detectives, speaking into the radio. "I need a search and rescue helicopter at the wooded area off Highway 51 south."

Hutch ripped the sleeve of his shirt, tied a tourniquet around Starsky's wound, and bandaged his leg.

Sirens sounded in the distance.

Starsky's sapphire eyes turned dark.

Captain Dobey said, "he doesn't look good."

"He is bleeding out, Captain!"

Captain Dobey saw the helicopter. He raised his arms in a "y" shape to indicate that they needed help.

Hutch held Starsky in his arms. "You're going to be fine. Hang on, pal. Help is here."

Blue eyes met blue; time stood still.