Comments about this story can be sent to: Kkellen748@aol.com

Kathy Kellenberger

   "Just a little pin prick."

   That is what they told the dazed blond as they held him down and stretched his arm out, tightening the tourniquet before they pierced his arm.

   "Wha...don't...why?"

   "You're gonna like this, baby... then you'll tell us what we want to know."

   Hutch struggled with the little strength and orientation he had after being beaten by two...three...maybe four men. His head was banging. He couldn't see his captures as they kept him blindfolded. They had his wrist tied at first, but soon left him unrestrained, knowing he was too weak to fight back anymore. He felt it going into his arm, then into his body and head.

   "Starsk..." It was but a mere whisper. "Help me..."

   "I thought you were Starsky," one of the men laughed. "Guess you changed your mind huh?"

   "Leave me alone..." Hutch tried to kick at those around him, holding him down.

   They did.

   Hutch fell back onto the mattress, still dazed, but feeling a sort of comfort that he was unfamiliar with. He felt something warm invading his veins, traveling through his body, knowing just where to go to stop the pain, emotionally and physically. He had no worries.

   What seemed like hours later, he woke to the blackness of the blindfold. He was feeling a little sick and achy. Mostly he was agitated and wanted his freedom... his Starsky.

   "Hey, lay back down! You're not going anywhere. You've only just begun your stay at our grand hotel. We have lots more in store for you.... Of course, it is up to you if you want to see your partner again. The longer we keep you here, the more that partner of yours isn't gonna want you back. You're not even gonna want to live, pig!"

   Hutch started swinging at the arms grabbing at him. His attempts were futile though. More hands came at him. Some holding him down...another tying his wrist to the bedpost...and yet another assaulting him in the ribs, face, stomach. He cried out for his partner while yelling obscenities at those who were so intent on hurting him. He tasted blood in his mouth and heard a cracking in his side, figuring maybe a rib or two had been broken.

   "Please stop..." Hutch had resigned to the fact that he was in no shape or no competition to get away. He was suddenly still. Starsky... please help me... please know that I'm not on vacation... they're killing me here... please... He cried.

   He heard names, but things were becoming jumbled and his concentration was slipping away. Someone grabbed his unrestrained arm and forcefully pushed his sleeve up, once more tying something tight around his upper arm. Then it was there...again...the pinprick. He did not fight as much this time. He remembered that it did make him feel better last time. Did these people care about him? Why were they making him feel good? There it was...sliding through his veins once more. Feeling good...warm...light...wonderful...he was "comfortably numb," no thoughts, no memories for the time, no pain.

   "He'll tell us where she is soon... He seems to like this stuff... He's not gonna like it when we don't give it to him anymore." 

   He woke to more pain than he could have imagined. He was cold, trembling, angry, afraid.

   Another beating.

   Another needle.

   More hands.

   Another needle.

   Then, there were no more needles. Only pain. Fear. Wanting. Shame.

   He started begging his capturers, not fighting back. They kept drilling him for information, but he was too out of it to respond.

   Death might have been welcomed. He felt life slipping away. His dignity was gone. Where was Starsky? He was missing his friend. He even imagined that Starsky was holding him, comforting him, making it all okay once more.

~~~~~~~~~~

   "Hutch...! Hutch!!! Wake up bud. You're havin' another nightmare. I'm right here. I'm holding onto ya, buddy. We're gonna make it through this. They can't get to you anymore. I have ya."

   Starsky's heart ached for his friend. Withdrawal was excruciating and it was only beginning. There would be weeks, maybe month's of time needed to heal. He knew his friend could beat this and would beat this. He would not allow him NOT to beat it.

   "Starsky? I dreamt they had me again. Is this ever gonna go away? I can't take it."

   "It's okay, babe...hold on. We're gonna fight this together. I have ya, Hutch. I'm not letting go. You're safe now...sshhhh."

   "Thanks, Starsk... don't let go, okay?"

   "I'll never let go, Hutch... I promise."

THE END