Hutch woke up with a start, frightened when he felt that he was being held.

"Easy Hutch, it's me!"

"Starsk. Thank God."  Hutch broke down, turning his head into Starsky'ss houlder.  Starsky just held him, and tried to soothe him.

"Hutch, did they..."  Starsky found it hard to get the words out.

"God Starsk!   They used a taser gun on me!  They were gonna rape me..."  Hutch couldn't continue.  "Starsk, we've gotta get outta here.  We've got to get a message to the sheriff.  Atkinson really wants me!"

Starsky grimaced.  "Hutch, we can't.  He's dead"

"WHAT!" Hutch pulled away.  Still having the restraints on, movement wasn't easy and Starsky winced when he saw his partner's bloody wrists, bloody from trying to fight the cuffs.  "We've gotta get out!"  Hutch was fighting hysteria.  He was in such a state he hadn't realized that Starsky was in a bad way too, bruised, bleeding and sore.

"It's okay Hutch.  We'll get a message to Dobey tomorrow!  Somehow!"

"How?"  Hutch lay back into Starsky's safe embrace, and despite his fear, found himself falling asleep.  Starsky was glad, for he didn't have the answers.  Eventually he fell asleep too, still holding his partner close. His side was stiffening up but he needed to hold Hutch, despite his own discomfort.

They were woken up by the sound of a key entering their cell door and the sounds of muffled laughter.  They both sat up in horror at the sight of the five guards.

"Look at 'em!  Fags the both of 'em.  We ain't gonna hurt 'em, they've done this before!  Let's do blondie first.  We can always do curly later.  Blondie is nicely restrained for us!"

"NO!" Starsky jumped up and tried to prevent the guards from touching his  partner.  It was no good of course, he was outnumbered and he was thrown against the wall, being kicked for good measure.   Hutch was pulled up and his clothes ripped off him.  He couldn't fight as the chains were still on him and Starsky was too dazed to react.  He tried to stand up, but was easily  pushed to the floor and held down.  His side was bleeding again and he was sick and dizzy as he watched them strip his best friend and force him down  onto the bed.  When Starsky tried to struggle, he was hit in the face by the club and all he could do was sob in despair as the blood ran down his face. The beatings and terror, had taken their toll.

Hutch was screaming abuse at his captors, as he felt himself being pushed on the bed.  The chains came off him, only to be reapplied so that his wrists could be tied to the bed.

Atkinson was enjoying the fight that Hutch was trying to put up, but he had  no chance.

 "Scream all you like!  No-one is gonna help you!  I told you pretty boy, I get first go with you.  These other boys want you too but one of the few  perks of my job is that I get to break in the new kids on the block!  After  you, I'm going to take your curly haired partner, as he's here, you can watch  too and if you're real cooperative, I might keep you around for a bit."

Hutch turned his head so that he could spit in the direction of the voice, with all the force he could muster.  The thought of Starsky going through this made him lose his tenuous control.   He didn't see the fist that came  from nowhere striking him behind the head and stunning him.

Atkinson was angry with the guard.  "Enough!  I want him conscious!  He can't do anything!  Although you're gonna regret that pretty boy.

 "Are you ready for the night of your life?"  Hutch was too dazed to respond  and his wrists were aching from the attempts to break free.   He started bucking wildly as his ankles were unchained and pulled apart, so he was spreadeagled on the bed.  Atkinson then pushed a rag into Hutch's mouth.

"No point making any more noise!  You're not makin' this easy for yourself pretty boy"  He fought nausea as the hands moved over his body, and the sounds of laughter. He felt weight lying on him, causing his sore body further pain and he felt himself dry retching as he felt someone biting his neck and kissing him.  Hands were wandering all over him and he was totally  at the mercy of this gang of brutal men.  He started to sob as he listened to the taunting voice telling him what was going to happen.

Starsky looked in horror and as Atkinson straddled Hutch, he found his last bit of strength.  With the little that he could muster, he jumped up and pushed Atkinson off, screaming for help.   In the fracas that followed, one of the guards hit Hutch in the head, causing him to lose consciousness.

"HELP US!  FOR GOD'S SAKE, SOMEONE HELP US!"  Starsky was screaming at full force and was only silenced when the club hit him on the head.

CHAPTER 6

Starsky's screams had managed to attract the attention of Williams and a couple of other guards and they came running in.  Starsky was dazed and semi-conscious but unable to defend himself as he heard Atkinson blaming him for  the attack.

"This man is a monster.  He tried to rape his own cell mate.  If we hadn't got here in time!" Atkinson pretended to be shocked.  Williams drew his own conclusions but knew he couldn't go up against Atkinson.

"I'm going to get the doctor.  This man will need to go to sick bay."  Williams looked at the beaten form of Starsky.

"Forget it!  Take Alexander, he's the victim but I'll take care of Godfrey.  He needs attention all right for he's a dangerous and violent man who has resisted all attempts to subdue him.  We'll put him into solitary confinement. At least he won't be able to hurt anyone else!"

Williams nodded, knowing that he had to go along with whatever Atkinson wanted.  At least he could help Alexander, although Godfrey was on his own.

Starsky was pulled up by Atkinson and his helpers and dragged out of the cell.

"You bastard!  You cost me Alexander and I wanted him!  You're gonna pay for  that.  If I can't have him, I'll have you and you're gonna regret not letting  me have my fun with your cell mate!"  A sudden punch to Starsky's stomach saw  him lose consciousness and his wound opened up again.

                           --

Hutch woke up with a start.  Where was he?  This wasn't his cell.  His memories of the night before were mercifully blurred.  He had nearly been raped - again.  Starsky had been there and tried to help.  STARSKY!  Dear God where was he?  When he'd come in, all hell had broken loose and the place had been swarming with guards.  He couldn't remember what had happened to Starsky.  Atkinson had blamed Starsky!  Oh God where was he!  Hutch tried to  pull himself up, only to find he was tied down to the bed.  He tried to remember what had happened, but he felt so weak and tired.  Where the hell was he?  Thankfully the chains had been removed and he was relatively comfortable on the bed, but he couldn't move.  A glance around, revealed that he was in a medical room of some sort.  His thoughts were interrupted by the  entrance of a man in a white coat.

 "Where's my par..." Hutch pulled himself up "Where's Seth?  My cell mate?"

"Your cell mate has been moved into solitary, as he's considered to be a danger to you.  He nearly killed you last night and it's a wonder you're still alive." the doctor wasn't interested in talking to his patient.  He was there because Williams had called him in, but he didn't see anything wrong with his patient.  There wasn't any sign of sexual assault.  Williams was living dangerously by calling him in and he wouldn't come again.    He knew  that bad things happened in this prison but didn't want to get involved.

"DANGER!  No, no he didn't do this to me!  Believe me!" Hutch was nearly sobbing.

"Doesn't matter what I believe.  You're going into solitary confinement yourself, for breaching the peace. Williams arranged it.  Once you calm down, you can go back to your cell.  I can't see any reason you shouldn't go now. You've been beaten but are obviously strong!"

"I'm not hurt but Seth might be.  Please you've gotta help him!"

"Nothin' I can do.  Seth made his bed last night and now he's gotta lie in  it.  It's best you forget ever knowing him."

"Listen, we're undercover cops!  We work for the LAPD…."

"SHUT UP!"  The doctor was really angry now.  He didn't want to know but he  forced himself to calm down.  "If I had a dime for everytime I heard that."

"Please!"  but the doctor turned and walked out and the guards came back to  take Hutch into solitary confinement.  Different guards from last night he was glad to see.

"You're gonna stay here until we say so!" and he was pushed into a small, dark cell, with only the smallest of windows at the top.  Hutch looked around in despair, his body was aching and he was terrified, for Starsky and himself.  What the hell had they put themselves in for?  Where was Dobey? Surely Dobey should have pulled the plug when the local sheriff died.  He lay
down on the hard bench and closed his eyes.  He couldn't help Starsky now, any more than Starsky could help him.  He looked at his bruised body and prayed like he'd never prayed before.

Hutch lost all perception of time, as he lay trapped in his cramped and hot cell.  It was so hot and there was very little air circulating.   He was sore and stiff and people seemed to have forgotten that he was there.  He was very  thirsty and he knew that he'd dehydrate if he was kept without water for much longer.   He wasn't hungry but he knew he needed food, for he was growing  weak. His thoughts became confused as he drifted in and out of consciousness.  Sometimes he felt Starsky was with him and he found himself calling to Starsky for help.  Starsky couldn't help him and he knew that but as his mind became confused, he thought he was being tied to the bed and Atkinson was   pounding him.  The nightmares were vivid and sometimes it was Starsky who was tied up in the same position that he had been in, and it was Starsky who had
Atkinson on him and beating him.  Starsky was screaming to him to help him, to stop the pain but all he could do was watch in horror as his friend was  abused over and over, until Starsky's screams quietened and he was limp, no longer fighting against his restraints or against the invasion to his body.  Hutch woke up screaming, sweating, with tears pouring down his face.  He
turned onto his side in despair, knowing that there wasn't a thing he could do. He barely moved when the door was unlocked and Williams came in with some  water.   He didn't speak to Hutch but he placed the water down and left Hutch to his heartbreak.  It was then that Hutch gave up on the idea of ever seeing his best friend and partner again, gave up on the idea of surviving this ordeal.  There wasn't even me and thee any more. He couldn't doubt that Starsky, even if he was still alive, would be in a bad way.  He started to feel feverish and nauseous but no-one came to help him.

Hutch could no longer determine whether it was night or day and it no longer mattered to him.  He was growing weaker each day, was dirty and worn down.  The fever continued raging in his body and although he was spared visits by     Atkinson, the world seemed to have forgotten him.  He no longer called for  help, or for Starsky, knowing that he wouldn't survive.   Sleep brought him  no peace as his dreams about Starsky just terrorised him.    Then, after an interminable time, he opened his eyes to find Atkinson staring down at him. He automatically flinched but Atkinson just laughed as he hauled the very  weak Hutch into standing position.   He shuddered with fear.
 

CHAPTER 7

"Don't worry pretty boy.  Don't need you yet, your friend has brought me  great amusement!" He chuckled at the venom in Hutch's glare.  "Oh yes, he's been good.  Still gonna have you pretty boy, but at least he's taken the edge off and I can wait." he shut up as two other guards came in and Hutch noticed  this, as weak as he was.  Even in his confused mind, he registered that not  all the guards were bad and Atkinson was obviously careful in the presence of  some.  If only he could work out who were the good ones, who could be trusted.  He was just too tired to think clearly.  Atkinson backed right away  from him and he was at last released from his tiny cell and brought out into  the laundry room and assigned to laundry duty.  He felt dizzy and weak and the brightness of being in the light hurt his eyes, after being kept in the  dark for so long.  At least now he might be able to find out what had happened to Starsky.

"Oh look, there's Atkinson's pretty boy, only he ain't so pretty now!" a  couple of the prisoners approached Hutch and started circling him.  Oh God,  not again, Hutch thought.  I'm not strong enough to fight them off.   He didn't see the one come from behind him, grabbing his hair and pulling his  head back.  He was so weak, he immediately dropped to his knees.

"We hear that Atkinson has been warned off you, so I guess we get to break you in.  Not that you've got much fight in you!"  Hutch was pathetically weak and it was all too easy for them to push him to the ground.  They didn't get much further before Williams came in.

"What's going on here!  Let him go!"  Reluctantly they released Hutch who pulled himself slowly to his feet.  "Get out of here - all of you!"

Hutch looked at Williams, in part fear and in part hope.  He was learning to distrust everyone but this man had shown him some kindness.

"Come on Alexander.  Pull yourself together, they'll eat you alive if you don't."

Hutch tried but he wasn't feeling strong.   "My cell mate, Seth, do you know..." he broke off at the pitying look he got from Williams.

"He's a violent man Alexander.  They had to punish him and it's best you forget him."  Hutch closed his eyes.  This was the second time he'd been told he had to forget Starsky.  What the hell could he do?  He turned back to the sheets he had to fold.  It was no use, he'd be killed for sure if they really believed he was a cop.  If he was killed outright, then Starsky wouldn't have
any chance at all.  He'd just have to wait for contact from Dobey and pray that Starsky was doing better than he was.  He badly needed a shower and a good sleep and food, but he wasn't going to get it.

Williams watched him sadly.  For some reason he felt sorry for this prisoner which is why he'd seen that he was placed in solitary confinement, not for punishment like Godfrey, but for his own protection.   It kept Atkinson away from him, and knowing that the prisoner was being watched more carefully,  made Atkinson tread more warily.  He didn't know what had happened to Seth, the cellmate that this man was so concerned about, but he knew it wouldn't be good.  Atkinson had full reign and there was no one to stop him.  Atkinson would be careful when he knew he was being watched but Williams couldn't be everywhere.  He decided that it was Alexander who he could help.   Williams knew that the abuse that went on in Taio wasn't right and he knew he should speak out but he wasn't sure exactly who he could trust.   Not too many of the guards were straight and he certainly had his suspicions about the warden.  All he could do was try to protect the prisoners that he could.  Others, like Seth Godfrey were on their own.

That night Hutch was returned to his cell, and had the opportunity to shower for the first time in several days.  The cold water was soothing to his sore body but as he looked at his bruises, he was fearing again for Starsky.  Everything hurt and he was so tired he wasn't sure what to do but his cell was certainly comfortable in comparison to the solitary confinement cell that         he'd been in.  He lay down and prayed he'd be uninterrupted.  He was, since  Williams had decided to keep an eye on him and Atkinson was only too aware of it.  He was still feverish but it seemed that noone in this prison cared if he got sick.

The next morning at breakfast he saw a newspaper for the first time in over a week.  The longest week of his life.  He read it greedily, drinking in details about the outside world, that is until a small paragraph caught his attention.

"The Los Angeles Police Captain Harold Dobey remains unconscious after his horrific car accident that hospitalized his wife and children.  His family are said to be in satisfactory condition but Captain Dobey has not regained consciousness." The article went on to explain the details of the accident and describe Dobey's career.  Hutch's heart dropped.  They were stuck, he and Starsky were stuck in this hell hole indefinitely.   His immediate concern  for Dobey was overridden with panic when he realized what this meant.  Noone else, not even Huggy, knew where they were.  He pushed his breakfast away and            dropped his head in his hands.  Dear God, how were they going to get out of  this?

Chapter 8

(Hey Starsk...you really think you're gonna beat me at Monopoly?  C'mon partner, nice try, but no cigar.... /  Hutch...wait up, where do you get all of your energy?  Starsk...I keep telling you, it's the protein shakes..../ Starsk,  if Merle did anything wild to my car, I swear.../   Hutch, I don't think we're cut out for a Canadian football team...we need to think of something else to do...You're pretty silly you know? .../ Hey Hug, how about a couple of cold beers and three burgers, two for me and one for health boy here.../  She's dead Hutch, Grossman did it.../  Hey, what makes you think you're going first?  This one's mine....  This one is ours partner.....  Terri..../  This ain't no fun...and the game is that Hutch is dying.../  GET DOWN      STARSKY!!!! GET DOWN!!!!........)

"Hutch!"  Starsky jolted awake.  It had only been a dream, a dream of parts of his life with Hutch, the good and the bad.  He wanted to run, to find his partner, he needed Hutch, but he was stopped by the leather restraints around his wrists, ankles and another around his chest.  He couldn't move and his body was so sore.  Where the hell was he?  Starsky opened his eyes to find himself alone in a cold gray cell, no bars this time, but a steel door.  He wanted to scream, but who would care?  It might only bring on more punishment.  He ached all over and his side was hurting him badly.  It was then that he remembered             being stabbed by one of the guards. (Oh God!  Hutch!  Where are you? What have they done to you?)  Starsky raised his head enough to see the drying blood on his shirt.  He needed medical attention, but knew he wouldn't get it. Atkinson               wanted him out of the way and had denied his request to see a doctor previously.  He rested his head back down as chills began to overtake him.

"Somebody?"  Starsky whispered at first.  Maybe, just maybe someone who had half a heart might hear him and help him, maybe even tell him where Hutch was. He had to be alive, he just had to be.

"Anybody??"  He yelled louder this time as he began to panic, fighting  delirium from his rising fever. "Somebody, please help me, take these restraints off. I promise I won't try to get away!!!!"  He didn't know if he should be afraid or glad when he heard the steel door being unlocked.  He was starting to feel claustrophobic and panicky, surely someone would release him.  He was way past being too proud to beg for help and he was terrified about what had happened to Hutch.

"Godfrey!  What the hell are you yelling about?  Still trying to cause trouble aren't you?"  Atkinson looked down at Starsky with cold, merciless eyes.

"Please...please don't hurt me anymore.  Let me go back to my cell, and tell me where Alexander is okay?"  Starsky's fight was gone, he was weak, feverish and sick.

"Actually you messed up my action with pretty boy!  Feel like takin' his place for a bit?" Atkinson leant down into Starsky's terrified face.

"I always preferred blonds, but you might have have to do!"

Atkinson laughed viciously, the laugh of the devil as his cigarette smoke was blown into Starsky's face.  "Godfrey, you're not in a question/answer setting here!  You don't have the right to ask any questions and I'm not here to give you any answers!  You've been very bad, tried to kill Alexander, don't you remember?  Actually you tried to rape him.  Don't blame you for that as he is a pretty one but it's just not allowed, not for you anyway!"  Again, the evil laugh and Starsky winced.

"NO!  I would never do that!  You're messing with my mind and I'm not buying it!  Where is he damn it!"

Starsky was quieted by a blow to his face.  "YOU DON'T MOUTH OFF TO ME BOY! STILL DON'T GET IT DO YOU?  YOU'RE NOTHING HERE!  YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS!  YOU DO AS YOU'RE TOLD AND OBEY EVERY WORD I SAY!  NOW SHUT UP!!!  You're gonna pay  for what you did and for ruining my fun!  But first you've got to realize that you've been beaten and that what I say goes."

"I need help.  My side....I can't breath too good...please...."  Starsky was fading out, not realizing he was crying.

"I said, SHUT UP!"  Starsky screamed as Atkinson leant over him and pressed his cigarette into Starsky's arm.  He was now openly sobbing.

Atkinson looked at his prisoner, as he lit another cigarette. "Pretty boy should have been mine by now but he's not and that's 'cause of you!  You got Williams attention and he's watching him carefully.  So, I guess I'll have to have you instead and you're not gonna like it much!  I'm gonna do you good,  but not yet, you won't see me coming!"   He stubbed the cigarette on Starsky's arm again and Starsky's scream this time was little more than a whimper.

When another guard came in having heard the noise, Atkinson said,  "Give him another 48 hours to think about what he has done, and keep him restrained.  If he makes too much noise, sedate him."
 

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