Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds and intend no copyright infringement.
~ inspired by Sue1313 ~
"Look, me and dogs, that's not a good combination, I know. In fact it's such a bad combination, the others coined a term for it – the "Reid Effect". I'm good with cats, though…."
The Rottweiler that was cornering Reid in the unsub's living-room started to growl.
"I gather cats are not your favorite topic?" The scientific part of Reid's brain told him that it was impossible the dog could understand what he was saying. The hurt, scared and very exhausted rest of his body told him to take no chances.
"Mudgie, that's the dog of a colleague of mine, he actually likes me…"
The Rottweiler's growling grew louder.
"Granted, more accurately, he ignores me…"
The hair on the dog's neck bristled.
"When Rossi tells him to… "
He was fiercely snarling now.
"You don't like hearing about other dogs either?" Reid wondered if it was the tone of his voice that set dogs off. Would be worth an experiment… under controlled circumstances.
His ankle was hurting badly from kicking in that door. How did Morgan do it without injuring himself? Well, breaking out of that room had done him a whole lot of good, given that he was now held captive by the unsub's dog.
"The others will find me. And when they come, I suggest you just sit down and do nothing because they will have their weapons drawn and, I hate to tell you, if they see you threaten me they won't hesitate, they'll shoot you."
The animal bared its fangs.
"I left a hint at where I was going at the police station. Had to write it in Russian, so the corrupt police detective wouldn't understand it. But they'll get an interpreter and then they'll come here as fast as possible. Of course that would be a lot faster if Emily was still with us…" Reid was feeling dizzy. The unsub had hit him on the head before locking him in that room. He was probably suffering from a concussion.
"Emily spoke Russian perfectly. I always thought it was because she was an ambassador's daughter and had lived all over the world. Now I know the real reason… She had a past she didn't tell us about. And that past came catching up with her." The pain in Reid's ankle suddenly became too much. It shot upwards all along his leg, sending a searing sensation right up his spine. His old gunshot scar suddenly felt aflame. He needed to grab the corner of a sideboard to keep himself from falling down.
The dog let out one loud, warning bark.
"I've been suffering from headaches a lot lately. Just like my mother… Sometimes I wonder if my past comes catching up with me, too…" Standing up, even with the sideboard's support, wasn't possible anymore.
He told himself he needed to remain on his feet, falling would mean certain death, that beast would tear him to pieces… but he was shivering all over now.
Yes. Definitely a concussion.
His back pressed against the wall, Reid let himself slowly slide down to the ground, presenting as little a threat to the dog as possible.
"For Emily, her encounter with the past ended lethally." He was whispering now, closing his eyes, not wanting to see the Rottweiler's deadly teeth right in front of him.
So the thick wet tongue that suddenly licked across his face, wiping the tears away, came as a total surprise.