Disclaimer:
-Characters from the TV show Criminal Minds
-I don't own: CBS property
Three Days Grace's song: Animal I have become
=) ENJOY!
Chapter 1
"The family is a heaven in a heartless world." – Christopher Lash
There were two occupants in the old car. The designated driver by the name of Joshua, who drove too fast at three in the morning in a dirt road, and his younger brother Peter, who sat in the back seat with his legs sprawled at his ease to be in a much desired comfortable position for sleeping. Joshua accidentally ran over a big rock and the red Toyota Corolla jumped violently waking Peter in the process.
"What the heck? Josh! Are you out of your mind? Slow down!"
"Don't worry so much. I want to arrive home before mom notices we're missing. Have you forgotten you're supposedly grounded?"
"I still want to get there in one piece! Why are you driving in this awful road?"
"Well, if mom knows I took you with me, I'll be the one who won't be in one piece! And this is a short-cut. Now, calm down Pete."
The brothers continued their way towards home. As the local station changed the late news to the song "Animal I have become" by Three Days Grace the car ran over something hard again, but this time it cracked beneath its weight. Peter's first expression was «Again? » to whom Joshua responded with a simple «Shut up! ». Putting the car to a stop the two young men left the vehicle to investigate the source of their almost second accident within sixteen minutes. What they saw made them scream for their lives. A dirty duffel bag was slightly open; only to reveal limbs that once belonged to someone. It certainly wasn't the end they'd hopped for their night.
FBI Academy in Quantico – 6th floor's bullpen
At the bullpen of level 6, the BAU's floor, you could notice an unusual scene. Chief Erin Strauss entered SSA Aaron Hotchner's office and sat quietly speaking about a recent murder investigation, the strangeness resided in the state of Strauss, who looked ready to start crying in the middle of the conversation. Derek Morgan walked from his office and went onto a small gathering around his co-workers desks that stood still, glaring at him when he approached them too loudly for their likes.
"Hey. What's going on?"
"Look." Emily Prentiss said as she pointed to Hotch's office. "Strauss has been there for almost an hour."
"Is it just me or is she sobbing?" pointed Morgan.
"You do know she's human, right?" David Rossi asked jokingly before he took a much somber tone. "One way or another, people always break. I guess it was Erin's turn."
"How much are you willing to bet we're needed for a case and she's tagging along?" Prentiss asked sarcastically.
"Oh! The fun!" Morgan joked.
"Fun?" Asked a confused Spencer Reid.
"Kid I swear! One of these days you'll learn the meaning of sarcasm the hard way…" Sighed a frustrated Morgan.
"Actually sarcasm is a cutting, often ironic remark…" Reid began, before he was interrupted by both of their bosses who had finished the long meeting.
"Conference room, in five. We've got a case." Hotch directed to the team.
FBI Academy in Quantico – Aaron Hotchner's Office
"So what's the deal?"
"Excuse me Dave?"
"You heard me just fine. What was Strauss doing in here?"
"A victim of our next case is a friend from her childhood. They studied together in a private boarding school. Strauss' uncle, who is also her friend's godfather, apparently, is well connected inside the FBI and knew about this before she did. He told her and asked for our help."
"What do you think?"
"I don't know yet…but I think that we weren't just chosen because we work at the BAU. I think it might be due to us being beneath Strauss in the chain of command." Hotch pointed.
"Specially under her supervision." Rossi concluded. "He thinks he can keep the investigation under control thru us?"
"Perhaps, but we still need to consider it as a regular case. After everything is determined we can make the proper conclusions on Strauss' involvement in this."
"Well, if he thinks he can control anything, he's out of luck. No one in this team is hypocritical enough to become an informer for Strauss or her uncle."
"I know."
"Oh God, I just can't handle politics!" Rossi add annoyed. To which Hotch chuckled has he remembered Prentiss' opinion on the same subject. His friend noticed so and become curious. "What?"
"Nothing, but I have the impression that this will be a long case."
"Why do I have the feeling I won't like what comes next?" Rossi said as Hotch gave him a quick look that said «Behave or I'll kick your butt before Strauss does it. » and with that he stepped out of his office and went to the conference room with older agent behind him.
FBI Academy in Quantico – 6th floor's conference room
As expected, all of the team members were already waiting for the remaining profilers. Eager to get it done quickly, he asked Garcia to start the display of the photos from the different crime scenes.
"This new case is in Fairbanks, Alaska. According to the local authorities nine people were abducted in the last two weeks. All from different places, except for two twins with the age of five." As he spoke Garcia projected the victims' photos and respective locals of abduction.
"How were they connected?" Morgan skeptically asked, since there were victims of both sexes in all colors and ages.
"In each local of abduction a letter was left with the victims' ID in it, and a paper." They all looked at the letter as Reid read it out loud.
"Evolution means family." As everyone was still gathering their thoughts Prentiss was the first to speak and break some of their concentration.
"Do you think the unsub is looking for a family?"
"It's quite disturbing. But a possibility." Rossi said.
"Still, victimology doesn't fit. We have blonds, brunettes, redheads, adults, children, black and white people…" Argued Morgan.
"It does if you grew in foster care." Hotch pointed.
"Or if you're dismissed within your own family." Garcia, to the team's surprise, added.
"Okay people. We'll think about it better on the flight. We leave in two ours. I suggest you to take warm cloths and regular luggage. Chief Strauss informed me to advise you not to take only a go bag."
"By other words, if we don't catch the SOB then we'll be stuck there until we catch him?" Prentiss asked half-jokingly, half-serious.
"Like I said to Dave; it'll be a long case."
"Just peachy." Said a dissatisfied Prentiss.
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Author's note: YAY! My first chapter!
I only missed one day phoebe9509! LOL
Read & Review so I now if was worth to publish this =)