Humanity

He strips away your humanity. You are nothing more than a toy for his amusement. Your pained screams and cries for help have no meaning beyond the pleasure that they give to him. The knife draws closer and, though you know it cannot help, you beg for mercy. Your words are muffled behind the tape he has used to cover your mouth and you strain against the chains that hold you immobile. They cut into your flesh, one more pain amongst so many but you ignore it and keep flighting futilely to get away. You feel the cold burn of the blade as he draws shallow patterns on your skin and see the dark excitement in your tormentor's eyes.

Without warning he pulls back, out of your line of vision. You are dimly aware of noises around you but you cannot interpret them and continue to fight your bonds, screaming. A gentle touch on your shoulder makes you jerk in surprise - there has been no gentleness since your ordeal began. A different face hovers above you, at first glance, he frightens you because he is unknown and his expression is stern but when you focus on his eyes, the fear recedes slightly. His eyes hold a complex mixture of kindness and anger but somehow you know that the anger is not meant for you. As you hold his gaze, you grow still on the table and slowly allow his words to penetrate the fog of terror that surrounds you.

"It's alright, Beth. My name is Aaron Hotchner, I'm with the FBI. You're safe now, he won't hurt you any more." As he talks, his hands move over your bindings, gently peeling the tape from your mouth and releasing you from your chains. As soon as you are able, you struggle to sit up, desperate to feel like your body is your own again. "Easy, the paramedics are on their way" he says softly but he doesn't try and stop you, instead sliding his arm around you and allowing you to lean against him. Someone hands him a blanket and he wraps it gently around you, hiding your nudity from others. Overcome, you bury your face in his shoulder and burst into tears, staining his white shirt with your blood as you hold onto him with all your remaining strength. He holds you, letting you cry, his hands carefully avoiding the wounds that cover your body, trying not to cause you any further pain.

You tense as you hear a commotion behind you but before you can panic, he is telling you that help has arrived and that you are going to be okay. You cling to him when he tries to pull away so instead he lifts you onto the gurney himself, assuring you that you're strong and you will get through this. You keep your eyes fixed on him as they wheel you away. Tall and dark and obviously in command: he looks so strong and even harsh but the gentleness is still in his eyes and you know that you will never forget him.

The road ahead will be hard, a monster stole your humanity and you will never be the same again but you will live and fight to rebuild your life because a good man made you human again.

END

This is from a slightly strange perspective, but that's just the way it wanted to be written. Feedback would be much appreciated and if you want to criticise feel free but please make it constructive, not just 'this sucks'.