Reid's voice: "The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved."-Mother Theresa
The agents are just getting themselves situated on the jet as J.J. begins her briefing of the case at hand.
J.J.: Last night Angela Bellows, 17, made her way into the ER. Her face and head were burned beyond recognition, she was missing two fingers on each hand and etched across her chest—it looks to have been burned in with acid—was the word "bitch."
Rossi: How did she make it to the hospital?
J.J.: Local police seem to think she was dropped off close enough for her to walk even in her condition but outside of security camera range. She was dressed in an outdated prom dress and a tiara.
Reid: Like a living body disposal.
Morgan: The unsub is making a statement. I don't know what he's saying but you don't do all that without putting some thought into it.
Hotch: Angela Bellows wasn't the first.
J.J.: No. The first was Kellen Darcy also 17. He walked into the ER nearly a week ago. The victims had each been missing for about 3 days before showing up in the ER. Kellen came in wearing cleats and football pads. He was put into a medically induced coma which he was just brought out of yesterday.
Hotch: So we can talk to him?
J.J.: Yes.
Prentiss: Were his injuries the same as Angela's?
J.J.: Mostly, except for the acid burn. On his chest was "jock."
Rossi: Given the victims, I think I already know but was there any sexual assault?
J.J.: Angela showed signs of penetration. No biologicals were recovered and the rape kit was inconclusive. She could have had consensual sex before being abducted.
Morgan: No assault on Kellen?
J.J. shakes her head.
J.J.: But his penis was attached to his abdomen using hot glue.
The men wince visibly.
Hotch: Can Angela be interviewed?
J.J.: No. She's in a coma like Kellen was.
Reid: Were there signs that they had been drugged?
J.J.: There were small traces of rohypnol in the systems of both victims. It seemed to have been mostly metabolized.
Reid: So Angela could have been raped and the drugs could explain the lack of visible physical trauma.
Hotch: Reid, you and Prentiss go to the hospital. Talk to Kellen and the families of both kids. Also see what the doctors can tell you. Morgan, Rossi—you two check out the places each kid was last seen. See what you might find out about the abductions. J.J., see what the locals have. We need to keep this from becoming a widespread panic. I'll see if I can get anything from friends and teachers at the school.
The agents all nod and drift into their own minds. Morgan slides into the seat across from Reid.
Morgan: What's turning around in that big old brain of yours?
Reid: You know I don't actually have a larger brain than anyone else, Morgan.
Morgan: Stop deflecting and tell me what you have.
Reid: Hotch's interviews aren't going to turn up a steady boyfriend for Angela.
Morgan: How do you know?
Reid: Her hymen was very freshly torn. Too recent to have been consensual and before her abduction.
Morgan: Angela Bellows was a virgin?
Reid nods with a haunted look on his face.
Morgan: She's in for some kind of hell when she wakes up isn't she?
Reid nods again obviously not trusting his own voice amid his swirling thoughts.
Morgan: Can you talk to me about what you're thinking right now?
Reid simply shakes his head and then very slightly nods a gesture to the rest of the team. Without words saying that he doesn't want to open this particular issue on the jet surrounded by his team.
Morgan: You will, when you can?
Reid nods and gives a small smile.
Hotch stands in the office of the school that both Angela and Kellen attend. He immediately identifies an exhausted looking woman whose eyes are red and puffy although she is careful to not allow anyone to actually see her cry. Hotch approaches her.
Hotch: Principal Wynn? I'm Special Agent Aaron Hotchner with the FBI. Do you have a minute?
Principal Wynn actually looks relieved to have an excuse to retreat to her office; even though she won't be there alone. She ushers Hotch into her office and gestures to a chair.
Hotch: Principal Wynn, I know what a hectic time this must be for you and your school. I am very sorry for what you are dealing with. We unfortunately see a lot of cases like this and if we can assist you in any way to help your students and staff through this time, please let me know.
Principal Wynn: Thank you Agent Hotchner.
Hotch: I need to get some basic background information on Angela Bellows and Kellen Darcy. We are trying to figure out why they may have been targeted. I'm trying to find out what kind of students they are and what extracurricular activities they are into.
Principal Wynn: They're decent students. They have to be at least that. They're both athletes. Angela swims and runs track and Kellen plays football and baseball. I guess you could say they're both part of the popular crowd. Angela was on the homecoming court this year.
Hotch hands his card to the principal.
Hotch: Thank you for your time. I really am sorry to disturb you while you already have your hands so full. Again, if we can be of any assistance, do not hesitate to call.
At this he takes his leave already pondering the information he had just been given.
