I do not own criminal minds. I do own Mia though, which is pretty cool!
Chapter 2
The team stood around the small police department studying a bulletin board.
"Prentiss and Emily, you two go to the most recent crime scene. Rossi I need you to work on the victimology report of the dead victims. Morgan, Reid and I will stay here and talk to the witness," Hotch briefed. The team split up into their small groups and went on with business.
"Reid, why don't you interview our victim," Hotch suggested. "You're closest to her age."
"Sound's good," Reid agreed, then entered the interview room.
*Mia's POV*
Mia had been sitting in that cold room for hours with nothing but a box of tissues and a mirror. She stared at her reflection and inwardly grimaced. Her white blonde hair was thrown up in a messy knotted ponytail. Her long bangs stuck to her face from sweat. Her light blue eyes seemed darker and red from crying. Her mascara made her look either Goth or like a giant raccoon. She sighed and slumped back into the cold metal chair and put her head in between her hands and let out a shuttering breath. Images of tonight kept replaying in her head. Her mother's gaping, vacant stare. The blood splattered all over the walls. The masked man, smiling creepily at her, touching her. Him gently brushing back her bangs, running his hand down her cheek. Then there was the heart. Mia stared down at the bandages on her wrist. He carved a heart in her wrist out of "love".
"Hello I'm Dr. Reid" A soft voice cut in in front of her. Mia half screamed, half squeaked, startled by the thin man standing across the table. "Oh, I'm sorry if I startled you" He apologized quickly.
"Oh no sorry, I'm just a little jumpy after..." Mia trailed off, trying to shake the memories loose from her head. She looked at the doctor to see sympathy and… understanding?
"You're probably suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Three in five soldiers and veterans suffer PTSD you know," The young man blurted. His cheeks reddened in embarrassment but Mia just smiled a little. She understood Dr. Reid's lack of social skills. "So Mia, how are you feeling?"
Mia's smile fell. No time to smile when you watched your family's life slip away right in front of your eyes. "I feel pretty crappy honestly. My family was just murdered, I found out I have a crazy stalker who carved a knife in my arm and this chair really hurts my butt," Mia sighed. The young doctor cracked a smile at Mia's small joke.
"I know this is tough, but can you tell me anything about the man that you can remember?" Reid asked warily.
Mia sat completely still for a few seconds, trying to compose herself. "He was tall, and big. Not in the fat way, but muscled. He had a crooked smile…" She trailed off, her thoughts a jumbled mess. "I just, can't believe they're gone. My dad died when I was little and now this. I had to watch him stab my own mother over and over. I have there screams stuck in my head, like an echo. I don't know how I can go on…" Mia was crying by this point, thick tears rolling down her face.
"The memories get easier you know," A quiet Reid piped in. "They never feel different but the more you live your life the less it controls it. You will always miss your family, but you'll make room for new people in your life and happier memories." Mia stared in awe at Reid. He was so knowledgeable, like he spoke from experience. The crushing wait on her chest seemed to lessen and her throat started to unknot. She smiled wide at the agent.
"Thank you" she whispered. Reid gave her a small half smile but his eyes lit up.
"I think we can be done for the day" Reid said, standing up. He held out his hand towards Mia. She took it gratefully and pulled herself up, carrying her box of tissues. Reid led her out of the interrogation room, his arm protectively looped over her shoulder as he guided her to a couch.
"Sit here" Reid instructed. Mia fell back onto the couch and curled up in a ball.
*Reid's POV*
"I think we can getting a profile together when the others return" Reid suggested. Hotch nodded but was distracted by a ringing noise buzzing from his jacket pocket.
"This is Hotchner… no one?... alright….. thanks Garcia." Hotch hung up the phone. "No one has stepped up to be Mia's temporary guardian." Hotch said solemnly.
"What? No one?" Morgan exclaimed in surprise.
"All of the potential guardians backed out when they found out the unsub killed everyone around Mia." Hotch explained with a hint of anger.
"What's going to happen to her then?" Morgan questioned.
"She can stay at the hotel with me," Reid piped in. Morgan and Hotch both stared at the young agent in surprise.
"Are you sure Reid?" Hotch asked warily.
"Yeah of course. It'll give me a good chance to see why the unsub us interested in her. Plus I can protect her from the unsub! It all works out,"' Reid explained while staring over at the teen. There was something about this girl reminded Reid of himself. He felt obligated to care for her and he couldn'tlet her go into foster care.
"Alright Reid, she can stay with you," Hotch approved.
Next chapter we can see what the other agents are up to! Oh and don't forget to review!
