A Little Man

I would love to hear your opinions and look to working further on the story.

I do not own or have connection with the "Criminal Minds" program or its characters.

Chapter Three.

Ten Days Later

No evidence of what has happened to Agent Hotchner has been discovered in the building. Back at the offices in Quantico, the BAU is discussing what they need to do now. Chief Strauss has given the unit back to Morgan temporarily until Hotch is found, but as the days go by, they seem to have more questions than answers as the lab is taken apart and no evidence of his remains or where he went.

Doctor Saunders is currently sitting with the team in the round room and telling them what they have found.

"We found a laser system imbedded in the door frame it appears to no longer be functioning. We believe that when Agent Hotchner entered the room, he activated it for the last time and the lasers did something to him. They were connected to a myriad of wires and microchips attached to the main computer in the room. The computer was wiped clean at the time when the laser stopped functioning."

Morgan asks, "What do you think it did to him? No evidence has been found that he is still alive."

"I don't think that he was disintegrated if that is what you are asking."

"Then what happened," asks Prentiss.

"That we haven't figured out yet, but even in disintegration there is residue like dust. No evidence of this is found. We think that he is still alive but we can't find evidence of that however a trap door has been found in front of the door. We were able to open it and there is a chute heading down. We haven't explored the chute yet."

"Why not? It could lead to Hotch. We need to know what is down there."

""I agree we do but we need to do it safely. We are sending a robot with a camera on a rope down to discover what is there before we send any living thing down."

"If he is down there, he could be or dying. We need to get down there right away."

"We are going as fast as we can safely and with intent to find agent Hotchner fast."

"What else have you found?"

"We are going through the computer and try to find out what they were doing and where the missing people are. Hopefully we can find them fast as well as the agent. Dr. Whitsun did not leave any notes or information behind when he left."

"So what do we need to do to help you find him?"

"We have begun to canvas around his place and have got a warrant out to search his home and the homes of his assistants. We are looking for the man and his assistants.

The meeting ends with the doctor and the team continue to discuss and then head out to see what clues and evidence can be found.

In the meantime, the past ten days have been a hazy blur for the missing agent. He has been seeing nothing but a white screen and doesn't know really what has happened to him. He is weak and struggling to do anything for himself. Usually he is sleeping and when he is awake, someone is there to clean him up and then they place a nipple of a baby bottle between his lips. He suckles greedily on the nipple because of a great hunger in his body.

This morning there was a slight change as he began to see shadow and shapes in the whiteness; there is even an occasional splash of color. When he wakes up he lets out a small noise like a weak cry but he continues to try to control his tongue so that he can actually request to find out where he is and who the people around him are. He still wants to know what has happened to him. He looks up and sees a shadow come to the right side of him, he reaches out to the shadow which unseen by him smiles.

"Are you beginning to see me little one?"

He hears the voice and nods his head in answer of yes to the question.

"That is good. Each day you will see a little more and when you see well enough if not perfect then we can show where you are and explain to you what has happened until then just let me take care of you."

She reaches down begins to remove the infant sleeper that encases his body. When it is removed, she removes the diaper and places him into a shallow tub of warm water where she washes him from head to toe and then removes him to a soft velour towel. She towels him dry and then places a dry diaper on him and a warm green sleeper. She places him in her arms and places a nipple of a bottle of protein formula in his mouth which he begins to drink. In the back of his mind, his adult persona is still struggling to deal with this infantilizing of him but his internal and automatic responses overcome that persona to deal with his needs rather than his wanting to know what has happened to him.