"Hello?" Craig asked, confused by the unknown number.

"Hello, Mr. Thompson. This is Penelope Garcia from the BAU." she spoke calmly. It was so unnatural for the bubbly overly cheerful Penelope. "Sir, we think we have found your sister."

Craig was speechless. He forgot to breathe at the idea that they had found his beloved sister. The idea was too unreal. It wasn't possible. "A-Are you sure?"

"That's why we're calling you. If you could confirm her identity, then we can work to helping you and your sister find the people that had...took her." she had been hesitant at the mention of the incident.

Craig was overwhelmed with emotions of relief and fear. "W-Where did you find her?"

"Seattle."

His voice broke and he let some of the joyful tears slip. His sister was alive! "I-I'll come as quickly as I can!"

"Okay, sir. Be careful on your trip there."

"I will. Thank you."

"Sir, there is no reason to thank me sir. We are just doing our job."

"Thank you anyway."

Penelope grinned at the relief and joy in Craig's voice. The sound of another line calling made Penelope return to the rather dark case before her. "I have to go but I will notify my team of your arrival."

"Okay," Craig hung up suddenly somber. He had realized something as Penelope had paused. Would his sister remember him? Would she know that he had tried his best to find her? Was she going to be the Sammi he had grown to love with the deepest part of his heart? The questions would go unanswered until he landed down in Seattle and met her himself.


Sam stirred at the sound of the door opening. For a moment, she thought she was back in the cell, helpless. She jumped up, banging her head on the table. A yelp escaped her lips as she held her head in pain. It doubled with the rushing thoughts that belonged to Spencer. He sat down, eyebrows furrowed in thought. Sam could hear as he ran formulas and ideas through his mind. They were too quick for Sam to process so soon after waking up and it was making her head pound. It felt like it was going to split in two. Her hands covered her ears in a helpless attempt to block out the noise and tightened into a ball. Spencer noticed this, the roar quieting to one single thought. Was she okay? Sam was taken aback by the thought. She looked up, hands falling to her lap. She stared at Spencer, surprise and shock mixing into a freezing realization.

"Is something wrong?" Spencer asked. He was watching with wistful brown eyes.

Sam stared back, mouth trying to form words. It failed.

Spencer waited patiently. He had dealt with these kinds of things so often, he had an unlimited amount of patience.

Sam looked down at her lap, ashamed with herself. She could speak. It was obvious from his thoughts that he wasn't going to hurt her. All of the people she had met at the place had evil whispers of thoughts, imagines of the devilish things they were about to do. Spencer, on the other hand, had warm tones and ideas that would float in to Sam's brain. Besides his little race a few minutes ago, he had an easy mind that worked a good pace. He was trustworthy. A knock made her press further into the corner as someone walked in.

Spencer looked up at them. He stood and said a quick greeting. "JJ."

"Hey." JJ smiled at Spencer before kneeling by the table to see Sam. "Hello, Sam."

Sam's eyes widened and she stared incredulously at the woman. How had she known her name? Sam was about to use her 'power' to find out just as JJ spoke.

"Your name is Samantha right?"

No response. Sam wasn't listening now. Memories had consumed her. She had lost control and was being eaten alive by the memories of torture and pain. No one had said her name in years. The memory of her brother screaming for her unearthed and rang in her ears. Spencer watched, gears grinding, as she covered her ears again.

"JJ, I think she hears something that others can't." he said dully, eyes never leaving Sam.

JJ turned to him in confusion. They were thinking the same thing. Sam wasn't paying attention to hear it. She turned back to Sam. "Sam? Do you want to talk?"

Sam wasn't paying attention.

JJ turned to Spencer. "Okay, I'll ask her later. We have a few hours until her brother gets here."

"Craig Thompson?"

"Yes." JJ stood. "He is taking the earliest flight over." she glanced at Sam who was still balled up in the fetal position. "This reaction isn't good. I hope her brother can help."

"She's our only witness."

"Exactly." JJ sighed. "I have always hated when kids get involved in this stuff."

Spencer was about to correct her that Sam had to be at least in her twenties when JJ's expression explained everything. Sam had been abducted from years ago. She had been a teenager when she had gone missing. As a young adult, she was exposed to the seven circles of hell twice over. That kind of treatment could tear a young mind apart to no end. Their faces were somber, understanding. "Could it be trafficking?"

"That was what Emily suggested. It seems like it." JJ said solemnly. She was giving Sam a small smile as they spoke. Their voices were low as not to disturb her. She was recovering slowly from the darkness in her mind. Reading their thoughts helped her anchor to reality. JJ's thoughts were louder than Spencer's but they held the same kind of warmth and friendliness. Trustworthy.

Sam watched them speak to each other, their voices quiet. It was like she was a child watching curiously as their parents talk to each other.

Spencer smiled warmly at Sam. "Sam," JJ turned to face her as well. "You said you have brother."

Sam was watching JJ. She didn't want to answer in front of her. JJ caught on quickly and headed for the door. "I'll get coffee." she leaned to Spencer's ear. "Ask her about her family. She trusts you."

Spencer nodded and took his seat across from Sam as JJ left the room. Sam was slowly getting used to the quick opening and shutting of the door. "Sam, you said you have family."

Sam hesitated before nodding.

"Do you have a brother?"

A short pause and a nod.

"Do you know his name?"

Sam knew who Spencer was thinking was her brother. It was smart. The way they had deducted who was impressive. She would have expected having to say it herself. She nodded.

Spencer waited for her to speak.

Sam reached for the notebook. Scribbling the one word, she slid it across to Spencer.

Craig

Spencer smiled. "We found your brother, Sam." she was unfazed. "He is coming to see you."

Sam was expressionless. She couldn't remember her brother's voice or the way he smiled or laughed. It was a blank face on a basic male build. Even the vivid memory of being kidnapped, she couldn't piece together what he looked like. The uncertainty made her shiver and shake like a leaf on a windy fall day. It was fear that gripped her so tightly.