Chapter 14
A narrow, asphalt strip of turf on either side of her was Hastings escape. JJ could feel his fingers dig into her right cheek, the four blackened ovals that would remain and discolor her skin long after the blood had dried from her veins. Her screams were continually stifled. She could hear him panting, the pleasure in his breath, like an animal in heat. He was not stealing but rather claiming what was rightfully his. He did not speak, no need to tell her not to fight, to not make a sound. His fingers did all the work. Cling, hook, crush, threatening to unhinge her very jaw if another sound were to leave her lips. That was how she was to remain, silent. His long bony fingers could effectively wrap around her entire jaw line, not just the silent threat was keeping her mouth shut.
Her eyes were wide, really showing the bright blue, like the sky right before the sun disappears-dark rich indigo, with specks of wild colors here and there. But there in the glaring sun, her eyes glistened, they were iridescent and flecked with every shade of blue. More of a dark blue that seemed to be its own raging ocean in her eye socket. She idly scanned the familiarity of her neighborhood. Searching for anything that could help her escape, for everything she had learned in basic training for the FBI. Her best chance of survival was to escape in the actual abduction scene.
However, Hastings grip around her mouth was terrifying. She had only seen this strength in him once before. With the...first time. His clutch around her mouth kept her stifled screams inaudible. His other arm was wrapped around her waist, carrying her down the driveway to his get away vehicle, slightly parked away from the Jareau-Lamontagne household. The ache in her stomach from the pressure was predominantly present, however JJ ignored the constant pain. While, petrifying memories seemed to help Hastings in keeping her captive. His long, bony fingers matched his long arms. His right arm wrapped completely around her waist. While JJ knew she was petite, it still was unnerving to know how easily Hastings could wrap around her and take her. Just like that.
But not this time.
Spindly trees and stone pillars accented one of JJ's neighbors houses. Madalee Staheli lived across the street with a beautiful wrought iron gate sweeping wide and curved at the top like a grand entrance. JJ considered her and Madalee great friend, often times they would try to get together for lunch, just to escape from the world. Like JJ, Madalee worked in a government job. She was a local DA and knew the terrible things JJ saw on the daily. JJ believed that is why the two women got along so well. Her heart ached at the thought of not seeing Madalee again for a regular lunch. Something so simple, but simply meant so much.
JJ was kicking, flailing really, but in her recent weeks, eating had not been a priority. She was reduced to little exercise while healing from her wounds. And this only made Hastings job easier. JJ was easily only a hundred pounds, give or take a few. Hastings probably lifted more than her weight regularly in the gym. This made her want to scream out in even more mental agony. She had never felt so useless in her life. She felt weak, hopeless, pathetic she couldn't even break away from Hastings enough to make a successful escape.
A second wind overcame JJ, enough was enough. JJ was a fighter, she was strong and could hold her own. Even at a whopping 100 pounds JJ could take the man down. That's why they called her the Pennsylvania Petite right? JJ clenched her teeth, her heart was pounding rapidly in her chest but JJ tried to ignore it and slow her breathing. With the sun beating down JJ began to feel the sweat that she was covered in. JJ's fear gave her extra strength. JJ ripped one of her arms from the captivity underneath Hastings right arm around her waist, she immediately swung madly at her attacker. Even when it hardly effects Hastings, JJ cannot stop herself, her will to survive is too strong. Again she swung back until the grip around her waist was slightly loosened. She ripped her other arm out and before she knew it, Hastings was stumbling on the driveway, trying to regain control. Her grass lawn suddenly came into view as Hastings dropped her on the grass ground.
JJ remembered every childhood moment of scuffing her knee in the grass and looking down to find a nasty grass stain. Her mother would yell at her and Rosaline for all the grass stains she would find on the knee of their pants. But in that moment, while her back and leg scuffed up next to the grass, surely making a mark, the only thing she could think of was if this would finally be the time she met Rosaline again.
Her grip on reality was quickly brought back by a slap to the face, literally. Hastings was done screwing around, he wanted JJ easy and done with. He wanted sweet revenge and a nice relaxing beer. He wanted to remember this moment as a successes, not as a hard, physically challenging endeavor that left him hurt and almost regretting his effort all together.
Hastings managed to get another clear shot to her torso, right in the sore spot was all JJ could think. How could he have been so lucky, or surely knowing, of exactly where to hurt her most. Her stomach had already had a tender, pulsating ache. That one brutal punch ripped the breath from JJ's lungs like Hastings had personally reached his hand down her throat and pried it out himself. JJ's small, delicately formed lips fell open, a silent scream of agonizing pain. She briefly wondered if Hastings had torn her slowly and recently healed stitches.
At this point Hastings had been attempting to regain his grip on JJ. JJ had gotten a few good hits in, while adequately making sure she was struggling just enough to piss off Hastings. JJ's pearly teeth bit down on her lip and squeezed her eyes shut before muttering out.
"Bastard."
"What?" Hastings asked with a little grin. He had clearly heard her, but he just got a kick out of seeing her like this.
"Bastard!" JJ said again, she gritted her teeth, while gently trying to stop clutching the ache at her stomach.
"It takes one to know one, wouldn't you think?" Hastings played back.
JJ whipped over to her stomach and tried getting on all fours, she needed to escape. Even though she knew her chances of actually getting away from this position was little to none, with him standing right above her, she had to try anyway. At least had to make it hard on the asshole. Once she had gotten on all fours, Hastings quickly pounced. He couldn't have her getting away now. He had put to much work and crime into getting to this point. He got on her back and JJ fell back down on the grass. Underneath his weight, she turned over and the two began wrestling. Each fighting for the perfect move to cripple the other and get what they needed. Capture or escape.
JJ was screaming and muttering under his weight, she had a lost a lot of her muscle mass in the previous weeks, his large frame was nothing easy to move, but Hastings sure was having a hell of a time in amusement at JJ's efforts. JJ managed to get her knee up from the ground, she waited until Hastings moved down just a little and she would have a perfect shot as his manhood. It wasn't long until the moment came and JJ took full advantage of her opportunity. Hastings face told her all she needed to know. She had hit her mark. He rolled off her body embarrassingly clutching his manhood.
JJ tried standing up, deep breaths racked through her body. Just as she stood up Hastings grasped her ankle and took her right back down. JJ reached her hands out to stop the impact but they couldn't break her entire fall. Her face slammed against the cement edge connecting to the grass. JJ groaned out in pain, blood immediately started to gush, she reached her hand over to the bloody mess and noticed it had split her lip as well. She heard Hastings chuckle behind her and she felt her heart drop.
It was over.
Not a moment later JJ heard something so sweet. So familiar, a sense of beckoning hope.
"FBI hands up."
Just as quickly as the deep words processed, Hastings pulled her up in front of him as a shield. He wrapped his arm around her neck in a choke hold and began backing away from the freedom standing in front of JJ.
She saw her team, Emily, Reid, Hotch...Morgan. All of them. They held their guns up threateningly. Each had their own sense of a glare on their face, trying to remain neutral in the situation, but each knowing of the deadly consequences if they failed.
"I will kill her, don't come close to me." Hastings threatened. His grip around her neck slightly tightened.
"Will's inside, he's bleeding. Help him!" JJ cried.
Hastings grip tightened enough to completely cut off JJ's airway. She began sputtering and clawing at his arm around her neck.
"Stop it, you don't want another murder on your list of charges." Morgan warned.
Hastings lightly eased up enough for JJ to take one deep breath before she heard his sickening chuckle once more.
"Who cares? I'm already going to prison for life, whats one more murder on my rap sheet?" Hastings mused.
"You lost Hastings, it's over. The only thing you are doing right now is getting yourself in more trouble." Hotch said.
"Like I said, I don't think I can get in more trouble."
"Then we'll just have to shoot you." Morgan said.
"You forget I worked for the same people you do. You don't have a clean shot, you won't shoot. I have something you want."
"Oh, but you underestimate me." Morgan growled.
JJ gulped as she heard the cock of a gun. She was sure he had elicited the reaction they wanted from Hastings, their faces said it all. Everything was almost silent for a full moment.
"Tell the DA to give me a deal if I let her go." Hastings said.
"You got it." Rossi answered.
Hastings pushed JJ away from his body right to where Emily had been standing. Some of the extra police officers rushed into JJ's house, while the male FBI agents quickly attacked Hastings and roughly put him in cuffs.
"What's my deal going to be?" Hastings asked.
"You really are an idiot." Rossi said.
Hastings gave Rossi a questioning look.
"We aren't actually going to give you a deal...no you're going to be in prison for a loooong time." Rossi chuckled lightly and shoved a hysterical Hastings in the back of the first black SUV.
Emily walked JJ over to the ambulance waiting.
"No, I need Will. Is he okay?" JJ quickly asked.
"JJ you need a doctor, I will make sure Will is okay, but you need to go the hospital. Now." Emily instructed.
Tears streamed down JJ's face.
"I'm not going without Will by my side." JJ nearly whispered.