Another case. Another case where the team saved the victim just in time. This man had already claimed the lives of three children. Luring them out of their homes at night, killing them elsewhere, and dropping them the next day at their families' doorsteps. It was gruesome. And it hit home for several of the agents. To have their own children snatched right out from under the same roof, then murdered, broke all of their hearts. For Hotch and J.J. though, they could feel the desire to catch this criminal burn deeper as they thought of their own children.
Reid felt a passion to catch this killer more than he had ever before when a child killer was involved. He looked at the victims and he saw Wren, snatched from Reid's own home. A need to protect he hadn't felt before. He had never felt like a parent until Riley and Wren started living with him. Riley had been staying with Reid most of the time before this, but she was older and more independent; and Reid didn't really know the full circumstances of her stays until recently. He cared for her and would do anything for her, but having Wren around was…different. A good different, he decided. Wren's younger than Riley; he's more naïve, more innocent, and he needs more care. Wren has spent his entire life in bad home situations with bad caregivers, and Reid wants to show him that life isn't as bad as he's always had it.
So far, it felt like he was successful; Reid felt like he was giving him the home he needs. The boy looks well-fed and clean for the first time since Reid has known him. Most importantly though, Wren always seems happy. He smiles thinking about it as he drives home late after the case. Picturing Wren sitting on the couch, contently reading. The three of them eating dinner at the table, Wren laughing over a silly thing Riley said.
He parks the car at his house and gathers his things. His heart feels full. The team did the best they could with this case. They made a difference. He looks to his home. And I make a difference here.
The house is dark. The kids must be asleep. Entering the front door, he sees a light on at the kitchen counter. He shuts the door softly so it doesn't disturb the other residents. Placing his bags down on the couch, he walks toward the kitchen.
His heart that felt so full just moments before, drops down into his stomach as he recognizes Riley's writing. He grabs the paper and collapses into a stool at the counter to read the letter in its entirety.
Reid,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry for putting you and the team at risk all this time. Whether I meant to or not, there's no denying that your lives are safer without me nearby. I can't erase what I've learned, but I can leave and stop learning; I can stop endangering your lives with every conversation we share, every minute I'm in your presence. God may be gone, but that won't stop the next guy with a vendetta against one or all of you from using me to get to you. It's better if I'm nowhere near any of you anymore. It's safer for everyone.
I'm sorry for any pain that I've caused you and everyone else on the team. I know there were times you were hurt because of me. Whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or whatever, I know you've suffered because of me.
I'm sorry most of all for doing this to you, Reid. For breaking your heart like this, for making you care about us, and then being the one to hurt you.
I never ever meant to, but I've put you all at risk and that's something that can't happen again. That's why we have to go. I thought we could make this work. I thought with them both gone we'd be safe and could live our happy little fairy-tale ending lives. Wren and I have loved staying with you, we really did. You've done nothing but care for us with your whole heart. And that's why it breaks mine knowing we have to leave. Living here, in this city, reliving painful memories day after day is becoming unbearable for both of us; we can't live like this anymore. We can be happier. I hope someday you understand why I've made this decision and forgive me for the pain that I've caused you.
Please don't look for us and try to bring us back. That will just make this harder than it has to be. Please trust me. I have a plan for us; it's what we need and it's gonna work. I promise. I'm doing this for all of us.
If you do need to find us, I know you'll be able to. You know me better than I know myself. You have since Day 1.
With nothing but love,
Riley and Wren Bye Reid! I'll miss you!
A tear falls next to their names. I hope I understand someday too, Riley.
