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A/n hello all, please enjoy this brief beginning of a new collection. Most chapters will be from Spencer's POV, but we may see other's as well. Thank you in advance for your kind support. I have the best fans on the site!
The young man appeared deep in thought as he wandered the concrete pathways that crisscrossed the grassy hills and valleys of Lakeside Park.
When will I return?
He pondered the question as he surveyed the familiar contours of his favorite spot in the city. The park hadn't changed since the first time his mother had brought him there. He'd been three years old, but he still remembered the warm sun on his face, the green grass under his feet and the breeze on his skin. He could see in his mind's eye, children playing, adults conversing with each other and pets frolicking on the lawns.
He vividly recalled the tingling sensation in his stomach when his mother pushed him on the swing. The sensation of flying up from the ground as wind perfumed with spring flowers ruffled his hair. Then the feeling of dropping back to earth in one, long, unbroken arc. He smiled at the memory, but it was an unhappy smile because he was an adult now. He had to catch a plane to DC in twelve hours, and the thought of leaving this place for good, cut him to the core.
He sighed, heavily, and turned away from the playground. He strolled slowly across the park, to a shaded area, complete with built-in benches, and chess boards. Three men, a boy, and a middle-aged woman sat at different boards amid two different games. He watched them until the middle-aged woman lost her game with the boy.
"Hey, mister," said the kid, who looked no more than ten. He had dark brown hair, brown eyes and wore a black tee shirt with faded jeans and battered sneakers. "Want a game?"
"Where's your mom," asked the man, instead of taking the invitation to play.
"That would be me," said the middle-aged woman with similar eyes and hair color. "I stink at chess, so if you want to take my place, please, go ahead. I'll be over there," she pointed to a wooden bench about twenty feet to his left.
"In that case, I accept," said the man and sat down to play.
The sun was setting in a riot of orange, purple and gold when the young man walked, victorious, from the park. He decided that the sun was also setting on his childhood, even though he'd recently reached twenty-two. He unlocked the driver's side door of his ancient Volvo and started the engine. He sat for a full minute and said a melancholy goodbye to Lakeside Park. Was he saying goodbye to his old life and embracing a new life? He didn't know, so he started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.
Goodbye Las Vegas, and goodbye, Dr. Spencer Reid. Hello Quantico and hello to Agent Reid of the FBI.