Thanks: To all the people who I have now hooked. And to my betas, for reassuring me that it didn't suck.

A/N: So, are you ready to take a ride?

I remind myself of somebody else - Lifehouse
The trees were dead. And the grass. Nothing grew here. It was all dead. Paint was peeling off the house. A car in the driveway was rusted. The smell of death hung in the air.

Moving, moving now. Slowly. Unstable. Carrying something. A child. A boy. Blonde. Freckles. An angel. The Devil. Asleep. Moaning. So sweet.

The door closes. Home. Silence… Wait… Moaning. From the basement.

Down the stairs. No need for light. Huddled in the corners. Crying. Divine music. Do they know their fate? This time it must work. The last group, a failure.

Back upstairs. Time for dinner. Stew. Made with fresh meat. Tastes just like beef. Do others know? Doubtful. Taboo. But still good.

Time for prayer. Lord, protect me and my flock. Keep the evil ones from us until the work is…

"Agent Goren?"

…And let this group be the one. Amen.

Sleep now. Work must begin again…

"Excuse me, Agent Goren?" The man standing in the doorway was frightened. He had heard stories about Agent Goren, but hadn't actually believed them.

Until now.

Special Agent Jimmy Deakins had been calling Goren's name for the last five minutes. SAIC Bowden had sent Deakins to check on Goren, see if he needed anything. Jimmy had been unprepared to find the legendary profiler gazing through a wall of photos, his fingers tapping insistently on the tabletop.

The idea of actually touching Goren, physically rousing him, had briefly passed through Jimmy's mind. And it had been just as quickly dismissed. Jimmy imagined that it would be like touching dead flesh; cold, clammy and able to invoke gag reflex in normal men.

Huddling in the corner. Dirty. Tired. Alone. Crying. Others were here. No one speaks.

I want my mommy. Someone save me!

Goren turned, grabbing the hand that was approaching his shoulder as he reached for his gun. His weapon and his head came around at the same time to find a terrified man standing behind him, eyes bulging and skin turning ghostly white.

Goren's eyes glanced down to the man's waist, noting the badge and gun attached to the belt. He released the man's hand and lowered his weapon, a shuddering sigh escaping his lips. He sat, head down, waiting for the other man to regain his composure and speak.

"Um, Agent Goren, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. What do you want?"

Jimmy reached out to shake Goren's hand. After standing for a few moments, he cleared his throat and dropped his hand to his side. "I'm Special Agent Jimmy Deakins. People call me Jimmy. SAIC Bowden assigned me to be your liaison while you are here in Phoenix. I'm sorry I didn't meet with you when you arrived two days ago, family emergency. Can I get you anything?"

"No, Agent Deakins…"

"Jimmy."

"Right. No, Jimmy." Goren exhaled loudly and stood, stretching his cramped shoulders and back. After pin wheeling his arms and popping his neck, Goren felt the tension immediately begin to settle along his spine again. Resigned to his suffering, he turned around to find Agent Deakins still standing behind him, an expression of awe on his face.

"Actually, Agent Deakins…uh, Jimmy, I could use a fresh cup of coffee and some fresh air. Let's take a walk, shall we."

"Right this way, sir."

The two men exited the conference room.

Thy work shall be done, Lord. I swear it!

Goren groaned and bent forward, clutching his forehead.

"Sir, are you okay? Do you need a doctor?"

Before Goren could answer, he started to lose consciousness, pitching sideways into the wall. Jimmy caught him and lowered him to the floor.

"Agent down! I need an ambulance! Now!"

As his eyes fluttered closed, Goren saw a flood of people rushing towards him. He hated people. He sank into oblivion with a frown on his face.

TBC