"Two more days," said Morgan.

"We will find her, Derek," said Hotch.

"Got another letter," said JJ.

Morgan took the letter from JJ.

"What's it say?" asked Reid.

" 'Two more days to the equinox. Two more days to find her. Two more days until she's free' What does he mean free?" said Morgan.

"I think it's religious," said the detective.

"How?" asked Hotch.

"There are a group who every year hold a celebration during the summer and winter solstice and spring and fall equinox," she said. "We get noise complaints every time. But when we get there no one is around."

"Why do you think it's religious?" asked Rossi.

"Because we always find chicken carcasses lying about," said the detective.

"Animal sacrifice?" said Seaver.

"Maybe. Where is the compound at?" asked Hotch.

"About six miles from the mill," she said.

"Rossi, Seaver with me," said Hotch. "Morgan, Reid, and JJ, I want you to see if you can find something that links the girls."

Morgan huffed as he collapsed in a chair. They had spent the past twenty minutes going over each of the girls and found nothing that connected them.

"Calm down, Derek. They'll find her," said JJ. "The media is all over this. Someone is bound to know something."

"I know. But I talked to her a few days ago. She was fine," said Morgan.

"You know as well as I do that a lot can happen in a few days," said JJ.

"I know. I'm just worried about her," said Derek.


"This is the house," said the detective. "The 'celebrations' are usually in the back."

Hotch and Rossi walked around the side of the house, Seaver and the detective on the other side. When Seaver and the detective got around to the back Hotch and Rossi had stowed their guns.

"Oh…my…God…" said Seaver.

"This is from the past three years," said the detective. "Four years ago the fire they had took out the other alter and the house with it."

"Search the house," said Hotch. "Call Reid, Morgan, and JJ.


"Come on. Hotch has found something," said Morgan.

All three of them climbed in the car and drove out to the compound. Morgan was behind the wheel, which meant that he was doing well above the speed limit."

"Where are they?" asked Morgan.

"We haven't gone in," said Hotch. "You ready?"

"Yeah," said Morgan

"On three," said Hotch. "One…two…three!"

Morgan kicked the door in. Hotch and Rossi entered the house followed by Morgan, Reid, Seaver and JJ.

"Found a basement door," said Reid.

"You and Rossi check it out," said Hotch. "Morgan and I will take the second story."

Reid nodded and opened the door. He was halfway down the stairs when someone spoke.

"Derek? Please tell me it's you."