Chapter Five – Scientifically Not

"It's no use," JJ mumbled as she let her arm drop back down to her side. Her right wrist and hand were aching brutally from her attempts at getting the cuff off. "It's loose, but the only way I'm getting my hand out is if I dislocate my thumb."

Which wouldn't get them very far since there was no chance of freeing her left ankle.

"Leave it, JJ," Hotch advised.

She nodded, not pleased with the fact that she'd failed. Getting her cuff off was a last ditch effort, the only real chance of escape they seemed to have. Everyone had checked the concrete holding their chains to the wall. There wasn't any hint of weakness, so there was no way they'd be pulling the chains out. The next thing they'd checked had proved almost as futile. Everyone's cuffs were locked far too tight to slip out of. JJ was the only one who'd had a chance, though she'd just proved the chance had been too slim.

"So, what, we just sit here and wait until this guy gets back?" Morgan growled as he continued to pace his tiny half circle.

"I don't exactly see any other option," Emily retorted in irritation.

There was little they could do without more information to work with. They'd found three small cameras in the room that had fit with their profile. After that their search had turned up nothing. It was a dead end.

"So," Rossi mused as he tucked his arms behind his head and leaned back against the wall in a relaxed type pose. "Who do you think he'd going to test first?"

Morgan ground to a stop and stared at Rossi, mouth agape. JJ's and Emily's expressions seemed to mirror Morgan's since they were just as surprised by the sudden change in their conversation's direction.

"Dave?"

Rossi glanced at Hotch and shrugged.

"It's a valid question. Unless someone has a telepathic communication ability to get in touch with Reid or a way to magically melt steel or break concrete, we need to be prepared for what's coming."

"And you didn't think it wise to perhaps soften the question?"

"This isn't a soft situation, Hotch."

Hotch understood that and had to agree. He just wished there had been a way to shield his team somewhat. They were all strong people, but this situation could get to anyone. He wanted to make it even a tiny bit easier for them if he could.

"Pretty much everyone besides Olivia is fair game," Emily pointed out.

"So does that mean he's doing all of the girls last?" JJ asked as she thought about what their unsub had said.

"I'm not sure if that's a relief or not," Emily admitted. Being last could go one of two ways. Either they were rescued in time and didn't have to suffer through the nightmares or the drug was perfected to the point that they would suffer through the ninth circle of hell in vivid color.

"I don't think anything less than being rescued could be a relief," Olivia mused softly from her spot curled against the wall.

Morgan reached out and bumped her shoulder to catch her attention. When Olivia's dark eyes met his, he was somewhat surprised not to find any obvious fear.

"You know we'll get out of this, right?"

"While I appreciate the pep talk, we can't really know anything. All we can do is be hopeful."

She made a good point, but Morgan refused to think that way. At least for now he would hold onto the belief that they'd get out before they were disposed of.

"Reid, one of our agents, is still out there. He'll know something is wrong. He'll figure it out. Knowing Reid, he could even make the connection between our disappearances and yours."

"Even if he does, I'm not sure the rest of my unit will be able to help him much. They're all great detectives, but we're used to dealing with sexual assault and child abductions. This is different."

"Have a little faith, will you? We're not giving up. I guarantee you Reid won't, and I doubt your team will either."

Olivia gave him a tight smile in return. She knew her team wouldn't give up on her.

"I do have faith, but I'm also a realist. I can't just sit around and hope someone will come save me."

"And you think Morgan can?" Emily asked from across the room. "That's a laugh."

"Like you're any better," Morgan growled back.

"Our goal is to convince him to let one of us go," Hotch cut in, stopping the argument between Prentiss and Morgan before it could begin. "The only real chance we have of that is asking for it to be someone he's tested already."

"Even then it's going to take a lot of convincing," Rossi warned.

"It's the best shot we have right now."

Rossi met Hotch's eyes and held them. Both men knew it was a long shot, but they had to take it anyway. Rossi could see the uncertainty hidden within his friend's eyes. Hotch was keeping a strong front up for the rest of the team. They would never see through it, but Rossi could. Hotch didn't think he'd be able to get them all out of here alive. If he got anyone out at all. He didn't doubt his skills, but serial killers weren't caught right after the first victim was discovered.

And for all intents and purposes, they were the first victims known.

"So, what's the plan?" JJ asked, drawing Rossi's and Hotch's eyes.

While chances were good their unsub's cameras also had an audio feature, they had to risk discussing their planned escape. Details would be avoided, but they still hoped their captor was too busy preparing to listen to them.

"We try to…" Hotch began before Olivia stopped him with two words.

"He's coming."

Once the soft rattle of the chains from the agents getting to their feet subsided, silence prevailed. The door creaked before it crashed against the wall.

"Ready or not, here I am!"

The sing song voice made Morgan grit his teeth. If he'd been able to, he would have punched the guy right in the face. It was becoming a reoccurring thought for him. Their unsub skipped in and twirled once in the middle of the room before coming to a stop.

"What are you, some kind of idiotic ballet dancer?" Morgan scoffed.

"I am a scientific genius! Of course you don't need to take my word for it. You'll get to see it for yourself!"

He set the small bag he'd brought with him down on the floor in the middle of the room before turning to get a good look at each pair. A thoughtful look crossed his face. It was overly exaggerated, complete with a finger to his chin and an audible hmm that would have been comical in any other situation.

"Who should I pick first? Ah, I know! We'll do this scientifically! Eenie, meenie, miney, moe it is!"

He turned to point between Morgan and Olivia first. While the strategy seemed random, the person he'd started with had been specifically chosen. Twenty one words made it easy to know who he would land on.

"Eenie." Rossi and JJ.

"Meenie." Hotch and Emily.

"Miney." Morgan and Olivia.

The game continued until the unsub came to a stop and said the last word.

"Moe."