A/N: Hey. I can't believe how many people like this story so far. You all make my day. This has actually never happened before, and I can't stop smiling whenever I see that someone else likes this. Also to Death Munchkin this story takes place in about season 8. As it goes on, more and more things will be understood. Like what is going on, if any of you aren't quite sure. You will see.
Thank you everyone! :) Enjoy!
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"Ta da!" Reid shouted, if that was even his name. They ignored him, to busy gaping at the man in the center of the circle. The skinny, pale man, with curly brown hair and doughy hazel eyes. The man they had always considered to be Reid.
Reid: the man who had emerged from the burlap, beaten and frighten. Reid: the man who had kidnapped, beaten, and tormented their family.
No one said a word, none of the team. All started, their wide eyes trained on the bloody, silent boy.
"Spence?" JJ asked, hesitantly. "Is that-"
"Uh uh uh. Remember, you only have one question. One freebie. Don't waste it on crap," "Reid" said, walking towards the man who sat unmoving in the center of the room. Crouching down, "Reid" pulled the man into a tight hug. The young man struggled against his arms but quickly gave into exhaustion, falling still.
"Let him go," Garcia whimpered. "Reid" ignored her to Morgan's relief. He pulled away and held the young man at arm's length, looking him over as if seeing him for the first time. "The resemblance is uncanny." Then turning to the rest of the team, stated, "You have one question that I will answer truthfully, what will it be?"
"Can we have time to think?" Rossi inquired.
"No. Ask it now, or don't ask anything. Your decision." "Reid" answered, his gaze trained on his twin-only possible explanation- as he stroked his fingers through his identical brown curly locks. The fear and disgust in the man's eyes were evident and it pained the team to see Reid, their Reid, like this. It was him, wasn't it?
The team looked to Hotch, all coming to a silent agreement. Hotch nodded. "We want to know why? Why are you doing this?"
"Reid" looked up at Hotch repeating his words curtly, "Why am I doing this? I'll tell you why, because Reid here, my shit for a brother, deserves to suffer. And you all get to watch." He stood up quickly, causing Spencer's body to hit the floor hard. There was no cry out, he remained silent and unmoving.
From over his shoulder, "Reid" called jauntily, "The game will actually begin in eight hours. I'm so excited! Get some rest and don't try anything." Foot steps clanking up the stairs, followed by the 'whoosh' of the door and echo of the locks.
"Reid" was gone.
The team turned turned their full attention to Reid, the real Reid. He now lay curled in a tight ball, atop the burlap sap that had so recently contained him. He was quivering, his body shaking violently as he hugged his knees to his chest. His chocolate curls were matted to his head in crimson. A sheen of sweat slicked his forehead. His whole body dripped blood, as gashes littered his skin. A deep cut across the side of his face, shined bright with infection. Bruises littered his emaciated body, deep black, blue and green.
It wasn't the physical afflictions that scared the team though. But the way he looked at all of them from his huddled position. The dead, frightened look in his once bright hazel eyes.
"Spence?" JJ said again, soothingly. She tilted her head, in an effort to catch a glimpse of his face. He did not respond.
Emily leaned forward, in an effort to whisper, "Guys he's not chained. Reid can you get us out of these cuffs?"
Still he did not respond.
Emily didn't press him, merely weakly pulled against one of her cuffs and slumped against the wall.
Saying nothing more, the team sat in uncomfortable silence waiting in anticipation. Morgan's eyes stared at Reid's face, watched his unblinking eyes as they stared at the floor. He was thinking, remembering "Reid's" words: For a year now, none of you have seen the change. How could he have missed it? The change was a different Reid and his replacement had gone unnoticed. Morgan couldn't help but feel sick to his stomach. For a year, Reid had been locked away with this psychopath and he had allowed it to happen.
Staring into Reid's dead eyes, Morgan couldn't help but feel that he was the reason this had happened. That he had killed Reid.
...
The eight hours passed like minutes. "Reid" had returned in what seemed like seconds after his departure. He now sat cross legged in the center of the circle, hugging Spencer tightly in his arms. He was smiling, stroking his long bony fingers through his brothers locks. Reid did not move.
"Reid-" Rossi began but a hand silenced him.
"Stop calling me Reid. That is this devil child's name. My name is Benjamin. You will call me Ben. Understand?" Reid-or rather Ben smiled upon seeing the team nod in agreement. "Good. Now that that is settled we can begin the games. I will read the rules one final time." Once again he pulled the white piece of paper form his pocket and began to read from it.
Rule number one: Only speak when spoken to.
Rule number two: When a question is asked, ten minutes will be allowed before an answer is required.
Rule number three: Each wrong question answers will result in punishment. Severity depends on question level.
Rule number four: No tolerance for cheating. There will be server consequences.
Rule number five: Breaking rules is unacceptable. Multiple offenses will result in expulsion from the game.
"The Circle game is about team work. All of you so called profilers must answer each question I ask correctly, otherwise rule number three applies. If a question is accurately answered, you will receive a point. Each point enables one of you to ask me a question that I will answer truthfully. When you have 5 points, you win the game. If you do not receive 5 points before the tenth question, you will not get the prize and you loose. If you win the game, I set you free."
"What is the prize?" Rossi already knew the answer.
Smirking, Ben kicked Spencer in the stomach. "Him. You get 5 points before the tenth question and little Reid here lives. If not, you have the privilege of watching me kill him." He gave Spencer another kick to the stomach, but he lay unmoving. Ben gazed down at his motionless brother, lips pursed, "Maybe I went a little crazy on that dilaudid shit."Shrugging, Ben gave Spencer another kick before continuing.
"First question ladies and gents, when did Spencer here first get replace? Your time starts now."
A/N: Sorry this was kinda short. Next chapter will be longer. Hope you enjoyed! Please tell me what you think. Was it good, bad, ugly, somewhere in between. I take it all! Thank you!