A/N: Hiya there! (grins) Honestly, I wasn't expecting myself to update this early on but this chapter was born before I even realized what was going on. (chuckles) 'Wonder if that's a good thing or bad…?

First off, though, thank you so much for those reviews! (GLOMPS) They make me swell with pride and joy. Writing can be a real pain sometimes, to be fully honest. It feels much better when I know that there are people eager to read further.

Awkay… (takes a deep breath) It's go time. Brace yourselves, 'k? This'll be a mean ride.

Pretty Boy

A soft, almost tender touch woke Spencer from his sleep. His eyes flew open, his mind remembering in an instant just where he was. For a single moment of bliss he tricked himself into seeing JJ's face but soon he distinguished the masked woman looking down at him. "For this round we're doing something different", she announced. "You'll leave this room for a while."

Against his sanity hope lit inside Spencer's chest. He ignored all pain while struggling to a sitting position, his eyes never straying from the woman. "Where… are you taking me?" His voice was weak, raspy. How long was it from when he'd last truly spoken?

"Not far. But first…" She pulled out a syringe that was filled with unidentifiable substance. "… you'll need this."

White, blinding terror swept through Spencer and his eyes grew to a impossible size. The rise of blood pressure made his cheeks heat up although his body became pure ice. "Please…! Please, no…!" he whimpered. Not again…!

It was of no use. A couple of tears strayed to his cheeks when the needle was plunged into him. All the struggle he'd went through… In a blink of an eye it was swept away. The drug burned in his veins like a flame.

"Get up, Spencer", she ordered in a far from gentle tone. "It's time."

Knowing full well that he had no other choice Spencer stumbled up, the drug and injuries causing him to wobble awkwardly. Without a hint of mercy the woman led him to a opening that'd appeared to the room's floor. How was it possible that he hadn't noticed the hidden lid? A twisted sense of curiosity taking over he peered in. All he saw was nearly absolute darkness.

"This…", the woman told him in a perfectly calm voice. "… is your journey towards understanding. Good luck. You'll need it." So saying she gave him a push.

Spencer opened his mouth, only to feel all breath leave him. And then he was already falling down, down, towards endless pits of black. He fell, and landed on glass.

Spencer was almost startled by how different the sensation of pain he received now was from before. Whatever the woman had given him was clearly taking effect. His eyes were wide and his heart thumped beyond all reason while he crawled in the dark on razor sharp shards of glass, pain tearing through his skin. He didn't want to see the damage, didn't manage to stop his racing mind long enough to be able to focus for a checkup. All he knew was that he needed to move, that if he'd stop now he'd never manage to push his body into motion again.

He moved with wide open wounds, ignoring stabs of pain, until he saw something that made him freeze entirely. There in the shadows, right before him, lay five bodies in different states of decaying. The were swollen beyond recognition and reeked so badly that he wanted to throw up in an instant. Maggots and flies were all over them, feasting on rotten flesh. Scarred and disfigured faces stared lifelessly at him, like macabre masks of death and suffering.

Spencer stared, the drug, the smell and shock making his head spin. His eyes glazed over and he was almost sure that tears filled them but none spilled. His lips opened but the screams echoing in his head wouldn't come out.

Was this real, or just a hallucination caused by the drug?

"Look at them, Spencer." He had no idea of where the female captor's voice came from, if it was even real. "This is where it all ends if you don't find the light. That's how it's always been. This is where I woke up once upon a time and decided to fight for my life. I crawled down there, scared out of my mind and high as a kite, and decided that I couldn't just die."

Spencer stared at the corpses, at the maggots. He had a strong feeling that those poor souls weren't even nearly all of those who'd lost this game. He took in their injuries – still scarcely detectable lacerations, horribly infected open wounds, visibly broken bones. In one horrifying, crystal clear moment he understood.

"It's… only going to get worse", he whispered to no one in particular. "Isn't it?"

"Yes. It's going to get as bad as it has to." There was a heavy moment of silence. "But there's also another choice. Dig throug the glass in front you."

The drug making it easy to work past the pain and blood he dug, to a point where his knuckles were torn completely red. He had absolutely no idea of how long he searched until he actually found it. His heart skipped a beat.

A bottle of pills. Drugs. A lethal dosage.

His trembling hand squeezed around around bottle, holding on as though it'd been his sole lifeline. Hollow humming filled his head and it took a moment before he realized that it was the rush of his blood. His whole head was buzzing.

Maybe he should just give up, take the easy way out. End his misery before it'd get any worse than this. Would it be such a bad thing?

Nathan Harris looked so very peaceful…

But then familiar flashes came rushing in, filling his whole mind. David coaxing him out of the disturbing world of hypnosis and memories. JJ and Penelope smiling at him. A hug with Aaron. Emily taking his hand. Derek ruffling his hair.

/ "Reid, do not ever go away again!" /

Spencer gritted his teeth, his line of vision narrowing. And threw the pills as far away as he possibly could. "No!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.

The woman laughed. "You're certainly one hell of a player", she complimented him. It was the last thing he heard before even the last remnants of lights were switched off. It must've taken at least a day before he was taken away from the horrendous pit.

For once Spencer was awake before the next round began. He couldn't tell how long had passed from the previous one. He'd spent most of that time in a haze, barely coherent enough to realize that his fresh injuries had been cleaned up and stitched. His head was still buzzing and oddly fuzzy when steps approached the room's door.

Spencer stiffened, his gaze straying instinctively to the door. He was prepared for seeing Doctor. What he wasn't ready for was the little girl stood beside the man, a bright smile on her face and a heavily built canister in her hands. "I brought you a visitor", Doctor informed him.

The girl's smile brightened still. She was very pretty with her long, blonde hair and huge blue eyes. Very innocent. "Hi, Spence'. I'm Emma. I'm six and a half. Docto' and Auntie wanted me to see you."

Spencer looked at Doctor, unsure if he wanted the answers his eyes were demanding, then focused on the girl. It took his all not to let fear show. "Hi Emma", was absolutely everything he managed. He wanted to scream, to order the girl to run as far as she could, to usher her to save herself. But there was no telling what his captors would do to her if he'd speak a word out of place. All he could do was sit still and wait.

Doctor lay a hand on the girl's shoulder and she leaned just a little bit closer. "Emma is here to help me with this round. You need to behave exceptionally well now, Spencer. This is the first time she meets one of our visitors."

Spencer felt dizzy and sick to his stomach as he nodded slowly, desperately trying to convince himself that none of this was real. He wasn't very successful.

Noticing how upset he was Emma left the canister to Doctor and made her way to him, that sweet smile never fading. "Don't be sca'ed. Soon you'll see the light. Docto' and Auntie will help you." He couldn't keep himself from shivering when she pulled out a blade that had two sharp edges. Her tiny hands placed the device terrifyingly skillfully so that one end was below his chin and the other on top of his chest. Both tips were extremely sharp. If he'd as much as breathe too deeply… "Don't talk", Emma adviced him. "It'll hu't. I'll help you." So saying she took his hand and held on tightly, with such trust he'd never, ever faced before.

Spencer wanted to cry out. Instead he squeezed back, trying not to appear as horrified as he felt.

Doctor stepped closer. "Hold very still, now", the man told him. "Trust me, you wouldn't want me to miss with this."

It was then Spencer saw the letters on the canister. His eyes widened before he managed to stop it and his breathing became such that almost made the blade stab through tender skin.

Sulfuric acid.

Emma squeezed his hand even more tightly and rubbed the back of his hand with one finger, obviously not understanding why he was so upset. "Don't wo'y", she told him, child's conviction loud and clear in her voice. "It's ove' soon."

Slowly, slowly Doctor opened the canister and stepped behind Spencer. All he could do was sit absolutely still and attempt not to cause the child to panic. His heart was nearly bursting through his chest.

The pain came so unexpectedly that Spencer's whole body convulsed and even the device on his throat was barely enough to keep him from screaming out loud. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut, tears spilling while acid trickled down his skin. The pain ravished his all and it was a small miracle that he didn't collapse. He anchored desperately to the feel of Emma's trusting, warm hand in his, only her presence keeping him strong. For her sake he remained still and firm.

He didn't know how long passed, couldn't tell even if he passed out from the absolute agony. When he managed to pry his eyes open again the device was gone. Emma was still holding his hand, Doctor stood a step behind her.

She looked at him with clearly visible worry. "Spence'?" Her voice was full of fear.

Producing the tiny, pale smile was the hardest thing Spencer had ever done with the pain nearly striking him to the floor. He did it for her, squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I'm fine, Emma. It's… It's over now." Gosh, how he wished that'd been true…!

Believing every word Emma smiled once again and nodded.

Doctor took the little girl's hand and led her to the room's door. "You did well, Emma. Now go and find Auntie. It's time for your nap."

Emma nodded, then gave him a one more wave. "Bye bye, Spence'." He knew that he'd never forget her smile or her eyes.

Spencer wished with his all that there'd been something he'd been able to say to her, that he would've been somehow able to save that precious soul, but the pain was just too much. Before he could do a thing the door was closed between them.

He slipped into surprisingly comforting darkness.

/A/N: This fic is rated M for a good reason. Here's one of them. Read on with caution./

Spencer didn't know how long it took before he managed to wake up again. He wasn't entirely surprised by the fact that he wasn't alone, to find Doctor sitting right beside him. It seemed that the man had never even left. What made him feel cold all over, however, was the fact that this time there wasn't a mask disguising his tormentor. He looked directly to the man's scarred face, to a pair of pale blue eyes.

If there'd been any hope that he might make it through this alive it all faded away now. There was no way Doctor would let him walk now that he'd seen the man's face.

To chase away some of the fear he examined the scars on the otherwise quite handsome, approximately thirty-five years old male's face. There were three crosses carved to the skin of the man's forehead. Burmarks, most likely those left by cigarettes, could be seen all over his tormentor's bald head. Two more, even deeper scars went from the corners of the man's mouth to his ears. Doctor's chin was oddly shaped, as though it'd been broken and never healed properly. Now he understood why the man's speech sounded off.

Doctor gave him a smile that made his heart skip several beats. "I couldn't leave you yet", the man told him in a bizarre, husky tone.

Spencer swallowed thickly and would've wanted to crawl away but there was no escape. "Is… Is it your round again already?" What the hell was going on?

Doctor shook his head. "This is something I've wanted to do since the day I lay my eyes on you. I had my doubts at first but they all faded away when I saw you with Emma." The man touched his face, then something much more private. Spencer whimpered out of startle and protest, twitching instinctively. Doctor shushed him. "Don't look so scared, Spencer. I'll make it good for you, I promise. I'll take a good care of you."

Spencer's eyes widened and his breathing became frantic while terror made his heart speed out of control. Sheer, utter fear wrapped around his throat like a rope. "No…! Please, no, don't… I don't want…!"

Whatever protests there'd been building up died down when Doctor pulled out a long knife, trailing it down his chest. And then the blade tore his clothes, as easily as cutting through butter. The man's eyes carried lust that didn't seem even human. Doctor's whole demeanor changed while the man examined his body, taking in absolutely every detail. "My God, you are beautiful…!"

Tears filled Spencer's eyes as his fingers twitched frantically, his whole body spasming with desire to escape, to get as far away from the other man as possible. But how was he supposed to do that without risking another life? "Don't do this to me, please…!"

But it was already much too late. With such force that took his breath away Doctor grabbed him, forced him to turn so that he lay on his stomach. Spencer groaned and cried out when such brutal movements made his injuries scream protests. The first tears escaped, falling to the filthy floor beneath him. His body was shaking violently as he lay there, listening how Doctor worked on his own clothes. It took absolutely all he had no to throw up.

"I told you that I'd make this feel good." Doctor sounded impatient, aroused, angry, excited and apologetic all at the same time. Unwanted hands roamed on his skin, rubbing his back before exposing him and beginning to examine his behind. "You're just going to have to trust me. Let me feel your body."

Spencer squeezed his eyes tightly shut and opened his mouth but couldn't produce a sound. He couldn't emit a thing while the other man got bored with just hands and began kissing him, in the end biting and sucking hard enough to leave marks. Tears kept flowing, hot and bitter.

"Open up for me, Spencer", Doctor whispered to his ear. "Let me show you how good it can be." And then, without a warning, the man made his move.

The pain was unlike anything Spencer had ever felt before. It was as sharp as a sword, hotter than any flame could've ever been. Spencer gagged but didn't manage to throw up. Pain mixed with humiliation, rage and sheer helplessness, forming a ball into his throat that seemed to suffocate him.

At that very moment Spencer truly, honestly wanted to die for the first time in his life.

Clearly mistaking his squirming for pleasure Doctor became excited even further. The man started shifting first slowly, then abruptly. Moans echoed through the room. The surges going through Spencer were almost enough to sweep him right under. He wished they had, so he wouldn't have been forced to experience the rest.

To him it felt like a year passed by before Doctor stiffened all of a sudden and unleashed a sound the kind Spencer had never heard before. It took about two seconds before he realized what'd just happened. He felt something sticky. A whimper broke out without him being able to control it. He squeezed his eyes even more tightly shut, desperate to free his mind from the situation at hand.

Doctor kissed his hair and stroked his cheek with a gentle hand. "Thank you, Spencer. Thank you." The man composed himself for the longest time. Spencer didn't think that he breathed at all while waiting. "Now, turn around. I want to see your face."

For a moment Spencer debuted his options, only to realize that once again he had none. Unable to stop the tears from coming he turned slowly, unwillingly, and bit his lip not to cry out when whirlwinds of pain stormed everywhere in his body.

Doctor smiled, stroked his cheek affectionally. Did the man not see his pain, his fear? "Just relax. Relax and enjoy."

Spencer lay perfectly still, feeling absolutely pathetic and disgusted with himself, while Doctor began his work. His body reacted to the advances against his will. The other man gave a sound of satisfaction. "Good, good…", Doctor murmured, leaning closer to his face. "You have no idea of how pretty you look right now."

Spencer shut his eyes again, wincing and unleashing a breathless cry when Doctor's lips met his most tender parts. He'd never felt anything quite like what he was experiencing at the moment. He wanted to scream at the top of his lungs. He wanted to throw up. He wanted away.

Once more Spencer wasn't in control over himself. He couldn't keep the howl inside any longer when he felt Doctor's efforts pay off. He sobbed loudly, still unable to move. He'd never, ever hated himself more than he did just then. He'd never felt as filthy.

Doctor smiled down at him. The man's eyes were soft and cloudy. This time the kiss was planted directly to his lips. He couldn't help wondering if the man even noticed that he didn't respond. "I'm letting you sleep, now." The man got up and put his clothes on properly, his whole body more relaxed and confident than ever before. "If that didn't make you see the light… I don't know what will." Doctor headed towards the room's door without looking back. "I'll see you soon, Spencer." And once again he was entirely alone.

Even safely alone Spencer couldn't bring himself to move. His entire body felt like he'd been torn to pieces. Instead he buried his face into his hands and began to really cry.

He could've sworn that he felt a part of him die.

TBC

A/N: Ugh… (shivers) I seriously don't know how to feel after writing this. I actually polished the original version, made it quite a lot softer, so you can imagine what the original version was like. (gags) Poor Reid, seriously!

PLEASE, leave a review! They seriously make it so much easier to write further, especially since creating this lil' piece is quite disturbing at times and sends me to dark places. (gives puppy's eyes) Pwease…? Be kind and feed my inner Muse (or heck, tell me to delete this – honesty is the best policy, no?).

A QUICK NOTE! I've been observing with a great deal of worry and disappointment what's been going on around the site. If this story EVER disappears, it can soon be found from 'Adult Fiction net', posted under my good old user ID. Frankly, I've been thinking about jumping to that site entirely. But worry not – I'm not planning on leaving ya hanging as long as the choice is in my hands! (grins)

Until next time! I truly hope that you'll be staying tuned.

Take care!