Into Madness

Rating: M

Warnings: Language, descriptions of violence

Chapter 3

Hours had lagged by and the evidence was being processed slowly as it rolled in from the scene. Horatio had found that he couldn't linger there, not with his emotions in such turmoil. He couldn't be objective or even reasonable, realizing that if he had stayed, he'd be hindering the investigators from doing the job that they were trained to do. He would've hovered, barked orders, been anxious to have even the tiniest pieces of evidence brought to him before being sealed, just so he could quell the dark , foreboding that was swelling inside of him. If he would've stayed, he would've put undue pressure on them; they didn't need to be micro managed or prodded into producing results at in humane speeds, instead they needed the berth to do what they were best at and that is why he chose to take himself away from the situation.

The scene was horrific, and that alone would've required time and understanding to get through, not to mention the wealth of evidence that it now yielded. Evidence, however, wasn't the only factor now. Time had become essential and it was fleeting ,heaving even more pressure on his shoulders, pressure that was now taking it's toll on his relationships with his colleagues as well. Because of the time constraint , Horatio had demanded excellence even in the face of repulsion. He was asking for their all, while giving them nothing in return. He'd been cold and indifferent to them, something he'd never done, and expected them to just deal with it and produce. Even in the worst of times, he'd never snapped as he had at them, and as he now walked through the corridors of the morgue he felt reticent of his treatment of them. When he could, he'd offer an apology , but at the moment, he had nothing to give. His confidence was not where it should be and for the first time in his long career, he questioned whether he could effectively chase this monster. In another first, he'd lost that certainty and it was dangerous given that now, Horatio's emotions flitted between unadulterated rage and soul searing sorrow, either one capable of destroying everything in it's path. He had to walk softly over the now treacherous terrain of the unknown.

Pushing through the double doors, Horatio was met with the sight of several covered bodies with more lining the walls. The silence of this room taunted him, the deep sorrow and pain now battling with the dimming rage he'd unleashed hours before. Now, he was subdued and the tremendous loss that was now facing him as he made his way through to the autopsy theater ate at him significantly. The task he now took up would be the hardest to cope with: the revelation of what had happened to each of these innocents. Taking his last step before pushing through the second set of double doors, he pondered on if he could take this mantle.

She stood before the slab, encased in even more silence, doing what she did best. Even though Alex was , by far, the best medical examiner he'd ever had the honor to work with, he knew that this was going to be hard on her as well. She had thirty lifeless corpses to deal with, but to her, they were more than just shells, they were lives cut away too soon, each bearing a name, an essence. Knowing Alexx and the way she worked, he knew that she couldn't let each one go with the conclusion of her work, she'd become too involved and it would weigh on her heavily, especially with her proclivity to speak to the dead, furthering her ties. She played a dangerous game as well, anchoring herself to each one on a personal level and just like with Horatio, it would all ,one day, take it's toll.

He came before her, slipping on a pair of gloves and gazed upon her, seeing the very effects of this playing across her features. Her smoky eyes welled but the tears never found potential to fall as her visage hovered between disgust and the unattainable sorrow to pain at the thought of what had befallen the victim before her. He watched on in muted grief as she stripped down to the essence of what had happened, bearing it all now for everyone to see.

"This...animal had no mercy, Horatio," she said suddenly, keeping her eyes on the body. Her brow furrowed deeply and continued on, briefly looking up to see the same sorrow only magnified in his intense blue eyes. This was hard for her, but , she surmised that Horatio was navigating a worse hell than she.

"What happened to them, Alexx?" he questioned, his own gaze now situated on the body. Her hands worked efficiently and rapidly, but still careful. Even though she was a Medical Examiner, she revered life and the chance to be a voice for those lost.

"The majority of them were savagely lacerated, exsanguination being the cause of death, but there were a few of them that were brutalized even more. Not only were they slashed at, Horatio, but there were things missing. One girl had her tongue cut out, another, her eyes missing. A boy was castrated, his genitalia found in his mouth and there were two that were almost clean of cuts, but were held evidence of a sexual assault, a boy and a girl. I did a rape kit for them," Alexx said gesturing to towards the two bodies that were shrouded and in seclusion. "It seemed as if he favored them the most."

The anger burst through without hesitation and he closed his eyes, clenching his fists tightly. He fought for composure, knowing that he would have to speak to get more information, but everything he was doing in that attempt was failing. The images now were amended , the horrors now amplified. He now knew of the manner they died, and the desire to avenge seared through him.

"How...how do you know it was a man?" he bit out, trying vainly to temper his rage. It wouldn't do for him to unleash it here or against her.

"Horatio, are you okay?" Alexx asked now fearing for her friend. His eyes had darkened and a fierce scowl had replaced the aching, despaired gaze of before. She could feel the rage building. "Do you need a moment?"

"How do you know it was a man?" he asked again, his voice now straining to remain composed. He glared at the ME for her audacity to ask such a question and scowled further, "Alexx... how do you know it was a goddamned man?"

She stopped working completely , her eyes riveted to him, her voice now small and stumbling, "I- It's a theory , Horatio. Rage like this...the manner of carnage..."

"When you can give me a concrete answer, Doctor, be sure and let me know," he replied coldly, his voice hardened. He saw her expression of disbelief and disappointment, but didn't care. This monster had mutilated and dishonored the victims and Horatio was finding it hard to maintain reasoning.

"I took samples, sent them to DNA," Alexx said, her brow now raising denoting the sadness. Adverting her eyes, she shook her head and sighed, "I found what could be biologicals on most of the bodies."

"Biologicals?" he questioned, his voice deadly.

"Yes, it seems that our murderer ejaculated over his victims."

That was it. Something snapped inside of Horatio and he peeled the gloves off, possessing enough reasoning to get away from Alexx before he did something more that he would regret. Wordlessly, he turned from her, his eyes set against his escape. He had to leave before he wrought destruction. Walking purposefully , the words spoken by her now coupled with the violent images bombarded him, his head now filling. Anger had returned with a vengeance, killing the sorrow in a brutal manner and threatened anyone in his path. He had to find solitude, and he had to find it fast.

With his mind mired in disgust and unrepentant rage, Horatio pushed through the doors blindly, running into a body in motion. When he recovered, he looked to see him straightening himself, his dark eyes set in annoyance.

Stetler, Horatio thought darkly as his lips peeled away from his teeth sinisterly, perfect timing.

"Horatio, just the man I needed to see," Stetler said smugly. He smirked and narrowed his eyes , inching forward as if pouncing on a kill. "There have been reports , Horatio, that you're toting the line. Conduct unbecoming, that's so unlike you."

Keep coming, keep talking, Horatio coaxed silently, clenching his fists. The darkness prodded to be unleashed and he took a measured step forward, savoring the moment to satiate its demands. Despite the fury , his voice remained calm, "Do you really want to do this now, Rick? There are far more pressing things to deal with."

"Which is exactly why I wanted to see you, You're starting to slip and suddenly, I question your ability to head this investigation. I think," Rick said coming face to face with him, keeping the smirk, "I think you're unfit to do this. And once I prove that, you'll be out of here. Then, I'll have everything that you wanted, the job and the woman."

Tilting his head and smiling dangerously, he spoke quietly, "You've picked the wrong day, Rick to try my patience."

"It must bite that you're losing everything, doesn't it , Horatio? To know that you couldn't save any of it," he taunted. Rick knew he was courting his wrath, but still pushed, "To know that she screams my name in her bed must really get to you."

Red covered his vision and he reacted swiftly, taking Rick by the collar of his shirt and planting him to the wall. The corridor was empty , devoid of any prying eyes as he beared down on Rick's throat, speaking through clenched teeth, "You chose to do this now, Rick? Now when we have thirty dead teenagers in there? You taunt me with Yelina? That's just bad form, Rick." Leaning into him, he could hear the darker haired man struggle to breathe, allowing just enough to keep him conscious. He wanted him to see it in his eyes, the potential of what could be. "I'll tell you what, Rick, you stop this shit now, and I won't go to your supervisors about your conduct. You didn't think that I saw her before? You didn't think that I would see the bruises? Remember I told you if you touched her again, I'd kill you? Suddenly, I don't need that type of provocation, Rick."

"You won't kill me, Horatio," he forced while struggling to breathe.

"Try me," Horatio rasped, reeling in his anger. Just as he let up, he felt a slight touch on his shoulder. He'd know that touch anywhere.

"Let him go, Horatio," she said softly, her accent catching on his name. She gripped his shoulder tighter, " You don't want to do this."

"Don't I , Yelina?"Horatio asked, glaring at Stetler. He found amusement in his now reddened face, struggling for air. "Don't I?"

"No, you don't. You want to find the man responsible for this,"Yelina said, the pleading heard in her voice. She could sense that Horatio was at the point of no return, leaning into him more, "Don't do this, Horatio. You'll become no better than him."

Her voice, beseeching him caused him to loosen his grip, her scent turning him more to her. He heard Stetler gasp, but paid no attention, the anger filtering into sadness once more. "Why, Yelina?"

Knowing the connotation of the question, she answered simply, "Because, it's less complicated. I can handle this, Horatio."

"He was willing, where I am...hesitant," Horatio said , deflated. The anger had left him desolate in his sorrow, it intensifying as he gazed upon her. His heart, broken many times before for her , did so once more.

"It's less complicated for the moment," Yelina responded, shaking her head, trying to keep the tears at bay. "I would hope that this won't last between us, Horatio. Changes are coming."

"Changes?" Rick croaked incredously , rubbing his neck.

"Yes, changes. And if you know what's good for you, Rick, you'll forget this happened. Remember, I know your secrets and what you've done." Instantly, he was silenced and began to retreat; he knew when he was bested.

When he was gone, she retained her focus on Horatio, seeing the turmoil deep seated in his eyes. Her own crinkled as she approached him more, her hand held out towards him, "Horatio, let someone take over. This is eating you alive."

"I can't , Yelina. Not when he's still out there," he explained warily. Now that the adrenaline was gone, he felt weakened. "I have to finish this."

Yelina gave him a wistful smile, reaching for his cheek, "Always the protector. Please be careful, Horatio."

He nodded once and stepped out of her touch, simply replying as he turned from her, "You too."

Yelina watched as he disappeared down the corridor, a coldness creeping over her. What she'd seen in his eyes scared her and now propelled her forward, her heels clicking on the tile incessantly in her bid to catch up with him. She wasn't going to let him be alone, not when he so desperately needed respite from it all.

/Into Madness/

Processing the last of the fingerprints, Eric sighed heavily as he glanced at the clock. He'd been at this for almost five hours straight, the mandate and his own desires fueling him. In the light of so much destruction and despair, he kept at it, thinking that if he got just one hit off of AFIS, it would make a difference. They would have a face to chase instead of their imaging of the beast that had wrought so much pain. His work was already meticulous enough as it was, but because of the volume of blood, he had to be especially careful, finding multiple prints on all of the surfaces of the room. Through a lengthy trial and error, he was able to identify most of them and even put a name to them, but there were a few that were not so lucky. The prints were pristine, but no names came back, none that he could use anyway. Most were of the victims, and other students that used the room, none with priors. Oddly, what was missing , however, were the prints of the missing teacher. His were nowhere to be found.

Exhaling heavily, he glanced to the screen to see it filtering through another cycle, noting that the print was harvested from one of the victim's imprinted in blood on the forearms. There were many other prints of this nature, but they all came back with nothing. He grouped them together, fully ready to go the next step and identify manually to make sure they were from the same person, another arduous task that would take up his time. He'd given up the thought of going home, much less to bed, in favor of seeing this one through.

The sound of the computer stopping drew his attention and he saw a profile come up, narrowing in on the listing. Hitting print, he smiled and then picked up the phone, calling Horatio. He waited for the red haired lieutenant to pick up, but when he didn't, he put the phone down and gathered his work, and settling in under an magnifying glass. If it took him all night, he would have workable suspects before daybreak.