Chapter 4 – Strength

Garcia hit the speed dial on her cell as she pulled out of the car park, flicking it on speaker she waited to hear Hotch's voice.

"Garcia, how's Morgan?"

"Says he's fine Sir, we are now heading back to the station."

"Good I need you back here Garcia, we didn't find any evidence at the house, other than the obvious neglect of Katherine and the tell-tale signs of abuse. We didn't see any signs that the other three girls had been at the house either, I need you to work some magic Garcia."

"I'll be there in a matter of minutes Sir, I'll find out all about Ainsley and if there are any links between him and the three girls and also see if Katherine had any links with the three girls."

"That's good thinking Garcia, we'll see you back soon."

Garcia reached across and clicked the phone off, glancing briefly at Morgan as he rested his head against the seat, she knew what was going through his mind as the same terrifying thoughts were running through her own head.

Emily started to choke as she heard Ainsley slam the door behind him, the blood that she had swallowed as the gun had slammed into her jaw had stayed in her mouth as Ainsley slapped the tape across her, and now that the tape had been released the shock caused her heart to race as she failed to control her breathing. Katherine rolled over in the bed, her arms wrapped around her naked body as she looked over at Emily.

"Are you ok Emily?"

At the sound of Katherine's voice Emily realised where she was, managing to calm her breathing down before she spat the last of the blood in her mouth onto the floor.

"Yeah, how about you?"

Katherine just shrugged her shoulders, shivering as she tried to cover her bruised and battered body up. Emily looked over and felt the tears drip down her face as there was nothing that she could do for the young girl, she wanted to push her more but knew that neither of them could take it.

"How long before he normally comes back?"

"I don't think it will be long I can hear him outside talking on his phone."

Katherine sat up slightly and looked at Emily, who was still bound to the chair, her face bloody and her clothes torn. She managed to smile slightly, her voice shaky and quiet.

"My friends call me Kate."

"I like that, Kate."

"Thanks for before Emily, it helped...looking at you."

Garcia pushed her chair back and looked around the station, finally she felt like she had found something that may be useful, but nobody else was around to share it with. Scanning the floor once again she saw Hotch walking through a door and she didn't give it a second thought as she raced to catch up with him. She burst through the door to the gent's toilets and quickly found her target.

"Sorry Sir."

Garcia turned around trying to avert her eyes.

"What have you found?"

"I think I've got something. Ainsley's grandfather had a cabin about 5 miles out of the city in some woods, I'm trying to get the precise location but..."

"That's great Garcia, you narrow it down whilst we head out there."

Both Emily and Kate quietened down as the door opened once again. Emily could see that Ainsley's mood had changed and she knew that they were in serious trouble.

Ainsley walked over to Kate and untied her, but then he hit her hard on the head with the gun and laughed as she passed out.

"You..."

"If you know what's best for you you'll keep quiet!"

Ainsley carried on with his brutal attack on an unconscious Kate and all Emily could do was sit there and feel the tears stream down her face.

Ainsley left Kate seemingly unconscious on the bed and strode over to Emily, his lower half completely naked.

"Well I do prefer my girls a little younger but for Agent Prentiss I think I might be able to make an exception!"

"No!"

Emily turned her head and saw Kate sitting up on the bed, holding the gun that Ainsley had brought into the cabin.

"You think that you've got the guts to stop me you stupid little girl!"

Kate felt her hands shaking as she held the weapon, the blurriness in front of her eyes wasn't helping but she knew that they were running out of time. Taking a deep breath as she steadied her grip and managed to focus for a few seconds, aiming at the man who had destroyed her she pulled back the trigger.

"Right Rossi and Morgan go round the back, Reid cover the front, JJ and I will go in."

Hotch barked out his orders to his team as they pulled up outside the cabin. Then they all heard a shot ring out from inside.

"Go everyone go!"