Subject: CM Fiction Grade level: 6-8

It was not a surprise for all of them. The reply of Agent Hotchner for each evaluation question was unassailable, short, firm, precise.

"Okay, that's all, Agent Hotchner, thank you for your time." The internal affair department agent closed the file, "we are done now," he stopped for a minute, for those who did not have the experience of such session, would think it's really done, session closed, but he did not dismiss Hotch, instead, he cleaned his throat,

" So tell us how are you feeling now? Agent Hotchner." Hotch knew very well that question would be coming again at the end. He involved the establishment of the interview procedure.

" I feel I have full capability, both physical and mental to return to duty."

"Good, that's very good." The agent gave a glance to Strauss, she nodded slightly.

"So it has been one month since Foyet's last attack, since you have been attacked."

"Yes, 30 days."

"Precisely. But since then, nothing happened."

Hotch did not prepare for this. "What do you mean 'nothing happened'?"

"That's Foyet's last attack, no other attack has been occurred after that."

"You think we are waiting too long for new dead bodies coming?"

"It's not what I mean, Agent Hotchner."

"Aaron, let's cut it short," Strauss took over, "the Bureau wants to know did you or did you not be surrendered or compromised to take Foyet's deal during the torture?"

She could see the humiliation, the hurt and the anger mixed on Hotch's face. But the voice was still controlled, emotionless, very calm and firm.

"No, I did not. And I will not."

"Okay, that's all. Welcome back, Agent Hotchner."

"Welcome back, Agent Hotchner."

Hundred miles from Quantico, a man in the dark, sitting in a SUV, smiled to the picture on his cell.

Tod had perfect look like a successful attorney. He was a handsome man in his forties, dark hair, dark eyes, tall, well built body in a perfect cut dark suit with light blue color shirt. He left the car in the garage, instead of entering into the house by the door of the garage, he stepped out of the garage, looked at the second floor bedroom window.

He saw the light, he could picture in his mind, his wife with his 5 years old twin boys on the bed, his boys sleepy, listening their mum reading their favorable bed story.

It was late, already half passed 22:00. As usual, he missed again the family dinner and the bed story. That's the normal schedule of a partner of a prestige law firm. His wife stopped complaint for a while, "Law firm widow." She used to say, "and at least, I feel relief that you are not working for that kind of firm."

They were law school classmates, then colleagues. After his sons were born, and he became the partner of the firm, she quit her job, became a full time housewife.

"Someone has to make the sacrifice for our family, and I think I am more qualified than you to be a good mother at home." She was a beautiful and brilliant woman, with a kind heart. Each time when he expressed his apology to her for dropping down her career for the family, she told him that.

He didn't remember how many times he reminded himself that he was really a lucky man, both in professional life and in personal life.

He stepped into the house, tried to not to make too much noises. If the boys heard he's home, they would immediately jump up from bed. It was quite in the house, a dead silence, and he felt something uncommon, but he could not tell what it exactly was, and then, he smelt sort of difference in the air. He climbed on the second floor, the boys' bed room's door was not closed completely, there was light behind the door, he opened the door, when he stepped in, his whole world collapsed in front of him, he pushed out a scream, people from a mile away could hear his scream, the successful happy man just found, that he lost most precious thing for him to live in the world, his whole family.

The man in the dark, heard from distance the scream, he smiled on looking the picture on his cell, three dead bodies lied on the bed, one blond woman and two boys, covered with blood, the blond woman's hand held a book, "Night of the Reaper". And the eye of prophet looked at the dead bodies on the wall.

He smiled." It's a gift, Agent Hotchner, it's a gift for you, a welcome back gift."

Page 3 of 3 Duration: Two classroom Periods