Hey, everyone. Here is the next chapter for you all. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and while some of you may think that things are going quickly, I have plenty of twists coming for you all so don't worry. I'm not sure when I'll be updating after this chapter as the next week is busy with it being Christmas and then two days after, it's my birthday! Most likely, I'll be updating next Sunday. I know this is gruesome but I'm getting into my Reid whump mode again. Enjoy and I look forward to hearing from you all.

Thank you for the reviews, I can say that I love all of them including one from Guest that, well, I found very interesting. I would like to point out that I appreciate the feedback and the time you took writing it out. My fanfiction writing and my personal writing are very different. I've been working on my book for three years while most of my fanfics take only two months or so. Writing stories for fanfiction is a way of venting feelings and is a hobby. I like to think that my stories don't focus too much on the torture but on the sense of family within the team. In my stories, I like to show that someone can go from a very dark place to a very strong place with help from their family. I understand your views and respect your opinion. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Please though, if you don't like my stories, then don't read them. I could do something else with my time but I don't want to. Thanks!

Enjoy and please review

All mistakes are my own

"Scream for me," Dell laughed maliciously as he brought up the cattle prod and shoved it to Reid's stomach again. Reid screamed at the pain racing through his veins. He wanted to pass out but his body wouldn't let him succumb to the darkness. Dell brought the prod away and dialed Hotch's number. He placed the phone on speaker and waited for an answer.

"I'm here," Hotch's voice came down the phone. Reid heard his boss's voice but couldn't call out. His body still twitched from the shocks as he laid on the ground.

"How are you doing with your task, Agent Hotchner?"

"Dell is being placed in FBI custody till you arrive in South Dakota. We can negotiate a transfer when you call us with a place to meet. Spencer needs medical attention and we can do this without you hurting him further," Hotch said down the phone.

"We could but then I would get bored," Dell chuckled. "I'm glad to hear you are being obedient little agents. Do you miss Spencer?"

"We care about him and we want to get him back safely," Hotch said as calmly as he could.

Dell brought the prod to Reid stomach again causing him to let out a ear-piercing scream.

"You hear that, Agent Hotchner," Dell shouted down the phone. "That's the sound of your boy screaming because you didn't get this done sooner."

"Stop it! Just stop it!" Hotch yelled. "He hasn't done anything to you."

Dell brought the prod away and placed the phone near Reid's twitching body. His eyes were bright with enjoyment as he watched his hostage breathe heavily and cry. "Spencer, tell them how you are feeling. Go on, let them know."

"H-Hotch," Reid sobbed as he laid on the forest floor. "Hotch, help me. H-He killed someone b-because they saw me. Y-You have to find me."

"We'll find you, I promise," Hotch said shakily down the phone. "Just hang on. You can make it through this. You're the strongest out of all of us."

"It hurts," Reid shook his head gently, regretting his decision as pain ripped through his head.

"It's about to hurt a lot more," Dell grinned at Reid. He turned off the cattle prod and circled Reid. He brought it up and slammed it into Reid's chest. A small scream left Reid's lips before he began to cough. A long line of grunts and moans escaped Reid as Dell continued to slam the thick black cattle prod into his frail body.

"We're complying with you," Hotch screamed down the phone. "There is no reason for you to hurt him."

Dell stepped back after delivering two brutal hits across Reid's face. He brushed a hand through his hair and felt a familiar rush come through his body. A rush from having complete control over the man on the ground. He picked up the phone as he watched the swelling begin on the young man's face. "I'm doing this because it is fun. I've always hated people like you since you took him away from me. I'm looking down at Spencer now and I feel alive. Something I doubt Spencer will be for very long if you continue to piss me off. Why would you even want him back? He's pathetic. He's sobbing a mess. Nothing but weak."

Reid's face scrunched as he heard the last word. "I'm n-not weak," he coughed as the swelling around his eyes began to affect his vision. "I'm not weak."

"He's not weak," Hotch said angrily. "He's strong and he'll make it through this."

"Well, only time will tell if he can take the rest of his punishment," Dell stoically said before disconnecting the call. He rose to his feet and glared at Reid. "Only a weakling agent would cry."

Reid didn't get the chance to respond as Dell smashed the cattle prod across his face, sending him finally into the realm on unconsciousness.

Hotch threw his phone to the table and stormed out of the room. He walked into the restroom and locked the door. As he looked at himself in the mirror, all he saw was failure in his features. The youngest of his team was being tortured mercilessly by a killer's protegé whom was on the edge of insanity. He could still hear Reid screaming in his head.

He remembered meeting Spencer for the first time. It didn't seem so long ago but it was.

Hotch walked with Gideon to the latter's office. "He's twenty-one, Gideon. You know the rules about bringing someone into the FBI. You already said he's not doing that great in the academy."

"He's doing fine in most areas but he's having some trouble in the hand to hand and gun training. I know the rules but Spencer is a unique case and I know he can bring great things to the unit. His ability to profile cases and suspects is incredible. I can talk with the directors about making exceptions and even the academy but I need your support and the support of the team to bring him in. I want him to come straight to the BAU. You already know about his IQ, his eidetic memory and his ability to read at twenty thousand words per minute. His education is also vital to the unit. He'll be twenty-two by the time he finishes the academy."

Hotch stood outside Gideon's office where Spencer was waiting. "He may have knowledge that could beat a library but he's young and this job takes a toll on our lives. You know that. What are other agents going to think when they're passed over for someone fresh out of the academy? What if we send him into the field and something happens to him. The media already takes every opportunity to show what they think are mistakes from us."

"Bringing him into the unit would not be a mistake. I would place my career on it. Just meet him and talk to him."

"I'll talk to him," Hotch sighed before opening the door. He looked to the bookshelf where Spencer, who looked younger than twenty-one, was browsing the titles. Spencer turned and tensed slightly with anxiety.

"Spencer, this is SSA Aaron Hotchner," Gideon introduced. "Hotch, this is Dr Spencer Reid."

"Impressive title at such a young age," Hotch smiled before moving to shake Reid's hand. Reid swiftly shook his head causing Hotch to put down his hand.

"I enjoy learning and I don't really think about titles. It's an honor to meet you. I've studied some of your past cases and they're very impressive," Reid rattled off quickly. "I'm sorry for not shaking your hand but shaking hands can pass on an incredible amount of pathogens. I'm sorry."

"That's okay," Hotch nodded. "I hope you don't mind my asking this. When were you diagnosed with Aspergers and autism?"

Reid gulped and shared a nervous glance with Gideon. "I-I only have minor autism and I was diagnosed when I was younger. Such conditions are not uncommon with someone with my intellect. It's easy to spot to the trained eye. I'm not offended."

"Tell me something you know about me," Hotch said.

Gideon nodded and Reid took a deep breath. "Judging by your suit and posture, I would say that you used to be a lawyer. Your wedding ring indicates that you're married but taking in the mild bags under your eyes, I would say you don't have a child. You've been married for a long time judging by the condition of your ring. I would say you're married to your first love. Your job is important to you and your calm nature suggests you are able to deal with intense and dangerous situations. Your leadership values that I've studied also show that it is likely you have a younger sibling, most likely a brother."

Hotch couldn't stop the smile on his face at Reid's accurate profile. Gideon gave a small chuckle at Hotch's reaction.

"You'll fit in here if we can manage to get you in," Hotch smiled. "You're very impressive."

"Thank you, sir."

Hotch blinked away the stress that was trying to take over his body. He needed to be a leader so they could get Reid back.

"We're getting you back alive."

Six hours later

Reid moaned in pain as he became aware again. He tried to open his eyes but found it too painful to open them. After the brutal beating he had received from Dell, he knew his eyes were swollen, bruised and bloody. Nothing but darkness surrounded him. His breathing was uneven and wheezy. As he tried to breathe through his mouth, he found his mouth unable to open because of duct tape. Reid knew he was no longer in the backseat, the surface beneath him was hard and he recognized it as the floor of a car trunk. His arms were now strapped down too.

Car horns blared around him bringing despair. Help was so close but he couldn't call out. The car moved slowly and he faintly heard voices from outside the trunk.

"What is your business in South Dakota today?" he heard a voice speak outside of the trunk. He recognized it immediately.

It was Morgan's voice.