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Chapter 5

"Monsters are real and ghosts are real too. They live inside of us, and sometimes, they win" Stephan King

The house was surrounded by flashing lights and uniforms, trying to hold back the curious neighbours when they arrived. Hotch quickly slipped out and pushed his way through the crowd with his team right behind him. Captain Soloman spotted him and waved them all under the police line. "Glad you are here" he said "the neighbours are going into a panic, these guys have struck twice in this neighbourhood now, they are really worried, most of those who have young children have packed up and left already". Hotch nodded "JJ, Rossi, Emily see what you can do to calm these people down, then come inside."

He jerked his head to Morgan, Reid and Livie and they all headed into the house slowly heading up the stairs to the main bedroom where they found the medical examiner bending over Sarah Ryan's dead body which lay amongst the twisted sheets as she had struggled against their unsubs. Hotch studied the body "do we know what time she died" he asked "the neighbours heard a scream at about 11pm last night" Captain Soloman said "then they heard a screech of tyres and saw a van fleeing the scene, they got worried and called the police who came over, they found the back door unlocked and they came in to find Ms Ryan dead and her little girl gone"

Hotch nodded before he bent to look at thee mattress "there is blood here" he said "is it Sarah Ryan's" he asked and the medical examiner shook his head "no signs on her body that it is hers" he said "we took a swab of it and sent it over to the lab saying it was a rush job". Hotch nodded. "Looks like she struck out at him causing him to bleed" Morgan said softly and Hotch turned to the three agents behind him "let's go see Sophie's room" he said and they nodded before they turned and walked down the hall into the little girl's room.

Livie looked around the room feeling an aching sadness at the thought of the sweet little girl she had sat and played with yesterday in the hands of a killer. She looked around the room, at the toy dollhouse with dolls scattered around it, at the little dressing table covered in plastic jewellery. At the toy riding yard with the same ponies she had been playing with yesterday all neatly lined up. And at the picture of two little girls sitting in the grass side by side laughing at the camera. Sophie and her best friend Lucy Walters.

Livie picked the picture up and stared at it sighing before she set it back down looking around. Then she noticed the stuffed horse lying on the floor next to the bed. The same stuffed horse that she had seen Sophie hugging the first time they had met. The grey stuffed horse she called Shadow. She bent and picked it up stroking it gently before she looked at the rest of the team to see them staring sorrowfully at her. "The MO appears to be exactly the same" Morgan said and Hotch looked at him "come on" he said "we aren't going to get much more from here, lets head back to the station and check in with Garcia"

Nodding they headed back downstairs and assessed the point of entry as through the back door which had a pane of window smashed. Then they headed out to find JJ trying to control the press that had turned up, giving a statement asking for everyone to keep an eye out for Sophie Ryan and to alert the police if they saw anyone acting suspiciously.

Once she was done they all slipped back towards the car ignoring the reporters trying to ask for more information. A they drove off Reid noticed that Livie was still clutching Sophie's toy horse and she was gently stroking the soft fur, her eyes sad and angry at the same time. Hotch didn't comment on the fact that she had taken the horse, he just allowed it and it seemed to spur them all on. So that they could reunite the little girl with her beloved toy.

Once they had arrived back at the station they called Garcia and found that she had gotten the message and had come in. She looked groggy but determined. "Garcia do you have anything for us" Hotch asked "sir I am running that bumper sticker image you sent me through every database I can think of but without anything to narrow it down by then it is hard for me to find it" the tech analysis said looking rather desperate. Morgan groaned "we are running out of time" he said "they changed the dumping site to in the woods because they obviously knew we were here, they know they are going to be running out of time so they are not going to want to keep Sophie very long knowing that we will be closing in on them" "well until that DNA comes back there is not very much we can do" Emily said urgently and they all knew she was right.

"Emily go sit on forensics until they get the results" Hotch said and Emily nodded and she slipped out. JJ's phone rang and she pulled it out "the press are all over this" she said hitting decline "and that is causing a mass panic". "Well the best thing we can do is try and solve this and bring Sophie home safely" Hotch said "Garcia does Sophie Ryan have any family that should be notified". "Erm" Garcia said typing furiously before she paused "no" she said softly "both sets of grandparents are dead, both parents were only children" she looked at them "what will happen to her when we find her" she asked and Livie looked at Hotch "she won't have to go into foster care will she" she asked. Hotch didn't answer, he just looked like he was deep in thought.

They sat there mulling over theories as JJ ran in and out trying to keep the press under control. It was almost dawn before Emily returned and they had all slumped forward too exhausted to think so they were all startled when Emily came crashing into the room shouting "we got the DNA results and we have a match". They all jumped sitting upright blinking groggily before they realised what she had said.

"Garcia" Emily said "run the name Lucas Clark" "on it my amazing sexy agentess" Garcia said "ok Lucas Clark 26 grew up in Naperville which is a small town in Illinois, not that far from Chicago" "which is where the first killings were" Morgan finished "yes that's right oh he was the victim of extreme child abuse from a very early age right up until he was 14 when he was removed from his family and bounced from foster home to foster home all over the place".

"What kind of abuse Garcia" Emily asked "ek physical and sexual from his father, that's horrible" the tech analyst said as she dove deep into their suspect's past "explains why he was driven to abusing these children, he wanted some control" Hotch said "do we know if he is the dominant one or the submissive one" Morgan asked and Hotch shook his head, "what if he met his partner in foster care" Livie asked quietly "it would explain why they are so close"

"Good" Hotch said "Garcia we need a list of every foster home Lucas Clark has ever been to and every other child that was there at the time, see if there are any cases of abuse there too" "on it" Garcia said "but that might be a pretty long list… yikes". "What" Hotch asked "his credit card was just used at a supermarket a few blocks from you" she said "buying a lot of pharmaceuticals" "he is in pain" Morgan said "we shot him and he needs medical help but cant go to the doctors"

"He won't be able to buy much at a supermarket" Reid said "they limit how much you can buy, he will try and buy more elsewhere" "lets go" Hotch said "Garcia send us the location, everyone wears vests ok, we are going hunting, JJ alert all available units, tell them to keep it quiet though" JJ nodded and rushed off to quickly tell Captain Soloman what they had found as everyone else rushed off to the cars grabbing their vests and strapping them on.

As he drove Hotch looked in the back at Livie and Reid, Reid was deep in thought calculating everything whilst Livie was finishing strapping on her vest her eyes determined "you two stick close" he told them "and watch each other's back" they both nodded before they glanced at each other and something passed between them, a look of understanding, the feeling of trust, a shared sense of resolution that they were not going to let this guy get away, whatever the costs.

XO

When they arrived at the location everyone leapt out of the cars scanning the area for any sight of Lucas Clark "Spread out" Hotch said "Rossi, Emily, JJ, you take over there, Morgan, Livie, Reid and I will take over here, stay in contact and stick together" everyone nodded before they headed off to search the area.

They slowly moved down the street their eyes combing for a sight of their unsub. Just when they were beginning to lose hope Morgan's phone rang and he quickly answered it "hey Garcia" he said his eyes still flashing around "really" he said "ok thanks baby girl" he hung up and looked at Hotch "Garcia says his credit card was used again just now in the pharmacy" he said. Instantly they rushed over and peered in to see Lucas Clark standing at the counter paying for a bag of medical supplies "Livie Reid let the others know where we are then get as many people as you can to safety, we need to do this without anyone else getting hurt" Livie and Reid nodded as Reid lifted a hand to his ear and quickly told Rossi and the others where they were.

Slowly Hotch and Morgan slipped into the pharmacy and slowly made their way towards the counter pretending to peruse the shelves as they did so. They heard the bell ring and then Livie and Reid entered and he saw them both move towards a mother and her two children and murmur to her to get out before they moved on passing on the message and Hotch was relieved to see some of the people slip out.

Looking over he saw Clark turn away from the counter his eyes flashing about uncertainly and Morgan and Hotch instantly feigned looking at the shelves using their jackets to cover their badges and guns. His eyes then flashed to Livie and Reid who were still standing near the doorway and they narrowed suspiciously. Livie seemed to sense that because she let out a very fake giggle and leaned against Reid who looked positively startled by the interaction but one quick pinch in the ribs from Livie encouraged him to force a fake smile onto his face and awkwardly wrap an arm around her as they stumbled forward.

"Last night was fun" Livie gushed looking up at Reid though Hotch could tell she was acutely aware of Clark still watching them suspiciously. "Can we do it again tonight" she asked and Reid blushed before he uncertainly nodded not used to this acting thing and it was showing and Hotch could tell Clark didn't believe it. He looked at Morgan and nodded before they both turned ready to move on Clark.

They both saw Clark move forward again, his eyes still on Livie and Reid as though trying to analyse if they were threats and it seemed he thought they were. His hand twitched under his jacket and Morgan and Hotch both stiffened before Livie realised the danger and stood straight and turned to Reid. She looked him squarely in the eyes before she pushed him backwards into the doorway blocking Clark's exit, reached up and kissed him solidly on the lips.

Clark paused eyeing them again as they stood there blocking his escape. Reid had frozen in shock, his hands hovering in mid air before they gently ended up at Livie's waist pulling her closer as she slipped her hands up from his shoulders to grab a handful of his hair. Hotch glanced over at Morgan who looked surprised, he looked back at him with a look that plainly said 'wow was not expecting that' before they both looked back at Clark and their kissing agents.

Livie and Reid eventually pulled apart and Reid stared at her startled before a small smile slipped onto his face and Livie smiled too. Just then Clark moved forward "do you mind" he asked gruffly and both young agents looked at him before they slowly stepped sideways at the same time the door opened and Rossi came in with Emily and JJ talking loudly.

"Come on JJ" Rossi was saying "the Red Sox are not going to beat the Yankees at their next game, it is practically impossible". "Oh come on David its not impossible" JJ said turning to face him "there is a chance" "yeah" Emily said "don't be such a downer David"

Clark was getting edgy now, they could all see that so Hotch looked over at Livie and Reid and jerked his head at them to step back away from Clark which they did before he and Morgan drew their weapons "Lucas Clark do not move Federal agents" he said firmly.

Clark instantly leapt forward at the same time Rossi, JJ and Emily all pulled out their weapons spreading out so that when Livie and Reid stepped forward with their guns drawn they had him surrounded. Panicked Clark yanked out his gun and pointed it at JJ who was in his direct path to the doorway. When she didn't even flinch he looked round before he jammed the gun against the side of his head "don't come any closer" he warned as horrified gasps echoed from the shoppers who were still in the pharmacy.

"Drop the gun Clark" Morgan said his whole body tense. They all knew that they needed Clark alive, he was their best chance of finding Sophie alive. Clark looked around with wide eyes "Clark you don't have to do this" Rossi warned "yes I do" he gasped "we can't be captured alive; we have to protect each other". "Clark you don't have to do anything for him" Emily said "you don't owe him anything" "yes I do" he said "he looked after me, he protected me". "That doesn't mean you owe him your life" Rossi said "drop the gun and let's get out of here and talk, just talk ok"

Clark shook his head frantically "no" he gasped "no we are not finished yet, she is still alive, and to make sure she dies, I too must die" he squeezed his eyes shut and they all saw his finger tighten on the trigger at the same time Livie shouted out "NO Lucas don't" and his eyes flew open to stare at her. "Don't" she said "you don't want to die" she stared at him "why should you die" "because I have to" he said "no nobody has to die" she said "nobody deserves to die do they" Clark stared at her as Morgan and Emily shifted slightly trying to get behind him as JJ stepped forward.

"She's right Lucas" she said "you don't have to die, why do you think you have to die, did he tell you that you had to" Clark stared at her before he nodded uncertainly "well he was lying Lucas" JJ said gently "he was lying" "no he doesn't lie" Clark shouted and Emily and Morgan shifted round again. "Yes Lucas he does lie, did he tell you those little girls have to die too? Well they don't, they were just innocent little girls, they did not have to die" "yes they did" Clark snapped "he said they did, he said they were destined to die" "No they weren't" JJ said "they were innocent Lucas, they did not deserve to die" "yes they did" he screamed and brought his weapon up again to point at JJ at the same time Livie and Reid both launched for her throwing her clear as Morgan and Emily launched for him.

The gun went off as Livie, JJ and Reid all hit the floor seconds before Clark did with Emily and Morgan, he struggled fiercely until they managed to cuff him, then he fell still not speaking. Hotch and Rossi looked over as groaning Livie, JJ and Reid untangled themselves and Reid staggered upright whilst JJ and Livie just looked at each other before they grinned. "Well that went well" JJ said and Livie laughed before she took Rossi's hand as he hauled her and JJ up "well kid you certainly aren't afraid of danger" he commented and Livie grinned at him before she dusted herself off and looked at Reid who still looked rather dazed.

"Come on lets get him back to the station before people realise who he is and start going for him" Hotch said as Morgan hauled Clark to his feet "good job everyone" he added as they all stepped out of the store and towards their cars "yeah good job kid" Morgan said looking at Livie who smiled "yeah nice kid" Emily said "hell of a kiss" and instantly Livie blushed "you saw that" she asked and Rossi nodded "you were kinda blocking our entrance to the store" he said and Livie smiled sheepishly "first thing I could think of that would block his path" she said

"Yeah I bet that was the first thing that came to mind" Morgan teased earning himself a playful punch on the arm from Livie as he pushed Clark into their car and he Emily and Rossi all slipped in and drove off whilst JJ, Hotch, Livie and Reid headed to the other car. Before they climbed in Livie looked up at Reid to find him still staring at her and she smiled at him uncertainly before slowly he smiled back and they clambered in.

The whole drive back Reid surreptitiously watched Livie as she stared out the window. That kiss had been amazing, it had almost knocked him off his feet; he couldn't believe how amazing it had felt. As he watched he saw Livie raise a hand and brush a finger gently across her lips and a small smile slipped onto her face and he felt warmth in his chest as he stared at her. The first girl in a long while that he had kissed and probably the first girl he had ever really wanted to kiss again.

XO

Clark wasn't talking. He sat there silently as Hotch tried the answers through intimidation method. "Clark" he said "we know you and your partner have been taking the children" he looked at Clark "and we know you have Sophie Ryan" Clark looked slowly up at him and his eyes were blank and expressionless "I don't know what you are talking about" he said coldly.

"Yes you do" Hotch said "you and your partners took her Clark, you took her and you killed her mother". "No" Clark said "yes" Hotch said "where is she Clark" "no" he said again and he began to rock backwards and forwards "where are you keeping her and what are you doing to her" Hotch asked "why are you taking them, is it for fun".

"No" Clark said again "and do you just get bored of them… is that whey you kill them" Hotch continued. "NO" Clark shrieked suddenly slamming his cuffed fists onto the table

Hotch didn't flinch. He just stared at him as he glared at him "I didn't kill them" he hissed "and I am not saying anything else without my lawyer". Hotch considered him before he slowly stood up and moved out of the room shutting the door behind him before he slowly moved into the observation room where he found Livie, JJ and Rossi standing watching.

"He is definitely the submissive unsub" he said "he doesn't want to feel responsible for the girls murders; he got very defensive when I accused him of killing them". They all nodded "Hotch we are running out of time" JJ said "we need to get him to talk" Hotch nodded looking through the mirror at Clark.

"Someone else needs to go in" he said "good cop approach" "I'll go" Rossi volunteered but Hotch shook his head "no I think it would be better if a women went in" he said "he obviously likes women" JJ nodded "shall I go in" she said and Hotch was just about to nod when Livie stepped forward "can I" she asked and they all looked at her in surprise. "Livie" Hotch murmured and she looked him straight in the eye "you know I can connect to him" she said "you know I can get to him and he obviously likes younger girls" he considered her "I know you can, but do you think you can" he said "do you think you can cope?"

Livie looking into the interrogation room at Clark thinking before she looked back at Hotch "yes" she said "if that is what it takes to get Sophie back then yes". Hotch sighed "don't do anything you can't handle" he said "I shouldn't even technically allow you in there but we are running out of time" Livie nodded and took the file before she took a deep breath and slipped into the room.

As she sat down JJ looked at their boss "Hotch I am not sure about this" she said and Hotch clenched his jaw "me neither" he murmured "but do we really have a choice". JJ sighed and they turned back to look at Livie sitting in front of their unsub.

"The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks" Mark Zuckerberg

Hope you enjoyed that. Next chapter will be along soon.

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Mysticgirl