Morgan and Prentiss stood on the edge of the property. The woods were dense, providing a natural barrier around the property.

"Garcia said the phone calls have been coming from the East side of the property," Emily said.

Morgan nodded. "We need to look around, see if there's any way in."

There was a trail leading deeper into the woods that looked overgrown. Prentiss gestured. "Hey Derek, what do you say we take a relaxing nature walk?"

Derek followed her gaze. "Perfect. Just what we need to stretch our legs."

The officer, Jake Landon, stood where he was, next to the car. "I was instructed to show you around the outside of the property. I can't allow you to go any closer to the property."

Prentiss glanced over and began walking towards the trail. "You two need to stay on the perimeter," he repeated.

Morgan frowned, crossing his arms. "There's a young woman in there who's counting on us to save her. This trail could help us find her."

Prentiss nodded. "Every second we wait is another second. Sophie Bennet's life is in danger. We must check out anything to help us get her out safely."

Jake shook his head. "The chief doesn't want police any closer to the property. He's worried it could spook the guy in charge."

Prentiss raised an eyebrow. "Your chief asked us to come here so we could do our jobs."

Morgan spoke up. "I appreciate your concern, but if anyone does see us, we aren't in uniform. We're just some hikers who got turned around."

The girl was still in the dining hall when Sophie finished with dishes. Her fingers ached from scrubbing. She wiped her hands on her skirt and glanced at the girl. She sat on a bench at the front of the room, her shoulders hunched and her head bowed.

She's new. She doesn't know yet.

Sophie's bare feet moved silently across the cold concrete floor as she carried the last plates and cups to their shelves. She lowered her gaze as she passed Miriam. Miriam, a woman in Kessler's inner circle, took it upon herself to watch the other girls like a hawk.

Help is coming. Just hold on.

It had been two days since she last called the police. She wanted to call again to ensure someone was still looking for her, but that would be too dangerous. Her eyes darted back to the girl still staring at the floor. She wanted to say something, but if she were to get caught making calls, that would put this new girl in danger. Sophie slipped out of the dining hall, her heart pounding.

Help is coming.

Hotch called Morgan and Prentiss again. "We need an update. What's going on over there?"

Prentiss answered. "We have a potential way in, but Officer Landon says his chief wouldn't be comfortable with it."

Chief Turner heard this and spoke. "Officer Landon," he barked, "Let them through."

The voice of a young, surprised man came through the phone. "Yes, sir."

"Be careful out there," Hotch said, "We still don't know much about Kessler or his followers."

"We will," Prentiss assured him.

Morgan looked towards the property. "Let's move."

They both concealed their guns and their badges before walking along the path. The trail narrowed as they moved forward. Prentiss ducked under a spider's web, and the pair climbed over a fallen tree that blocked their path.

"Should've brought bug spray," Prentiss said, glancing back at Morgan.

Morgan chuckled. "I'll remember that for our next nature walk. Something feels off here."

Prentiss nodded. "Let's keep moving."

The trail narrowed again, forcing them to walk single-file. Morgan stopped, almost bumping into Prentiss as he inspected a set of footprints.

"These are fresh. Someone's been through here recently."

"Kessler could be sending people to patrol."

Morgan stood. "We must be close. Let's keep moving."

As they pressed on, they heard the faint sound of voices. Morgan and Prentiss stayed close to the ground, approaching the voices. They followed until a large building came into view, protected by a tall, barbed wire fence.

"Looks like we found the place, "Prentiss whispered.

Prentiss and Morgan hid, watching the compound. Everyone moved with a purpose, not stopping to chat.

"We shouldn't stay long, "Morgan said, "We can't risk getting caught back here."

Prentiss glanced at her watch. "You're right. We've already been gone too long."

Morgan grimaced. "Let's see if we can get a little closer. I want to see if we can hear anything."

Prentiss and Morgan moved closer, taking cover behind a thick oak tree.

Jake Landon stood guard, though it made him nervous that he couldn't see the agents as they entered the deep woods. He kept his ears and eyes open for any potential danger. The past few nights' lack of sleep caught up to him, and he tried to stifle a yawn. How much longer would they be out here?

You could always tell when Miriam was walking through the dining hall because you would hear conversations fizzle out before you could see her. She walked past all the tables and entered a small room where Sophie had begun her dishes. Sophie's hands trembled slightly as she scrubbed a stubborn stain from a pot.

"Sophie," Miriam's voice cut through the silence.

Sophie paused for a moment before continuing to scrub. "Yes, ma'am?"

"You've seemed tense lately. Is there something you would like to share?"

Sophie shook her head. "No, ma'am. I'm just trying to finish these dishes in time for lunch."

"Good," Miriam said. "This can sometimes seem like a thankless job, but Father Kessler values your discipline. Remember that."

"Yes, ma'am. I will,"

Miriam turned and left the room, and the conversations in the dining hall slowly came back to life. She walked to Kessler's office, shutting the door quietly. "I'm worried about the other women. Some of them are growing restless."

"How so?" Kessler asked.

A smile crossed his face. "Have you tried talking to some of them? I've told you, it's normal to have doubts. Even you aren't immune to such things."

"I have," Miriam confirmed, "But it's no use. One girl has grown increasingly moody and the other women are growing weary."

Miriam could tell he was considering this.

"This particular girl, perhaps it would be wise to place her somewhere else," she suggested, "I'm sure a change in scenery would benefit her."

Kessler thought for a moment. "Miriam, you know I respect you in matters concerning women, but in this case, I would prefer if you sent her to me so I may speak with her myself."

—-

Garcia sat at her computer, eyes darting across her monitors. She'd been looking for information on Johnathan Kessler only to find that the man seemed to drop off the face of the earth for a few years after he was released from prison.

"What are you hiding, you sneaky bastard?"

Hotch called her from the police station. "What do you have, Garcia?"

"He was a clinical psychologist with a squeaky clean record for twenty years and then ran into legal trouble."

"And then what happened?"

"Tax evasion. He went to prison for five years, was released, and between being released and the first disappearances, he seems to have dropped off the face of the planet and taken a gap year on Mars."

Kessler walked through the compound, taking in the late-evening beauty; the women were putting their children to bed while the girls who had yet to have children were cleaning up. He found Sophie leaning against the doorframe of her tiny room, her arms crossed.

"Sophie," Jonathan said, putting a smile on his face, "May I have a word?"

The girl straightened, her arms dropping to her sides.

"Of course, Father Kessler." Her voice was soft.

Kessler stepped forward, his hands behind his back.

"Miriam tells me you've been distant lately," he began, "You've always been diligent in your work. If something is bothering you, you can tell me."

Sophie swallowed. "I've just been focused on my work. Miriam says you like discipline, and I don't want to disappoint anyone, especially you, Father Kessler."

Jonathan tilted his head. "That's commendable, but sometimes we can focus too much on our tasks and not enough on our motivations behind those tasks. Sophie, is there anything you're holding onto that you need to let go of?"

Sophie's hands clung to her skirt, like they had on her first day at the compound."No father. I've let go of everything. You've given me a good life, and I'm doing my best to embrace it."

"Have you? I'm only asking because I care. I want to know you feel safe."

Sophie nodded. "I do feel safe, father. I promise."

Kessler placed a hand on her shoulder. "That's good to hear. The path we walk is not for the faint of heart. It requires full devotion. I trust, Sophie, that you will continue to honor it."

"Yes, father," Sophie said.

Jonathan squeezed her shoulder. "Good. Now, go to bed, my dear. But my door is always open if you ever need to talk."

Kessler turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

Help is coming

Sophie moved to the window. Somewhere, past the barbed wire fence, were the people coming to save her.

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Sophie turned to see Miriam standing in her doorway. How much had she heard? She leaned against the doorframe with her arms folded.

"I believe Father Kessler told you to go to bed."

Sophie nodded. "Yes ma'am I just needed a moment to clear my head."

Miriam's lips curled into a smile. "You've had a lot on your mind lately."

"It's probably because of my job in the kitchen. I have a lot of time to think while washing dishes."

Miriam stepped into the room. "And yet, these past few days, you've seemed distracted."

"I'm sorry. I'll do better."

"I think very highly of you Sophie. But I've learned that the ones who I value are often the ones who struggle with their faith."

"I'm not struggling ma'am. I'm grateful for everything you and Father Kessler do for us."

"I hope so, because if you aren't being honest with us, we will find out."

"I'm doing my best. I swear. I would never do anything to let my family down."

Miriam nodded. "I trust that you won't."

Miriam turned and left the room. Sophie sat down in her bed, legs trembling.

Help is coming.

She had to wonder how many of the other women still trusted Miriam. How many still believed that he had their best interests at heart?

David paced back and forth in his hotel room. He and Reid had been working on a profile until they finally realized they had hit a dead end, and Hotch ordered them both to go rest. Something just wasn't adding up. In his experience, people join cults because they are lost and need a family. He rubbed a hand over his face, and thought through everything he remembered about the members.

Sophie was a smart young woman with a bright future. After her parents died, she went to the commune seeking community.

Miriam found Kessler in his office.

"See what I mean about that girl?"

Kessler's hands were folded on his desk. "How so? She seems fine. Maybe a little distant."

"She continues to deny any wrongdoing, but it's obvious she's keeping something from us."

"If you see her being insubordinate, tell me about it," Kessler said.

"Of course Father. I always do."

"Keep an eye on her, but if there's no trouble don't go looking for it."

Miriam nodded, though Kessler never looked up from his desk. "I'll see to it that she stays on the right track."

"And keep the rest of the women in line. Remind them that their behavior reflects on the rest of the family. If a sheep loses faith in my leadership and walks astray it's my fault, so make sure they don't. I don't want to lose any time having to solve your problems for you. I have enough to worry about with preparing my test for the chosen ones."