When Spencer was about to turn into his usual alley when he heard a tiny rustle of fabric. He stopped and stared into the space between buildings.
There was a man. He was tall, as tall as Spencer and directly facing him as though he’d been waiting for him. The man was half draped in shadows but Spencer made out broad shoulders and thick runners legs clad in dark jeans, running sneakers that looked expensive but well used. He catalogued the brand.
He switched on his flirtacious mask softened his stance and cocked his head to the side so he was looking up at the guy from his best angle.
“I didn’t realise I had an appointment. Can I help you, handsome?”
He made his voice young and breathy in the usual way then quickly 1
realised it might backfire if the guy turned out to be a bigot.
The man stepped forward into the light. He had a cold expression and a jawline from a catalogue model. His dark eyes studied Spencer with insecible precision.
“Spencer Reid. I’ve been looking for you.”
Spencer’s expression didn’t waver but the words made his insides curl up into himself.
He forced his face into a dumb smile. “My name is Charlie. You’ve got me confused with someone else.”
His right hand drifted casually into his pocket where the lining had been ripped away for easy access to the knife strapped to his thigh, hidden by baggy jeans.
The stranger took another step forward.
“I’m not mistaken. Your name is Spencer Reid. You are a PhD student at UoW and you are a certified genius. You are moonlighting as a prostitute and killing men who pay for your services. You are a serial killer who has, so far, been under the radar.”
Spencer felt red hot and freezing at the same time. Hundreds of potential plans went through his mind at once. Flip books of futures, ending in death. He didn’t think he could over power this man who had surely come armed. Could he fight his way out of this? Probably not without getting shot or coming o arrested. He was not in control here.
“I’m guessing you’re police. FBI, maybe. Where’s your partner? Do they usually send one officer to bring in a serial killer?”
Another step closer. Spencer had no where to run from here.
“I am FBI, but I’m not here for them. I’m here for my own interests.”
Haltingly, he took a step back. He raised his hands.
“Okay then. You know who I am. You know about my project. If you aren’t here for the FBI, then what are you doing looking for me?”
He had almost stepped out of the alley’s cover entirely when Mr FBI shot forward, faster than Spencer could react, and grabbed a handful of his t-shirt. His trainers shuffled for purchase as he was dragged forwards. Spencer tried to strike out, to push against the grip but only managed to rip the neck of his t-shirt open.
His heart was loud in his own ears and his saliva tasted of blood.
A page of handwritten text in a notebook. The text reads:
Should he shout? Make noise and pretend FBI creep was hurting him?
"I'm not going to hurt you, Spencer. I wanted to know you. To know if you are like me."
His other hand wrapped around the back of Spencer's neck. So big he could pinch down on all the nerves there if he wanted.
"Then tell me what you're like." Spencer gasped out.
"I'm smarter than the average person, I hunt serial killers for a living and I understand them more than I should. I investigate their crimes and wish it was me who commited them."
Spencer picked up the thread. "You could have been one of them. You are smart enough to get away with it but you’re too scared to take the jump. You found me because I’ve taken the path you were too scared to.”
“I want to know what it’s like to be you. Will you show me?” This could still be a trick. A long, elaborate scheme to get him to confess.
“I’ll show you if you tell me your name,” he said, staring into the dark eyes in front of him.
“Okay, Aaron. But first, you’re going to show me where you live so I have something on you. And on the way, I want to hear about how you found me.”
romaincrisis
stormborns
snowghoul
ellievsbear
pixelskylines
baratheonpilled
