How Dare You [ReidxReader]

(15) Fidelity

You're coughing and can't really see much. You were running through the sewer beneath the unsub's house. It seems to be the way he moved around the city without being spotted by traffic cams. Of course, you were the first to enter the tunnel and run down the small stone path next to the water.

When you turned a corner, you ran straight into a smoke grenade you noticed too late. Your hands on the wall, you try to feel your way forward. "Byrne?" You hear Morgan yell through the earpiece. "Second right." You couch back.

Finally, you can see again. Not far down the tunnel is a ladder in the wall. Probably leading up to the street above. Holstering your gun, you start to climb up. Just when you reach for the gully, it's lifted. The unsub is staring down at you. Fuck.

He lifts his foot and tries to stomp onto your hands. You have no choice but to let go off the ladder or he will probably break your fingers. With a scream, you fall down backwards. You lower body smashes onto the stone floor, your head and chest breach the water surface. Desperately, you try to get a hold of the edge of the sewer to pull yourself up.

After a few seconds of struggle, you realize that you have to dive down fully to turn around and get out. Throwing you legs to the side you glide into the water. It's cold and dark and leaves touch your body.

Couching you get back up. "Emily!" You're blinded by your panic but recognize Spencer's voice. Helplessly, you raise your arms and try to get towards him. You feel him grabbing your hands. With a groan, he manages to pull your upper body out of the water. You get a hold of the edge and can push yourself out of the water.

Breathing heavily, you fall onto your back. Out of the corner of your eye, you see that Morgan is already exiting the sewers up the ladder, yelling for Hotch and JJ to drive the cars down the street.

"Can you get up?" Spencer's worried voice makes you focus on his face.

"Yeah." You breathe out and sit up. Trying to wipe the water and dirt off your face, you mumble: "Thanks."

When Spencer goes to lift you up by grabbing under your arms, you get to your feet by yourself: "I got it."

"My earpiece is fucked. Do you hear anything?" You ask.

"They're following him through the streets." He informs you.

Taking another deep breath, you start to climb the ladder. You're drenched. Once again. But you're also angry. You will not patiently wait here.

Halfway up, you yell: "Come on."

Before Spencer can object, you're up on the street. Disoriented you look around. You're in the suburbs. The houses are identical. You hear the sirens, probably in the next street.

Gasping, Spencer asks: "Where will he run?"

You scan the streets. "He'll try to circle back to the sewers. Knowing his ways down there is his only advantage."

Pointing to your left, you tell Spencer: "Cover that side." He nods and you start to run in the opposite direction.

Your boots make a splashing sound with every step. While jogging down the street, you check your gun. You're not sure if it still works.

When you hear the sirens getting closer again, you leave the street and run through the front yards, using bushes and trees as cover. Then you see him. On the other side of the street, making his way back to the gully.

You circle back so that you can run towards him. He only sees you coming at the last second and cannot stop himself from running against your extended arm full force. It makes him exhale violently and fall onto his back. The impact hurts you shoulder, and you stop looking at him for a second.