Fallen

Chapter 7

"Cereal." I muttered to myself as I read off the next item on the grocery list. I pushed the heavy cart down the aisle and stopped when I reached the items I wanted. My eyes scanned the shelves as I pondered my options. Instinctively I reached for my usual but I stopped when I realised I really wasn't sure what Spencer would eat or if he'd even have time to eat breakfast whilst he and the team were working this case. My fingers grazed the smooth cardboard of a box of Lucky Charms and I was about to pick up a couple of boxes when my cell began ringing in my pocket. When I pulled it out I answered without looking at the caller I.D. It wasn't uncommon for me to answer without checking who was phoning as I so rarely gave out my cell number.

"Hey, I'm just checking in." My favourite voice answered.

"Spencer hey, how are you?" I asked, smiling wide.

"I'm good. We're building a geographical profile but I thought I'd check you were okay. How's the grocery shop going?"

"It's boring. I'm currently choosing us some cereals - any preference?"

"Cheerios would be good."

"Are you sure Spence? Just Cheerios?"

"Just Cheerios."

"Okay. What time will you be home?" I asked after placing two boxes of Cheerios in the cart.

"By the time we've narrowed down this geographical profile and reviewed evidence and then gotten Garcia to give us some names probably not until this evening."

"Okay well just let me know when you're leaving later and I'll make us dinner. How does pasta sound?"

"Yeah that sounds great- oh what was that? Um no problem. Look I gotta go, Emily and Hotch are on their way back in."

"That's fine Spence. Go catch a killer with your geography or whatever it is you're doing."

"Bye Rosie."

"Bye Spencer." I smiled before hanging up. I slid my cell back into my pocket. With a sigh I turned my attention back to the cereal. All the brightly coloured boxes were shining in the glaring light of the store. I must have stood just staring at them whilst my mind was elsewhere for at least another five minutes before I decided that I'd had enough. In a hurry, I finished up the shopping, paid and packed it all into my car before driving home. The drive was slow and would usually have been uneventful however something about this drive was making the hairs on the back of my neck stand like I could tell that something wasn't right. A quick glance in my rear view mirror allowed me to see the red Volvo behind me. It was driving close, a little too close for my liking but I tried to shake it off and ignore it. After it took the three same turns as me however I couldn't shake the feeling of dread. Carefully, I pulled out my cell and was about to dial Spencer's number when the Volvo behind me took a sharp left up the street before the one my apartment was on. A sigh of relief escaped my lips and I made a mental note to mention it to Spencer later as I pulled into my usual parking spot. I grabbed my groceries and hurried into the safety of the apartment building. I spotted the officer who was keeping an eye on me in his plain clothes smoking a cigarette on the steps that led up to the fire escape at the side of the building but didn't tell him about the suspicious vehicle. I knew the police were assisting the FBI investigation but Emily had warned me to be careful who I was trusting with information because they still had limited leads on my stalker. My key turned in the lock of my familiar wooden door and immediately as I stepped inside Donnie was at my feet, rubbing himself around my ankles. After tripping over him several times whilst trying to put the groceries away, I sank into the couch, suddenly feeling exhausted from doing such a simple task. It had been weeks since I'd done a normal task like grocery shopping and it had left me in need a nap.