MO GRÁ | Derek Morgan

chapter seven

JJ POV:

I burst through the doors of the BAU, urgently heading for the TV remote. "Morgan!" I shouted, catching his attention. He looked at me, confused. "What's going on?" he asked. I turned the TV on, drawing the eyes of everyone in the bullpen.

"What is being called a routine Q&A meeting by Colorado Children's Services has spiraled into a violent and deadly standoff between local authorities and the Separatist group known as the Sepatrian Sect," the news anchor reported.

"JJ, please tell me that's not where—" Morgan started, but I cut him off, my voice strained. "They're still inside," I muttered, trying to hold it together.

"Hotch! Rossi!" Morgan yelled. They emerged from their offices, drawn by the urgency.

"The TV," I said, my voice sharp with panic.

"Leah, Emily, and Spencer are still in there," Morgan shouted, eyes wide with concern.

"Reports indicate that four Children's Services workers remain trapped inside the compound," the anchor continued. Phones began ringing off the hook in the BAU, agents scrambling to respond. Rossi and Hotch gripped the railing, their faces tense with fear.

"We're in hostage support mode—let's move!" Hotch barked, and the team quickly filed out of the bullpen.

< 𝑀𝑜 𝒢𝓇𝒶 >

Leah POV:

I sat next to Reid, watching Emily pace back and forth in the dimly lit bunker. We had been separated from the rest of the group, and most of the children had already been put to bed. The sound of footsteps echoed down the stairs, and Cyrus, along with one of his followers, appeared.

"Miles is dead. Shot while trying to lock the door. Lauren and Robert are still in bed," Cyrus informed us coldly.

"What about the baby?" he asked.

The follower, out of breath, handed the child to him. "I've got her," he replied.

< 𝑀𝑜 𝒢𝓇𝒶 >

The next morning, we were rushed to the temple, where the remaining followers gathered. My eyes were heavy, struggling to stay open. A knock at the door broke my daze, and I looked up to see Cyrus open it—revealing Rossi standing in the doorway. Relief washed over me. The BAU was here. We might actually stand a chance now.

Rossi was patted down by one of the followers. Cyrus pointed to us.

"The children, our guests," he said, his voice laced with authority.

Rossi gave us a subtle nod, his gaze quickly shifting away.

"I'd like to take the children," Rossi said, but Cyrus shook his head.

"No. They are our protection. We remember Waco, all of us," Cyrus replied.

"This isn't Waco," Rossi said, his voice calm but firm. Cyrus hesitated, glancing between us and the children before looking back at Rossi.

"They stay for now, while I pray for guidance," he said. "Please don't try to force us out."

"No one will force you out. Trust me," Rossi assured him.

"Trust is earned," Cyrus said, his eyes narrowing.

Rossi nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. I knew he was stalling—buying time to plant as many bugs as he could so we could listen in.

"Tell them I'm not crazy. I'm just a man living by God's law," Cyrus pleaded.

Rossi nodded. "I will," he promised, before walking out. The door slammed behind him.