Oblivious || Spencer Reid x Original Character

Chapter 15: Minimal Loss

Author's Note
This chapter ended up being 5k words, I guess I just got carried away (sorry not sorry), which is why there wasn't a double chapter upload last week. Personally I prefer longer books and chapters, the ads really frustrate me sometimes. The chapter is going to jump between different characters third person POVs (lots of Spencer once again) this is one of my favourite episodes and so I hope you enjoy.

________________________

Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. - Ayn Rand

Spencer Reid fixed his gaze on the cult leader, blocking out the hushed cries of those around him, their final whispers to their family.

"What do we do?" Rory asks her voice filled with panic.

"Nothing," Spencer replies quickly glancing down at her.

"We have to do something," she exclaims, "These people just took poison."

His eyes don't leave Benjamin Cyrus, "Cyrus just told them he did. I think he's just bluffing."

She looks up at him in surprise, "Why do you think that?"

"Just after he told them about the poison, he waited for them to start to react," Spencer explains, watching as Cyrus begins to walk towards Cole, "Then he nodded to Cole. And he started writing. Look," he motions to where Cyrus and Cole stood surveying the captive audience, "They're scanning the audience looking for reactions."

The realisation dawned on the young agent, "They're writing down the names of the people who are crying."

"It's a loyalty list," Spencer confirms.

"So he knows who will follow him to the end," Rory replies her tone dark.

"Be still. There was no poison," Cyrus says and Spencer lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding, he was fairly certain his deduction was correct but part of him feared he was wrong and they were about to witness a mass suicide.

"Instead a test of faith. Because your adversary, the devil, waltzes about as a roaring lion!" Cyrus exclaims, each word from his mouth causing Spencer's stomach to churn. "Choosing whom he may devour. Watch each other for signs of weakness. You are your brother's keeper."

The uneasy feeling didn't leave Spencer's stomach as they were led away to a cellar. His mind still racing from the test of faith they had witnessed. He had studied Waco extensively, he knew how these times of religious sects operated but seeing it first hand was different. His only piece of solace was the agent beside him. He glanced down at Rory who sat stoically staring at the wall across from them. He could tell by the way her eyes darted back and forth that she was deep in thought trying to find a way out of this for them, but at this stage they couldn't do anything. Cyrus didn't trust them, and they had no power to change that.

The sound of the door crashing against the wall caused Spencer to snap his gaze towards Cyrus, "Which one of you is it?" He yells. The rage clear on his face. Spencer's eyebrows furrow confused by the question. "Which one of you is the FBI agent?"

Spencer felt as if time slowed down, his blood ran cold and he could hear his heart beat in his ears. When he heard his own voice it was like he was underwater, "Why do you think one of us is an FBI Agent?"

Cyrus turns his glare to Spencer, "God will forgive me for what I must do." He utters, pulling a gun from its holster, cocking it as he points it directly at Spencer.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about." He lies staring down the barrel of the gun.

"One of you does. Who is it?" Cyrus shots