Love On The Field - Spencer Reid x Reader

PART XXII

 

Sirens had been wailing for the past minutes. Their sound a cacophony of urgency piercing through the stillness of the night as the emergency services prepared to put out the fire and ensure the safety of those around the area. Frozen on the sidewalk, Y/N stood between Penelope and Reid in a state of shock. Her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at the roaring inferno that was once her home. The flames, reflecting into her watery eyes, making it seem as if she was also burning from within.  

And a shiver ran down her spine as memories flashed through her mind: the cozy evenings spent curled up on the couch watching one of their favorite movies; her sister’s laughter echoing through the walls of her kitchen as they gathered for dinner; the quiet moments of solitude in her favorite corner with a book before Layla bursted through the door; the times she had woken up to Layla fixing up some breakfast for her because she knew otherwise she wouldn’t eat anything at all. It was all gone now, swallowed by flames that seemed to devour everything in their path. Even her.

The neighbors huddled together, their faces a mix of horror and confusion as they stared back at the building from a safe distance. Y/N recognized some of them vaguely, their expressions mirroring her own shock. Still, she couldn't tear her eyes away from the devastation unfolding before her. How could this happen? How could everything she cherished be reduced to dust and rubble in an instant?

"What happened?" Gideon asked with urgency, as he and Hotchner joined the trio after rushing out of the Bureau’s black SUV.

"I-I don't know." Y/N stammered unable to look away from what was left of her apartment, her voice trembling as she made an effort to speak.

"Somebody’s threatening Y/N to stop her from carrying on with her investigation." Penelope told them.

“They sent a text to her phone letting Y/N know something was waiting for her at home.” Spencer explained stepping away from her for the first time in the night and moving towards the other men. “Some sort of wordplay about movies and popcorn. They also mentioned some kind of sequel.”  He told them. “Her sister was inside when the explosion occurred.” He added lowering his voice.

“A sequel you said?” Gideon asked.

“Yes, do you know anything about that?”

“I think I might now.” He answered. “A few days ago Holly Leonard, her witness, was involved in a car accident. She didn’t make it.” He told Reid.

“So, another death? Is that what they meant by ‘sequel’?”

“It appears so.”

“Who are these people?” Reid wondered without expecting an answer.

“Y/N…” Gideon said carefully approaching her and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as Penelope took a step back. “I’m so sorry.” He murmured against her hair wrapping his arm around her shoulders and bringing her towards him. “I’m sorry.” He repeated as her stiff figure suddenly loosened in his arms and she buried her face on his chest as the tears fell from her eyes like an overflowing sink. Her fingers gripping the fabric of his jacket for dear life. Her cries, hoarse and desperate, accompanied by the chaotic noise of emergency responders trying to contain the blaze. Their sirens crying along with her.

“Get her out of here.” He requested once she had calmed down.

“No.” She told them quickly taking a step back and looking at him in the eye. “I need to see it.”

“Y/N.”

“Please.” She insisted. “I need it.” She assured him, and Gideon turned to Hotchner for a second opinion.