Shadow Of Hearts (Emily Prentiss X OC)

Chapter 44: A Fractured Mirror

The apartment was silent except for the creaking of floorboards beneath their feet. The air was stifling, and Echo's senses were on high alert as she and Emily swept through the rooms, their flashlights cutting through the darkness.

"Clear," Emily whispered, stepping out of a small bathroom.

Echo nodded, her pulse racing as she opened the door to what appeared to be a bedroom. The dim light from the hallway barely illuminated the space, but it was enough for her to make out a figure lying on the bed. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Sophia?" Echo whispered, stepping closer, her flashlight trembling slightly in her hand.

The figure on the bed stirred, and a soft moan escaped from their lips. Echo quickly moved to the side of the bed, her heart pounding in her ears. As the beam of light fell on the person's face, she realized it wasn't Sophia. The woman lying there was unconscious, her wrists bound with duct tape and bruises marring her pale skin.

"She's not here," Echo said, her voice tinged with despair.

Emily joined her, her brow furrowed as she examined the woman. "But she could still be close," Emily said. "We need to get her help and find out what she knows."

Echo nodded, trying to push back the rising panic. She carefully removed the tape from the woman's wrists, and Emily pulled out her phone to call for medical assistance.

"We're going to get you out of here," Emily said softly to the woman, who was starting to regain consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, filled with fear and confusion.

"Where... where am I?" the woman asked, her voice shaky.

"You're safe now," Echo assured her, though the words felt hollow. Her sister was still out there, and the clock was ticking.

"Do you remember anything about how you got here?" Emily asked, kneeling beside the bed, her tone gentle yet urgent.

The woman shook her head slowly, wincing in pain. "I... I was at home... and then... he was there. I don't remember much after that."

"Who was he?" Echo pressed, her desperation showing.

"I don't know... He said his name was Victor, but... he didn't look like the picture on the ID. He... he was someone else, pretending..."

Echo exchanged a glance with Emily. The realization hit them both at the same time. Victor Martinez might not be their unsub-he was just another pawn in this twisted game.

"She's right," Emily said, thinking aloud. "Victor was probably working with or for someone else. The real unsub is still out there, and he used Victor to throw us off the trail."

Echo's mind raced. If the real unsub was out there, still holding Sophia, then they were running out of time. She clenched her fists, feeling the overwhelming need to do something-anything-to save her sister.

"We need to regroup and figure out our next move," Emily said, her voice steady as she stood up, already calling Hotch to update him on the situation.

Echo nodded numbly, her thoughts fixated on her sister. As they waited for the paramedics to arrive, she felt Emily's hand on her shoulder, a gesture of comfort that she desperately needed.

"We're going to find her," Emily said, her voice low and filled with determination.

Echo looked at Emily, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hope. "We have to."

---

Back at the BAU headquarters, the team reconvened, the atmosphere tense as they gathered around the conference table. Echo stood at the far end, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she listened to Garcia's update on the investigation.