Shadow Of Hearts (Emily Prentiss X OC)

Chapter 53: A Race Against Time

The SUV cut through the early evening traffic as the BAU team raced toward what could be Christopher Hayes' final target. Emily's heart pounded in sync with the hum of the engine, her mind racing as she processed everything they had uncovered. Hayes was not just a killer; he was a man on a mission, and he was nearing the end of his twisted journey. The thought of what he might do next filled her with a cold dread.

Echo was beside her, her expression a mask of focused determination, though Emily knew her well enough to see the worry in her eyes. They had to stop Hayes before he could carry out whatever horrific plan he had in mind.

Hotch's voice broke the tense silence in the SUV. "Garcia, do we have an exact location yet?"

Garcia's voice crackled through the speaker, her tone anxious but focused. "I've been tracking down any properties that could be linked to Christopher Hayes, and I found something. There's an old, abandoned church on the outskirts of Fairfax. It was purchased under a shell company years ago-around the time Hayes would have come of age."

"An abandoned church," Emily muttered, exchanging a glance with Echo. "It fits his delusion perfectly-he sees himself as some kind of avenging angel, making his final stand in a place that symbolizes judgment."

"It's likely where he's been hiding and planning," Morgan added, his tone grim. "And if this is where he's planning his final act, it means he's already set the stage."

Hotch's voice was steady, but the tension was clear. "We need to approach carefully. If he's there, he'll be expecting us. This could be a trap."

Emily nodded, her hand tightening around the grip of her gun. "He's been two steps ahead of us, but we know his endgame now. He wants to punish these families-and he's not planning on walking away from it."

As they neared the church, the forested landscape around them grew darker, the trees closing in like silent watchers. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the road. The air was thick with the anticipation of what they were about to face.

When they reached the church, it was exactly as Garcia had described-a crumbling structure, hidden among the trees, its tall steeple jutting into the darkening sky like a jagged tooth. The building was old and decrepit, its windows shattered and its stone walls weathered by time.

Hotch parked the SUV a safe distance away, and the team exited the vehicle, moving quietly and cautiously. The forest around them was eerily silent, the only sound the crunch of gravel beneath their boots as they approached the church.

Morgan led the way, his gun drawn, with Hotch close behind. Emily and Echo flanked the sides, their eyes scanning the surrounding area for any sign of movement. The tension was palpable, every rustle of leaves setting their nerves on edge.

As they neared the entrance, Hotch held up a hand, signaling them to stop. "We go in quiet," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "If Hayes is inside, we need to take him by surprise."

Emily nodded, her breath shallow as she prepared herself for what they might find. Echo's hand briefly brushed against hers, a silent reminder that they were in this together. They had faced danger before, but this felt different-more personal, more urgent.

Hotch gave the signal, and Morgan slowly pushed open the heavy wooden door. It creaked loudly in the quiet night, the sound echoing through the empty church like a death knell. The team moved inside, their flashlights cutting through the darkness, revealing rows of broken pews and crumbling walls.

The interior was just as decrepit as the exterior-dusty, dark, and filled with a lingering sense of decay. The air was thick with the scent of mildew, and the floorboards creaked under their weight as they moved further into the building.