Heurism | Spencer Reid¹

CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE: ABOUT FACE

"What else is the whole life of mortals but a sort of comedy, in which the various actors, disguised by various costumes and masks, walk on, and plays each one his part until the manager waves them off the stage?"

     — Erasmus.

—

There's a certain buzz to the office this week. With a new team member coming and Halloween just a day away, everyone seems ready for a bit of fun. Themed trinkets and banners adorn most of the desks — Reid's most of all, with masks and pumpkins on every available surface. Though my desk is usually pretty bare, a plastic skull now sits next to my computer. He had been so excited as he decorated yesterday, I couldn't refuse when he offered it to me.

I spot him now as I work through my case reports, and I almost choke on my coffee, covering my mouth before my laughter can give him away. He wears a pretty hideous Frankenstein's monster mask, with a noose around his neck and long-fingered, scabby gloves that he waves around as he creeps closer to Morgan's desk. "Argh! I'm going to eat you!"

Nearly jumping out of his skin, Morgan groans, "Reid!"

"Happy All Hallow's Eve, folks." Catching Prentiss's eye, I can't help but laugh. It takes him a second to work the mask off his face, revealing his flushed complexion. "To paraphrase from Celtic mythology, tomorrow night, all order is suspended and the barriers between the natural and the supernatural are temporarily removed."

He pulls a fake shrunken head from his back and tosses it to me. Morgan takes in our laughter with complete bafflement. "See, that right there is why Halloween creeps me out."

Reid shifts his attention from me, looking to our friend with a grin. "You're scared of Halloween?"

"I didn't say I was scared, I said I was creeped out. There's a difference there, youngster. You should look it up."

"Don't tempt him. He spent fifteen minutes explaining the Oxford English Dictionary's entry on 'twitterpated' last night," I say with a playful roll of my eyes.

The second I say the last few words, Prentiss's head snaps over to look at me. Her eyes narrow slightly. I frown and wait for her to say something, but instead she turns back to Morgan. "What creeps you out about it?"

"I don't know, people wearing masks. I don't like folks in disguises."

"That's the best thing about Halloween," Reid protests, and throws us each a candy. "You can be anyone you want to be."

"No, I'm pretty good just being me."

Catching a piece of taffy he throws my way, I chuckle. "Personally, I like the masks. Unlike the job, it's easier to tell when someone's wearing one."

Once again, I notice Prentiss's smirk. "Yeah, why is it that none of those points of view surprise me?"

He rolls his eyes. "You know what, though? On the flip side, it does provide a pretty good reason to cosy up with a scary flick and a little Halloween honey."

His words are enough to have both her and I grimacing. "Ew. Halloween honey? Now I'm creeped out."

Reid comes over, depositing a handful of candy on my desk. He smiles shyly as he prods it into a neat pile. "Are you doing anything tomorrow night?" he asks.

"Honestly, my area sucks this time of year — fireworks, fights. Probably gonna draw the blinds, drink some cheap wine and rewatch Heathers."

"Oh. That sounds nice. You know, my neighbourhood's a lot quieter, if—"

"Is that him?"

We both look up to see Strauss entering the bullpen. Following behind her is a man in his early 50s, with dark hair styled back, and an expensive suit. Reid hastily pulls the mask off his head. The man chuckles as he passes us by, sending me a greeting nod which I return.