This isn't what I want

chapter 57

** 7:30 AM, Reid's POV **

I roll over and JJ's not in bed. I hear a rustling of paper so I feel around and my fingers clasp around a piece of paper folded neatly. It's got JJ's beautiful handwriting on it.

Dear Spencer,

I'm sorry, I really want you. But I can't live like this. I can't live being scared of everything. Being scared about everything. Being scared for everything. Henry and Aria are with Mom at the moment, you can pick them up if you want. I don't want to be a burden, and I don't want Will to cause any more trouble than he should. It's my problem, and I don't want to ruin your life like he ruined mine. 

I suppose I am running away. I don't know what else I can do. I don't want him to trace me to you, and I don't want you to get hurt. Please, please don't try to find me. It'll make you his first target, because I know something's going to happen. He's not going to rest forever. He'll make it his mission to find me again.

I just want you to remember that I love you, and I always will, and if someday Will is gone for good, then yes, I'd love to marry you. But I don't want that whilst he is still here. Please understand that. It's not you. I love you. I'm sorry.

Jennifer.

My whole world collapses around me. All I can do is crumple the piece of paper and throw it hard against the wall. I open our wardrobe, and all of her things are gone. She's really gone.

I pick up my phone and dial Emily, but she doesn't answer. In fact, her phone doesn't even ring. It just goes straight to voicemail.

"You have reached SSA Emily Prentiss. Please leave a message."

I try again. And again. I'm close to chucking my phone against the wall, but then it rings. Eagerly, I answer it without checking ID.

"JJ?"

"It's Hotch. I need to talk to you. Meet me at the BAU in thirty minutes." Hotch says before hanging up.

I don't know what he wants, but I decide to go. Maybe he knows something about JJ.

** At the BAU **

Hotch, Garcia, Rossi and Morgan are all sitting in the conference room. When I walk in, they immediately give me looks of sympathy.

"Reid, have you seen the news recently?" Morgan asks me.

"No, why?"

Garcia plays a clip on the screen, and I can barely breathe.

"Breaking news. Ten convicts have recently broken out of Virginia State Prison in a mass breakout starting in Zone F. Among those escaped are Jeremy Camden, Charles Franklin, William LaMontagne Jr, Anthony Green and Christopher Whitfield. Identities of the other escaped criminals are being confirmed. They are all a part of the sex offenders section. Please be on lookout." The reporter says whilst filmed outside of the prison.

I suddenly realise why JJ's gone. She really is truly afraid of that son of a bitch. And now he's out on the streets once more. And I can't protect her.