Redemption | Criminal Minds

Chapter 7

I STAND STEWING in the interrogation room, pissed to say the least. After William's startling revelation, Derek had insisted on bringing him back to the station immediately.

Meaning?

A super hungry assassin never got her well deserved pastry. Not that I'm a dog or anything, but I'll gladly perform tricks if the endgame is treats. That reflected in my line of work quite well, but now Derek Morgan is about to discover the result of depriving me.

"William, why should I believe you?" Derek questioned the quivering man cooly, cocking an eyebrow in disbelief as the befuddled man practically bawled.

"It's not him Dirk," I grumble from my corner, my lips curling up as Derek shoots me an annoyed frown.

"It's Derek," He rolls his eyes, standing up from his chair with a sigh and making his way over to me.

"Totally, got it Eric," I nod my head, plastering a serious look on my face.

"If you don't have anything helpful to add, I suggest you wait outside," He utters in a low tone, leaning on just enough I can hear the attempt at intimidation in his words.

Good thing I'm not one to scare easily.

"Look how he holds his left arm," I reply nonchalantly, pointing a finger towards William's bare arm.

"I don't-" Derek starts, confusion teeming in his features.

"Fine, I'll show you then," I grumble in annoyance, stalking over to the terrified man.

"W-What are you doing?!" He cried out, attempting to shield his face unsuccessfully, seeing as how his hands are cuffed to the table.

I lay my hand on his left shoulder and press, watching as the man jerks his body in pain.

Derek makes to stalk forward, but I pull my hands back in mock surrender.

"His arm's screwed to hell, he wouldn't have been able to beat Tiana to death if he tried. He has limited mobility in his dominant arm and the injuries on Tiana suggest a right-hand person with full mobility unlike our friend here. Although, I did notice Tiana had some older injuries, most likely inflicted by a foot to the back. Isn't that right William?" I grin cheekily down at the man, who looks away in guilt.

"Sh-She was texting someone and didn't show me the messages. I-I thought she was cheating and I got angry! I would never kill her though; I loved her!" He exclaims in anger and hurt, tears brimming in his eyes.

"Ah, see Derek? Just another abusive asshole with entitlement issues. Case closed!" I grin, giving William a friendly, but well placed whack on the back.

Or, you know, the back of his injured arm. But hey, minor details, right?

He screeches in pain and Derek rolls his eyes before grabbing me firmly by the arm and dragging me from the room.

"So..." I smile giddily as I look into his eyes, "Time for food?"

"No Alex, not time for food!" He explodes, using air quotes around food, "You cannot just manhandle suspects like that, no matter how shitty of a person they are!"

"Well, let me simplify it for you Derek. I don't have morals to satisfy or protocols to follow like you suits. I'm the type of person who does exactly what it takes to get my info. I'm not the ethical type and it's about damn time you stop acting like I am. You know my background, and you know my methods. Don't bring me in if you have a problem with them, but don't ride my ass either when you don't like the outcome!" I explode, seething at his tone.

If he was concerned with how I operated, he shouldn't have brought me in. Part of him wanted information and somehow, he had to know that. Going off on me wasn't going to solve anything either.

"Go"

It was a simple command, yet laced with just enough venom to have a grown man quivering in his boots.

I'm not a grown man, though, you see.

"Gladly," I bite off through clenched teeth, stalking past a confused Sheriff Kelly and pushing through the doors of the station.

A rush of cool air hits me immediately and I shiver slightly before shoving my hands into my pockets.

I kick a rock on the sidewalk childishly, shaking my head slightly in an attempt to clear my thoughts.

I have no idea where I am or where I'm going, and frankly, I could give two shits.

The sun has already started to sink, giving away to a dusky night sky speckled with the faint lights of downtown.

I stop in a park, not too far from the station and settle down on a creaky swing masked by an abundance of overgrown pine trees.

"Fuckin' suits," I spit out to no one in particular, my eyes narrowing in contempt.

My loudmouth is ultimately my downfall as a cracking stick from behind is masked by my complaints.

That is...until a fist is slammed against the back of my head.

My vision swims slightly as I plunge forward off the swing, my knees digging into the gravel as they hit.

Before my attacker can make another move, I take this chance to roll forward, using my fall as a momentum; and popping back up, still facing away from the attacker.

I freeze; hearing his footsteps, crunching hesitantly on the gravel as he advances towards me.

I study my surroundings, focusing on his breathing. My brain races as I attempt to piece together my problem.

He's at least six feet tall, that much I know. Heavyset, probably not in stellar shape. Has a slight limp, most likely why he attacked from behind. Wanted to incapacitate, held himself back on the first punch. He wants to get me to a secondary location most likely. Not gonna happen, of course.

Time's up for thinking.

I hear him, the whistle of his arm flying through the air to strike. I dart to the left, away from his fist.

He stumbles forward and I swing to face him, a sneer on my face.

It's too dark to make out features so I focus on his movement instead. He races towards me with a roar and again, I leap out of the way.

"Wow, you really fell for that, again?" I chuckle wryly, following him with shifty eyes.

He stalks me now, hunched over as he slightly crouches, slowly circling me.

I'm now directly under the monkey bars and as he once again makes a leap forward, I jump and curl my fingers around the cool metal, launching my body into an arc until I hesitate in a handstand on the top before swinging back around, kicking him straight in the chest.

He wheezes violently, gasping for breath as he hunches over.

Disorientated.

I launch my knee upwards, straight up into the jewels. He falls to his knees, clutching them in pain.

My foot to the solar plexus achieves a crack.

Broken ribs.

He screeches at the pain and I shove him face first in the woodchips that surround this massive playground.

My playground now.

Another foot to the face ensures he's down for the count. His eyes roll back into his head and I crouch beside the unconscious man, hand digging through his pockets for an ID.

Click.

I freeze, hands raised slightly above my head.

I forgot about the partner.

And with that, a sudden pain erupts as the gun is whipped into the side of my head.

Darkness.