Childish| Criminal Minds

6

Spencer leans his head against his balled up sweater, shutting his eyes to avoid the harsh sunlight coming through the window. JJ moves her hand over to Spencer's.

"You okay?" she asks quietly. Everyone else in the car is listening to music besides Aaron, who's driving.

"Yeah, I guess," Spencer replies sheepishly. "I just have a headache."

"You really should have gone to the hospital," JJ scolds. Spencer turns to face her and shrugs.

"It's just some bruises."

"Spencer.." JJ sighs. Spencer bites his lip. It's been days, but his throat is still sore, and the skin around his neck is still a collage of purples and yellows.

"I lost a fight. It's not a big deal," Spencer says.

"Spencer, there was no fight. He assaulted you!"

"I don't want to talk about it," Spencer says defensively. "It's Aaron's birthday, can we focus on that?"

"Fine, but this conversation isn't over," JJ says. Spencer rolls his eyes, but he knows she's right.

He stayed home for the last two days of school. It wasn't necessarily because he was so hurt he couldn't go, but he wasn't sure he could mentally force himself to. The idea of facing Bobby, and facing Maeve, was so horrifying that he just couldn't.

The worst part about all of this isn't his bruises or mild concussion- it's the fact that it's made him feel even more alone than he already did. He hasn't talked to Maeve since that day, and this painfully long car ride is the first time since then that he and his friends have actually talked. To Spencer, it just feels like a disaster waiting to happen.

Aaron on the other hand couldn't be more excited. Peter is asleep on the floorboards by JJ's feet, and there's only a few minutes left before they get to the campsite, which is luckily only a short walk away from a small river.

The car comes to a stop in the parking lot and Aaron gets out, popping the trunk. He and Emily start to unload their supplies while JJ attaches a leash to Peter.

Peter wags his tail while JJ leads him out of the car. "We're gonna start setting up the tent," Aaron says. "Want to help?"

JJ smiles and opens Spencer's door. "Hey, Spence, you should go take Peter for a walk."

"What? Why?" Spencer asks defensively. "I want to help. Besides, I'm not even good with dogs."

JJ hands Spencer the leash and he sighs. "Just take him down a trail and be back in an hour."

"Fine." Peter tugs at the leash and Spencer nearly falls backwards. JJ holds back a smile and goes to help Aaron and Emily with the tents.

Spencer takes the gigantic dog down the first trail he sees, having a rather difficult time keeping up with him. Peter stops by a bush, and assuming he's doing his business, Spencer checks his phone.

It's 6 pm and the sun will be setting soon. Because he isn't paying attention, he doesn't notice Peter's leash leave his hand. Spencer shoves his phone back in his pocket when he realizes there's no service and turns back to where he left the dog.

"Shit! Peter? Peter!"

Setting up the tents took less time then they thought it would. There are three small tents arranged in a circular shape a few feet away from a small cliff that overlooks the river. A fire pit is set up in the clearing between the tents, and the sun is starting to set behind the trees.

JJ checks the time, then bites her lip. "Does anyone know which way Spence went? He's been gone for half an hour."

"Uh- I think that way," Aaron says. He points in the general direction of the trail Spencer took, and hands her a flashlight from his belt.