Flawless ➝ Criminal Minds ✓

*Alone*

*Alone*

(Amelia's P.O.V)

I sighed and glanced either side of the road, before crossing grudgingly. My head was beginning to pound again, and I was just about ready for another dozen coffees, but it'd have to wait until I sorted out the dress store.

Speaking of which, Teringtons was literally across the street from the shopping mall, and I arrived at the shop within five minutes of setting off. Only to find it was closed.

I sighed in frustration, and then suspicion. The 'open' sign was on display, yet as I peered through the glass window, I saw that the room was dark and eerie, and there was no movement from within.

I pondered on what to do for a moment, then crept around the back of the store, after checking the handle.

Stood amongst a patch of overgrown undergrowth, I whipped out my phone and hastily dialled Prentiss' number.

"Hey, Emily. It's Amelia. I'm at Terington's dressed; the shop where all the dresses were bought," I said quietly as she answered, occasionally peering round the corner.

"What's up?"

"It's supposed to be open, but it doesn't look like anyone's here. I'm going to check it out."

"I'll be right there," she decided, before hanging up.

Clutching my gun, I tried the handle. I gulped loudly as it clicked, and the door swung open on rusty hinges.

I glanced behind me, but there was no sign of anyone.

Emily will be here soon, I reassured myself. Just go in; she'll be here soon.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I pushed the door open further and charged into the gloomy storeroom. Everything was silent, and my eyes darted rapidly as they adjusted to the darkness.

My heart jolted furiously in my chest, blood pounded in my ears. I was beginning to feel light-headed, but I forced myself to stay focused and proceeded to check out the rest of the room. All seemed clear, until I heard a resounding crash in the adjacent room.

My breath hitched in my throat, and my grip on the gun tightened. I gulped nervously and gingerly approached the door, slightly ajar.

Bracing myself, I kicked it open - cringing as it swung on rusty hinges - and bolted in, swinging my gun in each direction as my eyes darted around for the source of the noise.

"It's nice to see you again, Amelia," rasped a familiar voice, one that made my spine shudder and goosebumps prickle my skin.

"Thomas Riley," I gasped, still searching through the gloom for our Unsub. My teeth gritted; I could feel his keen gaze on me, but I couldn't tell where he was. I moved further into the room, breathing heavily.

"You really should have waited for your fried, you know. Because when she gets here, you'll already be gone," he hissed in a raspy voice.

"We'll see," I tried to say confidently, but my voice trembled.

I heard a scuffle behind me, but before I had chance to turn around, something heavy and solid smashed against my head and my knees buckled. The gun clattered from my hand and blinding lights flashed before me.

I was sinking into unconsciousness, rapidly. My head lolled, the world tilted. I tried to remain awake, but I tottered forward, my eyes blinking shut, and I was plunged into darkness.

(Prentiss' P.O.V)

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Garison," I said reluctantly, drawing myself away from the snarling creep. He snickered and returned to his place behind the counter.

I sighed and tucked my credentials back into my pocket. Two suspects down; another two to go. I wondered how Shields was doing, when my phone abruptly began to ring.

"Hey, Emily. It's Amelia. I'm at Terington's dresses; the shop where all the dresses were bought," she said, her voice slightly strangled.

"What's up?" I asked, pausing by a stall selling postcards.

"It's supposed to be open, but it doesn't look like anyone's here. I'm going to check it out."

"I'll be right there," I declared, hanging up, and began striding through the shopping mall.

Breaking through the doors and out into the cool air, I searched the street opposite the mall for Terington's dresses.

None of the buildings in my range of sight were titled such a name, and I ran to the road to get a better view.

Ah, there it is! I exclaimed to myself, spotting the small shop on the corner. I hurried towards it, drawing my gun as I peered through the window. Everything was silent and slightly unnerving, and the door was locked, so I moved around to the back. The door was flung wide open, so I entered cautiously.

There was nobody inside, so I began hissing Amelia's name.

"Amelia? Amelia!?"

There was no reply.

"Agent Shields?"

Still no reply.

My knuckles turned white with strain as I clutched the gun tighter and tried the light switch. It flickered on, and I was momentarily blinded, but there was still no response.

Then I heard a moan, coming from the direction of the store cupboard, and approached tentatively.

My heart jolted, and I flung open the door with a strong shove. There was a thump and a body toppled out. It was a young man, gagged and bound, with a shallow gash running the length of his temple. His eyes were open, clouded with fear.

I quickly lowered my gun and undid his bonds. He began sobbing and I reassured him softly. "I'm Agent Prentiss, with the FBI. Help is on the way. Just stay still," I said soothingly as I phoned Hotch.

"Agent Hotchner," he answered gruffly.

"Hotch, it's Emily. I'm at Teringtons. I found a man bound and gagged in a store cupboard, but there's no sign of Amelia or... oh, my gosh," I suddenly gasped, peering into the next room. A puddle of blood carpeted the stone floor, and a gun was lying beside it. "There's a pool of blood and Amelia's gun beside it. I think someone's taken her."

Hotch's voice grew solemn. "An ambulance has been sent; we're on our way. Don't go anywhere."