Chasing Hope

Chapter Twenty-Three» Spencer.

I sat alone in my apartment after another useless day of work. I stared at my messy handwriting. Just in Nightmares. What could it mean? It probably had meaning. Was it a quote? Was it a clue? Was it an anagram? An anagram... Maybe. I played with the letters a bit. I came up with a total of 3 potential results. But the last one struck me as the one. Justin Manersight. I picked up my phone.

"Hey Garcia. Can you give me all you can on an individual named Justin Manersight?" I asked.

"Sure thing pretty boy. May I ask why?"

"Uh, knew someone." I felt bad for lying, but she would never do it if she knew why really.

"Alright, Justin is an English immigrant who moved here about 3 months ago, with a squeaky clean record although he was put into a mental institution for a bit."

"Hey thanks. Can you send me his files?"

"Yup." she said popping the p.
""Take care of yourself bud."

"Yeah."

This could be it.

-

I looked up the address and entered it into my GPS. I was fiddling with the prop when Morgan called. I pressed the phone to my ear.

"Hey."

"Hey, you sound like you're in a hurry."

"No." I lied again.

"You sure you're not going anywhere?"

"Positive."

"Hey, I've just been thinking about you, and I'm worried. Just know I always have your back. No matter what."

"Thanks."

An awkward silence filled the conversation.

"I guess I should let you go."

"You're fine. See ya."

I turned on the radio, only to be greeted by Christmas carols and hymns. I slammed the off button. Carols only reminded me of who I was missing and the emptiness that filled my heart. It was was 2 days till Christmas. A Christmas miracle would be if I had Carter back. I pulled into the driveway of a slightly run down house. There was two rusty cellar doors padlocked. I got out of the sleek car, which seemed out of place. My gun secured tightly in my pocket, I approached the door, and knocked lightly. A tall man with oily black hair opened the door.

"Hi, my name is Spencer Reid and I'm with the FBI, I was wondering if I could take a look around inside." I said flashing him my credentials.

"Certainly, come inside." He smiled at me like there was a joke I wasn't getting. I checked around a bit and sighed. A small voice in the back of mind said: ask to see the cellar. Why would I notice it, and why would it be padlocked. My heart skipped a beat.

"Could I see your cellar?"

"Most definitely."

He pleaded me outside, and to the rusty cellar, where he pulled out a key, and unlocked it.

"After you." he said shoving his hand into his pocket. I placed my hand above the handle, hesitating. Still, I grabbed it and the doors flew open. Darkness encased the dirty floors and I could barely make out a figure in the corner. Long dirty hair fell into her face, and blood was streaked across her face. There were brands and burns- chemical and heat - all over her body. Her hand was completely swelled, cuts and bruises decorated her body, and she whimpered in pain, eyes clenched. She wore only a ripped top and underwear, revealing skin that was plastered to her ribs. Sweat and tears made her face wet and sticky, but he would've known her anywhere.

"Carter!" I screamed. "Carter." I choked, my voice cracking. A series of emotions ran through me: relief, worry, happiness, anger, pain, sadness, concerns, and a million others it would take to long to describe. I ran toward her. I suddenly remembered the bastard behind me. Standing protectively over Carter, I pulled out a gun with shaking hands.

"You're going to put the gun down, and walk away." I stated calmly.

"No, I've always liked my way better. You put the gun down, or I shoot. And I think you know I would do it, and that I am serious. Test me Spencer."

Justin had his gun fixated square on her forehead. I saw no other way out, so I did as he pleased, and tossed the gun down.

"There. Happy?" I spit.

"Yes. Now, why don't join her Reid. She gets so lonely down here." he shrieked with joy as he injected a long needle into my forearm and I collapsed into a heap on the cold, hard ground.