Trials and Tribulations

Chapter 12

It was hard for agent Rossi to ignore the death grip that Hotchner had on the steering wheel. His knuckles were practically white.

"I told you I could drive" Rossi said.

"And I told you that I can drive just fine" Hotch replied, copying his tone.

Rossi didn't react.

"All i'm trying to say is that you're stressed. You could relax and I could drive but hey if you're going to be sassy..." He stared out the window casually.

"I'm sorry. you're right. I didn't mean to snap at you" Hotch replied.

"I know" Rossi said.

"This is too easy, Dave" Hotch said.

"Elaborate" He replied.

"I don't know. Something is just off"

"We'll be extra careful" Rossi tried to reassure him.

Neither of the men knew what to say next so they sat in silence.

The address under Graves' name lead to a big farmhouse out in a rural and secluded area. Hotchner and Rossi arrived first with the rest close behind. The house was eerily dark. Everyone hopped out of their vehicles quickly but their team leader stopped everyone before advancing towards the house.

"We don't know what we are walking into here. Be cautious and communicate. Most likely this guy isn't going down without a fight." With those words Hotch nodded and turned toward the direction of the house, walking with his gun ready.

The team followed, spreading out and watching the area. When they finally got there and stepped up to the front door Hotch motioned for Morgan and JJ to go around back. They nodded in agreement and quietly crept around the side of the building. Hotch wasted no time using his foot to kick the door open with all his force.

The door flew open and everyone perked up. The inside looked pitch black with only faint outlines visable upon first look. They walked in and their flashlight showed that it was an average house. Wall art and plants decorated it and the furniture was matched well. Hotch nodded for Reid and Rossi to head upstairs while he checked the front of the house and the other two checked the backside.

Hotch cleared the living room quickly and moved further into the house where he checked a bathroom and a closet that were empty too. The only thing that was off about the place was the blackout curtains covering every window.

Soon JJ and Morgan sound off from the back of the house announcing that it was clear.

"This isn't right" Hotch said as he met up with the other two in the kitchen.

"What isn't?" Morgan asked.

"you can't get a read off this place. An unsub like this doesn't live in an average place. There's nothing personal here"

" Is it a trap?" JJ wondered out loud.

Hotch shook his head. "I don't know what it is but Emily isn't here and neither is out unsub" Hotch said.

After a few seconds of silence Rossi and Reid called out that the upstairs was clear. Their entered the kitchen instantly talking about how the unsub doesn't live there.

"We were just coming to the same conclusion" Morgan said.

The team looked around at each other with disappointment and confusion.

"Let's go check out the storm cellar out front" Rossi announced.

The team exited the house and started walking towards the double wooden doors that lead underground when JJ got everyone's attention.