FDTD Ch 15-16
They had been on the road for nearly two hours and Reid hadn't stirred once so far.
Seth glanced over at his hostage for the fifths time now, relieved and tense at the same time. He have long woken up by now, after all he hadn't hit him on the head or anything… Maybe he didn't want to…
He turned his attention to the road again, deciding to just let him sleep for as long as possible; once the kid woke up there would have to be some sort of conversation, he knew, and he hadn't figured out what to say yet.
His thoughts had been turbulent since they left the motel, the conflicting emotions inside him still setting him on edge. Things had certainly gone out of hand these past hours, and he had been driving, trying to think of how to fix them. So far he hadn't come to very many productive conclusions.
All he knew was that he was furious at Richard for fucking everything up as usual, but also at himself because deep down he knew it was his fault as much as his brother's. Richard was always an unpredictable force to be reckoned with -the problem was that he hadn't been there to control the situation, control him.
And why? Because of that damn agent!
Of course that was the root of all his trouble. After all, he never would have left in the first place if he hadn't been so upset about their conversation -but he had, and now he had the aftermath to deal with.
Seth growled, still feeling the urge to punch something in his frustrated state. Damn it. He had a mission here, a plan that needed to be followed if they were to be successful. This whole endeavor felt like it was slipping more and more out of his hands. He hated it, and yet he couldn't seem to stop it.
But he needed to. He needed to find a way to deal with his situation so that he would end up in Mexico, sipping tequila, and not back in jail fighting sweaty, toothless men for his place in the hierarchy.
No more screw ups from now on.
The next logical step in his plan was the phone call which was important to get the money. He needed to function for that.
He sighed. If only it were that easy. Thing was though, he mainly needed Reid to function for it, something he wasn't sure would happen anytime soon given the circumstances.
For all he knew, the kid could pick right up where he left off in the motel, panicking and fighting him with all he had. It wouldn't surprise him, considering what had happened with Richard and his obvious failure at reassuring him about the state of things -but he couldn't afford it. Especially not out in the open.
He pondered what to best do -try and convince Reid once more that he was going to be fine if he cooperated and hope for him to calm down, or simply go on as before and use his fear to make him comply…he would have to see what would work better once Reid woke up.
Inwardly, he hoped it would not have to be the former because reassuring the kid would mean being reassuring, which would include being at least sort of kind and empathetic. And he just knew he couldn't do that; he'd given into that urge back at the hotel and evidently it had backfired horribly.
No, he needed to stay distanced and objective -if only to avoid any sort of bond to form between them. It was Kidnapper 101: Never risk any degree of Stockholm Syndrome to develop. The hostage always ended up not taking threats seriously anymore and the hostage taker with scruples.
Usually he was great at abiding that rule, but then, he'd never before actually felt the urge to comfort someone either. He cared about Richie and himself, no one else. That was what made him strong, made him a survivor.
He grimaced, reminded of how seeing the kid freak out at the motel had affected him, how it had almost all gone to hell right there because of it...
Seth took a swig out of the liquor bottle close by, wishing for a cigarette.
No, that couldn't happen again. After all, people like him, who had lived one way for nearly two decades, didn't suddenly become emotional. He would have the occasional angry outburst or fit, yes, and after particularly bad days at Richie's side he'd sometimes find himself lying in bed, staring at the ceiling and simply feeling hollow and sick -but not this.
It was just two more days of this at most.
Just be distant and cold and to the point. Be cool.
He would just have to try even harder to be as scary and mean and ruthless as possible, considering he not only had the kid but also himself to convince.
He glanced over to the passenger's seat once more, the way the young man next to him was slightly curled in on himself, strands of hair falling into his delicate features and once more making him look troublingly young and innocent. The image of those features distorted in horror flashed across his mind again and he quickly looked away again.
'Shit, shit, shit. I'm losing my fucking head.'
He found himself wishing the agent would finally wake up. He needed to see that sharp, that calculating and slightly contemptuous look that infuriated him so much. Maybe that would help him focus on who he was dealing with, and balance out the ill feeling in his gut…
Seth waited almost impatiently, trying to redirect his thoughts with minor success.
After another while they finally came across a rundown gas station. There were no cars or people to be seen, just a washed-out cardboard cutout swaying in the wind, and a little store that seemed deserted. A little further down the road he could see some houses, probably a small village. He looked around, luckily finding what he was looking for: A phone booth.
This would have to do, he decided. It was far enough away so that they'd be relatively safe if the call was traced, and there seemed to be no curious eyes to watch them. He slowed the car and pulled up next to the phone booth.
The moment he killed the engine, Reid finally woke up, blinking into awareness.
It was easy to know the exact moment he realized where he was, indicated by a sharp intake of breath and the jingling sound of the handcuffs moving. His face grew ashen, his eyes wide as saucers as he turned to stare at him, obviously recalling everything that had happened.
Seth kept looking straight ahead, avoiding The Eyes as a precaution this time and waited for whatever reaction was to come.
xx
Reid woke with a start.
There was no brief period of confusion as to where he was, or who he was with. They were in the car again, on some deserted strip of a dirt road he'd never seen before. The motel room was gone, but Seth was still there, lounging in the driver's seat next to him, just then taking one last draw form a cigarette before throwing it out the open window.
Reid's eyes followed the movement of his arm, shuddering at the immediate memory of it wrapped tightly around his throat, choking him. Their last interaction flashing across his mind, he recoiled against the car door, fear slamming into him. Seth wasn't even looking at him and yet his heart was racing like a rabbit's.
The motel… Richard, attacking him….then Seth…he'd fought back…
Reid shuddered. He could still feel the adrenaline rushing through his body, the terror, the helplessness he'd felt, trapped between his abductors. The last thing he remembered before he'd blacked out was Seth's arms wound tightly around him, and Richard's breath on his face, a look in his eyes that he had only ever seen during the worst of the BAU's cases.
He been sure then that he either wouldn't wake up again at all, or wake up wishing he hadn't.
But now…they were here out by some gas station, probably to make the phone call, he figured. He was alive, the other two were gone…
Gone.
Hazel.
The sudden realization that if she wasn't here…she had to be with Richard hit him like a train, turning his stomach. Oh, God.
He jerked upright, only to be stopped byhis own metal cuffs around his wrists, cutting into his skin as he moved. The sensation sent a swell of panic through him that he couldn't even begin to suppress.
If she was alone with him, he would…
Horrified, he stared at Seth's profile, trying to find an answer there. No, he wouldn't have...but he had left her alone there, just after seeing what his brother had done-
He froze when he remembered what Seth had told him just this morning. "If you try to run, or get help, or if you keep trying to play me, I will kill her."
At that memory he felt like he was going to vomit, a feeling of utter dread settling in his stomach.
If there ever had been any kind of deal between Seth and him, it was now certainly void. After all, he had not only threatened but also attempted to stab him, a clear deal breaker…
"What did you do?" he gasped, before he could think better of it.
Finally, Seth turned to look at him from out of cold, dark eyes, expression guarded but clearly irate. Obviously, he wasn't over the recent events yet either.
"I did a lot of things today, Spencer, most of which I would have rather avoided. I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific."
Reid tried not to cringe under the man's angry gaze, even though he could feel his stomach turning in apprehension. But he knew he was in a world of trouble already - right now he needed to know if at least the civilian could be saved.
"Hazel," he insisted, "Where is she?"
Seth's brows furrowed, then he merely shrugged, indifferent, "Back at the motel."
Reid paled. God, please, no.
"What did you do to her?" the question almost didn't make it past his lips.
As much as he should have been, he wasn't prepared when Seth's suddenly sat up, pushing the car door open brusquely. He watched tensely as the man got out and walked around the car swiftly, opening his door so quickly that Reid was almost thrown out of his seat by his cuffed hands. Before he could fall though, a strong hand grabbed his shoulder, pushing him back. Reid's heart missed a beat at the touch, and he flinched, sure that Seth was about to hit him and tried to pull away. The grip on him tightened, fingers digging into his shoulder, showing him once again that he was chanceless.
With his free hand, Seth produced a key out of his jacket and started to undo the handcuffs.
"For future reference," he said coldly, eyes never leaving Reid's face, "let me just make clear that her well being was your responsibility. How did you think attempting to gut me with a letter opener would affect our deal?"
Reid clenched his hands to fists as the restraints around them fell but Seth's hand remained, controlling him. His words sounded as much like a threat as a confession.
Was he admitting that Hazel was actually-
"You broke your word first," he argued, half accusing, half pleading, stubbornly refusing to think his last thought through to the end. She couldn't be…he had tried so hard… "I had no choice but to-"
He yelped when Seth's grip suddenly tightened and he was dragged out of his seat. Before he knew it he was on his feet, slammed against the side of the car so hard it knocked the air out of him. Again, he expected a punch of some sort, heart skipping a beat -growing confused when it still didn't come.
He supposed he could hold his breath for it though… Seth's eyes were blazing as he leaned in threateningly close, right in his face as he finally vented some of his anger.
"Yes, you did have a choice," he hissed, one large hand gripping Reid's shoulder, pressing against his collarbone painfully, "You could have believed me when I told you you'd be fine as long as you played along."
Reid, who had tilted his head back instinctively to create some more room between them, stilled at those words, gaping at his abductor incredulously. Was he actually blaming him…? Before he could think better of it, he snapped back, momentarily forgetting fear in his own agitation. "I did! Your crazy brother-"
The rest of his sentence got caught in his throat when Seth slammed him against the car again, cutting him off effectively. Reid gave a wince of pain and fright, immediately reminded of the danger he was in by just one glance into furious black eyes. He instinctively ducked his head, eyes pressed close.
Seth could snap any second, what the hell was he doing aggravating him?
By now, the older man's fingers were clutching his shoulder so tightly he could already feel the skin bruising, and he was earnestly starting to wonder why he hadn't hit him yet. He certainly looked like he wanted to.
But he didn't. Instead he took what sounded like a deep breath, blinking very slowly twice. He grinned, a mere display of teeth, fingers flexing.
"Yes, he screwed up," he then admitted through his teeth, forcibly calm, "And then, I stopped him before anything could happen. I didn't let anything happen to you, just like I said, didn't I?"
Reid blinked and stared at him, momentarily at a loss of words.
He had no idea what Seth's actual motives were at this point. He kept saying one thing and then doing another. But he didn't want to think about that either because it made him incredibly confused and angry atop of scared, two things he couldn't afford.
Yes, Seth had stopped Richard but it wasn't like that counted for anything!
He needed him now, that was the only reason he was still standing…while Hazel, being unimportant, was likely-
His stomach turned, crimson flashing before his eyes. Suddenly, he felt the certainly suicidal urge to claw at his abductor's face until that fake earnest expression was unrecognizable. How dare he, act so full of indignation while knowing his crazed brother was up to his second rape/murder attempt for today.
"You need me so the team will hear my voice and pay you," he said bitterly, "don't make yourself out to be something you're not."
He immediately regretted his words when Seth was suddenly right in his face again, lips a thin white line as he glared, gaze turning to ice. The man's free arm came up to rest against the car's roof just next to Reid's shoulder, trapping him.
As before, Seth didn't have to say anything, the shift was there and clearly perceptible in the way he suddenly was much too broad, and tall, and threatening again. Reid stared back, unblinking and petrified despite his tough words. His heart started racing again as the man leaned indecently close until their faces were so close that their breath mingled, the hand on his shoulder suddenly moving to grasp his neck. He stopped breathing as a calloused finger pushed his chin upwards, keeping it there.
Trapped truly. No one to call to. No way to get out of this by himself.
He almost wished he hadn't just said those things to a choleric murderer who was very well able and willing to retaliate physically. Almost.
"I'm not, actually," Seth was fixating him, pronouncing every word as he spoke, anger boiling just beneath the surface, "You clearly don't believe me, but I have been very inclined to keep both of you well so far, because I do have principles I live by, and because I don't maim and kill for the fun of it. Like it or not, I am the reason you're not currently choking on your own blood on that fucking motel room floor, I am the reason Richard hasn't made an example of you yet for the police to find." He let the words sink in, lowing his voice as he continued slowly, "And trust me, he knows a lot of ways to hurt someone and still leave them able to sound alive on the phone. As do I by the way."
Reid knew he must be pale as sheet as he stared back, and could only hope the rest of him wasn't trembling as much as his hands. He stood frozen with his breath held, not daring to move as cold shivers ran up and down his spine, everything about Seth too much, too close, too…
He barely kept a hold on himself, keeping from simply breaking down from distress. All that Seth was conveying to him right now was that he was indeed to be feared, and that consequently Reid was probably right in his assumption.
He wouldn't bend now, not this far into a game he would lose anyway. It might be stupid, a matter of false pride, but then, what else did he have? He was going down anyway and with Hazel gone he had nothing left to lose.
"Then why don't you?" he challenged just as coldly, refusing to avert his eyes.
The question made Seth blink, at least momentarily thrown off, and Reid felt a tiny bit of satisfaction at it.
Slowly, his abductor's expression shifted, somewhere between irate and oddly amused for a moment, and he relaxed ever so slightly. "Is it so hard to believe that I am at least partially human, too?" he murmured, half absentmindedly.
Reid didn't cave, unblinking. He wasn't going to fall of any of that. Every fiber of his body was filled with terror for a reason. "How can you call yourself human when you've left an innocent girl alone with a bloodthirsty monster?" he spat disdainfully.
As expected, Seth's expression quickly turned hard again. For a moment his hold on his neck tightened painfully, so much that Reid winced, and he looked capable of doing pretty much anything.
Then, by a sudden change of mind, he let go of Reid's neck and shoulder, grabbing hold of his arm instead, dragging him away from the car roughly and towards the phone booth. Unprepared, Reid stumbled after him, only catching himself when they were already inside.
Reid felt his heart flutter in his chest despite his best efforts, he couldn't help but feel more than a little claustrophobic in the confined space of the phone booth with no room to back up and Seth only one step away between him and the door.
He flinched when Seth slammed the door shut behind them agitatedly, finding himself pushed against a wall once again.
"You know what?" the man snapped angrily, "I doesn't even matter what you think of me, of this. I was trying to make this easier on you, but fine."
He picked up the phone and pushed it into his hand, glaring at him threateningly. "This is what's gonna happen. You're gonna make the call now, or I will hurt you until you do. Got it?"
Reid didn't have to think twice.
"No."
"Excuse me?" Seth raised an eyebrow, a dangerous edge to his voice.
Reid shook his head nonetheless, determined. He held his ground, meeting Seth's gaze full of contempt. "I'm not calling them. For all I know Hazel is probably already dead! I'm not helping you get your money, not after what you did-"
"I didn't do anything yet!" Seth barked, making him jump, "The girl is fine. But that can change really quickly. Now, you're gonna do as I say or I will-"
"You will do what?", Reid interrupted him disdainfully," Beat me? Torture me? Kill me? You're going to do all of that anyway, aren't you? Well, go ahead, I'm done playing this game."
xxx
"Go ahead, I'm done playing this game."
Seth stared at the young man in front of him, for a moment completely out of his depth. He simply couldn't believe this. The kid was practically shaking with fear, flinching every time Seth so much as moved a muscle.
And yet, somehow, at the same time he was standing up to him anyway.
For a moment, he simply stood and stared into those clear unblinking eyes, taken by a sudden feeling of awe. It was unsettling as much as it was unexpected; he couldn't recall the last time he'd felt something remotely akin to respect for anything safe anyone.
It wasn't the first time Seth felt astonished by something Reid threw his way - with the difference that this time it failed to anger him somehow. Instead it lit something inside him he quickly clamped down on, startled -because it was the exact opposite of what he should be feeling.
Needed to be feeling.
Because damn, he would have to really hurt him now to get him to call his team.
Sure, he could call them himself…but even then, Reid wouldn't say what he wanted him to, maybe nothing at all…and then he'd have to hurt him also, just to make his team aware he was alive and suffering.
The only alternative was to give in and prove that the girl was fine but allowing for that would mean losing the upper hand, and giving the impression that he could be manipulated. He would have liked to think that as frazzled a state as Reid was in by now, he wouldn't be able to make any cunning plans or deductions anymore -but the very situtation they were now in had to be proof enough that he was by far more resilient than he looked. No, he couldn't risk it.
Seth wanted to growl in frustration. He'd done so well in his plan so far - all for nothing?
Just do it. Whatever is nessecary. You've done it a hundred times.
He gazed at the delicate face and form in front of him, trying to imagine smashing a fist against them, putting a knife or bullet in them…
The thought appalled him more than ever.
"Call them."
"No."
There was no other way.
Seth reached into his jacket pocket, rummaging through it. Reid's eyes followed his movement, swallowing nervously. He knew there was no one there to help him. His posture grew tense, fearful, and yet he didn't take back his refusal, just stared at him unblinkingly with large shining eyes.
Seth resisted the urge to look away, feeling like he was being burned by that gaze. He couldn't…not like that…
He made two decisions at once, in a split second. With practiced skill he leapt forward, grabbing his hostage and spinning him around. Forcefully, his long fingers grabbed a hold of a slender throat, pulling sharply and leaving them pressed closely together, back to chest. With the other hand, he drew his knife, switching it open and pressing it to the kid's face before he could even think to struggle.
He could feel Reid's breath hitching in fear as he was grabbed, his head forced back into the crook of Seth neck, instinct leading him to squirm and lash out to try and get away, futilely of course, he just tigthened his grip and pressed the knife in more firmly, a clear warning, until Reid stilled, frozen.
At least he didn't have to look at his face now. This ought to be easier…
For a moment he was quite happy with his plan, almost feeling back to old form again.
"I'm not playing either, Spencer," his voice was positively menancing, "Make the call."
He received no answer, just another shallow intake of breath and nails digging into his wrist. If he concentrated on it he could feel the racing pulse under his fingertips.
"Are you sure now?" he growled into Reid's ear, dangerously low, "Because I would hate to have to cut up a face like yours."
It sounded like a line out of some cheesy gangster movie, yes, but that wasn't nearly as bothersome as the fact that it was the truth. He really would hate having to do that.
Luckily, that thought didn't seem to occur to Reid as he stood trembling, flinching when the pressure of the blade increased, just barely not breaking skin yet. He still didn't answer, just instinctively cringed back into Seth, eyes pressed close as he waited for his captor to make do on his threat. It was plain that he wasn't going to back off now, no matter how serious he took his threat.
Seth stared at the pale face which was suddenly right by his own as Reid angled his head sideways to avoid the knife. He could see every emotion flashing across his face this way, could feel hot, shallow breaths against his neck, locks tickling his skin. The sensation made him freeze. As he kept on staring, his gut clenched and he suddenly felt breathless.
It was in that moment that he realized he wouldn't be able to do this.
The thought terrified him in its weight, but there was no shaking or pushing it away anymore.
He pressed his eyes shut tightly, trying to get a hold of himself. What the hell was happening to him? It wasn't just the insane sensation of guilt, the unwelcome empathy that was forced on him. In that moment, he realized it was everything.
Suddenly, he was actuely aware of the slim, shaking body pressed against his, delicate and trembling and warm, of how close they were...registering facts like the way the kid's hair smelled, or the spot where his fingers were grazing a flat stomach, or that if he leaned forward just a bit their cheeks would be...
Startled by his own digression, Seth froze for a second, almost pushing the agent away from him in his shock. He barely held on to enough reason not to do that, merely standing there, petrified as his thoughts raced. Shit.
Shit, shit, shit.
What the hell was he thinking? And now!
Oh, he was in much deeper shit that he'd thought he'd been.
He pressed his eyes closed tightly, trying to get a hold of himself. Not that too now.
But he knew it was pointless.
He already knew that Reid looking like some kid wouldn't stand to kill had never been his only problem, that even before he'd made that connection, there had been something else capturing his attention, fascinating and distracting him, pulling him in.
Those clear eyes, the mind, the voice that was so controlled and yet told him so much, the ardor no one would suspect behind such a fragile shell, strength, intellect, beauty. Everything.
He could feel the effect he had on him clearly now, magnified, in the increase of his heart rate and body temperature, the sudden tingling sensation where their skin touched where Spencer was pressing against him, the undeniable, instinctive urge to pull him even closer, to drop the knife and bury a hand in his hair instead, to lean forward and breathe in the scent of his neck and hair…so close…
Oh, God.
This kid...Spencer...was undoing him. By some power Seth couldn't understand, which scared and confused him. Had from the first minute.
Seth shook his head, disbelieving. Always, always, he'd been so good at controlling himself. But now he wanted, wanted so many different things, all of them conflicting with his mission -and the worst part was he was apparently helpless to stop himself from feeling that way.
Shit.
Seth couldn't believe his own thoughts. He stared down at Spencer's shoulder, the sharp collarbone moving with every shaky breath -and knew his game was up.
He couldn't do this, couldn't cut up that face anymore than he could cut up his own without it being agonizing.
For a long moment he was unable to move, simply overwhelmed by this realization and not knowing what to do.
What the hell was he supposed to do now? He didn't know what was wrong with him, why he as feeling this way, not even what excately it was he was feeling.
What he did know was that he could under no circumstances act upon it, give in even further. If not for a hundered other obvious reasons, then because Richard was counting on him to pull this off. His brother, his family. He couldn't leave him hanging because someone he barely knew was somehow frying his brain.
He couldn't.
He had to find a way to deal with all of this. Now.
Spencer was sure his heart would jump out of his chest any second as hard as it was hammering against his rib cage.
It was the knife pressing against his cheek, reminding him of Richard, as much as Seth's hand wrapped around his throat, letting him know he was serious now. He was barely breathing, just waiting for the pain that he expected to come with every second he refused to answer. Everything in him screamed to just give in and do as his kidnapper said, but the remnants of his rationality told him to stay strong, that he was right. This, it would have happened anyway, either now or after he'd made the call.
Better to get it over with and at least get a small victory out of it. Of course, knowing that didn't make it any easier…
He pressed his eyes shut tightly, very inch of his body locking in tension, wishing Seth would just get it over with.
Nonetheless his heart dropped, when the man behind him finally shifted, apparently done waiting.
"Well, then I suppose there's only one thing left to do," he murmured and Reid stopped breathing and waited.
And waited.
Nothing happened. No pain, no blood…
The hand around his throat vanished, merely the knife holding him in place now, and he could feel Seth rummaging through his pockets once more. For a moment, irrational fear almost made him want to beg after all…what else could he be planning, more painful than a knife…
He blinked in confusion when Seth pulled put his phone and hit the speed dial.
Seth was uncharacteristically quiet, not bothering to explain his actions as he waited for the other party to pick up. He merely moved the hand with the knife down, resting it against Reid's stomach instead.
"Richie," he then said, voice sounding slightly hoarse, "It's Seth… No, I'm fine. We're about to make the call. Everything alright with you?... Yeah?... Okay, listen, the girl…we still clear on you not coming near her? Right. Well, I might be forced to tell you otherwise in just a minute, depending on how this conversation goes. But first, get her on the phone."
Reid, who despite not understanding what was going on had almost felt relieved, felt his heart start racing again at the implication of those words, at both the idea that Hazel might actually be fine, and that she might not be for much longer.
He shifted nervously, only to have Seth pull him closer by his waist. The man didn't say anything, just kept the knife pressed to his stomach as he extended an arm and held the phone to Reid's ear.
"Hello. This is Hazel," he immediately heard the slightly shaky but definitely lively voice on the other end of the line.
Reid had to bite his lip to keep from making a sound; he pressed his eyes shut as relief washed through him, overwhelming him.
She was okay. Three hours and nothing had happened. Richard hadn't hurt her. He'd done as Seth had told him. He grabbed the man's clothed forearm without thinking, steadying himself.
"Hazel," he managed to get out after a moment, fighting to keep all strain out of his voice, "This is the FBI agent that was with you this morning. Are you alright?"
"Yes…I'm still scared…but I'm okay…" she answered softly, sounding relatively stable, "I've been alone in the bedroom all day."
"Good," Reid nodded to himself, eyes still closed. He could feel tears burning behind his lids. "Good. We'll be back soon, don't be frightened."
Then she was suddenly gone and it was Richard's voice on the phone again, "What now, Seth? Is there a chance of plans?"
He sounded so enthusiastic that Reid felt his stomach turn. He could feel Seth shrugging behind him, voice terribly casual as he answered, "I don't know Richie, let me think that through for a minute."
He covered the phone with his free hand, bending his head so he could look at Reid's face, "There, she's alive. Now will you do as I say or do you plan for her to also fall victim to your pride?"
His voice sounded incredibly frustrated but Reid barely registered it. His relief was already replaced by even worse dread this time. He nodded immediately, almost without thinking.
Knowing Hazel was alive changed everything. Part of him knew of course that his chances hadn't improved, that she was still with Richard and could still die once he'd made the call -but that didn't matter. He couldn't not try to save her.
He felt the shell of determination and bravery he'd clung to by his fingertips for the past minutes slip, useless, leaving him bare as he actually was, terrified and at the bothers' mercy.
"I'll do it," he whispered, hating how his voice sounded, "Please, don't let him hurt her. I'll do whatever you want."
Seth nodded, his grip relaxing slightly, "That's all I'm asking for."
Then he held the phone back up to his own ear, "Richie, I gotta go. Listen, everything stays as before. Lock the girl back into the bedroom and only let her out to go to the bathroom. Don't talk to her, don't touch her, stay in the other room, watch TV and keep a low profile till I get back, you got it?"
He held the phone up to Reid's ear again so he could hear Richie agreeing, then he hung up. Reid didn't move, still and staring straight ahead.
"There, she's peachy. Happy now?" Seth said gruffly, "Now, let's get this over with so she can go home, shall we?"
Reid nodded numbly.
He took hold of the phone, dialing the numbers by heart, not thinking about anything else. He couldn't, not right now. He couldn't think about their chances, or about Richard, or about Seth and his odd behavior and his heavy arm around him. Not about why he was still this close, or why he hadn't made do on his prior threat -not when this change of tactics was so terrible.
Reid knew it was time to give up. He'd tried everything, but he knew when he was beat. Seth had won after all, he still had all the cards.
"What do you want me to say to them?" he asked tonelessly.
Seth shrugged, "They just need to know it's you. I'll tell them my terms."
Reid nodded.
He could still feel the cold metal of the knife against his hip, a silent warning, as well as Seth's overbearing presence; he resisted the urge to shift away, knowing it would be pointless and risky. Giving up fighting all out of a sudden was completely going against his instinct, but he made himself anyway because he had to.
He tried to hold on to the remnants of his calm, focusing on the phone instead as Seth leaned over his shoulder so he would be able to listen in on the call, his breath hitting Reid's.
It didn't take long for Hotch to answer the call. Despite himself, Reid's heart flipped when he heard his voice, "Hotch, it's-"
"Reid? Where are you? Are you hurt?"
He closed his eyes, forced to wait a moment before he trusted his voice enough to speak, "No, I'm not, Hotch. And the girl is alive, too. They want ransom."
His boss thankfully was more collected than he, "We expected as much. Don't worry we'll get you out of there. Reid, can you tell me something about-"
He never heard the rest of the sentence because suddenly Hotch was gone, replaced.
"Reid? Are you alright? Where are you?" he suddenly heard Derek's voice, worried and urgent.
He had no idea where Morgan had suddenly come from, if Hotch was at his bedside, but it wasn't important right then. Morgan's voice sounded strained and worried, bringing back memories from when he'd almost bled out in the bank - but Reid was incredibly relieved to hear it nonetheless.
"Derek…oh, I'm so sorry…" he burst out before he could stop himself, his voice cracking, "We should have never…"
He could feel his throat closing up, dread once again threatening to overtake him, and fought to keep his composure.
Morgan was fine, he was alive. At least that was for sure.
"Stop it, Reid. None of this is your fault, you hear me?" Morgan scolded him promptly, "I'll be fine. They're transporting me back to Quantico so Garcia can take care of me. But Hotch, Elle and Gideon will get you out of there, okay? Tell me what the situation is, pretty boy. Have they…have you been hurt?"
Reid hesitated, knowing what Morgan was asking about. Richard's M.O. The files. He didn't have the time or strength to answer appropriately thought, plus he doubted Seth would let him. "I -no, I'm not hurt."
"And the girl?"
"I don't- she's alive…"
He knew what he probably sounded like, and hated worrying his team mates, but he simply couldn't get a better hold of himself, still far too shaken up by everything that had happened. Tears were burning in his eyes that he could barely hold back and all he wanted was to just break down and plead with Morgan and the others to help him, get them out of here, but he couldn't, he couldn't do that to them or himself. But he couldn't speak without his voice breaking anymore either.
Seth seemed to be reading his thoughts, because suddenly his long fingers wrapped around Reid's hand with the phone in it, pulling it to his own ear and taking over the conversation.
"Hello, Agent Morgan. I'm glad to hear you're alive," he sneered, careful to make sure his politesse sounded as fake as it was.
Morgan didn't waste any time playing nice; his voice changed from warm and soothing to deadly as he growled, "You won't be able to say that about yourself if you touch one hair on Reid's head! You hear me, you sick son of a bitch? You touch him and you'll wish you'd gotten the chair!"
"Somehow I doubt that given your situation," Seth replied coolly, before turning serious, "No, Morgan, this is my show now and you people better do as I say unless you want this to end very badly, you got me?"
There was dead quiet after his words before Morgan launched into a tirade of profanities.
Reid swallowed loudly, eyes still pressed shut as he listened to his friend losing it, half wishing he could do the same, half afraid he already was.
He shifted again, but Seth squeezed his wrist warningly, holding him in place. He breathed through his nose, feeling it getting too much slowly but surely. There just wasn't enough room to move, to breathe, in the tiny space, with Seth's tight hold on him, reminding him very second of his control over his life…
He took deep, slow breaths, knowing he couldn't hyperventilate now. It didn't help much. He had to get out of here.
Seth didn't seem to notice his state, fully focused on his mission and just as intimidating as always.
"I swear I'll hunt you down and then…!" Morgan was just threatening when he was interrupted by Hotch again, taking the phone form him resolutely.
"Mr. Gecko. This is Aaron Hotchner, I'm Reid's chief. I want to thank you for contacting us. You've done the right thing."
"Cut your bullshit, chief," Seth answered curtly, again recognizing he was about to be manipulated and counteracting, "I didn't call because I want to chat with you but because I want something, and you'll make sure I get it or I'll send your boy back to you in pieces, easy as that. Are we clear?"
He heard several gasps over the line, knowing that the shocked team was listening in. Reid tensed against him, the hand in his grasp trembling. He was going to be sick for sure. Seth looked straight ahead, refusing to get distracted now.
"What do you want?" Hotchner was now asking, having abandoned his little farce. He sounded like FBI now, nothing else.
"One hundred thousand dollars and for you to stop tailing us," Seth replied immediately, unimpressed by the chief.
There was silence for a moment and some rustling in the background, then Hotchner said, "Mr. Gecko, I'm prepared to try my best to get you what you want. But I'm going to have to pass that by my superior. And that will take some time."
"Have an answer by tomorrow, same time. I'll be in touch, "Seth replied, "Oh, and Agent Hotchner? Do your best."
Then, before anyone could answer he noisily slammed the metal piece of his knife against the plastic of the phone booth right next to Reid's ear.
Hard.
Reid yelped in shock, jumping away from the noise and into Seth. The thief grabbed him more tightly, but didn't move again, calmly listening to the shocked silence on the other end of the line.
Reid stared at the dent in front of him unblinking for a long second, heart racing, before he realized Seth hadn't meant to hit him. He was confused for the shortest moment until Hotch's anxious voice from the phone made him realize what had happened.
"Reid? What happened…REID!" Hotch demanded breathlessly, fear clearly evident in his voice. In the background he could hear Morgan curse.
Reid felt his stomach sink. Oh no, to Hotch it must have sounded like Seth was hitting him, making due on his threat.
He was about to say something to calm his distraught friends when Seth simply hung up the phone, ending the connection.
"That should get them moving," he said, satisfied, "Thank you, Spencer."
Reid didn't reply, stock still in the man's arms. His mind was a chaos of thoughts and emotions: Morgan's face in front of him, Hazel's teary eyes, Gideon, Hotch, his mom, and then Richard and Seth and his hands still not having let go, and the bitter realization that him being alive had no more value now, and that now was the moment he would finally find out if Seth Gecko was a man of his word.
Just as before, he couldn't help but doubt it.