The Photographer
folder
1 through F › Criminal Minds
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
23
Views:
1,809
Reviews:
1
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
1 through F › Criminal Minds
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
23
Views:
1,809
Reviews:
1
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Criminal Minds or any of the characters, nor do I make any type of profit from this.
IX
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
Undisclosed City, VA
Aaron woke very slowly to the pounding in his head. The blood had stopped seeping from his head wound and had dried on his face. Needless to say, he looked like hell. “Agent Hotchner, you’re finally awake.” A monotonous voice filled the room as Hotch searched the room for its source. “Who are you?” The captured agent’s voice remained emotionless as his eyes rested on the hooded figure standing in the shadows. His question was met with laughter as the assailant walked towards Hotch, his identity kept a mystery by the ski mask he was wearing. “You mean you haven’t figured it out? I’m the real Photographer, the one of old and new.” He pulled out a switch blade and twisted it in his hands menacingly.
Hotch merely glared at the man as he began to slowly fight against the restraints that kept him attached to the wooden chair he was forcibly seated in. The Photographer smirked behind his mask as he flicked out the knife, slashing Hotch’s bicep and knicking the muscle. The FBI agent sucked in a sharp breath of air to suppress the shout of pain that wanted to push past his lips. He looked at his arm as his crimson blood began to stain his dress shirt. The attacker repeated this action on Hotch’s other arm, this time coaxing a small yelp of pain from his victim.
“Agent Hotchner, you disappoint me. Two slashes and you’re already shouting in pain? You must have been begging Foyet for death by the time he was done.” His sadistic smirk only grew as a pang of hatred crossed Hotch’s face. The dark haired agent looked at his captor defiantly. “Are you really going to waste your time trying to get inside the mind of a profiler? Or are you going to tell me what it is you want?” His voice was unwavering as he stared the man in front of him down.
The Photographer leaned in closely to Aaron Hotchner, his warm breath hitting his hostage’s face. “I want you to die. Slowly and painfully.” With those words, the UnSub brought the knife to Hotch’s ear and slowly dragged it downward, causing excruciating pain, which was evident by the grimace on the agent’s face. In the background Hotch saw flashes of light coming from the camera his attacker used as part of his signature.
---
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION HEADQUARTERS
Quantico, VA
“Are we sure that this wasn’t staged to prove his innocence?” Strauss ran a hand over her face in exhaustion. This whole case was giving her whiplash with the constant new developments. “Alright, well I’m not ruling Aaron out, but our priority right now is finding Agent Hotchner and getting back safely.” The Section Chief hung up the phone and leaned back in her chair. She still didn’t trust Hotch, but she wasn’t about to let one of her agents die just because she didn’t like him.
---
CONFERENCE ROOM – POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Richmond, VA
Morgan and Reid sat in the conference room in silence. The rest of the team had gone back to the hotel to get some much needed rest, leaving the acting Unit Chief and young doctor alone to try to figure out who had their colleague. “Let’s go over the profile again. We know from the video that our UnSub is bigger than Hotch, so at least six feet-four inches, two hundred forty-five pounds. He’s driving a black, unmarked SUV, big enough to transport his victims easily. He’s most likely in a position of power and is such a substantial figure in the community by now that no one would expect him.” Spencer took a drink of his coffee in an attempt to rejuvenate himself after his tirade.
His colleague stood and faced the evidence board that now had Hotch’s picture under the word ‘victim’. “Why take Hotch? He’s never taken anyone that was this high risk before. It has to be more than just to ‘restore his name’. Something personal… maybe he felt Hotch gained too much from this case while the credit of his work was given to someone else. Now he can rectify both situations.” Morgan slammed his fist against the wall, frustrated at the fact that the UnSub had out-smarted them. He shouldn’t have let the bastard take Hotch. He failed him.
Morgan’s self deprecation was interrupted by JJ, Emily, and Rossi who stormed into the room with a brown package in their hands. A look of worry was etched into each of their faces as Emily set the unopened package at the center of the table. The packaging label was addressed to the ‘BAU’ with their hotel’s address printed in the same writing as one the DVD. The return address was blank with just the letters ‘AH’ written on it. Hotch’s initials. “We didn’t want to open it without you two. We got the package fifteen minutes ago. UPS guy picked it up at distribution, so the trail is dead.” JJ sat down next to Reid, feeling sick briefing the team about what was happening.
Everyone just stared at the package in silence. They knew what would be inside; pictures from Hotch’s torture… and a piece of him to go along with them. The question was just what piece the UnSub sent. “We have to open it. If any of you don’t want to be in here, I –“ Emily interrupted Morgan, raising a dismissive hand. “Derek, we’re all here for Hotch. We’re not going anywhere.” A collective nod from the team told Morgan to continue.
The black agent pulled out a pocket knife and began slicing through the tape. He slowly pulled the flaps back on the top of the small box, revealing several pictures of Hotch being cut with a sharp blade. There was a small white box with a picture of the UnSub bringing the knife across Hotch’s ear. The team braced themselves as Morgan removed the lid to reveal its contents. Inside the box was Hotch’s ear lobe with a puddle of blood that had formed beneath it. Emily covered her mouth in horror as JJ turned away to keep from being sick. Spencer just sat there in shock as Rossi took the box from an anger filled Morgan. “We need to get this tested… make sure it’s…” He couldn’t finish his sentence as he walked out of the room, handing the box and its contents to a lab tech for results. They all knew it was Hotch’s ear, but no one wanted to admit it. They had to move quickly. This was only the beginning.
Spencer’s gaze was locked on the box, trying to make sense of this. After a few moments, he saw it. Wedged under some of the packaging peanuts was another picture, printed on a different kind of paper from the other pictures. On the back the word ‘Christmas’ was written along with the year ‘2006’ next to it. Reid slowly flipped the photo over, the horror on his face growing. The picture was of a happy couple with their baby boy in front of a large Christmas tree. “Guys… contact the US Marshalls…” He handed the picture to Morgan who put the picture on the table hastily and pulled out his phone, dialing who Reid had advised him to call. JJ leaned forward, tears stinging her eyes as she saw who the picture was of; Hotch, Haley and baby Jack. “The bastard!” He was going to go after Jack and Jessica, too.
Undisclosed City, VA
Aaron woke very slowly to the pounding in his head. The blood had stopped seeping from his head wound and had dried on his face. Needless to say, he looked like hell. “Agent Hotchner, you’re finally awake.” A monotonous voice filled the room as Hotch searched the room for its source. “Who are you?” The captured agent’s voice remained emotionless as his eyes rested on the hooded figure standing in the shadows. His question was met with laughter as the assailant walked towards Hotch, his identity kept a mystery by the ski mask he was wearing. “You mean you haven’t figured it out? I’m the real Photographer, the one of old and new.” He pulled out a switch blade and twisted it in his hands menacingly.
Hotch merely glared at the man as he began to slowly fight against the restraints that kept him attached to the wooden chair he was forcibly seated in. The Photographer smirked behind his mask as he flicked out the knife, slashing Hotch’s bicep and knicking the muscle. The FBI agent sucked in a sharp breath of air to suppress the shout of pain that wanted to push past his lips. He looked at his arm as his crimson blood began to stain his dress shirt. The attacker repeated this action on Hotch’s other arm, this time coaxing a small yelp of pain from his victim.
“Agent Hotchner, you disappoint me. Two slashes and you’re already shouting in pain? You must have been begging Foyet for death by the time he was done.” His sadistic smirk only grew as a pang of hatred crossed Hotch’s face. The dark haired agent looked at his captor defiantly. “Are you really going to waste your time trying to get inside the mind of a profiler? Or are you going to tell me what it is you want?” His voice was unwavering as he stared the man in front of him down.
The Photographer leaned in closely to Aaron Hotchner, his warm breath hitting his hostage’s face. “I want you to die. Slowly and painfully.” With those words, the UnSub brought the knife to Hotch’s ear and slowly dragged it downward, causing excruciating pain, which was evident by the grimace on the agent’s face. In the background Hotch saw flashes of light coming from the camera his attacker used as part of his signature.
---
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION HEADQUARTERS
Quantico, VA
“Are we sure that this wasn’t staged to prove his innocence?” Strauss ran a hand over her face in exhaustion. This whole case was giving her whiplash with the constant new developments. “Alright, well I’m not ruling Aaron out, but our priority right now is finding Agent Hotchner and getting back safely.” The Section Chief hung up the phone and leaned back in her chair. She still didn’t trust Hotch, but she wasn’t about to let one of her agents die just because she didn’t like him.
---
CONFERENCE ROOM – POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Richmond, VA
Morgan and Reid sat in the conference room in silence. The rest of the team had gone back to the hotel to get some much needed rest, leaving the acting Unit Chief and young doctor alone to try to figure out who had their colleague. “Let’s go over the profile again. We know from the video that our UnSub is bigger than Hotch, so at least six feet-four inches, two hundred forty-five pounds. He’s driving a black, unmarked SUV, big enough to transport his victims easily. He’s most likely in a position of power and is such a substantial figure in the community by now that no one would expect him.” Spencer took a drink of his coffee in an attempt to rejuvenate himself after his tirade.
His colleague stood and faced the evidence board that now had Hotch’s picture under the word ‘victim’. “Why take Hotch? He’s never taken anyone that was this high risk before. It has to be more than just to ‘restore his name’. Something personal… maybe he felt Hotch gained too much from this case while the credit of his work was given to someone else. Now he can rectify both situations.” Morgan slammed his fist against the wall, frustrated at the fact that the UnSub had out-smarted them. He shouldn’t have let the bastard take Hotch. He failed him.
Morgan’s self deprecation was interrupted by JJ, Emily, and Rossi who stormed into the room with a brown package in their hands. A look of worry was etched into each of their faces as Emily set the unopened package at the center of the table. The packaging label was addressed to the ‘BAU’ with their hotel’s address printed in the same writing as one the DVD. The return address was blank with just the letters ‘AH’ written on it. Hotch’s initials. “We didn’t want to open it without you two. We got the package fifteen minutes ago. UPS guy picked it up at distribution, so the trail is dead.” JJ sat down next to Reid, feeling sick briefing the team about what was happening.
Everyone just stared at the package in silence. They knew what would be inside; pictures from Hotch’s torture… and a piece of him to go along with them. The question was just what piece the UnSub sent. “We have to open it. If any of you don’t want to be in here, I –“ Emily interrupted Morgan, raising a dismissive hand. “Derek, we’re all here for Hotch. We’re not going anywhere.” A collective nod from the team told Morgan to continue.
The black agent pulled out a pocket knife and began slicing through the tape. He slowly pulled the flaps back on the top of the small box, revealing several pictures of Hotch being cut with a sharp blade. There was a small white box with a picture of the UnSub bringing the knife across Hotch’s ear. The team braced themselves as Morgan removed the lid to reveal its contents. Inside the box was Hotch’s ear lobe with a puddle of blood that had formed beneath it. Emily covered her mouth in horror as JJ turned away to keep from being sick. Spencer just sat there in shock as Rossi took the box from an anger filled Morgan. “We need to get this tested… make sure it’s…” He couldn’t finish his sentence as he walked out of the room, handing the box and its contents to a lab tech for results. They all knew it was Hotch’s ear, but no one wanted to admit it. They had to move quickly. This was only the beginning.
Spencer’s gaze was locked on the box, trying to make sense of this. After a few moments, he saw it. Wedged under some of the packaging peanuts was another picture, printed on a different kind of paper from the other pictures. On the back the word ‘Christmas’ was written along with the year ‘2006’ next to it. Reid slowly flipped the photo over, the horror on his face growing. The picture was of a happy couple with their baby boy in front of a large Christmas tree. “Guys… contact the US Marshalls…” He handed the picture to Morgan who put the picture on the table hastily and pulled out his phone, dialing who Reid had advised him to call. JJ leaned forward, tears stinging her eyes as she saw who the picture was of; Hotch, Haley and baby Jack. “The bastard!” He was going to go after Jack and Jessica, too.