When The World Ends

Chapter 1: Prologue

I walked into my lecture hall to find a note in Spencer's handwriting. I smiled and began to read, thinking it was first-day-back encouragement.

My love,
By the time you finish reading this, I will be far enough away that you cannot catch up. For that, I am truly sorry.
Go to Hotch's office. Give him this letter. He will help you. The team will help you.
Please, for the sake of our children, stay calm. I would rather die than see you hurt.

Hotch: Find my message. Find me, please.
Above all, please keep my wife and children safe.

My life is in your hands.

Spencer Reid

I dropped the note, hands shaking, then picked it up again, sprinting to the elevators. My stomach was churning. I wanted to vomit with fear as I stumbled into the bullpen.

"Hotch!" I screamed. "Aaron!"

The team was immediately surrounding me, but I kept my hand on the letter until Hotch appeared. I was barely able to hand the letter to him before I broke down crying.

My ears were ringing, the room was spinning, the world was crashing down. My hand was clenched around my wedding ring as I prayed.

Spencer, please, hold on for me.