Tale of Tales

New Special Agent Spencer Reid just got accepted in the BAU, and his career in the FBI won't begin easily when someone sent him a human head as 'a present'. A new case begins and the team and Reid will have to explore the young man's past. Set before season 1 but will feature Prentiss.

Beta Reader: Lizzabet

A morbid parcel

"Tell us a horror story."

Four kids were walking in the forest. One of them had discovered a spot that they just had to see. Though the night would come soon, the kids didn't really fear the consequences of their actions. They were always getting beaten for a reason or another. They were the only humans here and it was all that mattered, here they could forget everything.

"Once we are there, you'll tell us a story."

They finally reached a small cave near the river. Only kids were tiny enough to make their way through the thick vegetation, so they knew they would be in peace here, far form the adults who tormented them. The place was wonderful, it was wild, the high trees looked like giant kings towering over them, the river was running at a fast pace, dangerous and beautiful, in the dusk the water looked like silver. The shadows growing over the trees and the forest as the evening was coming were making the place look even wilder.

The children settled in the cave and felt privileged to have this wild place for them only.

"Come on Spencer; tell us a horror story…"

Being new in the FBI wasn't really easy but if you on top of that were a twenty-two year old genius, very thin and shy, it could be very difficult. Spencer Reid knew that very well, he was new in the BAU, he had participated in his first case two weeks ago and now at least his team members would take him a little more seriously. Only Hoch and Gideon were taking him seriously at first, the rest of the team, Elle, Morgan, JJ and Garcia were more sceptics.

Garcia didn't allow herself to make any comment because she was also new but no one doubted she could be a great Tech analysis and though she liked Reid, she couldn't help but think he was too young and vulnerable for this job. JJ thought the same and even if she wasn't very experienced herself as a field agent she was quite worried for the young man. She was nice but Reid could see she thought he was weird and too young.

Elle was polite but distant and quite cold toward him, maybe she was jealous because she fought to have a place in the BAU and Reid got it right after the Academy. Morgan viewed him as a kid and was very annoyed at his rants, sure that he was good when it came to theory but he wasn't sure the guy would be able to have his back in the field.

When he participated in his first investigation he at least proved he could handle a crime scene without being sick. In fact, both Morgan and Elle were astonished at how Reid could look at a corpse without puking or at least turn slightly green like every newbie did. He also showed he was good at profiling. Still, he knew what most people thought of him but it wouldn't make him quit. He had also fought to get in here and maybe more than anyone, even if they didn't know.

Right now he was working in silence while Morgan and Elle were talking together; he didn't listen to what they said, it was about the next basketball Game and it wasn't really interesting to him. Garcia who was getting bored decided to pay them a little visit. She said hello to Reid and joined Morgan and Elle's discussion. Spencer was focusing on what he was doing; he didn't notice a delivery man entering the bullpen. He was taken out of his activity by Garcia's voice.

"Hey, genius! There's something for you."

"What?"

He turned to see a delivery man with a parcel for him.

"Spencer Reid?"

"Yes."

"This is for you."

Though he was very surprised, he took it, signed and opened it. While Derek and Elle showed little interest, Garcia was curious.

"Were you waiting for something?"

"No, that's why I'm astonished."

"Maybe it's something from a secret admirer," teased Morgan.

Once it was opened, Reid's eyes widened and he paled, Garcia looked at it. When she saw what was inside she screamed and backed away. Seeing Garcia's reaction, Morgan and Elle also looked at it, Elle put her hand over her mouth and Derek went completely still. Inside the parcel was a human head wrapped in plastic bag.

"Oh my God…"murmured Garcia who was beginning to feel nauseous.

Some other agents went to look at it, Reid left before someone could ask him anything; he went to tell Gideon and Hotch about it. They were both in Hotch's office, he entered without even knocking. When they saw him, both knew something was wrong.

"Reid? What's up?"

"Someone sent me…A head in a parcel." God he never thought he would ever say such a thing.

Both stood up and followed the young man, they passed through the crowd who had gathered around Reid's desk and saw it. It was the head of an old man. Thankfully none of the agents here had been stupid enough to touch anything. JJ was at Greenaway and Morgan's sides, she was very pale. Garcia had left for the bathroom to empty her guts.

"Okay everyone; give us some space this is about our team."

"No, it's about that weirdo," said Anderson with some disdain.

"Get off, Anderson!" Shouted Elle angrily

The agents dispersed, though they were all talking about it, they would let the team do their job.

"We have to find the delivery man," said Gideon, "maybe he can say who sent it."

"We also have to identify the victim…"

"I know who this is," interrupted Reid.

They all looked at him, he seemed tormented and upset right now.

"His name is Marc Potter, a farmer I knew when I was a kid."

"He was a friend of your family?" Asked JJ

"Not at all," answered Reid.

Morgan noticed something under the head, it looked like a notebook. He took a tissue and seized it. It looked like a school report, on the green cover was written: "Tales of the haunted forest". He could see it was a childish handwriting.

"Hey guys, look at this. Does it ring a bell for you, Reid?"

The young man didn't say anything at first but he went even paler and this time they wondered if he was going to faint.

"Reid! Are you alright?"

He wasn't at all.

"I need to make a phone call."

He left the bullpen and went into the bathroom. He was feeling sick, not because of the head but because of the notebook. He knew who its owner was but it was just impossible…He didn't want all this; he hoped it was a nightmare. He felt desperate, when he finally thought he had left the past behind it was coming back right at him. He took his phone out of his pocket and contemplated it for some seconds. The person he was about to call would be as upset as him, he knew it.

'What will she say when she'll learn?"

Plus she wouldn't be the only one who would be hurt by this. He didn't want them to be exposed to this but he didn't have the choice. Taking a deep breath, he finally dialled her number and waited for her to answer.

"Emily Prentiss."

"Hi Emily, it's Spencer…"

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