Chapter Text
The BAU team was gathered around the table, the files in front of them like a stack of growing uncertainty. Hotch, JJ, Reid, Morgan, and Rossi all exchanged looks, as hey reviewed the details of the past six months—thirty murders, each one more horrifying than the last, each one leading them closer to the escapees: Malerinia Prásinos, Jayfer Alkubra, Ella Grahams, and Regina Queens.
"Let's go over this one more time," said Hotch, his voice calm but firm. "These four killers have been responsible for the deaths of thirty people, but now we have something new to go on. Their children. Four teenagers who have, somehow, ended up in the same reformatory. Coincidence? I don't think so."
Hotch voice calm but serious. "We need to take a deeper look at the backgrounds of these four teenagers. Their parents' actions were beyond monstrous, and we need to understand what influence they may still hold over them. The clock is ticking. Let’s go over their criminal records."
JJ flipped open the first file. "Jayden Alkubra, 17, son of Jayfer Alkubra. He has a lengthy criminal history—armed robbery, bank robbery, possession of a weapon, kidnapping, carjacking, driving under the influence, possession, and drug sales. He’s been a problem for a long time. His father, Jayfer, killed eight people by strangling them—he took pleasure in controlling his victims right up until their last breath."
Morgan shook his head. "Jayfer Alkubra was methodical. If Jayden is anything like his father, he could be just as dangerous—cold, calculating, and ruthless. It’s clear Jayden has been exposed to violence from an early age. We need to be cautious with him."
JJ moved to the next file. "Mallory Prásinos, 16, daughter of Malerinia Prásinos. Her mother was one of the most disturbing criminals we’ve seen. Malerinia murdered 18 people in cold blood, cutting off their arms before killing them. Mallory’s record includes armed robbery, driving a motorcycle without a license, driving under the influence, possession and sale of drugs, and covering up murders."
Reid spoke up, his voice sharp. "Malerinia Prásinos wasn’t just a killer—she was a psychopath. Mallory could be the same way. She’s young, but her actions show a clear willingness to engage in violence. It’s terrifying to think about what she might do if given the opportunity."
JJ nodded. "Mallory is one to watch. She might be young, but she’s shown that she can handle herself—and not in a good way."
She moved on to the next file. "Evelyn Queen, 16, daughter of Regina Queens. Regina killed 14 women who resembled her—each victim seemingly a reflection of her own self-loathing and desire for control. Evelyn has a record of possession and sale of drugs, theft from a department store, possession and use of an illegal weapon, and shooting at an officer—although she missed."
"Regina Queens was calculating and obsessive," Rossi said. "Evelyn could very well be following in her mother’s footsteps, with a similar need to dominate and control. We can’t rule out that she’s dangerous, especially with that shot she took at an officer."
JJ moved to the last file. "Carlos Grahams, 15, son of Ella Grahams. Ella is one of the most sadistic criminals we’ve come across—she skinned 13 men alive. Carlos, however, has a different background. He’s autistic and is terrified of his mother. His record includes hacking into an American bank and withdrawing over $50 million, hacking into the FBI in search of information, drug possession and use, and resisting arrest."
Reid looked concerned. "Carlos doesn’t seem to share his mother’s violent tendencies, but he’s still dangerous. His hacking skills alone are impressive, and while he may be terrified of Ella, that doesn’t mean he’s innocent. He could be using his intelligence to escape or prove something—but he’s still part of this."
Hotch leaned forward, his expression grim. "We’ve got four teenagers, each with their own criminal history, but all tied to their parents’ dark legacies. They’re not innocent. Some of them may still be under the control of their parents, others may be continuing their parents’ work on their own, and some may just be trapped in a web of fear. But we have to figure out which of these four is responsible for carrying on the killings."
Reid adjusted his glasses. "We need to look at their psychological profiles and their relationships with their parents. If they’re influenced by their parents' actions, it will be harder to get through to them. We can’t make any assumptions—we need to approach them all carefully."
"We need to go in with a strategy," Morgan said. "We can’t treat them all the same. Jayden Alkubra and Mallory Prásinos might be more like their parents—manipulative and ruthless—while Carlos Grahams might be more of a victim of circumstance. Evelyn Queen could go either way."
JJ nodded. "Yes, We’ll need to split up and talk to each of them individually. Some might be more cooperative than others, but we need to get to the truth. They might know something we don’t—something that could lead us to stopping the killings."
Morgan’s jaw tightened. "We’ve got to be prepared for anything. These kids are dangerous in their own right, but we don’t know if they’re directly involved in the murders. We can’t let our guard down."
Hotch stood up. "Time is of the essence. We need to get to them before they can act again. Let’s move out and start our interviews. We need answers—and we need them now."
"But what’s the angle?" asked Rossi, his voice rough with experience. "These kids have been raised by some of the worst criminals the FBI has ever seen. Do we approach them as suspects or try to get them to talk like victims? They could be manipulated or even worse, dangerous. We don’t know if any of them are capable of murder."
"That’s the problem," Hotch replied, his eyes scanning the files. "These kids are at a crossroads. We need to figure out if they’re the ones pulling the strings or if they’re being controlled by their parents. They may be just as dangerous, but we have to try to get through to them. We can’t assume they’re all like their parents. But they have the potential to be, which makes them dangerous either way."
Reid nodded. "We need to be careful. Psychological manipulation runs deep in these families. They’re likely aware of how to exploit our weaknesses—each of them could be a master manipulator in their own right. They could be trying to push us into a corner, make us question their role in the murders."
"Right," Morgan said, "so the plan is to treat them like potential threats but also like kids who could be manipulated by their parents. We give them the chance to speak, but we need to be aware that they could easily lead us down the wrong path."
"Exactly," JJ said. "We need to get access to them and make sure we’re not playing into their hands. We’ll be going in with minimal information. Let’s take a team approach—each one of us should engage with one of them. Get a feel for their reactions, their mental state, see if we can break through. But we can’t let them see us as a threat right away. We have to build rapport."
"The clock is ticking," Hotch said, standing and looking at the team. "These children are our best chance to uncover what’s really going on. We don’t know if they’re aware of what their parents are capable of or if they’re complicit. But we do know one thing—if we don’t move quickly, there will be more victims. We get one shot at this."
With that, the team stood and filed out of the room, each member carrying the weight of the task ahead. It wasn’t just about stopping the killers—they had to delve into the minds of the children, uncover the twisted legacy of these psychopaths, and figure out if they could prevent even more bloodshed.
As the team settled into their seats on the plane, the soft hum of the engines was soon joined by Penelope Garcia's voice coming through the intercom. She was providing them with important information about the reformatory where they would soon be heading.
“Okay, team, I’ve got the rundown on the New Light Reformatory. It’s not your average facility—it’s actually a progressive school that focuses on rehabilitation, not just punishment. The whole idea behind it is to give kids a second chance, especially those with backgrounds like the ones you’re dealing with. They offer therapy, education, and even vocational training to help guide troubled teens into a better path.”
Reid perked up, curious. “So it’s more like a rehabilitation school, rather than just a juvenile detention center?”
“Exactly!” Penelope continued. “The whole point of New Light is to help these kids make a real change. They focus a lot on psychology and personal growth. The staff there are trained to handle difficult cases, and the students actually have access to individual therapy sessions, group counseling, and even art and music programs. It’s designed to offer a supportive environment to help them deal with their past and move forward.”
Morgan looked impressed. "Sounds like they actually want to make a difference in these kids' lives."
“Yeah, that's the idea," Penelope agreed. "But here’s the catch—the place is new, and like most places that try to do things differently, it’s not perfect. Some people think the system could be too lenient, especially with students who come from high-risk families or violent backgrounds. So, while they want to rehabilitate, there’s still a level of caution. They don’t just let anyone walk free, but they are trying to give these kids a chance, rather than just locking them up.”
JJ nodded thoughtfully. "That’s good, but it could also mean these kids have a lot of power in there. If they're being given opportunities to rehabilitate, they might manipulate the system."
Penelope’s tone grew more serious. “That’s the part to watch for. While the place does have a focus on helping kids, it’s also known to give students a lot of personal freedom, especially the ones from influential families. With the parents they have—Malerinia Prásinos, Jayfer Alkubra, Ella Grahams, and Regina Queens—it wouldn’t surprise me if they’ve found ways to play the system. Some of these kids might be used to getting special treatment, or worse, feeling like the rules don’t apply to them.”
Hotch adjusted his collar and looked at the team. "So, we’re walking into a place that wants to help, but we can’t let our guard down. These kids may have been given opportunities to manipulate things in their favor."
Penelope’s voice softened, though still firm. "Exactly. Just because the reformatory is trying to help doesn’t mean these kids are going to be open or cooperative. If they’ve learned anything from their parents, they might see the system as something to outsmart. Stay sharp, and be mindful of how they may try to spin their stories."
“Got it,” Morgan said. “Thanks, Garcia. This will help us keep our eyes open.”
“You’re welcome, guys,” Penelope replied with a smile in her voice. “I’ll be right here if you need anything. Good luck.”
As the communication ended, the team exchanged glances. They were heading into a facility designed to give troubled teens a chance at rehabilitation, but with the violent histories these kids came from, they knew they couldn’t trust appearances. They would need to approach them carefully—these were kids who might be playing a very different game.