Is That Why We Re All Here?

Criminal Minds “Mosley”

MR. SHEPHERD Is that why we’re all here?

MRS. SHEPHERD All of us?...They did this to all of us?

MORGAN We think so

MR. SHEPHERD They’re using other kids to distract parents? Who the hell does that?

Off Morgan we -

CUT TO:

INT. ROYSON’S HOUSE/SOLITARY – DAY (D2)

MAE, 12, helps Aimee clean up for dinner.

AIMEE How many are there?

MAE You make the fifth. (beat) But there have been others.

AIMEE Where are they?

MAE A better place. (all business) They’re going to get us for dinner.

AIMEE But I’m not hungry.

MAE You have to eat. Aimee starts to cry.

MAE (cont’d) What’s your favorite food? (off her silence) Ice cream?

Aimee manages a nod.

MAE (cont’d) Pretend it’s ice cream. And eat it all up, okay?

AIMEE I want my mommy…

The door starts to unlock. Mae sneaks back through the panels.

MAE Shhhhhh

But Aimee can’t stop crying. Off her heartbreak, we –

CUT TO:

INT. BAU/BULLPEN – DAY (D2)

The families are scattered about. Some out in the corridor. Others getting coffee. Find Barbara, lost in thought. Garcia brings coffee and motions to the round table room. To the team.

GARCIA You’re in good hands.

Barbara looks up, sees what she’s referring to.

GARCIA (cont’d) There’s no one better than them.

BARBARA I know.

Then, to Garcia’s surprise, a confession. BARBARA (cont’d) I let go of her hand. It was only a second, but she’s always been the one I worried about.

GARCIA You cant blame - -

BARBARA Frank does. And he’s right. I should’ve held on. (beat)

Aimee’s wandered off before and there’s this feeling, when they’re out of your sight, it takes your breath away until you see them again.

BARBARA He took my baby.

JENNIFER Mrs. Lynch –

BARBARA Your son took Aimee –

Frank pulls Barbara back.

FRANK Come on, Barb, let’s get some air.

JENNIFER It’s not his fault.

BARBARA He’s one of them.

JENNIFER He’s just trying to survive.

BARBARA By taking innocent children? She’s six. She can’t defend herself. (to Sarah) Your son watched her. He knew that. He’s as bad as the rest of them.

Frank takes Barbara away but the damage is done.

SARAH She’s right.

JENNIFER Charlie didn’t have a choice.

SARAH He’s one of them now. How’s he ever going to forget that?

Sarah walks off, leaving JJ.

CUT TO:

INT. ROYSON’S HOUSE/SOLITARY – DAY (D2)

Mae brushes Aimee’s hair. Both are in nightgowns.

AIMEE Will you stay with me?

She climbs on the girl’s mattress. It’s sisterly. Loving. And there’s a moment of peace until the LOCKS rattle.

Light spills on the beds as the door opens. Roger and Anita in the doorway. Mae instinctively tries to protect Aimee from them.

MAE Don’t- -

But Roger pulls Mae off the mattress.

ROGER Who let you in here?

Mae’s overpowered by Roger and dragged out of the room. Aimee reaches for her.

AIMEE No, please. Don’t leave me. But She’s taken away. Aimee scurries on the mattress until her back hits the wall. She’s trapped with Anita as we - -

FADE OUT.

END ACT TWO