unedited

THIRTEEN. TUNNELS

DAISY COULDN'T RID HERSELF OF THE FEELING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. She could see fear in the eyes of the children and women in the community, as well as the clear devotion they had to Cyrus. She was deeply uncomfortable, but she tried her best to keep that to herself.

"We go to school, we do our chores," Jessica, one of the young teenage girls answered each of Emily's questions calmly. But Daisy could see that there was something she was holding back - something she may have known was wrong but she couldn't admit it to herself. "And we treat ourselves and each other with the respect God demands."

"But you've never been off the ranch?" Emily inquired, maintaining distance from the child but still offering physical support. Daisy sat beside her with Spencer hovering behind.

"I brought Jessie here when she was two," Jessica's mother said softly.

"You've talked to lots of children in your work," Jessie muttered. Daisy could see it now - anger. She'd been taught by those around her not to trust people who could take her away from her home. She was showing clear signs of manipulation. She was defensive; convinced that the cruel world she lived in was the right one. "Tell me, are their lives somehow better than ours?"

"We devote ourselves to God," the mother said. "That doesn't mean we're not devoted to our children."

"We're not here because of your religious beliefs," Emily insisted. Daisy nodded in agreement.

"Why are you here?"

Daisy leaned forward, her hands clasped in front of her. "We received a phone call alleging that an adult male member of your church was having inappropriate relations with the younger women here."

Jessie's eyebrows furrowed. "You're talking about Cyrus."

"What makes you say that?" Emily asked.

Jessie's mother quickly became skittish as the young girl struggled to justify herself. "Jessie, come on."

"Is its inappropriate for a husband to share a bed with his wife?" Jessie regained her composure.

Daisy pursed her lips. "You're married to Cyrus?"

"Yes," Jessie nodded. "Cyrus is my husband and a prophet. It's an honour to bare his children."

"Jessica, you're fifteen years old," Spencer said gently. "The state of Colorado requires parental consent."

Daisy's eyes flickered to the mother. She appeared almost guilty. Emily noticed this too. "She gave consent."

Suddenly, a loud bang sounded on the premises, and Daisy jumped up quickly in surprise. Several men with guns ran into the room, pointed towards the trio. Cyrus appeared to be the ringleader. "Get up! Stand!"

Nancy walked over from where she was speaking to some of the other children "What's going on?"

Daisy gasped in surprise as a man appeared behind her, patting her body down for her gun. Luckily, she didn't have it with her, as they had decided it posed too much of a threat to bring them into a possible cult. She scowled when his hands brushed against an area she didn't want touched. "Hey, watch it!"

"We just got a very strange phone call from a news reporter," Cyrus walked towards them, crossing his arms over his chest. "Is there anything you want to tell me? About a raid, maybe?"

Daisy's jaw slacked, and she looked at Emily and Spencer, who were equally as shocked. She shook her head quickly, genuinely surprised at the new information.

Cyrus watched their reactions carefully. "They don't know."

Daisy grunted as she was grabbed by the arm, pulled along by the man who patted her down. Emily and Spencer were pushed after them, towards a small hatch in the corner of the room. The rest of the group followed until they were all forced inside a small, tightly-packed tunnel.

"Can you let go of me?" Daisy asked the man in front of her in an irritated tone. His grip on her wrist was tight enough to hurt, and she had an inkling he had taken an interest in her, not in the way she'd prefer. He didn't listen, and she ended up stumbling and crashing into his back when yanked her along. "Cut it out!"

"What's going on?" Nancy asked worriedly.

"I don't know, just stay calm." Spencer his hand laced with Daisy's free one. There wasn't much he could do - the community didn't know they were federal agents, and if it was revealed, they could be killed. He could only comfort her and make sure things didn't go too far (well, further than they had already gone).

Daisy squeezed Spencer at the sound of gunfire above them. She was helpless, and that was one of the worst feelings. She couldn't do anything; she couldn't help anyone. She didn't even know if she could save anyone. Was she thinking too far ahead? No, she was thinking rationally.

"Alright, move quietly," Cyrus ordered, trying to assert his control over the small community. Daisy struggled as she tried to get away from the man, but grunted as he held her firmly at his side. "Quickly go to the left. Everybody stay together. Children, listen to your parents. Alright, everyone. Down to this end. Have faith."

Daisy pulled a face as Emily and Spencer were separated from her, being pushed down with the current of moving people while she stayed towards the front. She looked up and saw the man for the first time. He was over a head taller than her, and was definitely stronger. He wore a blue puffer vest over the top of a white and grey flannel shirt, and jeans that were covered in dried mud and grass stains. 

His face, however, was less bland. From his chin to his ear was a pale pink scar, insignificant enough that it wasn't a defining feature, but big enough that it didn't go unnoticed. It was clear he'd made attempts to cover it with a beard, but the hair didn't grow around the narrow slit. 

She relaxed her arm a little, realising that it wouldn't do her much good to continue to struggle. But, from the looks she was receiving from some of the women, she wasn't in the best company. 

"Stay together, remain calm," Cyrus continued to shout orders. "Everyone remain calm, there is nothing to fear here."

"What's going on?" Daisy asked the man. He looked down at her. His eyes were grey and cold, and his lips disappeared into a thin line. 

"They're trying to get through the front," he muttered, before holding her tighter and smiling widely. "But don't worry, I'll keep you safe."

Daisy forced a smile back, and looked across the tunnel at Emily and Reid with wide eyes. But what could they do?

"Remain calm, stay quiet," Cyrus called out. 

Emily stepped forward, waving her hand. "Cyrus? Ms Alvarez was separated from us, do you mind if she joins us over here?"

Cyrus glanced over at Daisy with raised eyebrows. He could see the man's hold on her arm, and he exhaled through his nose, before he nodded. "Let her go, Harry."

The man, Harry, hesitated, before releasing her. Daisy quickly darted through the crowd and over to Spencer and Emily. They all checked each other to see if they were okay, before looking back at Cyrus. Daisy reached for Spencer's hand once more, and he let her take it. She was incredibly thankful, considering his issues with germs.

"God will protect you," Cyrus muttered, turning on his heel and marching out of the tunnel, leaving the group to themselves. 

"Shit," Daisy swore softly, looking up at her friends. "I don't have my phone, gun or badge."

"Same here," Emily responded, keeping her voice low enough that she wouldn't be heard by anyone around them. "Listen to me. We're gonna get out of here, but it's not going to be by overpowering them. We've only got each other in here, and I can't trust that there's going to be a great outcome."

Daisy and Spencer nodded, happy for the older woman to take the lead. 

"Alvarez, keep away from that man if you can, alright?" Emily looked over at Daisy. "He's had his eye on you since the moment we walked in here. I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to grab you again. But, if he does, you can't make a scene. Attracting attention is the last thing we want right now."

"Once the team finds out what's happening, they'll be out here as soon as they can," Spencer noted. "Until then, we just need to stay alive, and try and keep everyone down here safe."

The gunfire continued to rattle the building, and Nancy turned around from where she was surrounded by scared children. "It's the state police. I'm an officer of the state."

"Well, there's nothing we can do right now," Emily replied firmly. 

"I can talk to him," Nancy insisted, turning and walking towards the entrance.

"No, you can't," Emily tried to follow her. "It's dangerous. Nancy, stop!"

Daisy and Spencer followed Emily quickly, but as soon as Nancy slipped past Harry, who stepped forward and blocked the path. He looked down at Daisy and gripped his gun tighter. Emily and Spencer protectively stepped in front of her.

Half an hour had passed before Cyrus returned. He walked in with his hands raised, continuing his role as a 'prophet'. "Do not fear. We are on the right of the righteous."

"Where's Lunde?" Emily pushed herself forward. 

"It wasn't us," Cyrus replied. Daisy felt her heart sink in pure shock. Nancy was dead? 

"What?" Emily exclaimed. "You can't shoot it out with the cops! You have children here."

"I didn't start this," Cyrus cocked his gun. He then looked over at Harry. "I'll take the roof, you take the tunnel."

Harry nodded. He glanced down at Daisy and stared at her for a moment, before running off with two men following him. She and Spencer exchanged a look of confusion as the leaders left once again. 

More fighting ensued, and Daisy found herself trying to comfort the scared women and children surrounding her. She sat on the dirt floor with a young girl no more than four on her lap, talking about the letters of the alphabet. She was freaking out on the inside, but had managed to attract the attention of the other frightened kids. 

Pull back! Pull back!

"They're pulling out!" the guard shouted from the doorway. "They're pulling out!"

Daisy looked up at Spencer, who ground his teeth together nervously. 

"Not for long."

★☆

dedicated to preciousclaws !!

not too proud of this one but i hope you enjoyed!!

also keep an eye out for [selener] harry cause he might pop up again