From: jamess@bnr.ca (James Staniforth) Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: Time Alone 1/3 Date: 19 May 1995 18:47:23 GMT Hi, This is the first time I've posted a story, so please take it easy on me. It was my intent to write a story that differed from the 'normal' context of story telling. The following three part short story is the culmination of my efforts. I hope someone enjoys it as much as I enjoyed creating it. I would be grateful for any comments that you can give me, good or bad. I can take them... I think:) Finally. I would like to thank Anik Duclos for being sooooo helpful. Without her help, this story would not be half of what it is now. James 19/5/95 jamesst@bnr.ca ______________________________________________________________________________ The characters of Dana Scully and Fox Mulder are the property of Chris Carter and Ten Thirteen Productions, and are used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is the product of my own imagination (Copyright 1995 James Staniforth). -------------------------- **************** -------------------------------- - Please, you're scaring them! - ?... - The birds. - I'm sorry, I didn't notice. - Not many people do. Most people are too busy to notice. Parents tending to their children, business men holding conversations on the park benches, too wrapped in their own world to even see the wildlife around them. Joggers and keep-fit fanatics rushing everywhere, but looking nowhere. - I never thought of it that way before. - Not many people do. - ... - ... - What's that? - Where? - Over there, next to the large oak. - It's a Chaffinch... No, no, it's a Gold Finch... I think! - ... - ... - Isn't it strange how the trees catch the sunlight. They create a hypnotic relaxing effect. - That's why I come here. - I wouldn't come here at night. - I would. I was here last night, just watching the moon sink behind those trees. - You were here last night? - Yeah. Why? - Don't you remember the murders? - That happened some time ago. Besides all that's in the past now. No one's going to kill you... at least nothing inhuman! - What makes you sure? - I know. - I could be a brutal killer for all you know. - You're not, I know. You don't have it... The look, the eyes, you couldn't kill. And for the records, there isn't such a thing as a humane killer. - ... - ... - I've seen you around the park a lot. - Small world. - You always sit alone? - I like the time, the quiet. I like to clear my head and gather my thoughts. - Do you want me to go? - Do you want to? - ... - I could do with a companion today... You mentioned the murders. What do you remember about them? - I read the press reports, watched the news. I know they were never solved. - That depends on whom you believe. - But it was never publicized. - They couldn't. It was too dangerous. - ... - At first no one took much notice, they thought it was just a mugging gone wrong, but when the second and third bodies turned up, the park became a dangerous place to go. It still is to those who don't belong here. - Like who? - Like... well lets just say they know who they are... - ... - Do you remember the victims? - I'm not sure. - It's important you remember the victims. - Wasn't one a lawyer, or something like that? - That was the third victim. Actually she was a judge. It was her death that got the FBI involved. The first two victims were a stock broker and an insurance salesman. - I remember now. Didn't they find the stock broker beaten to death near the boating lake... - Sam, I'll ring you in the morning. I've been awake for twenty seven hours and I need some sleep... Trust me, the Masoki shares will be worthless given five hours... Okay Sam. Give me a ring at eight... See you then. ... What's that? ... Just keep walking Thomas, nothing will happen if you keep on walking. ... Who's there? WHO'S OUT THERE? I CAN SEE YOU. ... Oh god, what is it? Help... Heeeelp... HEEEEEEEL... - His body was badly beaten and his neck snapped, the cops thought that it must have been a gang mugging, or revenge killing... But there was something strange.. What was it? - The man's watch was missing, so was his left hand... - ... - Needless to say, he wont be playing the piano again. Do you know how hard it is to rip off a hand? It's not easy, you see, there's a lot of give in the bones, more than you would imagine. They don't just snap like that... and the muscles, they act like tiny springs. They stretch, but they don't break, not unless they're pulled really hard. The man's wallet was found in his jacket, and no other belongings were taken. The second victim - - -That was the insurance guy, right? - Right. - I guess he had it coming. I missed the details on this. The news bulletins were sketchy. - The man had half his face torn off. - Serious? - You bet I am. - ... - The police almost ignored the first murder. Routine homicide, I believe they called it. They were going to leave it in a drawer marked 'Unsolved', until the second death. The man was on his way back from the office when it happened... - Rickie. Congrats on the Lemar deal. - Thanks. - I hear old man Kent has an opening for someone like you. - Thanks, but i'm not interested. The real thrill's in the chase. Catching the big ones always gets me racing. Once you have your fish on the line, it's just a matter of time before you reel them in. - What've you got planned for tonight? - Not much. - Me and a few of the guys are going to Valbonnes later. Fancy a drink and a date? - Sorry John, all I want is a good book and a hot bath. - Whatever you say Richie, it's your night. - I'll see you in the morning. - Whatever... - ... What an ass. Stupid idiot wouldn't be anywhere if it wasn't for his uncle. He's not talented... He couldn't sell a policy to a drowning man on a sinking ship. ... What an ass. ... John, is that you? ... I can seeeeee you. ... I know you're out there John. I saw the branch move. You've given the game away. ... It's no longer funny. ... You know you're an ass John. I've been meaning to tell you for years. YOU'RE AN ASS. ... Stop kidding around. If I have to come in and get you, I swear I'll beat the crap out of you. ... That's it. ... What's this?... Blood? ... John... Get offfff meeeeee. Johhhhhn... - Too bad. Must have sold someone a bum deal. - Do you remember what was strange about this killing as well? - No. - The man's glasses were taken. The police searched everywhere, but they were never found. - I never knew that. - It's true. The police knew they were onto a seriously disturbed individual. - Psycho, more like. - Scully, take a look at this. - ... - What do you make of it? - Two deaths in the space of one week. Neck broken in one instance, both lungs punctured in the other. I'd say we're not dealing with a particularly nice person. >From the forensic report and the crime scene photographs, it is evident that the killer possesses enormous strength. It is also clear that the killer is of small to medium build, approximately one hundred and thirty pounds, and has had a broken left leg. The strange thing is that the killer often uses his hands to support himself. Almost ape-like! Whether he intend- - -_He_? When did it become a 'he'? - Whether _it_ intended to kill its second victim is uncertain. This leads us to the questions: will it kill again and what are its motives? - In answer to your first question Scully, i'd say it most probably will. As to motive... - What's your interest in this case, Mulder? - There was a similar incident five years ago in Florida. A witness spoke of seeing a dog-like creature appearing from nowhere and attacking and killing a man. The man was a gym instructor and weighed a hundred and ninety pounds. - How do you know it wasn't a dog? - A dog wouldn't rip off a man's arm. - Mulder, that was Florida. Weird things happen in Florida. - Seven years earlier, the same happened in New York and nine years before that, there was an identical attack in the same park in Washington where the two bodies just turned up. I'd say, it's a nice day to visit the park. - ... - Scully, what do you make of this! - I'm warning you, this better not be another one of your jokes. - No, take a look. - It looks like animal... defecation. - Look closer. - Do I have to? - ... - Gross... What is it? ... Bone... No... It's a finger. - What time is it? - Four thirty. - So late already. I must be going. Amy will think I've left home. - You've only just got started... What happened? Who was the killer? - ... - ... Will I see you again? - Maybe... If Amy doesn't kill me first! =========================================================================== From: jamess@bnr.ca (James Staniforth) Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: Time Alone 2/3 Date: 19 May 1995 18:55:27 GMT The characters of Dana Scully and Fox Mulder are the property of Chris Carter and Ten Thirteen Productions, and are used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is the product of my own imagination (Copyright 1995 James Staniforth). ------------------------------- ********* ----------------------------------- - I thought I'd find you here today. - ... - Every afternoon at three o'clock. Am I right? - More or... - Are you all right? - I'll live. Ignore me, it's just a bug I've got. - You should see a doctor. - I did. She told me I had a bug and to come back in two weeks if it hadn't cleared up. - ... - ... - Will you tell me more? - What? - Finish what you started yesterday. - I'll try. You'll have to tell me if I repeat myself. - Scully, what do you make of this? - I'm warning you, this better not be another one of your jokes. - No, take a- - -I think you told me that... - ... - The finger. - The finger?... Yeah, the finger... - Mulder, I just got the results back from forensics. - ... - It was a human finger. It wasn't Thomas Morgan's. - Any ideas who's it was? - None. However, you may want to see this. There were signs of gnawing and teeth marks along the end of the finger. There was also a sign that whoever's finger this is wore a signet ring. The signet ring is missing. - Apparently, whoever wanted the ring, wanted it badly enough to chew off a man's finger. - But why bite off a finger? - ... - ... - Have there been any missing persons reported lately? - Of course. There always are. - I have a feeling this finger will match one of them. - Scully. A body's been found in the park. A couple walking by a copse found the body half covered with leaves. The dead man, one Martin Lions, was discovered... his right signet ring finger missing. - Any known ennemies? - Not that anyone knows. No bad debts. He didn't drink or gamble. He was, in short, Mr Perfect. - Why can't any of the men I know be like that? - Dead? - Perfect. - Come on Scully. You'd die of boredom given a week. Besides who wants perfect when you can have me! - What do you make of the wounds Mulder? - I'd say whoever did this sure knew what they wanted. - Look just there... The lower neck and shoulder both have a continuous scratch wound similar to that of a wild animal. - They almost could be claw marks. - ... - ... - Mulder. Pass me a container. - What is it? - I'm not sure. He has a green residue under his nails. It looks like Mr Lions put up quite a fight. - Here, take a look. I've magnified the sample taken from Martin Lions, and enhanced it using spectral imaging. - ... - The sample you're looking at is of unknown origin. I gave the lab a sample. I got their report back not more than twenty minutes ago. They wanted to know where I got it from. - What did you say? - From a hunting victim... The sample is primarily constructed of a weak alkaline solution. Weird part is that it contains no animo acids. - ... - Mulder, animo acids are vital for every creature to exist. - Every creature, except this one. - Where you going? - To the park. - Now? It's going on midnight. What do you expect to find Mulder? You think just because you go to the park, this creature is going to come out and say 'hi'. - ... - You know this creature Mulder. You've profiled it almost obsessively. Do you really think it's going to kill again in the same place? - I know it will. It's become more confident, almost totally self-assured. It's marked out it's territory. It's killed once. It's not going to stop now, it's enjoying it too much. - It bears all the traits of a serial killer... How do you know it isn't a serial killer? It kills someone and takes something small. A momento, to celebrate another successful kill... Only I don't get it, Mulder. I thought you'd grown tired of serial killers. - This one's different. No other serial killer vanished without a trace after they killed someone, nor did they have a substance unknown to man concealed on their body! - ... - What are you doing? - If you're going, I'm dammed if I'll miss the fun. - ... - ... - It doesn't look like it's going to show. - There's still time, Scully. - It's quarter to six in the morning. The suns starting to rise. Go home and get some sleep. - ... - ... - It's out there Scully. I know it. - Maybe Mulder, but it's not worth waiting all night for the _boogie man_! - Come on Spike. Only another mile before you can go home. ... Don't start getting lazy on me now. It's not that far. ... Spike... SPIKE... Come back you stupid dog. ... SPIKE... SPIIIIIIIKE... ... When I get my hands on you, you'll wish you never ran away. ... Spike. Come here boy. That's a good boy. ... What's wrong Spike?... Come on out... ... Come out of... - What's that? - ... - It's someone screaming Scully. - Over there. - ... - Oh my god. What... what it doing? - STOP. Stop what you're doing. Get off the woman and put your hands in the air... Slowly now. - It's going to bolt. - ... - Mulder, WATCH OUT! - ... - Are you okay? - I'll live. You check her. - ... - It got away, Scully. I was chasing it across the plain, but it just... vanished! - Vanished? - I know it sounds weird, but that's how I can best describe it. - ... - How is she? - She's dead, Mulder. - So what happened? - It all happened so quickly. I was... - ... - ... - Take a deep breath, it will help you relax. - I think I better go. - You don't sound too good... We can always finish this off another time. - Don't worry. You won't stop me now. =========================================================================== From: jamess@bnr.ca (James Staniforth) Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: Time Alone 3/3 Date: 19 May 1995 19:23:35 GMT The characters of Dana Scully and Fox Mulder are the property of Chris Carter and Ten Thirteen Productions, and are used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is the product of my own imagination (Copyright 1995 James Staniforth). ------------------------------- ********* ------------------------------------ - The wanderer returns! - You had me worried for a moment. When you weren't here yesterday, I didn't think you were coming back. - It'll take more than a bug to keep me out of the park... Besides, I think the city has made me a national monument. I see children coming into the park just to stare at the strange man on the bench. - The story... - Yes, the story. - Mulder... Mulder... - ... - It wasn't your fault. - I could have stopped it Scully. I panicked... - We all panic- - -NO SCULLY. This was exactly what I've been waiting for, for all these years, and I panicked. - It's not your fault. the woman was already dead by the time we got to her. There was nothing you could have done to save her. - I should have been ready, Scully. I should have been ready... - Go home Mulder. Get some sleep. - ... Mulder, where are you? ... You're supposed to be taking it easy. ... Okay, stay where you are. I'll be there in twenty minutes. - Nice of you to come Scully. - ... - Did you bring any sandwiches? - ... - I see you remembered your sense of humour! - Keep it up Mulder, and i'll hurt you. - ... - Anything happened? - Not yet. I've been all around the park. Nothing unusual. - Are you sure it's going to be here tonight? - I'm never sure. If I were a gambling man, I wouldn't bet on it! - ... - ... - It's a clear night. - It's going to be cold. I hear the first frost is forecast tonight. - Geeze, Mulder. Cheer me up! - ... - I could be home right now, relaxing in a hot bath. - Look Scully. I didn't ask you to come. You came of your own free will... Either stop moaning or go home. - ... - ... - ... - Sorry Scully. I'm tired, I haven't slept in thirty two hours. - It's okay... - Are you hungry? - A little. - There's a candy bar in the car. I'll go get it. - No. You stay here. I could do with a walk, maybe warm me up. - ... - What was that? - What? - I thought I saw a shape over by the oak. - I don't see anything. - It was probably just the wind. - ... - ... - Hey Scully, bring me back my gloves. - Okay. - Wha- - Scully... SCULLY. - Mulder. GET IT OFF ME. - Scully don't move. - ... - It's not gonna hurt you... It's scared. - What is it? - I don't know. Now just stay still and it wont attack. - That's easy for you to say. - ... - What's it doing? - It's examining you... Easy now. Just stay perfectly still. - ... - ... - MULDER... - ... - ... - I shot it Scully. - It's okay. It's still alive. - I shot it... - ... - It was going for your pendent... I thought it was going for your throat. - It may have killed me, Mulder. - No... All it was interested in was your pendent. It was after your gold crucifix. - It's no reason to kill. - For it, everyone was an aggressor. It was naturally curious, drawn towards the shiny objects, only people panicked and the creature retaliated in the only way it knew. It didn't deliberately kill anyone, Scully... It was defending itself. Just like you and I would. - ... - Agent George Wendell, and Agent Phill Dane. Special Projects. We're here to take charge of the dead man, Agent Mulder. - There is no dead man. - If you say so, Agent Mulder. - What we have here is some alien life form. Some creature that shares our world. It's only a child- - -There are no alien life forms, Agent Mulder. Never have been, never will be. - Is that what you're going to tell the press? - The press will never know. - What about the killings? - They just stopped. One day, the killer decided enough was enough and... they'll remain unsolved... - People will never believe that. - Mulder, just let it drop. - No Scully. People deserve to know the truth. - And what if they can't handle the truth? - Who's to say, what they can and can't handle. - That's _enough_ Mulder. - ... Now if you will excuse me. Agent Mulder, Agent Scully. - I kept going for a few years, but in the end I guess I upset too many people. ... I can still see them sometimes! - ... - If you stare real hard, especially round sunset. You'll see a shimmer as the day makes way for the night creatures. - ... - I've wasted enough of your time. So I will bid you a fond farewell, my friend. - ... - ... - Will you be here tomorrow? - Tomorrow and every other day. - Maybe I'll see you tomorrow then! - Maybe. - Mike, are you some kind of fag? - No, it's just that I don't want to go through there, that's all. - Don't go... FAG. - ... - ... - You got a light? ... Thanks. - It's not so scary after all. What did you expect to see? The boogie man? - Ha. Ha. You're so funny. - Hey Mike, did you see something? - It's not working, Rico. - I'm being serious here. ... Look, there it is again. - Probably just a dog. - No. It looked human. - I'm gonna take a look. - Hey Mike... - What's the matter. You chicken? ___________________________________________________________________________ That's it. Please let me know what you thought of it. James jamesst@bnr.ca