From adambravo@aol.com Sun Sep 15 16:15:50 1996
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From: adambravo@aol.com (AdamBravo)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative
Subject: NEW: Well of Sacrifice (1 of 2)
Date: 15 Sep 1996 17:15:50 -0400
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Author's Note: This story was written in early May, 1996 as a gift for
Kathleen Lietz at her bachlorette party.  It was also scripted and filmed,
resulting in a 30 minute video.  The authors disavow any foreknowledge of
the publication, subject matter and story-line of "Ruins" as a source of
either research, content or structure in producing "Well of Sacrifice." 
All research material and content for "Well of Sacrifice" was found
through review and reading of published works describing Mayan as well as
Aztec culture while the story-line is based on facts concerning a trip to
Cancun and Chichen Itza taken by Kathleen and her now husband -- then
almost fianc  -- Kevin. This story was written keeping in mind true to
character behavior while also in consideration of the on-line published
X-File Drinking Game created by Kathleen and Jennifer earlier in the 3rd
Season.  

The very fact that our story and concept are similar to that found in
"Ruins" is a source for another X-File and only goes to prove that They
*are* out there ... and they are watching and listening ...



WELL OF SACRIFICE
Written by Jennifer Clark and Adam Bernard
May, 1996




May 18, 1996
Basement of FBI Building
Washington D.C.

Fox Mulder's office looked dark as Dana Scully walked crisply down the
hallway, the tap tap of her heels echoing in this otherwise deserted
section of the building. Above Mulder's door, a ceiling light flickered
and warned of its impending demise.  Making mental note to advise Skinner
of their less than adequate office space, Scully embraced the cold brass
handle and pushed the heavy door open.

Her eyes adjusted quickly to the blackness, as always the florescent white
of the "I Want To Believe" poster assumed an eerie glow. Glancing at it
briefly, she shook her head and looked toward her partner. Mesmerized by
some inner calling, Fox Mulder clicked through a series of slides, an open
file resting in his hands. The only sound in the room was the shudder as
the slides moved through the carousel. 

"Remind me to talk to Skinner about assigning us an office with some
windows ..." Scully said as she placed her briefcase down.

Her partner turned to her and smiled his quirky grin. "What, you don't
like our private dungeon?  I've grown quite found of this cell over the
past few years."

Scully smiled and leaned back against his paper-cluttered desk, moving
some papers aside to find an uncluttered space. She could tell by his
immediate return to the open file that he had found something that piqued
his interest.  "Skinner tells me you have something -- said it came in
through some high level channels and that you seemed quite interested."

Mulder leaned back in his chair. "I got a call from Senator Croissant from
Michigan this morning. He has an old poker buddy in the Detroit area. 
This friend called him about some strange goings on there."

"Senator Croissant ... isn't he the head of the President's Science
Advisory Council?"

"Correct."
"Don't tell me ..." Scully leaned toward him conspiratorially.  "A haunted
assembly line?"

Mulder looked at her blandly.  "Not even close."

Scully paused, the warmth of color rushing to her cheeks with the feeling
she'd been reprimanded by a favorite professor.  Shifting, she pushed a
stray strand of her red hair behind an ear.

Mulder turned back to his slide show, flicking quickly backward to a white
screen. Next, a photo of Mexico's imposing Chitzen Itza appeared.

"Let me take this from the beginning -- starting with what's stated in the
file -- and then incorporate the background information provided by
Senator Croissant.  Apparently, the events began with a seemingly innocent
pleasure trip to Cancun, Mexico. The Senator described events involving
two specific individuals.  The couple in question traveled to the Yucatan
Peninsula as part of a site-seeing group.  The file mentions a tour of
Chitzen Itza as the catalyst."  Mulder pushed the remote to reveal two
smiling twenty-something adults.

"This is the couple in question?"  Scully focused on the photo depicting a
happy brunette with a giant strawberry margarita in her hands and her
tall, dark and handsome counterpart.  Reaching out to take the extended
file from Mulder, she leafed through the contents and quickly scanned for
details.

"Correct.  Kathleen Lietz and Kevin Gentner."

"He looks fine to me ..." She smiled noncommitally.

Mulder frowned.  "He's not the problem, Scully.  According to the report,
she's been behaving oddly since the incident at the pyramid."

Scully paused to read something in the file then looked up only to find
Mulder gazing at her with a question on his lips.  She returned the file
the him and crossed her arms, sensing where this was heading.

"Incident at the pyramid?  Didn't I just read in the file that these two
became engaged during this 'pleasure' trip?"

"Yes.  That's correct." Mulder assented.

"And the odd behavior that you're describing ... did it begin before or
after they were engaged?"

Mulder was distracted by this train of thought. "What?"

Scully maintained her calm expression, a self-satisfied smile beginning to
appear as she realized she'd surprised him again.  "Before or after?"

"I don't see how that matters ..."

Scully stepped toward him, speaking crisply.  "Because, Mulder, the
psychological effects associated with impending matrimony often manifest
themselves as short temper, anxiety, and unpredictable behavior.  Studies
have shown increased temperature, alterations in appetite and eating
patterns and heightened emotions in engaged females and males alike."  She
paused, partially for effect as well as to allow Mulder to collect his
thoughts.  "So, before or after?"

Mulder looked at her, the wheels turned as he refused to admit defeat
while still allowing her point.  She didn't miss much. "After." 
Scully stepped back toward the desk, a satisfied smirk spread slowly on
her face.  "Looks like we can close this one. I'll let Skinner know it was
 case of Engagement Psychosis."

"Okay, Scully, you have a point.  But," he stopped to emphasis the next
thought, knowing how this tactic would affect her after the recent trip to
Oregon. "Your psychological analysis does not explain about the pets ..."
He turned back to the slides.

"What 'pets'?"

"Well, you didn't think Senator Croissant called me just because someone's
acting a little spooky, did you?"

Scully raised her eyebrow.  "Mulder, I'm not sure I'd put it past you. If
you were in Mexico and 'X' told you the truth is out there, you'd find a
shovel and start digging up Chitzen Itza."

He turned to look at her, a shocked expression in his serious eyes.
"Scully, is that what you really think of me?"

She smiled fondly.  "Well, maybe a mining pan.... What pets?"

"I'm glad you asked.  Apparently, the neighborhood where Kathleen and
Kevin reside is experiencing a high death rate among household pets --
specifically dogs.  There has also been an unexplained increase in the
number of strays found in this suburb.  Cats and dogs alike.  But, the
death rate is only high among dogs. In fact, there have been no cats or
birds known to perish in what can be termed mysterious circumstances."

"So someone in the area doesn't particularly care for dogs -- animal
poisoning is the most common type of death for household pets, either
intentional or accidental."

"These dogs were not poisoned."  He paused. "They were strangled."

"Strangled?"

"Strangled.  And, all of these dogs were found in the backyard of Kathleen
Lietz and Kevin Gentner's home on Quail Hollow in Farmington Hills,
Michigan.  To be even more specific, they were found laying just outside
her garden, which seems to consist of what can only be called
'unidentified' plant life."

"Unidentified -- by whom?  Is this Kevin Gentner a botanist?"

"No, but one of his fraternity brothers is.  And, whatever Kathleen has
been growing, this guy's never seen anything like it.  It's not
carnivorous, but it seems to be killing dogs.  That's what Kevin Gentner
told the Senator.  And what the Senator told me. The local authorities
have no interest in this case, so it was buried here in the X-Files."

"Okay, Mulder, I'll play along.  But I'm a little confused on one issue in
particular ... The connection between the vacation in Mexico and the tour
of Chitzen Itza to this murderous plant-life is ..."

"The location.  Chitzen Itza.  Kevin reports that Kathleen brought back a
sample of the local soil.  She said it was for sentimental reasons, which
seemed odd at the time to Kevin since he reports that she's not the overly
sentimental type.  But he found it even odder when he saw her sprinkling
it in her garden.  That was about seven months before the plants
appeared."

"Just in time for spring. So she liked the idea of mixing Mexico with
Michigan. Based on the weather out there, it sounds like good idea to me."

Mulder continued his story, undaunted by her digs.

"And," he emphasized. "It so happens that while Kathleen and Kevin were
visiting Chitzen Itza, Kathleen disappeared for 15 minutes."

"Maybe she had to go to the bathroom."

"From the top of the pyramid.  Tough to do -- for a woman." Mulder smiled.
"They had climbed to the top of Chitzen Itza's central pyramid -- Sacred
Cenote, or The Well of Sacrifice, together. Then, they wandered around for
a while, snapping photographs and taking in the view.  Kevin decided it
was time to head back down, but when he looked around, Kathleen wasn't
there.  He spent a good 10 minutes combing the pyramid for her with no
success.  She had vanished. That's when he spotted her -- at the base of
the pyramid, waving at him," He flips back to the photo of the pyramid.
"If you notice on the sides, those are extremely small steps at a steep
angle.  They are only 6 inches wide -- not the kind of route you can run
down quickly."

"Could she have found a shortcut of some kind?"

"It's a pre-8th Century Mayan pyramid.  Not even the archeologists were
able to identify all the shortcuts. Any that existed were shut off due to
eroding, unsafe flooring and fallen stones."  He rose and faced Scully.
"What we've got here is a sacred Mayan pyramid of unknown origin and a
mysterious disappearance.  It has been well-founded that the Mayans were
influenced by some unknown culture, very probably an alien culture."

Scully rolled her eyes.

"Mystical, magical occurrences have been reputed to have taken place at
these ruins -- electrical storms of incredible strength, lights in the
sky, even high-pitched humming sounds.  The mysterious ruined cities of
the Maya were a source of wonder to the early explorers who stumbled
across them.  They are a source of wonder and mystery even now.  We know
little more about their civilization than when Columbus first landed.  So,
when an otherwise innocent tourist disappears from said ruins for a
definitive period of time, said tourist could be a victim of ..."

"Oh Mulder, don't say it.  Alien abduction?"

"You can't rule out the possibility."

"Oh yes I can.  You have Jose Chung on the brain, Mulder.  The Mayans were
incredibly sophisticated for their time, yes, but influenced by aliens? 
Mulder, there are more scientific methods to interpreting their cultural
developments and ritualistic lifestyle.  And, there are reasons for the
lack of clarity -- their writings were destroyed by the priests in an
effort to convert them to Christianity -- not to hide their alien origins.
There is nothing to substantiate any claim to 'alien' origin."

"Scully, we know very little about the Mayans, the Aztecs, or even the
Egyptians for that matter.  Their architecture suggests some higher plain
of existence ... comparable to the origins of Stonehenge. We don't really
know how their cultures advanced to such an advanced level.  The concept
of *external* influence has long been debated."

"Well, Mulder, I think this is all a rather weak foundation for a serious
investigation.  But if this comes directly from Senator Croissant and he
Senator recommended an investigation, I'm willing to go along with you. 
Besides, after losing QueeQueg, I suppose we can at least look into this
for the local dog owners."

Mulder smiled, throwing two airline tickets on the table.  "Good.  Pack a
bag. We leave for Detroit tomorrow morning."


May 19, 1996
Home of Kevin Gentner & Kathleen Lietz
Farmington Hills, Michigan

Scully and Mulder drove into the long driveway in their rented blue Taurus
to an innocent-looking house in Farmington Hills.  With a brief glance
around, they climbed out of the rental car and moved quickly to the door. 
Flashing their badges to Kevin, they stepped into the ranch-style house. 
They had arranged the visit while Kathleen was out at a class, giving them
time to hear firsthand what Kevin had told his friend Senator Croissant.

Having refused coffee, they seated themselves on the comfortable white
furniture. Removing his notepad from the inner pocket of his blue suit,
Mulder asked Kevin's to review his version concerning what happened at the
pyramid in Chitzen Itza.

"She was really insistent on going to see Chitzen Itza," Kevin explained,
a worried expression on his face.  "I mean, it's a four hour bus ride
there and four hours back -- not the kind of thing you want to spend your
time doing when there's a perfectly nice beach and ocean outside your
hotel room. But, she wanted to go ..." He hesitated.

"What happened when you arrived there?" Mulder queeried.

Kevin shrugged his shoulders. "We looked around -- got something to eat. 
And then, after that four hour bus ride, she wanted to climb the big
pyramid.  They say they're going to stop allowing people to climb to the
top next year since there's so much erosion to the rocks. She didn't want
to miss the opportunity. So, we climbed it.  Together.  It was kind of
interesting, but not for that long. There's only so much to see up there. 
And it was hot.  So, I was ready to head down.  I turned to Kathleen and
..."

"And ..." Mulder asked impatiently.  Scully cocked her head to one side, a
reminder for him to slow down. 

"She was gone.  I lost her.  I looked all over the place -- It's not like
there are that many placed to get lost up there.  I even asked a few
people from the tour group that came with us. One of the guys said he'd
walked into one of the antechambers with her -- where the Mayan priests
prepared for their rituals -- and that he turned to say something to her
and she was gone ... disappeared.  I couldn't find her anywhere." He
looked at Mulder and Scully, the agitation clearly replaying in his mind
as he recalled her disappearance.  "Then, all of a sudden, I looked down
and there she was, waving at me."

Scully was curious. "What did she say happened when you reached her?"

"Oh, she said she'd just get nervous walking down with me, so she went
down by herself. The height thing got to her. But, you don't know
Kathleen.  She doesn't get nervous."

"Did anyone see her walk down?"  Scully asked, anxious to show the logical
pattern.

"Well, I asked around -- we were there with a tour group and no one saw
her walk down.  In fact, one of the guys we met in the group was walking
around the pyramid the whole time taking pictures -- even he asked me
where she went."

"So, she just disappeared?"  Mulder was intrigued.

"Yeah.  For about 15 minutes -- it was like she didn't exist.  She just
wasn't anywhere," Kevin replied, clearly affected by the memory.  "And
then she was back, just like that."

"And it was after this experience that you noticed the ... other things?"

Scully closed her eyes and shook her head, slightly so as to not distract
Kevin. Mulder was at it again.

"Well, she was really interested in the plant-life and stuff down in
Mexico -- by the pyramid.  So, she wanted to bring back a soil sample. 
She said it was a sentimental way to remember our vacation.  That was a
little weird cause she isn't the type to even save Valentines. But, I went
along with it since we'd just gotten engaged."

"But ..." Mulder coached.

"Well, you're not supposed to take that kind of stuff out of the country
or through Customs.  You have to declare items like soil or you can get in
trouble if it's found.  But she packed it away in the bag and said she
didn't want to declare it.  So I figured. What the hell.  Don't argue."

"Did you notice other strange behavior in Mexico?"

"Not really.  She was kind of quiet, but she's like that sometimes. 
And,the heat made her a little irritable," he stopped to think a moment.
"The only other weird thing happened when we were going through Customs."

"They found the soil?" Scully asked.

"No, no.  It was the metal detector.  She kept setting it off.  So, we
pulled out the keys, took off her jewelry, and laid out all the coins we
had.  Usually it's a barrett or something that will set that off.  But,
she wasn't wearing anything like that.  We must have been there a half
hour while they were trying to confirm that we weren't carrying any
weapons.  They ran that scanner thing over her a dozen times and it kept
going off near her head.  They finally decided it must have been a filling
and let us go.

"A filling?"  Mulder turned to Scully, tapping the side of his nose.

Scully, refusing to consider nasal implants as in any way associated with
this case stood and moved toward the dining area.  Kathleen's cat Maggie
entered slowly, sitting beside the table in a very territorial yet playful
manner. She was a grey and white long-haired tabby with penetrating eyes
that seemed to watch not only Kevin but Mulder and Scully.   Despite her
recent unpleasant encounter with killer cats, Scully bent down to pet the
beautiful cat.

"Nice kitty ..."

Kevin stood up and moved toward Scully.  "Oh, that's Maggie."

Scully smiled, thinking of QueeQueg.  "How long have you had her?"

"About a year and a half," Kevin responded.

Mulder joined them, studying Maggie.  She seemed to be studying him back.
"Does she like dogs?"

"No, no.  She can't stand 'em."






May 19, 1996
An Office
Washington D.C.

Cancer Man is seated at his desk, staring at computer screen and talking
on the phone, a lighted Morley cigarette burning in the ashtray in front
of him.  During the conversation, he periodically wiped the ashes into the
bowl.

"No, no.  It wasn't that hard to get at her files.  She spends a lot of
time on line, mostly using the computer at her office with Ford.  Sends
and receives a lot of E-mail.  Listen to this one from 1993 ... 'Once
again, the night was fraught with a bitter cold wind.  The players left
the field at times, elated and quiet.  They had won their game, but her
mind was not on the victory at hand.  It was, instead, plagued with the
thoughts of him.  The way his blue eyes smiled at her (or was it her they
were smiling at?) She walked to her car slowly, yet not slow enough.  A
chance passed her by, but not one she had any control of.  Maybe another
would present herself.  Time would tell...'

"Yes, I suppose it's a little melodramatic.  There's an entire series like
this written prior to our engagement of her ... in the autumn of 1993. 
More recently, she's been writing a lot of fiction and posting it to the
Internet.  Very curious choice of subject matter -- a lot of material
focusing on paranormal activities, extraterrestrials ... Yes, I know she
wasn't supposed to recall anything.  They are always thorough ... No, I
don't know if her writing indicates she does remember ... Yes, the control
is still in place..."

He paused and spoke firmly, inhaling deeply on his Morley.

"Yes, it will be taken care of."

Cancer Man hung up the phone and slowly tapped out his cigarette,
meaningfully.



May 20, 1996
The Baldwin Theatre
Royal Oak, Michigan

Having obtained entrance using a key provided by Kevin, Mulder looked
around the recently restored vaudeville theatre, admiring the elaborate
decor.

"Kevin says that Kathleen spent quite a lot of time here after their
return from Mexico.  She played the role of Cecile in a production of
*Dangerous Liaisons*." He stopped and turned to Scully.  "Isn't that the
virgin?"

Scully raised and eyebrow and nodded. "She was that good?"

Mulder ignored her comment.  "Hmm.  Interesting tie in to the pyramid,
don't you think."

"Sorry, Mulder. You lost me."

"Virgin sacrifice was prevalent in the Mayan and Aztec culture and a
significant number of those sacrifices occurred at the top of Chitzen
Itza's Sacred Cenote."

"Mulder," Scully began quickly. "Research indicates that the Mayans
sacrificed as many children and men as women.  You're reaching."

"Yes, Scully, but we don't know the sexual background of those men and
children. They may have *all* been virgin sacrifices."

"Mulder ..."

"Well, it is coincidental that Kathleen disappeared from a site known for
virgin sacrifices.  And, Kevin told us that she displayed a remarkable
agility during her performance here.  Apparently, she had to blow out a
candle while laying on her back in a bed.  You might say her talents could
be described as almost ... catlike."

Scully rolled her eyes.  "And after *Dangerous Liaisons*?  Did she start
drinking milk out of Maggie's dish?"

"No.  She directed something called *The Cannibals.*  Lots of issues of
death, murder -- even a sacrificial knife played a role -- in this case
wielded by a psychotic killer. Kevin lent a hand on sound. He said she's
done stuff like this before, but this one seemed to go a little over the
edge.  The last scene in the play had her repeating 'Close the door ...
close the Door!' frantically over and over ...."

"Meaning?"

"I don't know, but doesn't it just make you wonder?"



May 21, 1996
Home of John and Nancy Nettie
Livonia, Michigan

Nancy served Scully and Mulder coffee and moved anxiously around the
kitchen. 

"Kathy has always been impossible to please. She is so picky.  So when we
went dress shopping we expected to spend two, three afternoons shopping
around."

"From your tone, that means you didn't?" Scully asked gently so as to not
frighten the obviously nervous Nancy.

"No.  I've never seen Kathy make a decision so fast.  We started looking
when the stores opened around 10 a.m.  She only tried on -- what was it --
five dresses.  Then she said, 'This is the one I want.' I was back home by
1:30 that afternoon.  My head was swimming -- she moved so fast.  The same
was true of the bridesmaid dresses. We only tried on two and the decision
was made."

"It sounds almost like you feel that you were shopping with someone else
..."

"Well," Nancy paused thoughtfully. "I suppose.  But that's silly.  It was
Kathy."

Mulder wanted to explore another tactic -- something was eating at him in
the back of his mind.  "What can you tell me about her cat?"

"Maggie?" Nancy was taken aback.  "She's a nice cat.  She really likes
Kathy -- and vice versa.  You'd think Maggie was a person the way they
communicate."

Scully smiled encouragingly.  "What do you mean by that?"

Nancy sipped some herbal tea.  "Kathy's always talking to Maggie -- almost
as though they're having a real conversation.  She'll ignore Kevin and
take Maggie into the bedroom -- they'll talk ... I mean, Kathy will talk
to her for hours.  She does it a lot when you're on the phone with her,
too. Even when Kevin is around, there are many times that she'll act like
it's only her and Maggie in the room.  She'll mention times when Maggie is
angry and grumbling -- or things Maggie will say.  Sometimes I have to
remind myself that Maggie is a cat and not a person."

Mulder glanced at Scully.  She looked away, unwilling to follow his train
of thought.

"Have you ever seen Maggie around other animals ... say, dogs?" Mulder
inquired.

"Oh no.  Maggie is very territorial. She never lets any other animals near
Kathy. I mean, sometimes I think she's even jealous of Kevin."

Mulder thanked Nancy for her time and led the way back to the car.  Nancy
stood solemnly on the back porch, pondering the implications of Mulder's
request for her not to repeat the nature of this conversation to Kathleen
-- or Kathy as she called her.

"I know what you're thinking, Mulder." Scully spoke as they neared the
car.  "This is not another case of the Killer Kitty.  I refuse to listen
to you if you're taking that approach."

Mulder paused and looked over the car to Scully. "I'm not thinking that
way, The first think that occurs to me is that Kathleen may have the some
sort of implant -- an implant like we encountered in Oregon in 1992 -- our
first case -- that would set off a metal detector in the manner Kevin
described and easily be attribute to a filling.  And, I'm also wondering
if while they were in Mexico, someone implanted Maggie with a similar
device -- there might be some transference of images and information
passing between the two.  Some sort of control involved.  And, as Maggie
is somehow aware that another animal could interfere with her manipulation
of Kathleen, she has them destroyed."

"By what, Mulder?  Empathic communication with the Mexican plants outside?
 That's ridiculous."

"Maybe.  But, it's common knowledge that plants respond to communication.
If these plants were products of the Mayan culture and the Mayans were
influenced by an alien civilization, there's no telling what those plants
may be able to do. They might not even be plants but some indigenous and
somehow sentient life form."

"You're pushing it, Mulder.  The very idea that house plants respond to
'being talked to' is a myth.  It's derived from a very logical fact that
simply suggests that when people talk to their plants they are more likely
to water them -- to pay attention to them. I've yet to hear of plants
talking back ... or performing tasks directed by a felonius feline."

"Well, Scully, maybe the implants have something to do with it."

"We have no proof that there are implants ..." She began.  Mulder was not
listenting but moving to the car.  "Where are we going?"

"Back to Kathleen and Kevin's house."

"I have serious doubts that they're going to allow you to take their cat
and check it for alien implants."

"No, but I'd like to take a look at those plants."

Scully shook her head as they climbed into the car and drove off.




May 21, 1996
Home of Kevin Gentner & Kathleen Lietz
Farmington Hills, Michigan

Scully looked down at a potted plant with an odd looking plant and a soil
sample.  "We should have results back in a few days.  I'll admit, these
plants are unlike anything I've seen.  But I've got to believe we can
identify the genus back in the lab."

Mulder was silent, watching Maggie.  She seemed to be gazing thoughtfully
at both of them.

"Mulder?"  Scully looked to her partner.

As Scully picked up the plant, Mulder noticed something on the kitchen
table.

"What's this?"

Scully cocked her head to look. "Looks like a Hudson's bill to me."

Mulder pointed at the red splotches on the brown and white paper.  Scully
could sense that the wheels were turning. 

"No, no .. Not that.  This ..." He indicated the red stains. "This looks
like blood to me."

Kevin nodded.  "Oh yeah. Kathleen has had quite a few nosebleeds lately. 
In fact, she even mentioned it to one of her bridesmaids about it the
other day. She was concerned, too.  I find bloody Kleenex everywhere."

Mulder turned to Scully with a grin, tapping the side of his nose.  

Scully rolled her eyes.

A thought hit him, and Mulder moved toward Maggie's bowl.  There were
drops of blood on the linoleum.  Mulder kneelt for a closer look.

"Does Maggie experience nosebleeds as well?"

Taken aback Kevin paused, thinking.  "Yeah, I guess she does.  I noticed
the blood for the first time when we came back from Mexico -- near her
dish and on the linoleum.  I remember clearly thinking that I was glad we
trained her to stay of the furniture since it is white and there would
have been a big mess ... I didn't know cats could get nosebleeds."

"Yeah," Mulder smiled.  "Who'd have thought...?"

Maggie slunk quietly from the room.



May 22, 1996
Mulder's Room at The Best Western Inn
Farmington Hills, Michigan

"Mulder, we know nothing.  This is a wild goose chase.  I say we pack our
bags and get out of here."

Mulder leaned toward her.  "Scully, that's not true.  It may not be
scientific enough for you, but there are enough pieces here to put
together a clear story.  First, we have a disappearance from an area known
to have mystical, even extraterrestrial origins -- a disappearance of only
15 minutes, but more than long enough to make contact with an alien
species.  Though you are unwilling to admit it, we have both experienced
time loss.  Who knows how they can manipulate what seems a few minutes to
us."

Scully just waited patiently. 

"Secondly, we have two of the classic indications of what you and I know
to be some kind of alien abductions: Frequent nosebleeds and a metal
detector set off by what clearly must be some type of metal implant found
in the head and probably located in the nasal cavity.  

"Thirdly, we have unexplained behavior alternations that suggest some type
of programming.  And, lastly, we have a very territorial feline who began
experiencing frequent nosebleeds after Kathleen and Kevin's trip to Mexico
and seems to enjoy holding conversations with human beings."

Scully shook her head.  

"Oh, and the fact that Kathleen's a former black thumb who's suddenly the
owner of a flourishing -- possibly homicidal -- garden.  It's worth more
study. We haven't even begun to explore the animal homicide angle."

(continued)
Adam Bernard
adambravo@aol.com
"Life is not a dress rehearsal."

From adambravo@aol.com Sun Sep 15 16:15:51 1996
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From: adambravo@aol.com (AdamBravo)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative
Subject: NEW: Well of Sacrifice (2 of 2)
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(continued from part 1)

"That's all supposition, Mulder.  So she's acting a little strange.  She's
getting married next month.  We haven't seen any implant.  And, for all we
know, Kathleen and Kevin simply have a slightly psychotic neighbor who
doesn't like dogs. Besides, even if you were remotely closed to the
truth,the cat didn't travel to Mexico so the alien abduction and implant
theory is completely impossible."

Mulder interrupted her.  "Not true if, as we have suspected all along and
as Deep Throat and X have insisted, there are others involved.  People in
high places. Perhaps Kathleen's abduction was not chance, but planned. 
Kevin indicated she has a high degree of sensory awareness.  Perhaps she's
part of an experiment."

"Mulder," Scully, frustrated by this line of thought, walked to the bed
and sat down to face him. "I didn't want to have to tell you this, but
Skinner called and he's pulling us off this case. He said to wrap it up
today and get back to Washington."

Mulder looked at her, a thoughtful look to his face.  "We're getting
close, Scully.  They know it."

Scully exhaled deeply.  "We're getting nowhere, Mulder. The Senator even
told Skinner he thought it was all a waste of time and regretted even
calling us in. All we have is a woman's actions obviously manipulated by a
full time job, extracurricular activities and the planning of a wedding.
Of course she's under stress.  And, no matter what you say, plenty of
people talk to their pets.There's no White Whale, Ahab.  Case closed"

She rose and walked from the room, closing the door firmly behind her.

Mulder's phone rang.  Pulled from deep thought, he reached for his
cellphone. "Mulder."

A deep voice on the other end spoke succinctly.  "The experiment was a
failure."

Mulder reacted.  "We're too close, aren't we?"

The voice hesitated.  "Let's just say, people in high places have
influence over others in high places.  The fact this case even reached you
was a fluke.  They weren't monitoring all channels.  That fact has been
rectified."
"They got tothe Senator, didn't they?  Then it was a part of the
*conspiracy*.  But what about...."

"Careful, Mulder.  Trust no one.  What happened to Melissa and Skinner
should be a reminder of how far they will go."  The line went dead.

Mulder hit the end button on his cell phone and ran his fingers through
his brown hair, more perplexed than ever.



May 22, 1996
Home of Kevin Gentner & Kathleen Lietz
Farmington Hills, Michigan

It was daylight.  Kathleen and Kevin were at work and the house empty --
except for Maggie.  Cancer Man skulks through the backyard to the screen
door, jimmying it with a high-tech electronic device.  A cat toy dangles
from his hand. Maggie waits calmly inside.  

Silence. 

Then, the sound of a cat screeching echoes throughout the house.  


May 22, 1996
Scully's Room at The Bet Western Inn
Farmington Hills, Michigan

Scully was seated at her desk, typing on her laptop computer.

"This concludes our investigation of Case # X-06.22-1996.  This
investigator has yet to find an explanation for the deaths of the pets in
this otherwise peaceful Farmington Hills neighborhood.  Local officials
found no footprints in the wet ground. However, there is no conclusive
evidence linking these events to either Kathleen Lietz, Kevin Gentner or
Maggie the Cat,  And, as the deaths seem to have come to an end, we will
leave this to local authorities to sort through. The plant-life found near
these animals is identical to the plant found in Kathleen's garden. Our
tests indicate that these are likely mutations of existing species native
to the Yucatan Peninsula grown as a result of a root system embedded in
the foreign soil and neither extraterrestrial nor homicidal in nature. 

"As to any supposed abduction, this investigator finds nothing to
substantiate any such claim.  Behavioral changes associated with this
otherwise stressful period in a young woman's life prior to marriage are
not unheard of.  On the contrary, additional behavioral changes are
expected to manifest themselves following the marriage itself and
affecting both Kathleen and Kevin -- as they approach, as it were, their
own Well of Sacrifice."


May 22, 1996
Home of Kevin Gentner & Kathleen Lietz
Farmington Hills, Michigan

Maggie sat quietly in the kitchen following her recent visit to the vet.
The blood on her fur had been cleaned away when the vet had examined her
after a near-hysterical Kathleen found her bruised body on the linoleum
after work that afternoon.   A sound resonates in her sensitive ears,
though she is unable to process it in the way she could only hours before.
 Her ears twitch and she looks toward the backyard. The plants in
Kathleen's garden begin resonate with a deeptone, fluttering in the
windless air.  No breeze stirs these unique leaves as they begin to glow
....

Adam Bernard
adambravo@aol.com
"Life is not a dress rehearsal."