"Sure do. Did you notice the path continues on?" They continued on down the path and before long they reached the edge of a beautiful lake. Mulder reached his hand up to help Scully down to the edge of the water. The rocks were worn smooth by the action of the water and they could hear the bullfrogs moaning in the distance. Nearer they could hear crickets chirping and katydids calling out to each other. They walked along the shore for a little ways and came upon a cabin tucked back into some trees.

"Hey Scully, wouldn’t this be a great place for a honeymoon?"

Scully smiled. "Well you wouldn’t have to worry about anyone disturbing you."

Mulder stopped and led Scully to a big rock overlooking the lake in front of the cabin. In years past it looked as though it might have made a great jumping off place for kids swimming. They sat down and he turned to face Scully. "You know sometimes I feel like I don’t have to speak to communicate with you." He paused a minute and Scully looked at Mulder as though to say go on. "You have stood by me and kept me focused so many times. So many times I have wanted to tell you…"

Suddenly they heard a moan, the sound of someone in pain. Scully jumped. "What was that?"

Mulder pulled his gun. "I don’t know but it sounded like it came from up toward that cabin. Let’s go have a look."

They walked up near the cabin and the moaning got louder. They stepped onto the porch and a board creaked. Mulder went up to the door. It sounded as though whatever it was making the noise was on the other side. He whispered to Scully, " On the count of three. One, two, three."

They burst through the door into what appeared to be a totally abandoned run down cabin. There were busted floorboards and debris all around. Very little light came through the boarded up windows. Scully silently looked around and thought she saw something lying against the far wall. This seemed to be where the noise was coming from. She quietly pointed it out to Mulder and then carefully made her way across and saw something that was covered by an old moth-eaten army surplus blanket. The moaning was definitely coming from there.

She pulled back the blanket to reveal a man. At least she believed it was a man. He was so torn apart that it was hard to believe he was still alive. "Mulder! He’s alive. Get an ambulance out here."

Mulder flipped open his cell phone and dialed 911. "This is Special Agent Mulder of the FBI. We have a seriously wounded man here. We need medical assistance immediately." "I don’t know. It’s an old cabin behind the field near Ma’s Diner on the lake near Copper Creek." "Thank you." Mulder flipped phone closed. "They’ll have someone here soon as possible."

"Mulder we have to get this man out of here. He’s lost a lot of blood." She did a preliminary assessment. "Doesn’t seem to be any broken bones or internal injuries. Lets see if we can get him moved outside so I can see better." They saw he was lying on a sort of cot and picking it up by the edges, they carried the man outside.

Scully pulled open his eyes and saw his pupils dilate. They were still responsive. That was a good sign. "Sir? Can you hear me?" The man just moaned. "Sir? Can you answer me? Can you tell me what happened?" Suddenly behind Scully there was a hissing and the man jumped in terror.

Scully looked around but did not see anything. There was no movement of any kind. "Mulder did you hear that? Did you see anything?"

"Yes I heard it an no I didn’t see anything." In the distance they heard an ambulance siren. It sounded as though it were getting closer and then stopped. Within minutes they saw a rescue team arrive with a stretcher. Mulder ran to meet them. "He’s right over here," he told them directing them to where Scully was with the man.

"Heavens, its Bob. Get him loaded and back to the vehicle." The man leading turned to Scully. "Where did you find him?"

"Over in the cabin. We were walking down here by the lake and heard him. That’s Bob Reynolds?" They started back up the bank toward the field where the vehicle was parked.

"Yes ma’am it is."

"Where are you taking him?"

"Over to Copper Ridge Hospital. Don’t worry ma’am, we’ll do the best we can for him."

"That’s ok I’ll ride along with you."

"I’m sorry ma’am we can’t allow that. Our insurance says only EMT’s are allowed in back with the patients."

"Don’t give me that crap. Screw your insurance. I’m a doctor and I am riding, If you don’t like it take it up with the FBI. Get this man started on a saline drip now!" Scully was visibly irritated with the man’s attitude. This was the closest she had gotten to finding out what had caused those marks and she was determined to stay right with him until she could find out more. "Mulder get the car and meet me over at the hospital."

Mulder was glad he wasn’t that poor man right now. All he could feel for him was pity. He had felt Scully’s wrath on several occasions and he envied no man that stood in that woman’s way. That was part of what he loved about her. He broke into a steady run and within minutes was at the motel. He stopped in the office, got directions to the hospital, and was soon on his way.

He dialed his cell phone. "Scully? I’m on my way. Are you there?"

"Yes, they are giving him fluids and whole blood. He was severely dehydrated. They still aren’t sure if he will pull through."

" I should be there in less than 15 minutes." He hung up the phone. His mind was frantically running from one thought to another. The second missing man had turned up alive, at least for now. Would he be able to tell them anything about what had happened to him was the question uppermost in his mind. Mulder was hoping Scully would have found out something by the time he got there.

Mulder hurried through the doors of the emergency room flashing his ID at the nurse on duty. "Where can I find Bob Reynolds?"

"He’s still in treatment," the nurse coolly replied. "You are welcome to wait with the others over there in the waiting area." She pointed across the hall to a small room. "We’ll let you know as soon as he is able for visitors."

Mulder walked across to the room she indicated and saw Scully standing by the window. "I thought you would be back with him."

"Well I was until a few minutes ago. I knew you would be arriving shortly and I came out to tell you what I know. Ironically the doctor on duty is Dr. Cathleen Counts. I was in medical school with her and hadn’t seen her in years. She specialized in trauma medicine and was one of the top students in the class. She’s doing all she can. He is suffering from severe dehydration and blood loss most likely due to the number of apparent bite marks on his body. He is still unconscious and may be for several hours. For right now we will just have to wait."

Mulder glanced around and saw several others in the waiting area in addition to himself and Scully. Near the door he saw Chief McClellan, Sandra, Pastor Smith, and several other people he recognized from the previous night. Just then a young brunette wearing a hospital lab coat came to the door. She looked around, saw Sandra and walked over to her. "Mrs. Reynolds? We have your husband stabilized and in a room if you’d like to go to him."

Sandra looked relieved. "Where is he?"

"He’s in Room 116. Down the hall and to your left." As they left the room the lady came across to where Mulder and Scully were standing. "Dana I never got a chance to tell you how surprised I was to see you here. I never pictured you to be this far in the backwoods. Have you moved here or on vacation or what?"

"Nothing so pleasant I’m afraid. Cathleen, this is my partner Fox Mulder. We’re here because of a case we’re working on."

"I’m assuming it has to do with Bob Reynolds."

"Yes. His brother was reported missing and he disappeared yesterday morning and then this morning we found the brother dead. Both had those peculiar marks on their body. Have you ever seen anything like that?" Mulder inquired.

"No I don’t believe that I have. And you say he was only reported missing yesterday?"

"That’s correct. He disappeared off his farm. We are concerned about what could have caused those marks and caused him to lose so much fluid so quickly. Do you know what could have caused a mark of that nature?" Scully asked her.

"No. They appear to be animal marks of some kind but unless it’s a breed I am not familiar with I don’t know. We have all kinds of bites come through but I’ve never seen anything like that. I have treated ‘possum and ‘coon and squirrel and bout everything in between but nothing I know of would leave that particular type of bite. Like I said it could be something I’ve never treated."

"How is Bob?"

"Well I have him stabilized and I have given him a sedative to keep him resting through the night."

"Do you think we would be able to talk to him tonight?" Mulder seemed hesitant to ask.

"I really don’t believe that he will be waking before tomorrow morning at the earliest. I can have the nurse call you when he does wake if you like."

"That would be great. We are staying at the Copper Creek Inn, Room 16." Mulder pulled out a card and handed it to her. "This has my cell phone number on it. Call as soon as he is conscious and able to speak."

"Yes I will do that. Dana it is so good to see you again. I hope it won’t take something of this nature for us to meet up another time. Please stop in and see me anytime you are in the area. Perhaps we can get together for coffee or something."

"That would be nice. Thanks Cathleen, and if you come up with anything on the bite marks let me know."

"I will. You all have a good night. It was nice to meet you Mr. Mulder." With that she walked across the room to the door where she stopped and looked back. "You did good Dana," she said with a smile and a thumbs up as she left.

Mulder turned to Scully with an mischievous grin on his face. He held out his arm to her. "Ready to go back to the motel G-Woman?"

Scully smiled and looked at him. "Are you coming on to me G-Man?" Scully tucked her hand around his arm as they headed to the parking lot. " I’m definitely ready to go back. Tell me you passed a burger place or something on the way here."

"Matter of fact I did. Shall we stop and get something?"

"Absolutely. I’m starved."

Scully was lying on the sofa watching ‘Men in Black’ for about the fifteenth time. The burger place had been packed when they gotten there, so they had gotten their food to go and brought it back to the room. The burgers had reminded her of a place she went while in high school that had the juiciest burgers and crispiest fries. She had felt like a teenager again sitting across from Mulder sucking down a big thick shake and eating that burger that was almost too thick. The feelings he aroused in her made her feel like that nervous teenager on her first date. She felt her stomach fluttering with butterflies. Only the silky blue pajamas reminded her that she was an adult and had to answer to no one about her actions and feelings but herself.

She heard the water being let out of the tub and knew Mulder would be out in just a few minutes. What was she going to say to him? Should she invite him to share her bed again tonight? Would he want to? What should she do?

Mulder came and sat down beside her. "’Men in Black’ again? Aliens don’t look like that. We know that. Geez Scully where do they get these ideas?"

"Probably from reading your secret journals. Here you can see what else is on," she told him, handing him the remote.

"That’s ok. If you’re watching this there really must be nothing on. Unless there is an adult channel."

Scully picked up a pillow and threw it at him. "Absolutely not! For that I may just make you sleep on the couch again."

Mulder gave her a puppy dog look. "You mean I was not going to have to? I’ll behave. I’d rather sleep with you any day than watch the playboy channel."

"Oh I don’t’ know… you’ve already said you wanted the adult channel."

"I’m sorry. If I can sleep in bed with you I’ll watch whatever you want."

"Who said anything about sleeping with me? I just said you weren’t going to have to sleep on the couch. I didn’t say I wasn’t." Scully was enjoying teasing him.

"Oh come on Scully. I’d much rather share the bed with you."

The lighthearted banter went on until they were ready for bed. Scully called Skinner to let him know how things were going and told him they would check in tomorrow. She glanced over and saw Mulder spreading out a blanket on the couch. "Mulder?"

"Yea?"

"You don’t have to sleep on the couch. Come on, but you have to behave yourself." Scully’s heart was racing. ‘ I hope you don’t behave yourself too much’ she thought to herself. She sure hoped she was doing the right thing.

Mulder’s heart leaped at Scully’s invitation. How could he turn down such a thing? He might never get another chance. He had wanted to tell her about his dream earlier but the time never seemed right. And then down by the lake when he wanted to tell her how much he cared, well that hadn’t worked either. Maybe it wasn’t meant for him to share. But at least he would have the memories of holding her through these nights to get him through the lonely nights ahead. "I’ll be as good as I can," he told her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Scully turned off the lamp as Mulder slid in beside her. The heat coming from his body felt like an oven. She turned on her side away from him and felt him snuggle up to her back. His arm reached across her belly and held her securely next to him. "Thought I told you to behave," she told him teasingly.

"I am. I just thought you might feel safer if I were to hold you."

"Night Mulder." Scully’s thoughts were scattered. What had she gotten herself into?

"Night Scully," he whispered softly into her ear.

Mulder awakened just as the room was starting to lighten. He softly slid out of bed and changed into a pair of shorts and slid his feet into his running shoes. He glanced over at Scully who was still asleep with her arm above her head. She looked so innocent and beautiful lying there. When would he get the courage to tell her? He softly slipped out the door being careful to not make any noise that might wake her and started off for a morning run.

Scully awakened a short time later to find Mulder wasn’t there. She glanced around the room but didn’t see him anywhere. As she got up she noticed his running shoes were missing. She breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently he had gone for a run. That meant she could take a nice long bubble bath.

Just as Scully stepped out of the tub she heard the phone ringing. Before she had time to make a mad dash she heard Mulder answering it.

"Mulder" "Yes" "Yes we want to talk to him. We’ll be there shortly." Scully heard the phone click as he hung it up. "Hey Scully quit camping in those bubbles and come on. Our Mr. Reynolds is awake and I need to at least shower off."

"Coming Mulder."

Scully dressed in a navy blue pantsuit as she waited for Mulder to finish his shower. She stepped outside to get a drink from the machine and noticed that the crime scene was completely cleared. There was no trace that anything unusual had happened there yesterday morning. She was still standing there admiring the fall colors on the trees when she heard Mulder behind her.

"You ready to go Scully?" he asked as he headed toward the car.

"On my way."

As they approached Room 116 in the hospital they heard the quite murmuring of voices. As they pushed open the door that was ajar they saw Sandra sitting next to her husband and Pastor Smith standing nearby.

"Bob Reynolds? We’re agents Mulder and Scully from the FBI. We’d like to talk to you about what happened."

Sandra half rose from her chair. "Can this not wait?"

"Ma’am I’m sorry. We’d like to talk to him about what happened and the sooner the better. If we hope to be able to catch this perpetrator we need to move as quickly as possible."

The man in the bed spoke. "Its ok Sandra. I’ll talk to them. They probably won’t believe me but I’ll talk to them." He turned his face toward Mulder. "It was the darndest thing. I had just opened the chicken house door when I heard a loud hissing sound over toward the left. I turned that way thinking it was a snake or something that had got in there to get my chickens. But there wasn’t anything there. Absolutely nothing. Then I felt something cold brush against me and it pushed me backwards out the door. The door slammed and I was knocked down."

"And you didn’t see anyone?" Scully asked.

"No ma’am there wasn’t anyone there but there was something. I don’t know what but it pushed me down. I started screaming and then this here bite mark showed up on my arm," he held out his left forearm as he continued. "When it did it was as though the scream was stuck in my throat and I was choking on it."

"Can you tell us what happened next?"

"All I can tell you is that something dragged me off to the woods. Somewhere along the lines I musta been cold cocked or something cause the next thing I knew I was in this beat up cabin. From the smell I’d say it was an old hunting cabin near the lake. There was a tin can full of water sitting nearby. It looked as though it had been put there to drink but I was afraid to, not knowing that it wasn’t poison or something." He stopped and closed his eyes.

"Mr. Reynolds?"

"And then, then it started. The most horrible sounding noises. Sounded kinda like a den of rattlers. There was an awful racket and it felt like I was being dragged all over. I felt like I was literally being torn apart by teeth. More of them bites appeared but I’m telling you there wasn’t nothing there. I tried to run but every time I did it was like there was something blocking my path. And that awful hissing sound. It seemed to come and go"

"Can you tell us anything else?"

"Not really. That’s bout all I can remember till I woke up here." He struggled to sit up. "I am not making this up. I’m telling you that’s what happened."

"Just relax sir." Scully’s voice was soothing "We don’t doubt that was your perception of what you believed happened. That is why we came. Now will you please rest and thank you so much." Turning to Sandra she asked, "Mrs. Reynolds? Could you please see you in the hall for a moment?"

Sandra reached out her hand and patted her husband. "I’ll be right back." She followed Mulder and Scully into the hall. "Yes?"

"Mrs. Reynolds, is your husband prone to any type of hallucination or taking any medications that this might be a side effect of?" Scully asked carefully.

"You don’t believe him do you?"

"Ma’am we did not say that. We are just trying to rule out any possibilities so we can search for the truth of what really happened. May I ask has he ever been involved with the occult in any way? Trying to contact spirits or anything like that?" This came from Mulder.

"Absolutely not! We are a good upstanding Christian family. We don’t mess in the devil’s domain."

"Do you know if Tom or anyone else in the family has ever been involved in these type of activities?" Mulder continued.

I really don’t know. Seems like at one time Bob said something bout Tom was getting into some weird beliefs but he didn’t really know what. All that was forgotten though when he started coming to the church. We don’t judge anyone you know. Everyone is free from their past lives when they come."

"Well thank you so much Mrs. Reynolds. Here’s our card. Would you please call us if either you or your husband remember anything else? It has my cell number on it so I can be reached anytime." Mulder handed her a card and turned to walk down the hallway.

Heading back toward town and the diner for some lunch, Scully was unusually quiet. Her thoughts kept jumping from subject to subject but invariably returned to the one that was uppermost in her mind. "Mulder why did you ask Mrs. Reynolds if Bob was ever involved in the occult?"

"Typically, witchcraft and belief in the occult run in families. It is a tradition that is handed down through the family to each child. We found all those books on witchcraft and occult practices in Tom’s room. With Bob being Tom’s brother it is highly possible that at one time he has been involved in it also."

"Surely you don’t believe in this being caused by evil spirits? Creatures that can’t be seen and can leave visible bite marks on a victim?"

"Actually Scully, on May 12, 1953 there was a documented case of just that happening in Bilibid Prison in Manila Philippines. The mayor, reporters, and doctors as well as a minister witnessed it. So it is not unheard of."

"So you think these bites may actually be caused by demons?"

Mulder didn’t say anything as they pulled into the lot at the diner. As they got out and walked toward the building Mulder just smiled. "I’m not ruling anything out at this point Scully."

They made their way to the booth near the back where they had sat the last time they had been in the diner. It was packed as usual for this hour. Sitting at a nearby table were Emma and another well-dressed young lady obviously enjoying a leisurely lunch. She spotted Mulder and Scully as they sat down and moved her chair so she could watch him. "Hey there Mr. Fox Mulder," she cooed crossing her legs in a very sexy manner. "It sure is nice to see you again."

"Hello Emma. Glad to see you are enjoying your lunch." He then turned to Scully. "So what would you like to do this afternoon? Any leads on which way to go?"

"Well I’d like to check and see where that trail continued on to. The one behind the motel?"

"Oh," Mulder grinned wickedly. "A romantic rendezvous."

Scully just rolled her eyes at him as the waitress approached their table to get their order. It was the same one as the last time they had eaten there. After she had taken their order, Mulder looked at Scully. He leaned in close. "Don’t say anything about the case," he said in a very low voice. "I think we have a listener."

Scully smiled. "What was that about an afternoon rendezvous?"

The small talk continued as they waited for their food. Nearby Emma and the other lady stood as though to leave. She turned looked at Mulder as she brushed by the table on her way out the door. "Don’t forget Fox I’ll help you anyway I can."

As the waitress was setting their lunch in front of them, she quietly mentioned the case. "I hear Bob turned up. It’s a miracle. Them evil spirits don’t give up so easily. You better be careful. They don’t like being crossed."

Scully and Mulder thanked her for the food as she walked off. "What do you think that was about Scully?"

"Just more superstition on the part of the natives I think."

"Superstition usually can be traced to something unexplainable by normal means."

"Mulder just eat. We’ve got a trail to explore."

Mulder and Scully walked to the counter to pay their bill. Ma was there waiting on them. "Well if it ain’t the two young agents." Heard ya’ll found Bob yesterday. Reckon he’s gonna be all right, but you just can’t never tell when the evil spirits are crossed. I think I’d be awful careful if I was you."

"Why does everything think it is evil spirits causing all this?" Mulder asked Ma as he handed her the money.

"Well dearie, back many years ago there was a story round these parts about a family of witches. Some said they went to church and seemed like a good Christian family but if you crossed that family in some way, why there’d be the dickens to pay. They might even end up cursing you so you’d end up dying. After they was run out of town, they swore they would come back and get their revenge and if they couldn’t they would have the evil spirits do it for them."

"That sounds like a story you tell the children to scare them." Scully replied.

"Well honey, ya’ll asked why everyone thought it was evil spirits. Why there’s been talk of them evil spirits round here for years. I think if I was you all I’d just be careful. Never know, they might be true."

Scully and Mulder started out onto the trail near the motel. They had been back to their room and changed into some clothes a little more suitable for hiking. Not sure what they were looking for, they watched for anything that might be a little unusual. As they neared the place where they had turned toward the lake Mulder noticed a very imperceptible trail heading off to the left. It looked as though it hadn’t been traveled a lot but it was definitely a trail of some sort. "Hey Scully, let’s go this way."

Mulder pushed aside a branch that seemed to conceal the top of the opening. If he hadn’t been looking near the ground he would have never noticed that the trail even existed. As they walked back into the trees there was a chill that came into the air.

After about 20 minutes of following the trail that could barely been seen, they emerged into a small clearing surrounded by very dense underbrush and tall thick evergreens. It had the appearance of twilight even in late afternoon.. On the left was what appeared to be a pile of small rocks with a large flat rock on the top. Near the center of the clearing was something that appeared to be scratched into the dirt. As they got closer they could tell that it was a pentagram. On the right, they saw what appeared to be a series of bones scattered in an arc. It was obvious that whatever happened here it wasn’t meant to be found.

"Hey Scully, what do you make of this?" He was near the rocks. "Looks like blood.’

She walked from where she had been examining the bones." "I think you’re right. Something has been killed here." Behind her she heard the hissing. "Mulder did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Nothing. I guess it’s just my overactive imagination. This looks like it has been used recently."

"Didn’t Ma say there was a family of witches?"

"Mulder, that’s just an old folk tale."

"Maybe so but these are signs often associated with Satanic worship and occultic practices. Maybe there is more truth to the story than fiction. Does this town have a library?"

"I think we passed a small one on our way into town coming back from the hospital."

"Great, let’s go see if we can find someone who might have an interest in the occult."

As they emerged from the trail near the motel they were surprised to see Chief McClellan standing at their door knocking. "Sir are you looking for us?" Scully asked him as they approached from behind.

The chief jumped. "Sure wasn’t expecting you to come up behind me ma’am. I just came over to make sure you all wasn’t going to be needing anything from the other motel room. Maisy is wanting to clean it up so she will have another room available since obviously Tom ain’t gonna be coming back to it."

"Yes we’re finished with it. Go ahead and have the crime team clear it. Any word on my autopsy report yet?""

"Thank you. I am sure Maisy will be right pleased to hear that. As for that autopsy, I’ll call you as soon as I get it. Told ya these things sometimes take a couple days around here."

"Well if they haven’t finished it by tomorrow, tell them I will come and do it myself."

"Yes ma’am I’ll pass that on to them. Ya’ll been up the path toward the lake? Sure is pretty. Not a lot of people go out that way anymore though. Especially not since the evil spirits got stirred up."

"Yes we thought it might make a nice trail to take a walk along. You know find some place we could be alone?"Mulder gave him a wink.

"Oh yes its real peaceful for that type thing. Ya’ll are still young. Well I oughta be getting on back." He hurried back to his car. "Ya’ll have a good day."

They entered the motel room and sat down. "Now what do you think that was all about?" Mulder asked. "He didn’t have to come all the way over here to ask us that. You don’t suppose he’s trying to cover up anything do you?"

"Well you didn’t have to let him believe we were out there fooling around."

"Everyone thinks we’re a couple. Might as well play along and let them think what they want. Hey Scully, why don’t you go over to the library and see what you can dig up on occult practices and if there’s anyone in town who has checked out information on it?"

"And where are you going?"

"I’m going back to talk to the preacher."

Scully walked into the small library not knowing what to expect. A lady looked up from the desk. "Can I help you?"

A flash of recognition crossed Scully’s face. "Aren’t you the lady who was eating lunch with Emma earlier?"

"Why yes I am. And you are Agent Scully I believe? How can I help you?"

"Well I’d just like to browse a bit if that’s ok. Do you have Internet access?"

"Yes ma’am. Its right over there." She pointed toward a small section to the right where several computers were set up. "If I can help you please let me know."

Scully looked around for a bit before finding the section she was looking for. For such a small library there was quite a collection of books on various occult practices. Scully carefully glanced through them trying to find a connection to the things she had seen in the clearing. Scully checked the back. She was in luck there were cards listing the various patrons that had checked them out over the years. Just recently several had been checked out by several of the same people. She mentally made notes of the names to tell Mulder when she caught back up with him. She continued browsing for a bit before heading to the computer section for a little online information.

Mulder approached the side door to the church. He noted a car sitting outside and carefully tried the door. He found it was unlocked and so he let himself in. "Hello" he called out.

The pastor emerged from his office. "Hello Mr.Mulder, how can I help you?"

"I thought I would drop in and see what else you could tell me about this evil spirit belief. Does everyone in your congregation believe like this?"

"Most do. Please come into my office and have a seat."

As Mulder sat on the leather chair he asked the pastor, "Are there other churches here in town?"

"Well there are a few however most have shut down as businesses leave the area. What are left are small." He continued on listing the various churches and their members.

"Do they share your beliefs?"

"Some do, some don’t. Many people are uncomfortable with my style of preaching. They have trouble believing they have authority over the enemy. I’d like to be able to win them over to understanding the true power of God however."

"Does everyone attend church?"

"Most do. There are a couple of fairly new families, the Robinettes and the Travises that I don’t think have really settled into a church. Well they aren’t really new. They both had family farms in the area left to them from their grandparents but they haven’t been in the area until recently. Course I’ve only been here about a year or so."

"So you would say overall that everyone in town attends church somewhere here in town on Sunday?"

"Yes that’s a pretty fair assumption. Course there’s Sarah, she’s the librarian, I think she goes somewhere up near the county seat, and Emma. She always works a double on Sunday over at the police station so the chief and his deputies can come to church but someone’s still there in case a call comes in or something. She can always run over here and get them. Other than those I can’t think of anyone who might not go to church. We’re blessed with living in a community where God still comes first in most peoples lives."

"Do you believe that anyone in the community could be involved in any type of witchcraft?"

"Here? No can’t think of a soul."

"So why does everyone keep mentioning these evil spirits?"

"Mr. Mulder, I don’t know if you have heard it or not, but there is an old folktale round these parts about a

family that swore they would get their revenge for being run out of town and the evil spirits would come back to get their revenge if they didn’t. Its common folklore."

"So can you tell me why you preach on not listening to these spirits if you believe it is folklore?"

"Because people need to learn they have control over their lives and what happens. No one has to be under bondage to an evil spirit when they are a child of God. All I am trying to teach them is God given authority If they can overcome this fear they have been taught from childhood, they will learn to be powerful witnesses for the gospel of Jesus."

"I see. I appreciate you taking time to talk to me."

"Mr. Mulder, if you’re going to go messing around in the devil’s realm you better make sure you got the blood of Jesus to protect you."

Mulder headed back by the diner to pick up some dinner for himself and Scully. One thing he was learning about this town was there wasn’t a lot of places one could go after dark unless you went up to the county seat. It was as though the town shut down at dark. By talking to Ma, he found that the library in town closed at 7. He hoped he could make it back in time to get it set up before Scully made it back from the library. He hoped she had been able to find out something that would convince her that these incidents could be demonic in nature.

Scully entered the room and smelled the fresh scent of flowers. She glanced at the bed and saw a dozen roses in an array of colors lying there. Glancing around the room she saw candlelight coming from the table. There was a very enticing odor coming from that direction as well as the soft tones of music from the CD player. What was that song? Oh yes Air Supply’s ‘Lost in Love’.

She pulled out the chair and sat down. As she Mulder came from the bathroom where he had been freshening up. Scully thought he looked absolutely gorgeous as he came and sat across from her.

"Roses Mulder?"

"You’ve had such a few rough days with me I thought you deserved them. I was going to put them in a vase but I hadn’t found one yet. Motels like these don’t usually have them."

"It’s under the sink in the bathroom. I saw it the other day. I’ll get it."

"Oh no," Mulder replied jumping up. "I’ll get it. Tonight is the night for you to just trust me and relax."

He dashed off to retrieve the vase and came back into the room carrying it. He went to the bed and began to arrange the roses in it. After several unsuccessful tries, he was finally happy with the way it looked. He carried it to the table and sat it beside them.

Mulder watched as the candlelight played across Scully’s face. She was stressed from this case. She didn’t react well when there was no logical scientific explanation for what was happening although it did not affect her as badly as it had in the beginning when she realized some things could only be explained by paranormal activity. Slowly she was becoming a believer. He hoped this evening would take her mind off everything and allow him to finally share his feelings with her. He just hoped that it wasn’t one sided.

The evening wore on and the small talk thinned as they enjoyed their dinner. Mulder had laughed watching Scully as she would lose a strand of spaghetti and catch it just as it was about to fall. The homemade garlic bread and salads were also a hit. By the time they had reached the strawberry cheesecake Mulder had gotten for dessert, Scully had relaxed and the case had slipped completely from her mind.

Scully slid over to the couch and sat down as Mulder cleaned off the table. She must have dozed off because the next thing she heard was the water running for the tub. Mulder came over to her. "Scully? I’ve run you a bubble bath. Remember tonight is your night."

Scully wasn’t sure what to think of the things Mulder had done for her. Several times before he had been very caring and concerned but tonight he had went out of his way for her. Her thoughts continued to roam as she sank into the warm bath he had filled with her favorite bubbles. Tonight he was showing just how compassionate and caring he could be.

Scully continued to doze in the tub dreaming about what it would be like to be his partner in life instead of just work. With him there would always be something new to look forward to. Whether it was chasing aliens or crazy cult members, life would always be exciting.

Scully awoke and realized the water had gotten cold. At some point Mulder had slipped in and left her some clean under things and her favorite pink silk pajamas. She let the water out of the tub and dried off before slipping into them. As she went back into the bedroom she noticed Mulder had fallen asleep on the couch.

"Mulder? Come on to bed." Scully gently shook him until he was awake. After the wonderful evening he had given her the least she could do would be to continue to share her bed with him.

Mulder slid into bed beside Scully in the darkened room. She was curled on her side away from him. He curled up next to her back and wrapped him arm around her. "I could get used to sleeping like this," he teased.

"Goodnight Mulder."

Mulder continued to hold her until her even breathing told him she had slipped into sleep. He moved his arm and felt her stir as she rolled onto her back. She was so beautiful. He brushed the hair off her face in a gentle caress and as he did she stretched. Her pajama top has risen giving him easy access to the smooth skin of her belly. He slid his hand across her stomach feeling the soft smooth skin. He softly slid his hand upward toward the soft underside of her breast. Suddenly he stopped. He couldn’t do this. As much as he wanted to he just couldn’t do this. He softly whispered, "Scully?" He snuggled closer in to her. His attraction to her was becoming very obvious. He softly kissed her cheek and in response she turned her face toward his. In the darkness and in her sleep she felt for his tender lips. "Scully?"

Scully opened her eyes and saw Mulder so close to her. "Mulder, is everything ok?" He didn’t answer just looked deep into her eyes. "Mulder?"

Mulder caressed the hair away from her face in a tender gesture. "Scully, I need to tell you something. I am scared. Remember when you pointed that gun at me and I told you that you were the only one I trusted? I meant that. Scully I am more scared at this moment than I have ever been."

Scully raised on her elbow and looked him in the eye. "Mulder…"

"Wait Scully, if I don’t finish I may regret this for the rest of my life. Scully you are the only one that I have ever trusted. You have been there to comfort me and to help me and I have to tell you this." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I don’t want this to change things between us but I can’t go on without you knowing this and at least having the chance to walk away." He took a deep breath and looked deep into her eyes. "Dana I love you." He dropped his eyes, afraid of seeing the rejection he was sure was there.

Scully lay there listening, not really knowing what Mulder was trying to tell her. The fear that he had picked up on her love for him and was rejecting her was overwhelming. She knew she wouldn’t be able to stand it if that is what it turned out to be. She could stand the uncertainty better than she could stand outright rejection.

"Mulder, did you say what I think you just said?" Scully shook her head in disbelief. Surely she was mistaken in what she had heard. Perhaps she was dreaming. She took her hand and raised his face back so she could see in his eyes. There appeared to be tears there. "Did I just hear you say you loved me?"

"Scully please. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you."

Scully stroked his cheek and then leaned over and pressed her lips against his forehead.. "Mulder its ok. Really it is. I’m glad you told me." She took a deep breath. "Because I love you too."

"Don’t Scully…"

"I mean it Mulder. Look at me. Have I ever lied to you? You just said you trusted me, now do you believe me?"

Mulder looked at her not really believing what he was hearing. Scully loved him. Scully was not rejecting him. He reached for her and tenderly laid his lips on hers. He softly kissed her. "Scully I’ve wanted you to know how I’ve felt for so long."

Scully returned the kiss with all the love that was in her. She softly caressed his cheek and tangled her fingers in his hair. As he trailed soft kisses across her cheek and down to her throat a soft involuntary moan escaped from somewhere deep within. She ran her fingertips across his muscled chest and across his shoulders and then followed them with soft kisses. She was having a very hard time believing that it wasn’t a dream.

Mulder felt his skin grow hot under the burning touch of Scully’s lips. It was as though a fire was searing through his body. He felt a wave of protection and desires arise in him in ways he had never felt. This was his woman, his chosen one and he would do anything in his power for her. His hand slid across her belly where it had been minutes before but this time he knew he would be welcomed. This time he knew there would be no stopping. His heart was leaping with joy because the feared rejection had not come and now his greatest desire was to please the lovely redhead who lay in his arms.

Mulder gently rolled her so that she was once again lying on her back. He softly began nibbling and kissing from her earlobes to the hollow of her throat. With the hand that was on her belly he stroked in a slow even rhythm in a circular motion, ever so gradually with the circles becoming bigger as they progressed outward from her navel. He took his teeth and tongue and one by one undid the buttons on her top, kissing and licking each new area as it became exposed. As the top fell open and exposed the nipples of her breast, Mulder carefully took each one and suckled gently for a minute before changing to the other one. He gently flicked the nipples with his tongue till they were taut with passion.

Mulder carefully ran his hand under the waistband of her silky pajamas. It was so slick and soft against her skin. Softly his hand slid to caress her hip as he slowly eased them across her his and onto her thighs. He slid his fingers under the waistband of her silky panties and repeated the motions. He covered the area between her hairline and where the waistband was with soft kisses as he slid them out of the way. Slowly he eased them over her calves and feet and as he did he stopped to caress each new area with his tongue and lips.

He slowly made his way back up her body being careful to avoid her most sensitive area. By the time he made it back to her lips Scully felt as though she were on fire. She slid her hands down his taut stomach muscles until she reached the waistband of his pajamas and slid her small fingers under. Hooking it under her thumbs, she slid it downwards and off of his body. He continued caressing and putting soft kisses onto her throat. Involuntarily she opened to receive the one she loved. As she felt him enter her she felt as though the stars had fallen from heaven. There was such love and such tenderness in each and every movement. Every action was slow and deliberate, designed to truly show Scully just how much she was cherished by him. Slowly they reached the pinnacles of their love only to find that it was more exquisite than either of them could have imagined.

As they descended from the heights of passion Mulder felt tears on Scully’s face. " Did I hurt you?" he asked gently.

"Oh no, these are tears of joy. Tears of finally receiving the one thing I wanted more than anything else. I love you Fox." With those words her eyes closed as she lay snuggled up next to Mulder with her head on his shoulder and she once again entered the world of sleep.

"I love you too Dana."

The sound of the phone jangling startled them both out of a sound sleep. Sunlight was streaming through the window as Mulder groped for the phone on the bedside table. "Mulder" "Yes I’ll tell her." "We’ll be there shortly." He turned to Scully. "The preliminary results of your autopsy are in. You must have instilled some deep fear in them. Apparently they didn’t want the FBI going back and reporting they had to do their own autopsies. The Chief said he’d never gotten one back that fast." Mulder got out of bed and rummaged through his clothes before heading to the shower. "Come on Scully. Looks like we have a full day ahead of us. At least what’s left of it," he added wickedly. "It’s after 10."

"You’re joking right?"

"Not at all."

Mulder and Scully walked into the police station shortly after 11 AM. Emma looked up from where she was typing. "Oh hello Mr. Mulder, how can I help you today?"

"We’re here to pick up an autopsy report."

"Oh yes, the one on poor Tom. Here it is." She walked over to him and handed him the large brown envelope. As she did the charm on her necklace caught on the fastener of the envelope. She quickly untangled it. "Anything else?"

"Yes I’d like to speak to the chief."

"Just go on back."

Mulder and Scully made their way into the chief’s office. "Hello sir. Are the reports from the crime lab back also?"

"Yes they came across the wire a little while ago. Nothing unusual was found except for a twisted cross necklace that was found under the body. There were no markings of any kind, just a gold cross that had been twisted."

"Where is it now?"

"Up at the crime lab at county."

"Could we have a copy of those?"

"Sure. Here you go."

Scully pulled out the autopsy results and was looking over them. "No signs of any blunt force trauma, there were multiple bite marks of an indeterminate animal, death caused by loss of blood from bite marks. Chief what do you make of this?"

"All I can say is that whatever animal it is, we can’t identify it by the marks. It’s like I told ya, I ain’t never seen any like that except it kinda looks similar to whatever it was that had bitten Jimbo. I can’t be certain cause that was a few years back and of course memories can’t always be reliable."

"Chief? Have you ever had any reports of witchcraft or anything similar in the area?"

"No, I can’t say that I have. Most everyone around here goes to church."

"I see. Well thank you for this and we’ll be back in touch as soon as we know anything."

"Drop in anytime."

Scully and Mulder headed back to the motel. Once inside the room Mulder sat down on the sofa to flip through the crime scene report. As he finished he turned to Scully. "You never did tell me what you found out at the library yesterday."

"I don’t recall being asked." Scully smiled and continued. "Well I found out there is quite a section on the occult for such a small town. I also found out that several books including ‘Beginning Witchcraft’, ‘The Art of Spell Casting’, and ‘Power in Charms’ were all checked out within the last 6 months by Marcie Travis, Shannon Robinette and Tamara Reynolds. I also found that the arrangement of the bones in the clearing is used by some that believe it helps them to summon those from the spirit world. I also noticed that the librarian was wearing a necklace very similar to this one." Scully held out a silver necklace with a star that seemed to be interwoven inside a circle.

"Where’d you find this Scully?"

"It was lying on the ground near the bones. I looked at it while you were in the shower. The clasp is broken. Why? Is it something special?"

"It’s called a pentacle. It is worn by some in the world of witchcraft to invoke protection and to signify to others their involvement in the arts."

"So you think this may lead us to the person or persons responsible?"

"I don’t know Scully but it’s probably our best lead yet."

"So what did you find out from the minister?"

"Well most everyone in town seems to go to one church or another with the exception of a few. There are a few families still going to churches other than his but he seemed really interested in teaching them his particular beliefs, perhaps to win them to his church. The Travises and the Robinettes were two families he said haven’t settled into a church yet. He also said the librarian goes somewhere up near the county seat and Emma is always working on Sunday so the members of the force can go to church and there still be someone at the station in case there’s a call come in."

"Mulder do you suppose that the families you mentioned might be the same ones who checked out the books?"

"Could be." He glanced back down at the report he was reading. "It says here Scully that the cross was found under the body with a broken chain. It was twisted in such a way it resembled a dagger. Hey Scully want to go take a ride up to the crime lab and see this for ourselves?"

"Sure and while we’re out we can check in on Bob and see how he’s doing."

After arriving and checking in with the crime lab, Mulder and Scully asked to see the evidence collected at the site of the Tom Reynolds body. They were brought an evidence box that contained everything that had been gathered. Scully carefully examined the clothing he had been wearing. It was ripped and torn in many places. There were traces of sulfur found on the sleeves of the shirt near where bite marks would have been. The gold cross was labeled as having been found under the body and the clasp had been broken. Just as the report stated, it appeared to have the crosspiece bent in such a way that it looked as though it were a dagger. The sheet of paper with the Bible reference Mulder had found was there as well. Other than photographs of the scene and the body, there had not been a lot of evidence. They closed the evidence box and returned it to the technician before leaving the building.

As they approached the hospital room where Bob Reynolds was they heard him speaking in a very loud voice with someone. They stopped and stood quietly in the hallway and listened as Bob’s voice grew progressively louder. "This has to stop. I know what I saw or didn’t see as the case may be. It was not a figment of my imagination. Now you’re the one always telling us that we have power over these things. Either you believe it or you don’t. But either way I know what happened."

They heard the soothing sounds of Pastor Smith’s voice. " I am not doubting you Bob. But these FBI agents don’t understand spiritual business. This is something that is best taken care of by someone who knows and understands."

"Then why haven’t you taken care of it? Why did you let it kill my brother?" He began to sob softly.

"Bob only God can choose when it is time to die. I don’t know why he chose to let you live except perhaps as a witness that these things are real. I believe you experienced something. I do not doubt you. I just want you to know that I will teach you to take authority over this so it doesn’t happen again. Please don’t weep for Tom. He is in a far better place. He made his peace with the Lord we know that and he wouldn’t want you to weep knowing he is at rest and in peace. Bob, I am going to leave and let you rest now. Sandra be back later on this evening I am sure and in a day or two you’ll be back at home and everything will be pretty much back to normal. Can I pray with you before I go?"

Mulder and Scully walked back down the hallway as he began to pray. They preferred that he not know they had been listening to the conversation. They waited a minute and then walked down to his door arriving just as Pastor Smith was coming out. "Ah good afternoon Mr. Mulder and Miss Scully I believe? Coming to visit Bob? I believe he is just settling for a nap."

"We just thought we’d stop by for a moment and see how he was doing. We won’t be long." Scully replied.

"You have a good day Pastor." Scully turned to go into the room followed quickly by Mulder.

"Mr. Reynolds?" Scully’s voice was soft. "How are you feeling today?"

"Hello Miss Scully. Doing better I believe. Still pretty tired."

"Well you had lost a lot of blood. That would be expected."

"Miss Scully? Do you know what caused this? Do you have any idea?"

"We don’t have any definite leads at this point." This came from Mulder. "At this point we’re not ruling out anything."

"Johnny said he didn’t see any footprints where I had been when he was over at the house."

"Johnny?" Scully’s voice was inquiring.

"Yea Johnny Robinette. Lives on the farm next to mine. He come by here earlier to see me. Said Lisa and Shannon, that’s his wife and daughter was over at my place helping Sandra get the apples worked up so we don’t lose them this year."

"That was very nice of them."

"Yep couldn’t ask for better neighbors. Always willing to lend a hand. Both them and the Travises."

"Travises?"

"Yep neighbors on the other side. Sandra said Buddy had showed up not too long after I disappeared and offered to help her any way he could."

"Does Buddy have any children?"

"Oh Lord yes, there’s a passel of them live over there. There’s Junior he’s the oldest. Then there’s Katie, Mandy, Marcie, Ray, and lets see there’s Jeanie, and Susie. Them girls work as hard in the fields as any boy."

"Its good to have neighbors willing to help out when it’s needed."

"That it is. But I bet you didn’t come here just to listen to me ramble."

"Mr. Reynolds," Mulder asked. "Did Tom ever believe in witchcraft or anything like that?"

"Well after Jimbo died, he changed. He started wanting to talk to Jimbo. We all missed him but he was different. I kept telling him he couldn’t but he insisted he would find a way. He got into some pretty weird stuff. But then when he came back to the area we thought he had decided that all that stuff was wrong and he started going to church. We thought everything was fine until this happened and he disappeared. But at least he had made it right with the Lord first."

"Would you have known if he gotten mixed up in the occult?" Mulder asked.

"Agent Mulder I don’t know what he was doing but it was weird. That’s all I can tell you. That and the fact that he changed after Pastor Smith got him to start coming to church."

"What seemed to change?" Scully’s voice was soothing.

"Well he just got easier to get along with and more like he was as a kid. He didn’t avoid church and talking bout it, although he still didn’t seem as religious as some folks are. Can’t really explain it. "

"I see. Have you been able to remember anything else about your attack? Anything that might help us to find the perpetrator?"

"Nope. Done told you everything I can remember. I’ve been studying on it and I’ve bout come to the decision that it had to be some of them evil spirits I’ve heard bout all my life. There ain’t no other explanation. Now I don’t know how you’re gonna find them or what got them stirred up but I sure didn’t mean them any harm. I don’t know why they are picking on my family."

"Mr. Reynolds, we don’t understand completely either but we are doing our best to find out. You really need to get some rest. If you can think of anything, no matter how small, please let us know."

"I will."

"Goodbye Mr. Reynolds." As Mulder and Scully left the room, Mulder caught a glimpse of someone standing just around the corner trying to stay out of sight. Walking down the hall, Mulder stopped and turned toward Scully. As he did he saw Pastor Smith sliding back into Bob Reynolds room.

He took Scully’s arm. "Did you see that Scully?"

"What was I supposed to see?"

"Our Pastor Smith was outside the room and slipped back in as soon as we left. I think that man is hiding something. It’s just a matter of what."

Driving back toward the town, Mulder was pounding on the steering wheel with his hand. "This doesn’t make sense Scully. Why would Pastor Smith hang around after leaving when he saw us there if he wasn’t trying to find out what we knew? What is he trying to cover up?"

"We don’t know that he is trying to cover up anything Mulder. It could just be concern for one of the members of his church."

"If that was the case why try to sneak around? People don’t sneak unless they have something to hide."

"Mulder forget about him for a minute. Remember the names on the books that were checked out? Two of the names belong to neighbors of Bob Reynolds. I suggest we head over and talk to those and see if we can find out anything."

As they neared the turnoff to the Reynolds farm they saw a mailbox with the name Travis on it beside a gravel driveway. Mulder slammed on the brakes and turned. Within a minute they were approaching a very run down house.

A large blond colored dog greeted them as they exited the car. The dog continued to bark until a young girl of about 15 came out on the porch and spoke to it. "Oh hush Coco." She was tall and dressed in the typical work attire of jeans and flannel shirt of a farm. Her one concession to femininity was a gold cross necklace she had around her neck. She turned to face the agents. "She don’t bite but she sure loves to bark. Ain’t no one can sneak up on us here. My name’s Marcie Travis."

Mulder and Scully flashed their id’s. "We’re Special Agents Mulder and Scully of the FBI." Scully told her. "Are your parents home?"

"Nope had to go into town. Anything I can help you with?" she asked as she walked down the steps to where Scully and Mulder were standing

"Do you mind if we ask you a few questions?"

"Nope."

"Did you hear anything unusual Saturday morning?"

"That’s when Bob disappeared right?"

"Yes."

"No can’t say as I did. That was the morning Coco took off chasing something raising a ruckus. I figured she’d just got hold of something and didn’t pay a lot of attention to it at the time."

"So you don’t know what she was after?"

"Nope"

"How long has your family lived here?"

"We moved here bout a year ago more or less. Dad lost his job when they closed the factory and we lost our house. Gramps had left this house to momma and so here we are. Least it don’t cost us much of nothing to live here."

"So do you like it here?" Scully asked.

"Its ok. Nothing special. Everybody seems so focused on church. That just ain’t my thing."

"So you don’t go?" Scully’s voice was inquiring in its tone.

"Not unless I have to. Sometimes we go over to the community church but I don’t like it much there. Too much yelling and hollering. I prefer it nice and quiet."

"So I guess you like it living out here." Mulder said glancing around.

"Its ok, just ain’t a whole lot to do." Just then the phone started ringing. "Excuse me I gotta get that. You oughta be able to catch my folks in town. See ya" she yelled as she ran back inside.

Scully and Mulder got back in the car. "Well Mulder, what do you think about that? That is the girl that checked out those books. You think she’s got anything to do with this?"

Mulder didn’t say anything until they had pulled back out onto the curvy two-lane road "Scully did you notice that necklace she had on?"

"Yes, it looked like your basic gold cross you pick up in any discount store."

"Do you think it resembled the one found under Toms body?"

Scully smiled. "Not really, that one was all twisted out of shape. Mulder, here’s the turn," indicating a driveway with the name Robinette on the mailbox.

They noticed a man near the barn as they drove up to the house. As they stepped out of the car he came over to greet them. Scully recognized him as being one of those men from the dance and from the dinner who had been talking about the missing men.

"Mr. Robinette? I’m Agent Mulder." He held out his id for him to see. "This is my partner Agent Scully. We understand you were at the house of Bob Reynolds the morning he disappeared. Is that correct?"

"Well not immediately but I went over there after lunch to check on Sandra and see if she needed anything done. Why are you asking?"

"Did you notice anything unusual?"

"Not really, other than tracks that looked like they had been made by someone being dragged."

"Nothing else?"

"Nope. He’s a good man. I’m so glad he turned up."

"I understand your wife and daughter have been there also?"

"Yes, they were over there both real early to help try and work up the apples."

"Would it be possible to speak with them?"

"Sure, let’s go on up to the house." He led them up onto the porch and inside. "Lisa! Someone wants to speak to you."

Lisa came bustling through from the kitchen. She was a nice looking lady in her mid thirties. She wiped her hands on her apron. "Hi, you’ll have to pardon the way I look."

"Honey these are the FBI agents looking into Tom’s death. They’d like to ask you a few questions."

"Agents Mulder and Scully ma’am. We understand you have been over to the Reynolds home?"

"Yes. We always trade out work. Sandra comes over here when I’m overloaded and we go help her when the apples and such are coming in."

"When were you there last?"

"Well Shannon and I were both over there this morning. Shannon’s our daughter."

"Have you been there any other time recently?"

"We were there Friday afternoon and of course went back over there Saturday when we heard Bob was missing. We thought there might be something we could do to help her."

"Did you notice anything unusual?"

"No, not really. Shannon offered to feed the chickens while Sandra and I were tending the apple butter. She had a big pot going outside."

"Do you know where Bob was at the time?"

"Oh he was splitting some firewood not too far from where we were cooking it down."

A girl about 16 breezed through the room. Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt she seemed in a hurry. "Mom I’m gonna take Pepper out for a run."

"Shannon take that bracelet off before you do. We don’t need you losing the charms off of it. These are agents Mulder and Scully. They are investigating into what happened to Tom and Bob."

"That is a beautiful bracelet Shannon. "May I see it?" Scully asked. Shannon came to where Scully was and held out her arm. "A charm bracelet. I had one of these when I was in high school. Some of these I don’t know what they are though."

Shannon seemed proud of her bracelet. "Here’s a skate because I like skating. This one is a broom. Mom thought it might make me want to clean more. Here’s the heart my boyfriend gave me."

Scully pointed to one that looked like an interwoven star. "What this one?"

"I got that one from Sarah at the library for being a star reader. I had checked out over 250 books."

"A dagger?"

"I got that one for winning a Clue challenge?"

"Clue challenge?"

"Yes where you get with a team and play a set number of hours of the board game and the team that solves the most crimes in that time wins."

"Well it certainly is beautiful. You must be proud of it." Scully told her.

"Shannon, your mom told us you fed the chickens on Friday evening at Bob Reynolds home."

"Yes."

"Did you see anything unusual when you did?"

"No not that I can remember."

"No sign of anyone having been around or anything?"

"No just a bunch of hungry chickens. Can I go now?"

"Sure. If you remember anything please let us know." Mulder told her as she headed out the door.

Lisa just smiled as she watched her head toward the barn. "Her and that Pepper. To that girl there isn’t anything more important than horses. She’d sleep with her if I would let her. "

"Well Mrs. Robinette we appreciate your cooperation on this." Scully and Mulder turned to leave.

"Do you all have any idea who is responsible? Everyone is saying its evil spirits." Lisa was almost hesitant to ask as she escorted them out the door.

"Right now Ma’am we are still investigating so we are unable to say. However if you can think of anything that might help us, please let us know."

"I will."

The moon had risen over the tree line when Scully stepped outside the motel room. She sat down in the plastic chair near the door. Mulder was checking in with Skinner about the latest developments. There was a chill in the air as she watched the wind blow through the trees and the clouds drifting over the moon. How could such a quiet place as this have such tragedies? This was classic small town America where everyone knew everyone and no one locked their doors at night. This was the type place where children could be raised without the worries of drugs and gangs. This type thing wasn’t supposed to happen here.

Suddenly without warning Scully felt something grab her. As she tried to scream she felt something across her mouth as she was lifted into the air. She struggled, freeing herself for a moment and screamed out, "Mulder!" as she felt herself being dragged away by an unseen force.

Mulder heard Scully scream just as he hung up the phone from his call with Skinner. He opened the door to see Scully disappearing up the trail they had taken the day before. He quickly pulled his gun, grabbed a flashlight, and began running in the direction he had last seen her. It was as though she had disappeared into thin air.

As he slowly made his way up the path, he stopped every few seconds to listen. Nothing could be heard but the occasional sound of the whippoorwills calling and the wind blowing. At the hooting of an owl, Mulder stopped. It seemed to be coming from the direction of the small clearing they had discovered yesterday. He began searching frantically for the opening.

Scully opened her eyes to find was she was lying on a rock. She couldn’t see anything that was holding her yet it felt as though there was a huge weight on top of her preventing her from moving. She turned her head to the side and saw several people gathered in the shadows. Looking around she noticed she was in the clearing she and Mulder had found yesterday. There were torches scattered around and by the flickering light she noticed that she could see no one’s face, only dark hoods that seemed to cover their faces. The people seemed to be gathering in one area.

Scully watched for a few moments until one came to the forefront wearing what appeared to be a ram’s mask. This one seemed to be the one in charge. The chanting began and the torches started to flicker, gradually extinguishing themselves one by one. It seemed to be a mixture of male and female voices she was hearing. As the voices grew louder, more marks appeared on Scully’s arms. As each one appeared there was a burning sensation that occurred in her arm. Each one grew more and more severe. T

Mulder pushed his way through the brush. He could hear the sounds of voices and as he grew closer he could make out the sound of chants. He carefully approached the clearing. As he made his way around the perimeter he noticed a scrap of fabric. It appeared to have been torn from a flannel shirt. He looked around and saw Scully lying on the rock but he could see nothing restraining her.

Tears began to appear in Scully’s pants. With each tear a new mark began to show on the skin. Scully was biting her lips to keep from screaming out from the pain. The one with the mask approached Scully holding a dagger and chanting words that were in a language Scully was not familiar with. The voice however was a voice Scully was sure she had heard before. As the dagger was raised above the head the last torch extinguished itself, leaving only the light of the moon and stars.

Mulder made his way to the area near the rock and broke through the underbrush with his gun pulled. He aimed at the one with the dagger. "Don’t move, Federal Agent".

"You don’t know what you’re messing in FBI man," the person hissed. "This isn’t your fight. Leave us alone. You know nothing of our ways."

"Let her go!"

"Those who trespass much make the sacrifice." The hissing continued. "This isn't your fight."

There was a rustling in the underbrush. Without warning Scully felt whatever had been holding her disappear. She looked around and saw there was no one left in the clearing. They had melted into the trees. She slowly raised from the rock and threw herself at the person in a desperate attempt to keep Mulder from being hurt. As she fell she felt her nails scratch into the flesh of the person’s arm and then into nothingness.

Mulder could see what was happening behind the person. He watched Scully as she rose and threw herself at the one who stood between them. As if it were occurring in slow motion he then watched as whoever was there was gone and the clothing they left behind fell to the ground and burst into flames burning away into nothing in a few seconds.

He holstered his gun and ran to Scully’s side. He carefully lifted her partially onto his lap cradling her head on his arm. "Scully? Are you ok?" There was blood all over her arms and face. "Scully?"

"I’m ok Mulder. It hurts. Please…" her voice faded away as she lapsed into unconsciousness.

Mulder glanced around the clearing and noticed lying about 2 feet from where the ashes were from the burnt clothing, a silver pentacle possibly from a necklace or bracelet. He carefully picked it up and pocketed it before lifting Scully into his arms. As he did she moaned. It would be a long carry back to the motel but he didn’t want to wait for medical help.

Mulder carefully opened the motel room and carried Scully inside. He laid he on the bed and began cutting away the torn up clothes. As he did, he noticed the severity of the places on Scully’s arms and legs. It was obviously bites but he had been unable to see anything making them. It was as though they appeared out of thin air. He went out to the car and grabbed Scully’s medical bag. He was sure she had things needed to treat these bites in it.

Once he had gotten the torn up clothes off Scully, he carefully went to work to bathe and dress the wounds. It was perhaps better she was unconscious during this process, he thought, because he was sure it would have been painful. About the time he had managed to complete most of them, he sensed Scully coming out of her unconscious state. "Ouch! That hurts. Do you have to do that?"

"Afraid so Scully. You were tore up pretty bad. Still have a ways to go. I’m not a doctor but I don’t think any of them will need stitches."

Scully examined her wounds as Mulder continued. "Mulder this was not how I planned on spending the night." She said with a wicked smile.

Mulder grinned as he finished putting the last bandage in place and scooted up beside her on the bed. "Scully I didn’t plan on it either. What happened?"

"I was sitting outside watching the clouds and the wind blowing the trees. Just waiting on you to finish up with Skinner. Something grabbed me." Scully leaned onto his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. The tears were very near the surface. "I could not see anything but it was as though someone had my mouth covered and I couldn’t scream. As I struggled with whatever it was, it was as though it were dragging me off and the next thing I knew I was lying on that rock with something holding me down."

"Something? Scully there was nothing holding you. Nothing I could see."

"That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I couldn’t see anything either but there was something holding me down. The only thing I could do was turn my head. It felt as though there was a giant weight on top of me."

"What did you see?"

""Not a lot. Several torches were scattered around and I could see some shadowy figures wearing dark clothes and hoods. I could not see any faces. That’s it other than the one you saw standing over me."

"Did you see what bit you?"

"Nothing. There was nothing there. It was just like at the dance. The places appeared but there was nothing there."

"Scully are you ready to admit this could be evil spirits?"

"I don’t know what it is but I never want to meet up with that again. But this has got to stop. Someone has to be responsible for this. They would have killed me."

Mulder could feel Scully shaking in his arms. All he could do was hold her as her nerves of steel gave way. This trip was turning out to be more of an eye-opening event than he ever dreamed when he asked for the case. Something about this case bothered Scully. All he could do was hold her and let her know he would do all he could to protect her. This was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Gently he caressed her face and hair as she hugged tighter into his side. As he felt the heart wrenching sobs subsiding he gently raised her face. "Scully, I’m sorry." He gently kissed her forehead as he held her close.

Scully could sense that Mulder felt bad because of what happened. She pulled herself away from him. "Mulder I have got to get some clothes or something."

He just smiled. "I know just the thing." He got up and hunted out a T-shirt of his. "Here, I’ve always wanted to see you in my shirt." He was doing his best to take her mind off the events that had just happened.

Scully winced as she raised her arms to slip the T-shirt on. As it slid across her chest she picked up the musky smell of Mulder himself. She loved that smell so much. "Thanks" she whispered. She then gathered her things and slowly made her way to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

Mulder had turned down the bed and was propped up on a pillow when she returned. He had slipped into a pair of boxers he had brought along with big red hearts including one on the front with the words ‘My Heart Belongs to You’. He had something very small in his hand he seemed to be looking at intently.

Scully smiled as she saw the boxers. Obviously he was trying to give her a message. Gingerly she made her way into the bed. The pain in her arms and legs was really starting to get worse. She had taken some Tylenol and hoped that would take care of the pain. "What are you looking at Mulder?"

"I found these in the clearing. The material and cross were near the back where the bones were and the pentacle was near the ashes. It looks like one of the charms we saw on Shannon’s bracelet."

"It also looks like the piece from the necklace the librarian was wearing."

Mulder just shook his head. "Both girls were wearing flannel shirts."

"So do half the people in this town. That doesn’t mean anything." Scully was quick to point out.

"So tomorrow we see who is missing a charm or necklace." Mulder laid the two items on the bedside table and turned off the lamp. He slid down in the bed and reached for Scully who snuggled in beside him with her head lying on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and held her. "So what do you think?"

"About what?" Scully teasingly slid her hand down across his smooth belly toward his boxers. "You mean this?"

Mulder just smiled as she felt her hand slide inside the waistband. "It’s true. My heart does belong to you. Everything about me is yours if you will have it."

"I thought I already did." She leaned her face up toward Mulder.

Mulder gently caressed her cheek with his thumb before placing his lips on hers. "I love you Dana Scully."

"And I love you Mulder." Scully’s eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep secure in the knowledge he did love her.

Mulder awoke to a scream. Scully was sitting up in the bed staring at something across the room. He looked but did not see anything. "Scully?" He reached out and shook her. "Scully?"

"Its there. Mulder don’t you see it?" The terror could be heard in her voice.

"See what Scully?’

"There. It’s moving."

"What is it?"

"Don’t you see it?" Scully couldn’t believe that Mulder couldn’t see it.

"Scully I don’t see anything." Mulder reached out and cut the lamp on. "Do you still see it?"

"No it’s gone." Scully breathed a sign of relief and lay back on the pillow.

Mulder lay back down beside her and turned to look at her. "What did you see?"

"An outline of a shape with no face but glowing eyes looking out of nothing. I can’t explain it." Scully was shaking.

"Whatever it was isn’t there now." He looked deep into her eyes. "Scully are you sure it was something there?"

"Mulder it wasn’t a dream, it wasn’t a figment of my imagination."

"I believe you."

Scully lay there for a moment trying to pull herself back together. What was this doing to her? Had she lost her mind? Now she was seeing things that weren’t there but she couldn’t deny what she had experienced and seen regardless of what anyone said.

After a few minutes of Mulder quietly watching her he spoke. "Scully. I know you’re scared. It’s ok. After all we’ve been through, its ok to admit it. Now listen to me. I told you I would do everything in my power to protect you. Last night you asked me to trust you and to believe you. Tonight I am asking you to do the same."

Scully smiled as she reached for him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She softly pulled his face down to hers. "Of course," she whispered just before she tenderly kissed him.

The touch of Scully ignited the fire deep in Mulder’s belly. The taste of her lips was as the sweetest wine. Her love for him was a powerful intoxicant. He gently ran his tongue across her lips and felt them gently open to the teasing of his tongue. Within a few moments he was tasting of her passion. Gently so as to not hurt her wounds, he caressed her body with his hands. He slid his hand under the T-shirt she was wearing and gently eased it off giving himself free access to her firm breasts and erect nipples. He seemed pleasantly surprised to find she had come to bed without any panties. Upon this discovery he immediately felt himself grow more aroused. The thought of Scully wearing nothing under his shirt was extremely enticing.

Scully felt him being oh so gentle as he took the shirt from her. She knew he was trying to take her mind off the things that had happened to her and she loved him even more for his thoughtfulness. What could she do in return for him? He was trying not to hurt her but the pain from her wounds felt as though she was on fire. Within a moment of feeling his lips cross her belly on the way downward, the only thoughts going through her mind was how good he was making her feel. She wasn’t sure at what point he undressed but she knew by the time she was ready to receive him, he was more than ready to oblige.

Ever so gently at first and then with greater passion and rhythm they rose to the heights of love together. Wave after wave of pleasure built as the power of an impending thunderstorm. With the power that comes with the lightning flashes and thunder, so their passion reached its peak. As the storm abates and ends with a gentle comforting rain, so their passion led into a peaceful sleep, each holding the only one that they could ever love. Safe within their own world they were content with each other.

Scully stretched and felt the bandages pull at her skin. Mulder was nowhere to be seen. She lay and listened to a room as quiet as could be. Wherever he was, he wasn’t there. She carefully made her way to the bathtub. She began running her bath water and sat on the toilet to carefully remove the bandages Mulder had put on her the night before. As she peeled the ones on her arms off, she noticed the places from earlier had been totally obliterated by the current ones. Although they were tender to the touch, they did not look as though they were infected.

Scully turned on the CD player and slid into the tub. The water burned as it got into her wounds to clean them. After a minute or two the burning sensation stopped and Scully laid her head back and relaxed, just letting the warmth soak into her muscles.

Mulder opened the door to their room and heard the sounds of what sounded like Bob Seger. He stopped and listened for a moment. Yes it was. It took him a moment before he could he the ending of ‘Hollywood Nights’. He walked to the bathroom door and opened it just as ‘Still the Same’ began. Mulder entered and began singing only changing a word here and there. "You always said that science would never do you wrong, The trick you said was you’ve believed way to long."

Scully picked up the soapy washcloth and threw it at Mulder hitting him square in the chest. "Mulder!"

He walked over and turned the music down so it was easier to talk. "Scully," he said as he sat on the edge of the tub, "I’ve been out to the clearing this morning. There is nothing there."

"What do you mean there’s nothing there?"

"Just that, there is nothing there. No sign that anything happened there at all. No torches, no places for torches, no ashes, nothing looks any different than it did when we were there at first."

"That’s not possible. I know what happened last night." Scully held one leg up out of the water. Water droplets were glistening from around the wounds. "Here’s the proof something happened."

"I know that Scully. I’m telling you there isn’t anything out there. I’ve been out there searching. Hoping to find something more than what I found last night.

Scully stood up and let the water start draining out of the tub. "Mulder hand me that towel. There has to be proof somewhere of what is causing this."

Mulder just grinned as he wrapped the fluffy towel around her. Slowly he began to dry her off as she stepped out of the tub. There was something that just lit in her eyes as he did.

"We don’t have time for this right now," Scully chided him. "Come on."

"Don’t rush a good thing Scully."

Mulder and Scully made their way into the diner about lunchtime. The place seemed even more packed than usual due to the teacher workday that allowed all the kids to stay home from school. To Scully it seemed as though everyone in town was here for lunch.

"Mulder are you sure you can find a seat?" Scully asked scanning the crowd.

"Sure there’s one back there." He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the back toward a small table. As they made their way through the crowd they nearly bumped into Pastor Smith.

"Oh excuse me Agents. Didn’t see you there."

"That’s quite all right," Scully told him. "And how is Bob Reynolds?"

"Doing good. His doctor said if his blood count is up enough that they will release him tomorrow. How are you today Agent Scully?" He glanced at her arm where there was the edge of a bandage peeking out from under her sleeve. "Did you hurt yourself?"

"No its ok, just an injury I got in the woods."

"You better be careful out there Agent. You don’t know what could happen around here. We have all kinds of wild animals in these woods."

"I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your concern."

"Pastor Smith?" Mulder stopped him as he started to walk away.

"Yes?"

"Did you happen to take a walk out on the trail behind the motel last night?"

"I’ve already told you. Some things are best left to be handled by those who know how." With that he continued on his way out the door.

Mulder pushed his way on through the rest of the crowd and made his way back to the table he had spotted. As they sat down, he turned to Scully. "I’m telling you that man knows more than he is telling."

Mulder and Scully headed to the library after leaving the diner. It had taken a bit longer than usual to get their food but it was quite good.. As they had been leaving Ma had called out from the back. "Hey Miss Scully! Glad you took my advice. Make sure y’all stop by little later on. Got a little something for y’all."

As they entered the library Scully noticed a group of girls over to the sitting at a table. Stacks of books were on the table and the floor surrounding the table. As she walked past she noticed that two of the girls were Shannon Robinette and Marcie Travis. "Hey Mulder, look what we have here," indicating the girls.

Mulder glanced around. "Why don’t you go see our friendly little librarian and see if she can offer any insight into this Star Reader program that is handing out those charms. Find out who gets them and so on."

"And what are you going to do?" Scully looked puzzled.

"I’m going to listen in on a conversation and see what I can learn." Mulder slowly made his way to a section of books near the table where the girls were sitting. Mulder browsed through several rows of books and after a few minutes of their muted, aimless conversation their voices became clear. "I just don’t get this stuff, you mean a person can summon up these powers just by going through a ritual?" this was from a young girl with long brown hair in braids.

Marcie answered her. "Yes according to these books that’s exactly what it means."

"But why would anyone want to do that?" she seemed very puzzled.

"Power, ego, selfishness, who knows."

Shannon joined in the conversation. "I think a lot of times people do it just to see if they can and are surprised when it works. Then they like the idea of having power to make others do what they want."

"I think I’d be too scared to. I mean isn’t that like witchcraft? And isn’t that was Pastor Smith is always telling us we shouldn’t mess with?"

"What does he know?" Shannon replied. "He’s an old fuddy duddy who wants to keep everyone under his thumb by keeping them afraid of what is out there."

"But he tells us we have power over those kinda things." The girl with the braids was starting to get upset.

"Sure he does. That way he can keep you coming back to him. Its all a power thing." Marcie replied.

"Did you ever do any of this stuff?" she asked.

About that time Marcie noticed Mulder standing behind them. "Shhh," she whispered. "It’s that FBI agent." She raised her voice. "Hello Mr. Mulder. What brings you to the library?"

He turned to face the girls. "Hello Marcie, Shannon. How are you enjoying your day off from school?"

"Could be better. We still have this horrible paper we have to write."

"What is it on?"

"We each have to write a paper on something that is out of the ordinary, you know like aliens or witches or something like that." Shannon told him.

"There’s a lot of unusual things out there. The paranormal is a big field."

"Do you believe in those things Mr. Mulder?"

"Of course. There are many things that can’t be explained through normal methods."

Marcie elbowed Shannon as she gave her a grin. "And things that can be explained, like you loosing your star charm, right Shannon?"

"Which reminds me I need to ask about getting a replacement one. Excuse me." Shannon jumped up to go over to the library desk where Scully was talking to the librarian.

"Excuse me just a moment Agent Scully," Sarah looked to Shannon. "Yes Shannon can I help you all find something more?"

"No ma’am, I just wanted to ask you if you could get me another star. I lost mine off my bracelet sometime yesterday evening or last night."

"Do you know where you lost it?" Scully asked her.

"No ma’am. I just noticed it was gone this morning and my momma will have a caniption fit if she finds out I lost it. She’s always telling me to be more careful." She turned back to Sarah. "So can you get me another one? I’ll pay for it."

"Sure honey I’ll get you one. Don’t worry a thing about it. I’ll leave it in my desk drawer for you tomorrow if I’m not here when you come by."

"Thank you Miss Sarah. You’re a lifesaver" Shannon replied as she walked away.

"Now where were we? Oh yes, Our Star Reader program was something I introduced several years ago to encourage more kids to check out books and read. They earn rewards in various categories based on books read and other things. They choose the item they would like from particular levels and such. Shannon was my first Star Reader. She has now read over 300 books from a wide variety of categories, everything from Science fiction to biographies to Civil War era books."

"What exactly in the item she was asking you to get her?"

"It’s an interwoven star charm. She has a charm bracelet that has quite a few on it from her different accomplishments."

"I see. Well thank you for your help. I truly appreciate it. Would it be ok if I access the Internet?"

"Sure help yourself," she said motioning toward the computers. "If I can help with anything else, please let me know."

Scully made her way to the Internet to check her mail. It seemed a good way to kill some time while she waited on Mulder. After a few minutes Mulder joined her.

In a sexy voice just loud enough for those around to hear Mulder asked her, "Hey G-Woman, want to go back to the room?"

Scully saw his eyelid drop in a quick wink. "Oh you do know how to say all the right things." She quickly signed off the computer and turned to stand. He held out his hand for her to take. "Come on let’s go. I’ve finished what I needed to do." Still holding hands they strolled out of the library back toward the motel.

"What was that about?" Scully asked him.

"What was what?" He smiled innocently.

"You know what I mean."

"Well I just thought that if they believe we have more important things to do, like spend time with each other, they might make their move sooner. We’ve made some people pretty nervous today Scully. They are going to make a mistake," he told her as he unlocked their room.

The diner was fairly empty when Mulder and Scully dropped in for dinner. Ma had time to come wait on them herself. "Good to see you didn’t waste any time getting back here. What can I get you folks tonight?"

"Whatever’s on special will be just fine Ma," Scully told her.

"What are you folks drinking tonight?"

"Iced tea is fine."

Ma went to get their teas and hollered back to the kitchen. "Hey Maggie two specials and make it snappy. Run em out here when ya get em finished." She walked back over to the table carrying their drinks. "Here ya go honey child."

"Ma why did you tell us to come back? You said you had a little something for us? Did you remember anything?"

"Nope. Did want to tell ya though you might want to consider all books don’t have the same characters. Some characters are good and some bad. Sometimes books tell things the way they are. Especially if it’s the Bible talking. Its always right. One way or another its always right."

"What do you mean?" Mulder asked.

Ma acted as though she didn’t hear him. "By the way, did I tell ya I’m awful glad to see you all finally got your act together. Sure was nice to see that. I hate to see an unhappy couple that it is obvious they are meant to be together."

Maggie arrived with their food and sat it down on the table. "Here ya go now darlin’s. Y’all eat up and enjoy it. You’ll need your strength," she said as she gave them a wink and wandered back toward the kitchen.

A figure clothed in a hooded robe appears in the clearing sitting on the flat rock. There is a pentagram etched on the ground with the rock in the middle. The sound of monotonous chanting is heard. Within moments, another figure appears near the bones and walks to the rock.

"They’re getting too close."

"I told you I would take care of it." The figure on the rock sounded impatient.

"Apparently you’re not. They’re asking far too many questions and I don’t like it."

"I’ve got it under control."

Anger could be heard in the voice of the one who approached. "I don’t think so. I wasn’t the one who let the female agent get away"

"I choose my battle. For the good of all."

"I only say what I see. You allowed her to get away."

"Are you saying you could have done better?"

"I would have done better and I will now. You aren’t capable. No more mistakes." The sound of words being mumbled could be heard and immediately the one was lifted from her sitting position on the rock and was thrown into the underbrush by an unseen force.

"How dare you? I am still your mentor and guide. You don’t know what you’re messing with." The figure stood and raised her arms.

A storm appeared to be coming in as Mulder and Scully left the diner. After some careful questioning of Ma they were able to determine where several of the others in town lived. As the storm came closer Mulder and Scully approached Sarah’s house.

"Hello? Is anyone home?" Mulder tried the door and found it unlocked. It swung inward as Mulder clicked his flashlight on. Slowly they entered. "Hello? Sarah?" The house was quiet as they made their way through.

Scully’s flashlight picked up the outline of something lying on the floor in the bedroom. "Mulder!"

"What is it Scully?"

"I’m not sure. Looks like a bag." She picked it up and dumped the contents. As the contents spilled on the floor Scully gave a sigh of relief. "Whew dirty laundry."

Mulder just grinned. "What did you expect? Body parts?" He shined his flashlight around the room. "Here’s something interesting," he said picking up a photo.

"Oh?"

"Yep looks like our librarian friend. Doesn’t look like she has aged much. Here’s a newspaper clipping," he said picking up another frame. "Scully this is dated November 1928. What would she be doing with an old clipping like this? Headline is Smith Family Leaves Copper Ridge."

"What does it say?"

"Just says that family has decided they will be leaving the close knit community of Copper Ridge. They are tired of losing cattle and pigs to the marauding evil spirits."

"Well she is a librarian, perhaps she was doing some research. Hey Mulder, look what I found." Scully was looking at the jewelry box on the dresser. "Here’s several of those pentacles that we have seen on necklaces and look what else," she said holding up a curved blade pearl handled knife. "What do you suppose she would want with a ceremonial knife?"

"Let’s go Scully. We need something more than this to link her to this."

As Mulder and Scully left the house, lightning flashed through the trees. There was distinctly the sound of close thunder. "Ok G-man, where to now?"

"I think we need to pay Emma a visit. After all they are friends. Perhaps she can tell us something."

"Tell you something you mean. She has eyes only for you."

The rain was pouring down as Scully and Mulder made their way onto the porch of Emma’s home. The lightning had knocked out power to various parts of the community. Mulder knocked on the door. "Emma? Emma?" the door creaked open. "Hello?"

Mulder and Scully made their way inside. The door opened into a long hallway with rooms opening on either side. The house was filled with antiques. "Never pictured her to be an antique lover" Scully was glancing around. "Some of this stuff looks as if its over 100 years old."

Only their flashlights and the frequent bursts of lightning outside brightened the thick darkness. It was as though you could feel it. As Mulder made his way toward the kitchen, Scully pushed open a door that led into a room full of books. "AHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Scully let out a scream as a black cat landed on her shoulder before continuing on into the hallway.

Mulder came running. "You ok Scully?"

Scully was leaning against the wall. "Yes I’m fine. That cat…"

What’s the matter Scully? House a little too spooky?"

Scully moved into the room and flashed the light around. On the far wall she spotted what looked like some photographs. She walked over. "Ummm Mulder? You might want to take a look at this."

"What did you find?"

Scully took one off the wall. It was a photograph of Tom Reynolds with a big red X drawn across it. "Its Tom Reynolds. And here’s another one that resembles him," she said taking another one down. It also had an X on it. "Mulder this is dried blood on these"

Several more photographs were hung on the wall. As they glanced over the pictures they noticed a striking resemblance to each other. Some had the X’s on them others didn’t. "Do you suppose this is more of the Reynolds family?" Scully asked.

"Probably so. I would guess this is her gallery. I would bet that if we were to identify the other ones with the X’s on them we would find that they were all people who were missing or dead because of unexplained phenomena."

Scully picked up another photo and handed it to Mulder. It was a snapshot of herself and Mulder obviously taken the night of the dance. There was what appeared to be a fingerprint in blood on the corner of the picture. "Sorry I am not going to be a face in the gallery." She was visibly upset as she continued her search in the room. On a table near the window she found an open book. The page was marked and well worn. She stopped to read the words:

The outsiders come to the wishing well

The stories they seek I cannot tell

Their ways will trouble our way of life

And try to end the ways of strife

The storm may come and the rain may fall

My end is not yet for the good of all.

Scully closed the book, not sure what exactly she had read. As she did a puff of smoke arose from a cup sitting nearby. "Mulder let’s take that photograph of us over and see if we can get a clear print from it. I am sure Emma’s prints are on file."

The storm had finally broken and the sun was rising by the time Mulder and Scully made it back to their room. They had been up to county and run the print through. As Scully suspected it had matched with Emma’s. They had also spent some time with the county detectives gathering more evidence from the home of Emma. She however had not returned to her home at all last night and Mulder and Scully had left the detectives there with instructions to call them should she turn up.

Just as Mulder was settling in, the phone rang. "Mulder"

"Mr. Mulder?" a young girls voice could be heard.

"Yes"

"This is Marcie Travis. I was out this morning heading over to Shannon’s. We were going to go riding since they cancelled school because of the storm and stuff. And I found something you ought to know about."

"I’m listening."

"Behind the motel is a trail. If you go back in there, there’s a shortcut that leads to a clearing. Not many people know about it. Shannon and I discovered it while we were out one day. Well I went through there this morning and I saw something there."

"What did you see?"

The line suddenly went dead. "Scully let’s go."

"Where are we going?"

"To the clearing."

Scully and Mulder approach the clearing with caution. Everything is very wet from the night before. As they step into the clearing and look toward the rock, they see someone or something. As they approach they can see it is lying face down. There are what appears to be burn marks on the back of her robe. Mulder reaches out to carefully flip the body over. Emma’s face appears from the cover of the hood. Behind her they see Sarah lying in a pool of blood.

"Chief, I don’t know how it all happened and we may never know the exact details, but I am sure that with the evidence we uncovered among the other things you’ll be able to wrap this up. This should put an end to the talk about evil spirits." Scully reached out to shake his hand as she stood ready to get in the car.

"I sure do hope so and I can’t thank you all enough for coming down here. I would have never thought it could have been Emma behind all this. She seemed like such a nice girl."

"They usually are. You have a good day chief and if you need us for anything, give us a call." Mulder climbed in the car and shut the door. He turned to Scully. "Ready to go home G-woman?"

"Yes I am. G-man."