**Authors note** Keep reviewing! I so appreciate it and it really keeps me writing -I take constructive criticism well :) enjoy chapter one -HJM
Chapter One: Solitude and Silence
POV Fox Mulder
Saralina was holding on by a thread. By a thread, of course, I mean a week. She only had a week to live.
"I don't really mind talking about it. The only problem is my fear. The fear is the worst part," the 17-year-old girl said shakily. Her pale complexion was strikingly fearful; so bloodless that she already looked dead. Scully, usually able to easily separate her feelings from cases, silently wiped tears from her eyes.
Clearing her throat, she gathered her composure and asked, "Can you describe for us what you saw before Nurse Roberts death?"
Saralina smoothed back her dull and thinning red hair then answered, "Yeah. I was sleeping, so I didn't see much. And I didn't wake up until I heard the sound of a giant shock…like muffled thunder. I saw her on the ground beside my bed with her arm burnt up to her shoulder, and the room smelled like blackened toast." She twisted her tiny nose and sighed.
Scully picked up her chart from the end of the bed and examined it. "The only thing I can see off here is that you have Leukocytosis. That's a severely increased number of white blood cells, suggesting maybe a parasite or giving your condition, Leukemia." She paused, brow furrowing. "Its odd though…"
"What is?" I asked curiously.
"The doctors have done countless exams, x-rays, CT scans and other tests. No cancer has been found." Scully said breathlessly. After that, she was speechless, her medical mind not formulating explanations like it usually did. Neither of us knew what to think of it.
"Are your parents around?"
"My mom passed away in a car crash five months ago, and I have been emancipated since. My father left before I was born. I've only ever met him once. Besides that, I have no relatives." Saralina didn't look very phased as she related her tale; she seemed very used to facing tragedy. I was sad for the poor girl, but I could tell that what she had been through had made her a strong person. Scully, on the other hand, covered her mouth and sniffled like she was about to cry.
"I'm sorry…I'm going to get more coffee." She choked out, hurriedly exiting the room.
I looked back at Saralina, frowning. "I apologize for her. Usually her emotions are more in check. It's good to know that she is not always so stagnant and cold, though," I joked.
Saralina grinned. "Its ok, I understand. You two are really cute together, by the way." She giggled like a little girl, vulnerable and small. Thatwas sad.
"Oh," I exclaimed, catching her comment. "We are just partners in the Bureau. Nothing more." For some reason, that was excruciatingly painful to force out.
"You sure about that?" She laughed. "Sorry, I just assumed." Her breathing was quick and shallow, swirling air through her starving lungs.
"That's ok." I replied. I have to get back on topic, I thought, there is a case we have to solve. I reflected back on all the information I had gathered that morning.
Dead nurse. Electric shock. Brown powder. A girl who was dying without a cause. No diagnosis. A mysterious girl without parents who had an unexplainable illness who was the only other person in the room when the nurse died. No diagnosis. A girl without a cause.
My gut told me Saralina was the center of it all.
"You said you met your father once before. When?" I asked her, my brain piecing together evidence strand by strand at one hundred miles per hour.
"About two months ago when I got sick. He was the one who helped me into St. Julies. Its weird, because its like he knew what was going to happen…" Her mind wondered off, but she dismissed the suspicion, shaking her head. "He is very wealthy, that's why I was able to come here instead of a normal hospital. I didn't know he would have so much money. I though that he would have taken care of me earlier if he did." She shrugged. "Sorry. I'm dishing out my misery a little to quickly."
I shook my head. "Don't be sorry. Do you know your father's name?"
"Harold Peters." She said, a hint of disgust and shame in her voice.
"Alright, Saralina. That's all I think we need to know right now. We will be back to check on you tomorrow."
"You don't need to do that, its very, very kind of you." She commented, maturely. "I will be in the old room tomorrow after they finish sweeping for evidence." She frowned.
"What's the matter?" I asked, concerned.
She twisted her lips, reluctant to answer. "I think that this room is making me feel better. I'm not sure if it's the change of scenery or what. But I like this better. They won't let me stay over here, though. Its inconvenient or something."
I wasn't really sure what to say, but Scully had just emerged from the restroom, makeup fixed and tears gone.
"See you tomorrow." I said curtly, exiting her room and catching up with Scully.
"You ok?" I asked her in genuine concern.
She nodded. "I don't know what came over me," Scully said shakily. She grabbed my hand a squeezed it. "I'm ok now."
"I'm glad you feel better." I smiled and squeezed her hand back before releasing it and patting her on the shoulder.
She closed her eyes, breathed deeply through her nose and took another sip of coffee. "This tastes like dirt," She said, a disgruntled look coming over her face. I couldn't help by chuckle at the cute way her nose wrinkled when she was uncomfortable.
"I have-" I tried to say, but the sound of breaking glass and a high-pitched female scream cut me off.
Scully and I rushed towards the sound, finding only a hysterical nurse shuddering and pointing to the ground where the broken coffee pot lay. Upon viewing the horrific sight in front of us, I covered my mouth in utter disgust and Scully ran to the nearest trashcan.
On the floor writhing and crawling in dirt, were cockroaches and worms that had filled up the pot. I didn't blame Scully for losing her breakfast. She had, after all, actually drunken a cup and a half.
It seemed as if the contents of the pot had turned into dirt and insects, though, as there was no liquid among the remnants and no bugs or dirt when I had seen the coffee before we went into Saralina's room. This was just confirming my suspicions.
After assisting some of the less squeamish nurses in cleaning up the mess, I found Scully chugging a glass of water in the lobby downstairs.
"It is just not your day." I said, trying to lighten the mood.
"You can say that again." She sighed, pointing outside. "And now it's raining." My gaze followed where she was pointing to see water and hail pounding down on the pavement outside, unusual for the middle of summer in California. LA was starting to seem down on its luck as of late.
"C'mon. Let's go." I reached down, took her hand and helped her woozy form off of the chair. We walked to the front desk and I got the address of the man who checked Saralina into the hospital. It was time to pay her father a visit.
"What do we need her father's address for?" Asked Scully, tentative of what my answer would be.
"I have a hunch."
She sighed and eyed me skeptically. "You always do, Mulder. You always do."