Chapter 7
The ceiling fans still spun lazily in the detectives' room, but Mulder hardly noticed. As he led the group of people past the ransacked room, he couldn't help but think about Ada. There was definitely something about her that struck him as suspicious. Plus her sudden disappearance...
He was pulled from his thoughts by gunfire echoing up from the basement. Mulder held up his hand, motioning for the group to stay back. Drawing his gun, he ran down the cement stairs. Most of the lights were out, and the few that remained cast an eerie glow upon the hall.
He rounded the corner and stopped abruptly at the sight before him. A strange creature lay on it's back, it's legs still twitching. The things body was riddled with gaping bullet holes.
Scully cautiously stepped out from the weapons locker, her gun still aimed at the fallen creature. She saw Mulder and lowered her weapon, breathing a sigh of relief.
Yesterday, she might have been in shock from her ordeal-her logical nature fighting the impossible conclusion that the laws of nature could be broken, or at least dramatically bent. Now though, she was almost numb to the fact that something nightmarish had occurred in Raccoon City. Almost.
The parking lot was cold. A constant bone chilling breeze swept the area, carrying with it the smell of gasoline, blood, and death.
"Is the garage shutter down?" Mulder asked Irons.
"What do you think I am?" he replied gruffly. "A moron?"
Mulder stared at him blankly for a moment before turning back to Scully. "I'll see if it's secure. Try to keep everyone calm." With that, he cautiously jogged to the other side of the garage. He noticed a single small door marked Cell Block A. To the right, there was a cement ramp that led up to the shutter.
It resembled those fences that protected mall shops after hours. The stale breeze blew past, rattling it every few seconds.
Mulder grasped the metal barrier and tried to lift it open. It rose an inch before it stopped; the shutter was locked. Satisfied that it was secure, he began the walk down the ramp.
He stopped, hearing the repeated honking of a vehicle. Turning, he saw a large black van skid around the corner. The headlights temporarily blinded Mulder, and he barely heard the low hum of the garage shutter opening.
Quickly, he jumped to the side, pressing his back against the wall. The van drove past, breaking to a stop in front of the cell block door.
The driver jumped out, panting. He tossed the remote control for the shutter back into the van and turned to face the gathered crowd. "Oh...thank god." he said, wiping his brow. "I was afraid that their weren't any other survivors."
Irons pushed his way through the people. "Vickers!" he yelled. "I knew you and those other deviants were behind this somehow. You're under arrest!"
"Vickers?" Mulder asked. "Brad Vickers...S.T.A.R.S. helicopter pilot?"
Brad nodded. "Yeah...at least I was until the mansion incident."
"Mr. Vickers," Scully asked, walking up beside Mulder. "May I ask where you got the S.W.A.T. vehicle?"
Mulder looked at van, noticing for the first time that the S.W.A.T. insignia was painted in large white letters on the side.
"Luck." Brad said. "I was being chased by something...I came across the van a little down the road and hopped in."
Mulder interrupted. "What was chasing you? A zombie?"
Brad's eyes grew wide with fear, and he shook his head quickly. "No, something much bigger. I- I think it's after S.T.A.R.S. members..."
Irons cut in, stepping between Mulder and Brad. "I've heard enough! I'll deal with you later Vickers. For now, everyone in the back of the truck. We can drive it out of here and head for Latham."
"But the roads are blocked..." Mulder began, but stopped when he heard a thump from the van. It sounded like someone had dragged a fist along the metal interior. The parking lot grew quiet as everyone strained to listen.
Mulder and Scully drew their guns, carefully stepping towards the back of the truck. "Ok Scully," he said quietly. "Open it." She stared at him for a second, her eyebrows raised.
He sighed. "Never mind." Taking a breath, he grasped the handle and slowly pulled the door open.
The smell of decay washed over them. Before either could react, a bloody corpse collapsed on Mulder, it's teeth ready to sink into his flesh.