It only took an hour or so to get to their destination, though they knew only by their watches; the van they'd been un-gently thrust into had no windows. It was a certainty that this was to prevent the adults from knowing where they were.
It worked. Even Mulder, who'd lived in the state for years, had any idea where they were. This didn't stop him from sourly remarking, "So near my house. How convenient for you." He half expected their captures to pull out blindfolds to keep them from seeing where they went next, but it seemed that their location was considered remote enough.
"We have locations throughout the country, Mister Mulder. This just happens to be the closest." The ring leader remarked. The thought made Mulder's skin crawl. How many of these fanatics where there, he wondered. " By the way, my name is Andrew. I am perhaps remiss for not having introduced myself earlier." Once he'd concluded his speech he looked off into the distance, as if looking for a sign to tell him what he ought to do with his prisoners.
Mulder nodded slightly, though Andrew didn't notice; he hadn't expected a show of manners from a ruthless fanatic. On the other hand, he also expected the men to have typical religious cultists' names, like Ezekiel and Jebediah.
Once they were allowed to get out of the van, the boys huddled miserably in front of Mulder and Scully. They cast the adults looks for instructions, but they had none to offer, since they themselves were as clueless about how they ought to act.
After a time Andrew stopped staring into space. Either he'd gotten his sign and they'd missed it, or he'd given up on it. When he remembered they were there, they wished he hadn't.
"Follow me. I'll show you where you will be staying." His cold blue eyes focused on the adults. "I'm sure I do not have to explain what will happen if you make an attempt to flee."
Mulder and Scully shook their heads.
Owen held his arms out to Mulder until he picked him up. Mulder could tell that the mute request was not an extension of the play acting they'd done earlier, because the boy's small body trembled all over. The older boys took Scully's hands unbidden and holding on tightly. They were terrified. So were Mulder and Scully.
Trees at the arrival point obscured their view of the buildings, but as Andrew lead them down the gravel path, it came into view. Perhaps the trees were as much as to hide the compound out of shame as for privacy. The sprawling compound, made of cinder block structures, was a puissant sulfurous yellow, which gave it a decided air of menace.
That seemed appropriate.
The inside of the building Andrew lead them through was less repugnant, but only just. The walls were a sterile white, which was something of a relief considering the possible color alternatives that might have occurred to the mad decorators. They were walked through a pin-neat dining room and sparsely furnished common areas. Finally they reached a wing of the building that was merely a corridor of lined with plain wooden doors.
Andrew pushed one open, and Mulder noticed that there was no lock on it. He was half surprised that there was an actual door, given the common cultist fear that privacy lead to rebellion. Inside the room there was a full size bed and two sets of bunk beds. A doorless closet was flanked by tall bureaus. A small desk and chair completed the inventory of the room.
Mulder gave the beds a dismayed look; it was obvious that the big bed was meant for him and Scully. The look in her eyes said that she wasn't any more pleased by the idea than he was, but they held their tongues.
Andrew was oblivious to their discomfort. "While we have barracks for single men and women, we decided that families would be more comfortable rooming together."
"How thoughtful of you." Mulder muttered. Then he spoke clearly. "Do you have other...guests?"
Andrew shook his head. "We don't make a practice of holding people against their will."
"Except for us." William said, breaking his long silence.
"Except you." Andrew agreed, his voice completely devoid of irony.
It worked. Even Mulder, who'd lived in the state for years, had any idea where they were. This didn't stop him from sourly remarking, "So near my house. How convenient for you." He half expected their captures to pull out blindfolds to keep them from seeing where they went next, but it seemed that their location was considered remote enough.
"We have locations throughout the country, Mister Mulder. This just happens to be the closest." The ring leader remarked. The thought made Mulder's skin crawl. How many of these fanatics where there, he wondered. " By the way, my name is Andrew. I am perhaps remiss for not having introduced myself earlier." Once he'd concluded his speech he looked off into the distance, as if looking for a sign to tell him what he ought to do with his prisoners.
Mulder nodded slightly, though Andrew didn't notice; he hadn't expected a show of manners from a ruthless fanatic. On the other hand, he also expected the men to have typical religious cultists' names, like Ezekiel and Jebediah.
Once they were allowed to get out of the van, the boys huddled miserably in front of Mulder and Scully. They cast the adults looks for instructions, but they had none to offer, since they themselves were as clueless about how they ought to act.
After a time Andrew stopped staring into space. Either he'd gotten his sign and they'd missed it, or he'd given up on it. When he remembered they were there, they wished he hadn't.
"Follow me. I'll show you where you will be staying." His cold blue eyes focused on the adults. "I'm sure I do not have to explain what will happen if you make an attempt to flee."
Mulder and Scully shook their heads.
Owen held his arms out to Mulder until he picked him up. Mulder could tell that the mute request was not an extension of the play acting they'd done earlier, because the boy's small body trembled all over. The older boys took Scully's hands unbidden and holding on tightly. They were terrified. So were Mulder and Scully.
Trees at the arrival point obscured their view of the buildings, but as Andrew lead them down the gravel path, it came into view. Perhaps the trees were as much as to hide the compound out of shame as for privacy. The sprawling compound, made of cinder block structures, was a puissant sulfurous yellow, which gave it a decided air of menace.
That seemed appropriate.
The inside of the building Andrew lead them through was less repugnant, but only just. The walls were a sterile white, which was something of a relief considering the possible color alternatives that might have occurred to the mad decorators. They were walked through a pin-neat dining room and sparsely furnished common areas. Finally they reached a wing of the building that was merely a corridor of lined with plain wooden doors.
Andrew pushed one open, and Mulder noticed that there was no lock on it. He was half surprised that there was an actual door, given the common cultist fear that privacy lead to rebellion. Inside the room there was a full size bed and two sets of bunk beds. A doorless closet was flanked by tall bureaus. A small desk and chair completed the inventory of the room.
Mulder gave the beds a dismayed look; it was obvious that the big bed was meant for him and Scully. The look in her eyes said that she wasn't any more pleased by the idea than he was, but they held their tongues.
Andrew was oblivious to their discomfort. "While we have barracks for single men and women, we decided that families would be more comfortable rooming together."
"How thoughtful of you." Mulder muttered. Then he spoke clearly. "Do you have other...guests?"
Andrew shook his head. "We don't make a practice of holding people against their will."
"Except for us." William said, breaking his long silence.
"Except you." Andrew agreed, his voice completely devoid of irony.