Chapter 4
Pierland Apartment Complex Washington D.C. 1 p.m.
Alex Krycek stood looking outside of his third floor apartment. He watched as the children on the playground ran after each other and played on the equipment. As he observed their activities, they seemed to move in slow motion. Almost as if their play would be forever frozen in time. How he longed to be a child again! To not have any fears, to be so innocent of the brutalities of the world. To know nothing of pain or suffering only....PLAY.
His thoughts were interrupted as his television blared a breaking news story. "This is Anita Becker reporting for Channel 6 News. I am here at Avondale Park where an apparent homicide has taken place. The victim appears to be Christopher Pendleton, the world renowned businessman." Krycek averted his attention from the window and walked back to the living room to watch the TV He listened and watched as the reporter described the details of the homicide. "At this time, there is no motive and no suspects in custody" the reporter continued. "However, Detective Pendrell who is in charge of the this case, tells me that the FBI has also sent two agents to assist in the investigation, Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully." The screen switched to some footage shot earlier of the authorities at the scene. He watched as the camera panned to an area of the park where two individuals were stooped over a body. The camera centered in on the woman who was intently studying the body. The woman lifted her head and stared into the camera for a brief moment.
Krycek stood hypnotized as he looked at the woman's face. She reached up to brush some auburn hair away from her face revealing her bluish-green eyes. Her eyes were like an ocean that had swallowed him whole. He had seen those eyes many times before and longed to lose himself in them as he had so long ago. Those full lips he had pressed to his and sensuously devoured. How he longed to caress her delicate skin and feel her warm embrace.....
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door. Reluctantly, leaving the television screen, he approached the door. "Who is it?" he said through the door.
"A friend" came the reply.
In his line of work Krycek knew better than to trust the word of anyone. He walked over to his coat lying on a chair and reached into the inside pocket. Fumbling he found his 7mm and pulled it from its hiding place. Checking the clip, he walked back to the door. With one hand on his gun and the other on the doorknob, he opened the door. The man on the opposite side of the door was greeted by a 7mm pointed at his head.
"Now, is that anyway to greet an old friend?" he said giving a sly grin.
Krycek's face sank as he looked at the dark-haired man standing before him. He cocked the trigger. "I should just kill you right where you stand you son-of-a-bitch!"
The man looked at Krycek showing no fear. "Come, come now. We both know that would not do anything."
A defeated look crossed Krycek's face and he lowered his gun.
"Well, now that we have that settled, would you be so kind to let me in?"
"Give me one reason why I should?"
"I will.....Christopher Pendleton."
Krycek's eyes got wide and he stepped to the side. Grinning the man walked through the entrance and past Krycek. Krycek closed the door and walked over to the man who was standing in the living room. "Nice place you have here" the man said looking around. "I must admit it is much nicer than the last place of yours I was at. Where was that anyway?"
Krycek avoided answering the man's question. "All right. I don't have time for your snide comments. You wanted to speak to me about something, now what the hell is it?"
"Stephan, I see you still have the same temper you always have. Unfortunately it has caused you many problems in the past as you well know."
Krycek had stiffened at the mention of the name "Stephan". "Never call me that!" he said turning on the man. "My name is Alex Krycek. I have left that other name far behind me. It no longer holds any more meaning for me. Except for...regret." Krycek lowered his head. "So why have you come back to torture me after all these years, Issac?"
The man's eyes showed a glimmer. "Ah! I see that you remember my name?"
Krycek looked up at him with a subdued look. "How could I ever forget? I was hoping that you had finally decided to stay out of my life but I can see that I was wrong. You have always held denomination over me what more could you want?"
Issac took a seat in a chair in front of the television. "I see that you are watching the news about the mysterious homicide of Christopher Pendleton. Terrible tragedy wasn't it? Funny thing is the local authorities have no clues as to who killed him or why?" He stared at Krycek. "Do you?"
Krycek just stood in silence trying to avoid Issac's gaze. Issac could see that this conversation was upsetting Krycek and an evil grin came upon his face. "When I heard of the death of Christopher Pendleton and the details of his death, I knew who was responsible. I knew it was only a matter of time before you found him."
"I don't know what you're talking about" Krycek said still looking straight ahead.
"You can deny it all you want Stephan but I know it was you. I know who Christopher Pendleton reminded you of. You have been waiting all these years for his soul to come back so that you could take your revenge." Issac stood up and walked up to Krycek and spoke in his ear. "Just as I know that SHE has come back to you as well."
Krycek closed his eyes and began shaking. His obvious uncomfortableness just gave Issac more firepower. "I saw her on the news. She looks just like her doesn't she? Same beautiful eyes and delicate skin. Only difference is her hair is much shorter." He left Krycek and walked over to a far corner. "I see you still possess these items from so long ago. How they must haunt you every night." He kept his gaze on the painting before him. "And to know that she is so close to HIM as well." Issac could feel Krycek's pain and he fed on it like a drug addict. "Don't think I don't know about what is happening here. I know how you feel about him and I know how you long for her. I have watched you Stephan. Watched as you struggled through your life from century to century. Waiting for your true love to return to you and seek revenge on the one who took her from you. It has eaten away at you like a cancerous sore. You have kept it inside you for so long and now it has consumed you. Your attack on Pendleton has shown how it has and now you must face your past."
Krycek took a deep breath trying to ignore Issac's words but he could not. This man had always held power over him. He had made him what he was and condemned him to this pit of hell. Everything he had ever loved or cared for had been taken from him because of this man. Because of this man he had to live in darkness and seclusion. "What do you mean face my past?"
"Don't you know you can never run from your past, Stephan? It is always with you. " Issac walked over to the fireplace and stood next to it. "However, the past can be changed."
"Oh and how is that?"
Issac continued speaking as he stared at the licking flames. "How would you like to go back Stephan and possess her? Be able to take revenge on the lover who took her from you those centuries ago. To no longer have to live alone."
"I already live in misery and can not change what I am. Why would I want to make her a part of it?" Krycek muttered.
"That is true. You can not change what you are but you can not fool me Stephan. I know how much you desire her. She consumes your every thought. You long to go to her but you are afraid. You know that she will reject you. You feel helpless against your own desire." He looked back towards Krycek who was staring up at the painting in the corner. "What if I told you that I could help you?"
"In what possible way could you help me?"
"I can help you to win her back. If you truly desire her then you must take her back with you to where this all began. You must take her back before midnight in 4 days time. That's right before midnight on New Year's Eve. You must take her back and make her one of us. In order to do this you must kill your adversary before he even knows what is happening. If you kill him in the past or prevent him from finding out what you are then you will be able to finish what you meant to all those centuries ago."
Krycek continued staring at the painting and became more absorbed in it as he listened to Issac. He began to wander back to a green countryside where he saw a young long red haired girl tending to her chores. As he rode by on his horse she had smiled at him and captured his heart forever. As he looked at her he suddenly saw the face of another. The one who had also won her heart and one that he despised more than anything. His hatred consumed him as he stared at the young man. His mind returned back to the present as he realized that he had picked up a ceramic item and began to squeeze it. As the ceramic cracked and crumbled in his fist he imagined that he was squeezing the neck of the young man. Issac looked over at him and began to laugh maniacally. He could see that Krycek's hatred was possessing him just as it had all those centuries ago. "Why did you not tell me this sooner?" asked Krycek staring at the ceramic powder in his hand.
"Because I knew I had to wait until you were so consumed by your hatred and your desire for her that you would think of nothing else. I know your main problem is getting around her partner and I can take care of that for you. I will make sure that he is away from her and then you may have your chance with her. Remember Stephan, you have advantages to being what you are. Do not let her escape you this time. Charm her and woo her, then she will be yours forever. If you fail to take her back with you in the time frame I have mentioned than you will lose her forever and be cursed with this lonely existence."
Krycek looked up from his powdered hand. "I will not fail. Get Mulder out of the picture and I will take care of the rest."
An evil smiled came across Issac's face. "Very well, I will be in touch with you, "Alex". He walked from the fireplace and to the front door. His long flowing black coat trailing behind him. "Farewell "Alex" and remember you can change the past." Krycek watched as Issac closed the door behind him. He walked back over to the painting and gazed longingly at it. "I will have you again at last and this time no one will be able to stop me." His eyes began to glow a deep red and an evil smile crept across his face.
Pierland Apartment Complex Washington D.C. 1 p.m.
Alex Krycek stood looking outside of his third floor apartment. He watched as the children on the playground ran after each other and played on the equipment. As he observed their activities, they seemed to move in slow motion. Almost as if their play would be forever frozen in time. How he longed to be a child again! To not have any fears, to be so innocent of the brutalities of the world. To know nothing of pain or suffering only....PLAY.
His thoughts were interrupted as his television blared a breaking news story. "This is Anita Becker reporting for Channel 6 News. I am here at Avondale Park where an apparent homicide has taken place. The victim appears to be Christopher Pendleton, the world renowned businessman." Krycek averted his attention from the window and walked back to the living room to watch the TV He listened and watched as the reporter described the details of the homicide. "At this time, there is no motive and no suspects in custody" the reporter continued. "However, Detective Pendrell who is in charge of the this case, tells me that the FBI has also sent two agents to assist in the investigation, Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully." The screen switched to some footage shot earlier of the authorities at the scene. He watched as the camera panned to an area of the park where two individuals were stooped over a body. The camera centered in on the woman who was intently studying the body. The woman lifted her head and stared into the camera for a brief moment.
Krycek stood hypnotized as he looked at the woman's face. She reached up to brush some auburn hair away from her face revealing her bluish-green eyes. Her eyes were like an ocean that had swallowed him whole. He had seen those eyes many times before and longed to lose himself in them as he had so long ago. Those full lips he had pressed to his and sensuously devoured. How he longed to caress her delicate skin and feel her warm embrace.....
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door. Reluctantly, leaving the television screen, he approached the door. "Who is it?" he said through the door.
"A friend" came the reply.
In his line of work Krycek knew better than to trust the word of anyone. He walked over to his coat lying on a chair and reached into the inside pocket. Fumbling he found his 7mm and pulled it from its hiding place. Checking the clip, he walked back to the door. With one hand on his gun and the other on the doorknob, he opened the door. The man on the opposite side of the door was greeted by a 7mm pointed at his head.
"Now, is that anyway to greet an old friend?" he said giving a sly grin.
Krycek's face sank as he looked at the dark-haired man standing before him. He cocked the trigger. "I should just kill you right where you stand you son-of-a-bitch!"
The man looked at Krycek showing no fear. "Come, come now. We both know that would not do anything."
A defeated look crossed Krycek's face and he lowered his gun.
"Well, now that we have that settled, would you be so kind to let me in?"
"Give me one reason why I should?"
"I will.....Christopher Pendleton."
Krycek's eyes got wide and he stepped to the side. Grinning the man walked through the entrance and past Krycek. Krycek closed the door and walked over to the man who was standing in the living room. "Nice place you have here" the man said looking around. "I must admit it is much nicer than the last place of yours I was at. Where was that anyway?"
Krycek avoided answering the man's question. "All right. I don't have time for your snide comments. You wanted to speak to me about something, now what the hell is it?"
"Stephan, I see you still have the same temper you always have. Unfortunately it has caused you many problems in the past as you well know."
Krycek had stiffened at the mention of the name "Stephan". "Never call me that!" he said turning on the man. "My name is Alex Krycek. I have left that other name far behind me. It no longer holds any more meaning for me. Except for...regret." Krycek lowered his head. "So why have you come back to torture me after all these years, Issac?"
The man's eyes showed a glimmer. "Ah! I see that you remember my name?"
Krycek looked up at him with a subdued look. "How could I ever forget? I was hoping that you had finally decided to stay out of my life but I can see that I was wrong. You have always held denomination over me what more could you want?"
Issac took a seat in a chair in front of the television. "I see that you are watching the news about the mysterious homicide of Christopher Pendleton. Terrible tragedy wasn't it? Funny thing is the local authorities have no clues as to who killed him or why?" He stared at Krycek. "Do you?"
Krycek just stood in silence trying to avoid Issac's gaze. Issac could see that this conversation was upsetting Krycek and an evil grin came upon his face. "When I heard of the death of Christopher Pendleton and the details of his death, I knew who was responsible. I knew it was only a matter of time before you found him."
"I don't know what you're talking about" Krycek said still looking straight ahead.
"You can deny it all you want Stephan but I know it was you. I know who Christopher Pendleton reminded you of. You have been waiting all these years for his soul to come back so that you could take your revenge." Issac stood up and walked up to Krycek and spoke in his ear. "Just as I know that SHE has come back to you as well."
Krycek closed his eyes and began shaking. His obvious uncomfortableness just gave Issac more firepower. "I saw her on the news. She looks just like her doesn't she? Same beautiful eyes and delicate skin. Only difference is her hair is much shorter." He left Krycek and walked over to a far corner. "I see you still possess these items from so long ago. How they must haunt you every night." He kept his gaze on the painting before him. "And to know that she is so close to HIM as well." Issac could feel Krycek's pain and he fed on it like a drug addict. "Don't think I don't know about what is happening here. I know how you feel about him and I know how you long for her. I have watched you Stephan. Watched as you struggled through your life from century to century. Waiting for your true love to return to you and seek revenge on the one who took her from you. It has eaten away at you like a cancerous sore. You have kept it inside you for so long and now it has consumed you. Your attack on Pendleton has shown how it has and now you must face your past."
Krycek took a deep breath trying to ignore Issac's words but he could not. This man had always held power over him. He had made him what he was and condemned him to this pit of hell. Everything he had ever loved or cared for had been taken from him because of this man. Because of this man he had to live in darkness and seclusion. "What do you mean face my past?"
"Don't you know you can never run from your past, Stephan? It is always with you. " Issac walked over to the fireplace and stood next to it. "However, the past can be changed."
"Oh and how is that?"
Issac continued speaking as he stared at the licking flames. "How would you like to go back Stephan and possess her? Be able to take revenge on the lover who took her from you those centuries ago. To no longer have to live alone."
"I already live in misery and can not change what I am. Why would I want to make her a part of it?" Krycek muttered.
"That is true. You can not change what you are but you can not fool me Stephan. I know how much you desire her. She consumes your every thought. You long to go to her but you are afraid. You know that she will reject you. You feel helpless against your own desire." He looked back towards Krycek who was staring up at the painting in the corner. "What if I told you that I could help you?"
"In what possible way could you help me?"
"I can help you to win her back. If you truly desire her then you must take her back with you to where this all began. You must take her back before midnight in 4 days time. That's right before midnight on New Year's Eve. You must take her back and make her one of us. In order to do this you must kill your adversary before he even knows what is happening. If you kill him in the past or prevent him from finding out what you are then you will be able to finish what you meant to all those centuries ago."
Krycek continued staring at the painting and became more absorbed in it as he listened to Issac. He began to wander back to a green countryside where he saw a young long red haired girl tending to her chores. As he rode by on his horse she had smiled at him and captured his heart forever. As he looked at her he suddenly saw the face of another. The one who had also won her heart and one that he despised more than anything. His hatred consumed him as he stared at the young man. His mind returned back to the present as he realized that he had picked up a ceramic item and began to squeeze it. As the ceramic cracked and crumbled in his fist he imagined that he was squeezing the neck of the young man. Issac looked over at him and began to laugh maniacally. He could see that Krycek's hatred was possessing him just as it had all those centuries ago. "Why did you not tell me this sooner?" asked Krycek staring at the ceramic powder in his hand.
"Because I knew I had to wait until you were so consumed by your hatred and your desire for her that you would think of nothing else. I know your main problem is getting around her partner and I can take care of that for you. I will make sure that he is away from her and then you may have your chance with her. Remember Stephan, you have advantages to being what you are. Do not let her escape you this time. Charm her and woo her, then she will be yours forever. If you fail to take her back with you in the time frame I have mentioned than you will lose her forever and be cursed with this lonely existence."
Krycek looked up from his powdered hand. "I will not fail. Get Mulder out of the picture and I will take care of the rest."
An evil smiled came across Issac's face. "Very well, I will be in touch with you, "Alex". He walked from the fireplace and to the front door. His long flowing black coat trailing behind him. "Farewell "Alex" and remember you can change the past." Krycek watched as Issac closed the door behind him. He walked back over to the painting and gazed longingly at it. "I will have you again at last and this time no one will be able to stop me." His eyes began to glow a deep red and an evil smile crept across his face.