Chapter 7
Mulder's Apartment
5:20 p.m.
Mendrick walked over to the window and observed the sun setting. The sky was beginning to grow darker and the streetlights around the block were beginning to come to life. "Ah, the night. How I love it so" he muttered. "It is like an old friend coming to embrace me." As Mulder stared at him, it seemed as if Mendrick were in another place far away. "Are you familiar with the time period of the Renaissance, Mr. Mulder?"
"If memory serves. You see it's been a long time since I have been quizzed on world history" Mulder quipped.
Mendrick continued to stare straight ahead unmoved by Mulder's sarcasm. "It was a time of change. A time when royalty still ruled. A time when class and nationality determined one's future. It was also a time when evil was rampant and corrupted the innocent. When the smile of a beautiful young girl would originate a chain of events that would shape the present as well as the future."
"A beautiful young girl? Now this is getting interesting!" Mulder scoffed.
Mendrick turned back to Mulder. "You think this is a joke, Mr. Mulder?"
"Well, come on! So far you have sounded like a documentary on PBS! "It was a time." Mulder mimicked.
Mendrick looked at Mulder with fire in his eyes. "I have risked my life to come to you!"
"Oh, how many times have I heard that one?" Mulder mocked.
Mendrick reached for Mulder and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. "How dare you mock me! Who do you think you are?" He loosened his grip on Mulder as he felt an object being pushed against his chest and heard a clicking sound. He looked down to see a 9mm with Mulder's hand on the trigger. Mulder had used split second timing to reach under his wool fleece and retrieve his gun.
"No" Mulder said with an angry tone in his voice. "I want to know who YOU are! I want to know who you work for and why you know so much about this case!"
Mendrick looked back up at Mulder. Mulder stared at him never flinching. "Mr. Mulder, I assure you your weapon will have no effect on me." Mendrick replied meeting Mulder's stare. "Although it would sting quite a bit and leave an embarrassing hole in me."
"What the hell are you talking about? This is a 9mm handgun I am pointing at your stomach you idiot! One pull of this trigger and you'll have more than a hole in you! You'll be playing a harp!"
"I am immortal Mr. Mulder. You can't kill me."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"Believe what you will. I am here as an ally Mr. Mulder not as an enemy. I need your help but I can see that I will have to convince you some other way." He quickly reached over and placed his hand on the trigger, causing Mulder to pull it.
"NO!" Mulder yelled as the sound of gunfire resonated followed by the smell of powder. He looked to see Mendrick's shirt become a darker color as the blood streamed from his stomach. "S—See you s-soon, Anthony." Mendrick said weakly before falling to the floor. Mulder dropped his gun and quickly ran to fetch some towels to try and stop the bleeding. As he tried to soak up the blood and control the bleeding , he knew that what he was doing was a lost cause. Mendrick had a stomach wound and rarely was it not fatal. He kept wondering why Mendrick had pulled the trigger in the first place? This now placed Mulder in an awkward position. He had a wounded, possibly dead stranger in his apartment and his fingerprints on the weapon. He knew he could not call an ambulance as it would draw attention to his apartment and the police would get involved. Considering the circumstances, he knew that no one would believe his story as to what really happened. The last thing he needed was to be suspected of murder. He knew he had to do something and that he could not just let this mad die. If there was a chance of saving him he had to try no matter how slim the odds might be. He suddenly thought of one person that could help him and that he could trust.
"Scully" he thought as he rose up from Mendrick and went to find his cell. Picking up his cell, he quickly dialed her number. After waiting what seemed like an eternity, he heard a familiar voice on the other end.
"Scully."
"Scully it's me. Listen, I hate to bother you but I need to come over to my apartment right away and bring any medical supplies you might have."
"Medical supplies? Mulder what's wrong? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Look I'll explain more when you get here. Just get over here as soon as you can ok?"
"Ok. I'm leaving now. I'll be there as quick as I can."
"Thanks, Scully. I owe you one."
"Yeah, yeah."
Mulder smiled as he turned off his cell. Scully had bailed him out more times than he could count. He owed his life to her and she was the one and only person he truly trusted. He glanced over to Mendrick and saw that his eyes were closed. Mulder knew it was only a matter of time now. He just hoped that when Scully arrived it would not be too late.