Mulder paced in Skinner's office, listening into his conversation. He had a name. Now he just needed to know where Edward Blake was.
Skinner looked up at Mulder and watched him with worried eyes. It was obvious that Mulder was tired. When was the last time he slept? He was a walking zombie with only one thing on his mind – Scully. Skinner, too, was worried about Scully, but he knew that he first had to take care of Mulder. He needed rest.
"Go home."
"What?"
"Go home Mulder."
Mulder fell into the sofa in the back of Skinner's office and sighed.
"If you want me to sleep, I could do it right here."
Skinner gave a disapproving look.
"Mulder, I know that you're worried but you can't help Scully if you're wasting away."
"I'm not wasting away. I'm just …"
"Go home."
"But …"
Mulder knew that he was defeated. He knew that Skinner was right.
"Go home."
Mulder hung his head low and stared at the floor.
"I miss her."
His voice was barely above a whisper but Skinner caught the words. He quickly ended his phone conversation and walked to Mulder's side. Skinner rubbed Mulder's back in a kindly manner and noticed that the agent was trying to stifle his tears.
"We'll find her."
Mulder lifted his head.
"But what if we don't?"
Skinner wouldn't allow any of this disbelief. If Mulder didn't believe, then how could he?
"We will."
Mulder let out a cough and stood up. He stretched out and straightened his suit.
"Call me?"
Skinner nodded and led Mulder to the door.
Mulder rode down the elevator and avoided the glances of other agents. They knew of Scully's disappearance and offered fake sympathy.
He stepped off at the bottom level and walked into the parking garage. Mulder mindlessly made his way to his parked car. He heard a car turn the corner and thought nothing of it, until the headlights blinded him. Instantly, Mulder realized that the driver of the car was headed towards him and urged his feet to move.
He stood motionless, staring the driver of the oncoming car, trying to make out his face. He was unafraid. But what about Scully? Who would save her? But maybe she was dead. It was days since the photo. How could he be sure that she was still alive?
The car approached – closer and closer as the seconds passed by. Mulder remained stationary. He knew that he should move but something was holding him down. Mulder felt an impact upon his body and he hit the cold concrete ground.
A few seconds had passed when Mulder reopened his eyes. His entire body was slightly aching fromthe impact and his mind was trying to process what had just happened. Mulder heard the sound of tires screeching a few feet off as the driver of the car made a sharp turn and a quick getaway.
His mind was still reeling as he noticed someone standing a few feet away from him in the corner of his eye. Mulder stood up slowly, careful not to lose his balance. The man was coming near him and Mulder immediately recognized his face though he only saw it before for a brief second. It was the man who had pushed him out of harms way only a few moments before.
"Thank you."
Mulder slowly stepped towards the man. The closer he was, the clearer he could see – the man's mouth was moving but no sound was coming out.
"Hey. Thanks."
Mulder moved closer and heard the man's voice. He was barely whispering.
"Save her."
"Save who?"
"Save her."
Mulder did a double take when he realized who was standing before him.
"Randy?"
"Save her."
"Tell me where she is."
Mulder was frustrated. He was exhausted and he was hurt. He had no patience for this.
"Tell me where she is!"
"Get into your car and follow me."
Randy began to walk away and Mulder quickly responded. He ran to his car and started the engine. He scanned the garage for Randy but found him nowhere. Mulder cursed under his breath – he cursed at Randy and cursed at himself. He was seeing things. During the fall he must have hit his head.
Though he wanted to believe, he couldn't – he wouldn't allow himself that pleasure. Mulder had no time for seeing ghosts. Each moment he spent was a moment without Scully – it was one less minute without her and one less minute he had in finding her.
Mulder hit his steering wheel in frustration. Suddenly Randy reappeared from nowhere and Mulder's eyes trailed him slowly as the ghost made his way towards Mulder's car.
"She's this way."
And Randy sped off, leaving Mulder to be with himself for a moment of disbelief. It was Randy. There was no doubt about. The man in the pictures Mrs. Scully shared with him and the man that was before him were identical. Mulder regained his thoughts before he sped off after Randy on a wild goose chase.
His heart raced as he followed the apparition through the streets of Washington and off into the desolate state highways, hoping that his final destination would be the one place where he wanted to be the most.