Mulder raced through the streets like a madman. He wondered if anyone else could see the apparition who led him. Through the hidden wooden roads he drove, not knowing where he was being led. He prayed silently that he would make it time. He prayed that she was still alive.

Suddenly, the ghost disappeared and Mulder nearly drove off the road. He stopped his car and glanced around. Where did Randy go?

Randy was gone. Mulder had feared this and was not prepared to think clearly. But Mulder did not have the convenience of time. The road ahead looked bleak but somehow, the narrow path into the forest looked familiar. Mulder was certain that this place was new to him yet he had seen it before. Perhaps he was not here physically, but spiritually.

Mulder drove off the main road and navigated himself through the forest. He let his heart think for him. The further into the woods he went, the more familiar the path seemed. It was killing him. Where had he seen this place? Then suddenly, it struck him. It was his dreams.

He felt his heart creep up his mouth. What had happened to Scully in this dream? She had died. Just like she always had in his dreams. But every time he opened his eyes, she would be laying right next to him, comforting him. This was no dream. Scully was in danger and the longer he drove, the more he could feel her presence.

In a way, it comforted Mulder to know that his dreams had some purpose. If he remembered correctly, after a few more minutes of driving, he would reach an isolated cabin. His foot could not press the gas pedal harder.

Then came a sound that Mulder feared to hear. He heard the sound of Scully's scream breaking through the woods. This only pushed Mulder to go faster. To be faster so he could save her. So he could save himself.

The house appeared. The car had barely stopped when Mulder stepped out. At a first glance, he could not find a way in. There was no time for a careful investigation. Mulder ran as fast as he could round the small building until he found a door.

Mulder jostled the door while trying the knob. It was locked.

"Scully!"

There was no response. Maybe she couldn't hear him. Maybe she couldn't reply.

He couldn't wait around. Mulder stepped back and eyed the door. Shoulder first. Run. Run as fast as you can. Don't be afraid of the pain because what waited inside could be worse.

The door gave way on the first try. Smoke filled the air. Where was Scully? Follow the smoke.

Mulder easily navigated this way through the small house. The small candle fire in the kitchen had grown into something dangerous. Smoke filled the room and clouded Mulder's lungs. Breathing got harder.

"Scully!"

He choked the words out. Why did there have to be fire? He couldn't be afraid. There was no time for that leisure.

"I had hoped that you'd come."

The voice rang out behind him. There some something devilish about the tone. A sort of maniacal laugh intertwined between the words.

Mulder turned around and saw more smoke. The fire was growing quick. There was an outline of a man but it seemed so far away. The voice had been close by, near to his ear.

Mulder moved towards the silhouette. The silhouette moved towards him.

"Where's Scully?"

He yelled the words out. Emotions were getting the best of him. Mulder felt her nearby but where was she?

"You're too late."

The answer was grim. There was obvious pleasure in the speaker of the words.

"Don't worry. You'll see her soon."

Mulder wondered what that meant. His head was clouded. Did this mean Scully was still alive? He knew Eddie was insanely infatuated with Scully – so why was he so willing to give her up?

Eddie's stare burned right through Mulder.

Why hadn't he thought of it before? Mulder's mind was a mess. His eyes tried to avoid Eddie's glare and in this process, Mulder saw something he wished he had not seen – something he reprimanded himself for not noticing earlier. In his left hand, Eddie held a large kitchen knife covered with blood.

In less than a heartbeat, Mulder drew out his gun and fired – twice. One of the bullets lodged itself in Eddie's right shoulder; the other missed by a small margin, making a home in the wall behind. Eddie showed no sign of deterioration. He took two large steps forward and Mulder stepped back. A dastardly smile crept on Eddie's face. He took pride in the pain.

Mulder saw the threat on both his life and Scully's – if she was not yet gone. He turned around and ran. The small house was easy to navigate through but the cramped space did not offer many options.

Eddie easily caught up with Mulder. Though he was smaller in stature, the rage and maniacal desire to preserve drove him to overtake the man who had everything he didn't.

A sharp pain suddenly overcame Mulder. A scream in aggravation was let out. A fall to the ground. Would he be this easily defeated?

"Weak."

Eddie stared down at the injured agent.

"What did Dana ever see in you?"

Eddie knelt beside Mulder's side and held the knife close by.

"You're scum, you know that?"

Mulder was not going to let Eddie win. He tried to pick himself up; he needed to stand. Eddie got a kick out of it.

"Oh look at the big man. Still believe that you can win? I got news for you, Muld-ar. I've already won."

Those last words were drawn out and his lips were curled into a devilish smile, showing the blood that flooded inside.