Scully's stomach growled. After leaving work that day, she hurried to the crowded malls for some last minute Christmas shopping. When she got home, Scully neglected to have dinner, opting for a warm bath instead. Mulder called as soon as she finished blow drying her hair so she hastened to get ready. Scully regretted that decision now, wishing that she had heeded to her hunger.
"Damn it!"
Mulder was caught off guard by his partner's exclamation. They had been hanging there for a little over an hour, wondering what was taking Butch and his cohorts so long to return, but thankful for the time alone.
"Damn it."
Mulder turned his head in an attempt to face Scully. Her own head was semi-pointed to the ceiling.
"Mulder, I can't feel my arms anymore. I can see them, but I can't feel them."
Scully wiggled around a bit hoping the movement might rejuvenate her arms.
"How's the cut?"
Mulder didn't know what else to say.
"I think it stopped bleeding."
"That's good."
Silence, sighs, and screams of frustration.
"Scully?"
"I'm tired, Mulder. I'm tired and I'm hungry and I'm cold and, to be honest, I think we're going to die here. They're not going to let us leave this place alive, and if they do, we'll be half-dead before we see sunlight. This is it Mulder. It's the end of the line."
Mulder was speechless. He had never seen Scully so vulnerable before. It frightened him to see her lose hope. Scully was the one he leant on for support and strength. She was always so … dependable for her strength. Even in times of despair, Mulder felt that Scully was always able to be the stronger of the two – at least emotionally. But now she was broken.
"Scully, we'll get out of here, I promise."
Scully scoffed.
"Look at us Mulder. We're dangling from a wall in our underwear. They're probably getting off from us right now and when they come back, they'll probably want to … fuck …"
Mulder was taken aback by Scully language and her frankness.
"Scully, I won't let them … I won't let them rape you."
"Mulder, I'm scared. I don't want to die. Not here, not now."
The words came out in intervals. She was bawling.
"Scully, I won't let you die."
She turned to face Mulder, her face streaked with tears. Then she laughed. It was a stifled chuckle at first but then it progressed to a full laugh. Mulder watched, stunned at Scully's sudden change in emotion. He could not help but share in the laughter, though unaware of its origins.
"No, Mulder, you won't let me die."
Their laughter abated and an air of seriousness returned.
"Mulder, I …"
Scully's train of thought of cut off by the opening of the door. They saw Butch enter the room, followed by his two companions, who were each carrying a folding table and a duffel bag. At the end of the staircase, Butch reached over and flicked on the lights while his cohorts began to set up.
"My apologies for the delay agents. A pressing matter came up suddenly which needed my immediate attention, but now … but now I'm all yours."
He then strolled over to his companions and examined the instruments they set out.
"It's a pity really. These tools are just child's play. You see agents, there's someone watching out for you up there. Or else, most of my favorite toys would be here right now. You'd be amazed what I can do with a chainsaw."
After surveying his choices, Butch settled on a syringe filled with a purple liquid. He closed in on Mulder and Scully while ridding the syringe of any bubbles.
"It's a shame that I only have one of these left. Now, who shall be the lucky recipient?"
Mulder and Scully eyed each other, neither one speaking up. The Butcher caught sight of their exchanges and made his decision. He plunged the syringe into Scully's arm but before he injected the liquid into her system, Mulder spoke up.
"You son of a …"
"Don't you dare speak to me in that manner!"
Butch then pulled out the syringe of Scully's arm and stuck it in Mulder's arm. He did not hesitate injecting the liquid. When he did not feel it's affects at first, Mulder breathed a sigh of relief. He thought that it was just colored water, but when he felt his insides burn, he could not help but scream. It was as if Mulder could literally feel his blood boil and there was nothing he could do about it.
"What was in it? What did you do to him?"
Butch did not answer Scully's questions. Instead he stood by, taking pleasure in watching Mulder squirm in pain. After a brief while, Butch went back to his tools and picked up another instrument. He held it to the light so Scully could see what he had chosen.
"This, I believe, you are quite familiar with Agent Scully."
Scully watched as he stepped closer to him; her eyes never left the object in his hands. Her breathing increased as Butch raised his hand. She felt the scalpel cut through her skin. He was working his way down, demonstrating his skill with the surgical knife while destroying the left side of her body. The cut traced down from her forehead down to her feet. Butch created swirls and curls and took pleasure in watching the blood escape through the wound; he took in extra pleasure when he needed to work over Scully's preexisting wound. When he reached her Scully's leg, Butch expertly carved in the numbers 03604 in a straight downward line.
During the entire time, Scully refused to let out a sound, fearing that any indication of pain would only excite Butch. Instead, she switched her focus between his movements and Mulder's. The effects of the liquid were thankfully wearing off. Mulder twitched less and less and a look of relief swept over his face. But the relief did not last long. As soon as Butch was done with Scully, he placed the scalpel down and whispered instructions into his cohort's ears.
One of them quickly ran out of the room and returned with a baseball bat in hand. He first stepped up to Scully and swung the bat into her untouched leg. She felt her bones crack and could not help but let out a scream.
"No!"
Mulder instantly reacted when he saw the bat rise a second time. This time the swing was aimed at her abdomen. The bat contacted with her body, and this time, Scully could feel ribs break as the wind was stolen from her. Satisfied with his accomplishments, the man stepped aside and pressed a button that lowered Scully to the floor. She fell with a thump. Instantly, Scully tried to curl herself into ball, hoping to ward off anymore attacks, but the pain was too intense to move. Butch grabbed Scully by her cuffed hands and easily pulled her up.
"You're coming with me, sweets."
He threw Scully over one shoulder and proceeded to leave the room. The bashing served its purpose; Scully could not gather enough strength to even struggle the tiniest bit.
"Scully! If you hurt her, I swear …"
Butch stopped at the top of the stairs and turned around.
"Swear what Agent Mulder? If you can't see, I've already hurt her – broken her. Don't threaten me Agent Mulder. You don't want to see me angry."
With those words, Butch gave a silent signal to his men below. The man with the bat readied his swing and hit Mulder in the stomach with an uncanny force.
"Do with him what you like. Just remember our promise."
Butch opened the door and disappeared. The man took one more swing at Mulder before letting go of the bat. He returned to the table and picked up a pair of brass knuckles. His partner already held a whip in his hands. They released Mulder from his confines and began their carnage. Through the cement walls, Mulder could hear Scully's cries and he was positive that she could hear his.