Chap 4
Skinner was only seconds behind Mulder when he heard a single shot ring out. He flattened against the wall and peeked around the corner. Behind a row of lockers was Agent Mulder. He had his hand pressed firmly over his right bicep, and there was no sign of his gun.
"Mulder!" Skinner whispered, trying to get his attention. Mulder glanced back at him. Skinner gestured towards his arm.
"Just a scrape. Dropped the gun," Mulder said, nodding his head towards a nearby water fountain, set low to the ground. Peeking out was the butt of his gun. Skinner nodded thoughtfully.
"Where's the shooter?"
"He's just around the corner, to the left."
Skinner was about to make a run for it, when the plaster above his head exploded into a million pieces. He jerked back to safety. Mulder used the split second that the shooter had focused on Skinner to slither to the water fountain and retrieve his gun. He shot twice in quick succession, more trying to scare the UNSUB back than trying to do any real damage.
The shooter returned fire, but hit only air. Suddenly there was a click and a muffled curse. The instantly recognizable sound of a gun hitting the floor was followed by running footsteps. Mulder and Skinner ran after him, Skinner retrieving his empty gun on the way.
The school seemed larger than possible as they went down several flights of stairs and through empty, harshly lit hallways. They noticed a gradual change as the institutional beige walls turned to a gray concrete color and the doorways to other rooms became less frequent.
They never seemed to gain any ground, and, if not for the occasional glimpse and the constant thunder of running footsteps, they could almost believe that they were chasing a ghost and not a suspect.
As they turned yet another corner, they hit a dead end. Stopping quickly, they looked around in confusion.
"Where'd he go?" Skinner asked.
"Here." The man said as he stepped out of a dark enclave they had passed in their mad dash around the corner. A rifle was in his hands. Bringing it to bear, he laughed.
Mulder and Skinner backed away, looking frantically for an escape. Moving slowly, Mulder set his gun down, making placating gestures.
"Put down the gun. We're unarmed and we can't give you any trouble. Just put it down." Mulder said in his best negotiator's voice. Both of the men raised their arms above their heads. The man ignored him, seeming lost in his own world.
"I only needed one." He said conversationally. Mulder glanced over at Skinner.
"Well, then let him go, and you will have one, okay?" Mulder asked calmly. Skinner glared at him, not liking his train of thought. The man didn't seem pleased either.
"Only needed one. Yes!" The UNSUB looked excited as he met Mulder's eyes.
"An adventure, that's what I need." Before the men could react, the UNSUB aimed his gun at Skinner and fired.
"No!" Mulder cried as he tried to catch Skinner's falling body. Skinner's dead weight dragged him to the ground, and Mulder could only cushion his fall. The UNSUB cocked his rifle and aimed it at Mulder. Mulder met his eyes, but didn't move.
"All I want is a little excitement." He whispered as he fired.
"And two would be an adventure." The two bodies didn't respond.