Something told him the sunset wasn't a good thing. The more he thought about it the more he just wanted to get out of the car and hide somewhere.
" Guys, do you remember what time it was when…well…when the transformation happened?"
" We didn't really check our watches, Mulder." Frohike said looking at him strangely. " What is it? You look like you've seen a ghost."
" But it was early morning, right?"
All three Gunmen nodded.
" I think the sun just went up."
" It went up?" Mulder mumbled as if he had never heard of a sunrise before.
" Well, it does that every morning, dude." Langley commented.
Mulder rolled his eyes and then shot back sarcastically.
" Yeah, but usually people don't turn into animals when that happens."
Byers' eyebrows arched up:
" Do you think it's related to the daytime?"
" Let's call it a hunch." He leaned forward. " Langley, we need to stop at the next motel. I don't want to be in the car if my theory is right. And I don't think Scully should be in that thing." He pointed at the transportation box.
" Okay, the next motel will be ours."
Mulder leaned back into his seat and continued staring out of the window. He'd never really minded if it was day or night. Most of his nights were as long as his days anyway. But right now the sun seemed like a growing threat.
He noted that the shadows had started to grow wider as if to greet the upcoming darkness.
The next exit was still many miles away and all he could do was wait, when he really just wanted to run around and scream at someone.
The cat started to move in the transportation box and he opened the door to let it out.
" You feel it too, don't you?"
The cat meowed miserably.
" I know, it's a horrible feeling." He pulled the orange furrball into his lap and stroked the cat's head. It curled up on his legs purring softly. Mulder smiled and let his hand slide over the soft furr of its back up to the end of the long tail.
He wondered how Scully would react to all of this. Something told him she wouldn't be going to take it as easily as he had. And she would have to put up with the 3 Gunman herself.
" I wish I could talk to you, even if it was just for a second…" He whispered to the cat. " I miss you, Scully."
The Gunmen had the courtesy to pretend being busy with something else. Byers stared out of the window, while Frohike rummaged for the map. Langley's eyes every now and then looked at him through the rearview mirror, but he ignored him.
The day had passed so quickly. Maybe because it was early november, but probably more because he was now aware of how little time he had until things would change again.
" There's a motel!" Langley suddenly cried and all gazes went up.
It was a shabby place, some lightbulbs were broken so the green and red neon writing just spelled "Otl". But it would do it's job.
They discussed about what to do next and agreed on a plan. Byers would check in there alone and order two rooms next to each other. They would all go in as soon as Byers returned.
" And remember... tell us if you notice anything suspicious."
Byers nodded and then left the car. The sun was now so low it almost touched the thin cloudy line above the horizon. Mulder felt fear creep up his spine again wondering how long it would take Byers to get back. He carefully put the cat back into the transportation box and tried to soothe it as it protested loudly.
" Feisty has to stay in there until we get to our rooms." Langley stated. Frohike's eyebrows shot up in amusement while Mulder just shook his head.
" We are not going to call her Feisty! We discussed that before."
" But you have to admit, Mulder, it's pretty appropriate."
" Is it? I would like to see how you'd act it if I locked you in there."
That shut both of the Gunmen up and they waited silently for Byers' return.
" What is taking him so long?" Mulder asked anxiously gazing at the now golden sun.
About two minutes later they saw him re-emerge from inside the motel holding two large keys in his hands.
" I think it's safe. I looked around but didn't notice anything strange."
They got out of the car, unloaded the trunk and then went into the motel. It was even shabbier then from the outside. The ugly brown flower wallpaper was flaking from the wall and the floor was disgustingly dirty.
" Ew."
" Now c'mon Langley, your room at home isn't any better." Frohike snorted and then yelped as Langley's foot painfully connected with his shin.
" I really don't care, let's just get into our rooms." Mulder stated absent-mindedly. Number 23 and 24 were on the end of the long and dimly lit hallway. They unlocked the first room quickly and dumped their luggage on the floor.
" What now, Mulder?" Byers asked looking out of the dirty window at the beginning sunset.
" I feel weird." The agent answered swaying slightly. He quickly unlocked the box and grabbed the cat. She meowed pitifully and he gently stroked her back while holding her close.
Then he felt it starting. A tingling sensation in his fingertips and toes.
He ran to the bathroom, put the cat in, shut the door and then collapsed to the ground.
" Mulder, are you alright? Is it happening again?"
He couldn't answer, pain was now searing through his body as his muscles spasmed.
The Gunmen were at his side instantly. Their shocked faces was the last thing he saw, when his world slowly faded into black.
" Scully…" he thought and then lost consciousness.
- TBC -
Tadaaa…!
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