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Chapter 2

A few days later after our arrival, mum and I tried to get used to what would now be our new way of life. Living with others was weird but I knew I would manage eventually. Dad and I talked about everything that happened for the last five years, and I realised that he never stopped fighting until he understood it was too late.

Today, I realise we are lucky we were still alive, actually.

[…]

On one early morning, I hear some strange noises coming from outside. People inside the bunker are waking up, frightened by what is happening.

Fox ! Walter ! Come see this ! Someone says out loud.

I see mum and dad leaving their makeshift bedroom, passing in front of mine. I am about to follow them when I see my mother coming back to me.

You stay here, Will !

But mum-

No ! I don't know what the hell is going on out there so you stay here.

Because she sees my unhappy face, she gets nearer and puts her hands on my cheeks. She always does that when she needs me to listen carefully.

I know this is unpleasant for you but I refuse to let you take any risk right now that we are reunited, do you understand ?

But mum it's not about taking risk. It's about taking courage !

Not now my clever boy, just not yet.

She kisses me on the forehead after I bent over to help her do so and runs to find my father again. What the heck is happening here ?

Fox ! she says before grabbing his hand.

Go back inside, he replies but she holds his hand more tightly.

Not without you.

Scully looks up to the sky and that is when she sees it. A spaceship floating just above their heads. She stops breathing. It cannot be happening. Not now, not again. She starts shaking, fearing the worst already but Mulder turns and looks at her.

Don't panic.

Easy to say, sweaty hands.

Mulder frowns but looks at his free hand and realises that he has indeed sweaty hands. He is panicking too. There is no way he is going to lose his family again after he spent five years without them already. He kisses Scully on the top of her head and looks back outside.

It's strange, Skinner says.

What? Why? Scully asks back.

It seems like- I think they are leaving.

Scully looks up and frowns. The lights are so bright, it is almost blinding. She cannot see a lot of what is happening but she quite understands Skinner's point here. The sound made by the UFO is different than what she had heard during the invasion. It was like they were retreating which made no sense at all. Why would they invade Earth for so many years to finally leave like this? Had they managed to find what they wanted from humans? Had they had the answers to their questions? As she is getting closer to Mulder, Scully suddenly feels shivers along her spine. Those have nothing to do with the cold, she knows that. It is her inner-self trying to tell her something. Something rather important.

William, she whispers before letting go of Mulder's hand.

Scu- Dana !

She starts running inside the bunker, Mulder following her. Something is happening. Something is wrong, she can feel it.