The plane touched down in DC at the domestic airport. It was only as the wheels screeched to a halt along the tarmac that William began to consider what his genius plan would entail. The true fact of the matter was that he had no idea of his next move.
Dawn was breaking, the sun rising fast, and below them on the tarmac military personal were organising paperwork, getting ready to direct the residents of the Arctic base. William felt a hot flush wash over him. He'd surely be found out as they signed people into the system, and fake names would get him nowhere.
A military officer boarded the plane.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you would please like to follow our personnel out of the aircraft and into the main building where we will begin registration and reassignment to the areas best suited to your skillset. You will be briefed and dispatched to locations in close proximity to DC where we have refugee camps and makeshift medical centres for dealing with the sick…"
William sunk lower into his seat, trying to think quickly.
"…We would like to thank you in advance for your co-operation and patience. Please disembark from the front of the craft in an orderly fashion and ensure you have all your personal effects with you"
The isles came alive with people reaching under their seats and in the overhead compartments gathering their belongings. Will tossed his scrunched up hoodie over his head and squeezed in amongst the commotion of people all making their way towards the single exit.
Outside, they marched single file across the runway towards a large building. Military personnel were stationed every few meters apart ushering residents in the right direction. There were guns, so many guns. Every officer held a shotgun in hand as though waiting for something, someone to come.
Will kept his head low, trying to divert any unwanted attention. He scanned the area, trying to find a scape route, anything that would allow him a hasty and unnoticed withdrawal from the group. He passed a police dog and handler and wondered briefly how he would outrun the Alsatian if the situation were to call for it.
"Keep moving, please keep the line moving" An officer repeated over and over.
The radio's cracked on the belt buckles of the military officers, the voice of a man came blaring through.
"We have an emergency situation…" The radio hissed, "…The air traffic controller just collapsed in the tower. I repeat; this is an emergency situation…"
There was a thundering boom of aircraft jets hovering above them. It was enough to turn the heads of every person below. Another jet stretched into view making its way towards them.
"Oh my god…" The officer breathed. The jet pulled up at the last minute as it skimmed the surface of the plane beneath it, missing it just barely, "Everyone off the runway, now!"
The jet swerved off course plummeting to the ground at high speed with an almighty explosion. There were screams as most ran for their lives, some throwing themselves to the floor and covering their heads as the blaze radiated towards them.
It took a moment for Will to realise he was on the hard tarmac surface. He uncovered his face and coughed against the smoke, as he lay propping himself up on his elbows. The debris had missed him but others were not so lucky. The blaze roaring before them, boasting its intense bright heat reflected in William's eyes.
He was afraid. Humanity was afraid.
As the military men set to work clearing the runway of people, William took his chance. He fought his way to his feet, first stumbling out of sight and then breaking into a run, making his way towards the wire fences. A final look behind him confirmed that no one was on his tail they were all otherwise preoccupied. He kicked at the bottom of the fence until a section peeled away, fraying upwards. As soon as he had worked at it enough to get his head under, he wriggled his way through to the other side.
Will sat, panting on the other side of the fence taking in the bombsite landscape before him. The fire was dying down. He hated to think of the pilot and the passengers that had been inside.
….
Mulder fought to stay awake. His body begged desperately for rest but he would not allow it, not until he knew that Scully and William were safe and well. The blurry images grew into focus only briefly before his vision went dark once more. He repeated the progression a few more times until his eyes were strong enough to stay open.
He'd gotten concerned by how frequently he'd woken up in hospital beds, completely unaware of the time that had passed and at a loss as to why he were there in the first place.
"Mulder…" The voice was soft, recognisable, it was home, "Mulder, can you hear me, partner?"
He turned his head, slowly until he could see her, his redheaded G-woman.
"How're you doing?" The faintest of smiles crossed her face.
"Thirsty" He croaked, surprised at his own words.
She adjusted the pillows and handed him a cup of water, of which he promptly knocked all over himself with clumsy hands.
"Easy" She murmured, taking it off of him and helping him with a fresh cup.
"William?" He mouthed, needing to know that his efforts in keeping their son alive had prevailed.
Scully's expression was a worrying one, "He… he went looking for Alex, and Rachel"
Mulder continued his blank expression.
"…And, I don't know where he's going, only that it's bound to be right into the firing line…" She was holding back tears now, praying that the father of her child would not judge her so harshly for losing their son.
Mulder took her hand in his, the IV rubbing against his skin as he did. He knew she needed him now. They needed one another. They'd always relied on each other, and nothing had changed in that sense.
"He's going to be okay" Mulder calmed, "I know because you are his mother, he's got your blood, and that makes him stronger than any of us"
….
William had surprised himself with his ability to hitch lifts all the way to Virginia. He'd arrived just before nightfall in the town he'd grown up in.
"This is as close as I can get ya, kid" The pick-up driver nudged him awake.
"Thanks, I really appreciate the ride" William said, slamming the truck door closed behind him.
"He, kid… just watch yourself okay, there's been a lot of crazy stuff going on recently"
William nodded, "I will"
"Alright" The driver turned the engine over and pulled away, leaving William alone in the darkened street.
With his hood pulled up over his head trying to block out the cool night air he paced the sidewalk, each step bringing him closer to familiarity, passing friends houses, even the school, until he arrived outside of the house he'd known as home for fifteen years.
Police tape decorated the front lawn like streamers. William found himself stood outside staring blankly at the house before him. In the darkness, and with the yellow tape catching the moonlight the place looked totally foreign.
He tried the door; locked of course. He tried the back door; still nothing. Will shifted the stone toadstool tucked in the back garden to reveal a spare door key. Only he, Alex and his parents had known about it. William was half surprised to find it, still there, just as it always had been hidden, as though nothing had changed. As far as that little silver key was concerned, life was as it always had been.
The key clicked the backdoor open and William entered gingerly. The house was deathly cold, deathly quiet. The light switches flicked under his finger but there was no electricity to power them on. Instead, William pulled a small flashlight from the side drawer, twisting it on as he did. He shone the beam across the floor to the spot his mother had lay only weeks before. Her body had vanished, along with it the evidence. He shone the light into the kitchen. His father's body had been taken also.
William stood in the doorway wondering what he was supposed to do. The kitchen clock read 01:12 and William decided it was best to hunker down for the night. There was little more he could do now anyway. He tiptoed up the stairs shining the flashlight ahead and holding his breath.
The house was empty but the fear was certainly present.