Title: Awakenings Author: Katilina Keywords: Halloween Classification: X Rated: PG Disclaimer: I don't own or claim to own Mulder or Scully. They belong to Chris Carter, Twentieth Century FOX, and TenThirteen Productions. No copyright infringement is intended. Comments: This isn't the usual kind of story that I write. No MSR or anything, just a kinda X-File. And, I just needed to write a Halloween story... Summary: Every Halloween 25 people die the same way in Ennoble, Oklahoma. * * * * * * * * * * * * * October 31, 1932 As the clock struck midnight, his eyes flew open, glinting off a strange yellow glow. The time for the hunt had begun. * * * * * * * * * * * * * October 28, 1997 Fox Mulder sat at his desk, flipping through various file folders as he waited for his partner to get back from the autopsy she was performing. He had just gotten back from Skinner's office, carrying his first new X-File in 3 weeks. He couldn't wait to get started. Finally, Scully breezed in, massaging her hands into her temples. She looked like she had a huge headache. "What?" she finally asked, settling into her chair. She had a feeling that she better relax while she could. "Guess what I got while you were away?" he taunted, enjoying the frustration he caused. But, she was in now mood for games today. "What?" she asked, her anger barely held in check. Her head was pounding.. "Skinner gave me a new X-File. We're going to Ennoble, Oklahoma in three hours," he explained, getting up and handing her the file. "Do you care to explain why?" she asked, a little more intrigued. She was tired of performing autopsy's. She had done over 40 autopsy's in the 3 week slump that they had been in. "Well, it seems as if every Halloween, 25 people in this little town are killed in the exact same way. It seems as if they are torn apart and eaten, like an animal attack," he explained, watching her intently for reactions. "That's not unusual. Sounds like an animal attack," she said, her brow crinkling. How could this be an X-File? "Halloween night is the only time an animal attack is ever reported in this town. It has been reported consecutively since 1932," he said, standing up and walking towards the door. "What time will you pick me up?" she asked with a sigh, following him towards the door. "I'll be at your place in 3 hours. Hey, Scully, are you o.k.? If you aren't feeling well, I want you to tell me," he said, concern filling his eyes as his hand caressed her cheek. "Mulder, I'm fine. Really. I actually looking forward to getting out of the office. I'll see you in a couple of hours," she said, squeezing his shoulder quickly and then leaving the office. Mulder hung his head briefly. He worried about her so much. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The time of the awakening was near. The members needed to be ready. The time of preparation was near. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Hullo, I'm Sheriff Donavon. I don't know why you people want to waste your time with this, but our welcome to go ahead and be my guest," a fat man said, as he shook each agent's hand. The sheriff had decided to meet them at the airport. "We will appreciate any support you can give us. Now, if you don't mind, both Agent Scully and myself are exhausted. Is there anyplace in town that you can recommend to us to spend the night?" Mulder asked, glancing quickly as Scully. She looked very ill. She was pale, and her eyes were blood shot. "Yeah, sure. You can stay over at the Day's Inn a few blocks down. I'll give you a ride," the sheriff said. "Thanks, sheriff. We app-" Scully started, but started to waver on her feet, as if she was going to fall over. Mulder grabbed he arm to steady her. "Agent Scully, are you all right?" the sheriff asked, concerned. All he needed was a dead Special Agent to add to his troubles. "I-I'm fine. I j-ust need to sl-eep," she explained. Mulder glanced at her shocked. For some reason, he just didn't believe her. * * * * * * * * * * * * * It was starting to stir. Soon, it would awake and the feeding would begin. * * * * * * * * * * * * * October 30, 1997 Mulder had let Scully sleep late, and continued on to the police station by himself. He figured that not much would be happening today. Stuff would really light up tomorrow, and he wanted Scully to be ready. No, he needed her to be ready. "Agent Mulder? Here are all those files you asked for, dating all the way back to 1932," a clerk said, bringing in two boxed full of files. "Thanks. I appreciate it," he said, smiling a her and then digging in. He didn't know what he was looking for exactly, just something that would tie the victims together. He was only on about the 3rd file by the time Scully walked in, anger written all over her pretty face. "Why didn't you wake me up?" she asked, outraged. It almost felt like he had ditched. "I thought you needed your sleep. Plus, I didn't exactly count on anything exciting happening today. I just planned on going through these files. Here, dig in. I'm just looking for similarities between the victims so that we might be able to predict who's targeted tomorrow," he explained, sliding the other unopened box towards her. She glanced at him skeptically before opening it up. It was going to be a LONG day. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The victims had been marked, and were ready for the sacrifice. Now, all they had to do was wait for the awakening. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "What is this group of people called the Laurels?" Scully asked the sheriff. Mulder and her had finally finished going through the files. It was a little past 11 at night. "They're a group of people that live in isolation. Laurel means 'to honor', so I guess their religious or something. They're quiet and keep to themselves, they don't come into town much except when they run out of money. At that point they do door to door collections. They've never caused any problems," Donavon explained, looking at them strangely. "Door to door?" Mulder asked, his eyes widening in understanding. Scully just nodded her head. "What?" the sheriff asked, obviously confused. "How long have the Laurels been around?" Scully asked quickly. "A long as I can remember. I would have to say since about the 1930's," the sheriff answered, even more confused. "That's about the same time the murder's started. And, all the people that were killed never gave any money to anyone that come door to door! That's even noted in their files!" Mulder exclaimed, grabbin his jacket. "Where can we find these Laurels?" Scully asked, picking up the car keys. "Head up the interstate for about 25 miles and then turn off on the dirt road to your right. That should lead you right up to their place," the sheriff said, still not believing that they were going. "Scully, are you sure you feel up to this?" Mulder asked, glancing at her as they walked towards the car. "I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be. Mulder! Look at the time!" Scully exclaimed, glancing at her watch. It was five minutes till. They would never make it. Mulder just scrambled into the car as fast as he could and floored the gas pedal. They may not be there on time, but they would get there as soon as they could. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Its yellow eyes snapped open and it slowly rose to its feet. After sleeping for a whole year, it was hungry and ready to eat. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mulder peeled in front of the Laurels' place. Everything was dark. There was only one light on, and it was behind the house. Mulder motioned that direction and started off, he and Scully automatically in tune with eachother. They circled around the shed, their guns drawn. Mulder counted off and then kicked in the door. The minutes his foot connected with the door, a huge body connected with him. He was tackled to the ground. "Mulder!" Scully screamed, circling around Mulder and whatever was on top of him. It was too dark. She couldn't tell where Mulder ended and the beast began. "Scully! Get it off!" Mulder yelled, seeing a pair of fang start towards his chest. He kept flashing back to the photos that they had looked through all day. Scully aimed and took the shot, praying that she wouldn't hit Mulder. All she heard was a whine and then saw the beast fall over. Mulder scrambled out from under it as quickly as he could. "Thanks," he mumbled, wrapping his arms around himself. Scully didn't answer. "What's wrong?" he asked, glancing back and forth from her to the big wolf laying dead on the ground. "This doesn't feel right, it just doesn't feel right," she said softly and then collapsed to the ground. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mulder rushed Scully to the hospital as fast as he could. The doctors did as many tests as they could. By the time Scully woke up, though, all signs of her collapsing were gone. She looked normal and she said she felt normal. All tests were even normal. "How long was I out?" she asked Mulder groggily, rubbing her eyes. "Just about 24 hours," Mulder explained, his hand resting on her forehead. "Did I get him? Were there any more murders?" she asked suddenly, remembering where they were. "No. 25 people were killed. I don't understand. I was so sure we were right," Mulder said, a look of disappointment on his face. They would have to wait until next year now. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The sheriff smiled. He had the perfect job. Who would ever suspect him of killing 25 people every Halloween and offering them to the devil just as his father and his grandfather had done before him? And, it was almost just as fun as making that FBI agent sick. His bad energy must be strong enough to affect others. He couldn't wait until next year. THE END