| Title: The Sims Rating: PG Copyright: The X-Files and its affiliated characters belong to Chris Carter, 1013 Productions, and the Fox Network. The Sims belongs to the computer company, Maxis. Summary: A computer game begins to ruin Piper's life but can she stop it before it's too late. Chapter 1 February 17, 2001 2:12 PM Warwick, Rhode Island Alexander Residence The bright light lit up the entire room with its magnificent glow. Piper stared at the screen with wide eyes. The intricate details and the cartoon-like characters intrigued her. Its purpose was to teach and entertain. The game could keep her occupied for hours on end. “Piper, we’re going to get going.” Her mom yelled from another room. “I just fed Digger so put him out in a little while.” “Okay mom!” Piper exclaimed. “Have fun at Aunt Lila’s and give her my best.” “We won’t be home until tomorrow so take care and make sure you lock the doors.” Her mother said. “Bye!” Piper screamed. She listened as her parents shut the door behind them. She heard them start up the car and then pull out of the driveway and drive down the street. Her eyes didn’t come off the screen. Minutes went by as Piper continued to play. She kept her eyes fixated on the computer screen as her dog chewed on a bone nearby. A familiar song blared in the background as she hummed along with it. She was startled as a sharp ring drifted through the air and broke her train of thought. Piper looked over at the telephone and groaned. Usually she enjoyed getting telephone calls but she wanted to continue to play. Piper looked back at the screen and then picked up the phone. She put it to her ear. “Alexander.” She said. “Hey Piper, waz up?” Someone said on the other line. “Yo. What’s chilling?” Piper asked, leaning the phone against her shoulder and chin. She grabbed the remote control for the stereo off the table. She flipped it over and clicked a button as the song became muted. “My back door.” “That was lame.” “Sorry. Hey can I ask you a question.” “Shoot.” Piper said. “If I were to have a mental breakdown and lock myself in a closet would you still be my friend?” “Um…sure. Is there something wrong?” Piper laughed. “Nothing more than the usual. You know, school, people, parents, and just life in general.” “I agree with that.” “What are you doing tonight?” Max asked. “Playing the Sims.” “Why does that not surprise me?” Max pondered, laughing. Piper sighed. In the background of Maxine’s voice she heard another familiar song. She took her remote control and un-muted her own stereo. Piper looked to her computer screen. She paused her game for a moment as she decided to buy a genie lamp for her Sims. She placed the lamp on a small end table and then took the game off pause. “My parents just left so I can’t do anything tonight or tomorrow. Sorry. But what are you going to do?” Piper said. “I don’t know. I was thinking of going over to Korb’s cinema but I don’t have anyone to go with.” “What were you going to see?” “Haven’t decided yet. Anything that’s not rated R for not for Max.” “Did you try calling Erin?” “Yea, she’s baby sitting and John’s working.” “Well, I don’t know what to tell you. You could go with Candy and Kyla but they always end up in a popcorn fight and that could be embarrassing.” Piper laughed. “Yea, they think they’re hilarious but sometimes they’re kind of annoying.” “Annoying in a good way, though.” Piper added in. * * * * Meanwhile in Washington DC, Agent Scully sat at her partner’s desk reading over a case file. Her new partner, John Doggett walked in with two cups in his hand. He put one down on his desk and he sipped the other. “What are you looking at?” Doggett asked. “Skinner’s secretary just brought this down.” Scully explained. Doggett sat down in a chair opposite the desk. He picked up a set of pictures that were attached to the case file. He looked them over carefully, hanging on Scully’s every word. “It’s a case about an unexplained murder that took place in North Dakota. It appears as if the woman that you see in the picture was murdered from an unexplained source. Now police found the symbol of a pentagon on her foot.” Scully looked to Doggett with a strange glare in her eye. Doggett shrugged his shoulders. “I’m assuming a pentagon holds some significance here.” “A pentagon can symbolize some type of sorcery.” “Sorcery?” “Agent Mulder and I have come across cases in the past where a pentagon has brought us to the conclusion of witch craft.” There was a long, strenuous pause as Doggett tried to soak in the information. “Have other murders occurred that follow the same pattern?” He asked. “Yes. Previous murders have been committed in the last three months. Each victim was female, about 5’ 7’’, with brown hair and blue eyes. Other than that they seem to have nothing else in common. A pentagon was found on each of the women’s body in a different place. In one case it was a hand, in another it was the stomach, and in another…” Scully was cut off when the telephone rang. She looked at Doggett who picked it up. “John Doggett.” He said. “Agent Mulder?” The voice said. “No, I’m sorry Agent Mulder isn’t here. Can I help you?” Doggett responded as he looked to Scully. “Who is it?” Scully whispered. Doggett held up his finger. “May I ask who this is?” “My name is Piper Alexander. Please, I need to talk to Mulder or Scully.” “A girl named Piper Alexander.” Doggett responded to Scully’s initial question as he cuffed his hand around the bottom of the phone. Scully looked over at Doggett and then took the phone out of his hands. She clicked a button on the telephone and then put the phone back on the receiver. She had put the phone on speakerphone. ”How are you, Piper?” Scully asked. “Not so good and neither are my friends or family.” Piper said. Her voice sounded shaky. “What’s wrong?” Scully questioned. “Just come here, quickly. I don’t know how much time everyone has left.” The phone clicked. “Piper?” Scully asked, wondering if Piper was still on the line. No one responded. “I guess she hung up.” Doggett said. “Piper Alexander, I recognize the name.” “She helped Agent Mulder and I in many cases previously in her hometown of Rhode Island. You probably came across her name while you were reading through our case files.” “Helped you how?” “Many of the cases we’ve investigated in Rhode Island dealt with the murders of her friends. She’s given us insight and knowledge when it came to some of these cases.” “How old is she?” Doggett wondered. “About fifteen. Why?” “Just wondering.” Doggett paused. “So, when do we leave for North Dakota?” “We’re not. We’re going to Rhode Island to find out what’s wrong with Piper." “You’re just going to drop everything for what could be a silly prank?” |
 |