| “Kyla would never do that. She may like Mulder but she would never say something was wrong when there actually wasn’t. And aside from that she would never steal anything from me nor would she kill my mother.” “Okay, I’m sorry.” Scully said. She paused, thinking about what to say next. She wanted to change the subject and fast before more tension built in the room. “Where are your sisters?” “Lynn went back to college. She’s gonna pack some things and then move back here for a little while until things settle down around here.” “And Suzanne?” “She flew to New York to be with her boyfriend, Joshua. They’re going to fly back together later in the week to attend my mom’s funeral. I kind of want her here but we’re all coping with this in different ways. She needs to be away from this all, Lynn needs to be with her friends, and I just like to sit and sulk.” “You don’t want to be with your friends?” “I would love to be with them. They might actually be able to make me feel better but my poor dad needs time to himself, he shouldn’t have to drive me around everywhere I want to go. I have the Internet and the telephone so that’s good enough for me. Besides, school starts up again in a few days.” “Are you on break?” “Yea, February vacation.” Piper answered. “Usually when the end of the week comes we all moan but I need something like school to keep me occupied so I want to go back.” Scully put her hands over Piper’s. “You promise me you keep staying strong and in return I promise to keep Doggett under control.” “It’s a deal.” Piper said. “Well, it’s late. You should go to bed.” Scully said. Piper nodded as she crawled under her blanket. Scully pulled the blanket over her body and then wiped a piece of hair away from her forehead. “Good night, Piper.” “Good night.” Piper said as Scully walked out the door. She closed it quietly behind her and then walked down to Suzanne’s room. She went inside and shut the door. Chapter 5 3:42 PM February 19, 2001 Alexander Residence Piper sat at her computer for another time. Again she was playing the Sims. It seemed as if it was the only thing keeping her alive. It was the only think that made her happy. She felt like she was standing still, alone in a world that continued to move. She told her friends what happened and she knew they felt sorry for her but none of them could know what she was feeling. The Sims was so unlike the real world that it was the only thing that gave her comfort. A song played in the background but she hardly paid attention to it. “How are you holding up?” Doggett asked as he walked into the room. He sat down at the computer next to Piper’s. “Look, I’m already having a bad day so if you came to insult me, I suggest you don’t.” Piper said. “Actually, I came to ask you out for a late lunch, early dinner kind of thing.” “I’m sorry, were you addressing me?” Piper asked, surprised that Doggett would say anything besides something insulting to her. “As soon as Agent Scully gets out of the shower, I think it would be a good idea if we got to know each other a little better.” Doggett said. Piper raised her eyebrow. “Had a little group therapy.” He said. Piper nodded. “I guess so. Maybe it will get my mind off of things. I’ll go on one condition, though.” “What’s that?” “You promise to keep your gun holstered.” Piper said. Doggett laughed. “Okay, I promise.” Doggett stood up and walked out of the room. Piper turned back towards her computer. She ordered one of her Sims to rub the genie lamp which she had bought just the day before. A purple genie popped out and floated in the air. As the Sim wished for more money the genie all of a sudden popped back into his lamp, not granting a wish. How weird, Piper thought, it’s never done that before. She shrugged her shoulders and then watched as one of her other Sims was swimming in the swimming pool. She smiled, wishing she could be doing that. She turned the screen to another viewpoint of the house and watched as her other Sim painted a picture. A few seconds later, a gravestone appeared on the screen. “Shoot.” Piper said. “She drowned. I guess I should have paid closer attention to his energy intake. Oh, well. No use crying over a dead Sim.” She saved the game and turned off the computer. She walked upstairs to her bedroom and started to brush her hair to get ready to go out. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she thought of something. “Oh my God.” She whispered to herself. She ran out of her room and down the hall. She picked up her sister’s telephone and quickly dialed a number. She waited impatiently as someone picked up on the other end. “Hi, is Erin there?” She asked. Piper waited again until Erin picked up the phone. “Hello?” She said. “Erin, it’s me. Look, I need you to do me a huge favor.” Piper said. “I’m going out with Scully and Doggett. I need you…” “Wait, who’s Doggett?” Erin asked. “I have no time to explain but I need you to come to my house and check up on it. Especially the pool area.” “Why Piper, what’s going on?” “Please, just do it. I think someone might drown. Tell me you’ll come.” “Okay. I will but where’s your dad?” Erin said. “He’s going to my grandmothers. I’ll leave the back gate open for you. Leave your house in about fifteen minutes or so.” “Okay.” “If you see anything or if…if there’s anything out of the ordinary call Scully’s cell-phone. The number’s 193-2112. I’ll come home as soon as I can.” “Piper…” “Please.” Piper begged. “Fine, I’ll come over.” “Thank you.” Piper said as she heard the water turn off from the shower. “Look, I have to go. Don’t forget to come.” Piper hung up the phone and ran back into her room. She looked at herself in the mirror. Scully emerged from the bathroom, her hair was up in a towel. She looked relaxed in a pair of Jeans and a T-Shirt. “Hey Piper. How are you doing today?” Scully asked as she took her hair down. “I’m okay. Did Doggett tell you we’re going out?” “No.” Scully said. “Well, I’d get ready to go out to lunch.” Piper said. “Okay.” Scully responded. “I’ll be right back.” Fifteen minutes later, they had left. * * * * Erin looked at her watch and rose from her bed. She walked over to the TV and turned it off. She got down on her hands and knees and looked under her bed for her shoes. She found a pair and she put them on her feet. She walked up a flight of stairs and grabbed her jacket and some gloves from a coat rack. “Mom, I’m going to Piper’s.” She yelled to her mother who was sitting in the kitchen. “How are you getting there?” Her mother asked. “I’m gonna ride my bike.” “Erin, you know I don’t like you riding when there’s snow on the ground. You can talk to Piper on the phone.” “Mom, this is an emergency. Piper needs some moral support after her mom died. Please, can I go? I won’t be gone long and I’ll take it really slow.” Erin begged. She didn’t like lying to her mother but she knew if she told her where she was going her mother wouldn’t let her go. “Fine. Be home for dinner, though.” Her mother said. “I will, mom. Bye.” Erin said. She ran out the front door and into her backyard. She wheeled her bike out of her shed and she put her helmet on. She walked her bike out the front gate, closed it behind her, and then began to ride towards Piper’s house. The road was slippery so she went as slowly as she could but she was scared. The tone of Piper’s voice when she called was scary. It definitely sounded like something was wrong and she wanted to know what it was. Erin road as fast as she could, considering the roads were covered in ice and snow. She turned the corner to Piper’s street and began to pedal faster. She was excited and afraid, not knowing what she was going to find. She pulled into Piper’s driveway and got off her bike. She opened the side gate and walked into the backyard. |