Crossed Paths (1/?)                  
By Dawn Powell

Disclaimer:Ezekiel Stone and Company belong to Ethan            
Reiff and Cyrus Voris. X-Files belongs to Chris Carter. Just
going to borrow them for a while so don't sue.  

 Feedback is always welcome Just send it to 
blessed_protector@yahoo.com

        I really could use a day off and soon. I know that if I just
come out and ask, he would come up with a reason not to give me it. So
I try the complaint route.I know that he spys on me so I just start
talking. " I could really use a break here. Just one day off, that's
all I ask. All I do day in and day out is go after these guys. That
last case had me sending back two souls. Doesn't that count for
something?" Now it was just a matter of time. I didn't have to waitlong.
        "Quit complaining, Ezekiel. Of course it counts for
something." He was right on time. Maybe I should tell him he's getting
predictable with his timing. No, it's better to  let him think he's
all powerful. Let's see what wisdom he's going to bestow on me today.
"It's proof that you're getting closer to your goal of a second chance
at life. Besides I could just send you back to Hell. I'm sure the
people that you've sent back so far would love to get their hands on
you," The Devil replied with what I guess was to be a charming smile.
       The smile didn't work. "If you're going to keep visiting me
like this could you at least use the door?" Before he could say
anything I went on. "Never mind. What do you really want?" 
        "My, aren't we grouchy today? What's wrong? Didn't you get
enough sleep last night? It's not like you need it. I just thought you
might want some help in finding your next target."
         I wasn't going to fall into that trap of arguing with him so
I replied with, "You giving me help? What's the matter? No one else to
torture It's not like you to give me the who and where."
         He ignored the torture comment. "I never said I was going to
tell you that. You should know better, Ezekiel, I'm just here to point
you in the right direction, that's all."
         "OK, fine. What are you going to tell me to get me started?"
         "Look in this mornings paper, on the front page. You know you
should really try to enjoy yourself at work. You're in your element
here. You investigate perps and then you bring them in. It's exactly
what you did when you were alive," he took his leave then.
         "It's not exactly what I did. I didn't have to shoot them in
the eyes to bring them in, and I would enjoy myself more if I could
have a day off now and then," I mutter to myself. This guy must be one
dangerous SOB is the Devil is telling me more then some cryptic
phrase. I hoped it wasn't Ash. 
         I left my room to go get a paper from a drug store down the
street. After paying for the paper I started to walk down to the
beach. It was a beautiful day and the Devil did say that I should try
to enjoy myself at work. If I couldn't get the rays while having a day
off, then I might as well try to get some at work.
          I sat down on a bench and opened up the paper to the front
page. It didn't take me long to find the article that I was looking
for.It was shorter then I expected.                Three Found Dead in Homes
     Pearbloom- Tragedy has struck the small town of Pearbloom, CA.
Within the last week three bodies have been discovered in their homes.
Death was caused from blood loss. Police at this time are not
revealing the identities of the victims to the media. "Right now we
suspect that the killings are ritualistic in nature. Cause of death
appears to be from blood loss resulting from the eyes being carved
out," Det. Steve Cooper of the Pearbloom PD stated. 
        I guess that does it, I'm was going to Pearbloom. It was time
to work on earning my life back. Before I left there were some things
that needed to be taken care of. I was still lost in my thoughts  of
the crime as I got up from the bench. I never saw the rollerblader
until he plowed into me from behind. We both went down, but I was
instantly back up on my feet. T bent down to help the man up before he
could hurt himself anymore than he already had. Both his hands and
knees were skinned up. 
        The man looked to be in his late twenties, with dark blue eyes
that seemed to look right through me and short dark hair. "Hey Mr.,are you ok?" 
        "Huh? Yeah, I'm fine." That's when I really noticed how bad
his injuries were. "You should get those looked at." He looked down at
his hands and knees and nods. He has a concerned look in his keen eyes.
        "Look Mr.-"
        "Stone."
        "Mr. Stone. I'm sorry for running into you like that. This is
my first time on skates and..."
        "It's ok. No harm done. Just next time yell out a warning to
the person." I quickly left before anything else could be said. For
some reason I had a bad feeling about the whole situation. I couldn't
explain it then and I can't explain it now. If I didn't know any
better I would say that the whole thing had been rigged.