A sharp kick to the ribs woke Agent Mulder up. His head jolted up in surprise, waking Scully who had been leaning on his shoulder. A woman of medium height (that is taller than Scully but shorter than Mulder) with shoulder length blonde hair and green eyes greeted them with a sinister smile. "Wakey wakey Agent Muldy! It's time for your appointment with the Doctor!" Mulder glanced worriedly at Scully who stared back at him. "Don't worry Dana," Mystery Woman crooned. "Your appointment is scheduled for tomorrow! Now COME ON!" She grabbed Mulder roughly, pulling him away from Scully. She yanked the chain off with ease and threw it back down. Mystery Woman yanked Mulder up and started to drag him away, back to the door which she had come.

"Mulder!!" Scully called desperately after him, but he had already gone. Mulder stumbled after the woman, who was laughing hysterically. She led him down a dark staircase, illuminated only by two oil lamps at the top and bottom of the stairs, leaving the steps in the middle dark. Mulder nearly fell as they landed on the bottom step. She pushed him out into the dark space ahead.

"Good luck!!" She giggled and left. Mulder stood in the blank darkness waiting for something to happen. Then, lights flickered around him in a wide circle, candles. At the far end of the room, a large, bulky shape stepped out. A rumbling growl echoed in the gloom. Scared, Mulder backed away from the creature. As it got closer to him, he saw the lithe muscular shape of the lion creeping toward him. Mulder hit a wall behind and stopped, trapped. Knowing this was going to hurt, Mulder braced himself. As the blonde lion sprang toward him, 2 inch claws ready to meet his skin, Mulder closed his eyes.

***

Mulder woke, 12 hours later. It was light now, probably early morning. Then, a wave of pain hit him over the head. The deep wounds left by the lion stung like fire, almost crippling him with the pain. Mulder struggled to breathe and felt panic rise above him like a wave.

A sniffling cry drew his attention above. He opened his eyes to see Scully crying above him as he lay in her lap, yet again. "Mulder!" She cried in relief when she saw him awake. He moaned in response. Scully laid him down carefully, not wanting to aggravate the already painful wounds the lion had left him. It was no use as the bites and claw marks were deep and bloody.

"Mulder, Mulder what happened!" Scully reached for his hand and gripped it tightly. Voice raspy from screaming and lack of water, Mulder told her. The lion had met him head on, slashing and biting into his skin. Mulder had fallen unconscious after a while of being bitten. "Mulder, I've tied up the worst of your wounds but if we don't get you to the hospital soon..."

Mulder paid no notice, suddenly remembering what that woman had said. "Don't worry Dana, your appointment is scheduled for tomorrow!" He gasped weakly. "Scully! It- it will be your turn tonight!" They stared at each other, Mulder still laying on the ground while Scully knelt above him.

"What are we going to do Mulder? We can't last for too long without food and water and if we're going to be ravaged by beasts every night.."

"I don't know Dana. I don't know." Mulder winced as he tried to maneuver himself so he leaned against the wall. Scully moved quickly to help. She leaned against the wall and helped Mulder to curl up in her lap. They held each other, drawing on each other for strength as they tried to stomach their reality. "Thank you, Scully." Mulder breathed out. He took her hand gently and kissed it. Then, settling himself down on her lap, he fell asleep, still holding her close.