Title: Partaker of Sufferings (1/?)
Author: lyn89
E-Mail: secretagentcomradesteve@yahoo.com
Feedback: Yes please! It'll encourage me to write more...or not.
Archive: Sure, just let me know.
Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be. Let's skip this broken 
record.
Rating: PG13 (violence, maybe)
Category: T/A
Spoilers: None (as far as I know)
Keywords: MulderTorture, MulderAngst, ScullyAngst, Mulder/Scully 
Friendship
Author's Note: This is my first fic so be gentle. I'll try and 
post the next chapter soon. (depends on the feedback *wink*)
Summary: A near-death experience causes Mulder to question his 
faith in everything.

-x-

"The time is near"

Cold. So very cold. His body continued to shake, desperate for 
warmth. Any comfort would be welcome, but he received none.

He bit on the beige handkerchief that was rung around his mouth. 
The fragments inside his mouth had stiffened from his saliva. 
Just another thing to bring discomfort.

His body shook yet again, still from cold but also from fear. 
He'd been reduced to an animal. No ability to function or fight 
back, just cower and hope that someone would save him.

Scully.

Would she save him? It wasn't a matter of 'if' but 'when.' That 
was the important question. When would she save him? Would he 
still be alive?

A bolt turned and the steel door slid open. He flinched from the 
stream of light, piercing his eyes. Yet another uncomfortable 
predicament.

A thin figure appeared and approached his victim. His face so 
close his breath was beginning to warm Mulder's cheek. Still he 
moved closer. So close.

Mulder moaned and pushed away from his captor but was caught by 
the figure's hand that pressed against the back of his neck.

"Don't be afraid." Soft. His voice was delicate and he spoke as 
if to a young child. Still he tried to jerk away but was caught 
by two other shadows.

Accomplices? But there had been no evidence to support that in 
the previous assaults. Assaults...that was assuming his victims 
were still alive and well.

"Do not fear child but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of 
Christ's sufferings-"

Mulder groaned as the two men, judging by their strength, lifted 
him up and carried him from the dark metal room that had become 
his prison.

They began walking through a hall with walls of metal, similar 
to the room he had been in. A factory? It would seem logical, a 
large place for no one to hear him...scream.

He kept his eyes lowered to shield himself from the intense 
light brought on from the industrial-sized lights. 

Finally they met the end of the hallway.

A bent metal door with several dents and holes, most likely 
caused by previous victims, met his eyes. 

The thin man proceeded to unlock the door and lead them in. As 
soon as they all were inside, he locked the door and pulled a 
string that clicked on a simple ceiling light.

Mulder froze at the giant wooden cross that lay at the center of 
the room, it's core rooted firmly into the thick cement floor.

"-when his glory shall be revealed-" 

He desperately tried to plant his feet into the ground, but he 
was weak and the two lackeys were so strong. Too strong. They 
pushed him against the cross and held him down as the leader 
continued to speak.

"-ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

As he concluded the passage he lifted a wooden mallet and three 
heavy nails.

Mulder's eyes grew wide with fear and he bucked and kicked like 
a wild animal to free himself from imminent pain and suffering 
that was soon to occur.

The leader gently placed his long thin fingers on the man's 
gagged mouth and spoke. "Do not fear Fox, for you are to be 
healed on this day."

He placed the nail in the center of his left palm and struck.

Mulder's face shot up and he screamed beneath the rags that 
bound and covered his mouth. Thick mounts of tears swelled in 
his eyes nearly breaking through the barrier.

The leader proceeded with his right hand, forcing his tears to 
flow. He continued to scream and banged his head against the 
wood trying to break free. He looked down as the two bouncers 
moved away from his arms and grasped his legs and pushing his 
feet to the base of the cross.

He glanced at his right hand, then his left. Although not a 
religious man, Mulder knew what was next. There was nothing he 
could do. At the admittance of defeat he squeezed his eyes shut, 
still moist from the tears, and braced himself for the pain.

It came quicker than he thought.

With each nail in its proper place the men stood back and 
marveled as if he were a work of art.

From the leader's eyes Mulder could see tears trailing down his 
face. He placed his right hand on the injured man's cheek and 
smiled.

"Now you too will be saved."

-x-

end (1/?)