Fear. It gripped him with claws like steel. Something was there, something unseen but very much felt. He panicked and ran and it came after. Down endless corridors it chased him, always just a heartbeat away. On and on he ran, but it was no use. He couldn't get away from it. It wanted him, badly. It hungered after his life-force and it's hunger was insatiable. His heart froze with the fear of it. Without warning it moved up close behind him. It reached out and grabbed him and it's touch was like fire. Edward screamed as it sank it's fangs into his shoulder.

Kim entered the lab where Daniel was working on some samples. Michael was lounging against a wall to one side drinking a cup of coffee. "Kim, have you seen Edward? He's supposed to be helping analyze these samples" said Daniel, looking up at her.
"He went to see a Dr. Carter at Cedar Creek Hospital. Hasn't he come back yet?" replied Kim.
"No he hasn't. How long ago was that?" asked Daniel.
"About mid-morning." responded Kim.
"That was five hours ago." Daniel looked at Michael. "Michael, I want you to check out this Cedar Creek Hospital. See if Edward's been there."
"On my way." said Michael as he put down his cup and hurried from the room.

"I'm afraid Dr. Carter is in a meeting and can't be disturbed." The receptionist at the hospital was young and pretty with  strawberry blond hair and blue eyes. "Would you be able to come back later?" she asked Michael.
"Well maybe you can help me." said Michael. "I'm looking for a Dr. Edward Marcase. He was supposed to meet with Dr. Carter this morning. Has he been here?"
"Dr. Marcase? Yes, I remember him. He was here at 10:00am this morning. Left about an hour later." replied the receptionist.
"Do you know where he might have been going when he left?" asked Michael.
"No, I don't. I'm sorry. Is there a problem?" the receptionist was beginning to look concerned.
"It's nothing, don't worry." said Michael. "When can I come and see Dr. Carter?"
The receptionist checked her diary. "Would 5 o'clock be okay?" she asked.
"That will be fine." said Michael. It would give him time to go around asking questions.

"Mr. Hailey. Please come in." Carter stepped aside to allow Michael into his office. "What can I do for you?"
"Earlier today you had a visit from Dr. Edward Marcase. Can you tell me what it was all about?" asked Michael.
"Certainly." replied Carter. " I wanted some advice about virology and as Dr. Marcase is one of the leading experts in that field I requested a consultation. Why do you ask?"
"Dr. Marcase hasn't checked in all day. Do you know where he was going when he left here?"  asked Michael.
"No I don't. I hope he hasn't come to any harm." said Carter.
"It's probably nothing. Thank you for your time." said Michael as he stood to go.
"I'll let you know if I hear from him." said Carter.
"Thank you." said Michael and left.

Edward awoke feeling exhausted and confused. His body felt leaden, his head ached and there was a feeling of burning around the tops of his arms. He looked blearily around the room, not recognizing it. It seemed to be some sort of hospital room though. He looked around for a window to try and judge the time of day but it was curtained. He could only assume that it was night. He felt around for a call button and couldn't find one so he tried to get up. The room swayed around drunkenly and he was forced to lay down again until it stopped. He tried to think through his situation to work out how he came to be here, but he couldn't concentrate. He was just contemplating trying to get up again when the door opened.
"Ah, Edward. You're awake." said Carter as he stepped into the room. "How are you feeling?"
"Lousy." replied Edward. "Who are you and what am I doing here?" he asked.
"I'm Dr. Alan Carter. Don't you remember?" asked Carter. "You came to see me this morning and while you were here you became infected with a new virus brought in by one of our patients.  I've kept you here for treatment and observation."
"I don't remember anything." said Edward. "Do my people know I'm here?"
"They do. Dr. Cassian is working on the virus as we speak. I'm sure they'll come up with something to help you soon. In the meantime," said Carter, "I want you to get some rest."
"Whatever you say." replied Edward. He was quite happy to let someone else do the work for a change. His body cried out for rest and before he knew it he was asleep. Carter smiled. He could quite clearly see the burn marks on Edward's' arms and there were definite signs of bruising on Edward's' shoulder, under the hospital jacket. It had been a good day's work. He took the pot and cylinder from his pocket and applied some more of the ointment to Edward's arm.

It was happening again. Some nameless dread chased Edward down miles of endless corridors. Fear coursed through him, everything seemed to move in slow motion. He could feel its need as it followed him. It hungered. It wanted him. It already had one piece of him and it wanted more. But first it wanted him to know fear. It howled, an eerie whispering sound that almost buckled Edward's knees with sheer terror. He stumbled and recovered feeling a light brush against his shoulder. It was right behind him! Yelling in fright he ran on, ghostly laughter echoing behind him.

"You've found nothing on Edward's whereabouts?" Daniel asked Michael.  It was late in the evening, several hours after Michael's meeting with Carter and the team were gathered at the center, worried over Edward's disappearance.
"Not a thing. It's like he disappeared into thin air." Michael replied. "Other than the receptionist and Dr. Carter, nobody remembers him being at the hospital."
"I'd like you to run a check on this Dr. Carter. See what you can find." said Daniel. "In the mean time I suggest you two" and here he indicated Brian and Kim, "go home and get some rest. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."

That night Edward spent a bad night. Plagued by frightening nightmares he tossed and turned all night. It was only after the demon finally caught him that he fell into a deep and dreamless sleep of exhaustion. He didn't awaken until midday. He came around groggily to find Carter next to his bed. "Edward, you're looking tired. Didn't you get a good night's sleep last night?"
"No." replied Edward. "I didn't. Kept having these awful nightmares all night."
"Hmm. Seems to be a symptom of the disease. Perhaps we could give you something to help you sleep. It might make you feel better." said Carter. Edward was young and strong, it wouldn't do to drain him too quickly.
"Thanks, I appreciate it." said Edward, and added, "How's Cassian coming along with a cure for this thing?"
"I'm afraid he's not made any progress as yet." Carter  said. "But I'm sure he'll come up with something soon."
 "I hope he does." said Edward wearily.
"You must be hungry. I'll send someone in with some lunch." said Carter.
"Lunch?" queried Edward.
"Yes. You've been asleep all morning. Those nightmares must have really knocked you out." Carter turned to go. "Try to get what rest you can and I'll check in on you later."
Edward watched Carter go. Something strange was going on, but he couldn't decide what exactly. He'd seen no-one except Carter, but then he'd spent a great deal of time asleep. He looked again for a call button but it was nowhere to be found. There was no sign of a phone either, nor was there any medical equipment. What was going on? He thought of getting up to find out, maybe get a call through to Daniel at the same time.  As soon as he tried sitting up he was hit by a huge wave of dizziness. He sat with his head in hands while the room spun around him, waiting for it to pass. By the time it  had become bearable Carter reappeared with a tray of food.
"Edward." he chided. "You shouldn't try to get up. You're not strong enough and you'll only exhaust yourself trying." Which judging by the way Edward felt, was true enough. Carter adjusted the bed so that Edward was in more of  a sitting position. "I'll be back for the tray later. Don't try getting up again."  he admonished and left. Edward silently watched him go,  touched by apprehension. He had to find out what was going on.

Earlier that morning, Michael had made a discovery. He put a call through to Daniel.
"Michael." said Daniel into his cell phone. "Any news?"
"I've found Edward's car. It was parked in a lot about five miles from the hospital." said Michael. "There are no signs of damage or forced entry, but we're checking it for prints. So far we've not found anybody who saw anything, but we're still looking."
"Keep me informed of anything you find." said Daniel. "Cassian out." He terminated the call and put the phone back in his pocket. He looked up at Brian and Kim who were anxiously awaiting news. "Michael has found Edward's car. There's still no sign of Edward however." he said.
"Where IS he?" asked Kim in frustration. "It's not like him to go off without word like this."
"Do you think the Dawn has him?" asked Brian, voicing a fear none of them wanted to consider. One attempt had already been made on Edward's life by the members of the Dawn.
"I hope not." said Daniel. "Good talent is so hard to come by."
Daniel raised his eyebrows as Kim gave him a hard look. "This is no laughing matter." she said sharply.
Daniel sighed. "I am aware of that Kimberly." he said. "If there is anything to find Michael will find it. Now, shall we get on with these samples?" He turned to the bench. Kim and Brian exchanged a look before gathering around.
"We've tried everything, including the broad spectrum anti-viral agent. Nothing works." said Kim.
"Well people, it looks like we're going to have to be inventive." said Daniel. "Let's get to it."

That night Edward slept peacefully, thanks in no small part to the sleeping draught given to him by Carter. When he eventually awoke in the early hours of the morning he felt rested, but there was a nagging pain in his arms and shoulder. When he investigated he found burn marks around the tops of his arms and his left shoulder was badly bruised. He immediately thought of the nightmares. His injuries were consistent with the things that he had dreamed, but he was uncertain as to how that could be. The more he thought about it, the more things didn't add up. And why couldn't he remember his meeting with Carter? He sat up slowly, trying to minimize the dizziness. Just as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, Carter walked in. "Damn the man!" thought Edward. It was almost like he had some kind of sixth sense. "What's going on, Carter?" asked Edward. "I want some answers."
"The only answer you're going to get is this." said Carter, advancing rapidly on Edward. Edward tried to move back across the bed, but Carter was too quick for him. Taking a syringe from his pocket, which he kept there for just such a purpose, he injected Edward with it. Edward desperately tried to fend him off, but he became rapidly weaker and finally passed out Carter tsked in irritation. He was going to have to restrain Edward. He was not yet ready to finish him, that would come later in the day. In the meantime he couldn't risk Edward finding help.

Later that morning, Michael found himself back at the hospital. He was trying to trace the movements of Edward's car. He'd managed to locate the guard on duty when Edward's car had left and was questioning him.  "Are you sure about this?" he asked.
"Absolutely. The car pulled out the car park at 10:30am." said the guard. "It was not driven by Dr. Marcase. Guy behind the wheel said he was picking it up to be serviced. Even showed me a worksheet. I figured he was on the level so I let him go."
"Thanks. You've been a great help." said Michael. He returned to his car and called Daniel. "I believe Edward is being held at the hospital. I'm going to go in and try to find him." he said.
"All right Michael, but be careful." Daniel replied. "We will join you shortly."
"Will do." said Michael and closed the call. He left his car and went round to a service entrance. He slipped in quietly and started searching the hospital. It took him several hours of careful movement through the corridors, but eventually he came to Edward's room. It was in a part of the hospital that was currently unused, a new wing that had yet to be opened. He opened the door and slipped inside just as Edward started awake from a bad dream.
"Michael." said Edward. "Am I glad to see you. What's happening?"
"I was hoping you could tell me." said Michael as he approached the bed. He frowned in concern as he saw Edward's injuries, a frown which deepened when he saw the restraints. "Edward, what's going on?" he asked. "How did you get those burns?"
"I was told I had contracted some unknown virus and that I was being kept here for treatment while Cassian and the others work on a cure. I don't believe it though."  said Edward. " And I've no idea how I came by the burns."
"The only cure they're working on is that sample that came in from Mexico." said Michael. "The one you're supposed to be helping with."
"I thought there was something odd going on here." said Edward. "I've seen no-one but Carter, I can't remember how I got here and the dreams!  I've been having nightmares like you wouldn't believe."  He tried to raise a hand to rub his eyes and that's when
he discovered the restraints. "Would you mind getting me out of these?" he asked Michael.
As Michael undid the straps he spotted the mark on Edward's arm.
"What's that on your forearm." Michael asked.
"What?" said Edward.
"That mark. Let me see." Michael took Edward's arm and looked closely at the tiny mark. He could just make out a faint pattern. "I've seen something like this before, when I was in the S.E.A.L.S."  he said. "I can't remember what it signified but it was bad news. We need to get you out of here."
"You won't get any arguments from me." said Edward. He sat up and swung his feet over the side of the bed and then had to stop as dizziness swept over him.
"Are you all right?" asked Michael in concern.
"I'll be fine, just give me a minute." replied Edward. He waited till the dizziness subsided and then stood up. Michael had to catch him as his knees buckled. He suddenly felt incredibly weak, unable to stand on his own.
Michael helped him back into bed. "What happened?" he asked.
Edward was trembling all over. "I don't know. I feel extremely weak all of a sudden." he said. He'd never felt so weak in his life and it terrified him. "Get me out of here Michael." he said desperately.
Michael laid a gentle hand on Edward's arm. "I will, don't worry." he said.  "I'm going to have to go out of the hospital to make a call, but I'll come back for you."
Edward nodded, without speaking. He was more afraid than he cared to admit. All he could think about were the nightmares. What if they were real in some way? The injuries to his shoulder and arms were real enough, so why not the rest? The implications of what he was thinking almost overwhelmed him. He desperately hoped that Michael came back soon.
 

Carter was walking down the corridor to Edward's room when the door opened. He stepped quickly into the doorway of a nearby room, just as Michael came out. Michael looked in both directions and then left, heading away from where Carter was hiding. Carter stood for a moment in thought before removing the pot and cylinder from his pocket. He smeared some ointment onto the end of the cylinder before concealing it in his hand. Then he entered Edward's room.
Edward jumped as though stung when he saw Carter. "Stay away from me!" he told Carter sharply. Fear tugged sharply at him, he tried back away across the bed as Carter advanced menacingly. He knew he was too weak to run, too weak to even put up much of a fight but he was going to try anyway.
Carter smiled evilly. "You and I have some unfinished business." he said. He came forward and grabbed Edward's arm, pressing the cylinder firmly against the skin. "Tucanquetzl is hungry for your soul. He will feed well today." He said and then turned and left before a stunned Edward could say anything.
Carter headed rapidly back to his office. Once there he set up an altar in the far corner of the room and placed an idol on top of it. He lit votive candles and, kneeling before the altar, began to chant. Back in his room, Edward fought a desperate battle to stay awake. Sleep tugged at him with a powerful allure, but he knew if he gave in to it he would die.

"Daniel, I need you and the team here at the hospital. Edward's in trouble, Carter's trying to kill him." Michael spoke rapidly into his cell phone.
"We'll be there in ten minutes." said Daniel.
Michael gave the location of Edward's room before hanging up. He hurried back into the hospital and made his way back to the room. Inside Edward was struggling to get out of bed. Sleep dragged at him making his body feel leaden and he kept getting flashes of the corridors and the horror that waited within. He managed to swing his legs over the edge of the bed and tried to stand, but he was still too weak. He collapsed onto his hands and knees just as Michael entered the room.
"Edward!" Michael rushed to his side.
"You've got to stop Carter!" Edward said desperately.
"Are you going to be ok?" asked Michael, unwilling to leave Edward alone.
"I'll manage. Now go!" said Edward roughly.
Michael left at a run. On the way to Carter's office he met the rest of the team. "Edward's room is that way." he said, indicating the way he had just come. "He needs help."
Kim and Brian went to help Edward while the other two went to find Carter. Edward had made it over to a wall and was sitting with his back to it when they entered the room. They rushed to his side, both taking in his condition.
"Edward? What's going on?" asked Kim.
"Carter's demon is after me. I must stay awake." said Edward.
Kim and Brian exchanged looks, the same thought running through both their minds. "Come on Edward, let's get you back to bed." said Brian.
"No!" said Edward fiercely. "I'm not......." he paused as he felt himself being dragged into the nightmare. "Help me! I can't stop it!"  he screamed and then went limp, leaning against Kim.
"Edward? Edward!" Kim said anxiously, feeling for a pulse. It was shallow and rapid.

Daniel and Michael rushed into Carter's office and stopped. Carter was kneeling at the far side of the room surrounded by a pale glow. On the altar in front of him was an idol of darkly hideous aspect. Between its outstretched arms was a bright square of light. In that light was an image of Edward running for his life with ..... *something* behind him. The two men stood rooted in shock, watching the darkness getting closer and closer to Edward. It reached out suddenly and he jerked to a halt, screaming as it touched him.

In his room Edward started to thrash around violently. Kim rapped her arms around his chest while Brian grabbed his arms. It was all the two of them could do to hold him. "Noooo! Don't let it bite me! Don't let it bite me!" he screamed, over and over.
"Don't let WHAT bite him?" Brian yelled.
"I have no idea!" Kim yelled back. She was having a hard time holding onto Edward as he became more violent.

Back in Carter's office, the demon closed with Edward and prepared to bite him. Once its fangs were in him, it could suck out his life-force. It drew him in and sank it's fangs into him. Almost in a dream, Michael heard a voice in his mind say, "Destroy the idol." Michael raised his gun, seemingly in slow motion, and pulled the trigger. The bullet flew true and the idol jumped off the altar as it struck, shattering into many pieces. Carter screamed as a huge cloud of darkness enveloped him. Daniel and Michael listened in horror as scream after bloodcurdling scream emanated from the cloud. Eventually it was over and silence descended. The cloud dissipated and Carter's lifeless body was left in an untidy heap on the floor. The two men looked at each other and Michael said, "Thanks for telling me to destroy that idol."
Daniel looked surprised. "I didn't say anything."
"But I heard you." said Michael.
"Whatever you heard, it wasn't me." said Daniel.
Michael made as if to say something more, but thought better of it. It was just one more mystery in a day full of them.
"Come on." said Daniel. "Let's see how Edward is doing."
As they left the office, several porters ran up to them. "There have been reports of screams coming from this direction. "What's going on?" one of them asked.
Daniel flashed an id at them. "Dr Carter has had an unfortunate accident." he said. "I would appreciate it if you could put his body on ice until we can do a post mortem." He turned and walked off, leaving the porters in a stunned circle. Michael just shrugged his shoulders and followed.
 

When the two men arrived at Edward's room they found him being cradled by Kim who was talking gently to him while he wept. He was shaking violently, on the verge of passing out. Raw emotion surged through him and that, combined with the pain and exhaustion, proved to be too much. He slipped into unconsciousness.
Brian came over to where the other two stood. "He's in shock, but from what I don't know." he said.
"He was a victim of a black magic ritual." said Michael suddenly remembering where he'd seen the mark on Edward's arm. When the other two looked askance at him he elaborated. "Carter had an idol of an Aztec God which he was worshipping. The God fed off Edward's energy replenishing both itself and Carter.. If you check Edward's blood you will find traces of herbal substances. Carter used them to put Edward into an altered state, where the God could get to him."
"Is that why he was trying to stay awake?" asked Brian, not really believing Michael.
"Yes. Look, I know you don't believe me, but I've been through this before. Lost some good men before I figured it out." Michael looked at Daniel. "You saw what happened in the office. How would you explain it?" he asked.
Daniel dropped his gaze to the floor. "I can't, but I'm sure I'll think of something." he said.
"Mmmm. I'm sure you will." said Michael.
Daniel gave him a quick smile and said, "Let's get out of here."

 "Do you want to talk about it?" asked kim gently. It was several days later and she, Edward and Michael were sitting in a bar having a drink. Edward was still weak from his ordeal.
"I've never been so scared in my life." Edward said quietly. "I kept running and running and just couldn't get away from the thing." he shivered involuntarily. "And when it touched me....... I could feel it's hunger." He stopped as a chill hand of fear gripped him, and raised his glass with a trembling hand.
"It's all right. You're safe now." said Kim, laying a gentle hand on Edward's arm.
Edward nodded and took a long swallow from his glass. The memories and feelings were just as clear to him now as they were then. "Each time it happened, I thought that was it. I was going to die. That last time..." Edward looked away into the middle distance, his heart pounding in his chest. "I knew if I went under I would never wake up again. It was right there at the threshold, waiting for me."
Since that day Edward's sleep had been plagued by nightmares. He'd wake, shaking and drenched in sweat in the small hours of the morning and then be unable to get back to sleep. He'd become exhausted, afraid to sleep because of what he knew awaited him. Eventually the staff at the center, where he'd been kept under observation, had had to sedate him. He'd been sedated every night since. This was the first day he'd been allowed out and tonight he'd be sleeping at home. He wasn't looking forward to it, even with the sleeping tablets he'd been given.
"I saw it happening to my men when I was in the S.E.A.L.S." said Michael. "I lost four men before we worked out the cause. Never did find the guy who was behind it.." he paused then said, "I'm glad we were able to find you before it was too late."
"So am I." said Edward. "So am I".