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Acting
the Part – By Kazza PART
4
“She’s not here Max.” Michael said stepping out from inside the trailer. “Ok, I’m going to go back to the Crashdown, maybe she’s given up and gone back home.” Max said hopefully. “Ok, I’ll stay here and if she turns up I’ll let you know.” “Thanks Michael.” Max replied, climbing into the jeep and flicking the ignition to start the engine. As he pulled out of the trailer park, Max could sense something was wrong, he didn’t know what, but he had a feeling it was going to be a very long night. He didn’t know where Liz was, or where to look after the Crashdown, there weren’t many other places she could have gone. He couldn’t imagine what had possessed Liz to chase after him when she didn’t know where they’d gone. It was way too late for her to be walking the streets alone. It may be a quiet, somewhat peaceful town, but Roswell still had its fair share of crime.
“Come on Liz, please be here.” Max whispered as he reached the back door of the Crashdown and rang the bell. He was grateful that her parents were away, so he knew he wouldn’t be waking them up. After standing there for a few minutes. Max decided to climb up to her balcony, just in case she was fast asleep. As he climbed each rung, Max held his breath, clinging on to the faint hope that he would see his angel lying peacefully in her bed.
All hope was shattered as he peered in through her slightly ajar bedroom window. Her room was neat and very tidy for a 16 year old, and her bed was perfectly made, not a crease in sight, and no Liz either. “Damm! Now what do I do?” Max shouted at himself. Inside he was cursing his decision to run after Michael and Isabelle, he should have known Liz would have been upset, but how could he have known she would have tried to follow him. For the next few hours, Max drove around everywhere he could possibly think of, trying to find Liz. He had checked the UFO Centre, the High School, hell he’d even drove out to the desert area on the way to the next town, but nothing, there was absolutely no sign of his raven haired beauty. Eventually, at 5.00am, he admitted defeat and headed home to the sanctuary of his bedroom, although with all the will in the world there was no way he could sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, her face swam into his brain, her velvety soft dark brown hair, her sparking brown eyes, her warm, infectious smile, no matter what he did, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. In the end, he reached for the remote of his stereo and allowed the music to fill emptiness of his room. Misery
likes company, I like the way that sounds
I’ve
been trying to find the meaning, so I can write it down Staring
out the window, it’s such a long way down I’d
like to jump, but I’m afraid to hit the ground I can’t write
a love song, the way I feel today
I can’t sing no song of hope, I’ve got nothing to say Life is feeling kind of
strange, since you went away I sing this song to you
wherever you are As
my guitar lies bleeding in my arms. Laying back on his bed, he put his hands behind his head and stared up at his white ceiling. Although his body was ravished with tiredness, he couldn’t sleep, he felt guilty that he was at home when he should be out rechecking their regular hangout places. As the music of the song continued, he racked his brain, desperate to think of another place to look, so he could go out and feel like he was doing something to find her. I can’t write a love song, the way I feel todayI
can’t sing no song of hope, there’s no one left to save And
I can’t fight the feelings that are buried in my veins I
send this song to you wherever you are As my guitar lies bleeding in my arms “Max honey, you look awful, what time did you get in?” Diane Evans asked, looking at her son, who had just walked into the kitchen, as she served up the waffles in the pan onto his father’s plate. “It wasn’t that late.” He mumbled pouring himself a large glass of orange juice and downing in one go. “You want some waffles too Max?” “No thanks, I’m not hungry.” He replied. “I’m going out for a while.” He added starting to walk out of the kitchen. “Hang
on a minute Max, where are you going?” “But Max, you really look like you should get some more sleep, I don’t like the idea of you driving the jeep in the state you are in.” His mother said concerned about her son. “I’ll be fine mum, I got plenty of sleep last night, like I said it wasn’t that late when I got in. Please I have to go.” He pleaded. “Ok, but drive safely.” She added as Max disappeared from the kitchen and his parents interrogation. “Max, did you find Liz?” Isabelle asked catching him as he walked out the front door. “No,
I drove round until about 5.00am, but I couldn’t find her anywhere.
I’m going to go back to the Crashdown and see if she’s come back, if
not I’ll head to Maria’s.” “You don’t have to you know.” He said remembering how quickly she had left him the previous night. “I want to Max, besides two sets of eyes are better than one.” She said disappearing to grab her coat and returning to join Max in the jeep. The drive to the Crashdown was very quiet, both lost in their own private thoughts. As he pulled up outside, Max could tell Liz wasn’t around. It was gone 9.00am and the Sunday staff were standing on the pavement waiting impatiently for Liz to come down and open the restaurant for the morning rush. “I don’t know where she is, but I’ve been standing out here for nearly thirty minutes now, and it’s getting beyond a joke.” One of the waitresses snapped. “May be she’s fallen down the stairs or something and can’t come to the door?” Another offered. On hearing this, Max started to panic, could she be lying at the bottom of the stairs, on the cold titled floor, laying in a pool of blood, her energy and grip on life slowly slipping away. Suddenly, he remembered the slightly open window in Liz’s room. “Her bedroom window is open a bit, I’m going to climb in and make sure she isn’t inside.” Max said quickly before bolting up the fire escape onto her balcony. As he opened the window further, Max saw that Liz’s bed was still in the same tidy state as he had seen it in the early hours of the morning, confirming that she certainly hadn’t gone to sleep in her bed that night. “Liz?” He called as he opened her bedroom door and walked down the hall way. As he reached the end of the hall, Max paused for a moment. The words of the waitress outside came flooding back, and images of Liz lying at the foot of the stairs rushed through his brain. Forcing his body forward, Max descended down the stairs, and was somewhat grateful to find that Liz’s body was not in a crumpled heap at the bottom. Heading out into the restaurant, Max opened the door from the inside, allowing the staff to flood in and start their shifts. “No Liz I take it.” Isabelle said looking at her brother. “No. I was really relieved that she hadn’t fallen down stairs, but in some respects it’s worse now. Where is she Isabelle?” Max asked, the worry etched on his face very evident. “I wish I knew Max, I wish I could say there is probably a logical explanation for her disappearing, but I really don’t know.” She replied honestly. Thirty minutes later, Max and Isabelle had picked Michael up and were standing on the doorstep of Maria’s house. “Is Liz there?” Max said instantly. “Here? No, why should she be?” Maria asked “Because she’s missing.” Isabelle replied as Maria moved out of the doorway to let them in. “What! You mean you didn’t find her last night?” She said looking at Max. “No.” He replied quietly. “You went home without finding her, how could you!” Maria yelled as tears pricked her eyes. “Hey, calm down. Max drove round until 5.00am this morning trying to find her.” Michael replied ushering the distraught girl to a nearby seat. “This is so unlike Liz, why wouldn’t she go home? Have you checked the Crashdown?” “Of
course, when we got there all the Sunday staff and customers were waiting on the
pavement.” Isabelle replied. “Look she can’t just have disappeared, she must be somewhere.” Maria replied. “Where? I have been driving around for hours, searched the same places over and over again. I’ve been to the UFO Centre, the Crashdown, the Trailer Park, I’ve even driven half way into the desert I can’t find her Maria, she’s either disappeared or someone’s taken her!” Max snapped back. The room went suddenly silent, Isabelle looked at Michael for some help, and Maria stared straight at Max, tears cascading down her face at an alarming rate. Max put his head in his hand, he was tired, upset, desperately trying to hold on to his emotions and try not to picture the mental thoughts of where Liz could be which were flying around his brain. “Look I’m really sorry Maria.” Max said slowly lifting his head, getting up and putting his arms around her. “No I’m sorry Max. Of course you’ve looked everywhere for her, I just don’t understand it. Who would take Liz?” She said as she buried her head in his chest “I wish I knew.” He replied holding her tight as uncontrollable sobs radiated from her body. “OK guys, let’s be realistic. If Liz doesn’t turn up today we are going to have to go to Sheriff Valenti.” Isabelle said, a shudder going down her spine even as she said the words. She had made no attempt in the past to hide how she really felt about the Sheriff. He scared her, he always seemed to be hiding in the shadows and turn up out of nowhere with his dark glasses hiding his eyes and his true feelings and motives. She didn’t like not knowing what people felt, it unnerved her, she liked to know if they were friend or foe as soon as she saw them. “Yeah great Is, and what would we tell him, Liz has been captured by aliens?” Michael snapped sitting down on a backward turned chair. “That’s just it Michael, we don’t know that Liz’s disappearance has anything to do with us or who we are. Without any clues we have to assume a human has kidnapped her. If that’s the case, then we need the Sheriff’s help. We only have a few days before Liz’s parents come back, and if she isn’t home by then, the Sheriff will have to be involved whether we like it or not. If we leave it that long, and the Sheriff finds out we knew she was gone, he’ll really get suspicious and think we’re hiding something.” “We can’t raise Valenti’s suspicions.” Michael said adamantly. “No Michael, Isabelle is right. There is noting to indicate right now that we are dealing with an alien enemy who has taken Liz.” Max replied calmly. “Ok, so what do we do now? All we know is Liz went out to look for you last night and never came home. I can’t sit here all day waiting and hoping Liz will walk through the door. I’ll go crazy if I do that.” Maria said. “Then we keep looking. Maria, call Alex and get him to come over with his car. We’ll split into three groups and check different parts of the town. Maybe we’ll fine something that will lead us to Liz.” Max replied taking charge and trying to sound hopeful. Fifteen minutes later, the group had paired up and knew which part of the town they had to search. “Are you sure you’re going to be ok on your own Max?” Isabelle asked, concerned about her brother. “You sound like mum Is! I’ll be fine, I promise. Now everyone’s got a cell phone haven’t they?” Max asked. “Yes.” The dutiful chorus responded. “Ok, so just remember to keep in contact, and let me know if you find anything, anything at all.” Max insisted. “Be safe Max, if you get tired come home. You’ll be no good to Liz if you wrap the jeep around a tree or something and hurt yourself.” Isabelle added, hugging her brother before she got into the passenger seat of Alex’s car. After watching his two sets of friends disappear in opposite directions, he slowly climbed into the jeep. Resting his head gently against the steering wheel, Max fought valiantly against the waves of tiredness that was ravishing his body. Liz’s distraught, dejected face popped into his mind, the last image he had of her before he had raced off after Michael and his sister the night before. “Mr Evans, are you ok son?” A voice asked. “Oh, yes sir, just erm …. tired.” Max replied looking up and seeing the Sheriff beside him. “Maybe you should get yourself off home son, catch up on some of that sleep you’ve obviously missed.” He suggested “Erm, yes sir …….. I’ll do that sir. Thank you.” Max replied rubbing his eyes to wake himself up. As he pulled away, Max was careful to drive off in the direction of his house, so as not to arouse the Sheriff’s suspicions. Max had chosen to check some of the cave areas on the edge of the town, and as he tore down the highway, Max was grateful for the cool breeze that was doing a good job of keeping him awake. As he climbed over some rocks to reach a cave entrance, the cell phone in his pocked started to ring. Snatching it quickly, he clicked the answer button. “Hello?” He said, as he continued to climb. “Max, it’s Is.” “Have you found her?” He asked hopefully. “I’m sorry Max, we’ve no news, I just wanted to make sure you’re ok.” “I’m fine Is, really.” Max insisted. “Ok, call me if you need anything.” She replied before switching off the phone. “He sounds in a really bad way Alex, I’m worried about him.” Isabelle said putting the phone back in her bag. “We’re all worried about Liz, but I guess it’s harder for Max. He knows he was the reason why she was walking the streets so late last night.” Alex replied. “He shouldn’t be driving on his own, he got absolutely no sleep last night. I should have gone with him.” She said picking at the nail varnish on her nails in frustration. “Max needs some time alone Is, allow him that.” He replied turning down a dirt track not far from the Crashdown. “Michael you were supposed to go down that turning!” Maria yelled, pointing at the road they had just passed. “Fine.” He yelled back, checking his mirrors before screeching the car through a 360 degree turn in the road and turning fast into the road she had pointed at. “Michael!” She screamed, grabbing hold of the dashboard for support. “What!”
He snapped back. “You’re a maniac, are you trying to kill us?” She hollered. “Hey
if I was trying I would have succeeded. Look,
I got the turning didn’t I? What’s
your problem?” “Nothing
is going to happen, I know what I’m doing.” “Where are you going? Maria!” He shouted after her. “Just leave me alone Michael!” “Come on, don’t be stupid.” He said getting out the car and running after her. “Me be stupid, you’re a fine one to talk!” “Now
what have I done?” “Try me.” “Look Michael, if you don’t know then there is no point me telling you!” “God you women are all the same. Look Maria, I’m sorry I don’t know whatever it is I’m supposed to have done wrong, but unless you tell me then how am I supposed to fix it?” He exasperated. Despite his words, Maria kept on walking, until Michael grabbed her arm, making her stop. “Please Maria.” He asked softly. “Ok, you wanna know, fine. I’ve fallen for you Michael, and no matter what I do you just can’t see it. You have to be ‘Mr I’m a stone wall and you’ve just got to lump it’ all the time. Well I can’t any more Michael I loved you and you left me, you broke my heart, and walked away without even a look back. How can you do that, how can you be so heartless?” She yelled. As she looked at him, Maria knew Michael didn’t know what to say, for a moment she thought he was going to turn and walk away once again. But what he did do, surprised Maria even more. Pulling her close, he kissed her, a kiss full of raw passion and bent up aggression. There was little softness in the kiss, but to Maria it said so much. He had the choice to walk away, to continue to hide his real feelings, but instead he had chosen to kiss her, proving he really did care about her. “Wow! I thought you were going to walk away from me.” She said, as tears pricked her eyes. “Yeah well maybe I’m fed up of walking.” He replied gruffly, not able to look at her. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, I’m just really worried about Liz.” Maria replied as a tear escaped down her face. “Forget it, I don’t bruise that easily.” He replied, his voice softening, as he pulled Maria into his arms and held her tight. The sobs that radiated from her were uncontrollable. It was the first time she had really thought about her friend, and she was scared. “Shhh, come on Maria, we’re going to find her, she’ll be ok.” He said trying to pacify her. “How
do you know?” She sobbed “Ok, I’m ok, sorry. We should get looking again, we’re not going to find Liz like this.” She said pulling out of Michael’s grasp and wiping away her tears. “You sure you’re ok?” He asked as they walked back to the car. “I am now.” She replied thinking about the kiss and embrace they had just shared. She knew their relationship would never be like Max and Liz’s. Michael and Max couldn’t been more completely opposite when it came to romance. Max always seemed to know romantic things to say or do, or surprise Liz with little gifts or notes left in her locker. Although she envied what her best friend had, Maria couldn’t help how she had fallen for Michael. As he continued to climb up the steep bank of rocks towards the cave opening, Max suddenly felt his foot slip, and he tumbled back down towards the flat desert area blow. Landing with a thud, Max took a moment to calm his spinning head and heart that was threatening to pound right out of his chest. As he began to come back to his senses, he became aware of the searing pain raging in his ankle. Even in the confinements of his trainer shoes, the swelling of his foot was very evident. As he sat on the dusty floor, Max placed his hands on his ankle and fought desperately to clear his mind to focus on the damage. Normally blanking his mind came very easy for Max, he had healed the injuries he had sustained playing basketball with Michael in the yard with ease many times in the past, but he just couldn’t focus. As his mind slowly went blank, an image of Liz filled his mind. She was sitting on a steel bed in the corner of a dark room, her knees bent up to her chest in an attempt to protect herself. She was terrified, petrified of what was happening to her, he could feel it, he could feel her fear. Just as quickly as the image had appeared, it disappeared. He didn’t understand at all what had just happened, how could he have seen Liz, felt what she felt, that was impossible, wasn’t it? But he couldn’t deny it, he had never seen Liz like that before, she was scared, afraid of what was going to happen to her, he could sense her feelings. Closing his eyes once more, this time Max tried to visualise Liz, to try and get some sort of clue as to where she was, but there was no vision, no picture, nothing. So instead, he quickly concentrated on mending his ankle, and then he hauled himself up off the floor and slowly placed his foot down, making sure all damage had been repaired, he then walked back to the jeep. His vision had distressed him, and he wanted to get back to Roswell as quickly as he could. As he re-entered Roswell, Max was suddenly overcome by a blinding pain in his brain. Swerving the car onto the edge of the highway, Max placed his head in his hands, digging his nails into his temples in an attempt to relieve some of the intense pain. The pain was almost unbearable, he felt like his head was about to split apart, then suddenly he could see her again. She was in a different room, it was well lit, almost clinical, and this time someone was with her. She was strapped to a chair with some sort of machine wired up to her head. That’s when he realised, the pain he felt wasn’t from his brain, it was from Liz’s, the machine was obviously projecting something into her head that was causing her so much excruciatingly blinding pain, and somehow she and Max had connected. Then, all of a sudden, the pain stopped, Max could see Liz’s tiny body relax slightly as the onslaught of pain the machine was causing ceased. It was the last image he saw before his mind went blank once again. Lifting his head up, Max roughly wiped away a tear that had escaped onto his cheek. This vision thing was getting scary he thought, but with each vision he had seen a bit more of the place where Liz was. Jumping on the phone he called the two other teams to meet him back at the Evans’ house as soon as they could. Taking one more deep breath, Max pulled the jeep back onto the highway and drove carefully back to his house. “Ok, does anyone know what’s going on?” Michael asked as he sat down at the pine dinner table in the Evans’ breakfast room. “We have no idea, Max just called and told us to meet him here as soon as we could. If he’d of had found Liz though I am sure he would have said something.” Isabelle replied from the kitchen as she poured drinks out for everyone. “It’s got to be something, he sounded really ……...” Maria started but then looked back at Isabelle’s concerned face as she set the tray of five glasses on the table and stopped. “Strange, unnormal, not Max. Pick your choice Maria.” Isabelle replied finishing the sentence. “I’m sorry Isabelle, I didn’t think.” Maria said trying to apologise. “It’s ok Maria, in truth you’re right, he didn’t sound right. I just hope he’s ok.” She replied as Alex rested his arm around her shoulders. “Let’s just wait for Max to get here before we jump to any conclusions.” Alex replied trying to calm everyone’s fears. Ten minutes later, Max’s jeep pulled into the driveway, and Isabelle and Maria jumped up and ran to the front door. “Max, what’s going on?” Isabelle asked as she walked out to the jeep. “Max?” She said loudly after getting no initial response from her brother. As he had gone to turn the engine off, he had been overcome with darkness in front of his eyes, followed by a blazing light. It took a few moments to realise it was someone shinning a light into his eyes. No, not his eyes, Liz’s eyes he corrected himself. She was back in her room again, lying lifeless on the steel bed, a white coated man was pulling at her eyelids so he could shine the light into them. She wasn’t afraid this time, she was surprisingly calm, Max assumed they had given her some sort of sedative, hence her relaxed manner. “Max!” A voice screamed in his ear as his shoulder was shaken hard. “Ouch! Ok, ok Is, just give me a second.” He said lifting his head and rubbing his ear. “What’s wrong with you?” She asked. “Let’s go inside and I’ll try to explain.” He replied pulling the keys out of the ignition and walking up the path to the front door. “Ok Max, we’re all ready, what’s going on, why did you black out in the car like that?” Isabelle asked as soon as they were inside the house. “Ok, look something really weird keeps happening to me.” Max started. “Like what?” Michael asked. “If you give me a chance I’ll explain.” Max replied taking a gulp of the drink that was on the table for him. As he looked around his friends, he saw four faces all concerned but also eager to find out what was going on. “Ok,
this is going to sound really crazy, but please hear me out.
When you phoned me Is, I was climbing up to a cave opening.
I slipped as I tried to put the phone back in my pocket, and fell down
onto the flat ground below.” “I’m
fine Is, just let me finish. I hurt my ankle in the fall, so I tried focus so I could mend
it. I struggled really hard to
blank my mind out, and as I did, I saw a vision of Liz.” “Yeah,
a vision. She was sitting in a dark
room, on a bed, and she was scared, I could feel what she was feeling.” “That
crossed my mind at first. I got back in the jeep and started to drive back here, and
the more I thought about it the more I reasoned that I imagined it all.
That was until I had another vision.” “Yeah.
I was driving back and I suddenly got a blinding pain in my head. I managed to pull the jeep off the road, and as I closed my
eyes, I saw her again. This time
she was in a different room, and her head was wired up to some sort of a
machine. The pain I could feel
wasn’t in my head, it was in Liz’s, some how she was projecting her pain to
me.” “Is that what happened outside a few minutes ago?” Isabelle asked. “Yeah, when these visions take over, I sort of blank out for a few seconds.” Max admitted. “So
you didn’t hear me when I called you at first?” “Ok, so you’re a human satellite for Liz’s visions and feelings, that doesn’t really give us much more to go on.” Michael said. “But
it does tell us that whoever has Liz is obviously after us.”
Max pointed out. “No normal kidnapper would wire someone up to a machine to test their brain pattern. They were obviously trying to get some information from Liz’s mind.” He replied. “Ok so you’re having weird visions of Liz trapped in a dark room somewhere on earth, can you narrow it down a bit for us?” Alex joked. “I’d love to Alex, but right now you know everything I do. All I can hope is that I get some more visions from Liz soon.” He replied, taking another large gulp from the glass of juice in his hand. “So Liz can send you visions, can your reverse the connection?” Alex asked “Send visions from me to Liz? I don’t know I haven’t really tried. I did try to get more visions from her back at the cave, but not send her something from me.” Max replied beginning to think. “Maybe you should try it Max, it can’t hurt.” “And if you can’t get through, maybe I can dreamwalk to get through to her?” Isabelle offered. “Thanks Is. Hold that thought, I might take you up on it. I guess I’ll go and try to connect with Liz now. It could take a while, you guys might want to do something more entertaining than sitting around here waiting for me.” Max said. “We’ll be right here waiting for you Max. You also might want to think about getting some sleep, mum’s gonna freak if she sees those bags under your eyes!” Isabelle replied before Max headed off towards his bedroom. As
he stretched out on his bed, Max closed his eyes and tried to concentrate. PART
5
As her eyes slowly became accustomed to the dimness of the room, she looked around to try and work out where she was. She was lying on a steel framed bed, the mattress and sheets smelt musty and stale, making her stomach turn. As she started to sit up, Liz’s head started to spin forcing her back down on the bed. A wave of nausea washed over her body, and it took every last drop of energy she had to stop herself from retching. After taking a few moments to calm her head and stomach, Liz reopened her eyes and looked around the room. The walls were made out of stone, as was the floor, indicating she was probably in some kind of cave. All that was in the room was a bed, a chair, a tray of indistinguishable substance pretending to be food, and a large wooden door at the opposite end of the room. Not much to go on she thought, she certainly had no clue as to who her assailant was. The last thing she could remember was being at the Trailer Park and then being dragged backwards. She assumed she must have blacked out or something, hence she didn’t have a clue where she was, she couldn’t even be sure she was still in Roswell. Laying on the bed, she searched her brain, desperately trying to think of a plan on what to do next; then she heard a key turn in the lock of the large wooden door. The sound of the creaking of the door filled the small room, making Liz jump. A large shadowy figure entered the room, and paused for a moment before speaking. “Hello Liz, my name is Agent Buckley, how are you finding your new home?” The shadow spoke with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. “Why am I here?” Liz said forcefully. “Now, now, I’m the one who’s supposed to be asking the questions, not you.” He replied in a patronising voice. “I want to know why I am here.” Liz said again. “Ok, if we must skip the pleasantries and get down to business, then so be it.” He replied, taking hold of the back of the nearby chair and moving towards the bed. As he stepped out of the shadows, Liz could see his face clearly. He wasn’t that old, maybe about 30 or so, with jet black hair. He was dressed in a dark suit, with a white shirt and black tie, but for Liz it was his eyes that unnerved her. He was confident, his eyes portrayed that very emotion, with an evilness she couldn’t explain. His smile seemed forced, somewhat fake and evil looking. “We’ve
been watching you for quite some time now Liz, I don’t mind saying you did
make it very easy for us though, a young girl like you shouldn’t be walking
the streets late at night. You see you’ve been brought here because you’ve been a
very naughty girl. You’ve been
making friends with people you shouldn’t haven’t you, and I want to know
everything about your friends.” “Ok, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. The easy way is when you co-operate with us every time we want to know something and no harm will come to you. The hard way is when you refuse to tell us everything, and we have to extract the information from you with various machines that will inflict enormous amounts of pain on your fragile body. Obviously, to me I really don’t mind which way you chose, although the hard way has a certain appeal to myself and my colleagues.” He replied calmly. “Like I said, I have nothing to say to you.” She said. “Ok, hard way it is then.” He said standing up and matching out of the room. As the large door banged shut, Liz drew her knees up to her chest, put her arms around them and hugged herself tight. She was afraid, very afraid of what was going to happen to her, but she knew in her heart she couldn’t betray her friends, and definitely not Max. Who knew what they would do to him if they caught him. “God Max, I wish you were here. I wish I hadn’t run after you last night, it was stupid, I should have know it was dangerous, but I love you. I need you Max, now more than ever. Give me the strength to withstand whatever they do to me. I never want to fail you, but I’m scared of what they’ll do.” She whispered trying to visualise her love. She could picture him in her mind so clearly, she could almost reach out and touch him. Where he was didn’t matter to her, all that mattered was she could see his face in her mind. She knew in her heart the image of Max in her head would drive her on through the tough times ahead. She was determined to stay strong for Max, whatever it took. Liz had thought about who had brought her here, it was obvious they had been watching her for a while, but someone must have got close to her to know about her and Max. Her question was answered sometime later. Liz wasn’t sure how much time had passed since the first man had left her, and another came to take her out of the stone room, with no natural light she couldn’t tell if it was even morning or evening. The new room she was brought to was clinical, a similar smell to a hospital filled the air. The light was bright inside, and there were many instruments and machines dotted around. Liz decided instantly that she didn’t like this room at all. “Hello again Liz.” The familiar creepy voice of Buckley said cheerily. “I’d like you to meet a friend of mine, I think you might have met her already.” He said as he beckoned another person into the room. “Hello Liz.” She said smiling sweetly. At that very moment Liz felt physically and violently sick. She did know the person, it was Kathleen Topolski. “You!” Liz spat out venomously. It all became clear at that moment, Topolski was the spy for them, she knew how close Liz had been getting to Max. They had all been suspicious of her, and Alex had confirmed the suspicions when he had uncovered that she was FBI. She had disappeared that day, and none of the gang had seen her since. They had all assumed she was gone for good, but Liz knew different now. “Yes Liz, me. I told you and your other little friend, what’s his name? Alex I think, that you were making a big mistake, that you had just made things a lot harder for yourselves, but did you listen to me? No! So whatever happens to you now, remember it was your own fault!” Topolski replied calmly. “Ok Liz, it’s time for you to sit down and answer some of our questions.” Buckley said pointing to the large dentist style chair in the middle of the room. “I won’t answer your questions.” Liz said. “Hard way it is then!” Buckley replied, beckoning to two guards outside, who promptly charged into the room, swept Liz off her feet, and strapped her into the chair, with amazing ease. “Now, we’re going to ask you some questions, and you’re going to answer them, do you understand?” Topolski hissed. After getting no response from Liz, she drew her hand up and slapped Liz across the cheek. The stinging sensation across her face brought tears to Liz’s eyes, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop a few of the tears from falling down her face, scorching the very area that had caused them. “Ok, first question, how do you know Max Evans?” Buckley asked. “He’s my friend.” She replied not looking at them. “How
did you become friends?” “How long have you known Max Evans is different from you?” He asked bluntly. “From the first day I met him, he’s male and I’m female, that’s a pretty big difference.” Liz whipped back. “Not
very smart!” Buckley replied. “I ask again, how long have you known Max Evans is different from you?” “He isn’t different.” She replied quietly. It was only partly a lie, because for Liz, Max was as human as they came. He had watched her, loved her and broken her heart by asking for space, he was just like a normal 16 year old guy struggling to come to terms with the changes within him, the new feelings being with Liz conjured up. “Ok then, how do you explain Max saving you after you were shot at the Crashdown?” Topolski asked. “He didn’t. I fell in the commotion, smashed a bottle of ketchup and spilt it over me. I was never shot, Max never healed me.” Liz replied staring at Topolski for the first time since she had entered the room. “Sheriff Valenti might buy that story, but I don’t!” She replied. “Well it’s the truth, I can’t tell you anything more.” Liz replied. “You’re not giving us the answers we’re looking for Liz, that’s not being smart, and Topolski tells me you’re a smart student at school. Maybe we should try some gentle persuasion on you.” Buckley replied with an evil edge to his voice. A few seconds later, a man wearing a white lab coat entered the room and proceeded to wheel a machine from the edge of the room towards Liz. Although she couldn’t see what was going on around her, Liz could guess this machine was going to inflict some sort of pain on her. “Now Liz, let’s see if we can’t get you to change your mind.” The man said sweetly, taking a wire in his hand and sticking the soft pad that was at the end to Liz’s forehead. After repeating the process with another wire, the man looked at Buckley. “She’s all wired up and ready to go.” He said. “Ok, let’s see how strong she is then.” Buckley said, before the man pressed a button on the machine. It was a few seconds before Liz felt anything, then suddenly she had a blinding, excruciating pain in her brain. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before, no migraine had ever been this bad. After about a minute, the machine was turned off and the pain subsided. “So
Liz, are you ready to talk yet?” “Yes, that’s it.” She thought, “I can get through this, I’ve just got to think about Max each time.” She said to herself as the pain subsided once again. After a few more attempts, Buckley lost patience and decided to give Liz some time alone back in her room to think about what had happened. As she felt the guard loosen the straps around her arms, Liz decided to fight for her freedom. Thrashing her arms around, and freeing her legs, Liz tried to make a break for the door. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t the wisest move Liz had ever made. There was little or no chance of her getting out of the room alone, and even if she did, she didn’t know where she was, or which way to run, but she knew she had to try something. For her pains, Liz got a swift blow to her stomach by one of the guards, and a heavy dose of some kind of sedative that within seconds made her extremely drowsy. She barely remembered being carried back to her room, chucked on her bed, or the heavy wooden door slammed behind her, as she slipped into unconsciousness. “Is she awake yet?” Buckley’s gruff voice called out. “No, she’s way too far gone still.” The man from the lab replied as she shinned a bright light into Liz’s eyes to test their reactivates. “How long before she comes round?” “I’d say a good few hours yet.” He replied turning and heading towards the door. “Is
there nothing we can give her to speed it up?” In her mind, Liz felt like she was floating, sitting on a cloud way up high in the sky. She felt relaxed and calm for the first time in ages. A soft calming music filled her ears from somewhere. Her body didn’t ache from the punches she had received, she felt like she could jump from the highest cloud and fall forever. Standing up on the fluffy matter, Liz took a deep breath, and launched herself into the deep blue unknown. Soaring through the air, Liz felt like a bird, free from every worry possible. For a moment, she thought she was alone, but then she sensed someone around her. She couldn’t actually see anyone; it was more like a feeling, someone close to her, a friend. “Liz, can you hear me?” A distant voice whispered. “Max?” She called back, suddenly realising the ground was below her and coming up way too fast. “It’s me Liz, where are you?” “I don’t know, I’m scared, help me!” She cried back, bracing herself for the impact with the concrete below. Within a second, Liz sat bolt upright on the steel bed, and found herself back in the stone room again. “Wow, what a rush, I wonder what they gave me!” Liz joked to herself. “Liz?” The voice called back. “Maybe I’m still hallucinating.” She thought “No Liz, it’s really me, please I need some clues as to where you are.” The voice added. “Hey,
I may be totally delusional now, but who cares.
Max, if that’s really you, I don’t know where I am.
I’m in a stone room, no windows, think I’m underground somewhere.” “It’s ok, we’re going to find you, I promise. Now is there anything else you think might help us?” He replied as the connection began to fade. “Max?” She called getting no response “Ok, this is beginning to get really weird.” She thought, laying back down on the bed and taking in a deep breath to try to relax. “Liz?” He called out again, but there was no answer. “I really hope that worked.” He thought to himself as he closed his eyes once again, this time his mind allowed him to relax and fall into a deep sleep for the first time in well over 24 hours. “Any luck?” Michael asked as his friend returned three hours later. “I think so, it’s kinda hard to tell whether you’re dreaming it or not.” Max replied sitting down on the sofa. “Well you look better if that’s anything to go by. Did you get any clues as to where she might be?” Isabelle asked. “She didn’t know. She said she was in a room with stone walls and floor, possibly a cave or something ‘cause there were no windows in any of the rooms she’s been in.” He replied. “Ok, so we know to look for caves now.” Maria said looking hopeful. “Yeah, there’s only about 50 million different caves out in the desert.” Alex replied feeling deflated. “We can do this Alex, Liz is counting on us.” Maria said. “Ok, so we go out and search all the caves we find. I think we should split into three groups again, we’ll be able to cover more ground that way.” Max said taking control of the situation. “I want to go with you then, I’m not happy with you driving alone.” Isabelle piped up. “I’ve just had over two hours sleep Is, I feel great now.” Max replied getting up to look for the keys to the jeep. “When’s mum and dad due back Is?” “Not till tomorrow night. They’re working on some big case at the moment.” She replied. “Anyone seen where I left the jeep keys?” Max called out. “Nope, we’ll help you look though.” Alex replied heading to the kitchen. All five friends started to turn the kitchen and lounge upside down looking for the small bunch of keys. “Found them!” Alex yelled from the lounge. “Great!” Max exclaimed. “Yeah, I’ve found something too.” Michael said joining everyone in the lounge once again. “What is it?” Isabelle asked. “A leaflet, for Carlsbad Caves.” “And that is going to help us how?” Max asked. “Think
about it Max. Liz said she was in a
cave like room, this place had hundreds of caves.” “Ok, I guess it can’t hurt to take a look. Tomorrow though, we don’t have time to get there and back tonight.” Max replied. “Ok, we’ll search some of the caves round here now, and leave early tomorrow to head to Carlsbad Caves.” Michael said. As arranged, the five friends met up together at the Evans’ house the following morning. Splitting the group into two parties, Maria and Michael followed the jeep to their destination. It was a little before midday when they arrived, all grateful to eventually be able to stretch their legs. “Ok, sightseeing it is then!” Alex joked. “Let’s just remember why we’re thought.” Max warned, “Yes dad!” The chorus replied. “I’m
serious!” Max snapped. Joining the last tour before lunch, the five friends descended into the caves. The tour lasted nearly an hour, with each participant given a hard hat and a flashlight. “Hey Maria, don’t you think that stalactite looks like our old elementary school teacher.” Alex said pointing at it. “You know, I think you might be right.” Maria giggled. “Guys, we’re supposed to be looking for something strange or out of the ordinary, not faces in rocks!” Max lectured. “Cool it dude, we are looking!” Alex replied touching a nearby rock. It felt cold and smooth under his touch, as he moved along the wall with his hand, Alex suddenly called out. “Guys, I think I’ve found something.” “What is it?” Max pounced. “The wall, feel it.” Alex encouraged. “It’s hot!” Maria exclaimed. “Exactly. This part is hot, but everywhere else is cold.” Alex said moving his hand over other parts of the rock face. “You think something could be the other side?” “There must be something, rock doesn’t heat up on its own account.” “Hey kids, I’m gonna loose you if you don’t hurry up!” The guide yelled. “Come on, let’s go. We can come back later.” Max instructed, making a mental note of where they were. Once the tour had finished, the gang decided to get some food before going back to the caves. Sitting on wooden benches outside, they chatted quietly as they ate their lunch. “Max,
have you tried to connect with Liz again?”
Maria asked. “We’ll wait here for you.” Maria said as Max headed towards the jeep. “Ahhhhhh!” Liz screamed. “I ask again, what powers does Max Evans have?” “None.” “No, wrong answer.” Topolski replied, jabbing the hot poker at Liz’s arm once again. “I ……. I d,, don’t …. know w what you mean.” Liz gasped, pain radiating from every cell in her arm. “Ok, I’ll ask another question, where does Max Evans come from?” “Roswell, New Mexico.” Liz replied breathlessly. “Funny!
What planet?” “Liz?” The voice said. “Max?” She thought back. “Yeah it’s me, are you ok?” He asked sensing her pain. “No.” She replied as some of her pain radiated out to Max. “What’s happening Liz?” He asked, worrying about her. “It’s Topolski.” She gasped back. “What
is?” “It’s
ok Liz, we’re going to help you. Do
you have any other clue?” “Stay strong, I’m coming Liz.” He replied, as the connection disappeared once again. “Any success?” Isabelle asked as her brother returned to the group. “Yeah.” “No,
I’m not ok. They’re hurting her
Is, real bad, she sounded so much in pain.”
He said visibly upset. “An old friend of ours, it’s ……….” Max started before he was cut off. “Topolski!”
Maria cried out. “No, no, over there.” Maria pointed eagerly. She was right, Topolski was walking out of the cave area, blending in just like any other tourist. “Oh my god!” Isabelle exclaimed as all five friends tried to keep their heads down so she wouldn’t see them. “Liz is here.” Max said pointedly “How do you know?” Michael asked. “’Cause
it was Topolski who was hurting her.” Max
answered, anger raging through every fibre of his body.
He wanted desperately to run over to her and shake her until she told him
where Liz was, but as he started to get up, he felt a hand grab is arm, pulling
him back down. “Use your head Max, confronting Topolski is not going to lead us to Liz.” Michael said. “Why not?” “She’s clever, she’s not going to just tell us where Liz is. No, we need to be sensible over this. Our best course of action is to follow her and see where she leads us. Think about it Max, it’s the best way to get Liz back.” Michael insisted. “Ok.” Max replied gruffly, still not totally happy. In his mind, Max was still reeling from the pain and suffering Liz was going through. Every time they connected, he felt the pain worsen, her strength faltering. He knew she wouldn’t be able to last much longer, and he knew he had to find her and soon. At least now they had a starting point, the first proper clue on the trail of Liz Parker. PART
6
“Ok Michael, what do we do now?” Alex asked. “We wait, then follow Topolski and let her lead us straight to Liz.” Michael replied calmly. “This had better work Michael, Liz’s life could be in danger.” Maria said sternly. “And
ours.” Max replied quietly. “What they’re doing to Liz is really bad, they’re hurting her a lot Is. She hasn’t told them anything about us, but I really don’t know how long she’s gonna be able to hold out. We have to get to her, and fast.” He replied worried for his girlfriend. It took twenty minutes before Topolski returned from her car, and by that time the gang had formed a plan. If they all followed her, Michael had said, it would look way too suspicious. So it had been decided that the girls would stay by the jeep and wait, with Max, Michael and Alex following Topolski. Maria had at first objected, complaining that Liz was her friend and she wanted to help her. But Michael had stepped in, making her understand that it would help Liz more if she stayed safe. In his mind, he didn’t know he could keep as sane as Max was if it had been Maria taken hostage. No, he needed to know she was safe for his own peace of mind. He may never let on to her how he felt, but that didn’t mean he could deny his feelings to himself. “She’s coming back.” Alex piped up. “Right, you guys know what to do. If we’re not back in thirty minutes, get help.” Max replied as they all stood up. “Be careful Max.” Isabelle said quietly. “Always.” He replied as they walked away from the bench. “So now we just wait.” Maria complained. “That’s all we can do Maria. Let them find Liz then we can help.” Isabelle replied as they walked towards the jeep. “And on your right you will see a magnificent rock formation that has been buried deep in this cave for over 100 years.” The guide reeled off as the party followed. Max, Michael and Alex had stayed as far back as they could, making sure their hard hats covered as much of their faces as possible. Max watched Topolski intently, determined not to let her out of his sight. “Keep up at the back.” The guide yelled, making some of the people on the tour turn round. Dipping their heads, Max, Michael and Alex averted their eyes, in case Topolski turned round. “When’s she gonna do something.” Alex said impatiently. “Soon, it’s got to be soon, we’re near the place where the rock was hot.” Max replied remembering the area they were at. “You think it’s connected?” Michael asked “I think it’s a strong possibility.” Max confirmed. A few minutes later, they saw Topolski move to the side of the group and slip off into the small cavern where the heated rock face had been. “This is it. Keep back or she’ll see us.” Max insisted, quietly following her. As she reached the wall of the cavern, Topolski looked behind her. Good no one had followed her into the cavern, that made it easier. Placing her hand on a small rock, they heard a creaking sound and a small door appeared. “Geez, where did that come from!” Alex exclaimed quietly as they looked on from their crouched position at the entrance of the cavern. “Well
that settles it, Liz has to be in there Max.”
Michael confirmed “So what do you suggest?” Michael asked. “Right now? I have no idea, all I care about is getting Liz to safety, but how? Ok so we’ve got powers, but we don’t know how effective they’re gonna be. Besides they only think we’re aliens, they don’t know for sure. If we go in there and use our powers we will be confirming their suspicions, then we’ll be on the run forever. I don’t want that, do you?” “No of course not.” Michael replied. “But we can’t leave Liz there.” Alex added. “I know, let’s go back to the girls and try and think of a plan.” Max said, getting to his feet and heading off to find their tour party, with Michael and Alex following suit. “So, did you find anything?” Maria asked, jumping on them as soon as she saw her three friends. “We
saw the entrance in the rock face to where they must be holding Liz.” “Hey calm down. Think about it, we know nothing of what is the other side, we need to have a plan otherwise they’ll capture us all and then we’re well and truly stuffed. We’ll get Liz out soon.” Michael said, pulling Maria into his arms in an attempt to calm her down and give her the strength she obviously needed. “I’m sorry, I just don’t know how much more I can take of this. I just keep thinking about Liz and what she must be going through.” Maria said resting her head on his chest. “I know, we all do.” Michael replied, turning his eyes to Max. He knew it had taken even ounce of control Max had not to rush in after Topolski, more control than Michael thought his friend possessed. Yet it was the right decision, they did need a plan, but where did they start? “Ok, so anybody got any bright ideas?” Max asked, sitting down on the grass by the jeep. “I think you should try and connect with Liz again, see if she can give you any more information.” Isabelle offered. “Ok, I think I can do that. Anyone else?” Max asked as four blank faces stared back at him. “Ok ……. We’ll I guess I’ll try and connect with Liz, you lot just keep thinking of a plan.” He added. With each attempt, their connection together lasted longer. Max found it easy to get to Liz this time. She was back in the clinical room, although she seemed to be alone this time. “Liz, we know where you are, we saw Topolski. We’re gonna get you out of there real soon. We need some help though, do you know anything about where you are?” He asked as she looked around the room. “Not really, I don’t think this place is as big as I thought. I’ve only been in two rooms, this one and mine. There are a couple of laboratory type rooms but other than that nothing.” She replied, walking over to the window in the room and looking out. Max could see everything though her eyes, she was showing him what was around her. There was a narrow passage that sloped down to the room she was in, with a big door at the top. Could that be the entrance they had seen Topolski walk down? “Ok, when they take you from your room to this room, how long does it take?” He asked trying to gauge how long the other passage way was. “A few minutes maybe, I don’t think it’s far.” She replied. “Don’t worry Liz, we’re gonna get you out of there tonight, I promise. We’ll find a way in and rescue you. You’ve just got to stay strong till then.” He replied as the connection began to fade. “I love you Max.” He heard her say as his vision began to go dim. “I love you too Liz.” He whispered back. By the time it hit 6.00pm, the plan had been formed. Isabelle, Max and Michael were going to go in and get Liz, while Alex and Maria waited by the jeep for a quick get away. Again, Maria had protested, again she wanted to feel like she was doing something to help Liz. This time Michael pulled her away from the others to talk to her. “Look Maria, I know you want to help, but you’re not going to come with us.” He insisted. “Why not? Why can’t I help? You can’t stop me Michael Guerin.” She yelled. “Shhh,
keep your voice down or you’ll attract far too much attention.”
He replied putting his hand over her mouth.
“I know you want to help, but it is safer for you to stay with Alex in
the jeep.” “It just is ok. None of us know what we will face in there, and I need to know you’re safe.” He replied, mumbling the last bit under his breath. “What was that?” She asked “I said, I need to know you’re safe.” He replied looking away from her for a moment before continuing. “I can’t go through what Max is going through right now, I need to know you’re alright so I don’t worry. Please Maria, I love you.” He replied. Her face was a picture as she took in what he was saying, her mouth hanging open wide. Michael Guerin admitting he loved her. Wow, if only Liz was here to hear him. “Wow Michael, I never thought I’d hear you say those three words, not to me at least.” “Hey, you needed to hear them and I guess I needed to say them. Now, will you please drop this nonsense about coming with us. I can’t protect the both of us.” He replied. “Ok,
just make sure you come back to me, promise.” “Ok guys, now you know what to do. Give us an hour, if we’re not out by then get help. “ Max said to Alex and Maria. “Take care.” Alex replied, hugging Isabelle. “Come back safe.” Maria added as Michael kissed her forehead. “Right, let’s go.” Max said tearing his sister and friend away from the others. The caves were just about to close, and it took the three of them five minutes before the steward’s back was turned and they could sneak in. As they reached the cavern where Topolski had disappeared, they slowed down. “Nobody takes chances in there, no heroics, I want all four of us to walk out alive, ok?” Max insisted. “Relax Maxwell, I have no intentions of dying today.” Michael replied trying to lighten the mood. “Ok. Now if what I saw from Liz is correct, the room where they’ve been doing all the testing on her should be just the other side of the door, down a sloping corridor. I don’t think there are many rooms inside, so finding Liz’s room should be quite easy. Ready?” “As we’ll ever be.” Isabelle replied slightly apprehensive. At that moment, she wasn’t sure whether she was grateful for her powers, or whether she’d wished she could have stayed in the jeep with Maria and Alex. “Now Is, you wait here, if we need you, we’ll yell.” Max insisted. “No problem.” She replied feeling slightly grateful. The
opening of the large door that was concealed as part of the wall of the cavern
was quite easy. Max used is powers
to short circuit the wiring, and the door simply slid open. “What no welcome party?” Michael whispered as they came to the end of the passageway. “Shh!” Max called back just as he came face to face with a guard. “Well, well, well, what do we have here? Trespassers?” He said coldly. For a second Max glanced at Michael, then with a nod of his friend’s head, they both laid two hefty punches on the unsuspecting guard. The man slumped to the ground, his head making a cracking noise as it hit the hard stone floor. “Let’s put him in here.” Max whispered, grabbing the guard’s jacket and starting to drag him into the cold clinical room. He was only in there for a split second, but Max didn’t like the room at all, he couldn’t ever imagine the sort of torture someone could inflict on a person with some of their instruments. “Let’s go.” Max insisted, as Michael stooped over the body and grabbed something out of the guard’s pocket. As Max started out of the room, he heard footsteps. Ushering Michael back into the room, they crouched down, hoping nobody would find them. As the footsteps got louder Max found himself holding his breath. The sound stopped just outside the room, and he guessed the person was looking in through the window. Then the footsteps started up once again, moving away from the door and away from Max and Michael. Letting out the breath, Max waited a moment before moving once more. A quick look outside the room to check no one was there, and then Max carried on his search for Liz. There were a couple of doors down the corridor he noted. “Good, somewhere to hide if someone comes.” He thought. Beckoning to Michael, they quietly walked down the corridor, hoping they wouldn’t meet anyone else. As they neared the bottom, Max could see two more guards outside the room. By now he was totally convinced they were standing outside Liz’s room. He didn’t know how, he could just sense she was very close. “Now what do we do?” Michael whispered. “In here.” Max replied opening the door to another room slowly and quietly. Fortunately for them, there was no one inside. “Ok, I’m gonna connect with Liz and let her know we’re here. We need her to make a diversion, take away one of the guards so we can tackle them one at a time.” Max replied before shutting his eyes. “Liz, can you hear me?” “Yes,
yes, Max?” “You need to make a diversion, scream, yell or something. Anything that will get one of the guards to open your room and go in. We can do the rest from there.” “Ok,
when?” “Ok, she’s gonna do something, we’ve just got to be ready.” Max said to Michael. “Ok, what’s our side of the plan then?” Michael asked as Max peered out of the slightly ajar door. “We’ll take out the first guard anyway we have to, then go in and do the same to the second. Without using our powers though Michael, not unless it’s absolutely necessary. We don’t want to prove to them who we are.” Max insisted. “Good job I brought this along then.” Michael replied, pulling out a gun from his pocket. “Where the hell did you get that from?” Max asked. “While you were busy thinking just of Liz, I was actually thinking how we might get her out. The guard back there had it in his pocket so I figured it might come in handy.” Michael replied, looking over the object before pointing it at the wall just behind Max. “Put it down Michael, and just be careful with it.” Max replied concerned their rescue attempt now involved guns. As the crouched in the room by the door, Max suddenly heard a piercing screaming. “That’s it, it’s got to be Liz.” Max said getting up and looking out to see if one of the guards had moved. “Hey, be quiet in there.” He said banging on the large wooden door. “Ahhhhhhh.” Was the reply he received. “I said, be quiet.” “Ahhhhhhh.” “Right that’s it, I’m gonna go in and make her be quiet.” The guard said to the other. “Do you think that’s wise, Buckley said not to open her cell.” “I don’t care what Buckley said, I’m not gonna stand here and listen to her screaming all night!” He insisted, pulling a bunch of keys from his pocket and searching for the correct one for the lock “I think he’s gonna go inside, are you ready?” Max asked, not taking his eyes off the guards. “As always.” Michael replied grinning as he cocked the gun. “Just be careful with that thing, and don’t point it anywhere near me!” Max added before watching one of the guards disappear into Liz’s cell. Seizing their chance, Max and Michael left the safety of the room and walked down the passage way to Liz’s cell, Michael walking behind his friend to shield the gun he held. “What the hell?” The guard outside the cell exclaimed, scrabbling around for the gun in his holster “Uh huh, I don’t think so.” Michael replied, lifting the gun from his side and positioning it over Max’s shoulder. “Drop it on the floor very slowly.” Michael insisted. Reluctantly, the guard did as he was told, realising Michael could get an easy shot off if he went for his gun again. “Move, in to the cell.” Max commanded. “Now!” He added more forcefully. At the sound of voices, the other guard poked his head round the door. “Nielsen? What’s going on?” He called, just as his colleague walked into the cell. “Your gun, if you please.” Michael asked calmly as they entered the cell also. Once all firearms, apart from Michael’s had been removed, Max saw Liz lying on her steel bed. “Liz!” He cried softly, rushing over to her and scooping her up into his strong arms. The strength he passed through to her in this simple manoeuvre gave her everything she needed to keep going. “Sorry to break up the welcome party Maxwell, but I think it’s time for us to go.” Michael encouraged. “Right.” Max said taking Liz’s hand and walking back over to the door. “Your keys, give me your keys.” Max insisted. Knowing they had very little choice, the guards threw the bunch of keys to Max’s feet. Backing slowly out of the room, Max shut the door with a loud bang, then sealing the lock with his powers, the three of them started their descent out of the horrible place. In the back of his mind, Max thought that things were going way too easily, but he just wanted and needed to get the hell out of the place and get Liz to safety. As they ran along the stone corridor towards the exit, a loud shot rang out behind them. At first Max thought nothing of it knowing their best policy was to keep running until they hit a public place, that was until he realised Liz was slowing up, and then he felt her grip on his hand diminish and slip away. “Liz!” He screamed as he turned in time to see her fall into a heap on the floor, a large pool of blood rapidly forming around her. Fear filled every crevice of his insides, he couldn’t heal her here, then they would know for sure who he was, but he couldn’t just let her die. As the thoughts raced thought his brain at lightening speed, his eyes fixed on her chest, watching the rapidness of her breathing slow down at an alarming rate. Then, he panicked even more, when he realised her chest was hardly moving at all, he was loosing her. Her life was slipping away from him in front of his very eyes and he was powerless to save her.
TBC ...........................!
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