Fan Fic and More

Chapter 19


Max knocked loudly on the door as he waited for a response from the occupant. He really needed him to be there today. He had to find out some information that would help.

Kyle Valenti was well known around the UNM campus. He was one of the top players next to Max of course. He also had a strong academic record which was one of the reasons Max actually liked him. You couldn’t call them the best of friends but Max had attended a couple of parties Kyle had thrown after they’d won a game.

It had been a late night for Kyle. He’d spent most of it at a police station explaining how he’d discovered the body of a girl he didn’t even recognize as Liz Parker until the policeman had questioned him about her.

Now Kyle didn’t know that much about Liz but he did remember the first time he laid eyes on her. She was this shy, chocolate brown haired beauty that entered the canteen and clung on to Alex as everyone turned to look at the group that had entered, thanks to Maria’s big mouth.

He thought she was attractive and even had the idea of getting to know her better, that was, until he saw the looks being exchanged between her and Max. He knew then that she was off limits. Max had never given his full attention to any other woman in the whole campus. Something about this girl was special. He could see all the envious looks she got from the girls that had practically thrown themselves at Max with no result.

Kyle awoke to constant knocking on his door. He shook the last remnants of sleep out of his fizzled brain and opened the door.

“This better be good because ...”

Kyle stopped when he realized who was standing in front of him.

“I was wondering how long it would take you to come here. Come on in,” offered Kyle.

“I woke you, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay Max. I understand considering the circumstances. Do you want a drink or something?”

“No, to be honest I’m on my way back to the hospital to see Liz. I just want to know what happened Kyle.”

Kyle motioned for Max to sit down on the sofa while he took the chair opposite of him.

“There’s not much I can tell you Max. I was walking back from Jimmy’s house around ten pm. I heard this real funny noise coming from one of the side passages through the houses. I could see some figures crouching down, at the time I didn’t know what they were looking at.

Then one of them stood up. I could see he was about to kick whatever was lying on the floor so I shouted. The three of them ran off. It was dark down the passageway Max, I couldn’t see their faces. I can’t even tell you if they were male or female, not for sure. I explained to the police that the only reason I thought they were male was because of their size, but in truth I couldn’t swear to it.

Then I heard that awful noise and I realized it was coming from the person lying on the floor. I ran over to body, who I now know was Liz, although I couldn’t tell it was her. Her face was such a mess Max. I nearly puked when I saw the state she was in.

I tried not to go near her because I didn’t want to disturb the crime scene. As you know, my dad is the Sheriff back in Roswell so all that kind of stuff is in my blood. I knew it was important if they were going to catch the bastards that did this to her. I felt for a pulse and it was barely there.

I sat down, called 911 and waited with her until they arrived. They took me to the station to get my statement and I was there for quite some time. At first they thought it was me who attacked her because I was with her I guess. When I pointed out the severe lack of blood anywhere on my body they realized I was telling the truth. They took my statement and then I came home. I only knew it was Liz because they asked me about her. They found her I.D. in her purse.”

“So there were three of them that attacked Liz?”

“Well, three that ran away. I only witnessed one going to kick her.”

“They didn’t talk or do anything that you could identify them?” asked Max, hopefully.

“I’m sorry man, there’s nothing more I can tell you. I’ve told you the exact same thing I told the police. I would have chased them but the sight of her lying on that floor; I had to make sure she was safe until the police arrived.”

“Why, why would anyone want to hurt her?”

“I don’t know Max. Maybe she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Was she ...” Kyle couldn’t bring himself to ask the question.

“No, she wasn’t raped thank god.”

“I don’t know why they would attack her Max. Maybe that’s what they intended when I showed up, who knows why people do these things.”

“Thank you,” said Max, looking directly at Kyle.

“For what?”

“For staying with her, for making sure she was safe until someone arrived.”

Kyle didn’t quite know how to respond to that. He would have done it for anyone in that situation.

“No problem,” was all he could think of saying at the time.

“I’d better get back to the hospital.”

Kyle stood and went to see Max out of his room.

“How is she Max?”

“Right now, the doctors aren’t sure if she has any damage to the brain. She seemed to have a seizure when I was there last. They couldn’t tell if it was her trying to wake up, fight to stay under because she couldn’t cope with what happened to her or her brain got damaged in the attack and she’s now having epileptic seizures. They won’t know anything until she wakes up.”

“Would you do me a favor?” asked Kyle.

“Sure, anything.”

“Will you keep me posted about her recovery? I don’t know her that well but I’d like to see this thing through to the end, you know?”

“You want to make sure she’s okay.”

“Yeah.”

“Of course I will Kyle. Thanks again for being there. I’m sure if you hadn’t chased them away she would be in a worse condition than she is now.”

“Just keep me posted, that's all I ask.”

Max left Kyle’s, jumped in the jeep and headed straight for the hospital.


*******


It was getting late into the evening but Max wanted to make sure Liz was okay before he went home. He didn’t really want to leave her side but he had to attend classes so he could help Liz catch up when she eventually got out of the hospital.

As he approached the room he could hear voices coming from inside. He took a peek through the window and realized that the doctors were talking to Mr. and Mrs. Parker. He didn’t want to disturb them, so took a seat outside and waited.

It wasn’t long before the doctors vacated the room and Max tentatively walked in.

“Hi Nancy, I’m sorry I took so long but I had to visit someone on the way here.”

“Max, you didn’t have to come back tonight. You’ve got college in the morning haven’t you?”

“Yes, but I want to spend as much time with Liz as I possibly can. Why don’t you and Jeff go home, grab something to eat, freshen up and then come back. I can phone you if there is any change in her condition.”

“Are you sure Max? It’s after ten pm now, by the time we’ve done all that and traveled back here it will be after twelve,” stated Jeff.

“No, it’s fine honestly.”

“Well if you’re sure, we’ll be back as soon as we can Max,” said Jeff.

“Before you leave, I just wanted to let you know that I went to visit Kyle Valenti on the way here. He goes to UNM.”

“And?” asked Nancy, with a hopeful tone to her voice.

“Unfortunately there was not much he could tell me. It was dark, around ten pm and he was walking back from a friend’s house when he heard a noise. He saw three people standing over Liz, although he didn’t know it was her at the time. He shouted and they ran off in the opposite direction. He didn’t get a good look at them because it was dark. He couldn’t even tell if they were male or female to be honest. He wanted to chase after them but when he saw the state Liz was in he decided to stay with her until the emergency services arrived.”

“Probably the best decision at the time, they might have come back to finish the job if he hadn’t waited there with her,” replied Jeff in a defeated tone.

A visible shudder passed through Nancy’s whole body.

“So, I guess we just wait for Liz to wake up and see if she remembers anything,” said Jeff.

“I guess so. Kyle wants me to keep him posted on her condition if that’s okay with you?”

“Of course, it’s the least we can do,” said Nancy.

“We’ll be back as soon as we can Max. Thanks for being here for our daughter,” said Jeff.

“I’ll phone you if there is any change,” said Max, as Jeff and Nancy left to go home.

Chapter 20


It had been a few weeks since Max had returned to the hospital after visiting Kyle; they still hadn’t heard any news from the police about the attack. He had stayed by her bedside that night while Jeff and Nancy went home to freshen up and grab something to eat before heading back to stay with Liz.

Max had kept his promise to Liz and her parents. He made sure that he went to visit her as soon as college was finished. He would spend most of his time talking to Liz. Explaining what classes he had that day and any dramas that had played out. He also completed most of his assignments in the hospital room instead of going home to do them.

Since Liz had that awful seizure Max didn’t want to leave her side but he knew that when she woke up, she would have a lot of work to catch up on. He arranged for all of her friends in the group to obtain the class notes she would need.

Any classes that Liz had on her own, Max managed to find one of her classmates that were willing to help. By now, everyone at the college had heard of the attack on Liz. To say that the majority of them were shocked was an understatement. Although they hadn’t gotten to know her personally, she seemed like a nice person, so it wasn’t hard for Max to get the extra help he needed.

As he quietly entered her room, Jeff and Nancy turned to look at him.

“How is she?”

This was the question he always asked them when he entered the room.

“Still the same,” replied Jeff, in a sad tone.

“The doctors say that she should be awake by now. They’ve done more tests, given her a brain scan but don’t really understand why she hasn’t woken up,” explained Nancy.

“So the scan showed up normal?” asked Max.

“As far as they can tell but they have to wait for her to wake up to make a full assessment.”

“How long have you been here?” asked Max, they both looked exhausted.

“Since you left last night,” replied Jeff.

This was their usual routine. Max would arrive and the Parkers would leave for a while to get some much needed rest and freshen up.

“Max, we can’t keep asking you to do this every day. What about your school work? Surely that is suffering?” said Nancy.

“No, I have it all under control. Don’t worry about that. I do most of my assignments when I’m here with Liz. I think that it’s the only thing that’s keeping me sane right now.”

Nancy got out of her chair and walked over to Max. She engulfed him in a hug that would have crushed his bones if he wasn’t as fit as he was.

“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve been doing Max. I don’t know what Jeff or I would have done without you being here.”

Max’s face turned several shades of red before Jeff managed to wrestle his wife away from him.

“You’re embarrassing the poor lad Nancy,” laughed Jeff, at the uncomfortable look on Max’s face.

Nancy had a sheepish look on her face, patted Max on the cheek and apologized.

“Well, he is practically part of the family,” said Nancy, with a sly smile on her lips and walked out of the room.

Jeff just laughed at the look on Max’s face. It was the first time he had laughed since this whole tragic event had happened and it felt good. He knew what Nancy was up to. She would be picking out wedding dresses before Liz was fully recovered. Once Nancy had made up her mind, not even Jeff could change it and he knew that Nancy wanted no other man for her daughter, except Max. Oh yes, the poor lad was in trouble.

Max moved his chair next to the bed and gently took Liz’s hand in his own.

“You are a very special person Liz Parker. You have a lot of friends that are helping you right now, even if you don’t know it yet. People who don’t even know you as well as we do. Once you get better we’ll go somewhere and rest before you have to go back to college. I’m hoping that you will wake up before our two week break. We could go away then, have some fun. What do you say?”

He always felt a fool talking to Liz like this, because it felt as if he was just talking to himself but the doctors said it would help so he buried his feelings and just got on with it.

“M ... Max?”

Max’s head whipped around to look at Liz’s face. He could have sworn he’d just heard her talk, but then, he didn’t actually know what her voice sounded like. God was he finally going insane with worry? Was his mind now making its own reality? He watched Liz for a while but there was no movement what so ever. Yep, he was finally losing it.

He decided that he would have to get some much needed rest. He’d been burning the candle at both ends lately, trying to split his time between Liz, his friends and college.

“Max, h ... help me Max.”

The voice came out more as a croak than a whisper but he knew that his mind had definitely not made that up because he also felt her hand slightly squeeze his own. He jumped up with such force that his chair made an awful loud scraping noise in the quiet room, and then clattered to the floor.

Max had never moved so quick in his life. He raced from the room and ran down the corridor, getting annoyed glares from the nurses. He could see Nancy and Jeff just about to turn the corner when he shouted.

“Jeff, Nancy, come quickly!”

They stopped dead in their tracks, turned to look at Max and when they saw him, broke out into a run. Max turned around and started to run back towards Liz’s room.

“Max, what is it?” shouted Nancy.

“No time, come quickly,” he panted, as he broke into a full run. He charged through the door and skidded next to Liz’s bedside. He gently grabbed her hand.

“Liz, it’s Max, if you can hear me, try to squeeze my hand.”

Jeff and Nancy came barrelling into the room both getting lodged in the door as they tried to enter at the same time. Nancy was the first to break free and went to the other side of the bed.

She looked up at Max.

“What is it Max?”

“Nancy, I know you are going to think I’m nuts but I KNOW I’ve just heard Liz speak my name.”

“That’s not possible Max,” said Jeff, “She hasn’t spoken since the accident.”

“Jeff, I know that. I swear to you I’m not making this up.”

He turned his attention to back to Liz. He put gentle pressure on her hand.

“Liz, it’s Max. Please, come back to us!”

“M...Max?”

Both Jeff and Nancy stared at each other in shock. That had definitely come from their daughter.

“Liz, give my hand a squeeze if you can hear me,” said Max, never taking his eyes off Liz.

That’s when he felt her hand gently squeezing his own. Tears of joy sprang into his eyes.

Nancy ran out of the room and grabbed the nurse at the station.

“Mary, can you please get Liz’s doctor right away!”

Nancy knew the names of all the nurses and doctors who had seen Liz over the last week.

“What’s wrong?” asked Mary.

“She’s, she’s talking,” said Nancy.

“What?”

Mary had gotten to know the Parkers well since she was Liz’s main carer. She knew all about the tragic accident when she was just four years old and she also knew that the girl hadn’t been able to talk since then.

“I’ll go and get Dr Radcliffe right away,” said Mary, dialling a number on her desk phone.

Nancy ran back into the room and stood by Jeff.

“Mary is getting the doctor now.”

“She’s not said anything else since you left,” explained Jeff, “but she has responded to Max’s voice and squeezed his hand a few times.”


********

Liz was stuck in that dark cold place again. She could smell the foul stench of death all around her and she wondered if this is what hell was like. Then the bodies started to claw their way across the ground, making an awful sound as their bones scraped along the cold concrete floor.

The charred remains of her parents came into view and she automatically backed away from them. Why did they keep doing this to her? Why couldn’t they leave her alone? Were they trying to make her insane?

As the body, she knew as her father’s reached out to touch her, she heard the comforting voice of Max surround her soul.

“M ... Max,” she said in awe, as she looked around trying to find him. If he was here, she knew he would help her.

When she didn’t hear him respond she started to lose hope. So she did the only thing she could think of.

“Max, h ... help me Max.”

She knew it was impossible that this was her own voice but if she could latch on to his voice maybe he could get her out of this place. Maybe it was her mind trying to break free from the darkness.

As she spoke her plea, the body of her parents started to retreat back into the darkness, but something strange happened. There was a slight shimmer around the bodies and she could see that some parts of their bodies now appeared to have flesh on them, as if that part had never been burned.

All of a sudden she could feel his hand holding hers. She gently squeezed it to reassure herself that she wasn’t dreaming.

When she felt him squeeze hers back she knew that somehow this was real. She couldn’t quite understand what was happening but she didn’t want to lose her hold on him. She was just about to hold on to his hand for dear life, when she felt it ripped from her.

She couldn’t understand what was happening and was completely terrified.

“No! Max! Come back!”

But her cry went unheard as Max had already left the room and was halfway down the corridor getting Nancy and Jeff.

She felt the warmth leave her soul and the bodies of her parents started towards her again. The perfect flesh that was there a second ago was now a mangled mess of bone and skin again.

Liz shook her head trying to understand what was happening to her. This must be one of her nightmares again, one that she couldn’t quite wake up from. Then she felt his hand in hers again and his voice pleading her.

“Liz, it’s Max. Please, come back to us!”

“M...Max?”

Although she couldn’t see him she knew that if she let go of his hand again, she would be lost in this darkness so she stood and waited to hear his voice again.

“Liz, give my hand a squeeze if you can hear me.”

She followed the voice; it was coming from the small pinpoint of light that was up ahead. With his hand in hers she wasn’t afraid anymore so she made her way towards it.

The next thing she knew her eyes shot open and she could see the blurred image of Jeff, Nancy and Max all staring at her in shock.

“Welcome back,” said Max, as his shocked face turned into a huge smiling one.

Chapter 21


Isabel put the receiver down on the phone and turned to tell the rest of the group the news.

“She’s awake,” was all she got out before a barrage of questions were thrown at her.

“Does she remember anything?” asked Maria.

“Was it that bitch?” asked Alex.

“Is she alright?” asked Michael.

Isabel raised her hand and everyone fell silent.

“I don’t know any details yet. Max just said that she was awake. He didn’t want to leave her for long but popped out to let us know.”

“When can we go and see her?”

“I’m not sure Maria. She’s only just woken up. I think the doctors want to examine her before they allow too many people to see her. I’m sure Max will let us know as soon as we can visit.”

Maria just nodded.

“Wait a minute,” said Michael, “what did you mean Alex by was it that bitch?”

“What?” asked Alex, in confusion.

“You asked, was it that bitch? What did you mean by that?” asked Michael, watching the three of them closely. He knew something was off the other week when Alex had insisted driving the girls home on his own.

Alex opened and closed his mouth a few times, not sure what to say. He looked at the girls for help but they remained unusually still and quiet.

“Spill it now!” demanded Michael, watching the three of them communicate with their eyes.

Maria and Isabel looked at one another, what else could they do? They would be betraying Liz by telling Michael but they couldn’t keep him in the dark any longer. Not now that Alex had let it slip.

“We’ll tell you Michael, but you have to promise not to tell Max,” said Maria, finally getting enough guts to go through with this.

“No, I’m not promising you that until I hear what you have to say,” said Michael.

“Then we can’t tell you,” said Isabel.

“This has something to do with Liz, doesn’t it?”

They all nodded their heads.

“Do you know who attacked her?” asked Michael.

They all stayed silent. Michael banged his fist on the table making them all jump.

“Do you know who attacked her?” he asked, through gritted teeth.

Still he got no answer.

“Alright,” he said, throwing his arms up in frustration, “I promise not to tell Max but I’ll warn you all now, this could blow up in our faces. If this has something to do with Liz and Max finds out we knew something and didn’t tell him, well let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be on the end of his rage.”

“We think we know who was behind the attack on Liz but we can’t be sure,” said Maria.

“You think it’s Tess don’t you?” asked Michael.

They all nodded.

“Okay I understand that she was mean to Liz but what makes you think she would go this far?” asked Michael.

“Because it’s not the first time she’s attacked Liz,” said Isabel.

“WHAT?” shouted Michael.

“Pam Troy saw Tess grab Liz around the throat and punch her in the stomach. I only know because I put the word out amongst my friends to keep any eye out on Liz. You know how much they all hate Tess, so they were glad to do it. Apparently, Pam Troy heard Tess threaten Liz to stay away from Max.”

“I’d also been keeping an eye on Liz because I saw the way Tess looked at her when she and Max left the canteen. I saw her listening in to a conversation they were having about arranging a date. I think that’s why Tess was there the day before. She was trying to get Max before he went out on his date with Liz,” explained Alex.

“And we all know how that turned out,” said Maria. “She also made a fool of Liz in front of her classmates, claiming that there is no way she could pass the exam because she couldn’t do the class participation bit.”

“You’ve all known this and never even told Max about any of it?” asked Michael, incredulously.

“Liz swore us to secrecy,” replied Isabel. “Oh believe me Michael, we have all tried to get Liz to admit she needs help but she ended up running off, telling us to mind our own business.”

“We have got to tell Max what’s been going on. Can you imagine how he would feel if he found out that all this time we knew what was going on and never told him, or even worse, he hears it from someone else?”

“I hate to say this, but I agree with Michael. I’d much rather have Liz pissed off with us, than Max,” said Alex.

“Then we tell him,” stated Isabel.

“About time something was done about that bitch,” said Maria.


*******

After Max put the phone down from speaking to Isabel he immediately phoned Kyle to let him know that Liz had finally woken up.

“That’s great news Max! Do you think her parents would mind me making a visit when she’s up to it?” asked Kyle.

“I don’t think they would have a problem with that at all Kyle. If anyone deserves to see Liz, it’s you. I’m sure they would want to pass on their thanks to you personally as well.”

“That won’t be necessary. I don’t want a fuss. I just want to make sure Liz is alright. That’s all I ask.”

“I’ll let them know so they can tell the nursing staff to allow you in.”

“Thanks. Pass on my hopes of a speedy recovery to Liz until I can get there myself.”

“Will do Kyle, I’ll keep you posted.”

Max flipped his phone shut and headed back to Liz’s room.


*******


As he entered the room he saw that the doctor had finally arrived and was checking Liz over. He shined his little pen light in her eyes and mumbled something to the nurses. He then went on to check her reflexes.

Dr Radcliffe ran his little hammer tool over the ball of Liz’s foot. First her leg jerked slightly because she was really ticklish on her feet and then her toes curled. He banged the hammer on her knee and the leg responded with a gentle kick.

He then removed some of the bed covers and gently pressed his fingers into her stomach checking for any damage. Once his thorough examination was over he turned towards the family.

“Well, everything seems to be fine at the moment. I have to do more in depth neurological examinations like an evaluation of her mental status, motor and sensory nerves, co-ordination and balance but we won’t be able to do those until she is in a fit state to move. But as far as I can see right now, everything seems to be fine. She’s going to be very sore for another week or so, those cracked ribs are healing but still giving her some pain. We’ll make sure that we give her some pain killers to cope with that.”

“What about the seizure she had the other week?” asked Jeff.


“The fact she hasn’t had one since is good news. It could have been Liz trying to wake up but getting distressed when she couldn’t. I’m not ruling out that she still may have epileptic fits, we won’t know until we’ve completely finished her neurological tests. Once those are complete I’ll have a better idea but I’m very optimistic about a full recovery.”

“Does that mean she can now talk?” asked Max.

“No, I’m sorry it doesn’t. I’ve tried to get Liz to repeat what you heard when you were here but she’s still using her sign language to communicate.”

“I know I definitely heard her speak doctor,” said Max.

“This is going to be a little difficult to explain. I’m sure you did hear her speak Mr. Evans but it seems that it only happened because she was semiconscious. As I recall from her file, Miss Parker was able to speak before the car accident. She was very young. It could be that she was suffering from Transient Aphasia but I’ve never heard of it lasting this long.

I think her problem is very deep rooted, maybe even psychological. She can actually talk but something in her mind is stopping her from doing so. I’ll mention that to the doctor who will be carrying out her mental status examination. Maybe she will be able to get to the source of the problem. The fact that you actually heard her say something proves that she can talk.”

“Do you think there is anything we can do to help?” asked Max.

“I would leave that up to the professionals. Her problem is so deep rooted that even if she did acknowledge the reason, she won’t talk. It may open up other emotions she’s been suppressing and she will need a professional to help her cope with those feelings or they could overwhelm her.”

“Why hasn’t anyone done this evaluation before?” asked Nancy.

“It was done, back when the accident happened. At the time there seemed to be no reason for her not to talk. They diagnosed her with Aphasia. I would have done the same to be honest. The only reason I’m questioning their judgement now, is because you all heard her speak. She is going to have to keep seeing the therapist once she’s left the hospital and there is no guarantee that she will talk.”

“How long will she be here?” asked Jeff.

“I’d like to keep her here for another week for observation, make sure those seizures don’t come back.”

“Then she can come home?” asked Nancy.

“If they give her a clean bill of health after her mental status examination is carried out, then yes, she will be able to return home. She will still need plenty of rest for another week or so though.”

“Thank you, Dr Radcliffe,” said Nancy.

Chapter 22


As Max entered the house, after coming home from the hospital, he was surprised to see the whole gang waiting for him.

He looked around the sombre faces and started to get this awful feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“What’s going on?”

It was Michael who spoke first.

“You need to come with us to my apartment, Max. We need to talk.”

“Why can’t we talk here? I’m tired. I’ve had a really long day and so much has happened.”

“I don’t think you would want your mother to witness your response once we tell you the information we are aware of,” explained Michael.

“Isabel, what’s going on? Where’s Mom?”

“She’s been out most of the day on errands, but she’s due back any minute.”

“I don’t understand why can’t we just talk here?”

“Max, please just come with us,” begged Maria.

Max noticed the worried look on his friends faces, it was enough to make him stop asking questions.

“Okay, fine, let’s go.”

As they walked out of the door Max got his keys out ready to drive when Isabel snatched them from his hand.

“I’ll drive; you’ve had a long day.”

Max just looked at her strangely but didn’t say another word.


*******


They all stumbled through the door at once, as Michael opened it. They were eager to get this evening over. The journey to the campus was an awkward one, nobody spoke, each contemplating how Max was going to react to the news.

Max suddenly felt the last few weeks catch up with him. He plopped himself down on the sofa, laid his head back and closed his eyes. His whole body suddenly felt tired, weary.

“Max, are you okay?” asked Isabel, a frown marring her beautiful face.

“To be honest, no I’m not. I’ve been stressing so much about Liz the past few weeks that I haven’t had time to stop. I couldn’t stop or I would have gone insane with worry. Now that she’s awake...”

“You feel like you’ve been hit by a bus?”

“Yes, exactly. I’m so tired Isabel.”

“He won’t be for long,” whispered Maria to Isabel.

Max back stiffened.

“What’s that suppose to mean Maria? Alright, I’ve had enough. What the hell is going on? Why have you brought me here instead of just telling me at home?”

“Max, we’re so sorry to have to do this to you now but you have to know the truth,” said Maria.

Something was definitely wrong. They were picking their words too carefully and there was a nervous energy floating around that started making him twitchy.

“Would someone just tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s Tess,” replied Michael. He knew that the rest of the gang didn’t want to tell Max so he took it upon himself.

“What about her? I’ve seen her around but she’s been avoiding me, thank god.”

“There might be a good reason for that Max,” replied Michael.

“Which is?”

“We believe that Tess might have been behind the attack on Liz.”

“WHAT? I know Tess has it in for Liz and she’s slightly crazy about me but I don’t think she’d stoop that low surely. What’s happened doesn’t warrant an attack like that,” said Max, refusing to believe that Tess would go that far.

“We’re not sure Max. We don’t have any evidence but what we do have is plenty of events that would lead up to her doing something like that,” explained Isabel.

“Like what?” asked Max, suspiciously.

“Well for one, Pam Troy saw Tess grab Liz by the throat and punch her in the stomach. She demanded that Liz stay away from you, that you were hers,” said Isabel.

Max jumped up from the sofa and started to pace, his fists clenching and unclenching.

“When,” he asked through gritted teeth.

“It was after your little tryst in the store room,” said Isabel, recoiling back at the look Max was giving her.

“So you’ve known about it for awhile then?”

Isabel nodded her head, unable to look her brother in the eyes.

“Anything else I should know?” asked Max, but his voice was calm, too calm.

“She also tried to embarrass Liz in front of our class. She said that Liz would fail the exam because it involved class participation which Liz was unable to do because of her speech problem. I offered my services as translator, but she came up with a rebuttal saying that I could cheat and answer for Liz. I threatened discrimination if they didn’t allow her to complete the class,” explained Maria.

Max was beyond furious. He had no idea that Liz had been going through all of this. He was about to explode in anger.

“Oh, there’s more Max,” Michael said, looking at Alex.

“We were worried about how Tess was looking at Liz when you two left the canteen on that first day. We decided to keep a look out for her. I overheard the conversation between you and Liz about a date, the problem was, so did Tess.”

“Was this before or after the kiss incident with me and Tess?”

“Well she overheard the conversation before that incident. I don’t think she had any intention of Liz seeing. She just thought that if she got to you first you wouldn’t be interested in Liz. As it happens, Liz played right into her hands, turned up a day early and she saw you two kiss.”

Before anyone knew what was happening Max had calmly walked over to the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room and put his fist through it. After shaking his fist a few times to get rid of the pain he turned back to his friends.

“Max, I’m sorry man. I didn’t know until today,” explained Michael.

He knew that Max was going to have a hard time controlling his anger. He had a dark side that only a select few were aware of. He wasn’t a violent person, but he knew how to destroy if someone went against him, friends or family. How, nobody was really sure, but he could. The fact that he’d put his fist through the wall showed just how pissed off he was.

“Why didn’t any of you tell me this at the beginning?”

They all looked at one another, not really wanting to give Max the answer.

“WHY!”

His shout made everyone jump.

“Because Liz made us promise,” whispered Maria.

Max turned around and headed towards the door.

“Max, where are you going? Don’t do anything stupid,” said Michael, gently grabbing his arm to stop him from leaving.

“I’ll pay for the damage to your wall Michael, but I swear to god if you don’t let me go right now it’s not only the wall that will need repairing.”

Michael took one look into Max’s murderous eyes and he let go of his arm. He knew that Max needed to calm down and doing it around the people that had kept this important information from him was not going to help.

“Just promise me you won’t do anything stupid?”

“I promise.”

Michael opened the door for Max to leave.

“MAX, WAIT,” shouted Maria. “You can’t let Liz know we told you.”

“Don’t you think there’s been enough secrets between the group?” asked Max.

“Yes Max,” said Maria, in a soothing tone, “but there’s more to this than meets the eye. I’m not sure what but I know Liz is trying to deal with something else on top of all of this. She wouldn’t tell any of us what it is, but if you approach her with all of this now, I don’t think you’ll ever get her back.”

“Duly noted,” said Max as he left the apartment and headed for the stairs.

Michael quietly shut the door.

“Well, that went well,” said Michael.

“YOU THINK?” shouted Isabel.

“He took it well considering Isabel. He could have done a lot worse than just put his fist through my wall. I suggest we give Max some time to calm down. Let him come to us when he’s ready, anything else might make him worse.”

“You ... you don’t think he’ll go after Tess, do you?” asked Alex.

“Oh he’ll go after her alright, but not how you think. He won’t physically touch her or get her beaten up, that’s not Max’s style. He will wait until he’s calmed down and then go for the jugular. Mark my words, Tess’s days are numbered. Max won’t stop until she’s got what she deserves,” replied Maria.

“What if it wasn’t Tess behind the attack?” asked Alex.

“Max will find out, one way or another. He has this uncanny knack of finding out things you don’t want him to know.”

“I’d hate to be Tess right now,” said Michael.

“How does he do it though?” asked Alex.

“Trust me Alex, I don’t think you want to know,” said Isabel.


*******


The cold, crisp night air battered his face as he walked home. It was a somewhat welcomed relief to the burning anger coursing through his veins. He couldn’t believe that they had all kept this information from him. Why would they do that?

Liz, they did it because of Liz. She’d asked them to keep it quiet.

Could he really blame them for doing as she asked? Would he keep her secrets if she asked? There wasn’t a doubt about the answer to that question; he’d take her secrets to the grave if necessary.

He had heeded the words Maria spoke to him before he left the apartment. He knew there was something serious Liz was dealing with, he’d noticed the dark circles around her eyes, but at the time he was trying to win her back. He couldn’t push her for answers.

By the time Max reached home he was calm. He knew what he had to do. He didn’t like calling on the favours of past but this was Liz, he couldn’t let it go.

He reached inside his trouser pocket and dialed a number he hoped he would never have to dial.

“Tommy, it’s Max.”

“Holy shit Max, it’s good to hear from you!”

“Sorry I haven’t contacted you sooner but...”

“Max, I told you that I understood. I would be there when you needed me. What’s the problem?”

“I need information on a girl called Tess Harding, she’s currently attending UNM.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” said Tommy.

“No, Tommy this one isn’t going to be easy. I need EVERYTHING on this girl. I want you to call in all the favours.”

“What did this girl do?”

“She messed with the wrong person,” said Max, through gritted teeth.

“Consider it done Max. You know the others won’t mind doing it and you know we’ve got your back if you need it. We owe you man.”

“None of you owe me anything Tommy. If they don’t want to get involved then don’t force them. It’s their choice.”

“Consider it done.”

“Thanks. After this, no more favors. It’s finished.”

“I’ll let them know. I’ll call you as soon as I have any information.”

“Thanks.”

Just as Max flipped his phone shut, Isabel pulled up outside the house in the jeep.

“Max, are you okay?” asked Isabel.

Max gave her his best smile.

“I am now. I just needed to calm down.”

Isabel walked towards her brother.

“I’m sorry ...”

“Don’t Isabel. You have nothing to be sorry for. We’ll get this whole mess sorted out.”

“Who were you talking to on the phone?”

“A friend,” was all Max said.

They entered the house in silence.

Chapter 23


After spending so long inside the hospital, Liz couldn’t wait to be released. She had gone through so many medical examinations and mental health tests that she felt like a lab rat. Why couldn’t they just accept that she couldn’t talk? She had tried her hardest to respond to Max, her family and the doctors but every time she went to talk nothing would come out.

She wasn’t pleased that she now had to see a therapist either. How deep would this therapist go to get the truth? She wasn’t sure she wanted to find out, but in order for her to get out of the hospital that’s what she agreed to do.

Now she was waiting for Max. Her mother and father really wanted to pick her up but she insisted that she wanted Max to do it. She wanted to talk to him in private. A big smile spread across her face as he walked into the room.

“You’ve got no idea how happy I am to see you,” she signed.

“Likewise. Come on, I’m sure you want to get the hell out of here as quickly as I do!” He said, as he picked up her bags and threw them over his shoulder.

“Damn straight.”

As they walked out of the room Mary was there to say goodbye to the girl she’d grown fond of over the past month. Both Max and Liz thanked her for being a constant support through this difficult time.

Liz couldn’t help the sense of relief that flooded through her system as she stepped outside the hospital doors, into the glare of a warm sun. She tilted her face upwards, glad to feel the heated rays. Something she’d missed inside that clinical room.

“Liz?”

Liz tilted her head back to look at Max and realized that he’d been waiting to assist her into the Jeep.

“Sorry Max, I couldn’t help basking in the sunlight considering I’ve been stuck indoors for over a month. Even though, for most of that, I was unconscious. It’s just great to get out of there,” signed Liz.

“I can understand that.”

After assisting Liz into the jeep, Max hopped into the driver’s seat and headed back to Liz’s home. They sat in comfortable silence until Liz gently placed her hand on his knee and gave it a squeeze to get his attention.

“Would you mind if we stopped off at Joe’s Diner. I’m famished and they do the best pancakes ever!” signed Liz and then pointed at the diner coming up.

“Sure,” replied Max, as he turned into the parking lot.

Once Max had parked the jeep he jumped out and ran around to the other side to help Liz down.

“Thank you Max. I’ve hardly eaten that slop they call food in the hospital so it’s going to be nice to get some real food inside of me, plus I wanted to talk to you before we got back,” signed Liz.

Max suddenly felt sick. Was this where Liz would tell him that she didn’t want to see him anymore, that she just wanted to be friends? Although he would take whatever Liz was willing to offer, in the hopes that he could build it into more, he had no doubt it would be the hardest thing he would ever do. He couldn’t lose her now, not after everything she’d been through.

He could understand her feelings though, now that he finally knew what Tess had been up to. It must have felt like the ultimate betrayal to Liz; to see the one person who’s made her life hell since she arrived, kissing the one person she trusted the most. He could kick himself for his stupidity in thinking that Tess could be his friend and nothing more.

Liz noticed the emotions running across Max’s face after she told him that she wanted to speak with him. At first he frowned and then a sudden look of pure fear skittered across his handsome features.

“Max, what’s wrong?” signed Liz, before smoothing the worry lines in his face with her hands.

God was she seriously trying to kill him? Just that slight touch was making his whole body come alive.

“Liz, please,” he whispered breathlessly, shutting his eyes and resting his forehead on hers.

Liz gently cupped his face with her hands and squeezed slightly so Max would open his eyes.

“Please what?” signed Liz.

When Max looked into the swirling pools of chocolate that were her eyes he couldn’t help but spill what was on his mind.

“I almost lost you Liz. I was so afraid, afraid of never being able to tell you how much you mean to me. I’m sorry that I screwed up, really I am. I understand if you don’t want to take this further but know this, my heart will always belong to you and no one else.”

Liz pulled back from Max slightly so she could look him in the eye.

“Max, I want to take this further. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I heard you Max. I heard everything you told me while you were in the hospital room. I tried to reach out to you but I couldn’t. You brought me back Max, I could hear your voice and I, I followed it. I know that sounds really weird but...”

“It doesn’t sound weird Liz. The doctor told me to keep talking to you, that a familiar voice would help bring you back. It doesn’t sound weird at all.”

Although Liz understood what Max was saying, she knew it was something more than that, something deeper than even she couldn’t explain.

“So you’re sure? Do you want to make this official, because I know I do,” stated Max, fervently.

Liz was about to answer his serious question when her stomach suddenly decided to protest at the severe lack of food.

“Oh my god, that was embarrassing,” signed Liz, smiling.

“Come on; let’s get you something decent to eat. We can talk about all this later,” he said, as he pulled her towards the diner.

As soon as Liz and Max stepped inside, Liz’s stomach lurched as the delicious smells of fried bacon, coffee and what she assumed to be toast wafted into her nose.

Her stomach made another audible growling noise which made Max laugh.

“Why don’t you go and sit down Liz and I’ll order our meal.”

“Okay. I’ll have a generous helping of strawberry pancakes with as much coffee as I can physically drink,” signed Liz.

Max just smiled.

“I think that can be arranged.”

Max headed to the counter to order their impromptu breakfast while Liz went to find an empty booth in the busy diner. She was lucky to find a booth that was separate from all the others, tucked around the corner of the serving counter. It was quite a dark area which was probably why that booth remained unoccupied.

Liz thought this would be a good place to talk privately since it was away from the main crowd of people that were currently filling the diner. As she was about to sit down she saw the slight shimmer which distorted the other side of the booth. She instinctively knew what that meant.

“No, not here please,” she thought, as the apparitions of the burnt remains of her real mother and father appeared sitting in the booth.

They slowly turned their burnt and mangled skulls to look at her. They had no eyes, just empty sockets where their loving eyes had once been, their teeth gnawing and snapping as if they were trying to tell her something.

She noticed their bony fingers, with burnt flesh and muscle hanging off, resting on the table top. Suddenly she didn’t feel like eating at all. Liz took a step back, in pure fear, as her parents held their arms out to her, beckoning her to come to them.

A sudden surge of bile rose to the back of her throat and she knew that she had to get out of that diner before she embarrassed herself. She turned and ran out as if the hounds of hell were on her heels.

Max was almost knocked over by the force of someone smashing into his side, but just as quick they disappeared through the doors of the dinner.

It took Max a moment to realize that the person who had nearly flattened him on his ass was actually Liz. Something must have spooked her so much that she didn’t even realize who she had bumped into, signing an apology as she ran out of the door.

“What the hell is going on?” asked Max, to himself more than anyone else.

He placed a ten dollar bill on the counter to pay for the food he’d already ordered and rushed out of the diner after Liz. He was so confused about what was going on right now. He had taken quick look around the diner to see who or what could have upset Liz so much but he couldn’t see what had her so frightened.

As he rounded the corner of the diner shouting Liz’s name, he saw her bent over throwing up the meager contents of her already empty stomach.

This is when he finally realized that something was seriously wrong with Liz and he wouldn’t stop until he found out what it was.

He gently approached her, so he didn’t scare her. As she doubled over again and gave one huge dry heave Max’s sanity snapped.

“Liz, what the hell is going on? Who scared you like that?”

As soon as she heard Max’s voice the heaving came again, worse than before. How the hell could she explain that no matter where she went, she could see the burnt, crisp remains of her birth mother and father? Max would think she’s gone off the deep end, hell she thought she’d gone off the deep end. Maybe she needed to be committed for a little while?

Max gently placed a loving hand on her back and moved it in slow circular movements, trying to calm her down.

“Liz, you have to talk to me. What had you so petrified that you ran out the diner?”

Liz realized that Max was shaking, uncontrollably.

She risked a glance at his eyes and realized that his only concern was for her.

“Did you recognize someone that attacked you?” asked Max, poised for action if she answered in the affirmative. It’s the only reason he could come up with for Liz to act so strangely.

She gently shook her head.

“Then what, Liz? I’ve never seen you so, so scared, so frightened. What the hell is going on?”

After the final wretch erupted from her throat Liz wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She was so embarrassed that Max had seen her throw up. A deep crimson color ran across her cheeks.

“Liz, please,” Max begged. “You have to tell me what’s going on. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me.”

Liz truly wanted to tell Max what her problem was but what would he think when she told him that she constantly saw her dead parents? He would surely think she’d lost it. She couldn’t stand to see that look on Max’s face so she decided to play dumb.

“Max, I’m fine. I think walking into that diner with all the smell of food just made me feel sick. I didn’t want to throw up in front of everyone so I ran out the door before I could embarrass myself. Actually, I feel fine now that I’m out in the open air.”

“You’re joking right? I’m not buying that Liz. As soon as you entered that diner and smelled the food you ordered as much pancakes and coffee you could manage. Besides I could not only see the fear etched on your face I could feel it.”

“Could you just take me home Max, please? I think the doctor was right when he said I need to rest as much as possible.”

Max wanted to protest, tell her that she was so afraid that one look into her panic stricken face was enough to send all his senses on high alert. He knew that she had lied to him about Tess and now she was lying to him again. It would do no good to confront her though; she had that determined look in her eyes. Whatever was eating Liz up inside she wasn’t ready to share with anyone yet.

“Fine, I’ll take you home Liz. You look a little tired,” said Max.

“But don’t even think for one moment this conversation is over,” thought Max. There was no way he was going to let Liz suffer like this, not if he could help it. She’d been through enough in her life as it was. A plan started to form into his head as he drove Liz towards home.

Yes, one way or another he would find out what was going on.

Chapter 24


Isabel practically leapt out of her chair as she heard the front door slam.

She turned to see a rather red faced Max enter the room.

“Jesus Max, you scared the living shit out of me!” yelled Isabel, her heart still beating rapidly.

“Sorry,” mumbled Max.

As soon as Isabel took in her brother’s demeanor she realized something was very wrong.

“Max, what’s wrong?”

“I’m not really sure Isabel.”

“I’m sorry? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I just picked Liz up from the hospital.”

“Well that’s great news, isn’t it?” asked Isabel, not quite sure about the look on her brother’s face.

“Yeah it is. The weird thing is, when we stopped off to get some breakfast. I went to place the order because she was starving and then all of a sudden she runs out of the diner like something had frightened her half to death. I found her throwing up around the corner. I thought that maybe she’d recognized one of her attackers or something but she swore that she didn’t and I believe her. The excuse she came up with was the food made her feel sick.”

“Well maybe it did Max?”

Isabel couldn’t see why Max was so upset.

“No Isabel. When she walked into that diner she was practically drooling with all the wonderful smells going on around her. She went to get a booth for us to sit in and that’s when she nearly knocked me on my ass running out of the diner. She’s lying to me, but I don’t have any idea why.”

“Max, this may sound a little harsh but you’ve only known Liz for a short period of time, why should she tell you everything that’s going on in her life. Have you told her the truth?”

Max spun around and glared at his sister.

“That’s not fair Isabel. You know I can’t mention anything about that. You’re the only one that knows except for Tommy and the gang.”

“Max, you know I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just pointing out that there are some things in peoples’ pasts that they don’t want to discuss with anyone. You, of all people, should know that. Maybe this is something Liz feels she can’t share with you just yet,” replied Isabel.

“Maybe, but I’m going to find out who attacked her Isabel.”


Max had been good friends with Tommy since the third grade. Both of them had fathers that would constantly beat or berate them. This created a kindred spirit between the two young boys. Although Max was opposed to violence because of how he was treated, Tommy was the complete opposite. He was a hit first, find out later kind of boy. That sometimes came in handy when Max was taunted about his father by the older boys. Tommy wouldn’t be afraid of them. He would just walk up to the main tormentor and punch him in the nose.

As the years progressed, the boys grew into young men, they still remained close friends but Tommy was heading down the wrong path and Max realized it before it was too late.

Max could still remember that night very clearly. Tommy had phoned Max and asked him to meet him at the park.

“What? You’re kidding right? It’s like nearly midnight Tommy, my Dad won’t let me go out this late on a school night. You know what he’s like.”

“Just sneak out of your bedroom window Max. I really need to see you,” replied Tommy.

“Okay, but if I get caught you know how much shit I’m going to get in.”

“I’ll owe you one.”

“Okay, give me ten minutes to get changed and I’ll meet you by the basketball court,” said Max, flipping his cell phone shut and getting dressed quickly.

He knew that his Dad would already be in bed because he had a huge case to hear tomorrow, one that would probably go on for awhile. Phillip was the Chief District Court Judge for Albuquerque, a highly respected role for one to achieve. He had a lot of influence and power in the Roswell community.

Max finished getting dressed and quietly climbed out of his bedroom window before breaking into a fast run towards the park.

“Yo Max, it’s good to see you man,” said Tommy, as Max came running up.

“You too, now what’s this all about Tommy?” asked Max, as Tommy shook his hand and bumped shoulders in greeting.

“I need you to take this package to Paulie. He’s waiting for it,” said Tommy, holding out the package to Max.

“This is what you called me for?” asked Max, slightly confused.

“Well yeah, I can’t do it because they’re watching me but no one would suspect the Judge’s son,” said Tommy, smiling.

“What’s in here Tommy?” asked Max.

“I don’t think you really want to know that Max.”

Max pushed away the package in Tommy’s hand.

“I’m not doing it Tommy. Look, we’ve been friends for years now and I understand that you’ve got to do whatever it is you do to get the hell away from your father but don’t drag me into this shit. We’ve been friends too long for that.”

“It’s just one package Max,” replied Tommy.

“No, I’m not going down this route Tommy. Get someone else to do your dirty work,” said Max, turning to leave.

Tommy grabbed his arm.

“Don’t do this Max. I need your help here, I thought you and me understood each other,” said Tommy.

“I do understand but I’m not getting involved that way. We never had this conversation and that’s the end of it,” replied Max.

“FINE! Don’t come running to me when you need help!” shouted Tommy.

Max just shook his head and walked away.

“This never happened Tommy. I’ve got your back but that’s as far as it goes.”

After that night they had remained friends, looked out for each other, but had very little contact.

It was a few years after that incident that Max had overheard his father and the Sheriff of Roswell, Jim Valenti, talking in the kitchen of his childhood home.

“I’m sorry I had to come over at this late hour Phillip but it’s important that we get this search warrant signed. We have an informer who has told us about a deal going down tonight at the old warehouse. We’ll finally be able to catch Tommy in the act as well as getting the major distributor for this area.”

“Oh I can’t wait for that little bastard to show up in my court. I will make sure he gets the maximum sentence,” said Phillip as he signed the warrant.

Max made a silent retreat back towards his bedroom. He was about to climb out of his window when the door to his bedroom suddenly opened.

“Isabel, you scared the shit out of me. Why didn’t you knock?” hissed Max.

“I know what you’re going to do Max. It’s not right. I saw that you overheard Dad’s conversation.”

“He’s my friend Isabel. He was there for me when nobody else was. I can’t let him go down for this.”

“I understand that Max but what if someone finds out you were the one that tipped him off?” asked Isabel, worried for her brother.

“I haven’t had contact with Tommy for over five years Isabel. I doubt they would make the connection.”

“Please, just be careful Max,” begged Isabel. “I don’t know what I would do without you here.”

Max hugged his sister. “Don’t worry Isabel. I promise nothing bad will happen to me, okay.”

“Okay,” said Isabel, closing his bedroom door quietly behind her.

Max climbed out of his bedroom window and ran to a phone that was a few blocks away. He immediately dialed Tommy’s number.

“Tommy, it’s Max,” he said as he heard his friend’s voice on the other end of the phone.

“Well, well, I haven’t heard from you in a long time. What do you want Max?”

“Where are you Tommy?” asked Max.

“That’s none of your business Max. I seem to remember you didn’t want to get involved.”

“Look, you know I’ve always had your back Tommy. Jim Valenti is at my house currently getting my Dad to sign a warrant to search the old warehouse. He’s got an informer who’s given him information about a big deal going down tonight. If you’re at that warehouse now, I suggest you get out immediately.”

“No shit?”

“No shit Tommy. You know I wouldn’t joke about something like this. My Dad wants to make an example out of you and would give the maximum sentence allowed.”

“Max, the gang and I owe you big time for this. You ever need anything, just call. I don’t care how long it’s been, just pick up the phone and we’ll be there for you.”

“I appreciate that Tommy. Now get the hell out of there before you’re caught!”


Max pulled out an untraceable cell phone out of his trouser pocket and dialed a number.

“Oh god Max, you’re going to call it in aren’t you?” asked Isabel.

“I can’t let this go Isabel. Liz was left for dead. If it wasn’t for Kyle then she wouldn’t be here. I want to know who was behind the attack.”

“And what if it was Tess? What are you going to do about it?” asked Isabel, worried at the look on her brother’s face.

“Don’t worry about it Isabel,” was Max’s reply, as he walked out of the front door with his phone to his ear.

He quietly shut the door and made his way towards the Jeep. He really didn’t want Isabel listening in to his conversation.

“Who’s this?” asked the suspicious voice.

“Tommy, it’s Max. I’m calling you from a different phone.”

“Yo Max, you have to give me a little time to get the information,” said Tommy.

“I know that Tommy. There’s been a change of plan. I still want you to find out everything you can about Tess Harding but there was an incident here involving Liz Parker. She was badly beaten and left for dead. If it wasn’t for Kyle Valenti then she wouldn’t be here.”

“Valenti, as in...”

“Yep, Jim’s son. You have to be careful how you go about this Tommy and I know I’m asking a lot from you but I want to find out who did this to Liz.”

“This girl means that much to you Max?” asked Tommy curious.

“More than you’ll ever know Tommy. Remember I said don’t get the others involved, well I’ve changed my mind. I want everyone on this Tommy. I NEED to find out who did this to her.”

“What if it was this Tess chick?” asked Tommy.

“Then give me the information I need and I’ll take care of her.”

“What if it’s not her?”

“Then you know what you need to do Tommy.”

Tommy whistled. “Then consider it done.”

Chapter 25



Liz stepped out of the front door, waved good-bye to her parents and then gently closed the door behind her. She was so nervous about her first day back at the University. She had worked hard over the last month to catch up on all the work she had missed and was missing. She had finally completed everything by the weekend. The only problem was that she hadn’t had time to catch up with Max and that worried her a little.

It wasn’t that she was ignoring him, just concentrating on getting up to speed with everything, but there was the whole incident at the diner hanging over her head and she knew that Max would bring it up at some point.

Liz turned and started walking down the driveway. It wasn’t until she got to the end that she noticed a car parked directly in its path. As she reached the bottom the doors of the car opened and out stepped Maria, Michael, Isabel and Alex.

It was only when she cleared the driveway that she noticed the familiar jeep parked in front of the car and a very relaxed, sexy Max leaning up against it. Her heart literally stopped for a second at the sight of him. He gave her one of his smiles that he reserved just for her.

“Oh my, you guys thank you,” signed Liz, smiling that all her friends that had come to support her on her first day back.

Maria translated what Liz signed for the rest of the group. It was Isabel who stepped up first to welcome Liz back.

“We’ve missed you so much Liz. You had us worried for awhile there,” said Isabel and she hugged Liz tight.

“Come over here and give me some of that sugar,” said Maria, holding out her arms which Liz went to willingly. She couldn’t believe how great her friends really were. For the first time in a long time she felt like she truly belonged and she wasn’t going to let anything spoil that for her, not even Tess.

It was time she took back some control over her life and today was a perfect day to start.

“It’s good to see you again Liz. Maybe now Max will stop moping around the place,” said Michael, slinging his arm over her shoulders and squeezing her slightly. That was about as much touchy feely crap he could stand.

“Hey, I have not been moping!” shouted Max, from his place at the jeep.

“Yeah right, don’t you believe him Liz,” whispered Michael, which made Liz laugh.

“You need anything during the day Liz, just come and find one of us and we’ll be there,” said Alex, giving Liz a gentle hug. “Oh and we missed you.”

“You are all such great friends, thank you,” signed Liz, as Maria translated for the group.

Liz slowly turned towards Max. She was wondering why he hadn’t been the first one to greet her but when she looked into his eyes she understood. They were lost in their own little world when a rather loud cough brought them back to reality.

“Well, I think that’s our cue to leave,” said Maria, pulling Michael towards the car.

“Yep I have to agree with you there,” replied Alex smiling at the display of affection on his friends’ faces.

Neither Liz nor Max noticed the car pulling away from the curb.

“Hi, how are you feeling about your first day back?” signed Max.

“Honestly, I’m a little nervous but thanks to you and the gang I know I’m going to be okay today. I’m sorry I haven’t seen you much this past ...”

Max gently placed his hands on Liz’s to stop her movements.

“I understand Liz; you had a lot of work to catch up on. That’s why I stayed away. It was hard but I knew you needed that space. I’m not upset, okay?”

“Okay,” signed Liz.

Max couldn’t resist any longer. He’d wanted to kiss Liz since he first saw her at the front door. He gently cupped her face in his hands and brought his lips slowly towards Liz.

As Max’s lips slid gently over hers she gave a gentle moan into his mouth and her body melted into his, as if they were one.

Max took advantage of her parted mouth when she moaned and as their tongues came into contact their blood started to boil. The once gentle kiss turned intense, passionate and almost primal.

Something was happening to Liz she couldn’t quite understand. Just one kiss from this man sent her head spinning. She could feel it from the tips of her toes to the top of her head, as if every molecule in her body was simultaneously coming alive.

Her hands had a mind of their own as they slid under the t-shirt he was wearing. When her fingers came in contact with the soft skin of his torso she could feel each one of his hard muscles contract at her gentle exploration.

The kiss intensified and Max knew that he had to get control of the situation soon or he’d just lose it. He gently grabbed her exploratory hands and pulled away from the kiss. He took big gulps of air into his already starving lungs, as he placed his forehead against hers, staring into those familiar pools of chocolate brown.

“God Liz, you’re going to kill me doing that,” said Max, in a hoarse voice.

“I’ve missed you so much Max,” whispered Liz.

Max instantly pulled away from Liz with a shocked look on his face.

“What?” signed Liz.

“You just spoke Liz,” said Max, in awe.

“What? No I didn’t,” signed Liz.

“I swear you just said that you missed me so much,” Max repeated back to her.

The look of confusion on her face made Max realize that she had done it unconsciously; even she hadn’t realized she’d spoken the words and not signed them.

“I don’t understand what’s happening to me Max,” signed Liz.

“Don’t worry; we’ll get through this together Liz. There is obviously something in your subconscious stopping you from talking. Maybe going to see that therapist will help.”

“Yeah well I’m not exactly looking forward to that,” signed Liz.

“Would you like me to come with you for your first session?” offered Max.

“I’m not sure. Maybe I should go to the first one on my own and then ask the therapist about involving you. How does that sound?” signed Liz.

“Whatever you feel comfortable with Liz,” said Max.

He knew that there was something deeper going on with Liz and it was driving him insane but this was maybe the first step towards understanding exactly what was going on with her.

“Come on, let’s get into the jeep or we’ll be late for our first class,” said Max, helping Liz up into her seat.

As Max climbed into the driver’s seat he switched on the ignition and the radio. Liquid Child’s – Driving Faces blasted out.

“Oh I love this tune!” signed Liz, with a smile on her face.

“There’s nothing like a good trance track in the morning to get you going,” signed Liz, moving her body in time with the music.

Max just smiled and headed towards the University.

Liz felt free for the first time in ages. The music was taking her to place of pure energy and bliss, the hot sun shining down on her face and the wind blowing through her hair. She loved Max’s jeep.

Max couldn’t help casually glancing towards Liz as she continued to sway to the music. He never thought she’d looked so beautiful, the sun shining through her windswept hair as they gathered speed.

He truly loved this woman sitting before him and he vowed then that no matter what it took, he would keep her safe. He’d almost lost her once. He wasn’t going to let it ever happen again.

Chapter 26


As Dr. Jennifer Ray read through the case file that was in front of her, she couldn’t help feeling sorry for this young girl who had suffered so much during her short life. First, she had lost her birth parents during a horrific vehicular accident. Second, she was bumped from foster home to foster home until finally being adopted by the Parkers. Third, just recently, she’d been so brutally attacked that it almost cost her life.

What amazed Dr. Ray was this girl’s ability to bounce back. Her medical records showed that the amount of damage done to her body during both ordeals would have left most dead, but this girl just kept on fighting.

Jennifer had spent most of her professional career dealing with the visually or auditory impaired. She specialized in Aphasia cases but this had her stumped completely.

Liz Parker was definitely a mystery. Transient or Temporary Aphasia is exactly that, temporary but this girl hadn’t spoken since the accident, that was until recently. Dr. Ray would have been tempted to diagnose her with Aphasia, the total lack of speech, but the fact that she had woken up in the hospital a couple of months ago and spoken, led her to believe that this young girl’s muteness came from a psychological disorder rather than a physical injury to the brain. She would just have to reserve her judgement until her first session later on this afternoon.
It had been two days since she had returned to the University after her recovery. She had managed not to bump into, or even see the dreaded blonde bitch, which she was happy for, but she would rather face her than the woman she was about to meet.

Liz paced the office while unconsciously pulling down the hem of her skirt. She was so nervous. She had to be careful not to let anything slip, but then would she be doing herself any favors?

Liz heard the door to the office open and she stopped dead in her tracks.

“Liz Parker? My name is Doctor Jennifer Ray. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” said the tall, thin red head while signing.

“Hello,” Liz signed and then gave a nervous smile.

“Come on in to my office,” said Jennifer.

Liz followed her into the office. She expected it to be this dark sombre place but, in fact, it was a very bright room. It was painted in a soothing pale yellow and there were two big windows that let in a lot of light. As she took in more of the room there was a big desk at the back with a high backed leather chair. Then there were two massive, pale yellow, arm chairs in the center of the room.

As Jennifer sat down on one of the soft arm chairs she watched Liz closely then chuckled.

Liz turned to the doctor and noticed the smile on her face.

“I guess you thought it was going to be a little different from this?”

“Yes, I kind of expected something dark and not very nice to be honest,” signed Liz.

“Oh god lord, there is no way I could work in an office like that. It would depress me let alone the clients I see,” laughed Jennifer. “I work with the visually impaired as well as the auditory impaired. Having a bright room sometimes helps them see more.”

“It’s very nice,” signed Liz.

“Please take a seat Liz,” said Jennifer, pointing to the chair opposite her.

As Liz sat down she sank into the soft cushions of the chair.

“Wow, these are really comfortable,” signed Liz, sinking further into the chair.

“I’m glad you’re comfortable. I guess you’re nervous about our first session?” asked Jennifer.

“Honestly? Yes I am. I don’t feel comfortable talking to strangers about my personal business,” signed Liz.

“I can understand that Liz. Do you know why you were sent to me in the first place?”

“Because I spoke when I woke up after my attack,” signed Liz.

“Exactly, did anyone explain to you what that means?” asked Jennifer.

“Yes, they thought I had Aphasia but because I spoke they weren’t so sure. They carried out another set of numerous tests but couldn’t come up with an explanation so now they think it’s all in my mind,” signed Liz.

“Well, that could be a possibility Liz. I specialize in Aphasia cases and I’ve not come across one like yours. In most cases people with Temporary or Transient Aphasia would eventually be able to obtain their full communication skills back and permanent Aphasia means that they would never talk. You fall into the middle of those two categories. You haven’t spoken since the accident when you were four and yet you spoke perfectly when you woke up from your attack a few months ago.”

“Don’t you think I find it just as frustrating as the rest of you do? I spoke. I was amazed myself but when I tried to speak again I couldn’t and believe me I tried,” signed Liz, getting frustrated.

“Okay, do you feel comfortable telling me about what happened a few months ago?” asked Jennifer.

“You mean my attack?” asked Liz.

Jennifer nodded.

“I don’t remember much about it but I’ll tell you what I do remember,” signed Liz.

“That’s fine. Go ahead. I’m sure you’ll be surprised at how much you do remember.”

Liz sighed and began her explanation of what happened on that dreadful night.

“I was walking to a friend’s house. I think it was around nine thirty. I took a short cut through one of the alleyways, one I’d walked through on numerous occasions to get home. As I walked down the alley I noticed a figure blocking the end. I don’t know what made me feel uncomfortable but I think it was the way the figure didn’t move. I went to turn around to head back the way I came and don’t remember much from that point. I know someone had hit me on the head pretty hard and the next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital.”

“You never saw the face of any of your attackers?” asked Jennifer.

“No. Like I said I don’t remember anything after receiving that blow to the head. All I can think of is that someone had come up behind me without me realizing it and it was them who hit me over the head,” signed Liz.

“Did you hear them speak?” asked Jennifer.

“No, not that I recall” stated Liz.

Jennifer continued to ask Liz more about the attack, how she was coping with moving to a new town and whether she’d made friends easily enough. After the hour was over Dr. Ray was happy with the first session they had shared. Although Liz might not have realized it, Dr. Ray had gathered quite a bit of information from Liz.

“So that’s it?” signed Liz.

“For this week, yes,” replied Jennifer.

“I was wondering if I could bring a friend with me, well actually he’s my boyfriend.”

“He’s been there the two times I’ve spoken,” signed Liz.

“TWO times? I only knew of one,” said Jennifer.

“Damn it!!” Liz thought to herself. She’d slipped up with that one.

“Yeah, apparently I said something to him but to be honest I didn’t even realize it myself at the time.”

“I think we should have a few more sessions on our own first. You can tell me all about your boyfriend and then maybe we could invite him to a few sessions. How does that sound?”

“Okay, thank you,” signed Liz.

“I’ll see you the same time next week,” said Jennifer as she led Liz out of her office.

As Jennifer watched Liz leave the office she couldn’t help forming an idea in her mind about the possible problem with this young girl. The sooner she got to talking about the accident the better. Something was blocking this girl from talking and the only person that seemed to get through that block would be her boyfriend. Maybe, just maybe, this girl or rather woman could talk again.

Chapter 27


Max jumped when he heard the doorbell. He’d been waiting for over an hour now and he still hadn’t heard from her.

As he opened the door, thinking it was Isabel and that she’d forgotten her keys again, he was rather surprised to see Liz standing there.

“Liz! Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine Max. I just wanted to let you know how my first session went,” signed Liz.

“Sorry, come on in. I just got a little nervous when I didn’t hear from you and I wondered if that was a good sign or bad,” he explained.

They made their way over to the sofa and Max offered Liz a drink.

“I’m fine thanks. I can’t stay long because I have to get home and let my parents know how it went but I could come back later, after dinner, if you like,” signed Liz.

“I would love that Liz. We haven’t really had a chance to catch up with everything, what with college going so crazy before the holiday vacation. I swear they don’t expect you to ever have a break or any fun with the amount of assignments they give you. Mind you I can’t complain. You had twice as much to catch up on but you managed it,” said Max, rather proudly.

“You’ll have to point out the people who helped me Max. I haven’t had a chance to thank them yet and I’ve already been back for two days. I don’t want them to think I’m not grateful,” signed Liz.

“I’ll introduce you to them tomorrow Liz, I promise. Now tell me about the session. Was it okay?”

“Better than expected. Her name is Dr. Ray and so far she seems nice enough. I mainly spoke about the attack, moving to a new area, whether I had made enough friends, things like that, nothing too deep which I was glad about. I thought she would go straight into asking about my parents and I don’t think I’m quite ready for that yet. I mean I don’t ever talk about that with anyone. Well not until recently, with my mom, but even then I didn’t really tell her much,” signed Liz.

“Some things are just too personal sometimes,” said Max, in understanding.

“How is it that you seem to understand what I’m going through?” signed Liz.

“There are certain things that I don’t discuss with anyone, not even my sister or my mom. I understand Liz.”

“What sort of things?” signed Liz, now very curious.

Max laughed. “Not a chance Liz.”

“Worth a try though right,” signed Liz.

“Definitely worth a try.”

“Listen, I’ve got to get home but I’ll come by later, say around seven thirty?” signed Liz.

“Okay I’ll see you then,” said Max.

Liz got up off the sofa and headed towards the door.

“WAIT, LIZ!” shouted Max.

Liz spun around before she had even opened the door. She was about to ask him what was wrong when she noticed the look in his eyes. She gave a nervous gulp as he stalked his way towards her. He was looking her like a starving man would look at the first morsel of food he’d seen in months. She knew what was coming but couldn’t will her feet to move towards him; to meet him half way. One look from this man left her frozen, not in fear, but in anticipation.

As he approached her he slid his hands to the side of her face; his thumbs gently rubbing her soft cheeks.

“May I?” he asked, softly.

Liz gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“I’ve been dying to do this since the first time,” whispered Max, as his lips descended on hers.

She immediately opened to his gentle persuasiveness. God this man could literally rip the breath right out of her lungs with just one kiss. She had that rush feeling shooting through her body again. She started to feel light headed and grabbed hold of his shirt to remain upright. Would he always affect her this way?

As Max sank deeper into the kiss he couldn’t help but think back to the last time he had done it. This was definitely different. That first kiss came from the intense fear of losing one another; this was one of promises to come. That didn’t mean it wasn’t as intense or as passionate as the first kiss they’d shared, just different.

He broke the kiss, finally, and gave a small chuckle at the dreamy look on Liz’s face and then she did that thing that drove him insane. She licked and then sucked in her bottom lip, between her teeth, as if she still tasted him on her lips.

Before he could grab her again, he took a step back.

“I guess I’ll see you around seven thirty then.”

Liz just nodded and walked out of the house on wobbly legs. Just as Max was about to close the door she turned around.

“Max, wait,” she signed.

Max stopped closing the door and gave Liz his full attention.

“I forgot to tell you. I asked Dr. Ray about you joining the sessions with me. She agreed but wanted to wait a few sessions, you know, so I could get used to talking to her. Is that okay with you?”

“Whatever Dr. Ray feels is best Liz. I’ll be there when you need me. Just let me know when she wants me to attend and I’ll be there.”

“Thank you Max,” signed Liz, as she turned and left to head home.
“So, things seem to be going well between you and Liz,” said Isabel, making Max jump.

“How long have you been here?” asked Max.

Isabel held up her hands in a gesture of peace.

“Max, I swear I only caught the tail end of the conversation. I’m glad you’re going to be there for Liz. She seems to be getting worse. I know she’s been through so much but I’m getting more worried about her. She seems to be withdrawing into herself. I just want to help her.”

“I know Isabel. Those dark circles under her eyes are getting worse but what can we do. She’s not known us that long and we both know how hard it is to trust people with our secrets,” said Max.

“Yeah, it took me a long time to trust Alex with it. He gave me the time and space to deal with my issues with father but I’ve never told him about the other stuff Max. I wouldn’t betray your confidence like that.”

“Isabel, I know that and I trust you. I’m just sorry you have to keep secrets but I think this one is best left where it belongs, in the past.”

“Is that where it’s been left though Max?” asked Isabel. She knew her brother well and understood that there was no way he would let the beating Liz endured go unpunished. She just didn’t want him involved with that group again.

“It will be once this is all over,” replied Max, walking upstairs to his bedroom. He hated talking about this with Isabel. He didn’t want her to know what was going on but she had an idea.

“Max, what’s going to happen?” asked Isabel, worried for her brother.

“Isabel, don’t ask me any questions. You know better than that,” replied Max.

“Plausible deniability,” thought Isabel. She hated that terminology but knew it was necessary.

She loved her brother with all of her heart and knew that this must be killing him to do something so against his nature. He hated violence since he’d suffered so long at the hands of their father but he also put his family and friends above anything else. If they were threatened in any way then he would do almost anything to protect them and she had a feeling that Liz came at the top of that list.

It was then that she decided that maybe she could help her brother and started to formulate an idea. She would need someone to help her but she knew who that would be. She smiled, picked up the phone and dialled a familiar number.
As soon as the doorbell rang at exactly seven thirty, Isabel jumped up and answered the door.

“Liz! It’s so good to see you. Come on in, Max won’t be long,” said Isabel, as she led Liz towards the sofa.

“MAX! LIZ IS HERE!” she shouted, at the bottom of the stairs.

“I’LL BE DOWN IN A MINUTE!” shouted Max.

Isabel sat down next to Liz and faced her.

“So Liz, how are you,” she signed.

Liz sat frozen in her seat. She couldn’t believe that Isabel had made an attempt to learn sign language so she could converse with her.

“Max has been teaching you sign language,” signed Liz.

Isabel looked a little flustered and Liz realized that she would have to take this slowly.

“I’m good and you?” she signed, slowly.

“I’m good,” signed Isabel and then blushed. “I’m sorry Liz. I’ve only just started to learn sign language but I’m trying, honestly I am. I find it frustrating that I can’t understand what you are saying sometimes and I feel kind of left out of the conversation.”

“Now you have a small inkling of what it’s like for me Isabel,” signed Liz.

Although Isabel had no understanding of what she had signed it was lucky that Max had chosen that time to come down the stairs and translated for Liz.

“I don’t think I could ever fully understand Liz but just know that I’m trying,” said Isabel.

Liz signed something and Max translated for Liz.

“Isabel, Liz is grateful that you’ve attempted to learn and she even said that she would help teach you if you want?”

“Well, I spoke to Maria earlier on this evening and we decided that it was time we had a girls’ night in, no men allowed,” said Isabel turning towards her brother.

Max rolled his eyes and held up his hands.

“Who am I to get in the way of a girls’ night in. Mom’s away this weekend so I’ll go and stay over at Michael’s, you can do your girlie bonding thing.”

Although Max was curious about what his sister was up to he didn’t want to confront her about it while Liz was there.

“Are you free this weekend Liz?” asked Isabel.

Liz signed ‘yes’ which Isabel had understood.

“How about we make a day of it? We could go shopping first, then rent some videos; we could do our usual makeovers and then spend some time watching girlie flicks, what do you say Liz?”

“I’m quite partial to horror films myself but chick flicks I could cope with,” signed Liz.

Max laughed before he translated for his sister.

When Isabel heard that Liz was into to horror films she smiled.

“Well, between you and me I love horror myself, although I must admit I like the old classics like Hammer House of Horror. My favorite has to be Child’s Play,” said Isabel.

She noticed the look of excitement on Liz’s face and she frantically started signing something to Isabel that she couldn’t understand.

Max laughed and then translated for Isabel.

“You’ve only gone and picked one of her favorite horror stories Isabel. She too loved that one, never quite understood what was going on until the end. She says they never make them like they used to.”

“Unfortunately, Maria isn’t into horror. She has nightmares afterwards. I remember taking her to see one of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies. She always said that she never quite saw a bath as relaxing again, after seeing those sharp scissor hands cutting through the girl in the bath.”

“That had to be one of the best scenes,” signed Liz, which Max translated.

“I KNOW! But I have to admit that I had to check the bottom of the bath every time I got in it for about a month afterwards,” laughed Isabel.

“So maybe we persuade Maria to watch Child’s Play and we’ll watch two of her chick flicks. Do you think that will work?”

Again, Max translated for Isabel.

“Yeah, I think that might just work. Do you want to come around and spend some time with us?” asked Isabel.

“I’d love to,” signed Liz.

As Max was about to translate for Isabel she held up her hand.

“I understood that one Max. I’ll call Maria and make the arrangements. Now if you’ll excuse me I have a hot date with my man,” said Isabel, as she stood up and put on her coat by the front door.

Max still had a feeling that both Maria and his sister had something planned but he knew no matter how much he questioned his sister he would never get the full answer from her, so he decided to go with his gut instinct and stayed quiet. Whatever Isabel was up to he was sure it was something that would help Liz.

Chapter 28


Max had done what he promised the following day and introduced Liz to the people that help gather her course work and took notes, she couldn’t thank them enough.

As the weekend drew nearer Liz had been surprised that she hadn’t yet bumped into Tess, actually not surprised but highly relieved.

That was until today. It was Friday and tonight was the night that Maria, Isabel and she were going to spend a girlie night in. Liz was really looking forward to it. She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the blonde bitch making a beeline for her, that was, until she heard that annoying voice of hers.

“Oh Liz, I was so sorry to hear about your attack.”

Liz just stood and stared at Tess. “Yeah, as if,” she thought. For a brief moment the thought that Tess could have arranged the whole thing entered Liz’s head. She knew the girl hated her but she couldn’t quite see Tess going to those lengths, although admittedly she didn’t really know the girl that well.

As Liz stood silently looking at Tess she started to fidget slightly.

“Look Liz, I know we started off on the wrong foot and to be honest that was my fault but I wouldn’t wish what happened to you on my worst enemy. I was hoping we could bury the hatchet and start over,” said Tess, holding out her hand.

“Yeah, bury the hatchet right in your head!” thought Liz.

Liz stood for a while just staring at her pro-offered hand, as if it was some sort of alien life form. She then raised her eyes to meet the cold icy blue ones and then just walked past her.

“Well that went well,” thought Tess, as she decided to go with plan B. She couldn’t believe the mute freak had dared ignored her peace offering. As Tess walked around the corner she bumped into what felt like a brick wall, yelped and fell back on her ass. A small smirk appeared on Max’s face.

“Why don’t you watch were you’re going you ...” Tess stopped, as she raised her angry eyes to meet Max’s.

“You’ve got something to say to me Tess?”

“What? Why no Max. I wasn’t looking where I was going. Sorry.”

Max bent down and offered his hand to pull Tess up. She always knew he was a gentleman. As she gently placed her hand in his she felt herself almost lifted off the floor and a slight pressure around her throat.

“You will be sorry Tess if I ever see you talking to Liz again.”

A look of pure fear came across Tess’ normally stoic features. As she tried to croak out some words Max applied a little more pressure, not too much, just enough to get his point across.

“Don’t think I don’t know about what you did to Liz, Tess. She didn’t tell me but others did. Know this, if any harm comes to the people I love I tend to take that personally, know what I mean?”

Tess could only nod her head and then Max released his hold on her. He abhorred violence of any kind against women but when he saw her confront Liz, while she was on her own, his temper had got the better of him. Regret immediately flooded his system as he looked in to her fearful eyes but he wouldn’t show her that weakness, not after what he’d found out about her.

“Consider this a warning Tess, or should I say Tracy?”

At the mention of her old name, Max watched as all the blood drained from Tess’s face and she started to shake uncontrollably.

“How did you ... what ... nobody was ... it was sealed,” Tess just couldn’t get the words out as a cold dread spread through her entire body. She couldn’t face all those hateful glares again, not this time, she wouldn’t survive it.

“You’re making the same mistakes all over again but I won’t let what you did in your past, happen to Liz. Am I making myself clear? This was the first and last time I’ll ever lay a finger on you but mark my words Tess, I don’t need to get physical with you to destroy you and I think you know that now.”

Tess brought her tear filled eyes up to meet Max’s steady gaze. A small sob escaped her throat before she turned and ran like the hounds of hell were after her. As Max stared at her running figure a twinge of guilt coursed through his body, until he remembered the picture Tommy had shown him. As the bile started to rise in his throat he quickly ran in to the bathroom and promptly threw up the entire contents of his stomach.

He now knew what Tess was truly capable of and the fact that she could have arranged that attack on Liz caused another dry heave to rack his body. It wasn’t until he heard a loud knock against the cubicle door that he got his bodily functions under control.

“Max, what the hell is going on?”

“Something I ate,” he replied.

“Not buying it Max. I saw your little confrontation with Tess. What the hell did you say to her and why the hell are you now throwing up your guts?”

“Leave it alone Michael,” said Max, as he exited the cubicle, went and splashed cold water on his face and sprayed a mint breath refresher into his mouth. As Max went to leave the bathroom, Michael gently gripped his arm.

“Don’t do this Max. It’s me. Explain what the hell is going on,” said Michael, worried for his friend. He could see that whatever was going on was having a severe effect.

“It’s best if you don’t know Michael, believe me, I wish I didn’t,” and with that said, he removed himself from Michael’s grip and walked out of the bathroom.

“Oh this is not good,” Michael said to himself as he too exited the bathroom.

As Max sat quietly in his room he couldn’t help thinking back to the phone call and subsequent meeting he had with Tommy.

FLASHBACK

“Tommy, just checking in to see if you have any information yet?”

“Oh man, I have information for you alright but I’m not sure you’re going to want to hear it or see it Max.”

“I need to know.”

“If this chick is who I think it is then Max, you and that little lady of yours have a very serious problem on your hands. It took some doing, and you don’t want to know how we did it, but I’m not discussing this over the phone. We need to meet.”


Max pulled into the empty parking lot and switched off the engine. He was nervous as hell. He hadn’t seen Tommy in years but it wasn’t that, that had his nerves on edge. The undertone of Tommy’s voice made Max think that whatever he was about to find out was bad.

He took in a deep breath to gain that iron control he was known for and exited the jeep. As soon as he locked the door he heard a whistle and then a shadow suddenly appeared under one of the lights and then disappeared into the darkness again.

Max followed in that direction and met Tommy standing under one of the trees.

He was immediately engulfed in a manly hug.

“It’s good to see you again Max,” said Tommy. “I never got to thank you, you know, after the phone call.”

“We couldn’t contact one another.”

“I know but I’m thanking you for it now and the others expressed their gratitude also.”

For a moment there was an awkward silence and then Tommy started to speak again.

“Here’s the file. It was sealed Max, that’s why I couldn’t discuss this over the phone. Nobody is supposed to see that file. You’ll understand why when you read it. It’s a copy, the real one had to be returned but everything is in there Max.”

“What about the attack, was it her.”

“No.”

“Do you know who it was?”

“Best you don’t ask questions Max. It’s being dealt with and that’s all you need to know.”

“Thank you Tommy, for this,” said Max holding up the file “and...”

“Forget it. I told you I owed you and it still stands Max, no matter what I’ve got your back.”

“You don’t owe me anything Tommy, you never did.”

“By your reckoning, by mine just know I’ve got your back,” said Tommy, as he disappeared in to the trees.

Max didn’t want to think what Tommy meant by it was being dealt with but if it meant that Liz would be safe he didn’t really care, or so he told himself that.

He made his way back to the jeep and started to read the file. As he got deeper and deeper into it he couldn’t believe what he was reading. How the hell could someone like this be out in the civilised world, she should never have been released.

END FLASHBACK

Max sighed as he heard a tentative knock on his bedroom door.

“Come on in Isabel.”

She came in giving him a sheepish look and smiled.

“You haven’t said a word to me all day Max and you were quiet in the jeep, is everything okay?”

“Yes, I’ve just got a lot of things on my mind.”

“Are you and Liz okay?”

“Never better,” he smiled.

“Okay, well I just thought I’d let you know that Liz will be here around seven.”

“So you want me to get my butt over to Michael’s,” asked Max, with a cheeky grin on his face.

This relaxed Isabel and she smiled.

“If you don’t mind,” she said.

“What are you up to Isabel?” asked Max, finally deciding to confront his sister.

A look of confusion came over her face.

“I don’t understand Max.”

Max chuckled.

“I know that you have girlie nights but never have you asked me to leave, so what’s going on?”

“Oh Max it’s not like that. It’s just Liz is your girlfriend and well you being here kind of spoils the whole girls night in thingy, no men allowed.”

“Yeah right and pigs might fly,” replied Max. “Whatever it is you’re up to Isabel, don’t pressure her.”

“I ... Max I wouldn’t do anything like that to Liz. I just want her to know that we’re here for her.”

“Okay, I’m off,” said Max, jumping off his bed and heading out the bedroom door.

Isabel sighed in relief. She knew Max didn’t believe what crap she had just spouted but she also knew that Max was trusting Isabel with Liz.

“See you tomorrow Max!” shouted Isabel, as she heard the front door open.

“You ladies have a good night!” he shouted back, before firmly closing the door behind him.

Isabel waited to hear the jeep pull out of the driveway and then immediately phone Maria.

“We’re on; get your butt over here.”

“I’m on my way,” said Maria.

Chapter 29


“So how are we going to handle this Maria?”

“We can’t push her Isabel or she’ll just clam up, just like she did the last time.”

“Maybe we should just reveal something about ourselves that would make Liz feel more comfortable opening up to us?”

“What are you going to tell her Isabel? That you feel guilty that Max protected you and your mother from beatings by taking the brunt of your father’s violence?”

“No,” whispered Isabel.

“Honey, I know you want to help Liz but there’s nothing you can do without exposing Max in the process. When he’s ready to tell Liz about your father he will. We can’t do that for him.”

“Then what can we do?” Isabel asked in frustration.

“Just be there for her. Look we know she won’t talk about anything from her past, well not the important stuff anyway and she’s seeing a therapist for all of that so maybe we should just leave that bit to the professionals. What we can do though, is keep an eye on her tonight and find out just what the hell is keeping her awake at nights.”

Isabel had never felt so completely frustrated and helpless not being able to help one of her friends that were obviously suffering an ordeal that none of them could truly understand.

“I guess you’re right Maria but at least Max knows about Tess now,” said Isabel.

“Oh that reminds me, she was in school today right?” asked Maria.

“Yeah, why?”

“I didn’t see her in our classes for the rest of the afternoon. Liz told me that Tess had tried to bury the hatchet so to speak.”

“I hope Liz didn’t fall for that,” said Isabel, worried.

“Nah, she just walked past her but since then nobody has seen her.”

“And the problem with that would be?”

“Oh nothing, I’m just worried she’s up to something now that Liz effectively shunned her.”

Just as Isabel was about to tell Maria not to worry the doorbell rang.

“That’s Liz,” said Isabel, rising to answer the door.

“Not a word Isabel. We have to do this the right way.”

“Agreed.”

Isabel, Maria and Liz had a wonderful time. They spent a good portion of the night doing each other’s hair, trying new makeup ideas, eating ice cream, painting each other’s nails and generally having fun. Once they finished all the girlie stuff it was time to sit down and watch the films that they had rented. When Maria saw Child’s Play she had an absolute fit.

“There is NO WAY I’m watching that thing. I don’t want to be having nightmares about my dolls that I had when I was a kid coming back to kill me!”

Both Isabel and Liz had a look of confusion on their faces.

“You know Chucky!” Maria visibly shuddered.

Isabel burst out laughing and Liz had a massive smile on her face.

“Oh god,” said Isabel as tears were streaming down her face.

“WHAT? What the hell are you laughing at,” asked an indignant Maria.

Once Isabel finally got herself under control she explained to Maria that this film wasn’t the one she had thought of.

“This was made back in the 70’s or 80’s Maria. It’s part of the Hammer House of Horror collection,” explained Isabel. “There’s no murdering doll in it.”

“Oh, hey wait, what do you mean by the Hammer House of Horror? You know I don’t like to watch horror things before I go to bed.”

“Maria, seriously this film isn’t bad. It’s more like the Twilight Zone with a slight twist,” signed Liz.

“Oh, so like no beheading or massive sharp razor blades coming out of the bath or anything?”

“No, actually I think you might like the twist to the story,” signed Liz.

“Okay, well if you two can watch my chick flicks I guess I could give this a go, but I swear if there’s any blood I’m gone,” said Maria in warning.

Isabel switched off the light and the girls settled down to watch the film. They were on the sofa with a blanket covering their legs. Once the film had finished, both Liz and Isabel turned to Maria for her opinion.

“Okay who ever thought that one up must have been on acid or something,” said Maria.

“Did you like it?” asked Isabel.

“Yeah I liked the twist at the end. I didn’t have a clue what was going on. I thought they’d been captured or something like that and were being held prisoner in a replica of their own home. I didn’t expect that ending that’s for sure.”

“Now that we’ve had our fill of junk food and watched the horror movie, I guess it’s time for the chick flicks,” said Isabel.

Liz placed Titanic in the DVD player and pressed play although it was already one am in the morning. They’d spent that much time putting green gunk on their faces and doing makeovers that it took longer than they had expected. Liz sat and started to watch the movie. She couldn’t help but feel happy that she now felt closer to the two girls sitting next to her. Maybe, just maybe she should trust them with her problems.

By two am the girls were fast asleep with Titanic still playing in the background.
She was surrounded by darkness again and that foul stench began to reach her nostrils.

“Oh god, not again,” begged Liz.

Just as she finished she heard that all familiar scraping sound coming towards her.
Neither of the girls, sleeping soundly next to her, heard Liz start to whimper, nor did they notice the beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
A sudden flash of light through the darkness almost blinded Liz but she still made out the outline of her dead parents.

“I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE!” she yelled at them. “LEAVE ME ALONE!”

It was the first time that Liz had actually had the nerve to tell them to go away.
Maria suddenly jumped up, not quite sure what had woke her up, until she felt Liz thrashing about beside her.

“No, no, please...”

Maria nearly fell of the sofa and quickly nudged Isabel awake.

As Isabel came out of a deep sleep she sat up still feeling groggy.

“Maria, what the hell?”

“Shush, listen.”

“No, please stop it. Go away.”

Isabel looked at Maria in shock.

“She’s talking,” said Isabel, with her mouth agape.

“Please stop, just go away. WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?” yelled Liz.

“What should we do?” asked Isabel.

“Should we try to wake her up?”

“Yes, I can’t see her go through this much longer. She’s drenched Maria,” said Isabel, pointing to Liz’s pyjama top that was now stuck to her skin.

Maria quickly switched on the lamp beside her and promptly screamed at the top of her lungs.
They were getting closer to her, their burnt remains reaching out to touch her. Liz screamed as one set of bony hands curled around her wrists and the other set around her ankles.
Isabel couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She was trying to scream but nothing would come out. She could hear Maria but nothing was quite registering with her brain, that was until Liz sat bolt upright, opened her eyes and let out a blood curdling scream.

This galvanized Isabel in to action. She slapped a hysterical Maria around the face which immediately shut her up, but she was in shock, until the sobs she heard from Liz finally cleared the fog in her head.

Maria immediately reached out for Liz and held her tightly.

“Shush Liz, everything is okay now. You, you just had a nightmare. We’re with you. Come on calm down.”

Another round of heart wrenching sobs escaped Liz’s mouth.

“You ... you m...must think I’m crazy,” sobbed Liz.

“Liz, what were you dreaming about?” asked Isabel. If Liz had been listening she would have heard the fear in Isabel’s voice but nothing would get through to her brain except the image of her mother and father grabbing at her limbs.

“I ... I can’t tell you,” she sobbed.

“Maria, she doesn’t realize she’s talking.”

“I know,” whispered Maria. “Just talk to her Isabel.”

“Liz, please, we want to help you. Tell us what you were dreaming about, please,” begged Isabel.

“You’re ... you’re g...going to think I’m crazy.”

“Honey, after what we’ve just seen I don’t think that’s possible,” said Maria, in a shaky voice.

“My ... my parents,” sobbed Liz.

“Oh shit,” said Isabel. “Maria, tell me you saw what I saw?”

Maria numbly nodded her head.

“Liz, I have to ask you something and I want you to be honest with me,” said Isabel. “Did your parents ...” Isabel was feeling sick. She couldn’t believe what she was about to ask Liz.

“Did your parents burn in that accident?” she rushed out.

As more heart wrenching sobs wracked Liz’s body she just nodded her head.

“Oh God, it was real Maria. How?”

“I don’t know but it scared the living shit out of me,” replied Maria.

“Liz, you have to listen to us. We saw what you saw,” explained Isabel.

“What?” squeaked Liz.

Isabel gently grabbed Liz’s face and turned her head so she could look into Liz’s eyes.

“You’re talking Liz and we ... we saw the burnt remains of ... of something grab at your legs.”

As Isabel’s words finally penetrated the pure fear and Liz’s eyes widened in shock. She tried to talk but nothing would come out of her mouth.

Both Isabel’s and Maria’s shoulders slumped. They could tell that Liz had lost the ability to talk again.

“What do you mean, you saw what I saw?” signed Liz.

“Oh god Liz, it was awful. I woke to find you thrashing around and you were yelling for someone to leave you alone. I woke up Isabel and we weren’t sure what to do. We decided to wake you up so I switched on the light and we ... I ... well we saw ... oh god I don’t know what we saw, it was awful Liz. You could see bones and this flesh was just hanging off but the worst part was that it had its bony fingers around your ankles. As soon as I switched on the light I could see it but it sort of shimmered and vanished,” explained Maria.

Liz started violently shaking and both Isabel and Maria couldn’t quite tell if it was because they now knew her secret or because the sweat was finally cooling her skin.

Isabel jumped up and got a spare set of pyjamas from her draw upstairs and ran back down to Liz.

“Come Liz; let’s get you out of those wet things and into something dry. Maria, can you put the coffee pot on? I think Liz needs to be warmed up.”

“Sure,” replied Maria, as she set about her task. She needed to do something normal to try and dispel that awful image from her mind. She couldn’t even imagine how Liz had stayed sane seeing that on a regular basis. Her heart went out to the girl and vowed that she would help her one way or another. The first thing she needed to do was persuade Liz to tell Max.

As the coffee pot started gurgling Maria stepped back into the living room to see a newly clothed Liz sitting with a blanket around her and Isabel cuddling her.

“Oh god Liz, I’m so sorry. How long has this been going on?”

“Since the accident,” signed Liz, which Maria translated for Isabel.

Both Maria and Isabel exchanged horrified looks.

“Haven’t you ever told ANYONE?” asked Maria.

Liz just shook her head.

“I thought I was going crazy. I thought that if I told anyone they would put me away and I couldn’t handle that,” signed Liz.

“Liz,” whispered Maria and then burst into tears as she sat down next to her.

“You don’t have to feel that way anymore Liz. We KNOW you’re not crazy,” whispered Maria, through her tears.

Liz, for the first time in years, took comfort from her friends and actually felt like a great weight had been lifted of her shoulders. She wasn’t crazy.

“Liz, you have to tell Max,” said Isabel.

A sudden look of pure fear came across Liz’s face before she frantically shook her head.

“Liz honey, you have to listen to me,” said Maria. “Max needs to know what’s going on with you. He’ll understand. We’ll tell him what happened here tonight and what we saw.”

“NO!” signed Liz.

“You have to Liz. He’s worried about you. Is that ... did you ...”

“What is it Isabel?” asked Maria.

“Is that what you saw when you ran out of the diner and Max found you being sick?”

Liz’s eyes went as wide as saucers and then she simply resigned herself to the fact that her secret was now out and no matter what Max would eventually find out.

She simply nodded her head.

“Please Liz, explain to Max. He’s worried sick about you. He’ll understand I promise you,” said Isabel. “We all have our demons to deal with Liz.”

Maria shot a look at Isabel in warning.

“I’ll tell him tomorrow,” promised Liz.

“Come on, let’s try to get some sleep,” suggested Isabel.

“I’ll take the first watch,” replied Maria.

Liz looked at her strangely.

“What? You don’t think I’m going to let that happen again do you. Isabel and I will take turns and if you look like you’re having a nightmare before it gets bad we’ll wake you up, besides I don’t think I could sleep after seeing that,” explained Maria.

Liz snuggled down on Maria’s lap and fell into a deep sleep as Maria continued to stroke her hair.

“I can’t sleep Maria,” whispered Isabel. “I don’t know how the hell she’s coped with that for so long. I’m terrified to go to sleep and it’s not even me that’s going through it.”

“I know. No matter what Isabel, we can’t let Liz back out on telling Max.”

“Definitely.”

Chapter 30



Liz slowly came out of her deep sleep to feel something warm under her cheek. She couldn’t quite remember what happened last night. She felt someone stroke her hair and it all came rushing back.

Liz would have groaned if she could but she just slowly sat up.

“Good morning sleepyhead,” said Maria, as she stretched her aching legs.

“I’m sorry Maria, I slept on you all night?” signed Liz.

“The fact that you slept peacefully Liz made it all worthwhile believe me,” replied Maria.

A steaming hot cup of coffee was thrust in both Maria’s and Liz’s face.

They both looked up to Isabel with gratefulness.

“I’ve got breakfast on the go,” said Isabel, going back into the kitchen.

“Wow, that smells delicious Isabel!” shouted Maria.

“Blueberry pancakes and a side of bacon!”

Liz’s stomach suddenly made a loud growling noise and Liz’s cheeks turned bright red.

“I think Liz’s stomach agrees with your choice Isabel,” chuckled Maria.

As they all sat down to breakfast it was Maria that brought up the conversation everyone had been dreading.

“I think we should finish up here and then head over to Michael’s. We can fill them in on what went on last night and see if they can think of anything that could help.”

There was no way Maria was going to let Liz back out of this now.

“I think that’s a good idea,” said Isabel, backing up Maria.

Liz stopped eating as a sudden wave a nausea hit. How could she tell Max let alone Michael? She suddenly scraped her chair across the kitchen floor and ran towards the toilet.

“I guess that answers the question on whether she’s nervous about telling Max,” said Isabel, as they listened to Liz throw up in the toilet.

“We have to be strong Isabel. She has to tell someone, someone that might actually be able to do something about it.”

“Maria, what makes you think Max can do anything. We both saw that there was something ... god I don’t know ... supernatural going on.”

“Isabel, twice now Liz has spoken when Max has been around and my guess is whatever barrier is stopping her talking, he’s slowly breaking through. When he first kissed her the other day she spoke Isabel.”

“WHAT? Why the hell didn’t Max tell me?”

Maria shrugged her shoulders. “I guess sharing the fact that he had his first kiss ever with a girl wasn’t something he wanted to talk to his sister about.”

“I’m going to check on Liz, hold her hair up or something,” said Isabel.


A loud incessant knocking finally permeated his sleep befuddled brain.

“Alright, I’m coming. This better be good,” said Max, as he swung the door to Michael’s apartment open, only to find the three most important women in his life looking like a freight train had hit them.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“Erm Max, I think you’d better put some clothes on,” said Maria, pointing to his boxer shorts.

Max eye’s nearly popped out of their sockets. He blushed profusely and stole a glance towards Liz before slamming the door in their faces and running to his room to get dressed.

“YOU COULD HAVE LET US IN FIRST!” yelled Maria, laughing.

As Maria turned to look at Liz she laughed even harder. Liz was standing with a shocked look on her face, blushing and her mouth hanging open.

“Honey, don’t drool on the carpet. Michael will complain about it for the rest of the week,” teased Maria and then whispered “Never knew he had such a hot body on him, did you?”

“Maria! Please,” whined Isabel. “That’s my brother you’re talking about.”

Max had already put on his trousers and was frantically searching for his shirt. Where the hell was it? And then he remembered the heated look in Liz’s eyes, as she perused his body, when he glanced in her direction.

“What the hell,” said Max, out loud, as he made his way towards the front door.

“Sorry about that,” said Max, as he reopened the door. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Obviously,” smiled Maria, as she breezed past Max. She couldn’t help noticing that he didn't have a shirt on and wondered if it was because he couldn’t find it or if it was for Liz’s benefit.

“So what are you doing here?” asked Max. “Not that I’m not happy about it, but you look like you’ve been through hell.”

“Max we need to talk to you but I’m going to get Michael,” said Maria, as she made her way towards his room.

“Maria, we didn’t get to bed until late. I don’t think you’ll get much out of him.”

“Honey, we didn’t get ANY sleep last night and if I can handle it, then so can he.”

A little while later, and a few heated voices from behind the door, Maria finally managed to drag Michael out of his bedroom.

“This better be good,” he said, and then stopped dead in his tracks as he saw how bad the girls looked. “What happened?”

“Okay this is going to sound really weird and you might have questions, but please let us explain everything that happened and then you can ask okay?” asked Maria.

“I thought I heard a noise,” said Alex, as he rubbed a hand over his sleepy face.

Liz shot her head up and then shook it hard.

“I can’t do this Maria, I can’t,” signed Liz.

“Liz, it’s Alex. There’s nothing you can say that would make him turn away from you as a friend. Please you have to trust us,” said Isabel.

“Hey look, whatever it is, if Liz is uncomfortable then I’ll leave,” said Alex.

Liz looked up and took a big, steadying breath. “No Alex, I’m sorry it’s not you. I ... well ... god why is this so hard,” signed Liz.

Maria patted Liz on the knee and Max immediately went over to Liz, scooped her up, walked back to the sofa and plopped her down on his lap. He gently cupped her face.

“Whatever it is Liz, you can trust us. We’ll do our best to help, I promise.”

She simply nodded, placed her face in Max’s neck and signalled Maria to continue.

“Okay, Alex this is going to sound weird and if you have any questions just wait until we’ve finished.”

Alex nodded his head in understanding.

Maria started telling them everything that happened that night from when she first woke up to Liz thrashing about. As Isabel took over the story, when Maria reached the bit where she went into overload and screamed, Max tightened his arms around Liz.

“Oh god, I couldn’t believe my eyes but I swear it was there Max. It was ... god it was awful. It was gripping hold of Liz’s leg and then it just sort of shimmered and disappeared when Liz sat bolt upright and started to scream.”

“So let me get this straight. You saw ... the ghost, for want of a better word, of one of Liz’s dead parents grab hold of her leg and then it just shimmered and disappeared?” asked Michael, not believing his ears.

“I almost vomited Michael. The smell of burnt flesh was overwhelming,” said Isabel.

“I ... I don’t know what to say, except whatever you were smoking last night I wouldn’t mind some.”

Michael really thought that they had just had one of those weird collective dreams or that they had definitely done something illegal last night.

“THIS ISN’T FUNNY MICHAEL,” yelled Maria. “It scared the living crap out of me, so much so that both Isabel and I kept vigil over Liz the entire night!”

“You’re being serious,” asked Michael, in shock. Surely they were just yanking their chain.

“Show them Liz,” said Isabel.

Liz shook her head. She knew that people wouldn’t believe it and now she felt so embarrassed.

“SHOW THEM,” insisted Maria.

Liz slowly raised one of her trouser legs and Max saw the angry red mark around her ankle, then she moved her hands to her wrists and raised each sleeve.

“Holy crap,” said Michael, as he clearly saw the outline of four boney looking finger marks across Liz’s wrist.

“Now do you believe us?” asked Maria.

“I’m sorry Liz; it’s just kind of hard to ...”

“Take in?” said Alex, finishing Michael’s sentence.

“Tell me about it,” said Isabel. “Try being there while it was happening.”

As the conversation went on around her, Liz found herself slowly drifting off to sleep. She couldn’t help feeling safe in Max’s arms, with his warm skin touching her face and that smell that was uniquely his, sort of soapy but manly.

Max had noticed Liz’s breathing even out and he picked her up and carried her to his room. He placed her gently on the bed and covered her. He kissed her on the cheek and then returned to the living room.

“Max, there’s something else,” said Maria.

“What?”

“While we tried to console Liz, she was sobbing, she was talking.”

“W...what?”

“She was talking Max,” said Isabel. “I don’t think she realised it because when we mentioned it to her she suddenly went mute again, but I swear she spoke. She confirmed that her parents had been badly burned during the car accident.”

“So it’s not something physical stopping Liz from talking. It’s the only way her brain can cope with what happened to her parents and the fact that they keep on coming back to haunt her,” said Alex, deep in thought.

“That’s what I think.”

“So what do we do now?” asked Max, feeling hopeless.

“You help her heal Max,” said Maria.

He looked up at Maria like she’d grown a second head.

“What do you mean, I help her heal? How the hell can I do that Maria? I'm not a expert on the paranormal, hell I don't even freaking believe in ghosts or whatever it was you saw!”

“Remember what you told me the other day?”

Max started to blush and nodded.

“She spoke Max, she talked for you. She did it in the hospital and she did it the other day.”

“It can’t be that simple Maria.”

“No it’s not Max. She has to exorcise those demons that have been haunting her since the accident and that’s not going to be easy.”

“I’m going to just ... um,” Max said, pointing towards his room.

“Go on Max. She needs you right now, we can discuss this later.”

Max slowly entered his room so as not to wake Liz. He pulled back the covers, lay down gently beside her and then pulled her into his arms. There was no way this girl was going to be hurt anymore. He couldn’t stand it. He could still see one of the angry red finger marks peaking from beneath her sleeved arm.

He had no idea what to do next to help her but he would die trying if necessary. She’d been through too much already. He still couldn’t process the fact that both Isabel and Maria had witnessed it but he believed them. He knew by the pallor of their skin that something had scared the living day lights out of them last night.

He just wondered how Liz had held on for so long without telling anyone.

He decided that the plan, to surprise the girls, he and the boys had come up with last night was going to happen.

Chapter 31


Liz tried to turn over to snuggle deeper in to the warmth that she could feel there until that warmth started to move.

Liz suddenly shot open her eyes and was a little disorientated to wake up in a bedroom she didn’t recognise. Then she heard a mumble next to her ear. She slowly turned her head to see Max’s gorgeous face, relaxed with sleep. She took her time to take in his features as gentle puffs of air came out of his nose.

God he was handsome. How could she not have noticed his awesome body before? Oh she knew he had fantastic muscular arms but never did she think what could be under those shirts of his, until he came to the door almost naked this morning. She couldn’t help the little giggle that came out when she remembered how red he became when he glanced at her and then slammed the door in their faces.

“What’s so funny?” asked Max, in a husky voice, popping one eye open to look at the angel lying next to him.

Liz jumped at the sound and blushed because she’d been caught staring.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” signed Liz.

Max chuckled at how sweet she looked when she blushed.

“You didn’t. How are you feeling Liz?”

“A little weird. I’ve been hiding all of this for so long Max, thinking that people wouldn’t believe me. I thought if I told anyone then they would commit me for a while and I didn’t want that. The strangest thing, is that I never believed that anyone else would be able to see them. I really thought it was just all in my head,” signed Liz.

“So you’ve gone through this since the accident, without telling anyone?” asked Max.

“Well yeah. It’s not something you really bring up in conversation. Oh yeah, by the way, I see the burnt remains of my dead parents, every night, when they come and grab me. I mean how crazy does that sound? Even I don’t believe it and it’s actually happening to me. I also thought people would think I was doing some sort of self harming because of the bruises they leave behind.”

“I know this is going to be difficult for you but can you tell me about your parents? What happened that fateful night?”

“I’ve never talked to anyone about this Max and I would appreciate it if this could stay between the two of us.”

“I promise.”

“I don’t remember much Max, but I’ll try. We were coming home from somewhere and I needed the toilet. We’d been stuck in the car for a long time and my dad was really angry at my mom. I think it was because she had given the wrong directions or something. Anyway, I told my dad that I wanted to pee but he wasn’t very happy about it. I think he said something about me going before we set off in the car. He was turning around and looking at me. Then all I remember is my mother screaming and then this awful loud noise.

I woke up in the hospital three weeks later. They told me that my parents had died in the car accident. I tried to speak but I couldn’t. They ran numerous tests on me to find out what was wrong. That’s when I got diagnosed with Aphasia. I will never forget the first time I had that dream about those bodies.

At first I didn’t understand it but I had this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. When I asked the doctors about what happened to my parents they explained it to me. I had to ask if their bodies had been burnt, which they had sadly replied ‘yes’. That’s when I knew the dreams where about them.”

“So you’ve been living with this since you were four? How often do they come and ‘visit’ Liz?” asked Max, concerned.

“Almost every night,” signed Liz.

Max was shocked at that revelation.

“What is it they want?”

“If I knew that Max, I would have put an end to this torture years ago,” signed Liz.

“Okay, I have an idea.”

Liz had a fearful look on her face.

“I think you should tell your therapist about this.”

“What? Max, if I could yell or shriek right now you would know that, that idea fills me with pure dread,” signed Liz.

“No listen, hear me out okay?”

Liz just nodded her head.

“Okay, tell her all about your dreams. Don’t say that you see them during the day or that they really grab at your limbs. Just tell her that you have this recurring nightmare about your parents and see what she makes of it. I’m sure she’s better equipped to handle it than any of us are. Maybe it has something to do with your subconscious.”

“I don’t think that’s wise Max. What if I say something wrong?”

“Okay, how about this? Why don’t you wait until I’m with you in the sessions to tell her? That way if you head towards dangerous ground I can run interference.”

“Well, I guess that could work. Max, are you sure you’re okay about this? I mean, it’s a lot to take in. Hell, I don’t even believe in ghosts,” signed Liz.

“Honestly Liz, if you’d have told me this yourself, before Maria and Isabel saw that thing grab your leg, I wouldn’t have thought you crazy. I perhaps would have suggested that maybe your mind thought the dreams were so real that it actually left marks on your skin. Now though, hell I can’t even get my mind around the fact that Maria and Isabel actually witnessed something. I can’t believe I’m going to say this but maybe there is a reason they are visiting you. It doesn’t make sense that your parents would put you through that hell each night knowing it scared you shitless. Is there anything that happens that doesn’t make sense?”

“What apart from the fact that my dead parents keep haunting me?”

“Yeah, apart from that.”

“Well there was one thing that wasn’t normal. Remember I’ve had exactly the same dream for years but when I was in the hospital something changed.”

“Changed, how?”

“When I was unconscious I could hear your voice. At that time my parents were scraping their bodies along the cold concrete floor heading towards me. Oh god it was horrible Max, their mouths or rather skeletal jaws were snapping as if they were trying to tell me something. Anyway, I could hear you and I called out to you asking for your help. The bodies started to retreat back into the darkness but I could see that some parts of their bodies had flesh on them, as if that part had never been burnt.”

“Then what happened Liz?”

“Well, I couldn’t feel you anymore and this horrible coldness overtook me. I yelled for you not to leave me but it went unheard,” signed Liz.

“Shit, that must have been when I ran to get Jeff and Nancy. I’m sorry Liz.”

“It’s okay Max. You didn’t know what was going on. You just ran to get my parents, I understand that. The bodies started towards me again and they were back to their original state, totally burnt with no flesh on.”

Liz shudders at the memory and this is when Max tightens his embrace and gently places Liz’s head on his chest.

“Then what happened?”

“You returned. I could feel your hand in mine. I couldn’t see you but I knew you were there. When you asked me to give your hand a squeeze, I did, but I could also hear where your voice was coming from and followed it. The next thing I woke up.”

Max was about to say something when they heard a gentle knock on the door.

“Is everything okay?” asked Maria, through the door.

“Yes Maria. Sorry we were just talking. We’ll be out in a second, okay?”

“Alright, we have a few things to discuss.”

About five minutes later both Max and Liz exited the bedroom.

“Thanks guys, for letting me sleep, I’ve not had much lately,” signed Liz.

“Liz, I can’t even start to comprehend what it’s been like for you but just know that we are all here to help you. We know what’s going on now, although I’m not sure what we can do about it,” said Alex, a little perplexed.

“Max thinks it’s a good idea to tell the therapist about it,” signed Liz.

“WHAT? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND MAX!” yelled Maria, smacking Max on the back of the head as she came out of the kitchen. “THEY’LL PUT HER AWAY FOR SURE IF SHE SAYS SHE SEES DEAD PEOPLE!”

“I’m not suggesting she does that Maria,” replied Max, rubbing his very sore head.

“Oh, then what are you suggesting,” asked Maria, calming slightly.

“I think it would be good for Liz to tell the therapist about the nightmares, not that she sees them during the day or the fact that they manifest and grab hold of her, just the nightmare part. Maybe the therapist can see what we can’t.”

“Why the dreams are haunting her?” asked Alex.

“Exactly, there has to be a reason for it. I could imagine my father coming back to haunt me but my mother, not a chance, so there must be a reason for it. Well, that’s the only thing I can come up with at the moment. It’s not a typical problem we’re dealing with here and I think we need help.”

“You know Max, that’s not such a bad idea. If the therapist can help Liz through her thought process on the accident then maybe something there will trigger them to go away. Wow, how bazaar does all this sound?” said Isabel.

“Now you know why I kept it a secret,” signed Liz.

“So are you going to discuss this with the therapist?” asked Maria.

“Yeah, I think so. It’s worth a try,” signed Liz.

“Well on that note, I’m freaking starving so how about I whip us up an awesome breakfast?” asked Michael.

“I thought you’d never ask,” said Alex.

Everyone nodded and made their way towards the kitchen to help.

Chapter 32


Tommy stood there watching the people around the gravesites sobbing as their loved ones were lowered into the ground. His heart went out to them. It was tragic really, a family totally wiped out thanks to a drunk driver overshooting a red light. He removed his hat out of respect and placed it over his heart.

“God forgive me for the disrespect I’ve shown these people here today,” he prayed.

He couldn’t believe his luck when he had spotted it in the obituaries. He was wondering what he could do with the three dead men that where now buried deep under the ones that were currently being lowered into the ground. It was a perfect solution.

He felt strange watching a funeral for people he didn’t even know but he had to make sure nothing went wrong before they filled in the graves. As the onlookers started to sprinkle earth over the caskets he decided it was time to leave. Once all the family members had left, someone would be by to fill the gaping holes in the ground, the bodies of the Andrew brothers never to be found.

“You can sleep easy at night now my friend,” he said to himself, thinking about Max.

If Max had found out the reason Liz was so savagely beaten, he would never have forgiven himself. The Andrew brothers were the ones that were arrested on that fateful night, instead of himself and his gang, thanks to Max’s timely phone call.

Somehow the Andrew brothers had found this out and were carrying out their plan to get revenge against Max. It started with Liz but then it would have been his family, friends and then finally Max himself. Tommy wasn’t going to let that happen so he took care of it. He knew Max would never have made that kind of decision; he would have wanted the proper authorities to deal with it. Tommy was aware of the Andrew brothers’ top notch lawyer, always getting them a substantially reduced sentence or acquittal so there was no other option than to dispose of them.

That wasn’t the only reason. One of the brothers had turned into a police informer and it was him that had given the tip to the police on that night in the first place. That way Tommy was killing two birds with one stone so to speak. He would never tell Max the outcome of his investigation and he knew that Max would never ask.

Yes, this had been a good day all around.
Liz had been attending her regular Tuesday sessions for the past few weeks. Dr. Ray had tried to approach the subject of her parents’ death on the last session but Liz wasn’t quite ready to discuss it. That was when Dr. Ray had decided it was time to invite her boyfriend into the sessions. Maybe he could get her to open up.

“Liz, you’re shaking,” said Max, as he gently wrapped his hand around hers.

“I know. I guess I’m just a little nervous about what we’re going to discuss in there,” signed Liz, then pointed towards Dr. Ray’s office door.

“Liz, are you sure you want me here? Wouldn’t you rather speak to Dr. Ray about the accident on your own first?”

“I don’t think she will talk to me about the accident unless you’re here Max,” said Dr. Ray, as she stepped out of her office and overheard the tail end of the couple’s conversation.

Liz blushed at this comment because it was true.

“Hi Max, Dr. Ray,” said Jennifer, as she offered her hand in greeting.

“I hope you don’t mind Liz asking me to come along,” said Max, taking her hand and shaking it.

“Not at all Max. I think this might actually be good for Liz. She obviously trusts you. Why don’t you both come in the office and we can get started. Please take the seat opposite Liz and I’ll sit here,” Jennifer said, as she sat down behind her desk.

“Okay, thanks.”

“At our last session I spoke to Liz about what would be acceptable to talk about in front of you. As you are aware there is the doctor/patient confidentiality to think about. Liz has given her permission for us to speak freely in front of you, but I must stress that whatever goes on in this room should stay that way.”

“Understood,” replied Max.

“Okay, Liz is there anything specific you would like to start with?”

Liz looked at Max and he gently nodded his head.

“Yes. This has to do with my parents’ accident so why don’t I start with what happened that night and then I can explain the other issue.”

“Alright, go ahead,” said Jennifer.

“My mom had given my dad the wrong directions. At the time, I didn’t realize why the journey was taking so long until, of course, I grew up. Anyway, Dad was totally frustrated and tired. I asked if we were close to home and my mom told me it would be a little while. I told them that I really needed the toilet and my dad lost his temper. He was shouting at me about always going to the toilet before we left for a long journey. The thing is, I actually did go to the toilet but because of the time taken to find our way home I needed to go again,” Liz signed, getting slightly distressed at remembering that awful night.

“You’re doing really well Liz, carry on,” encouraged Jennifer.

“My dad was looking at me when he started shouting and then all I really remember is my mom shouting at Dad to look out and then she screamed. After that, there was this awful loud noise and then everything went black, then I woke up in the hospital.”

“So that’s all you remember?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, what about the other thing you wanted to discuss with me?” asked Jennifer.

For a moment Liz was a little confused. She thought that Dr. Ray would want to talk about the accident more; after all, this is the part she’d been waiting for. Liz started to squirm a little and Max immediately noticed. As she looked at him, he slightly nodded his head in support.

“When I was still recovering I started to have nightmares about these bodies coming towards me. They were burnt beyond recognition and there was flesh hanging off the bones. There was also this awful smell of burnt flesh.”

“So these bodies just walk towards you?”

“No, their bodies scrape along the floor and reach out for me. That’s when I normally wake up.”

“When did this start?”

“Ever since the accident.”

“So you’ve been living with this nightmare since then?”

“Yes.”

“So do you have any idea why you dream of these dead bodies?” asked Jennifer.

“I didn’t know what happened in the accident because I was removed from the car and taken to hospital. I started having that dream before I woke up in the hospital. When I asked the doctors about my parents they told me that the car had exploded not long after I was removed. My parents weren’t so lucky.”

“So you believe that these are your dead parents, in your dreams I mean?”

“Honestly, I don’t know anything anymore. I’ve been living with this for so long now.”

“Are the dreams exactly the same all the time?”

“They have been, until recently,” signed Liz.

“What happened to make it different?” asked Jennifer.

Liz explained the dream she had when she was in a coma resulting from the attack.

“So when you were talking, shouting at them to go away, their bodies seemed to repair themselves?” asked Jennifer.

“It seems so,” replied Liz.

“Was this the same time she was actually talking?” Jennifer asked Max.

“I believe so. I was sitting next to Liz, talking to her about the support she had, when I suddenly heard Liz asking for help. At first I thought I was going crazy because I knew Liz hadn’t spoken since the accident but she then spoke again.”

“So she was actually talking for real, while having this nightmare?”

“It seems so.”

Jennifer looked at her watch and sighed. She really wanted to investigate this more but the hour was up and she had another patient on the way.

“I’m sorry Liz. The hour is up but I would really like to discuss this more at our next session. I would like Max to attend if that’s okay with you?”

“That’s fine,” signed Liz, relieved that she wouldn’t have to discuss this anymore today.

“Are you free next Tuesday Max?” asked Jennifer.

“I can make it next Tuesday Dr. Ray,” replied Max.

“It was a pleasure to meet you Max and it’s good to see that Liz has her friends to support her through this difficult time. I look forward to seeing you both next week.”

Max and Liz stood and made their way out of the office. As they approached the jeep, Max suddenly remembered something.

“Damn it. Liz, I think I left my wallet in the office. Here, take my keys and get into the jeep. I’ll be right back,” he said, running back into the building after giving Liz his keys.

“I left my wallet in Dr. Ray’s office. Is it alright if I go and get it?” Max asked the receptionist.

“Of course, her next client isn’t due for another ten minutes.”

“Thank you,” replied Max, as he went and gently knocked on Dr. Ray’s office door.

“Come in!”

“Dr. Ray, I’m sorry to disturb you but I was hoping to take Liz away next week so we won’t be able to make the appointment. She doesn’t know about it yet because it’s going to be a surprise. Is that okay?”

“Oh Max, that’s fine. I think her going away for a little while might do her some good. She’s had a tough time lately.”

Max smiled.

“Great, thanks Dr. Ray. I’m sure Liz or I will phone you to make another appointment when we return. We’ll be away for just under two weeks. I’ll attend the next appointment when we’re back though.”

“That’s great Max, thanks.”

Chapter 32


Tommy stood there watching the people around the gravesites sobbing as their loved ones were lowered into the ground. His heart went out to them. It was tragic really, a family totally wiped out thanks to a drunk driver overshooting a red light. He removed his hat out of respect and placed it over his heart.

“God forgive me for the disrespect I’ve shown these people here today,” he prayed.

He couldn’t believe his luck when he had spotted it in the obituaries. He was wondering what he could do with the three dead men that where now buried deep under the ones that were currently being lowered into the ground. It was a perfect solution.

He felt strange watching a funeral for people he didn’t even know but he had to make sure nothing went wrong before they filled in the graves. As the onlookers started to sprinkle earth over the caskets he decided it was time to leave. Once all the family members had left, someone would be by to fill the gaping holes in the ground, the bodies of the Andrew brothers never to be found.

“You can sleep easy at night now my friend,” he said to himself, thinking about Max.

If Max had found out the reason Liz was so savagely beaten, he would never have forgiven himself. The Andrew brothers were the ones that were arrested on that fateful night, instead of himself and his gang, thanks to Max’s timely phone call.

Somehow the Andrew brothers had found this out and were carrying out their plan to get revenge against Max. It started with Liz but then it would have been his family, friends and then finally Max himself. Tommy wasn’t going to let that happen so he took care of it. He knew Max would never have made that kind of decision; he would have wanted the proper authorities to deal with it. Tommy was aware of the Andrew brothers’ top notch lawyer, always getting them a substantially reduced sentence or acquittal so there was no other option than to dispose of them.

That wasn’t the only reason. One of the brothers had turned into a police informer and it was him that had given the tip to the police on that night in the first place. That way Tommy was killing two birds with one stone so to speak. He would never tell Max the outcome of his investigation and he knew that Max would never ask.

Yes, this had been a good day all around.
Liz had been attending her regular Tuesday sessions for the past few weeks. Dr. Ray had tried to approach the subject of her parents’ death on the last session but Liz wasn’t quite ready to discuss it. That was when Dr. Ray had decided it was time to invite her boyfriend into the sessions. Maybe he could get her to open up.

“Liz, you’re shaking,” said Max, as he gently wrapped his hand around hers.

“I know. I guess I’m just a little nervous about what we’re going to discuss in there,” signed Liz, then pointed towards Dr. Ray’s office door.

“Liz, are you sure you want me here? Wouldn’t you rather speak to Dr. Ray about the accident on your own first?”

“I don’t think she will talk to me about the accident unless you’re here Max,” said Dr. Ray, as she stepped out of her office and overheard the tail end of the couple’s conversation.

Liz blushed at this comment because it was true.

“Hi Max, Dr. Ray,” said Jennifer, as she offered her hand in greeting.

“I hope you don’t mind Liz asking me to come along,” said Max, taking her hand and shaking it.

“Not at all Max. I think this might actually be good for Liz. She obviously trusts you. Why don’t you both come in the office and we can get started. Please take the seat opposite Liz and I’ll sit here,” Jennifer said, as she sat down behind her desk.

“Okay, thanks.”

“At our last session I spoke to Liz about what would be acceptable to talk about in front of you. As you are aware there is the doctor/patient confidentiality to think about. Liz has given her permission for us to speak freely in front of you, but I must stress that whatever goes on in this room should stay that way.”

“Understood,” replied Max.

“Okay, Liz is there anything specific you would like to start with?”

Liz looked at Max and he gently nodded his head.

“Yes. This has to do with my parents’ accident so why don’t I start with what happened that night and then I can explain the other issue.”

“Alright, go ahead,” said Jennifer.

“My mom had given my dad the wrong directions. At the time, I didn’t realize why the journey was taking so long until, of course, I grew up. Anyway, Dad was totally frustrated and tired. I asked if we were close to home and my mom told me it would be a little while. I told them that I really needed the toilet and my dad lost his temper. He was shouting at me about always going to the toilet before we left for a long journey. The thing is, I actually did go to the toilet but because of the time taken to find our way home I needed to go again,” Liz signed, getting slightly distressed at remembering that awful night.

“You’re doing really well Liz, carry on,” encouraged Jennifer.

“My dad was looking at me when he started shouting and then all I really remember is my mom shouting at Dad to look out and then she screamed. After that, there was this awful loud noise and then everything went black, then I woke up in the hospital.”

“So that’s all you remember?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, what about the other thing you wanted to discuss with me?” asked Jennifer.

For a moment Liz was a little confused. She thought that Dr. Ray would want to talk about the accident more; after all, this is the part she’d been waiting for. Liz started to squirm a little and Max immediately noticed. As she looked at him, he slightly nodded his head in support.

“When I was still recovering I started to have nightmares about these bodies coming towards me. They were burnt beyond recognition and there was flesh hanging off the bones. There was also this awful smell of burnt flesh.”

“So these bodies just walk towards you?”

“No, their bodies scrape along the floor and reach out for me. That’s when I normally wake up.”

“When did this start?”

“Ever since the accident.”

“So you’ve been living with this nightmare since then?”

“Yes.”

“So do you have any idea why you dream of these dead bodies?” asked Jennifer.

“I didn’t know what happened in the accident because I was removed from the car and taken to hospital. I started having that dream before I woke up in the hospital. When I asked the doctors about my parents they told me that the car had exploded not long after I was removed. My parents weren’t so lucky.”

“So you believe that these are your dead parents, in your dreams I mean?”

“Honestly, I don’t know anything anymore. I’ve been living with this for so long now.”

“Are the dreams exactly the same all the time?”

“They have been, until recently,” signed Liz.

“What happened to make it different?” asked Jennifer.

Liz explained the dream she had when she was in a coma resulting from the attack.

“So when you were talking, shouting at them to go away, their bodies seemed to repair themselves?” asked Jennifer.

“It seems so,” replied Liz.

“Was this the same time she was actually talking?” Jennifer asked Max.

“I believe so. I was sitting next to Liz, talking to her about the support she had, when I suddenly heard Liz asking for help. At first I thought I was going crazy because I knew Liz hadn’t spoken since the accident but she then spoke again.”

“So she was actually talking for real, while having this nightmare?”

“It seems so.”

Jennifer looked at her watch and sighed. She really wanted to investigate this more but the hour was up and she had another patient on the way.

“I’m sorry Liz. The hour is up but I would really like to discuss this more at our next session. I would like Max to attend if that’s okay with you?”

“That’s fine,” signed Liz, relieved that she wouldn’t have to discuss this anymore today.

“Are you free next Tuesday Max?” asked Jennifer.

“I can make it next Tuesday Dr. Ray,” replied Max.

“It was a pleasure to meet you Max and it’s good to see that Liz has her friends to support her through this difficult time. I look forward to seeing you both next week.”

Max and Liz stood and made their way out of the office. As they approached the jeep, Max suddenly remembered something.

“Damn it. Liz, I think I left my wallet in the office. Here, take my keys and get into the jeep. I’ll be right back,” he said, running back into the building after giving Liz his keys.

“I left my wallet in Dr. Ray’s office. Is it alright if I go and get it?” Max asked the receptionist.

“Of course, her next client isn’t due for another ten minutes.”

“Thank you,” replied Max, as he went and gently knocked on Dr. Ray’s office door.

“Come in!”

“Dr. Ray, I’m sorry to disturb you but I was hoping to take Liz away next week so we won’t be able to make the appointment. She doesn’t know about it yet because it’s going to be a surprise. Is that okay?”

“Oh Max, that’s fine. I think her going away for a little while might do her some good. She’s had a tough time lately.”

Max smiled.

“Great, thanks Dr. Ray. I’m sure Liz or I will phone you to make another appointment when we return. We’ll be away for just under two weeks. I’ll attend the next appointment when we’re back though.”

“That’s great Max, thanks.”

Chapter 33


She had taken a few days off since her confrontation with Max but now she was seething. Nobody, NOBODY ever dared go against her because they knew what she was capable of and now Max had drawn the line.

She paced her room like a feral animal. She could hear the voices in her head telling her what to do but she tried her hardest to ignore them. She kept on getting flashbacks of that god awful place they sent her to the last time. She couldn’t go through that again. It had taken her a long time to become normal again but the stares and whispers had become too much for her to handle. That’s why they had moved to this shitty little town and now it was all ruined.

She had been happy here for the last few years. It had taken her a while to get into the popular crowd but she had managed it with a few skilful rumours. If she was caught this time, her daddy couldn’t do anything to save her; she wasn’t a minor anymore and this one would be a little harder to explain.

She started to bang her fist against her head to get the voices to stop, but the more she did the worse they got. She had placed her heart in his hands and he’d shoved it back in her face. Her sister had done the exact same thing and was now paying the price.

“No, stop it,” she whispered, yanking at her blonde curls.

How could she let him get away with it? She couldn’t believe all her plans had been ruined.

Why did everyone she loved and trusted always turn their back on her?

Her mother had done it not long after she’d turned fifteen. She had her first sexual experience then and she loved the power it gave her over men. She soon found they would do almost anything to get a quick romp in the hay with her. She wasn’t too fussy either, as long as they could help her cause, which was to get away from her controlling mother as much as possible.

She would never forget the look of horror and disgust on her god fearing mother’s face as she rode the young virile stable boy to completion, her ample breasts bouncing with the force of her slamming down on him, a thin film of sweat covering their bodies.

She could tell he was close but she wasn’t quite there yet so she moved her hand to her sensitive nub and brought herself closer.

“YESSSSS, TRACY I’M CUMMING!” he yelled, as his body went rigid and his hot seed spilled inside her.

“OH GOD YOU ARE SO HOT!” yelled Tracy, as she finally came, milking the boy for all he was worth.

Tess, or rather Tracy as she was known then, simply turned and smiled at her mother.

“Enjoying the show? Do you want a turn?” she asked, as a giggle escaped her mouth.

Her mother visibly paled and ran from the barn. She couldn’t believe that this vixen slut was her very own precious daughter. How could all her teachings have fallen on deaf ears! She couldn’t shake that disgusting image from her mind and she knew what she had to do.

A few hours later, Tess had found her mother floating in a bath full of water mixed with blood. She screamed as she saw the massive gashes in her mother’s arms, after seeing that something snapped within her mind and she wasn’t quite the same ever again. As far as Tess was concerned it was her mother’s fault, it had nothing to do with the sexual display she took pleasure in taunting her mother with. No, because in her mind she hadn’t done that. She was the innocent victim in all of this.

Then a year later it was her sister who betrayed her by sleeping with her then boyfriend. Tracy, or was it Tess, everything was now getting muddled in her brain. Tracy did not like the feeling of losing control over her man but it wasn’t his fault, no, she knew how the female mind worked and blamed her sister for throwing herself at him. After all, what man could resist?

That was when the voices had started in her head and her sister was now severely paying the price for her betrayal. Tess and her father never went to see the girl anymore; she was left in the care home where she belonged.

And now Max had done it to her too. She thought he would be different because he’d never shown any interest in the hot girls at school. She had become his friend in order to eventually seduce him into her bed and finally capturing his heart and attention, but after all her hard work he had simply thrown her to one side for that little brown haired mute freak.

“No, this is not going to happen. I won’t allow it! I’m going to make her suffer in the worst possible way and that blonde ice bitch he calls a sister!” she yelled, her face turning a blotchy red.

A sudden calm came over her confused brain as an image ran through her mind’s eye. This time she wouldn’t fail. This time she would be successful.

She casually applied a little lip gloss to her lips, combed her hair and then grabbed her car keys from her bedside table.

“Daddy, I’m off to college, I’ll see you later!”

“Okay sweetie, be on your best behavior!” shouted Ed from his study.

“As always Daddy!” yelled Tess, as she slammed her front door closed.

Ed watched as his daughter left the house. He knew she was on a downward spiral again, he could see the madness in her eyes, but he couldn’t think of putting her in that place again. He knew how much her mother had battled with a mental disorder, no thanks to her father molesting her when she was a child.

It had taken a long time for Ed to win his wife’s trust and once she explained why he could totally understand. He thought he’d done a good job of convincing his wife that not all men where that way and he put up with her god fearing ways and teachings because he knew it was the only thing that was keeping her going.

He never really realized how fanatical she was though, because his wife had hidden it from him. She never told him how during the day she would preach to the girls about the evil of men and sex. She also never told him the reason she was so upset the day she took her own life.

His daughter, Rebecca had tried. She had told Ed the real reason that her mom had took her own life. She explained that she had witnessed her sister, Tracy, having sex with the stable boy and so had her mother.

When Rebecca told Ed, he immediately got mad at his daughter. Asking her how could she say all of those horrible things about her sister? Didn’t she realize what those kinds of lies could do to a family. When Rebecca denied that it was a lie Ed had lost his temper and had banned her to her room for the rest of the day. Rebecca learned that her father would never see Tracy for what she really was.

It was a year later that Rebecca learned just how far Tracy would go if you betrayed her. She hadn’t meant to fall in love with Robert, her sister’s boyfriend but they had spent a lot of time together. He’d told her that day that he was going leave Tracy for her.

Tracy overheard the conversation and then watched as her boyfriend made love with her sister. The way he touched her, so gentle and revering, was nothing like when he had sex with her. It was always, hard, fast and angry. Then she heard him whisper the words she had never heard from his mouth ... “I love you Rebecca,” before he fell asleep holding her in his arms.

That was when she had decided to get even with her sister.


Isabel and Michael were waiting by their lockers for the rest of the group to arrive when Michael noticed Tess coming towards them.

“Hey, you don’t happen to know what the confrontation between Max and Tess was about the other day do you?”

“No, why?” asked Isabel.

“I’m not sure if I should say anything Isabel.”

“Michael, you can’t start off a conversation like that and then not tell me. What happened?”

“He physically attacked her Isabel.”

A look of horror came across Isabel’s face.

“But, but he abhors violence, especially against women,” said Isabel.

“Well not this one, not when she’s threatening Liz. He didn’t punch her or anything Isabel but I did witness him with his hand around her throat and afterwards she ran out of the school and she hasn’t been back until now,” he said, pointing in Tess’ general direction.

“I can’t believe Max would do that Michael,” said Isabel.

“Yeah, well he did but spent the rest of the break throwing his guts up in the toilet. He said something really weird though.”

“Like what?”

“When I told him I saw what happened with Tess I asked him what the hell was going on. His exact response was, it’s best if you don’t know Michael, believe me, I wish I didn’t.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“That’s what I’m trying to find out. There’s some big shit going down here Isabel and Max is in the thick of it.”

“God Michael, she’s freaking unstable! What the hell does he think he’s doing taking her on like that?”

“If I know Max, he knows exactly what he’s getting himself into.”

“That’s what worries me Michael. He’s not the same person when he’s protecting the ones he loves. He tends to take it personally and I have a feeling that Liz is at the very top of that list.”

“Then we have to find out what’s going on,” said Michael.

They both went quiet when Tess made her way towards them.

“Well, if it isn’t little Lizzie’s entourage! How are you all doing?” she asked, in that annoying sickly voice.

“So, you’ve finally shown your face. That’s a shame. We honestly thought we’d got rid of you,” said Isabel, in her best Ice Princess voice.

“Oh, I’m not so easily influenced Isabel. Tell that brother of yours that he’s just messed with the wrong person!”

“Why don’t you tell him yourself, since I’m standing right behind you Tess,” said Max, as he walked in on the tail end of her tirade.

Isabel and Michael watched as a rabid look came across Tess’ face and her skin turned an angry red. Isabel looked up at her brother and shook her head, when Tess suddenly spun around.

“Did you think that little threat you gave me the other day would make me run and hide? I hate to tell you this Max but it’s only made your situation worse,” said Tess, controlling her anger. Right now she really just wanted to rip his damn face off.

Max’s voice became dangerously low and calm, his whole body rigid as he stood tall over Tess.

As Isabel heard his words they sent a shiver down her spine.

“That wasn’t a ‘little’ threat Tess, it was a promise. If you come near me, Liz, my family or friends again, I’ll show you just how serious I was. I will destroy you and I won’t think twice about it. Do you get it now?”

“You wouldn’t dare! You would have to explain how you got hold of them,” said Tess, not backing down but also not giving away too much information to the others that were standing close by.

Max leaned even closer to Tess and whispered in her ear.

“HOW do you think I got hold of those files in the first place Tracy? Can you imagine what the reaction is going to be when everyone finds out how you crippled your own sister because she fell in love with the wrong guy? You’ll be a pariah,” whispered Max.

He straightened up again and watched all the color drain out of Tess’ face.

“Like I said, you have a chance here Tess, don’t blow it,” said Max, in a normal tone.

Tess shook from pure fury but decided it was best to hold her tongue. She stormed off not saying a word to anyone.

Max turned to go to his next class when his arm was grabbed by Michael.

“What the fuck was all that about Max?” he asked.

“It’s nothing for either of you to be concerned about,” said Max, turning to leave.

“That’s bullshit Max,” said Isabel, grabbing hold of his other arm so he couldn’t leave. “You have to tell us what’s going on here. This isn’t like you Max. You’re not a violent person and you certainly never normally threaten people. What’s going on?”

“You don’t know what she’s capable of, I do. That’s all you need to know,” said Max, forcefully pulling his arm free.

“But Max,”

“Just leave it alone,” said Max, as he walked off to his next class.

“See what I mean Isabel,” said Michael.

“Oh yeah, something big is definitely going down and I’m going to find out what!” replied Isabel.

“Just be careful. If Max is worried about Tess enough to threaten her then it’s serious.”

Chapter 34


As Liz walked into the final class, before their two week vacation started, she couldn’t help smiling at the look on Maria’s face.

“Hey girl,” signed Liz.

“Oh I am so looking forward to the next two weeks,” whispered Maria.

“Yeah, me to. I think Max and I will be able to spend more time together. It’s been hard since I came out of the hospital, I had to catch up on all the work and of course Mom and Dad are hovering around me like I’m going to disappear at any moment. It’s been kind of frustrating to be honest,” signed Liz.

“Ah, I see the problem here. You’ve not really had a minute to yourselves, have you?”

Liz shook her head.

“Well if that kiss he gave you at the jeep is anything to go by I’m sure he’s feeling just as frustrated as you,” laughed Maria, as she watched a dreamy look come into her friend’s eyes.

“Hey, do you know where Isabel is?” signed Liz, noticing that her chair was empty, just as the dean walked into class.


Meanwhile back at Max’s apartment...


“I don’t like this Isabel,” stated Michael.

“It’s the only way we are going to find anything out Michael. It must be here!” she said, as she continued to rummage through her brothers things.

“He’s going to be furious if he finds out.”

“Are you going to help me or not!” asked Isabel, placing her hands on her hips and giving Michael a hard stare.

“We’re invading his privacy just being in the room,” Michael tried to explain. He knew how he would feel if he found out Max had gone through his stuff.

“I know! Don’t you think I know that! I don’t want to do this anymore than you do, he’s my brother, but do you really think he’s left us with a choice? We have to find out what is going on Michael. Tess isn’t firing on all cylinders. You saw the look in her eyes this morning. We have to know what we are dealing with here,” yelled Isabel, practically hysterical.

“Okay, okay. You’re right. I just don’t feel right going through his stuff but you’re right we do have to know what we are dealing with here, so let’s finish what we started,” said Michael, as he started opening drawers.

After ten minutes of searching, Isabel found what she was looking for.

“Michael, I think I found it,” she said, holding up the file in her shaking hands.

Michael gently pried the file out of Isabel’s hand.

“Perhaps I should look at it Isabel. The way Max is acting I’m not sure he’d want you to look at this,” said Michael.

“No, I wouldn’t,” said Max, walking in on their conversation and looking at the file Michael was currently holding.

“MAX!” yelled Isabel, looking contrite.

“Max, we can explain,” Michael started to say before Max held up his hand to silence him.

“I understand why you did it, really I do, but if this ever happens again we won’t be friends anymore. I can’t have people around me I don’t trust,” said Max.

“That goes both ways Max,” said Isabel. “We’ve been asking you for weeks what was going on with Tess and you wouldn’t tell us. I’m your sister Max, and Michael is your friend. You should have trusted us enough to let us help, but as per usual, you took it upon yourself to deal with everything. I don’t need protecting anymore.”

“The reason I didn’t want anyone involved isn’t because I don’t trust you to help, it’s because having that file is illegal. The less you knew the better. I do trust both of you but I couldn’t drag you into this mess. It could get worse and I’m not about to take you guys down with me.”

“Don’t you think that’s our choice to make though Max?” asked Michael. “I can’t count the amount of times you’ve got me out of a jam and right now I think you are in way over your head. You didn’t see the feral look on Tess’ face this morning. She’s unhinged Max and you taunting her isn’t going to help.”

“Oh believe me; I know Tess is insane. Read the file and I think you’ll understand my actions,” said Max, moving out of the room.

Michael opened the file and started to read, when Isabel joined him. She gasped when she saw the photo’s in the file.

“What ... what the hell is that Michael?” asked Isabel, pointing the bloody mess

“That was Tess’ sister just after she ran her over with an SUV,” said Michael, as he read the report.

“WHAT!” shrieked Isabel.

“Yeah, because she was a minor they ruled it an accident but in the police report it states that when Rebecca, Tess’ sister, woke up she told the police that Tess had done it on purpose. There wasn’t enough evidence to charge her and she was a minor so her father agreed to commit her,” explained Michael.

“And they let her out, after she’d done that to her own sister?”

“They couldn’t prove anything. It was her word against Tess’. Apparently she spent three years in the hospital before she was deemed fit for release. Not long after that they moved here and left Rebecca in a care home. Here look at this,” said Michael, handing her another picture.

Isabel cried when she saw the pretty brown haired girl in the picture.

“Oh my god Michael, she’s a quadriplegic!”

“Yeah, she had a spinal cord injury thanks to Tess running her over,” said Michael, trying to control his own emotions as he read more of the file. He couldn’t believe the lengths Tess would go to.

“How the hell could Tess do this to her own sister?” asked Isabel.

“Her name isn’t Tess,” said Michael.

“What?” asked Isabel, a little confused.

“Her real name is Tracy Harding, she must have changed her name when she moved here,” said Michael.

“Well what the hell made Tracy do this to her own sister?”

“In the police report it mentions a boy named Robert. They took a statement from him as well. Apparently, he fell in love with Rebecca while dating Tracy. He started to suspect that there was something wrong with her, it doesn’t explain why here, but it does state that he thought she was unbalanced. He started to pull away from Tess, I mean Tracy and that’s when he spoke to her sister about his concerns. From there it grew into a full blown relationship where he admitted that he was in love with Rebecca. The statement finishes off by stating that Robert didn’t doubt Rebecca’s version of events.”

“So she maimed her own sister because she fell in love with her boyfriend?”

“Seems so,” said Michael, finally closing the file.

“Oh my god Michael, you know what this means?”

“Liz,” was all Michael could say.

“In that sick and twisted brain of hers, she’s going to believe that Liz took Max away from her!”

“Come on, I think we need to talk to Max,” said Michael.


As the bell finally rang there was a cheer from the students. It was now the official start of their two week vacation.

Liz and Maria swiped everything off their desk, into their back packs and hurried out of the classroom.

“Finally, two weeks of pure freedom,” yelled Maria.

“What are you up to tonight Maria?” signed Liz.

“I think we’re all meeting at Michael’s dorm room. Didn’t Max tell you?”

“We haven’t really had much time to talk since the session with Dr. Ray on Tuesday,” signed Liz.

“Shall we wait for him before we leave?” asked Maria.

“He’s not here Maria. He told me he had some personal stuff to deal with and left campus right after,” signed Liz.

“Hmmm, that’s odd. He missed his last class?”

“It must have been important,” signed Liz.

“I guess. Okay, so do you want a ride home?” asked Maria.

“Yeah, that would be great, thanks,” signed Liz.


Michael and Isabel approached Max carefully. They were still worried about his reaction to them going through his room.

“So, now you know,” said Max.

“Max, I can’t believe that Tess, or rather Tracy would do something like that to her own sister. I mean I know if I had a sister, and she cheated with my boyfriend, I’d be hopping mad but there is no way I would do something like that.”

“Was she responsible for the attack on Liz?” asked Michael. It had been on his mind since he saw the brown haired girl, Rebecca.

“No,” replied Max.

“How can you be so sure?” asked Michael.

“I just know.”

“That’s not good enough Max,” said Michael.

Max sighed. He knew there was no point in hiding anything anymore.

“The people who got me that file told me that it wasn’t Tess,” replied Max.

“How do you know that you can trust them?” asked Michael.

“He just does,” replied Isabel, knowing who her brother had contacted for the information.

Michael turned quickly towards Isabel.

“You know how he got hold of the file don’t you?”

“Look Michael, I am asking you to trust me on this one. I have contacts, ones that I trust. There is a reason behind it but I’m not going to discuss it with anyone. Just know that both Isabel and I trust the source, that should be enough,” said Max.

“Okay,” said Michael, holding up his hands. “I get it. Don’t ask questions, but what’s to stop them from doing it to Liz again?”

“That won’t happen,” said Max, firmly.

It was now Isabel’s turn to look at Max.

“W...what exactly does that mean Max?”

“Honestly, I don’t really know and I don’t want to either,” replied Max.

Michael just whistled.

“Okay, so that’s been taken care of but we still have the threat of Tess or Tracy or whatever the hell her name is. Damn this is confusing!”

“Oh believe me I’ve had to hold myself in check a few times. I’ve almost called Tess, Tracy, twice now.”

“Max, does Liz know anything about this stuff?” asked Michael.

“No.”

“She’ll be pissed if you don’t tell her Max,” said Isabel.

“I’m coming clean tonight,” replied Max.

“Do you think that’s such a good idea before we tell them what we have planned?” asked Michael.

“What do you mean by what you have planned?” asked Isabel.

Michael slapped his hand over his mouth and shook his head.

“Sorry Max, I didn’t think.”

“It’s okay Michael. We were going to surprise you tonight. Alex, Michael and I have planned a little vacation for us all to go on. We thought it would be good for you girls to get away and get some R & R. We weren’t going to tell you until tonight,” explained Max.

“We’re going on a vacation!” yelled Isabel. “Oh my god, I have to pack. What about our parents?”

“We’re adults Isabel, we don’t have to ask their permission, but we’ve taken care of it anyway,” replied Max.

“Oh the girls are going to be so happy about this!”

“Yeah, well that’s if Liz still wants to be around me once I’ve told her the truth,” said Max, with a sad tone to his voice.

“I honestly think it’s best if you tell her Max. I know Liz might be angry at first but she’ll come around,” said Isabel.

“I hope so Isabel, because I couldn’t bear to lose her.”

Chapter 35


Max, Michael and Alex had arranged to meet the girls at Michael’s dorm room. They told them about the trip and the girls were excited. They explained that they would leave Albuquerque at 8:10am, stopping over at Denver International for approximately thirty minutes and then heading out to Las Vegas. They should arrive at McCarran International around eleven am. That gave them most of the first day to get settled into the hotel and do some sightseeing.

“Wait a minute, we’re leaving on Sunday?” asked Isabel.

“Yep,” replied Max.

“Oh my god, that means we’ve only got tonight and tomorrow to pack everything!” shrieked Isabel.

“We’re only going for ten days Isabel,” said Michael, which earned him a slap around the head from Maria.

“Don’t you realize that we need to plan these things. We have to know where we’re going in advance so that we can pack the right clothes, makeup and many other things!” said Maria.

“Maybe we should just cancel the trip,” said Alex, with a smile on his face.

“NO!” shouted Maria and Isabel at the same time. “We’ll manage.”

“I thought that’s what you would say.”

“Liz, I need to talk to you. Can we go for a walk around campus?” asked Max.

“Sure,” signed Liz.

Max had decided to bite the bullet and admit to Liz what he’d done to protect her against Tess. They had been getting closer over the last few weeks, especially after Liz admitted the problem with her dreams, or whatever they were. Max still couldn’t quite get his head around what Isabel and Maria had witnessed.

Liz was strong, Max knew this, but after hearing what she’d been dealing with since her parents’ death just made him love her all the more. She never held a grudge and always seemed to cope with whatever life seemed to throw at her.

To Max, she was strong, beautiful and selfless.

As they walked around the campus he started to get nervous.

“Max, I thought you wanted to talk,” signed Liz.

“I do Liz, it’s just this is really hard for me to admit.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” signed Liz.

“Shall we sit down?” asked Max, pointing to a wooden bench set in the campus gardens.

Liz sat down and waited for Max to begin.

“Max, you’re starting to freak me out here,” signed Liz.

“Why didn’t you tell me Liz?” asked Max.

“Sorry, tell you what?” asked Liz, confused. “You know why I didn’t tell you about the dreams Max because they made me sound insane.”

“I’m not talking about that Liz. I’m talking about the fact that Tess has made your life a living hell over the last few months.”

“Who told you?”

“Does it really matter Liz?”

“Who told you?” signed Liz, again. She was beyond pissed that someone had betrayed her confidence.

“They all did, in the end.”

Liz got up from the bench and started to pace and sign.

“I don’t believe this. The one time I let my guard down and actually trust my friends they go behind my back.”

“That’s not fair Liz. They kept it quiet as long as they could.”

“I told them I could handle it Max. It wasn’t for them to decide.”

Now Max was the one who was getting annoyed.

“You could handle it? So you let her punch you in the stomach or wrap her hands around your throat, enough to leave a mark? That’s what you call handling it? What the hell is wrong with you Liz? Why can’t you ask for help when you need it?”

This sent Liz’s anger skyrocketing. She started signing so fast Max had a hard time keeping up with what she was so obviously yelling with her actions.

“What, just because I can’t speak that means that I can’t handle situations! I’ve dealt with this my whole life! I don’t need other people getting involved; it only makes the situation worse!”

Max couldn’t really disagree with that statement since things had already taken that turn.

“How difficult do you think that was for them not to tell me Liz? They know how much you mean to me.”

“Oh don’t you dare use that against me! You may be my boyfriend Max but that doesn’t give you the right to meddle in something that doesn’t concern you!”

“YOU WERE BEATEN WITHIN AN INCH OF YOUR LIFE! HOW THE HELL DOES THAT NOT CONCERN ME? IF IT WASN’T FOR KYLE YOU COULD BE DEAD RIGHT NOW!” yelled Max.

This stopped Liz in her tracks.

“Do you think Tess was responsible?” asked Liz.

“I did at the time. Don’t you see Liz? Alex, Isabel and Maria had all witnessed your run-ins with Tess. What were they supposed to think when you ended up in hospital? If it makes a difference none of them wanted to tell me. Alex let something slip in conversation which alerted Michael. He had to practically drag it out of them. They didn’t want to betray your confidence but the severity of the beating, and their worry about your safety, overrode what they promised you. It’s not something they decided lightly.”

“You have to understand something Max. Every person I’ve ever loved or trusted has either been taken away from me, or has turned away from me because I became too bothersome to deal with. Trust is something I don’t give out lightly. I understand why they told you, I do, but that was for me to decide, when the time was right for me. They wouldn’t even have known about it had they not witnessed it with their own eyes.”

“So you’re saying that you wouldn’t have told any of us?”

“Not unless it got totally out of hand, no I wouldn’t have. Can you honestly say that you’ve been completely up front with me Max?”

“What do you mean?”

“I know you’ve got something in your past that you don’t like to talk about. In fact every time I bring up the subject of your father you quickly change it. Did you think I wouldn’t notice? It’s not just me that keeps secrets Max.”

“Touché Liz.”

“Look, let’s not fight about this anymore. I understand that you don’t want to talk about your father. That’s why I’ve never pushed for information but I think you owe me the same courtesy.”

“I do. You’re right, I’m sorry Liz. This is going to make what I say next even harder,” said Max.

Liz would have groaned if the noise was possible to make.

“What did you do Max?”

Liz wasn’t stupid. She knew there was a reason behind everything they had discussed tonight and it sounded like that reason was about to be exposed.

“You have to understand that I was worried about you. I thought Tess was behind the attack also. I called in a few favors, asked for her background to be searched.”

“Max, that’s like a total invasion of privacy.”

“I know but I had to find out if she was behind the attack.”

“So what did you find out?” signed Liz.

Max pulled out the envelope and gave it to Liz.

“I’m not even sure that all of us put together can deal with this one Liz. Tess is positively deranged. To be honest I think even I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.”

“She knows you have this doesn’t she? That’s why she’s been avoiding me, why she hasn’t been at school?”

Max just nodded his head.

“I take it this information wasn’t easy to get hold of?”

Max shook his head.

“You were right about one thing Liz,” said Max.

“What’s that?” signed Liz.

“I might have just made the situation worse,” said Max, standing up and heading towards the dorm.

“I’ll let you read it in private. I only did it for your protection but if you don’t want to go away with me, I’ll understand.”


Meanwhile back at the dorm room....


“So do you think Liz is going hate us all?” asked Isabel.

“I don’t think she is going to be pleased that we told Max about Tess. I’m just hoping Max will be able to make her understand the reasons we did,” said Maria.

The door to the dorm room opened.

“I tried, the rest is up to Liz,” said Max, as he came into the room.

“Why didn’t she tell us Max?” asked Alex.

“I think that’s only something Liz can explain,” said Max.

“Doesn’t she trust us?” asked Maria.

The door to the dorm room opened again, revealing Liz.

“LIZ!” yelled Maria, jumping up and heading towards Liz.

Liz raised her hand to stop Maria coming closer.

“Max, can I talk to you outside for a moment please,” signed Liz.

Isabel looked at Max, worried. She knew that whatever Liz’s reaction was to that file would make or break her brother. Max had always been the protector, especially to those that he loved deeply. He always tried to protect both her and her mother from the beatings, taking the brunt of it himself but her father would always go after Diane after Max couldn’t take anymore, that he never forgave himself for, even though he was only a small boy.

If Liz turned her back on Max now, she knew it would hurt her brother more than her father ever could with his fists. It would hurt him to the very core of his being and that she didn’t think he would ever recover from.

“Sure,” Max signed. Not saying anything to the rest of the group and leading Liz outside.

“Max, I need to know how you got hold of this file. I know enough about law to know that the file should have been sealed,” signed Liz.

“I called in a few favors,” replied Max.

“What kind of favors Max?”

“In order for me to explain that I have to tell you about my father Liz. It’s not a pretty story, are you sure you want to hear all of it? It might change your opinion of me,” explained Max.

“I want; no I need to know Max.”

So Max told her everything, from the first time his father beat him right up to giving the file to Liz. He told her all about Tommy, and why he owed him a favor. The only information he left out was about Tommy dealing with whoever had caused the beating to Liz.

“I, I don’t know what to say Max. I need some time to process all of this,” signed Liz.

“I thought you might,” replied Max, feeling a little dejected. He knew Liz was a good person and some of the things he had done of late were far from being acceptable. He wondered if he would ever see Liz again as she simply turned and walked away without another word.

Chapter 36


Liz lay in bed trying to decide whether or not she would go on vacation tomorrow. She had taken the long way home so she could get things straight in her head. She understood why Max had tried to protect her, especially after everything he’d told her about his father, but did that excuse using illegal ways to get hold of the information on Tess?

It was something she would never have expected from Max. Did she really know him at all? She thought she did, but maybe she was clinging to that memory of an innocent boy she met at the hospital all those years ago.

As Liz’s frustration grew she turned and started thumping her pillow. Why did everything in her life have to be so difficult? Liz heard the doorbell and wondered who it was. She didn’t have the energy to go and find out so left her parents to deal with it. It was probably for them anyway.

Liz heard some voices downstairs and assumed her mother had answered the door. She heard a gentle knock on her bedroom door a few minutes later and then her mother entered.

“Liz honey, there’s someone here to see you,” said Nancy, with a smile on her face. She was so glad that Liz seemed to be getting on well at college, having made friends that seemed to care about her.

Liz sighed, got off her bed and followed her Mom downstairs. She expected to see Max and wasn’t sure if she was ready to face him just yet. As she turned towards the living room, the person standing there shocked her. The look that crossed Liz’s face didn’t go unnoticed by her guest.

“I guess you’re wondering what I’m doing here?”

Liz just nodded.

“Can we talk, in private?” asked Isabel.

Liz pointed upstairs and Isabel understood her meaning.

“Thanks Liz.”

Liz walked up the stairs with Isabel following her. She entered her room and motioned for Isabel to sit on the chair by her desk, which Isabel did. Then she shut the door.

She watched as Isabel sat in the chair and started to wring her hands in a nervous gesture. Liz moved in front of Isabel to get her attention.

“Erm, I’m not sure me being here is the right thing to do, to be honest Liz, but I had to try. I know what Max did was wrong, getting the file on Tess and the way he got hold of it, but you have to understand something.”

Isabel was interrupted by Liz holding up her hand. She went to get her laptop off the bedside cabinet, sat on the bed and started typing.

Isabel came to sit next to Liz understanding that this was the only way she could communicate with Liz until she learned to sign properly. She watched as the words came up on the screen.

“Isabel, I really appreciate you coming here. Max has told me everything about your father even though he wasn’t ready to.”

“So you know about all about our sordid past then? I’m glad Max was honest with you Liz. It takes a lot for him to open up about that, in fact, other than Maria and his closest friends nobody knows about it.”

“I understand that it was difficult for him to talk about it Isabel,” Liz typed.

“When my father knew he had a son he decided that Max would live out a dream that he never achieved. My father always wanted to be a professional basket ball player but a serious knee injury left him unable to play.”

Although Max had been honest about his father, he never told Liz this part of the story so she listened carefully to Isabel.

“Because his dream had been destroyed he decided to start working in the judicial system, eventually working his way up to a judge. He held a lot of power Liz, still does. Anyway when Max turned four, my father decided to coach the little league at his school. That’s when the beatings started. My father always played basket ball with Max and he had a natural talent for it, but when Dad took that job at Max’s school, everything changed. If Max screwed up in any way he would come home black and blue, always in places that you couldn’t see unless he was in a state of undress.

I remember the first time I saw him coming out of the bathroom. Oh god Liz, it was awful,” cried Isabel, raising her hand to her mouth to contain the sob. “His whole little torso was covered in purple bruises. I remember the look in his eyes as he watched my little brain process what those bruises meant and then I started to cry. He immediately cuddled me and told me everything was going to be okay, that he would never let Dad hurt me and I believed him Liz. I called them boo boos because that’s the only term I knew at the time. I asked Max why Dad would give him so many boo boos and he told me it was because he deserved them, can you believe that?

That day he saw you in the hospital was because his arm was broken in two places Liz. Everyone thought it was because he tripped over one of the players. He did do that during the game but he never broke his arm. That was done later, by my Dad. To keep up appearances my father even shouted at Max in the hospital and yet even through all of that his main priority was making sure that you were okay. He came home and told me all about you. How beautiful but lost you looked. He cried that night. It was the only time I’d ever seen him cry. I asked him what was wrong and he told me it was because he couldn’t protect you, couldn’t get you a new Mom and he was worried what would happen to you.

After that, he became even more protective of me. When my father went on a rampage beating both him and my mother, do you know what he did?”

Liz shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

“He came into my room, lay down right next to the door and went to sleep. He thought that if my father came for me then at least he would be a distraction long enough for me to get away,” whispered Isabel.

Liz was openly sobbing now at what Max and his family had endured all these years. Isabel immediately put her arms around Liz and hugged her tightly.

“I’m so sorry Liz, but you had to understand Max. He couldn’t protect you back then, when you needed him the most. He’s never forgiven himself for it but he held on to the belief that someday your paths would cross again. Sometimes, it was the only thing that kept him going. I don’t know what he would do if he lost you now,” whispered Isabel.

Liz gently pulled away from Isabel and wiped her tears. She turned back to her laptop and started to type again.

“So that’s why he went as far as he did to obtain those files?”

Isabel nodded.

“He can protect you now Liz. When Max loves someone it’s unconditional and ardently. It’s a little frightening, I know, but he would never harm one of us, NEVER. When he turned eighteen my father went to punch him in the face. Max caught his fist and that was the last time my father ever laid a finger on him. He didn’t use violence, even though my father had, he simply pointed out the fact that he was younger and stronger than him now.”

Isabel felt exhausted. She’d never told anyone that story, not even Alex. All of Max’s friends knew that he’d not had a happy childhood but none of them except Maria, truly knew the extent of his suffering.

Liz was trying to process everything that Isabel had told her and then it hit her like a ton of bricks. She suddenly started typing like a mad woman.

“I have to go Isabel. Where is he?”

“He’s back at the house, but please don’t tell him I told you all of this.”

Liz shook her head and then grabbed her keys from the bedside cabinet. She ran down the stairs and bumped straight into her mother.

“Sorry,” signed Liz.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?” Nancy asked, as she watched Isabel coming down the stairs.

“I’ve got to go and see Max,” signed Liz.

“Is something wrong sweetie?”

“No, I just need to talk to him about...” Liz stopped suddenly. She hadn’t even explained to her parents yet that Max had arranged a vacation for them all.

“The vacation?” Nancy said, enjoying the look of surprise on Liz’s face.

“He’s a gentleman Liz. He asked our permission, even though he didn’t need it. He wanted to make sure we were okay with it first. He wanted it to be a surprise.”

Liz couldn’t help the tears that started forming in her eyes. How could she have ever doubted this wonderful man?

“I’ve got to go,” signed Liz, as she ran out of the front door and towards the one man she would only ever truly love.

As Liz’s feet beat a steady pace against the pavement she couldn’t help letting her mind drift to everything Isabel had told her. She now finally understood what pushed Max to get that file on Tess. The thought of him crying over the fact that he couldn’t protect her all those years ago made something open in her very guarded heart.

When she finally reached her destination she was completely out of breath and had a cramp that was almost crippling her but she wasn’t going to back down now. She raised her fist and pounded the door, like her life depended on it.

Max was sitting in his room, with nothing on except a pair of sweatpants, listening to his favorite Counting Crows CD. He knew he shouldn’t wallow in self pity but right now it was the only thing he could do. What if Liz decided she didn’t want a relationship with him anymore? The pain that shot through his heart was intense and he knew then that it would destroy him. After holding her, kissing her and having her acceptance he couldn’t imagine never feeling that way again. Liz held the power to do what his father never managed, to break his spirit, and it scared the living shit out of him.

An incessant banging at the front door made him jump out of the chair, switch off his CD player and start running down the stairs in annoyance.

“Alright, ALRIGHT I’M COMING!” he yelled at whoever was at the door, still pounding on it.

“Isabel, if you’ve forgotten your keys again,” he said as he opened the door, but the rest got stuck in his throat as Liz stood before him looking like she’d run a marathon.

Liz was doubled over, breathing hard and holding her side where the excruciating pain of the cramp was.

“Liz, are you alright?”

“Yep, fine, just ran all the way over here and I’ve got one hell of a cramp,” signed Liz.

“Come on in and sit down, I’ll get you a glass of water,” said Max, leading her towards the sofa.

He quickly grabbed a chilled bottle of water from the fridge in the kitchen, poured it into a glass, sat down next to Liz and handed it to her.

Liz gulped down the water and then placed the glass on the coffee table.

“Thanks Max,” signed Liz.

“What made you run all the way here? Was someone chasing you?” asked Max, concerned.

“No, it’s a little embarrassing actually. Look Max, I’ve been thinking about everything that happened tonight. I’m sorry I just walked away like that but I needed time to think.”

“I know that Liz.”

“I’m sorry I just walked away Max. I understand why you did what you did, and I appreciate the fact that you’ve been honest about it. I should have told you about Tess sooner and I’m sorry that I didn’t. I find it hard to open up to people but I am trying. I realized tonight that for the first time in my life I have a group of friends that support me, without judging me. I know that Isabel, Maria and Alex tried to keep it quiet for as long as they could and I feel bad for putting them in that situation.”

“I’m sure they understand Liz and I know the only reason they told me was because they thought you were in danger.”

“I know and I owe them an apology for my actions tonight as well. What’s going to happen now Max?” asked Liz.

“Tess isn’t exactly stable so we’re all going to have to be on the lookout for her. I doubt we’ve heard or seen the last of her. I’m sorry if I’ve made things worse Liz, I just wanted her to leave you alone. You’ve been through so much and I ...”

Liz gently placed her finger against his lips.

“It doesn’t matter anymore Max, because I have you,” signed Liz.

“God I love you, do you know that?” said Max.

Liz just froze.

“You love me?” signed Liz.

“More and more everyday Liz,” whispered Max.

Liz’s mouth immediately attacked his with a pent up passion that had been begging to explode for the last few weeks. As she glided her lips over his, she gently swiped her tongue across his lips, asking for permission to plunder his mouth.

As he opened to her onslaught she felt Max’s tongue reach out to hers and then he grabbed her lower lip, between his teeth, and gently pulled the plump flesh.

Liz couldn’t explain why but she found it totally erotic and a deep moan escaped her throat. She manoeuvred her body so she could sit across his lap and she wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing him harder, deeper than ever before, fisting the hair at the nape of his neck so he didn’t dare pull away from her.

Max felt like he’d died and gone to heaven. He was completely surrounded by Liz. Her unique aroma which was a mixture of something fruity and floral permeated his nose. She was wrapped so tightly around him that he didn’t know where he began and she ended. It was as if she was trying to get inside his skin and he loved it. It was erotic, thrilling and totally consuming all at the same time.

He was acutely aware of the feel of her creamy legs wrapped around his naked torso. That iron clad control over his emotions, Max was famous for, was slipping fast. His whole body was on fire, waves of desire ripped through his body igniting a burning need to become one with Liz.

Liz was completely dizzy with the lust he’d created with his talented mouth. God if she felt this way when he kissed her god only knows what it would feel like when he actually joined with her. The thought excited her and a rush of warmth pooled between her legs.

Max ripped his lips away from Liz’s and left a blazing trail with his lips as he kissed down her neck, slightly nipping and sucking on the skin at her pulse point, marking her as his. He could hear Liz’s breathing hitch before a small moan escaped. She tipped her neck to allow him better access as he continued to suck lightly on the skin. Then he bit down slightly harder, swiping his tongue across to take the sting away.

As soon as Liz felt him bite her neck she arched backwards in pure longing making Max’s eyes level to her heaving chest. He couldn’t help but raise his hands slowly up her sides, brushing the slight bulge with his thumbs. When she didn’t freeze or pull away he hoped it was a sign that it was okay for him to continue. He gently moved one hand around to cup the roundness of her firm breast, teasing her nipple through the silk blouse she was wearing, with his thumb.

When she arched her back further her hot, wet, panty covered core came into contact with his raging hard on and he released an agonizing groan. That simple contact was enough to awaken his senses. He gently pulled away from Liz and lowered her head to his so he could look into her eyes.

“Oh god Liz, you can’t even begin to imagine how much I want this, but we can’t, not here, not now. My Mom is due home soon and I don’t want her walking in on anything. When we share this I don’t want it to be tainted in any way. Believe me this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, pulling away from you, my whole body is screaming to be with you but I won’t risk it, it’s too important to me.”

Tears had pooled in Liz’s eyes. She understood that he wasn’t rejecting her; he just wanted it to be perfect. No interruptions.

Liz gently nodded and gave him a quick passionate kiss on the lips before removing herself from his body. Max instantly felt the loss and it took all of his control not to grab her body and surround himself with her again, but he knew this was for the best. Their first time together, as far as Max was concerned, had to be perfect. He intended spending the rest of his life with her, if she agreed of course, and in no way did he want their first time as something they would forever regret but something that would always be cherished.

“So I guess this means you’re coming on vacation with us?” asked Max, nervously.

“Yes, definitely,” signed Liz, earning her a huge smile from Max.

They were so wrapped up in each other, neither of them noticed the flash of blonde curls as Tess turned and ran, after peeping through the living room window. She’d never felt fury like this, not even with her sister, it was like her whole body had become possessed with hatred, the whole sickening scene playing through head, like it was stuck in a loop and it finally snapped what little control she had left. Oh Liz and Isabel where going to pay for their interference and she knew how to cause them the most pain. She smiled as her plan finally cemented in her brain.

Chapter 37


Isabel, Maria and Liz had decided to spend Saturday morning shopping for some new items for their vacation.

“I owe you two an apology,” Liz signed, while Maria translated for Isabel.

“What for?” asked Isabel.

“I put both of you and Alex in an awkward position. You had to lie to Max and Michael and that wasn’t right,” explained Liz.

“No it wasn’t, but we understood. We wouldn’t have told Michael or Max only for the fact that we believed Tess was behind your attack. It was a slip of the tongue that actually drew Michael’s attention.”

“You don’t have to explain. I should have been honest with Max. I’ve not had many people that I could trust in my life, the ones I did trust turned their back on me. I realized last night that I don’t have to worry about that with any of you,” explained Liz.

Maria couldn’t help but put her arm around Liz and give her a hard but brief squeeze.

“You’ve got that right girl. We’ve got your back, no matter what.”

“I think that moving here was the best thing my parents could have done,” signed Liz, smiling.

“Okay, so now that’s all cleared up let’s get shopping!” beamed Isabel.

They spent over three hours at the mall, picking up new dresses, tops, trousers and shoes. Isabel gave Maria a secret smile and motioned to Liz as they approached Victoria Secrets.

“Oh I love shopping here! Michael ALWAYS enjoys the fruits of my shopping adventure!” said Maria, making Liz blush.

“Come on Liz, we can pick something out for you that’ll knock Max’s socks off,” laughed Maria, at the look of horror and embarrassment on Liz’s face.

“I’ll be over at the bathing suit section. I’ll meet you there once you’ve finished,” said Isabel, heading to a different part of the store.

“I can’t believe you just said that Maria, in front of Isabel!” signed Liz.

Maria giggled.

“Honey, it was her idea to bring you to this store. She doesn’t want to see what you choose because, well because that would be icky, but she knows the score!”

Maria couldn’t believe that Liz’s cheeks flashed two shades redder.

“Oh honey, this will be your first time won’t it?” asked Maria.

“I can’t believe you just asked me that Maria,” signed Liz, frantically.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yes, no, I don’t know. Just because I’m going on this vacation doesn’t mean I’m going to have sex with Max,” signed Liz, getting slightly annoyed.

“I know that but it doesn’t harm having some sexy underwear just in case,” smiled Maria. She didn’t really want to make Liz feel uncomfortable but she also wanted Liz to loosen up a little. “Trust me on this Liz. Let me choose a few sets for you and I’ll bring them to the changing room.”

“Okay,” signed Liz, relaxing slightly. She realized that Maria and Isabel weren’t trying to embarrass her or force her into anything. They were just trying to be good girlfriends.

When Maria finally came into the changing room she looked like she’d chosen almost everything in the store. She had an armful of garments clutched to her chest.

“Here, try these. I’ve taken the liberty of choosing a few bathing suits and nightwear for you. Don’t worry I made sure I had you in mind when I chose them,” said Maria, handing the garments to Liz.

Liz got undressed and started the arduous task of trying everything on. She was impressed with Maria’s choices. She decided to buy the peach, emerald green, black and white lacy bra and hip hugging panty sets. Then she tried on the night gowns Maria had picked out.

“Hey, are you okay back here?” asked Maria.

Liz popped her head out of the changing room.

“Seriously Maria, this?” signed Liz, pointing down to the garment she was currently trying on. It was a spaghetti strapped, white lace, full length night gown with a split on the right hand side, up to the thigh. It clung to every curve of her body. If Liz wasn’t currently wearing her underwear beneath it she would be giving Maria a peep show.

“Wow, Max will blow a gasket when he sees you in that,” said Maria, in all seriousness.

“Maria! You can see practically everything through this!” signed Liz.

“Yep, that’s the point.”

When Maria saw Liz starting to squirm a little she jumped in to explain.

“If you’re not comfortable being bare underneath it Liz, you don’t have to be. Wear a pair of lacy panties or something. It would still be incredibly sexy.”

“You would be able to see my nipples through this,” signed Liz, blushing profusely.

“Uh huh, but just imagine Max’s reaction to it!”

Liz rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling either.

“Okay, I’ll get this one and the black one I think. At least that way I can have one night gown that leaves something to the imagination.”

Maria couldn’t help the full bellied laugh that erupted from within her.

“I’m just going to get dressed and then we can grab something to eat before we head home,” signed Liz.

“We’ll meet you by the food court. You want me to order you something?” asked Maria.

“Yeah, I’ll just have a skinny latte and a Caesar salad, no croutons please.”


“We come bearing gifts,” said Michael, holding up a six pack of beer and a box of pizza.

“A six pack, it’s only midday,” said Max.

Alex popped his head around Michael.

“Well we thought you’d either be drowning your sorrows or celebrating, either way it calls for a six pack and pizza!”

Max threw his head back and laughed.

“Well alright then, come on in!”

“So what’s the news?” asked Alex.

“I thought you would have known by now, knowing how Maria and Isabel can’t keep out of my private life,” said Max, smiling.

“Nope, never got a word out of them this morning except that they were going shopping,” explained Michael.

“Liz is with them?” asked Max.

“Yeah, why is that a problem?” asked Alex, slightly perplexed at the look on Max’s face.

“Oh crap. I’m never going to survive this vacation,” said Max, groaning and rubbing his hand over his face.

Michael and Alex looked at one another, shrugged and turned to face Max again.

“What are you talking about?” asked Michael.

“Michael, what’s Maria’s favorite shop?”

“How the hell should I know?”

“Think Michael,” said Max, with a pointed look.

It suddenly dawned on Michael what Max was thinking about.

“Oh.”

“Yep, oh. By the time those two have finished with Liz she’s either going to think this vacation was a very bad idea or be the death of me.”

“Hey, what the hell are you talking about?” asked Alex, still confused why this was such a big deal.

“Two words Alex,” said Max.

“Victoria Secrets,” said Max and Michael in unison.

“Oh, OH now I get it. Hey wait a minute, so that means that Liz is coming with us then? So everything is okay between you two?”

“Yeah, she came round last night and we talked it through.”

Michael slapped Max on the back. “I’m happy for you man. You’ve been through enough and deserve a break.”

“Yeah well, so has Liz.”

“Well, this definitely calls for beer and pizza then. Come on let’s eat and wait for the girls to get back,” said Alex.


“Remind me NEVER to go shopping with you guys again. Not only do my feet suffer but so does my credit card,” signed Liz, after rubbing one of her sore feet.

Maria and Isabel sniggered.

“You’ve enjoyed yourself though right?” asked Maria, munching on her salad.

“Yeah, it’s been great, thanks,” signed Liz.

“So Michael told me all about the villa last night,” said Maria.

“We’re staying at a villa?” signed Liz, again with Maria translating so Isabel could be included in the conversation.

“Yeah, it’s the one my father usually rents. As soon as we told them our name we got the same villa,” explained Isabel.

“This must be costing the guys a fortune,” signed Liz. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with them paying for it all.”

“Liz, although my brother didn’t want any money from my father he’d already set up a trust fund for us both. When we turned eighteen we were granted access to it. Michael and Alex don’t do too bad either. Believe me they can afford this vacation,” explained Isabel.

“That’s not the point,” signed Liz.

“Oh Liz, please don’t fight us on this. The guys wanted to do something special for us, isn’t that enough? Does everything have to be an issue?” begged Maria.

“No, it’s just, well I, oh what the hell we’re going to Vegas baby,” signed Liz.

Isabel and Maria burst out laughing at the exuberant look on Liz’s face.

None of them noticed the disguised icy blue eyed, brown haired, woman sitting a few tables away, listening to their conversation. Nor did they notice another set of eyes watching everything that was going on from afar.