To Live in Fear

Chapter 2

Hiding

By: Aireonna (a.k.a. Candice Willman)


Disclaimer: I do not own Roswell or any of the characters on the show. I do own this story though. ^^

A/N: Same as before! ^^ but thanx for reviewing and hope ya like!


Pulling up into the driveway of her home, Maria cut the engine and let the tears she had been fighting to hold in fall. Her head fell into her hands as the pain in her ribs and back continued to throb. Exiting the car, she thanked her mom wouldn't be home till later. Skipping school wouldn't fly well with her.

Finally, entering her room, she stopped in shock to see it in total dismay.

"Great! Just fucking great!" Falling to her knees, the sobs continued as she heard a car pull up. Fear. That's all she felt right as that moment. Standing quickly, a nausea feeling engulfed her.

"Why do I feel so weak?" Leaving her bag and shoes in the doorway, she shut her bedroom door the best she could behind her and tried to straighten up.

/ Who could be here? /

Walking down the hallway slowly she made it to the beginning of the steps.

"Why do there seem to be more?" Swaying back and forth, she leaned back against the hallway wall and closed her eyes.

"Maria?" Michael's voice forced Maria to open her eyes. Glancing down the long flight of stairs her eyes fell upon his form. Forcing a small smile to her lips, she watched him as he walked up to her. Placing both hands onto her upper arms, he glanced down into her eyes.

Maria quietly thanked the swelling in her check had long since subdued. Also that the makeup covered every speck of bruise and cut.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was shaky as she began to fall forwards. Catching her in his arms, Michael let his hands rub up and down her slender back. Maria tightened her hold onto him as the pain shot up and down her spine.

Michael noticed this and nodded his confirmation. She was wounded. But how? He had come here to yell at her. To continue their earlier conversation. But every time he got near her. She seemed to make him forget everything. Made him feel human.

"Maria? What happened?" At first he questioned if he should ask that right away, but now he demanded to know the answer.

"Oh. I didn't feel too good, and I fell last night. Must have hurt my back, that's all." Maria prayed she sounded believable. She didn't want Michael to know, to pity her. No one would know. It was only once. Why whine about a one-time thing? Maria didn't want to seem weak, that's all she ever was to him anymore.

"You sure?" Michael asked. He didn't believe her. Of course he didn't believe her. Michael always had to be difficult with her. Sighing, Maria nodded her head and pushed herself from his arms.

"You might want to leave..." Her next words were fought out as she tried to hide the fear and pain. "Before my mother returns."

Michael stepped back at her words. Her mother, yes their last encounter was with a newspaper. Not wanting to relive that one, he nodded his head and his next move was unknown to him. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead gently and smiled to her. Walking down the stairs he stopped as he remembered the blood he had found.

"Michael. I'm ok, don't worry." Her words echoed in his ears. He couldn't stay. Quickly exiting he drove off just as her mom pulled into the driveway. Sighing his release he thanked he had just made it and prayed for Maria's safety.


Amy DeLuca pulled into her driveway, she noticed the Jetta. Maria was home. Exiting the car, she entered the house quietly. Oblivious to last night actions, she called out to her.

"Maria, honey? What are you doing home?" Her voice was full of concern but more hinted with anger.

Maria winced as her mother's voice entered her mind.

/ What do I do? /

Closing her eyes tightly as she descended down the long flight of stairs stopping to put on the best smile she could muster. Her mind screamed to run, fear of something happening again. But her heart told her to stay.

/ She doesn't remember. Pray she doesn't remember. / Maria thought to herself.

"Maria, you don't look too good, but why are you home? Without my knowing?" Her voice was softer as she approached her daughter.

Maria stepped back, not wanting to be touched by her mother. The fear was radiating off of her as Amy approached. Shaking her head she smiled and shrugged.

"I was going to call you, honest. I'll even head right back if you want." She tried to sound as normal as possible. Words kept repeating themselves through her mind, 'She doesn't know, She doesn't know.'

"Well alright. It's fine. You can stay, but I've got to head back out. So, be good?" Grabbing her keys, she exited the house.

Maria waited for the sounds of the car driving away before she exhaled the breath she had been holding.

"Everything's fine. See Maria, its fine." She reassured herself over and over that it wouldn't happen again. It wouldn't. Turning quickly she slowly made it back up the stairs, the pain still obvious in so many forms.

Entering her room, she growled at the sight. It was a mess and she didn't have the energy to clean it.

"Great..." Turning from the sight she fought back the tears again that forced themselves out.

"Better get started before my shift." As the words she had said set in, she threw down the object she had been holding as she began cleaning the wreck of a room.

Work. Another shift at the Crashdown. And she was in no condition to be doing so.


The hours went on, finally finishing the job at hand; she collapsed onto her bed in a heap. Her body screamed its protest as she fought to stay awake. Turning her neck slowly, she glanced at the alarm clock that now sat at the end of the bed near the closet. She had pulled it down there last night trying to get away. Squinting her eyes, she read the clock.

"Four!!" Shooting up from the bed, she yet again was hit by a nausea feeling. Running into the bathroom she paused to notice the makeup had worn its cover. The bruise on her cheek was a nasty shade of yellow and blue.

Digging into her bag, she threw her uniform onto the sink and reached for her make-up bag once again.


Maria sighed as Liz returned from the backroom of the Crashdown. She had finally made it, finishing after an hours work. The make-up job looked great but the pain was still there.

"Hey! You made it!" Liz squealed as she embraced Maria in a hug. Maria returned the embrace as she put on the apron and took out her pad of paper and pen. Smiling to her best friend she walked behind the counter and put on the famous headband.

"Hey."

Maria turned as she noticed Michael back in the kitchen. He had made it. Nodding her head to him she smiled.

"Hey, I see you decided to join me tonight." Her words were angered as she gave him the first order. Making her first mistake of the night, she looked into his eyes. Those endless pools of chocolate brown. Those eyes always gave away everything. Michael knew this, even though he continued to try and hide his true feelings from the girl that he could never get out of his head. But there was no use; his eyes gave it all away.

"Yeah. I'm." His face tightened as he forced out the words.

"I'm. Sorry about last night. Max and Is."

Nodding her head, she didn't want to hear anymore. She'd heard them all. Another late night with the 'aliens'. Not wanting to think of anything else from last night she closed her eyes.

"It's ok. I totally and completely understand." She winced slightly as she leaned back against the counter and rang up another customer.

"No, its not. I'm sorry." His voice was soft, turning she glanced into his eyes to see the truth. Not ready for what she saw, she stepped back slightly as his eyes gave the confirmation that he truly was sorry.

"You sure you're alright?" Liz questioned, placing a small hand onto Maria's shoulder. Maria turned her sight from Michael and nodded to her best friend.

"Yeah. I'll be alright. Just a lil tired and sore. That's all." Her smile was radiant. Liz shook her head and smiled in return.

"If you say so."

Maria cut her off as she pointed to the front doors of the Crashdown. Max and Isabelle entered, like every other night. Taking their usual booth, Maria motioned for Liz to take this one. There was no point for her to anymore, Michael worked here.

Liz blushed as she was pushed towards the table. Taking out her pad of paper and pen she smiled to Isabelle first and then her eyes stopped to rest on Max.

"What will it be tonight?" She asked, her voice shaking in nervousness.

Max looked up into those brilliant eyes owned by Liz Parker. The love of his life. A smile crossed his lips as she pushed a stray strand of hair back from her face.

"The usual." Isabelle growled as she noticed the love birds stare.

"Oh, ok. I uhh. It'll be out soon." Turning quickly from the object of her affection she looked at Maria with one of those 'I'm going to get you back' stares and put the order through the back.


Maria giggled to herself as she pushed the back door open to the alley. Great, her turn to take out the trash. It was getting late, and soon they would be closing. Jumping as a rat ran across the street she let out a small scream and began laughing. Leaning back against the cold, damp wall, she fought her eyes closed as sleep swayed into her mind.

Yawning she tried to stay awake, to keep the pain her body had been feeling at bay. But it was no use.


Michael watched as Maria exited, not returning. Sighing to himself, he couldn't resist as his body motioned towards the door.

Walking out into the dark alley his eyes fell upon the blond angel sleeping against the wall. The small light that emanated from the street lamp overhead only helped her true beauty. She was beautiful but still, something wasn't right. Michael couldn't help but feel like she was in pain. There was something different from her normal aura.

"Hey, Maria babe." Bringing her into his arms he shook her gently to wake. Her eyes fluttered open and fell upon the beauty of Michael.

"I'm awake. Must of closed my eyes for a few." Smiling up at him she fought the urge to kiss him. No, she wouldn't give into his sweet torture. It was his choice to end their relationship. Not hers. He's the one who couldn't get attached.

Michael noticed her conflict and pushed himself gently from her body. Scratching the back of his head as he watched her enter the back room he sighed to himself.

/ It was your choice. Remember that. / His inner thoughts yelled at him. It was his choice after all. He couldn't love. It wasn't in his nature. But she made it so hard.


Finally, locking up, Maria threw off the headband into her car and plopped down into the seat. Laying her head back against the headrest she sighed as she started the engine. Home. Sleep. That's all that her mind thought of. The pain from last night had finally escaped her body and was bearable now.

Driving down her street, she finally pulled up into the driveway of her home and cringed at the sight. Her mother's car sat in the driveway. Exiting the car, she stopped to place a hand onto the roof of her mother's new Jetta. It was still warm, which could only mean one thing. She had just arrived. Would she be sober?

Maria silently prayed as she turned the key in the door. Pushing it open slowly, she stepped into the house only to be greeted with a loud crash. Jumping almost completely out of her skin, she held back the scream by biting down onto her lip. Sure she tasted blood, she pushed the door closed behind her and entered the house. Throwing her bag down onto the small couch she looked around to try and find out what the crash had been from.

"Mom?" Her voice was low and shaky as she set down her keys onto the small table. Looking down onto the floor before she stepped, she jumped back to see her mother's favorite vase in pieces on the floor. Stepping over it, she entered the kitchen to find her mother sprawled out on the kitchen table.

"Mom?" She questioned again, jumping back as her mother's form shot up from the table.

"There you are! I was looking for you! Why didn't you answer you cell?! You were out with him again weren't you?!" She screamed as she stumbled to face her daughter.

Maria tried to ease her fear as her mother came towards her.

"What are you talking about? Out with who? And my cell never rang." She shot back.

Amy's eyes filled in rage at her words.

"Liar! I will not tolerate this!" Before Maria knew it, Amy had lunged forward onto her small form knocking them both to the ground. Maria screamed as she fell backwards onto small pieces of glass. They dug themselves into her back harshly. Wincing in pain she opened her eyes to find her mother staring back at her.

"Why must you lie to me?!" She screamed as she began her attack. Bringing her fists down in a rampage she hit anything that was attached to Maria's body. Attacking her face, neck, and stomach, Maria couldn't help but scream as new excruciating pain entered her mind.

"Get off!!" Maria protested as her mother grabbed onto the nearest object.

"I won't take this from you!" Amy yelled as she stumbled backwards a little, holding tightly onto the kitchen broom.

"You lie to me!" Bringing the broom down with one sweep she continued her assault onto Maria's body as she began crying.

Maria's tears streamed down her face as the pain reverberated off of every muscle in her small body. The broom connected with her ribs as another shot of pain entered her body. Screaming loudly, her voice cracked.

"Your not my daughter! My daughter wouldn't lie!" Amy threw the broom backwards as she fell forward. Grabbing a hold of Maria's long locks of blond hair, she began dragging her into the living room, over the broken pieces of glass. Maria cried harder as thousands of pieces of glass slashed at her gentle skin. Tearing into parts of her body clothed, and unclothed, some even embedded themselves into her skin. Blood spilled from every cut as she was dragged across the carpet. She forced her eyes closed not wanting to believe this was happening.

Amy ripped at her hair as she threw her form down. Coming to the basement door, she threw it open and laughed evilly.

"You think I didn't know? You and him! How could you?" She screamed as she grabbed onto Maria's hair once more. Pulling her body forward, Maria struggled as her eyes shot open to see the darkness of the basement. Screaming, she tried her best to fight against her mother. But she was to injured. Her mother was to strong. Wincing as she pulled tighter on her hair, Amy threw the small body down the stairs with one sweep.

Maria screamed as the hard stairs came into contact with her fragile body. Rolling down all fifty of them, she finally hit the bottom crashing into the wall hard. Crying harder she opened her eyes and saw just as her mother fell backwards and passed out onto the floor. Her whole body ached, glancing down she noticed the blood that covered her uniform. She hadn't changed before she left, and now her uniform was destroyed. Her ribs ached and it was hard to breath as she fought her sobs that racked her body.

Glancing around, the basement was dark. Time seemed to slip away as she laid there in pain. Her cries never stopped and the blood continued to spill. Her face seemed to be the only thing that didn't hurt as badly as the rest of her small body. Bringing her shaky hand to her mouth, she wiped away the blood that fell from her nose and lips.

"I can't. Can't stay here." Her voice didn't sound like her own and the words were hard to fight out as her breaths became harder and harder to take. Finally deciding she needed to get out of there, she pulled her body forward onto the fist step. Screaming in agony as the pain racked her body once more, the tears she cried mixed in with the blood.

Climbing up all fifty stairs, Maria's body fell limp against the basement door as she cried the rest of her pain. Pushing the door open more, she managed to crawl around her mother's body without waking her from her drunken state. Wincing ever so often in pain as her body continued to bleed, she crawled to the front door that stood open.

"I thought I .I closed that." Her voice was just above a whisper as she fell out onto the front porch, passing out cold.


Michael growled at his thought as he turned the corner on his bike.

"Of course you have to know." Rounding the corner, Maria's house came into his vision as he pulled into the driveway. Turning off the engine, he threw back the kickstand and made way to the door. His knees gave way at the sight.

"MARIA!!" He screamed, falling forward onto the first step. Her body was full of blood and cuts, bruises everywhere. Unknown tears fell down his face as he fought to take her into his arms. Screaming out his agony, he brushed the strands of hair full of blood from her eyes and noticed she was out cold.

"Maria, baby, speak to me?" His voice was shaky as he pushed back the tears from his eyes.

"Maria, baby? Who did this to you!?" He knew she wouldn't answer. She didn't look like she could even breath. Noticing her purse sat next to her, he pulled out her cell phone and quickly dialed the only number he knew other than hers.

"Hello?"

"Max. Hurry. It's Maria! Get here now! Bring Isabelle!" Michael yelled into the phone as he finally took her into his arms. Glancing at all the blood, he continued to cry at her form.

"What? What's wrong!"

"Hurry! She's lost a lot of blood!" Michael turned off the phone and threw it to the side as he cried into her chest.

"Maria. Baby please wake up." His body shook in pain as he connected to her once more. The pain she was feeling, he could feel it all.

"Michael?" Her voice was cold and hard. Michael's eyes shot open at her words.

"Maria." His voice was below a whisper as he counted all the cuts and Max's jeep pulled up.


A/N: Well what do you think?? Hope you enjoy its really sad I know. But hey? It had to be ^^ Review please!