Isabel was relieved to be back on the road, leaving behind the small town that made everything so awkward. She was also relieved that Michael was in the front and she was in the back. She couldn't help stealing glances at the rear-view mirror to see what the expressions on his face were. She watched his face change from calm to worried and back to calm a number of times. She didn't realize that her face mirrored the same expressions or that both Max and Kyle noticed.
They traveled along Interstate 40 into California and finally made a pit stop near Barstow. Isabel slid open the door to the van. The warm gust of air welcome on her face. Isabel took a look around the sparse outskirts of the town. It reminded her of Roswell and she felt a surge of emotions build up in the pit of her stomach. She missed home so much and wanted nothing more than to hold onto her mom and dad. Quickly she pushed the feelings away, not wanting to lose her composure in front of the group.
"Max, I need something to drink," said Liz, holding up her hand to her throat.
"Yeah, I'll second that," followed Kyle.
"I saw a liquor store just down the street. Why don't we all walk over; stretch our legs out," offered Max, still aware of the unease on his sisters face.
"I'm okay here," said Isabel, wanting to be alone.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"All right, well we're heading on over then. Michael are you coming?"
"Huh, oh no. I'm gonna find a bathroom somewhere," replied Michael, pulled out of his daze.
Max, Liz and Kyle headed down the road to the little store. Max had really wanted Isabel and Michael to join them. He knew something was not right with their dynamics. The entire drive that day he watched Isabel's emotions play upon her face; something was obviously upsetting her. He'd even caught Michael looking upset a number of times. It was common for the small group to get upset with each other, but they always managed to blow it off, aware that it's because of their constant presence around each other. This thing between those two was different.
"Liz, have you noticed anything off with Iz and Michael today?"
"They both seem a little testy. Isabel practically bit my head off when I asked her if she had dream walked Maria lately. It's probably because they're tired or something."
"What do you think Kyle?" Max asked, not satisfied with Liz's explanation.
"Their argument seemed to really upset Izzy last night. When she was sleeping she had a really distressed look on her face."
"You were watching her sleep?" asked Max and Liz in unison.
"Huh, oh, ah, I just happened to notice. Hey how far is this store anyway, I'm dying of thirst?" said Kyle, turning a dark shade of red and trying unsuccessfully to change the subject.
Liz and Max gave each other a knowing smirk. For sometime now Liz suspected Kyle was developing feelings for Isabel. His little give away only confirmed her suspicions. She always thought that they would make a good looking couple and it made sense in their situation.
Izzy breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Michael walk away in one direction and Max, Liz and Kyle in the other, leaving her standing alone next to the van. She took another minuet to look at her surroundings. It was just after noon and the midday sun beat down on the dry town. She watched the cars zoom by on the 15.
Deciding she was done looking at the scenery, Isabel turned to get back into the van. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the black suburban slow down. Before she could really react the window rolled down and the gun fire erupted. Isabel was on the ground in seconds rolling underneath the van.
"MAX! MICHAEL!"