Chapter 7: The Search

Books were piled carelessly on the floor. Max, Michael, Maria, Alex and the Sheriff were searching for anything that could tip them on Liz's whereabouts. Michael quickly checked Liz's journal's last hiding place, but there was nothing there.

"At least she followed my advice."

Time dragged on as they searched on. Mr. Parker had already come and served them a couple of burgers from the Crashdown, but none had time to eat it. They were left untouched on Liz's desk.

Every once in a while they would come across something that caught their attention, a picture stuffed in a sock drawer, or some unfinished homework that still seemed to deserve an A to some extent.

Michael leaned against the wall next to the desk and grabbed his burger. He needed a break. "I deserve a break" he thought to himself.

After a few minutes, Michael said what everyone refused to say. It was time that they accepted it.

"This is useless!"

Max knew he was right. He didn't want to admit it, but he was right. He responded weakly.

"We'll find something."

Silence crept over them. Alex sat down next to Maria on Liz's bed and looked to the ground. Michael, still leaning against the desk, was silently chewing his burger. The sheriff sat on a chair near the desk while Max sat on the floor, head buried into his knees.

"What are we going to do now? We've searched every inch of this place."

Michael tossed the wrapper of his burger into the waste basket. He walked to the other side of the room as he spoke.

"If we find her journal, everything will be explained. She writes everything in that thing."

Maria stared helplessly to the ground as she spoke. She leaned against the brick wall and noticed a brick protruding slightly against her back. She turned and slowly removed the brick from its place and reached inside as the others looked on. She withdrew her hand from the hole in the wall and revealed a thick, black, leather-bound journal.

"What are you waiting for? Open it."

Michael's edginess found its release.

"Maybe she should be the only one to see it."

Alex spoke as he lifted himself from the bed.

"Why?"

Michael asked curtly.

"There's a lot of personal things in there. It wouldn't be right to have it revealed to all of us."

Alex replied, patience straining.

There wasn't anything left to say. He had a point; and as they stood in silence, the door swung open. No one said anything. No one moved.

"What are you doing in here?"