"Come one, let's go," Isabel said and grabbed a hold of Michael's arm.

"Don't touch me!" Michael screamed and grasped out of her hold.

"You don't believe me and you all think I'm crazy, right?" he said, looking around at his friends. "Fine, I don't care. I don't need you to believe me, I know what I saw and that's all that matters."

Then he bolted out of the room, leaving four stunned friends behind…

Send a thought out

"It's just so sad to see him like this," Isabel said. "He needs to move on with his life."

"I know it's hard honey," Alex said and laid an arm around his wife's shoulders. "But we'll find a way to help him through it. Okay?"

"What way?!" Isabel asked, raising her voice. "We don't even live here anymore and it's been five years! I should have never left him after the accident."

"Isabel don't say that," Tess said immediately. "No one is to blame for this. Maria and Jim died in an accident and there was nothing anyone could do about that. That is what's haunting Michael"

"I know," Isabel said a little bit calmer. "I just feel so helpless."

"I think we all do," Kyle agreed. "But right now I think he needs to be alone. That's all the help we can give him right now."

"Maybe we should go back inside," Tess said and looked at the others.

"Or maybe I should take you to our hotel honey," Alex said to his wife.

"Actually, I think I'd rather stay here. Be around friends. And besides, maybe Michael will come back. I really want to talk to him tonight."

"Okay, let's go inside…"

Inside they met up with Max and Liz who also had decided to stay.

They all sat down and ate and talked.

After a while Pam Troy's voice could once again be heard in the microphone.

"I hope you all have had a great time so far!" she said and fired of a big tooth-commercial-smile. "It's time to announce who has become most successful and a little later on also the king and queen of the class of 2002."

Some people turned their heads immediately towards the stage. This was a big moment. This was a change to show that just because you weren't popular in high school, you could still be successful in life.

"The jury, which consists of me and some other selected people, all agreed on our most successful person," Pam said. "It's a guy who we all knew and loved back in high school too. Now we see him in the papers and on the TV-screen and we all wish him the best." Pam took a pause for effect before she continued. "I give to you the talented, good-looking and not to mention rich…Kyle Valenti!"

Kyle turned his head to the stage when he heard his name. He didn't really care about some meaningless award given by his old high school class, but still. It was good to be appreciated.

Tess and Isabel pushed him to go up there and so he did. He was used to getting applauds, but still it was just as good every time.

When he got up on the stage Pam gave him the microphone and Kyle started talking. He got an idea.

"Thank you all very much. It's good to know that people like what you do." He looked around the room and gave a weak smile. "It's good to see some familiar faces. Although I have to admit I don't recognize all of you." Laughs could be heard from all around the room.

"I think almost everyone is here tonight, except the ones who still lives with their parents and work at the cheese-factory right?" More laughs.

"But some are not here because of total different reasons and I just wanted to say that I think it's really unfair for them to miss out on something that I think they would have enjoyed more than others who are here today." No one was laughing anymore and everyone knew whom Kyle was talking about. "I don't mean to put down the mood or anything," he continued. "I just wanted to give a thought out to the ones who aren't with us here today because of life's unexpected turns."

Tess observed Kyle as he spoke. She knew he really missed Maria. She was like a sister to him. When the accident took place she and Jim had actually been on their way to move some stuff into the Valenti-house.

Maria and Amy were moving in and there were only the last stuff to be taken over when they slided of the road. Kyle was so happy over the move and then it happened and it ruined everything. This one thing that changed so many lives.

Tess looked at Kyle as he finished. "So thank you for listening to me babbling about this sad stuff. Now keep partying, but don't forget to sometimes give a thought to those who aren't here anymore."

Then he gave the microphone back to Pam and applauds could once again be heard as he walked of the stage.

When he reached the table they all smiled at him.

"That was nice," Liz said with tears in her eyes.

"I hope I didn't make it worse for you," Kyle said and sat down next to Tess again.

"You didn't," Alex reassured him. "I think that was what we all needed. Some kind of closure."

"I just hope Michael will find it too," Max said. "Before he does something he'll regret…"

Michael sat down in the sand. He'd taken Alex and Isabel's car and unlocked it with the help of his powers.

Then he'd just driven until he reached his favorite spot in the desert. It was only desert in eyesight and it was totally quiet and a perfect place if you wanted to get away from everyone and everything.

"Is it better here? All alone?" a voice asked. Maria's voice. Michael looked up and saw her standing right in front of him.

"Why did you leave?" Michael immediately asked. "I wanted you to meet the others."

"And I wanted to meet them, but I can't because I'm not real remember?"

"But I can see you," Michael said confused.

"That's because that's the point. I'm here to help you move on," Maria explained. "You are the only one that can see me Michael."

"But how is this supposed to help me? I only miss you more."

"I have a plan," Maria said. "Don't you worry spaceboy."

"Now I'm more worried," Michael said a hint of amusement in his voice. "My experience tell me I should not let my guard down when hurricane DeLuca have a plan. Am I right?"

"You just wait loverboy. It's going to be a hell of a ride," Maria said. "And I hope it will help you get on with your life."

Michael looked at her and wanted to take her in his arms and never let go. But he couldn't do that.

"It's just so hard you know," he said. "I don't have anything to live for anymore."

"Don't say that," Maria immediately said. "You have lots to live for and I will show you that."

"How?"

"That's what the plan is all about. Just follow me," Maria said.

She started walking and Michael followed, just like he was told.

When they reached a cave, Maria turned to him.

"Michael, do you trust me?"

"With my life," he answered.

"Then just do as I do," she said before she walked right through the stonewall.

Michael didn't even hesitate before going after her. He sailed through the stonewall just like it was air and was surprised to see what he saw…

TBC…     Please let me know what you think!!!