"What happened?" demanded Alex as he jumped through the window and knelt by Liz and Maria.
"I don't know- when I got here she was-" she stopped as she saw Max race into the room with Isabel close behind. Alex moved out of the way as Max moved in and held Liz tenderly in his arms- a million thoughts racing through his mind. "She keeps going in and out of consciousness. She um...she keeps mumbling, but I can't make it out." Maria said as Alex supported her. Isabel was holding Liz's hand.
Liz opened her eyes and tried to stop her head from spinning. Why did her head hurt so much? It felt like it was going to explode. She was wheezing, desperately trying to breathe, and lights were flashing everywhere. Her head pounded with pain, her body felt so weak, she felt like she was going a million miles an hour. She kept shaking her head trying to wake up from this nightmare and she gasped!
Breathing harshly, she tried to sit upright but couldn't. Something was holding her down. She struggled to get up and opened up her eyes. Where was she? She tried focusing her eyes to the harsh light and slowly the gray shadows took form and she saw the faces of Max, Isabel, Maria and Alex. She tried speaking but nothing came out.
********************************************************
"Look- she's coming to!" said Alex with relief. Maria joyfully smiled. She thought she had lost her best friend for a moment and the thought was unbearable. Max held Liz even more tightly. Ordinarily she would have hugged him back but she recoiled from his touch. If he noticed he didn't say anything. She leaned to her side and began spitting up blood. Max rubbed her back as she coughed up dried blood. When she finished Isabel offered her a glass of water.
It felt so good. The water felt so refreshing and cold compared to her dry, itchy throat. "Liz, what happened? Who did this too you?" asked Alex edgily. He had had a chance to look around the house and saw that only her room was in shambles. Whoever had done this to his friend had come here looking for something in her room. All her drawers were pulled open. Her clothes, books and everything else was scattered all over the floor. Her lamp was lying on the floor shattered. He didn't like this one bit.
Liz felt darkness creeping back into her body again. "No! Liz stay with us. You have to stay awake. C'mon!" pleaded Max as he cupped her face in his hands. He felt so warm and good. She felt safe and secure in his arms. Then apprehension filled her body. She tensed up as she remembered what had happened to her. The Skin.
Fearfully and fully awake now, she tried to form words but her mind was still a blank. She let her eyes gaze across the room and remembered the horrible feeling of terror that had pierced her heart. He was still here. She could tell he was within hearing distance prepared to kill everyone she loved in this room and beyond.
"The Sk-" she stopped herself. She couldn't tell them what had happened. She needed them to leave now. "You guys have to get out right now," she said frantically looking Max in the eye. "We're all in serious danger. It's not safe. We have to leave now," she kept saying not caring if she sounded like an idiot. She couldn't even give her friends a clue as to who had done this. She wasn't going to risk their lives anymore than she had to just because she couldn't keep her mouth shut.
"Tell us Liz? Who was it? Who did this to you," Max asked ignoring her pleas. She must still be in shock from the attack he thought. She's rambling on and avoiding the subject. She looked so helpless and yet acted so brave.
Maria was wiping the dry blood on Liz's face away with a washcloth. Maria couldn't understand why anyone would assault her best friend. She of all people didn't deserve this. Her face had tearstains everywhere and Maria knew she was suffering a lot, but wouldn't show it. She couldn't imagine what the attacker had done to Liz. When she first saw her, she could have sworn she was nearly dead. It had taken her several minutes to get any response from Liz and when she had begun to spit up blood, she nearly lost it. Even a gallon of her cedar oil wasn't going to calm her down now. Where were Michael and Tess? It seemed like she had called them hours ago even though it had been almost the same time she had called Alex and Isabel.
She pushed him and Maria away and managed to sit up right ignoring the severe pains that shot up through her shoulders. She wasn't going to get through to her friends if she lied there like a hurt deer or something. She was going to have to be as tough and direct as she could be. "Get out now. I'll be fine. Just leave me alone," she said sternly but her face said otherwise.
"Liz, what are you talking about? You can barely sit up as it is and yet you expect us to just leave and act as if nothing happened. Liz someone nearly killed you tonight," cried Maria as she allowed tears to roll freely down her face.
Alex got up and glanced around the room. He walked to Max and whispered, "You know, this wasn't just a random act. She knows it and she's not saying a word about it."
Max nodded in agreement and silently promised himself he was going to kill whoever had done this to Liz- his Liz. He studied her face- it was bruised and swollen. Her eyes were red and puffy, and had a glazy look. She was trying desperately trying to hold back tears. Blood had stained her top and she was cut and scraped all over. He resisted the urge to run over to her and cradle her like he so desperately wanted to. But he knew that was exactly the treatment she didn't want. She was strong and wasn't about to be treated like a baby.
Isabel nudged Max and motioned toward Liz's leg. "Max, I think it's broken. She might not realize it, which is why I don't think the pain hasn't registered yet. God she looks awful," whispered Isabel. He could tell she was trying not to break like Maria, but it wasn't working. He tried to contain his emotions. He was the last person who needed to crack right now. He had to be strong for himself and for Liz.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm just a little shaken up. Please do me this one favor and leave me alone. I can manage," Liz said with a faint smile ignoring Alex.
Alex was becoming frustrated that Liz wouldn't answer his questions. Is she protecting whoever did this to her? No, she wouldn't. C'mon Alex, this is your friend. She's probably traumatized about the whole ordeal.
"Someone came into your room tonight, beat the crap out of you, and then just left. He didn't even take anything. Why'd he come here looking? Can't you even answer that simple question? Better yet why won't you tell us who did it! I know this wasn't some stunt pulled off by a burglar. Was it someone connected to those pod people? An alien? A government agent? You can't pretend this never happened. Look at yourself- he left you alive for a reason didn't he? For what? Is this a message to watch out or something? Why you? Damn it! Why won't you speak up?" he demanded as he punched the wall. He felt so helpless and she wasn't saying jack about the incident. It made him so mad he felt he would explode. Isabel wrapped her arm around him in an effort to try and calm him down.
Liz burst into tears. In between sobs she said "Don't you think I know that I could have been killed? I was there- I lived through it. You're right! It wasn't a burglar. I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't. He assured me that if I did..." she looked away and held her head with her hands, "...if I did, then you would all be dead. He's a monster and he's out to destroy you. Why can't you understand what I'm trying to tell you? If you love me then you'll all get as far away from here as possible." She broke down and Maria held her in her arms. Liz was sobbing uncontrollably and Alex walked away to the other side of the room.
********************************************************
"Thanks again for picking me up, Michael. With the Valenti's camping out, it would have taken me forever to get here by foot," Tess said. Right after Maria had called Michael drove over and offered her a lift. She lived a good fifteen minutes away from the Liz's house.
"No problem, I know all too well what it feels like to be without wheels. I've done my good deed for the week," he said as he pulled up behind the café. "Did Maria tell you what was going on?"
"No, only that I had to get here pronto."
"Same here. She seemed pretty shaken up about it. Hope it's nothing serious though."
The two didn't bother going up through the front. They made their way to the ladder that led up to her balcony. They heard muffled yelling, looked at each other and ran to the ladder.
********************************************************
Max went over to Liz, placed his hands over her and concentrated on creating a connection so that he could heal her. Liz looked frantically at Max and broke out into a cold sweat. "No, Max! You can't! Please don't do it!" she pleaded frantically.
"Liz, he's just going to heal you," said Maria.
"You don't understand! Max don't connect please!" she said hysterically.
"What's the matter Liz? Don't freak!" said Alex puzzled.
Crying, "You'll be killed! Max I forbid you!" said Liz desperately trying to take control of the situation.
Max ignored her. She was hurt and he was going to heal her- end of story. He cleared his mind and centered his thoughts on her as he kept his grip on firm on her. He was almost there- the connection was almost complete.
"No Max! NO!" she screamed out.
"Liz please!" said a shaky Maria she put her hand over Liz's mouth muffling her cries. Why is she doing this?
Flustered, Isabel said, "Max maybe you shouldn't-" There I'm in! Now to work the magic! Max said silently to himself. He began to heal her.
"No!" Liz tried screaming. "Please God don't let this happen!" she begged. But it was to late.
Maria looked at Liz and saw her eyes roll back into her head. She looked up at Alex and Isabel in fright. Liz's body trembled, her muscles tightened and she yelled as this excruciating pain formed and made its way down her body.
Maria, Isabel and Alex yelled in surprise as Liz's body convulsed and shook violently. They saw the whites of her eyes and her knuckles turn pale as she kept them in fist form. Then a tremendous white light came over her body and made its way toward Max. He yelled out in pain and shock. He was engulfed by it, electricity rippled through his body. It felt like it was tearing him apart. What was this? He fell to his knees and gritted his teeth as he tried to endure the piercing pain. He looked up at Isabel. She was saying something but he couldn't hear a word. He collapsed and fell to the floor with a heavy thud.
"Ma- Max!" cried Isabel as she ran to her brother's side. She pushed him but he lay there motionless. "Oh my god!" Isabel cried out. Alex ran over to her.
"She was trying to save him- to stop him," Maria said in a faraway voice. They looked at Liz and saw that she too was laid there seemingly lifeless. "Are they...are they dead?" Isabel asked fearfully as she held onto her brother's body.
"No, but they may not be alive for long." said the Skin as it appeared out of the shadows. Immediately everyone looked at him.
"I don't know- when I got here she was-" she stopped as she saw Max race into the room with Isabel close behind. Alex moved out of the way as Max moved in and held Liz tenderly in his arms- a million thoughts racing through his mind. "She keeps going in and out of consciousness. She um...she keeps mumbling, but I can't make it out." Maria said as Alex supported her. Isabel was holding Liz's hand.
Liz opened her eyes and tried to stop her head from spinning. Why did her head hurt so much? It felt like it was going to explode. She was wheezing, desperately trying to breathe, and lights were flashing everywhere. Her head pounded with pain, her body felt so weak, she felt like she was going a million miles an hour. She kept shaking her head trying to wake up from this nightmare and she gasped!
Breathing harshly, she tried to sit upright but couldn't. Something was holding her down. She struggled to get up and opened up her eyes. Where was she? She tried focusing her eyes to the harsh light and slowly the gray shadows took form and she saw the faces of Max, Isabel, Maria and Alex. She tried speaking but nothing came out.
********************************************************
"Look- she's coming to!" said Alex with relief. Maria joyfully smiled. She thought she had lost her best friend for a moment and the thought was unbearable. Max held Liz even more tightly. Ordinarily she would have hugged him back but she recoiled from his touch. If he noticed he didn't say anything. She leaned to her side and began spitting up blood. Max rubbed her back as she coughed up dried blood. When she finished Isabel offered her a glass of water.
It felt so good. The water felt so refreshing and cold compared to her dry, itchy throat. "Liz, what happened? Who did this too you?" asked Alex edgily. He had had a chance to look around the house and saw that only her room was in shambles. Whoever had done this to his friend had come here looking for something in her room. All her drawers were pulled open. Her clothes, books and everything else was scattered all over the floor. Her lamp was lying on the floor shattered. He didn't like this one bit.
Liz felt darkness creeping back into her body again. "No! Liz stay with us. You have to stay awake. C'mon!" pleaded Max as he cupped her face in his hands. He felt so warm and good. She felt safe and secure in his arms. Then apprehension filled her body. She tensed up as she remembered what had happened to her. The Skin.
Fearfully and fully awake now, she tried to form words but her mind was still a blank. She let her eyes gaze across the room and remembered the horrible feeling of terror that had pierced her heart. He was still here. She could tell he was within hearing distance prepared to kill everyone she loved in this room and beyond.
"The Sk-" she stopped herself. She couldn't tell them what had happened. She needed them to leave now. "You guys have to get out right now," she said frantically looking Max in the eye. "We're all in serious danger. It's not safe. We have to leave now," she kept saying not caring if she sounded like an idiot. She couldn't even give her friends a clue as to who had done this. She wasn't going to risk their lives anymore than she had to just because she couldn't keep her mouth shut.
"Tell us Liz? Who was it? Who did this to you," Max asked ignoring her pleas. She must still be in shock from the attack he thought. She's rambling on and avoiding the subject. She looked so helpless and yet acted so brave.
Maria was wiping the dry blood on Liz's face away with a washcloth. Maria couldn't understand why anyone would assault her best friend. She of all people didn't deserve this. Her face had tearstains everywhere and Maria knew she was suffering a lot, but wouldn't show it. She couldn't imagine what the attacker had done to Liz. When she first saw her, she could have sworn she was nearly dead. It had taken her several minutes to get any response from Liz and when she had begun to spit up blood, she nearly lost it. Even a gallon of her cedar oil wasn't going to calm her down now. Where were Michael and Tess? It seemed like she had called them hours ago even though it had been almost the same time she had called Alex and Isabel.
She pushed him and Maria away and managed to sit up right ignoring the severe pains that shot up through her shoulders. She wasn't going to get through to her friends if she lied there like a hurt deer or something. She was going to have to be as tough and direct as she could be. "Get out now. I'll be fine. Just leave me alone," she said sternly but her face said otherwise.
"Liz, what are you talking about? You can barely sit up as it is and yet you expect us to just leave and act as if nothing happened. Liz someone nearly killed you tonight," cried Maria as she allowed tears to roll freely down her face.
Alex got up and glanced around the room. He walked to Max and whispered, "You know, this wasn't just a random act. She knows it and she's not saying a word about it."
Max nodded in agreement and silently promised himself he was going to kill whoever had done this to Liz- his Liz. He studied her face- it was bruised and swollen. Her eyes were red and puffy, and had a glazy look. She was trying desperately trying to hold back tears. Blood had stained her top and she was cut and scraped all over. He resisted the urge to run over to her and cradle her like he so desperately wanted to. But he knew that was exactly the treatment she didn't want. She was strong and wasn't about to be treated like a baby.
Isabel nudged Max and motioned toward Liz's leg. "Max, I think it's broken. She might not realize it, which is why I don't think the pain hasn't registered yet. God she looks awful," whispered Isabel. He could tell she was trying not to break like Maria, but it wasn't working. He tried to contain his emotions. He was the last person who needed to crack right now. He had to be strong for himself and for Liz.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm just a little shaken up. Please do me this one favor and leave me alone. I can manage," Liz said with a faint smile ignoring Alex.
Alex was becoming frustrated that Liz wouldn't answer his questions. Is she protecting whoever did this to her? No, she wouldn't. C'mon Alex, this is your friend. She's probably traumatized about the whole ordeal.
"Someone came into your room tonight, beat the crap out of you, and then just left. He didn't even take anything. Why'd he come here looking? Can't you even answer that simple question? Better yet why won't you tell us who did it! I know this wasn't some stunt pulled off by a burglar. Was it someone connected to those pod people? An alien? A government agent? You can't pretend this never happened. Look at yourself- he left you alive for a reason didn't he? For what? Is this a message to watch out or something? Why you? Damn it! Why won't you speak up?" he demanded as he punched the wall. He felt so helpless and she wasn't saying jack about the incident. It made him so mad he felt he would explode. Isabel wrapped her arm around him in an effort to try and calm him down.
Liz burst into tears. In between sobs she said "Don't you think I know that I could have been killed? I was there- I lived through it. You're right! It wasn't a burglar. I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't. He assured me that if I did..." she looked away and held her head with her hands, "...if I did, then you would all be dead. He's a monster and he's out to destroy you. Why can't you understand what I'm trying to tell you? If you love me then you'll all get as far away from here as possible." She broke down and Maria held her in her arms. Liz was sobbing uncontrollably and Alex walked away to the other side of the room.
********************************************************
"Thanks again for picking me up, Michael. With the Valenti's camping out, it would have taken me forever to get here by foot," Tess said. Right after Maria had called Michael drove over and offered her a lift. She lived a good fifteen minutes away from the Liz's house.
"No problem, I know all too well what it feels like to be without wheels. I've done my good deed for the week," he said as he pulled up behind the café. "Did Maria tell you what was going on?"
"No, only that I had to get here pronto."
"Same here. She seemed pretty shaken up about it. Hope it's nothing serious though."
The two didn't bother going up through the front. They made their way to the ladder that led up to her balcony. They heard muffled yelling, looked at each other and ran to the ladder.
********************************************************
Max went over to Liz, placed his hands over her and concentrated on creating a connection so that he could heal her. Liz looked frantically at Max and broke out into a cold sweat. "No, Max! You can't! Please don't do it!" she pleaded frantically.
"Liz, he's just going to heal you," said Maria.
"You don't understand! Max don't connect please!" she said hysterically.
"What's the matter Liz? Don't freak!" said Alex puzzled.
Crying, "You'll be killed! Max I forbid you!" said Liz desperately trying to take control of the situation.
Max ignored her. She was hurt and he was going to heal her- end of story. He cleared his mind and centered his thoughts on her as he kept his grip on firm on her. He was almost there- the connection was almost complete.
"No Max! NO!" she screamed out.
"Liz please!" said a shaky Maria she put her hand over Liz's mouth muffling her cries. Why is she doing this?
Flustered, Isabel said, "Max maybe you shouldn't-" There I'm in! Now to work the magic! Max said silently to himself. He began to heal her.
"No!" Liz tried screaming. "Please God don't let this happen!" she begged. But it was to late.
Maria looked at Liz and saw her eyes roll back into her head. She looked up at Alex and Isabel in fright. Liz's body trembled, her muscles tightened and she yelled as this excruciating pain formed and made its way down her body.
Maria, Isabel and Alex yelled in surprise as Liz's body convulsed and shook violently. They saw the whites of her eyes and her knuckles turn pale as she kept them in fist form. Then a tremendous white light came over her body and made its way toward Max. He yelled out in pain and shock. He was engulfed by it, electricity rippled through his body. It felt like it was tearing him apart. What was this? He fell to his knees and gritted his teeth as he tried to endure the piercing pain. He looked up at Isabel. She was saying something but he couldn't hear a word. He collapsed and fell to the floor with a heavy thud.
"Ma- Max!" cried Isabel as she ran to her brother's side. She pushed him but he lay there motionless. "Oh my god!" Isabel cried out. Alex ran over to her.
"She was trying to save him- to stop him," Maria said in a faraway voice. They looked at Liz and saw that she too was laid there seemingly lifeless. "Are they...are they dead?" Isabel asked fearfully as she held onto her brother's body.
"No, but they may not be alive for long." said the Skin as it appeared out of the shadows. Immediately everyone looked at him.