"Isabel! Isabel?" He was rounding the side of the cave, nearing the entrance, when he saw a figure walk into view. "Maxwell!?"
"Did you get him?"
"He's in the back of the van. Where do you want us to put him?"
"Anywhere inside for now."
Michael disappeared into the foliage of a nearby tree, and Max turned to walk away. He suddenly collapsed to the floor, holding his head with his hands from the searing pain. Images flash before his eyes as he screamed out in pain.
Isabel rushed over to her brother, lying motionless on the floor.
"Max? Max! Can you hear me? MAX!"
His eyes opened to show red pupils. Water ran down his face as he sat up, the images still fresh in his mind. She looked at his face, confusion flooding her emotions.
"Max, what happened?"
"Liz!"
"What?"
"It was Liz!"
"What are you talking about?"
"She's in pain Isabel!"
"Oh my god!" She sat back, trying to breath, but the tears were choking her.
"What happened?" Maria was now standing in front of the siblings, a worried expression crossing her face. "Max! Your eyes!"
"Sir! There has been a delay with our transport! The truck was held up in Washington and won't be able to make it here until tomorrow."
Pierce looked up from the file he was reading at this news. "Can't you do anything about it?" His tone was in no way friendly, as he had just come out of another confrontation with the hostage.
"No sir. This was the only truck fitted with the right security measures for the captive. There has been some technical problems with the engine and can not come any sooner that dawn tomorrow, sir!"
"Fine! Dismissed!" The soldier saluted then walked through the doorway, out of sight. "Great, that's just what we need, a delay! Where's Barlow? He should have been back an hour ago?"
"Bradley, relax! He's probably just out at that stupid UFO centre. You know what he's like! That's the only reason he joined the special unit, so he could meet a real alien!"
"I guess your right. Have you talked to mum lately?"
"Yes, she want's to know when her two boys are coming to visit!"
"She's in pain! I saw what they did to her! I need to find her, I need to make sure she's okay!"
"At least she's alive, right! That's a good sign!" Isabel was trying to sound as hopeful as she could, but Max could see through her.
"Not for long!" His voice was deep, and so was his laughter. He was facing the wall of the cave, hands tied to an improvised chair, the sack still over his head. The others went to get some food, whilst Max and Isabel had to try and get some information.
He stood up and walked over to the chair, stomping the ground, causing the sound to echo through the cave. "What did they do to her?" His voice was loud and forceful, full of pain. Isabel looked away from her brother, tired of seeing him angry, worried that this might just push him over the edge.
"By the time you find her, she'll be gone!" His laughter was louder this time, making Max retreat away and leant against the wall. He left all of his weight, and slid down onto the ground. His hands came up around his head and covered him, shielding him from the pain and torment he was going through not being able to help the one person he lived for.
Isabel, tired of everything, stood up and walked over to the talking sack. She lent in over the top of him, breathing heavily. He could feel her leaning over and recoiled, not being able to see who she was because of the mesh over his head. She placed her hand gently on his arm. He jumped at her sudden touch, so warm, so soft. Her hand began glowing red as she moved it up his arm. He yelped in pain and she took it away, leaving a red mark in the shape of her hand. She tilted her head to the side, thinking about the way he moved, the way he jumped back at her touch. She lent in and whispered softly to his ear.
"We were planning on letting you go after this, but unless you help us and tell us everything you know, we might reconsider. That pain you felt before, was your blood boiling under your skin! Now, we can either heat up the rest of your body till you tell us what we want to know, or you can do it voluntarily and we can heal the nasty mark that's going to come up very soon! Your choice!"
She stepped back, looking at him. Even though she couldn't see his face, she knew that he was contemplating his options. Isabel turned her back and walked over to Max, holding out a hand. He looked up, wiped the tears away from his eyes and took her hand. As he stood up, a noise came from the man.
"She's on her way to Washington right now! My guess is she wont live to see another night. After they get what they want from her, she's dead!"
Fear took hold as the words sunk in. He could feel her slipping away from him.
"Wh…. what?" His voice was soft and unsure. Max cleared his throat and spoke again. "What do they want from her?"
"Revenge!"