A/N- Thank you so much for the support- you guys are amazing. :) I have a definite idea of where this story is going from here, so it's all just a matter of finding the right words to write it. I hope you enjoy the chapter and that it keeps your intrigue. Personally, I think it's getting pretty interesting, but I guess I'm a little biased, hehe. Anyway, read and enjoy, and as always, reviews are appreciated.

Chapter Five

Liz sat on the fold-out bed, the dim light from the lamp by the sofa illuminating the room in an eerie glow, casting long shadows throughout the room. She sighed, feeling the air flow from her lungs and the liveliness flow from her body. She'd expended so much energy that day toward trying to search her brain for any trace of a memory. She knew it was all in there somewhere. She would get flashes of recognition, just as she had that day at the Crashdown. But as soon as the memory would fall into her mind, it would quickly slip away from her. It was like déjà vu, or a dream she couldn't quite remember in the morning. She'd been up for hours, sitting on the bed in Michael's living room and trying to grasp any shred of memory from her tired mind. Tess. She knew the name meant something to her, but she couldn't recollect what it was or who Tess was.

Max had said that she was Tess's cousin, and the entire group had silently reacted. She could feel the discomfort that weaved itself in and out of every person sitting at the table that day. No one said anything, but she could tell that the name that had flown from Max's mouth as he desperately searched for an excuse hit a sour note with every one of the small group. Even the waitress had gotten a look of understanding when Max had spoken her name.

Liz sighed again, frustrated at her mind for remaining so blank when all she wished for was any sort of an answer. She slowly reached over, turning off the light. She slid between the sheets, feeling her body relax into the sunken mattress as the shadows overcame her. She let out a sigh, feeling her body finally fall into a deep, dark sleep.

That Night

She ran quickly through the dense forest, her heart pounding loudly in her ears and her breaths coming heavy and fast. The trees flew by her as she ran, the wind sweeping through her hair as she flew over the ground. She could feel the presence beside her and the fear that hung thick in the air as she ran, her legs screaming in protest with every step.

She heard the cry and her feet faltered slightly, but the voice cried out in agony and she continued.

"GO!" The scream echoed through the forest, and she ran. The branches reached out, clinging to her clothes, tearing holes in the thin fabric that hung on her body.

Suddenly a log appeared in front of her and before she could swerve it caught her ankle and she screamed as her body fell to the forest floor. The sharp branches tore at her legs as she fell.

The tears spilled down her cheeks as she cried violently, her body crying simultaneously in pain. The voice behind her screamed and she looked toward the sky, the grey clouds breaking suddenly, the thunder rolling through the sky. The raindrops fell, mixing with her tears and washing the dirt from her face. She took a deep breath, pushing herself up from the ground, looking up at the cloudy sky and beginning to run again as quickly as she could, the menacing footsteps behind her growing closer with every step. She ran, trying desperately to outrun the ghost that was constantly trying to catch her.

"Liz! Liz?" The voice called out and Liz felt the hand on her shoulder, shaking her gently. She gasped, sitting up frantically in bed, her eyes adjusting to the bright room around her. She looked toward Michael standing next to her bed looking down at her with a worried look on his face. Her heart raced violently, but as she looked up at him the realization of where she was began to dawn on her and her heart and mind began to calm.

"Liz? Are you OK?" The voice came from the other side of the room and Liz turned her head, seeing Max's concerned expression.

Liz sighed, smiling. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Max took a step toward her, sitting down at the foot of the bed and looking at her. "Liz, you were screaming." He reached over, running his hands over her cheeks, and only then did she realize that her lips were salty with fresh tears.

She quickly reached up, wiping away the moisture. "Bad dream, I guess." She said quickly, pushing the smile back on her face. "Don't worry about it."

Max and Michael both fixed their gazes on her. "Well do you remember it?" Michael asked. "Anything could be a key to where you came from."

Liz felt her heart speed up as she looked at the two men's expectant gazes. She quickly shook her head. "No, I don't remember it," she lied. "Everything is still such a blur."

Max sighed, pushing himself up from the bed. "Well, maybe some food will help you. The group is planning on meeting for breakfast at the Crashdown. I came over to see if you and Michael wanted to come."

"Yeah," Liz said, nodding hurriedly, pushing herself up from the bed. "Just let me go put on some clothes and then we'll go."

She walked quickly into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She turned toward the sink. She let out a breath, the air rushing from her lungs as her body fell against the sink. She held herself up with her hands and raised her head to look at herself in the mirror. Her dark, guarded eyes met her steady gaze, revealing nothing to her as she desperately searched them for something... anything. She stared at the face and knew that a stranger stared back at her. She couldn't understand why she had lied to Max and Michael about the dream. Something about the fear that emanated from that dream let her know that she couldn't reveal to anyone what that dream held. She couldn't reveal anything until she knew who she was and who it was that she was still running from.

She pushed herself away from the sink and quickly pulled on some clothes, exiting the bathroom and meeting Michael and Max in the living room.

"Uh, Maria told me to give you these." Max said, holding out a pair of flip flops toward her. "She said that the shoes she left for you wouldn't match your outfit or something like that."

Liz smiled, letting out a small laugh. "Well, thanks." She said, dropping them on the floor and quickly sliding her feet into the sandals. "They don't exactly fit, but I guess they'll do for now. Let's get going," she said, smiling at the two as they headed for the door.

Michael locked the door behind them and they headed for the stairs, their feet falling in a quick rhythm as they descended. As Liz led the way, she felt her feet catch under her and she quickly reached out. Her fingers frantically groped for the railing but she felt nothing but air as she began to fall, her body heavily striking the steps as she fell.

She cried out in pain as she hit the floor below her and she heard Max and Michael bounding down the stairs after her.

"Oh my God, Liz!" Max screamed, kneeling down beside her. Michael kneeled behind her, supporting her weight as she leaned into him. "Liz, are you OK?"

"My ankle," she gasped. "My ankle; it hurts so much."

Max gently pulled her leg out from under her, trying desperately not to hurt her. He rolled up the leg of her jeans and his eyes inspected her ankle. Suddenly his gaze traveled upward and his fingers ran over the scratches on her leg. He looked up, catching her eye, and she could tell that he understood that she'd been keeping them from the group. He understood that her eyes held as many secrets as were buried deep inside his. He hastily pulled the pant leg down a bit and looked back down at the ankle.

"It doesn't look good, Liz. I think it might be broken. We're going to have to take you to the hospital." He said. He looked toward Michael. "Think we can support her weight and get her to the car?'

Michael nodded and Liz sighed, the pain radiating from her ankle. She moaned, the tears still falling from her eyes. "It was the flip flops. They just didn't fit right. I knew I shouldn't have..." slowly her voice trailed off and her eyes wandered up towards Max. She felt a twinge of understanding run through her body like a chill, beginning at the place where his fingers lay on her ankle and quickly running through her veins. Suddenly her mind cleared. "Heal," she whispered, her eyes still fixed on him.

"What?" He asked, swallowing frantically as his gaze darted from her to Michael nervously.

Liz quickly lifted her hand toward Max's face and gently ran her fingers over his cheek. She smiled, nodding at him in understanding. "Heal. You can heal it, Max."