Bitten

I'd like to thank you all for your support and really just for giving this story a chance, I know how hard it is to get into a story when the characters are completely out of character, but as I said earlier, it's needed for this fic to work. Please continue reading and giving your support and criticisms, it only helps a mediocre writer to become better. Here's the second installment to Bitten, hope you enjoy.

Chapter 2

Untouched sat a bowl of spicy chili. Dana looked upon it, her appetite long gone for her stomach churned with the uneasiness of what she could only place as guilt and shame. Her mind was on Max and how strange she had been acting. How could she have been so selfish, towards Max of all people?

She should've cancelled the date. They were friends. She should have called off the date and gone after her, check if she was alright. A friend would have done just that. Yet she hadn't. Max was someone she cared for. A friend does not abandon someone they care for. A friend does not put themselves before others, specifically during their time of need. A friend does not speak foul words or think lewd thoughts of those they call friends. Yet she had done it, she had done it all.

Dana was never one to do something as ill will as that, it was unlike her, but today for Valentine's Day, she had. She had chosen herself over her friend and had even gone as far as to think of her in a squalor manner. But… had it been wrong? Had it been wrong for the young girl to think of herself for one day; to want to be with her boyfriend? One she seldom saw let alone spent time with?

Dana looked across the table, taking in the concerned expression still etched on Terry's face. The teen had been quiet since Max's departure. Oh the anxiety the poor boy must be feeling, the eagerness, to talk to Max and figure out what was going on. Hardly a surprise, he and Max were like two peas in a pod, a side of the same coin.

To put him through this, having him sick with worry, Dana may as well consider herself a cruel person, and that was definitely something she didn't consider herself to be. She closed her eyes as a wave of discontent flowed through her. This date had been a mistake. It seemed it was time to call it off. Releasing a small sigh, Dana opened her eyes and spoke. "Terry."

At having the silence broken, Terry glanced up to the girl but said nothing as he waited for her. Giving a sympathetic look, Dana offered a small remorseful smile, "I'm sorry." There was no need for her to clarify why she had apologized; Terry knew exactly what she meant. He remained silent as she continued. "I just wanted to spend time with you today. I know it doesn't excuse my behavior earlier but-"

"I know" Terry interjected. The concern, the worry, on his face eased a tad bit. "It's okay." Dana stood. "I want to apologize to her. Think she'll be home?" Terry stood and followed after her. "I hope so."

O-O-O

For the fifth time, Terry pressed the buzzer, giving a weary sigh upon no answer. Where was she? He tried the phone yet again; Still no answer. Why was she not answering? Was she alright? He tried the buzzer yet again. Could she be asleep…? Maybe in the shower…?

Another failed ring and the male began to pace, giving a frustrated sigh as he dialed her again. "Come on Max." Dana stood in silence, watching him with scrutinizing eyes. This was a new side of Terry. She had never seen him this apprehensive before. It was so… unsettling.

To calm him, she reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Relax, Terry. Maybe she's not home." Terry shook his head, "It's not like her not to answer or return my calls, regardless if she's home or not." He tried the buzzer one last time, giving a defeated sigh when it again went unanswered. He sat upon the first step of the stoop to the apartment complex. Where could she be? Was she okay? His mind ran and ran, never letting up the number of things that could have possibly happened, the number of enemies who could have harmed her. Thinking on it, it took all of his will not to suit up and search the city.

Sitting beside him, Dana wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Hey, I'm sure she's fine." Her voice was soft almost soothing. "She's fine." After seconds of silence she gave a light chuckle. "It's Max. She knows how to defend herself." Even saying those words, deep down Dana was just as worried as Terry. Her choice of playing the casual role was simply because Terry needed it. Someone had to keep calm for him.

A thought suddenly occurred to her. "Terry, have you tried calling Brie?" Terry sighed, annoyed with himself for never thinking of calling her sister. There always was the chance the two were together. Dialing the number, Terry shook his head, scolding himself on how incredibly clouded his mind had been with worry. But this was Max, why wouldn't he worry? It was Max….

Soon on the line came the feminine voice of the petite girl he had met only a few times, "Hello?" His heart jumped. Finally an answer! "Hey Brie" he cleared his throat. "It's Terry McGinnis." The silence on the other end remained for only a few seconds as recognition came over, "Oh, Terry. Hey, what's up?"

She laughed as another voice, one he didn't quite recognize, sounded in the background. Clearly she wasn't alone. "I was wondering if Max was with you." Terry said. Please, let her be with you, he mused.

"Yeah, I brought her along with my boyfriend and me so she wouldn't be alone for today. She's here somewhere."

Terry's knees grew weak at the relief he felt flow through him. She was okay. She was alright. "Max left her phone at home. Did you want to talk to her?" Brie asked. Of course he wanted to talk to her. Did she even have to ask?

He cleared his throat, "Yeah, thanks."

"Alright, hold on. Let me find her."

Noises of chatter replaced Brie's voice. Terry assumed the two sisters were someplace crowded and Max had wandered off. His assumptions proved right as he heard Brie shout.

"Max!"

"What?!"

"Terry's on the phone for you."

"Take a message."

"Max, come on. He sounds worried."

"Tell him I'm fine."

"Tell him yourself."

"I don't want to talk to him Brie. Just leave me alone."

"Max-"

"I'll call him later; I just don't want to talk to him right now."

"Max, wait. Max!"

A sigh sounded and soon came Brie's disgruntled voice. "I'm sorry Terry. Max is-"

"It's fine. I… kind of heard it all" Terry interjected. His voice was steady but inside was a different story, he was hurting. Brie was silent a few mere seconds before replying. "Oh, I'm sorry about that. She's been acting a bit strange lately." This caught the male's interest and attention. "Enlighten me."

"Well… she's been really… sad lately. I know it's probably partially my fault since I'm never home, and I wish I could take time off work but… ugh, it's just hard, you know? Anyway, the few times I do see her, she's always moping around the apartment. It's so unlike her. I'm worried, I think she's depressed or something."

Depressed? Max? That was… impossible. She was so high spirited, always had a smile on her face. The last time Terry had seen tears in her eyes was the time he had found her after she had been attacked by Curare. Thinking on it, it seemed so long ago.

"I'll talk to her" Terry said. Brie scoffed. "Good luck. That girl is as stubborn as a mule, gets it from our dad." Boy was she. "I know she is" Terry replied. Silence lapsed before Brie sighed. "I hope she'll be okay." The teen raised a brow, slightly confused. "What do you mean?"

"She's gone, just took off. Didn't say where she was going. I normally wouldn't worry too much because that's just her, but there's recently been a report on the news of animal mauling's all over the city, even the woods." It hadn't yet been confirmed what exactly was doing all of the mauling's. Each night on patrol, Terry would find more and more carcasses indicating something was out there.

The once forgotten worry returned. "I'll find her, don't worry" Terry said. Nothing would stop him. He said his goodbyes and hung up, looking up to Dana who had been silent the entire time. "Well?" she questioned. The male slid his phone into his jacket pocket. "She was with her sister."

"Was?"

Terry nodded. "Yeah, but she left. Brie says she' depressed."

"Depressed? But she's never shown any signs?"

"Maybe she's been hiding them."

"Let's go look for her."

Terry caught Dana's arm. "It's getting late. I should take you home." Dana gave him an incredulous look. "Are you kidding?"

"Do you want your dad to murder me? Look, I'll find her and bring her home, maybe even get her to talk on what's bothering her, after I take you home."

Dana sighed. She hated the idea of him going alone. She hated the fact Max was out there all by herself. But she was on curfew. Slag! She gave a reluctant sigh, nodding, "Alright. Call me as soon as you find her. I need to give her a piece of my mind."

Terry gave a small chuckle, lips curling into a small smile, "Will do."

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