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The Intimacy of Strangers (CC,M/L,Adult)*Complete*4/4/15

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 12:59 am
by jake17
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amazing banner by behrbabe

Title: The Intimacy of Strangers
Author: jake17
Couples: M/L
Rating: adult
Disclaimer: I own nothing Roswell
Summary: The night of Graduation took a very different turn.

Max never made it to the stage to make his heartfelt memorable speech. Instead he was forced to make a heart wrenching choice that would change his life and the life of the only girl he would ever love forever, making them strangers, strangers of the most intimate kind. How could he have known that ten years later he would have to face the past and the girl who was now a woman that demanded answers to splintered memories that made no sense, to a past that was wiped clean, to a love that refused to be forgotten…
Author's note: I know this is starting out dark, ok very dark, but I promise a dreamer ending, and intense romance. Also, Liz has no powers, and Max has one he has kept secret for a very long time.






What occurred that night was a tragedy that would rock the small town of Roswell New Mexico to its very foundation forever.

Agent Thomas Harris, son of Major Adam Harris, one of the men murdered in the destruction of Edwards Air force base had Max in his cross hairs.

Revenge over the death of his father blinded him; his only thoughts were of ending the life of Max Evans, the one he felt was responsible, the monster, whose mere existence had not only killed many of our militaries finest but was a threat to the entire human race.

Collateral damage was justified in his vengeful heart as he aimed his gun at the head of Max Evans, only something went horribly wrong.

From the balcony looking down onto the crowd the agent had him in sight until the lights in the auditorium shut down suddenly as the principle ordered the spot light onto the podium for the speeches to begin.

Not willing to lose the shot Thomas began unloading his semiautomatic weapon upon the crowd below.

Unaware of agent Harris’ plans the other agents fired towards the intended targets setting off a chain reaction between the off duty police officers who were hired as security for the graduation ceremony.

Chaos ensued as a stray bullet hit the lighting system causing an array of sparks and an ultimate raging fire that instantly engulfed the thick curtains on the stage soon burning down the entire auditorium.

Blinded by smoke and what the FBI assumed were the aliens fighting back with their powers, the secret government agency was ordered to exterminate their targets by any means necessary.
What was deemed by the special agents as collateral damage could only be described as a bloodbath.

As police and news trucks arrived the cover up was already in play.

Another tragic teen school shooting was blamed for the murders of several students and parents.
It was made to look random so nothing could be connected; innocent lives were lost that night because of revenge and fear of something they could never hope to understand therefore would always fear.

It would be a night no one would ever forget.

In all it would be twenty four students and family members that were mercilessly gunned down that night.

No suspects in what would be later called the Roswell graduation massacre were ever found.
It would go down in history as one of Roswell’s most tragic unsolved cases.










Chapter one



“Too long a sacrifice can make a stone of the heart”
Yeats



Graduation night
June 21, 2002
Two am, somewhere in the desert




“Max I’m so tired, please… we have to stop.”

Sobbing uncontrollably Liz collapsed against a large boulder covered in blood exhausted, in shock, shivering her arms wrapped around her young body as images of everyone she loved dying around her still fresh in her mind.

Touching the dried blood on her face she could still see Maria throwing herself in front of her body blocking her from the bullets that were marked for her from the FBI’s special force.

Her words broken up by the harsh chattering of her teeth she tried to wipe the metallic red liquid from her face.

“I can’t believe they’re all gone… Maria, Isabel, Kyle, m-my dad… oh my god Max… our parents… w-what are we going to do?”

Sliding down the rough stone Max caught her in his arms pressing his lips gently to her temple holding her as close as possible desperate to hear her still beating heart convincing himself that she was not harmed.

Despondent tears joined hers as he whispered against her cold skin willing the power in his hands to warm her.

“I’m so sorry Liz.”

Useless words fell like dust beneath his feet, inconsolable to the depth of her loss.

To save her he’d have to let those he could have healed drown in blood that would forever remain on his hands.

Never did he imagine that fear could insight such need for worthless bloodshed that human lives were thought of as mere collateral damage.

In these dark hours roaming aimlessly, running for their lives in the barren desert he came to understand how naïve his thoughts had been, his plan of distraction, of believing they would never harm innocent lives.

It was a foolish boyish notion; a mistake of believing the human heart was incapable of such heinous corruptions.

It was a mistake he would never make again.

He now understood that if you dare to tempt those that live in darkness, if you challenge such evil by staring into the abyss of blackness sometimes that evil looks back.

Somehow now being burdened with the knowledge that Michael was right, that they should’ve ran, that he was the one that drove them to their death gave him a level of clarity he had been searching for his entire life.

As if almost on cue he heard the rumbling of the dirt bike as it sped towards them.

Lost for words, still in disbelief hoping that somehow Max could make this all right just like he always had before, Michael shuffled towards them.

Watching as Max shook his head slowly back and forth confirming what he already knew to be true Michael fell to his knees in despair.

Sobbing Max grabbed onto his brother pulling him close whispering in his ear, “They’re all gone, everyone.”

Nodding Michael wrapped an arm around Max gripping the back of his hair tight choking back tears of his own.

Fumbling onto her feet her dress caked in blood Liz stumbled close to Michael resting her hands on his shoulders clutching his jacket tight her voice shook with fear.

“Did you hear anything? What are they saying? How are they possibly explaining this?”

Blinking away the memory of Maria’s body in the ambulance as he hid in the crowd Michael rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

“They’re saying it was a massacre, blaming it on teenagers possibly from a different town. It’s all over the news, just another school shooting, since it happened before the ceremony when all the kids were together wearing their caps and gowns they believed they blended in making it easier to kill so many. There’s no leads, no suspects of course because its all a god damn lie.”

Raking her fingers through her damp hair Liz sat back down by the jagged rock her legs unable to carry her any longer.

Leaning into Max out of Liz’s ear shot Michael whispered urgently. “What are you going to do now; it won’t be long before they realize they didn’t get us. We can’t run from them, it’s only a matter of time before they find us. Look at her, she's a mess, she won't be strong enough to run. If they find her with us you know what they'll do to her.”

Staring out into the blackness of the starless night Max whispered softly his intentions to Michael as his eyes widened with disbelief.

“You’re not thinking straight, this isn’t you, you’ll never be able to live with this.”

Seeing the resolve set in his eyes Michael shook his head as he watched Liz sink into the brittle sand shattered and in shock.

“This isn’t what she’d want, you can’t do this, you have to give her a choice.”

Picking up Michael’s bike Max gave him a pleading gaze as he shouted back to Liz.

“Michael’s going to get help, it will just be a few minutes.”

Moving in for a hug Max quickly spoke lowly, “Circle back in ten minutes, she’s going to need a ride.”

“What about the FBI agents? It won’t be long before they realize they don’t have us. What are you going to do about them?”

Closing his swollen bloodshot eyes a look of firmness hardened his boyish features as he felt his heart already beginning to break.

“What I have to, just get her somewhere safe."

Michael took one last look at Liz before spinning his bike around and disappearing into the night.

Years of youthful indecisions, of wading in murky muddled waters weighed under mountains of responsibilities were now lifted from Max’s weary shoulders.

The precise path he had to take was clear; there would be no misgivings or regrets.

There was only one way to right the wrong, to salvage what could be saved of a life that had been torn apart by knowing him, by loving him.

Kissing her tenderly upon her tearstained cheek he gently cradled her trembling face.

With only Michael aware of the power that was given to him by the one he couldn’t bring himself to name out loud in a moment of weakness, only realized long after her departure Max finally understood the good it could be used for. It was the only way to keep her safe in the present he had to erase the past.

He knew Liz would have no idea what was happening until it was too late, it was the only way.

Trusting wide ebony eyes gazed into his stoic amber stare as he memorized her, as if creating a painting inside his mind he captured every loving shaded hue, each undying shadow of devotion, every divine precious kiss they had shared.

Colors of a portrait frozen in time would have to last forever, memories, snap shots, glimpses of endless nights in her arms, the brightness of her smile, the soft touch of her skin, words of love deeper than the ocean that she had whispered in the most intimate of moments.

It would have to be enough; it would have to last forever.

Softly crying he gently kissed her lips for what would be the last time.

Breathing her in, the soft sweet taste of her mixed with the salty tears of his own would be the divine torturous remembrance that would never leave him, an unforgiving wound that would never heal but would stay with him all the days of his life.

“I love you, I will always love you… tonight I am giving you my heart, please carry it forever with you, I have no need for it now… “

His voice cracked with emotion realizing that this would be the last moment she would look at him this way that she would remember all of it… all of them, and what they were.

“ … Somehow I always knew it belonged to you, I could never love another Liz… it was always you… only you.”

A horrific pain struck him when she looked back at him for a spilt second realizing what he was doing, her eyes widened with blind horrific urgency before his power took hold.

“I am Max Evans, your lab partner from biology. I helped you during a fight at the crashdown, you fell, broke a bottle of ketchup on your way down and hit your head. We are nothing but causal friends from school. You have no feelings for me, no memories of anything after that incident at the crashdown. We are acquaintances at school, which is all we are and all we will ever be, Michael, Isabel and I are nothing to you but normal students you know from class, you never… loved me Liz… you never felt anything for me. I am nothing to you. There was a shooting at the school tonight, you saw nothing. We were standing by the exit door, I grabbed you and ran, we were scared so we headed for the desert and waited for help.”

Falling hard against the boulder exhausted panting Max sobbed watching as her expression changed.

Crossing her arms in front of her she moved backwards almost tripping over her own feet.
There was distance in her eyes, in the space between them.

An unfamiliar nervousness about the way she angled her body away from him, a heartbreaking indifference in the way she held herself, as if she were alone, as if she barely knew him.

But it was only when he heard her say his name that he knew it had worked.

It was then that he knew he had truly given his heart away; only such pain could leave a void so deep and endless.

He wished for death, for mercy, for an end to his pain.

What he didn’t know, couldn’t have known, is that destiny is patient and enduring, it will lay in wait for years, it will make you suffer if necessary.

There is no escaping what is meant to be, fate will find a way.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Present Time
June 21, 2012


Deep mountains of Maine near the Canadian border



Panting harshly gripping onto a tall pine tree attempting to catch his breath Michael swore profusely as he finally spotted the roof of the cabin through the thick brush.

Walking laboriously up the mountain to the clearing in front of the impressive log cabin Michael smiled awkwardly at the man he hardly recognized anymore.

“Hey Max, I see you’ve added on a few rooms to the old house.”

Nodding his focus stayed on his work turning over the soil in his extensive garden.

His hair was long and straggly matching his dark five o’clock shadow, his body was hard and muscular from the demanding work he’d grown accustomed to having to make his way alone in the wilderness.

He was far from the young innocent boy of long ago, in its place was an angry, cold, bitter man who was never able to let go of a life that was ripped away, of a girl he'd never hold in his arms again.

Clearing his throat he wiped the sweat from his forehead before throwing down his hoe and acknowledging Michael.

“Yeah, just keeping busy, it’s really not much. I designed a few traps, just in case someone gets curious, a new bedroom and a hidden room underground…”

Michael looked down as Max’s voice trailed off, he wasn’t used to talking, or people for that matter and it showed.

If it wasn’t for Michael’s visits every three months Max wouldn’t have any communication with anyone.

Max told Michael that it was best to keep a low profile that the sight of him could bring back memories for Liz, or worse any lingering agents that still had a death wish.

But Michael knew the truth, he knew that being around people, was too painful, that any reminder of what he had or the possibilities of what could have been was blindly unbearable.

Michael felt just the opposite, to be alone was torture, it was all superficial though, nothing permanent, no attachments, ever.

“Hey come inside, get those supplies off your back, I’m sure you’re starving, you always are.”

Sitting down at the kitchen table Max felt the tension immediately; he waited ten years, ten long years for this.

He prayed the day would never come and begged desperately in the night that it selfishly would.

“What is it?”

Sighing heavily Michael pulled out a folder from his back pack and slid it over hitting Max in the chest.

“You know I hate spying on her.”

Grazing his fingertips over her name Max despondently mumbled as he pictured her in his mind like he had a million times before.

“You’re protecting her, just like you promised me you would, if I could do it I would but you know if she sees me -”

“If she sees you it might trigger her memory, well Maxwell it seems she’s doing that all on her own without the help of your rugged handsome mountain man face.”

Standing up quickly Max shoved the chair out of the way slamming his hands down on the table.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Patting the folder on the table Michael glared up at Max like he did the night of graduation.

“She’s having dreams… dreams about you.”

Max’s nails dug into the wood as his heart beat furiously inside his chest not knowing how to feel.

“She hasn’t mentioned you by name, but… well if you read it you’ll understand, it’s definitely about you.”

Shaking his head trying to wrap his brain around this Max began pacing back and forth.

“I don’t understand, why now, why after all these years.”

Leaning back in his chair Michael tapped his fingers on the table anxiously.

“Well the shrink she sees every week believes it’s the combination of her divorce being final this week and the ten year anniversary of … well graduation night.”

Halting his footsteps Max whispered softly shocked although knowing he had no right to be.

“She was married?”

“Just a few years, but she’s divorced now.”

Leaning over the sink Max looked down at his hands as they began to shake along with his voice.

“Children… does she have any?”

Shoving the chair back down on the floor Michael rubbed the back of his neck hating the fact that he was put in the middle of this, hating the constant reminder of memories he had tried so hard to forget.

“Hey, you said you didn’t want to know anything personal, from the start you’re the one that thought it would be best if you didn’t know, so I didn’t tell you.”

Keeping his voice calm and very quiet Max fought to keep his emotions under control.

“I’m asking now.”

Picking up the file Michael threw it on the counter by the sink.

“No, no children. Read the file Max. I did some digging on the shrink; he’s ex-military, a referral from her general doctor. I don’t like it. He’s wants to put her under, hypnotize her, she’s declined so far but if she lets him… I don’t know Max, I don’t think she’s safe.”

Taking a deep breath Max flipped open the file and began to read Dr. Dexton’s notes.

His shoulders slumped suddenly; Michael could hear the paper cringle under Max’s grip.

There was a finality, an intense conviction in the annunciation of each word as he stared down at the words on the paper.

“Go get her, bring her here.”

Shaking his head Michael tossed a recording device on the table.

“He documented their sessions, but this is personal stuff Max, it doesn’t feel right invading her privacy like this. You know what I’m gonna have to do, she can’t see me, she can’t know where this place is.”

Turning his back on him unable to look him in the eyes Max braced his hands on the doorway of his bedroom.

“Please, Michael.”

Slinging the back pack over his shoulder he walked out the door without looking back.

“She moved to Connecticut after Yale, I’ll have her here Saturday night, be ready Max.”

Re: The Intimacy of Strangers (CC,M/L,Adult) chpt 1 5/2/14

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 7:33 am
by keepsmiling7
Once again Carrie.....you have me on the edge of my seat.
Wow.....this really started off with a bang.
So Max finally decided there were humans capable of heinous corruption........so much so he wiped out Liz's complete memory.
I can understand their concern that Liz might be hypnotized at this point.
I'm sitting on the edge of my chair.....waiting to see where you take us next.
Thank you!
Carolyn

Re: The Intimacy of Strangers (CC,M/L,Adult) chpt 1 5/2/14

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 8:07 am
by L-J-L 76
Carrie
another great chapter!!!! The begining was sad. I can't believe what Max did so Liz could have a normal life. I'm glad Michael is there seeing Max and spying on Liz. I can't believe Liz got married. I could never see her marrying no one but Max. I hope Liz remember is a good thing.
I can't wait to read what will happen when Max and Liz see each other again. What will Liz do when she see Michael? What will Michael say to get Liz to go with him? What will happen when Max and Liz see each other? Will Liz tell Max what she is dreaming? Will Max tell Liz the truth or try and Liz? Will Max and Liz work and be the couple they were before graduation? Will Max and Liz have a happy ending together? Will FBI come and find Max, Liz and Michael? Will Michael stay with Liz and Max? Will Max, Liz and Michael be able to leave if the FBI come after them? Will Max and Liz have a family together? Will Max and Liz get married? Sorry for all the questions I was just wondering. Please please please please please please please please please please come back and post more really really really really soon? I can't wait to read what will happen when Max, Liz and Michael see each other again.

From:
L-J-L 76

Re: The Intimacy of Strangers (CC,M/L,Adult) chpt 1 5/2/14

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 10:22 am
by Michelle17
Hey Carrie,

I love the start of this new story. I can't wait to read about Max and Liz meeting up again. I have to say I can't wait to read about why Max changed the future. What happen to Max? Why did he cut off everyone? Is Tess in this story? Who was Liz married to and why? Please post more soon.

Re: The Intimacy of Strangers (CC,M/L,Adult) chpt 1 5/2/14

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 1:59 pm
by saori_1902
Wow. It's all I can say right now. Great start. :mrgreen:

Re: The Intimacy of Strangers (CC,M/L,Adult) chpt 1 5/2/14

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 7:30 pm
by Natalie36
OMG this sounds so good. :shock: :D

Re: The Intimacy of Strangers (CC,M/L,Adult) chpt 1 5/2/14

Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 12:28 am
by HypnotiqBlueEyes
Carrie,


All I can say is WOW! The beginning of this story already has me hooked! I love the concept and different take on what transpired graduation night! Poor Max for feeling that he had to wipe away every bit of Liz's memories like that and poor Liz for losing her one true love and all that she knew! Throw that all in with losing Maria, Isabel, Kyle, etc.. and you are guaranteed major heartbreak! I am dying to know what happens next & to learn what each of the remaining members lives have been like! You have truly done it again... You are such a story telling genius!!

-Sarah-

Re: The Intimacy of Strangers (CC,M/L,Adult) chpt 1 5/2/14

Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 8:34 am
by begonia9508
Incredible! The start was amazing and in some way, I understand Max's decisions but he forgot who he is and who she is... And now, she married and is already divorced... must be some remains of memories because even if he erased all... its never possible...

Anyway, I can't believe all the others ones are dead... :cry:

Waiting impatiently for moe and thanks! EVE :mrgreen:

Re: The Intimacy of Strangers (CC,M/L,Adult) chpt 1 5/2/14

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 4:45 pm
by Roswelllostcause
Great start! Now get back here with more!

Re: The Intimacy of Strangers (CC,M/L,Adult) chpt 2 5/5/14

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 1:00 am
by jake17
Carolyn
Courtney
L-J -L76
saori_1902
Natalie
Eve
Roswelllostcause
Sarah


Thank you so much for the positive fb!
Just a little reminder, this is a very different Max and Liz... I'll get you there though I promise :wink:











Chapter two







~ Hell is empty and all the devils are here ~
William Shakespeare





Grunting deeply as the hot sun beat down upon his bare chest Max raised the heavy axe over his head aiming at the block of wood below picturing the words written in Dr. Dexton’s file.
~~~~~

< Dreams definitely suggest indications of suppressed memories.

< Subject can be crucial to significant answers regarding file 87.

< Still refusing hypnotherapy and anti-anxiety medication.

< Will induce trance without consent within the next few sessions, subject is strong willed but is clearly vulnerable at this time offering easy access, putting her under hypnosis, I am quite confident, will not be an issue.

< Whatever Ms. Parker is hiding will be revealed in time, I am confident of this based on the most recent data found on our recorded sessions.
(see rec.4-9)


~~~~~~~~

It was then that he heard it, the simple snap of some twigs, and the rustle of branches just feet away.

Straining his muscular arms he held the axe in midair before it struck the wood placing it carefully on the ground to retrieve his bow.

Exhaling slowly controlling the adrenaline rushing through his veins he spotted the mammoth antlers thrashing through the leaves of Oak tree directly in front of him on the edge of the clearing.

Sweat trickled down his hard stomach as he raised his arrow near the side of his face waiting patiently.

Controlling his breathing, heart rate, he reveled in the thrill of the hunt, the art of the kill.

Remaining completely silent his restraint paid off as the massive moose stepped sideways out of the woods giving him a clear shot.

After piercing the heart he slowly exhaled as a feeling of satisfaction washed over him.

Holding the bow loosely by his side he patiently waited for the immense animal to bleed out.

Looking down at the beast his breathing began to quicken as his jaw clenched tight reflecting on the ones he loved lying dead at his feet.

That was the last time he would be reduced to being pathetic prey, never would he live in that place of fear again.

Never again would he let anyone bring her to her knees with grief again.

Flashes of the past flickered brightly in his mind of the men he killed ten years ago.

Blood stains the hands, no matter how many times you wash them clean it permeates your skin, a constant reminder, a voice in your ear telling you, reminding you of the killer you are and forever will be.

And you are thankful for it.

Pulling his six inch hunting knife from inside his boot he walked coldly up to the twitching animal as he pulled the sharp arrow from its powerful body.

With expert execution Max gutted the animal, skinning it, slicing into the meat with the skill of a surgeon, emotionless, detached.

Overtaken by the midday heat and the fact that he hadn’t slept since Michael’s visit Max leaned over on his knees to catch his breath.

Looking down he observed his blood soaked hands and in an instant he was there again, feeling the rage pumping through his body like white hot heat burning him up from the inside out.

No remorse, no empathy, his mind was focused stripped of all humanity as he dismissed the desperate screams.

Closing his eyes he could still feel his powers surging through him like a speeding train screaming off its tracks.

He breathed in deep as the smell of burning flesh pierced his senses once again leaving him numb void of any sense of guilt or responsibility for the six agents he murdered that night.

What they didn’t understand, what no one could possibly fathom is that he’d kill the whole world if it meant saving her.

That night he watched the people he loved ruthlessly slaughtered, that night the boy he was died right along with them.

Mind warping her was something he never regretted, but it destroyed all that he was, all that was good and kind leaving him a bitter, angry man who grew to hate that boy he used to be almost as much as his enemies.

Watching her change… forget… tore into him like a thousand daggers, nothing mattered anymore, life was meaningless.

Seeing the way she looked at him, through him, as if he was nothing to her flipped a switch inside him, darkness grew like a bitter prickly seed in the pit of his stomach hardening his heart into stone leaving his soul black, tainted forever.

Standing in the shower after freezing the meat and discarding the carcass Max lowered his head under the cold water searching for relief.

He was restless, agitated, his insides twisted in vine like knots in anticipation of her arrival sometime that night.

Stepping out of the shower he wrapped a towel around his waist resting his hands firmly on the edge of the sink to stare in the mirror.

This was something he rarely did; to look at the image of a ghost filled no purpose for him.

Leaning towards his reflection he saw for the first time what he had become, a solitary, cold hearted assassin who felt no need for mercy or guilt.

There was no hunger for human connection; in fact he despised the fleeting often fake lives people led, cheaters, liars, manipulators.

Living in cookie cutter houses on perfectly manicured lawns, keeping up with the Jones, dinner out on Saturday night, bowling league on Tuesdays, it was all bullshit.

None of it was real, just an illusion to help them sleep at night, to keep the demons at bay, but he knew better, demons walk beside you like your shadow, whispering in your ear, leading you in the direction of depravity and corruption like a carrot in front of a horse.

He would never live that lie again, never be disillusioned to the evils that lurk in the hearts of men.

He would never be a victim, never would he cause pain and suffering to the innocent because of adolescent weakness and the powerless struggle to hold on to some false sense of morality and righteousness.

Grasping the shaggy ends of his dark wet hair he considered momentarily cutting it, his narrow eyes then roamed to the scruff on his face as he swiped his hand across his chin.

Grunting intensely he pushed off the sink realizing it didn’t matter what he looked like.

She wouldn’t be seeing him, he couldn’t risk it, his purpose was to mind warp her again, to exterminate any remaining fragments of him from her memory.

She would be a prisoner; kept blindfolded unaware of what was happening, it was cruel but it was the only way to save her, which had become his only purpose in life.

Bracing himself against the wall as droplets of water skimmed down his body he closed his eyes preparing for what was to come.

He would be strong, unfeeling, cold, he was not that boy any longer, he would do what was necessary, what he failed to do for his family and friends.

Only then would he come down from the mountain, like a ghost on a ledge to seek out those who aimed to do her harm, he would kill them all without a whisper left hanging in the air.

They wouldn’t even be aware of his existence until the end, until he stared them down and placed his hand over their beating hearts.

He looked forward to it, watching the terror stretch across their face, the gasp of their last breath, that eerie shutter of life as it drifts away.

Pushing off the wall he got dressed no longer anxious about her arrival, he was calm, focused.

He was ready.


~~~~~~~~~~~


Two am
Outside Max’s Cabin





He could hear them from a mile away, her muffled screams echoed down into the valley and through his chest like a sword.

“God damn it! I told you a million times I wasn’t going to hurt you, please for the love of god stop fighting me!”

With the light of the full moon shinning down he could see them perfectly approaching the cabin.

It was the first glimpse he had of her in ten years.

He was convinced she’d be frightened, paralyzed with fear.

He imagined this would be easy, that she would come quietly without resistance on the promise that no harm would come to her.

This couldn’t have been further than the truth.

Liz was furious, vicious, still after six hours she was searching for a way out of Michael’s restraints, coming up with plan after plan to outsmart him and get away.

Max opened the door stoically glaring at Michael unable to truly look at her up close yet.

Exhausted, limping, Michael spoke through gritted teeth as he gently pushed her inside.

Walking past Max to one of the bedrooms he raised his hand up in the air pointing to her.

“I’m going to bed, she’s all yours. Don’t you dare wake me or I’ll beat the crap out of you.”

Closing the pad lock on the inside of the door Max shoved the key back in his pocket before quietly catching Michael before he disappeared down the hall.

“What the hell happened to you?”

Charging forward a few steps Michael tried to calm himself before speaking.

“Well let’s see, I’ve had mace sprayed in my eyes, she kicked me in the balls at least four times, and a clump of hair is missing from the back of my head, and that was in the first hour, so forgive me if I’m not in the best mood. Just get it done, I’m going to bed.”

It was the first time Max had smiled in years; it hadn’t occurred to him that he wasn’t the only one who had changed.

He shut the only light that was on off leaving the room relatively dark except for shards of moonlight piercing the trees into the high narrow windows along the ceiling.

Taking a deep breath he turned towards her fully aware and prepared for what he had to do.

Liz, blindfolded, hands tied behind her, had backed herself up into the corner of the room.

She looked like a wild animal caught in a trap ready to gnaw its own leg off to escape.

She was hidden in the shadows unclear to him except for the outline of her body, which looked completely different than the one in his memory.

She was no longer the girl he once knew but a woman with curves that mapped out an exquisite body that even in the dark stilled his heart.

Moving closer he was eerily silent but she sensed him anyway, she was smart, he forgot just how smart as she lifted her face brazenly directly up towards him.

He finally spoke making his voice as calm and soothing as possible.

“I know this must be very upsetting but I promise you no harm will come to you. By tomorrow night you will be back in your apartment as if nothing had ever happened.”

She was a still as a stone taking it all in using all the information he was giving her and not believing a word he was saying.

Still bathed in darkness he couldn’t really see her except for her wild raven hair sticking out from the blindfold.

“I promise not to hurt you, I just want to move you to a safer, more comfortable place. You must be starving, I have food and some tea. I just need to talk to you for a bit, and then I promise to let you go.”

Attempting to study her as much as possible in the dark he concluded from her calm demeanor that she understood and believed him.

“Ok I’m going to move you now, and I’ll see to that food.”

As soon as he put his hand on her arm she bit him as hard as she could actually drawing blood from his skin.

Backing away from her he shook his hand half impressed half pissed off at how this was all unfolding.

“Alright clearly we’re having some trust issues.”

Breathing out he flipped on the faucet watching as the blood from his hand swirled down the drain mesmerized once again by the purity of it, how it could always bring him back to that place.

It was then that he felt the kitchen chair crack against the back of his legs.

Spinning around he watched as she somehow managed to bust the chair against the counter and was waving part of the broken leg around within her hand that was still bound behind her back.

Grabbing the piece of wood out of her hand he threw it in the sink before roughly turning her around to face him.

Flush against his body he could clearly see her now from the moonlight spilling in the window striking her face lighting her up as if she were in a spot light.

She was panting, breathless, filthy from the trek up the mountain.

The air left his lungs as he followed her tears that slipped out from beneath the blindfold running off her chin in secession on to her heaving chest.

It hit him like a brick wall, like a hand reaching inside his gut fisting his insides in agony.

He was hurting her, scaring her, she was fighting for her life.

Softly he whispered as he laid his hand over the side of her cheek.

“Enough.”

Instantly she passed out falling limp in his arms peacefully asleep as though nothing had happened.

Promptly he removed the blindfold and waved his hand across the restraints freeing her hands from behind her back.

Lifting her he cradled her in his arms holding her close suddenly being inundated with her sent, the sensation of her body against his, the catch of her breath warming his neck, the slow rhythmic beat of her heart.

That face, her beautiful face just inches from his gaze, it felt as if it were yesterday and a hundred years ago all the same time.

In any event it was clear to him just how much he underestimated the effect she would have on him after all this time.

His hands began to shake as he carried her down into the secret room he had built underground.

His legs felt like rubber as if his knees could buckle at any time, his heart raced, his skin was flushed red hot as if it were a hundred degrees.

Shaking his head he tried to clear his thoughts, hardened his melting heart, strengthen the walls that surrounded his wounded soul.

Focusing he knew he had to come up with another plan as he made his way down the hidden staircase.

Inside there were enough supplies to last a year, weapons, food, anything necessary that he would need.

It was clean and neat, everything had its place.

There was one large room with a table and chairs, a smaller supply room, a bathroom and a small bedroom in the back.

He pulled her close along the way so he could free his hand to light the oil lamps edging the walls.

A soft glow lit up the bedroom as he lowered her body gently onto crisp white clean sheets.

Taking one long look at her he backed away against the wall wringing his hands together before threading his fingers through his long dark hair gripping it hard.

His mind scrabbled to make sense of the feelings rushing through him.

It all came flooding back, every kiss, every gentle touch, every loving word. She wasn’t just someone in his past that held his heart that he had to defend, it was her, she was real and she was laying asleep three feet from him.

He loved her, wanted her, needed her, she was flesh and bone and all that was beautiful in this world, all that mattered to him.

Closing his eyes tight he forced himself to remember that night, recalling the desperate scream of Isabel as she held their mother in her arms before taking a bullet to the neck, the gurgling sound coming from Kyle as he choked on his own blood, the thumping shutter of Amy hitting the floor as bullets riddled her back right before she could cradle her dying daughter.

Finally the blank stare in Liz’s eyes in the desert, the despair, the hopelessness, guilt rising within her, her unwavering refusal to blame him after everything, after losing everyone.

There it was, he felt the cement pouring into his chest hardening his heart, turning his soul to ice, numbing his nerves.

He welcomed it wholly without reservation.

The pain had subsided … for now.

Opening his darkened amber eyes once again he mechanically walked over to her pulling off her shoes placing them neatly under the bed.

Reaching for a multi colored quilt that Michael had brought him during one of his winter trips Max placed it gingerly over her body.

Lifted each hand he healed the wounds on her wrists made from her constant fight with her bindings that caused them to cut into her skin.

He avoided looking directly at her, using his peripheral vision he managed to do what he needed to make her comfortable.

There would be no mind warping tonight, she needed to be awake, she needed to look into his eyes, to hear the words being spoken to her, to believe.

Once again he placed his hand gently over her eyes whispering softly making sure that she would not wake during the night.

“Sleep…”

Taking a deep breath he exited the room closed the door behind him latching the pad lock in place before heading up the stairs.

Passing by the kitchen table on his way to bed his eye caught the recorder that Michael had swiped from Dr. Dexon’s office.

< Dreams definitely suggest indications of suppressed memories.

Staring down at the device he argued within himself knowing that it would be better if he didn’t know, it wouldn’t change what he had to do; it was her personal business, her private dreams.

It would be wrong.

Running out into the star filled night he leaned back against a huge elm tree as he pressed down on the play button.

~~~~~~

I can sense him hovering over me; a bright light is engulfing him from behind casting his face in darkness.



Although I can’t see him, I know him.

He places his hand over me, the warmth from his skin spreads outward till it consumes me, it feels like heaven, like a peace I’ve never known.

I know this makes no senses but… he heals me in a way I can’t explain.

Although I can’t see him, I know him.

Although I can’t see him, I trust him.

As strange as this may sound Dr. Dexton, even though I can’t see him… I love him
.