The song (in violet italics) included will have its beginning part repeated to reflect the two scenes occurring simultaneously.
Reminder-- when Michael is in disguise-- he has short black hair, when Liz and Isabel are in disguise-- they have matching dark blonde hair with hazel eyes.
Previously…
[From The End of the World]
Needing a break of seeing Tess’ all too revealing black top, Liz glanced up at her once future husband. He remained silent at the moment, a certain intensity smoldering in his eyes. Her mouth becoming dry under his gaze, she breathed out, “What?”
He blinked, breaking the powerful connection that had been building. He seemed embarrassed, a slight blush settling on his unshaven cheeks. “Nothing. It’s just…seeing you at seventeen again is making it all come flooding back to me.” His pause was barely longer than a breath. But in that brief moment the intensity returned, reawakening something deep within her—something that she had hidden for months. His voice was low and passionate. “How my stomach used to rumble every time I saw you.”
~ ~ ~
[From Part 14]
The young ex-agent sat before the hearth, gathering the warmth spilling from its flames. In his hand twirled a small white card, one that he had glanced upon often in the past three weeks. A phone number and the letters L, A, N and G were printed on it. He had gotten it three weeks ago; on the day he had been fired.
…
“True justice” the man had said. Was that necessarily a better thing than what the Unit was doing to handle the enemy? Would it be to free him, possibly putting the nation in danger? Would it be to kill him, putting him out of misery, but then committing cold-blooded murder? Would he have to be the one to do that? Could he do that?
…
Perhaps he had been part of the wrong side all along—nothing about the Unit felt patriotic, just terrifying. Terror was exactly what he had seen in the eyes of the prisoner…
~ ~ ~
[From Part 27]
Liz turned to him, lowering her glass to the nearby table. Her lips had turned up into a seductive smile as her eyes shone with a secretive delight.
However as she drew closer to him her features began to waver, their outlines softening…blurring. Reaching out with worry he whispered, “Liz?”
But then her face disappeared.
“Liz? Liz!” he shouted with growing panic as the calm setting around him spiraled away into a black abyss.
~ ~ ~
[From Part 38]
Two shadowed figures returned to their car, one pulling out a cell. “It’s done,” he spoke as soon as the call was answered.
Good. Continue to follow them. Let me know their location when they stop for the night.
~ ~ ~
[From Part 40]
Michael watched Isabel fight her exhaustion. For minutes her eyes had been fluttering closed, before her head lightly jerked back, alertness briefly returning. Each time she awoke, her grip would strengthen around Max’s lax hand and a soft sniffle would escape her. But soon after, her eyelids would become heavy again, gradually lowering.
Though he knew he risked her wrath, he decided to take the choice out of her hands. They needed her rested, and her powers replenished. As her eyelashes lightly grazed her cheeks, he softly touched her head.
A minute later, her hand had relaxed around Max’s and her face leaned to the side, serene.
~ ~ ~
He couldn’t sleep.
He tensely sat in the chair facing the wall—the wall he was sure had had a large crack in it. He had initially dismissed it as a dream, but when he heard the screams…
No amount of exhaustion could put him to sleep then.
…
Needing to know what was happening next door, he quietly left his room.
Crouching, he attempted to peek through the window. He nearly lost his balance at the sudden vibration in his side pants pocket.
Clamping a hand over his mouth he released several gasps, struggling for control over his breath. The buzzing continued, so hesitantly he reached for it, stealing away from the window to answer.
Sitting in the shadows of the parked cars, he accepted the call, whispering a hello. So focused on the room before him and the call, he never noticed what car stood behind him.
Finally arrived?
The General. Of course. “Uh… yeah.”
Good. Get as much rest as you can, you’ll be leaving before 6. If you’re hungry, there’s a diner across the street open 24 hours. It has parking. Remember, be ready to leave at any moment.
“Um… right.”
And you might want to wear something warmer, it’s pretty chilly outside.
PART FORTY-ONE
A day and a half later
At the Canadian Border
The screams continued to haunt him.
For the past thirty-six hours he had been fighting to quiet the chilling screams resounding in his head. But he had waged a losing battle. There was a familiarity to the screams that captured all his thoughts, prickling with a need to be identified.
Tired from the hours of driving and weary from his fearful thoughts, his attempt to merge was too slow and a jeep cut him off.
Instantly the agonized screams in his mind transformed into furious curses. His hand just seconds from slamming the car horn, rational thought interrupted his explosive tirade.
He needed to keep his low profile. Gritting his teeth, he channeled his anger into his grip on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. His narrowed eyes, observing his clenched hands, snapped wide open. He knew where he had heard that scream before.
The prisoner.
His grip on the wheel had slackened in his shock, his mind reeling. He was hardly aware of where he was anymore, or even if he was still breathing.
He jerked forward at a startling honk.
His face flushed with embarrassment as he released the brake and edged forward, once more closer to that infernal jeep. But his focus was no longer stolen by the arrogant jackass driving the jeep, but by the hidden passengers of the SUV a few cars ahead.
Had that poor soul finally escaped?
But what connection did that artist have with the prisoner?
And why did he still scream with such pain if he was free?
Were the ones in that car helping him? And if they really were…was that actually a good thing?
He couldn’t help the doubt that shrouded his guilt for his part in ‘interrogating’ the prisoner. All the files he had been privy to, had been instructed to memorize, still caused his stomach to squirm with dread of alien invasions and more corpses seared by silver. This internal war had been raging within him for nine months now, and he still had found no resolution.
Perhaps if he came face to face with the alien, he would know.
But a part of him was afraid he wouldn’t live past hello. Hell, he probably wouldn’t be granted the chance to utter a word.
His car edged closer to the toll booth.
He wearily ran a hand through his tawny brown hair, flatter than usual from the lack of attention for days. For a fleeting moment he almost missed the spikes he used to have in college, but then his eyes focused on movement by the SUV.
One window was open.
Blonde hair flitted out, long and silky. Curious, he reached for his binoculars and focused on the floating strands. Gradually the profile in the window sharpened, revealing an angelic face. She was beautiful and young, but as he continued to adjust the lenses, he noticed tears welling up in her eyes. She slowly blinked and the tears were gone, but the shadow of sorrow remained cast upon her face.
Slowly, he lowered the binoculars, his gaze already lowered in sympathy and… shame. For hours he had been thinking the worst of the ones he followed, and though he had learned time and again looks were deceiving, there was something so vulnerable on the girl’s face—something that tugged painfully at his heart.
God, how he missed his wife… his son.
He blinked a few times himself ridding his eyes of the building mist. As his sight cleared he noticed the SUV now stood before the booth, the officer approaching.
His fingers drummed against his steering wheel as he waited, his thoughts drifting to the girl’s face. She had seemed so familiar, but his mind had yet to form the connection to who she could be. A small smile briefly lit his face as he thought of his little sister, the dark eyes of the girl so similar.
The prisoner’s face flashed in his mind again. His eyes too were very similar…
Could it be?
Had he found the other… targets?
His breaths became shallow. Shakily, his hand patted his jacket checking his gun was still there. His stomach clenched and his heart squeezed painfully at the thought of causing any harm against the occupants of the car…against kids.
He had to do what was right… what was for the greater good.
The frightened eyes of the prisoner flashed yet again in his mind, followed by the tearful face of the girl in the window. Returning to the present, he narrowed his eyes at the car clock, realizing they were taking far too much time at the booth. Lifting his binoculars once more he saw the suspiciousness in the officer’s eyes.
The harsh reprimand from his ex-superior cut through his thoughts.
It is a merciless killer, do not forget that.
His face hardening with determination, he exited his car, and ignored the shouts and honks as he walked towards the SUV.
~ ~ ~ ~
Twenty-five minutes earlier
Approaching the Canadian Border
Music playing on car radio: Tears for Fears' Mad World covered by Gary Jules
The trees were thick and lush on either side of the road, causing the passing scenery to appear as a dark green blur. Kyle had to turn away from the window, unable to focus and continue his avid watch for pursuers. Though his stomach had stopped grumbling, a dull ache remained, leaving him weak and listless.
His gaze was now trained at his feet where the crumpled takeout bag from the lunch they had bought a few hours back lay. None of them had had much appetite since they had found Max, but they knew they needed to replenish their strength to keep going. Unfortunately, Isabel was still angry about being induced to sleep at the motel—too angry to listen to reason. It seemed only Max waking up would pierce through her stubbornness. Taking a longing glance at her, Kyle saw that that still held true.
All around me are familiar faces
He refused to give up on any of his friends. However, the unspoken vow of silence they all seemed to have taken made it difficult for him to help them. This whole ordeal had overwhelmed them all, and everyone’s stubborn need to stay strong for everyone else was keeping them just at the precipice of a complete breakdown. The silence and tension in the car weighed heavily on them all, oppressing any emotion, any stray thought. If something didn’t change soon… he dreaded to think what would happen.
Worn out places, worn out faces
So he did the only thing he knew to do.
In times of major of brooding, all you need is to laugh, he thought. It wasn’t some wise saying by Buddha, but it had worked to cheer up Isabel and Liz before. Releasing a short breath, he hoped it would work this time.
“So what do you guys think Mounties like mounting most?”
He saw Michael choke on a laugh at the steering wheel, while darting a nervous, wary glance at Maria. Fortunately, she was too shocked to return the usual lightning-fast slap to the arm or back of the head. Liz mirrored Maria’s open-mouthed expression of surprise, but he could see amusement starting to glimmer in her eyes. Turning to Isabel he saw her head slowly lift from its bent position.
Her laugh was hesitant and soft at first, a mere breath. But despite the lack of use, it soon strengthened into that beautiful deep laugh he treasured. Tears still came to her eyes, but they no longer fell down her smooth cheeks. Instead sorrow mixed with relief tumbled out in her laughs.
The dam had finally broken.
A smile crept on his face at the sound, and though a part of him sensed similar smiles of relief on his friends, he remained focused on Isabel. He could see that her laughs were dangerously close to turning hysterical. So, treading carefully, he lightly gibed, “Careful Isabel, you’re going to ruin your reputation of being the boring, broody alien.”
Her laughter instantly halted, her mouth hanging open. But a second later, her infamous haughty expression took over, and feigning coldness, stated, “I have never been boring.”
“We’ll just have to see.” Deciding to take a chance, though he knew he was treading on very thin ice, he turned away for a moment reaching for the crumpled takeout bag. Lifting it up he reached in and holding a burger out to her, “Eating contest?”
After a deafening second of silence he heard light giggling behind him. He felt it had been years since he last heard Liz laugh. But his gaze remained trained on Isabel, an eyebrow raised, unfazed by her deathly glare. Finally, dripping with disdain she retorted, “You have got to be kidding.”
“Hey, as Buddha says—”
“I swear, Kyle! Quote one word of that fat, bald man—” Her voice rose, as if lightning gathering to strike, but with a concerned glance at Max, she lowered it to a threatening hiss. It almost sounded like the distant rumbling of a coming storm, but Michael’s low voice cut it short.
“Actually Buddha wasn’t fat, he was just depicted that way in Chinese art,” Michael casually mumbled as he took the turn towards the border. With only his necessary brief glances at the rearview mirror he missed Isabel’s wrathful glare and Kyle’s grateful smile.
Kyle’s smile widened further as he commented, “Guess that makes that threat null and void!”
By this point most of the tension had been effectively diffused. All in the car, save one, rolled their eyes and lightly laughed at Kyle’s remarks. But he still wasn’t done. He had purposely taken the burger out to convince Isabel to eat something. Not only for her own good, but for his as well—he had taken it upon himself that he wouldn’t eat until she did. But she had barely been aware of what else was going on around her, her attention solely on her unconscious brother. Even if she had eaten before, he doubted he would have been able to eat much, his stomach felt like one completely twisted knot.
So with a cleansing breath, his eyes briefly closing, he offered her the burger once more. “So are we on?” His voice was gentle, but a wicked, competitive glint remained in his eye.
Bright and early for the daily races
Her facial expression was softer, understanding of what he really was doing shining through her eyes. For a brief moment she seemed to silently urge him to go ahead and just eat himself, but he would not be denied. Focusing her gaze on the burger, she wrinkled her nose. “It’s been sitting out for awhile...”
“Ah but you forget, that won’t stop us! There was one thing you guys taught me—” He broke off, narrowing his eyes in concentration at the burger, hovering a hand over it. His hands shook slightly from the irritating itching sensation of blood rushing through his veins. Again it escaped his awareness that there was a faint green light to those veins. A moment later the light was gone and the crave-inducing scent of the burger filled the car.
Before Isabel or Liz could make any comment about his hand, Kyle spoke, “Voila!” And with a mock bow he continued, “Lunch is served.” With a wink at Isabel, he whispered, “Yeah, I know, I’m good.”
Unable to help herself she let herself respond freely to his antics, her brilliant smile lighting up her weary, sorrowful face. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Shifting Max to lean against her shoulder, she finally took the burger. She bit into it gratefully, savoring the taste. A minute later it was gone.
Kyle having just heated his own burger, blinked in shock. “Guess that means I lost.”
Isabel only responded with a triumphant smile and a single raised eyebrow.
But the moment was soon gone, her focus automatically returning to Max. She gently lowered him back into her lap, and wiped his forehead with a cool cloth. So intent on her brother’s closed eyes, urging them to open, she didn’t realize Kyle had reached out, until he started waving his burger under Max’s nose.
“What are you doing?” she hissed, batting his hand away.
A deep rumble sickeningly reverberated in the car.
Kyle had yet to answer, but he was frozen in place, his hand holding the burger still hovering by Max’s face. He tried to work his mouth, but no words came out. All he could think was: had his idea actually worked?
Isabel leaned down, stroking Max’s cheek. Her voice was a tenuous whisper, gently calling out, “Max?”
No answer, no response, not even the churning protest of his empty stomach, met her call.
Her emotions still too close to the surface, she immediately broke down, tears filling her eyes. She lifted him slightly, holding him close and desperately whispered into his ear, “Max… Please Max… wake up… please wake up...”
Going nowhere, going nowhere
~ ~ ~ ~
All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, Worn out faces
Voices resounded around him, blurring into each other. Sitting amidst idle chatter of several teens, all voices were indistinguishable to Max—except for hers. He searched through the throng of colorful tank tops and t-shirts in the Crashdown Café for the familiar turquoise dress lined with silver.
Bright and early for the daily races
Though his senses were assaulted by the noise of the crowd, the strong scent of burgers on the grill, and the intruding warmth of the day’s heat wave, Max remained unperturbed by it all. He was content to sit silently, leather jacket still on, seeking a glimpse of his living dream.
Going nowhere, Going nowhere
A lanky jock lowered into a booth filled with his friends, and finally she came into view. She was laughing, her ponytail of shiny brown hair bobbing with excitement and happiness. She couldn’t look more beautiful.
His stomach rumbled.
The sensation was familiar, one that always accompanied each cherished sight of her. The noisy churn of his stomach came not from a hunger satiated by food, but one that desired… yearned for even the briefest touch, the briefest connection with her.
For years he had lived his dream vicariously through others—those who were normal…human, like Kyle. Another peal of laughter tore through the café’s din as she responded to yet another one of Kyle’s jokes. But soon she was called away.
Their tears are filling up their glasses
She was moving towards him.
Each step she took, he felt his heartbeat quicken, his breath and senses leaving him. Soon the world seemed to fall away, save for her face, that sweet smile, those soft lips…
Max, wake up!
His head jerked to the right, facing his sister once more. His face was sheepish for having been caught staring…again. But before he could utter an apology, even a word, her facial features began to blur, gradually dissipating into utterly smooth skin.
No expression, No expression
Alarmed, he frantically searched the café for help, but the same blank, smooth faces were all he saw. Except… for Liz’s.
He tried to stand to move towards her, not understanding how she still hadn’t reached his side. But he couldn’t move.
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrows
No tomorrow, No tomorrow
It’ll be better this way
Max shuddered at the low, deep voice—a voice that signified only pain for him. He shook his head, hysteria building within his chest as the faceless crowd began to swirl around him, soon swallowing up the sight of his beloved. Desperate in his futile struggles to move, he gasped out, “Why—why?”
And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad
These dreams in which I’m dying, Are the best I've ever had
He stopped cold at the reply.
Weaknesses must be eliminated
“No, NO! LIZ!!!”
For a fleeting moment he thought he saw her, her wide brown eyes filled with tears. But they soon melted into nothingness, her face as blank as the others and her body becoming shrouded by darkness.
I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it’s a very, very
Mad World, Mad World
As he was captured once more by absolute blackness, he heard her husky whisper, Max?
~ ~ ~ ~
“Max?!” Liz cried out, leaning over Kyle, her hand reaching towards Max’s face. He had called her name, she was sure of it.
But her hand was caught before she could touch his cheek.
“What are you doing?” Isabel asked, though her voice was soft and concerned, she couldn’t stop the harsh edge coming through, her panic building. Liz only blinked at Isabel in shock, a tear escaping swiftly down her cheek. Isabel though forged on, “You were the one that pointed out it’s dangerous. I know it sounded like your name, but it might not have been. He’ll wake up. He just needs time to...” she paused to take a deep breath, suppressing the sob in her throat, “…to heal.”
Liz roughly pulled her hand from Isabel’s grip, stung by the reminder that her touch would hurt Max. She hoped that Isabel was right, that Max would wake up, would somehow manage to heal.
Slowly she pushed herself back into her seat, glancing at Kyle in apology. But he was sadly staring at his feet.
Kyle inwardly sighed, staring at his fallen and crushed burger, And then again, there were some things powers couldn’t save. At that thought he gazed over his shoulder at Isabel and Max. He had been trying to lighten things up, trying too hard. He knew to leave it alone now, knowing the only real thing that would help was if Max woke up. Leaving him again with the question plaguing him since they were at the motel, how?
He had no chance to come up with another idea as the toll booth came into view. They were almost home free. But his chest remained constricted with dread at the possibility of an agent still appearing…or even a freaky, alien light show.
Again he darted a glance behind him, just to reassure himself. As he turned to face forward, he noticed Isabel had pushed her window back, her tearful face bathed in sunlight. The golden rays gently kissed her cheeks and caressed her hair, making her appear as a mournful angel. Feeling a sudden heat building within his body, he forced himself to face forward, bringing to mind his Buddha statue to calm him down.
All was quiet in the car, Kyle finally realizing that the radio had been shut off. Apparently, Michael had reached his limit of the pop station. Looking past him and Maria, Kyle saw that they would be at the toll booth soon. With perfect timing, Maria reminded, “Guys, get your passports ready.”
“Right,” Isabel immediately responded, sounding prepared as always. Kyle turned back at her voice, seeing not a tear on her face, but much sorrow still hiding just beneath the surface. Her hair soon shrouded her face as she pulled out her passport. Suddenly, she gasped, her head jerking up, and leaning back against her seat. She quickly followed that with a curse, “Oh shit…” In a panic she called out, “How much longer ‘til we’re at the booth?”
“The car just left. One more and it’s us,” Michael answered.
“Oh God…” she softly groaned. “I need…” she trailed off desperately looking for something. Coming upon the takeout menu they had used the day before for lunch, she folded it and holding her own passport closed her eyes concentrating hard.
Just as Michael called over his shoulder to hurry up, she broke out of her seeming trance. Breathing heavily, she swiped away the beads of sweat upon her forehead, and looked down at what now lay in her clenched hand. With a sigh of relief, she saw that she held a passport identical to hers. Swallowing to catch her breath, she waved her hand over the first page, smiling when it reflected the name of her brother—‘Zachary Carter’ and his picture with the dark blonde hair she and Liz sported. Overwhelmed with relief that she had created the passport in time, she did not think twice about Max’s presently short, dark brown hair. “Ok…” she breathed in deeply once more, calming her frayed nerves. “Ready.”
“Passports please.”
Wordlessly they passed their passports forward, and all in hand, Maria handed them to the guard, answering, “Sure thing, officer.” She flashed a bright smile, receiving one back.
Still observing their passports, the officer casually asked, “What is the purpose of your visit?”
“Visiting friends,” Maria quickly replied. Realizing her nerves were getting the better of her, she paused to take a breath and glancing back, continued, “Their house actually, they’re returning home.”
The officer gently nodded, slight amusement appearing on his face. He quickly returned Michael’s and Maria’s passports, but unable to see too clearly, he moved towards the back of their SUV to look through Isabel’s still open window. He smiled at her too, returning her passport, as well as Liz and Kyle’s. However, he paused at Max’s. “Um… Miss, would you mind waking him up?”
Isabel froze for a brief moment, darting a nervous glance at Max and then Michael. Slightly stuttering, she replied, “Um… I- I’m really sorry sir… my brother actually took uh…” she darted another glance at Max, momentarily distracted by his shiver. “…some medicine that knocked him out.” As she turned back to the officer, she spied Kyle’s crushed burger on the floor, an idea sparking in her mind. Meeting the officer’s gaze, she swallowed thickly, her throat drying rapidly in her panic, and completed her lie, “He’s recovering from… food poisoning.”
The officer narrowed his eyes for a moment, but taking in Isabel’s sincere, beautiful face, he seemed swayed to believe her. Gently he requested, “Then could you lower his hood, so I could see his face better? Just for procedure.”
With a nervous smile, she turned towards Max in compliance. Just as her hand touched the edge of his hood, her eyes widened. The burn marks on Max’s head were still prominent. Why hadn’t she changed his hair before they arrived?, she mentally berated herself.
Turning back to the officer, a shaky smile on her face, she tried to come up with some excuse, but for once was at a loss. She could see the hardened look of suspicion in the earlier kind eyes of the officer.
Get off the road, moron! Idiot! Go back to your car!
Isabel jerked her head to the right looking for the source of the sudden shouting and honking behind them. The officer too had instantly turned. Still holding Max’s passport he moved away, out of sight.
Fear building within her, she whispered out, “Oh God, what are we going to do?”
“What we have to,” Michael steely stated. He called over his shoulder, “Kyle, get ready.”
Michael was ready to floor it out of there, but Maria’s hand stopped him. “Just wait a few minutes.” She addressed both him and Kyle. “It may not be as bad as we think.”
“Yeah, it could be worse,” Michael muttered, running a hand through his short black hair.
Just then the officer came back. Quickly handing Isabel Max’s passport, he said, “You’re all set, have a good rest of the summer kids.”
There was no time to question the slight irritation in the officer’s voice, and his distracted demeanor. Michael drove off, not giving any chance for anything to go wrong. But all in the car silently thought the same thing—just what had happened back there?
~ ~ ~ ~
Several cars behind
Inside a black sedan
What happened?
“He distracted the guard. The Royals are safe.”
The officer didn’t make any calls?
The shadowed figure turned to his companion who had continued to observe all occurring by the toll booth. Receiving a slow shake of the head, he answered into the phone, “None that we saw. The others are still monitoring the lines.”
Good. When you cross the border, head to the next rendezvous point. It seems we can trust him after all.
“We could offer further persuasion,” the figure commented, his eyes turning dark with his need to protect the Royals, particularly his commander. Even though the man had acted without any coercion, it wasn’t enough for him to believe in the supposed good of humanity. The daily destruction of their own planet was argument enough to convince him otherwise. And ever since he saw this man snooping around the Royals’ room, he certainly did not trust him.
That won’t be necessary.
The call ended abruptly, but it did not affect the figure at all. Wordlessly, he turned to his companion, nodding. His companion signaled, and releasing the hand break, turned back into traffic, merging into line, to enter Canada.
About the guy-- he was very conflicted in the beginning of that part, but he's getting clearer about his priorities and beliefs. So only briefly did he consider having to use his gun.
Wow! I am very happy and surprised to see you over here (so nice and exciting to have another one of my favorite authors actually reading my story, and also to have another reader as well!!) Welcome and thank you for your comments. I am really glad to hear you liked Michael's comments about Buddha. I definitely liked those moments in the show that revealed the very intelligent side to Michael. Just because he ditched school, doesn't mean he doesn't know things. 
yes they certainly are entertaining! Thanks for reading and hope you like this one!
Anyway... 
]] Well you'll just have to see if Max really does become unconscious... 
