I'm finally back! The updates will most likely be weekly from now on. Thank you for all of the well wishes and support...it has meant the world to me On with the story...CHAPTER 20
As Alex finally came to he tried several times to blink his eyes but nothing would come into focus. A sharp pain riveted through his head like a jackhammer and he could feel a warm liquid trickling down his face. Trying to stay calm, he attempted to remember something, anything before he’d been knocked unconscious. Nothing. He remembered nothing. He tried to move but both his arms and legs were bound together. He was trapped. Focusing on his other senses he tried to hear what was going on around him, but for the moment there was only silence. The pain continued to course through his head causing him to wince. That’s when he finally heard him.
“Who are you?” The deep, angry voice questioned.
Alex had never met Phillip Evans before but he was sure he was the person the voice belonged to. “Where am I?” He asked, afraid to really know.
“I asked you a question, boy…who are you? I saw you with my son and that bastard he runs around with, so now I want to know who the hell you are.”
“Sir, there’s been a mistake…I don’t even know your son.” Alex was starting to panic despite his best efforts to remain calm.
“Liar!” Phillip moved closer to the boy and gripped the back of his neck. “I saw you with him! What happened to me last night? I know you were there so don’t try to deny it.”
Alex was hurting…more than he ever had in his life, but he knew he couldn’t reveal what he knew about Max. Exposing Max or Michael could expose Isabel and that was a chance he would not take. “I don’t know anything.” He stated quietly and waited for the beating he was sure would come.
Phillip jerked him out of the chair he’d left him in and threw him as hard as he was physically capable of. He watched the kid hit the floor and listened as he screamed out in pain. “One way or another I’m going to get my answers…obviously you’ve chosen the hard way.” Phillip walked over to where Alex had landed and began to kick him repeatedly, hitting every part of his body at one point or another. The kid cried out several times, but never offered him the answers he was looking for. After several minutes of continually kicking and punching the boy, he realized he had stopped moving. He heard no more cries or pleas…just silence.
~~~~~~~
Liz slowly opened her eyes, immediately noticing the bright sun pouring in through the window. It was morning. She stretched her arms and thought back to the night before. Suddenly she felt the ache in her heart all over again. Her dreams with Max had been shattered once again, forcing her to wonder if they would ever be fortunate enough to create a life together. She knew they were young and had their whole lives ahead of them, but Liz was ready for her life to begin…now. She looked over and saw Maria and Isabel sleeping soundly on the other bed. They had held her last night until she’d fallen asleep, that much she remembered. Liz knew she had been cruel and didn’t deserve their kindness after everything she had said and done, but they had simply been her friends. Ashamed of herself, Liz rose from the bed. It was then that she finally noticed Max’s form resting against the wall. He’d slept on the floor to be near her. Liz bent down and gently brushed his cheek with the back of her hand, trying her best not to startle him. “Max.” She whispered.
Max felt Liz’s touch instantly, but kept his eyes closed, savoring her soft touch. He smiled and heard a quiet giggle come from Liz, which made him open his eyes. She looked like an angel. The sun was beaming in through the window like a spotlight on Liz making her even more breathtaking in his eyes. “Good morning, beautiful.” He said as a yawn escaped him.
Liz sat down on the floor next to him, wanting nothing more than to climb into his arms and never let go. “Hi.”
Max reached out and touched her face. He could still see the tear stains from the night before present on her cheeks. “You ok?”
Liz shook her head. “I think so…minor meltdown.” She said grinning.
“Understandable. You know…hormones and all.” Max teased.
Liz playfully hit his arm and then lowered herself to lie against him. “Any luck last night?”
The sweet moment was gone with the mention of the night before. Max didn’t like that his father was still roaming free and able to hurt the ones he loved. “No…nothing. We searched for a while but couldn’t find him. We’re gonna go back out today.” Although Max knew he didn’t wish this upon any of them, he still felt completely responsible. He wanted to find his father, but even then how would he explain what had happened?
“Max, why can’t we just leave? You said it yourself…I need to face my life in Roswell, so let’s just go.”
Max wanted to run off with Liz, but he was certain it had been his father that called the sheriff in Roswell. If they just left…he would find them. “Liz…you don’t know how much I wish we could just run away, but we can’t. My dad knows where you’re from…he’d find us. No, we have to end it here.”
“End it how, Max? Who does he have to hurt next?” Logic was no longer a factor in Liz’s mind. She wanted them all to leave…at least in Roswell she would be on familiar ground.
Max stroked her cheek gently and kissed the top of her head. “I won’t let him hurt anyone else, Liz…I promise.”
Liz trusted Max and knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her if he had his way, but he was only one person and he couldn’t be everywhere with everyone all the time. “I’m scared, Max.”
“I know.” Max sat there quietly for a few minutes holding Liz close before a knock on the door brought him back to the moment. “Just a minute.” He called toward the door and then turned to Liz. “I want you to go wait in the bathroom. If anything happens to me call the police.” He whispered in Liz’s ear.
“But, Max…”
“No. Get Maria and Isabel and get in there. Isabel can protect you. I love you.”
Liz didn’t want to leave Max for a second but the look in his eyes told her he was serious. Quickly, she jumped up and went to Maria and Isabel. The knock had already stirred them so she just grabbed their arms and headed for the bathroom.
Once the girls were out of sight Max jerked the door open, his guard up, and ready to fight. Lucky for Michael, he didn’t overreact. “Dammit, Michael!”
Michael just shrugged his shoulders and strolled into the room. “What? All I did was knock.”
Max closed the door behind him and took a deep breath. “Never mind. Where’s Alex? Isn’t he with you?”
“No…isn’t he here with you?”
“Michael, I left him with you last night…what happened? Didn’t you guys stay down at my place?”
“I had to run over to my apartment for some things and I crashed, but I told him he could stay at your place.”
“Oh.” Max shook his head. “He’s probably still sleeping. Let me get the girls, and then we’ll run down and get him.” Max walked over and tapped lightly on the bathroom door so he wouldn’t scare anyone. “Coast is clear. It was just Michael.”
Extremely relieved, all three girls vacated the bathroom. Maria walked over and plopped down on the bed, Isabel took a seat at the small table in the room, and Liz went to Max’s side.
“Hi, Michael…glad to see you’re ok. Where’s Alex?” Liz asked.
“Michael said he crashed at my place. I’ll go get him in a few minutes.” Max kissed the top of her head again and smiled.
“He’s seriously not here?” Michael questioned, a little nervous.
“No. I haven’t seen him since I left you two last night to come be with Liz.” Fear was starting to grow in Max’s stomach.
Michael began pacing back and forth and then stopped in front of Max. “He ain’t down there, Maxwell. I went there first because I figured it would take the girls longer to get up…the place is empty.”
Everything hit Max at once and Liz could see it on his face. “Max? Where’s Alex?” Liz could tell something was wrong just by the glances Max and Michael were exchanging. “Max? Tell me…where’s Alex?”
A hundred different scenarios were running through Max’s mind and right now none of them seemed good. “I don’t know, Liz. He stayed at my place last night and now he’s gone. Let us go check it out and we’ll be right back.” Max didn’t wait for an answer but jumped into action immediately. He and Michael both took the steps three at a time, but getting there quicker wasn’t going to change the outcome. Max already knew Alex was gone. Somewhere deep down he not only knew Alex was gone but was positive his father had taken him.
“I told you…empty.” Michael declared after searching the apartment. “What are we gonna do, Maxwell?”
“I don’t know, Michael! Dammit! Why did you leave him alone?” Max demanded.
Michael hung his head, now realizing how stupid it had been to separate. “I’m sorry. I never thought…”
“It’s not your fault, Michael. I just…what now?” Feeling beaten, Max sat down.
Michael hated when Max was like this. Max was always the problem solver, but now he looked defeated when Michael needed him the most. He wasn’t good under pressure…that was Max’s job. “Well, where could he have taken him? I mean…it would have to be somewhere private, right?”
“Yeah.” Max was wracking his brain but nothing was coming to him. Just as he thought Liz, Maria, and Isabel were not far behind them. The three of them came stampeding into the apartment, terrified.
“Alex!” Maria screamed when she saw Max and Michael’s faces. “Oh my God! Alex!” She dropped to the floor and started crying. Michael rushed to her and held her while she cried.
“Not Alex. No. He isn’t gone. He just went for something to eat. He’s fine.” Liz babbled on, not wanting to even think about the possible truth. Max tried to comfort her but she slapped away his hands. “This is my fault. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t run away…he wouldn’t have…it’s my fault.” Liz began to cry uncontrollably, finally falling into Max’s outstretched arms.
Isabel stood nearby watching everything unfold. It couldn’t be real. Alex couldn’t be gone. She stood there appearing to be emotionless while falling apart inside. Not my Alex.
~~~~~~~
Max ran toward the motel office hoping to find some shred of where his father might’ve taken Alex. He had to find Alex. He knew Liz was blaming herself, but this was his father…if something happened to Alex he knew he would never forgive himself.
“Hey, Max.” Came a bubbly, young voice as Max came in.
“Hey, Paige.” Max ran past her and into the back office with no explanations. He didn’t have time to explain anything. Right now he was focused on Alex and nothing else…or so he thought. He heard the bell above the door ring as someone walked in, but he paid no attention.
“Hi. Can I help you?” Paige asked in her normally cheerful voice.
“Yeah, maybe you can. My girlfriend is staying here and I’ve come to pick her up.”
“Ok. What’s the name?”
“Parker. Elizabeth Parker.”
Max heard Liz’s name and knew who it was. He wasn’t thrilled about having to meet Kyle on a good day, so now just wasn’t the time. He stood up from his crouched position and went into the main office. His first impression of Kyle wasn’t exactly bad, but it wasn’t good either. Kyle was good looking enough but way too cocky for his own good. “Can I help you?”
“I think the young lady here has it under control.” Kyle said sweetly and winked at Paige causing her to blush.
“Well, it’s generally not our policy to give out guest information.” Max spoke through gritted teeth trying to maintain some composure.
“Well…I can understand that, but these are special circumstances.”
“Really? Like what?” Max was losing his cool. He could feel it.
“Like I’m pretty sure that’s none of your damn business.” Kyle responded, irritated. “Just who the hell do you think you are?”
“Actually, I’m Max Evans…as in the Evans Motel.” Max stated.
“Well then, Mr. Evans…I’d like to pick up my girlfriend and go home.”
“Sorry, but there isn’t an Elizabeth Parker staying here.” Max figured he might as well keep their story going, especially if it kept Kyle Valenti away from Liz.
“But, Boss…” Paige started as she held the room card in her hand.
“Paige, could you please excuse us?” Max grinned and then nodded toward the door. “Take a break.”
“Yes, sir.” Paige mumbled and headed out the door.
“Look,” Kyle started. He was growing angrier with each passing second. He knew Liz was here. “I know she’s here so why don’t you just tell me where she is. This is really a family matter.”
“You’re right…it is. As I said there is no Elizabeth Parker staying here. Currently we only have one guest named Elizabeth, but her last name is Evans. She’s my wife.”
~~~~~~~
Maria and Liz sat huddled together, both exhausted from crying, but instead of crying Isabel’s mind was thinking. So much had happened these last few days and while she normally wouldn’t be so giving of information, this time it could save Alex’s life. “I have an idea.” She said simply but it was enough to gain Liz and Maria’s attention.
“What?” Liz asked, sniffling.
Isabel sat forward and tried to figure out the easiest way to explain this to them. “I know you’ve seen some things in the last few days and I’m sure it’s been kind of scary…but you know me. You’ve known me most of our lives. Things are different now…you know I’m different…what I need to know is if you’re willing to trust me?”
“Trust you? With what?” Maria queried.
Isabel looked at their faces and for a brief second saw hope. It was all she needed. “I would never do anything to hurt any of you, so even if it seems like too much please know I just want Alex back.”
“Could you just spit it out, Isabel!” Maria demanded.
“Ok…I have gifts…abilities that may help us find Alex.” She paused for a minute to see if they had any questions and then continued. “One of my abilities is…dreamwalking.”
“Dreamwalking?” Liz asked, confused yet intrigued.
“If I concentrate I can go into people’s dreams. It will only work if he’s unconscious,” Isabel watched both Liz and Maria flinch, “but it’s worth a try…don’t you think?”
“So…you can only…well get in if he’s dreaming…or unconscious?” Liz didn’t want to think for a moment that Alex could be hurt, but since they were fairly sure Phillip Evans had taken him, it was a possibility.
“Yes…he would have to be asleep or unconscious.” Isabel said barely above a whisper.
Maria started shaking her head. “No. It’s already daytime so he’d be awake and how do we know this voodoo you claim to be able to do won’t hurt him? No! Leave him alone! He has to be ok…he has to be. He’s awake and he’s fine. He’ll be back soon.” Maria curled her legs up to meet her chest. This had to be a bad dream…one she was sure she would wake up from any second.
Michael heard Maria’s raised voice and came back inside. He’d been outside watching the beach, praying that Alex might come back on his own. Unfortunately, he knew that was not the case. “What’s going on?”
“She wants to do something to Alex…you can’t let her! Tell her to leave him alone!” Maria was near hysteria.
“Do what? What can you do?” Michael was curious. He hadn’t even thought about what Isabel’s abilities might be. Max had some that were unique to him…maybe, just maybe Isabel could find Alex.
“Maria.” Liz walked over and put her arm around Maria’s shoulder. “If she can help Alex…don’t you want her to try? I know this is all really strange, but I’ve seen some of the things Max can do,” Liz looked to Isabel reassuringly, “and I don’t think Isabel would do anything to hurt Alex. Maria…it might be our only chance.”
“You honesty think this could work?” Maria asked Liz.
Liz shook her head and smiled slightly. “Yes, I do.”
“Could someone please tell me what the hell is going on?” Michael demanded.
“Action now…explanations later.” Isabel directed toward Michael. “Ok, I need to concentrate so you have to be quiet.” She said to everyone and received a nod from each of them. “Ok…come on, Alex…this has to work.” She whispered.
TBC
Hopoefully this trend will continue, but due to a family emergency I have my doubts 
I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying everything will be ok, so hopefully I will be back next Tuesday with the next chapter. I hope you enjoy...
Well, here's my next chapter...it's somewhat of a transitional chapter, but a very important one in the long run. Thank you ALL for your support and well wishes...it means the world to me 
I hope you enjoy...
Thank you all for the amazing feedback and I hope you enjoy the chapter!!!