by Melinda Metz
"The knowledge I received-" Max stopped abruptly and turned his head away from Liz, peering out into the desert whizzing by.
"The knowledge you received," Alex prompted.
Liz felt as if all the air was being sucked out of her lungs as she waited for Max to reply.
"It will take a lot of strength, from me and the consciousness. There's a… possibility it could take too much out of me for me to recover," Max admitted. "But I have no choice. DuPris is evil-none of you are going to try to argue with that, I hope-and I can't just let him wander around making the world his own private puppet show."
Michael slammed his foot on the brake, and the Jeep squealed to a halt. He jerked around to face Max. "When were you going to tell us this?" he yelled. "What am I saying? You weren't. You were just going to be Saint Max and die for the good of humanity without a word of complaint."
"I'm not planning to die," Max yelled back.
Liz struggled to pull in a breath. Her lungs felt flat and useless, as if her chest had gotten too tight for them to expand. "Maybe there are other ways to deal with DuPris," she said.
"Ways where noone ends up dead," Maria added.
"Let's talk about it on the way to the bus station," Alex instructed. "No matter what we decide to do about DuPris, we've got to find Isabel and Adam."
Michael turned back around, and the Jeep jolted back down the highway. "We could just kill DuPris," he told them. "I had a problem with the consciousness using Max to do it against his will, but I have no problem with going in there and doing it myself."
"That's crap," Max shot back.
Liz agreed. She could see Michael killing if he had no choice, if there was no other way to save an innocent life. But it wasn't something he would do casually.
"I don't know if you could kill him if you wanted to-no offense," Alex added. "It was DuPris's power combined with Adam's that turned Valenti into the Abominable Ashman, remember?"
"Too bad we can't use the ring," Maria said. "The Stone of Midnight might be strong enough to send DuPris back without using any of Max's power."
"If we knew how to work it." Liz loosened her hair and immediately reknotted it.
"And if it didn't send a signal to the bounty hunters that would not die," Michael added. "I thought I killed one of them, and it just divided into two parts. Both alive."
"Hold the phone!" Alex exclaimed.
"Hold the phone?" Michael repeated. "What are you, a dork?"
"A dork who's going to save Max's smooth pink butt," Alex answered. "The bounty hunters were hired by the beings on your home planet because they wanted DuPris brought back for judgment. Let them do their job."
Suddenly Liz felt as if she could breathe again-deep, full breaths of the cold night air. "So we give DuPris the ring. He won't attack because Max almost killed him the last time."
"I don't think I could do it again even if I wanted to," Max said. "I would need the strength of the consciousness, and they don't want him dead anymore."
"We have to pray DuPris doesn't know that," Liz said. "So anyway, we give him the ring."
"We tell him it's in exchange for Adam and Isabel so he won't get suspicious," Maria suggested.
"And then we stand back, way back," Alex concluded. He gave a couple of little bows. "Thank you, thank you."
"So what do you think, Max?" Liz asked, feeling her chest start to tighten up again when she saw the somber expression on his face.
"I think it could work," Max said. "But if it doesn't…"
He let his words trail off, but Liz knew what he'd planned to say. If their plan didn't work, Max would open up the wormhole. Even if it killed him.
***
"Wait here," Michael ordered as he pulled up in front of the Albuquerque bus station. He leaped out of the Jeep and raced inside. "Did the bus from Roswell come in yet?" he called to the woman behind the ticket counter.
"That's it out there," she answered. She pointed out the back window at a bus. An empty bus.
"Did the people already get off?" he demanded.
She blew a big bubble, and Michael got a whiff of grape gum and garlic. "Do you see anyone on it?"
He rushed up to the counter. "When did it get in?" he asked.
"Not more than a few minutes ago." She blew another bubble, this one so big, it. obscured half her face. Michael resisted the urge to reach out and pop it.
"Did you see a girl get off?" He was talking so fast, his words were tumbling out on top of each other. He forced himself to slow down. "She's tall, about five-ten, thin, short red hair?"
"Answers to the name of Cameron?" a voice asked from behind him.
He spun to face her.
"If you decided to give me another thirty seconds, forget about it," she told him. "I have nothing else I want to say to you." She started toward the door.
Michael lurched forward and blocked her, grabbing her by the shoulders. "Where is she?"
Cameron tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip. He was not going to let her go until she'd told him everything. She jerked up her head and stared him right in the eye. "Where is who?"
Truly an excellent liar, Michael thought. "Isabel. And Adam. You know where DuPris took them."
"Last time I saw them was in the museum with you, okay? Now let go, or-"
"Or what?" Michael interrupted. "Or you'll find the Albuquerque sheriff and turn me in?"
Her eyes darkened, and he felt the fight go out of her. She stood there passively, no longer trying to get free of him. "If I knew where they were, I would tell you," she said. "I would do anything I could to try and make up for… I just don't know. I don't."
Michael started to shove her away, then he saw something that made him tighten his grip until Cameron winced. "You don't know where they are," he repeated. "Then you want to explain to me where you got Isabel's necklace?"
Cameron's hand flew to her throat. "A little girl dropped this in my lap as she was getting off the bus."
"Is there some kind of problem?" the woman behind the counter asked, cracking her gum.
"No," Cameron answered.
She could have said yes. She could have tried to get him booted out of there. But she didn't.
Michael released her. "A little girl? Was she alone?"
"She was with a guy in his twenties, her dad, I thought. There was a little boy with them, too." Her eyes widened. "Do you think it was them? You think DuPris changed their appearance?"
"I think it's possible." Thank God, Isabel had found a way to drop him a clue. "Where did they get off? What stop?"
"It wasn't one of the scheduled ones," Cameron explained. "They got off near this old ranch house in the desert. The bus driver didn't want to stop. It was kind of an issue."
"Can you show me?" he asked.
Cameron nodded.
***
"It's over there. See it?" Cameron pointed to the left and Max could just make out the moonlit shadow of a low ranch house in the near distance.
"Should I drive right up?" Michael asked.
"Why not? We're just here to make a little trade. We come in peace, right?" Alex said.
"I think that's supposed to be my line, earthling," Michael told him.
Max ignored them. He was trying to get ready for whatever he was going to have to do in there.
"You okay?" Liz asked him.
He nodded without looking at her. Looking at Liz was the last thing he needed right now. If he had to open the wormhole, he might never see her again. For him death didn't mean obliteration. He knew that now. If he had to… make the sacrifice, he'd join the others of the consciousness, join Ray and his parents, live on as part of the billions.
But he'd never be able to touch Liz again. Never be able to smell her hair. Never be able to see that dimple that appeared and disappeared in her left cheek. What else was death but losing all that?
Maybe the plan will work, he told himself as Michael pulled up in front of the house.
"Is there anything
you want me to do?" Cameron asked.
"Wait out here. You can be the getaway driver," Max answered as he climbed out of the Jeep. Michael had seemed basically okay with her when they came out of the bus station, but Max hadn't been able to find out exactly what her deal was yet. Until he did, she wasn't anyone he wanted around in a dangerous situation.
Michael led the group over to the door. "Do I knock or what?"
Alex reached out and rang the doorbell. "Candy-gram," he called softly.
Maria started to giggle. She shoved both fists up to her mouth, trying to hold in her laughter.
"Oh, very intimidating," Liz told her.
Her giggling stopped abruptly as the door swung open and a handsome, blue-eyed young man appeared. Max's eyes immediately sought out the man's right hand. He'd been able to regrow the finger.
"I do nice work, don't I?" the young man asked, noticing the direction of Max's gaze. It was DuPris-and his shape-shifting skills were impressive. If he was at all afraid that Max was going to attack him again, he didn't show it.
Max did a quick check of his group, not allowing his eyes to linger on Liz. They were doing pretty well at the show-no-fear thing themselves. "We came to make you an offer," he said.
"Well, do tell," DuPris drawled. As he spoke, his face returned to its usual shape. "I used that ridiculous southern accent for too long. I'm having trouble getting rid of it." He stood away from the door. "If we're going to do business, you might as well come inside."
The place hadn't been used in years. There were sheets over the furniture in the living room DuPris directed them to, and a layer of dust coated the wood floor.
"I'm surprised you were able to find me," DuPris admitted. "I didn't think you would have mastered the lavila this soon after your akino."
Max shrugged. He had no clue what DuPris was talking about, but there was no reason for him to know that. If he wanted to think Max had more powers than he actually did, great.
"You want the ring. We want Adam and Isabel. If they aren't here, we have nothing to talk about," Michael said. The polite chitchat was obviously driving him crazy.
A door at the other end of the living room swung open, and a little boy and girl stepped through. As Max watched, they began to change. The girl's dark hair turned to a deep wine color, then to a rusty brown, then lightened quickly to Isabel's honey blond. Her eyes lightened and brightened to Isabel's blue. Her body stretched up and grew curves, not something Max especially wanted to see. In an instant the transformation was complete.
But not. Isabel's eyes were the right shade of blue, but they were empty. Her face lacked any animation. She and Adam were like the most expensive mannequins ever created.
"Release them," Max ordered. "You're not getting the ring unless you can prove they're unharmed."
"You have a lot of demands," DuPris commented.
"I have the ring," Max answered. A worthless ring that would basically kill anyone who used it. He hoped his expression wasn't betraying any hint of that little fact.
"You have a point," DuPris conceded.
And then Isabel was running to Max. She grabbed him and held on to him so hard, it hurt. "You're okay," he whispered in her ear. "We'll be out of here in a couple of minutes."
She pulled away. "Is Adam…?"
"I'm here," he answered.
Max turned and saw him standing next to Liz, his green eyes focused and alert. "Good to have you back," Max told him.
"This is all quite touching," DuPris said. "Now give me the ring."
Max reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. Moment of truth, he thought. He handed it to DuPris.
"Good to have you back," DuPris said to the Stone.
The Stone began to glow, and the hair on Max's arms prickled. It was time to leave-and fast. As Alex had said, they should be standing way, way back at this point. He jerked his chin toward the door.
Michael nodded. "We'll leave you two alone together," he told DuPris.
"That's not necessary. In fact, I won't hear of it," DuPris answered. "I want to try this baby out. I bet with the Stone, I can take control of all of you at the same time. Any takers?"
*** 9 ***
The living room exploded with the Stone's purple-green light before Max could even consider connecting to the consciousness.
And it was over.
DuPris had him. Had all of them. Max couldn't see the others-his eyes were locked straight ahead-but he knew if even one of them was still free, they'd be attacking DuPris right now.
"That was too easy," DuPris complained as he headed over to Max. "It sort of spoiled the fun." He licked his finger and used it to smooth out Max's eyebrows, then he moved on.
Was he touching Liz now? The thought made Max feel as if he were going insane. He couldn't even turn his head to look at her. Forget his head. He couldn't even move his eyes.
DuPris moved back into his field of vision, his face so close to Max's, it blotted out everything else. "Your girlfriend is delightful," he commented. His tongue flicked out and brushed across his upper lip, as if he was enjoying the taste of something. "But I don't think I'll touch her yet. She's worth savoring."
He can read my thoughts, Max realized.
"Yes, and they're very predictable," DuPris answered. "Very human, I'm afraid to say. Poor Max, all in a knot at the idea that I might get a little too close to Miss Ortecho. Don't worry. Though she is very attractive."
***
Michael could practically feel the fury pouring out of Max, a fury that matched his own.
"Another predictable human response," DuPris said, circling around in front of him. "I must say I'm disappointed in you, although I suppose I must take into account that you were raised here. Well, raised is perhaps not the correct word. Pitiful unwanted little Michael, the orphan boy. You haven't had an easy time of it on this planet, have you? Skipping from home to home where no one liked you well enough to keep you." He reached out and straightened Michael's collar. "Don't worry, Mikey boy, I'm going to keep you forever and ever."
Michael wanted to rip off DuPris's head and drop-kick it across the room. Yeah, and then do a victory dance on his body.
DuPris laughed. "Very colorful," he said. "I think you need a demonstration, something to help you adjust to your new circumstances."
Michael's heart began to flutter. Get a grip, he ordered himself. Don't let this clown scare you.
DuPris shook his head. "You're not exactly quick, are you?" he asked.
Michael's heart jerked in his chest. It isn't fear causing this, he realized. It's DuPris. His heart jerked again. A little harder and it could rip the veins and arteries connecting it to his body.
"That's right. And you know what would happen then," DuPris said. "Bu-bye!"
All Michael could do was stand there motionless as his body turned against him. Pain speared up his left arm. His heartbeat doubled, then doubled again, each frantic beat yanking on the veins and arteries.
White dots exploded in front of his eyes. A metallic taste flooded his mouth. Bu-bye! he thought wildly
And then his heart slowed down. The pain subsided. His vision cleared, and the first thing he saw was the satisfied smile on DuPris's face.
"Consider that the first class of New Reality 101," DuPris told him. "And you will be tested later."
***
Even if DuPris hadn't had control over her, Maria didn't think she'd have been able to move. The terror would have kept her rooted in place.
"Now that's what I like to hear," DuPris said. "What a good little bunny you are."
She felt a hand pat her on the head. Oh, God, he was right behind her.
"I've always wondered what kinds of thoughts bunnies are capable of having," he continued. "Let me just look around for a minute."
Memories began to flash through Maria's mind. She saw herself lying on her stomach, drawing a lavender pony. Watching her mother get dressed for a date. Buying her first box of tampons. Using a feather duster to wake
the other kids in her preschool class up from a nap. Refusing to dissect a worm. Kissing Michael.
"Ah, interesting," DuPris murmured.
The memories continued to race by, but now they were all of Michael. Michael flicking cake batter at her. Michael slow dancing with her. Michael laughing at her imitation of a serial killer on Prozac. Michael staring intently into her eyes. Michael listening to Maria babbling that he had to choose between her and Isabel.
"And even more interesting," DuPris said. "It seems one of my Pinocchios has won the heart of two of my Pinocchiettas. Isn't that sweet?" He patted Maria on the head again.
She felt humiliated. Violated. DuPris had destroyed some of her most precious memories by using them for his entertainment.
"I'll give you a new memory to make up for it," DuPris promised her, continuing to invade her mind.
Maria felt an electric current begin racing through her body, zapping her nerve endings. She made a quarter turn, took two steps, and made another quarter turn. She found herself in front of Michael, her eyes focused on his chest. Without her will, her arms reached toward him.
Maria had spent hours fantasizing about touching Michael again, about him touching her, inventing all kinds of scenarios for how it would happen. Now her daydreams had turned into a nightmare. DuPris was going to make them put their hands on each other while the scumbag got off on the show. Don't make me do this, Maria silently pleaded, hating herself for begging but willing to do anything to stop this.
"Oh, come on," DuPris said. "It's exactly what you want to do, and you know it. And you don't have to worry about Michael rejecting you this time because he can't!"
Maria's arms looped around Michael's neck. His hands wrapped themselves around her waist.
It's just Michael, she thought. He may not have chosen you in the girl-o-rama, but he's still your friend. Whatever happens, remember that it's him touching you, even if DuPris is pulling the strings.
Michael slid one hand lower, tracing the curve of her hip. She wished she could look into his face at least, but DuPris wouldn't even allow that.
