Max got dressed quickly Thursday morning, showing none of the previous day’s revulsion for her clothes. She willingly ate the breakfast I made for her and went to work as if it was any other day. She didn’t say much, but she seemed fine. She has been unusually quiet the last few days, but now she is back to her old self, aggressive, sarcastic and full of energy.

She called to say she’s going to Crash tonight with the guys from work. She even invited me. When I told her I had work to do, it didn’t faze her in the least. She just laughed it off with a crack about no rest for the General of the Logan Cale Brigade. This was the one time that my past history of refusing her invitations to Crash paid off. I’m glad that she didn’t push the subject. There was no way I could have gone out with her and pretended that everything was fine, that everything was normal.

I’m relieved that she’s not coming here tonight. I’m not sure what I would do or say. I used to live for the days when she would invite herself over. Now I find myself pulling way. I thought I really knew her. I thought I understood what I was getting into with her, but since Lydecker’s photos arrived, I haven’t been sure about anything.

There haven’t been any more killings. Ben has either moved on or he has been stopped. I doubt that he is in another city, though. If he had moved, Max wouldn’t be here. She would have followed him. I think he is dead. It’s been several days, but Max is not forthcoming with any details, and I will never ask her that question. ‘Did you kill your brother?’ Some questions are best left unasked and unanswered.

I know why Lydecker sent me the photos. I know what he was trying to do, and I have to admit, he has succeeded. Those photos haunt me. Even though I will never ask Max, I can’t ignore the questions they bring up. Each time I look at them, I ask myself who the real Max is. Is she still that nine-year old soldier that can kill without remorse? Or is she the caring and compassionate woman that I thought I knew? How can she kill her brother and then go out drinking with her buddies a couple of days later? How can she set his death aside so easily and be as happy as ever? Max seems fine, but I’m not sure any more. Is she?