| PART FIVE Tuesday morning I’m still trying to grasp what happened. Or what could have happened. My mind feels like it’s running in slow motion, like I’m outside of my own body, just watching myself run through the motions. Everything is hazy. And I’m not in the mood to think deeply this early in the morning. I sigh and close my duffel bag. We’d stopped at a fairly nice gas station where I’d taken the opportunity to change. I’d love a shower, but washing my face will have to do for now. I went back out to the car to put my bag away. “So how’s my girl doing this morning?” I plastered a smile on my face and turned to Alex. “Just fine, and how about you?” He grinned in return and put his arm around me. “Well, I’m doing fine. Let’s take a little walk.” So we turned and started down the sidewalk. “I couldn’t help but notice how you and Michael have been acting lately.” I tensed for a moment. Had he seen what almost happened this morning? “I just think it’s good that you two have put your differences aside. There’s always been so much tension between you guys.” My body relaxed. He just thought we’d become friends. He wasn’t talking about last night’s sleeping arrangements. Or this morning… “Yeah, we just … understand each other better now.” He nodded. “So, what happened?” “What do you mean?” I asked looking up at him. “What happened to bring on this new understanding?” “Well, we’ve been working together at the Crashdown more, so being able to get along is kind of crucial. And he’s also been helping me out with some stuff.” “What kind of stuff?” Damn, I’d already said too much. “I don’t really want to talk about it,” I half whispered, looking away from him. I knew Alex would be upset and I felt bad telling him that there were things Michael knew that he didn’t. “You’re not keeping secrets from me, are you, Liz?” he asked, half joking. But I knew he was feeling a little left out. “No,” I lied, flashing him an assuring smile. The truth is I’m keeping secrets from everyone. “It’s just work stuff. And … Max stuff.” “Anything I can do?” I sighed. “At this point, I’m just really sick of it all. I’m ready for it to be over.” He nodded. “Believe me, I understand. Must be something about those Evans kids,” he finished with a grin. I laughed aloud and we turned to head back to the car. Ava was leaning on the car when we got back. “Hey Ava, where’s Michael?” Alex asked. “Inside. Gettin’ some food for the road.” Just then the bell above the gas station door jingled and Michael came out. Our eyes connected for a moment before he turned away. “Well, if everybody is ready,” Alex began, “then I do believe it’s Liz’s turn to drive.” I nodded and took the keys from his outstretched hand. Michael got into the back seat, without saying anything and Ava followed. Alex looked a little surprised Michael didn’t want shotgun, but didn’t complain. Alex was the day’s entertainment. He made jokes and I laughed until my sides hurt and my cheeks were sore from smiling. He and Ava got along really well. Michael didn’t really say anything. Then again, neither did I. We pretty much avoided each other, which was awkward in itself since we were in the same car together all day. We stopped twice, for gas, food, and to switch drivers. Around 10 pm, Michael suggested that we stop at a motel. He said we were making good time and that we all deserved a good night’s rest and a shower. So I pulled over and we rented two rooms with an adjoining door. Ava and I went into one room while Michael and Alex went into the other. ----------- Tuesday night Scene: Liz has just taken a shower and is lying on the motel bed writing in her diary. November 23, 2001 I can’t stop thinking about what will happen in New York with Max. I know he doesn’t trust me anymore. Why would he believe anything I had to say? Why would he believe anything I’d told Michael? The truth is that I want Max back in my life. Just as friends. I know we were on a track to marriage before I changed things, but that’s not what I want anymore. He’s changed. Yes, my lies were the reason he’s changed, but it’s too late for me to fix now. Besides, I’ve also changed. The more I think of the whole situation, the more I’m reminded of something Grandma Claudia used to say: “Keep in mind that when one door closes, another door opens.” Future Max told me that maybe things would be better now. That now maybe I could find someone else. And I know I said that he was the love of my life. But isn’t that how first loves are? When it’s over, you think you’ll never love again. Your heart is breaking to pieces and you think you’ll never put yourself back together. But then you start to get over it. You embrace the pain, welcome it, and after a while it doesn’t hurt as much. And then suddenly you realize that even though breakups are horrible, you’re going to bounce back. And I’ve started to bounce back. For the longest time, it was Max and me, even when we weren’t actually together. Now it’s my time. It’s time to think about myself. It’s time for me to be happy. And when the time is right, I’ll be with someone else. I bit the end of my pen, wondering about Michael and I. Would it be presumptuous to write about us in my journal? Am I reading the situation differently from how it really is? “Liz?” Ava asked, interrupting my thoughts. “Yes?” I turned my head so I could see her. “I need to tell ya something.” “Go ahead, Ava.” I sat up cross-legged and turned so my body was facing hers. She looked at me warily before continuing. “It’s about Max. And when he changed you.” I looked at her, confused. “What are you talking about, Ava?” She sat down and looked intently at me. “When he saved you, when he brought you back, he changed you.” I nodded and looked down at my hands. My world had changed that day. “You know?” Ava said, obviously surprised. I looked at her a little confused before replying. “I’m actually surprised that you know, Ava. I mean, it’s really personal. But yeah, Max changed my world that day.” Ava looked at me, still confused. “So then you know about the powers?” “Of course I know about their powers. I already told you. It’s how he saved me.” Ava shook her head. “Not his powers, Liz. Your powers.” Now it was my turn to be sufficiently confused. “What are you talking about, Ava?” Ava looked at me with a completely serious expression. “The day Max brought you back, he changed you. He physically changed you.” She paused then, noting my worried expression, before she finishing. “You’ve been given powers, Liz. Our powers.” It was then that Alex knocked on the door and came in from his room. “I just stopped in to say goodnight to you ladies.” His smile faded when he saw the expression on my face. “Liz! What’s wrong?” Upon hearing Alex, Michael rushed into the room and over to me. After a quick look at my face, he reacted. “What’s going on? What did you do to her?” he demanded. He looked at Ava angrily. Neither Ava nor I said anything. We just kept staring at each other. I finally choked out a response. “What kind of powers?” “I’m not quite sure of all the details,” she began, taking a deep breath. “From what I remember, you amplify our powers. You can add your strength onto ours. And if we show you how, you can take on our abilities.” I nodded slowly, trying to comprehend what Ava was saying. I wasn’t really surprised. It makes sense that being healed by an alien would have some kind of side effect. “Ok, we missed something,” Alex said. “What the hell is going on?” Michael demanded. Ava quickly relayed to them what she had said. I was busy processing this new information and hardly noticed their reactions. I felt like I was going to pass out. Alex came and sat next to me, putting his arm around my shoulders. It was Michael’s reaction that brought me out of my daze. “How are you so sure of this? And why should we believe you?” He was right in Ava’s face. She stood up and looked him straight in the eye. “I know more about our abilities than you do. That’s why you should believe me. And if you don’t, just go connect with Liz. Show her how to use one of your powers. It’ll prove what I’ve said.” Michael and I looked at each other. I was still a little dazed from this new discovery but noticed he was getting even more agitated. “No,” he said as he turned to Ava. “I don’t see the point in trying since there is no way what you’re saying can be true.” “Fine, I’ll do it.” Ava walked over to me and kneeled before me. As she was about to take my hand, Alex grabbed hers. “Wait a second! You can’t just jump into her head.” “Stop,” I mumbled. I looked down at my hands and started spinning my rings. Everyone’s eyes turned to me. I felt overwhelmed. It was just so much to take in. But my own curiosity and urge to defend Ava made me push forward. There was just something about her that I felt I could trust. I looked up. “It’s ok Alex. I want to know.” So Ava took my hand, and all eyes were on me. I felt like a human oddity or something. But then again, I guess I was. “Take deep breaths. Clear your mind. Focus on me,” Ava whispered. I nodded and when Ava shut her eyes I did the same. The connection was different than anything I’d ever felt. She had complete control over it. I didn’t see any of her memories, only instruction on how to use powers. My mind was overwhelmed by new knowledge and I began to try and sort everything. It was too much and my head started to hurt. “Relax Liz. I’ll do the work.” When I heard Ava’s voice in my head I stopped fighting for control and let her take over. When I opened my eyes, everyone was looking at me expectantly. “Are you okay Liz?” Alex asked, moving his arm back to my shoulders. I nodded, my eyes wide and locked on Ava. “Well?” Michael asked. “Did it work?” I gave Ava a small smile and placed my hand on one of her tattoos. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the molecules, moving them with my mind. When I removed my hand, her arm was missing the tattoo. Alex gasped and Michael was speechless. Ava smiled at me with approval. “Oh my god,” Alex breathed. I smiled at him and reached for his arm. I closed my eyes, and when I reopened them Ava’s tattoo was on his forearm. He gasped again and started rubbing fiercely at the ink. Michael reached for the closest chair and sat down heavily. Ava turned to him. “Now do you believe me?” -------------------- After I returned Ava’s tattoo to her arm, I was exhausted. “Why am I so tired all of a sudden?” I asked mid-yawn. “You’ve been driving all day,” Alex deadpanned. “It’s more than that,” Ava began. “Since Liz is human, using alien powers will wipe her out faster.” Ava turned to me. “After using them a few times you’ll get used to them. You won’t be this tired each time.” “Will she be able to use them anytime?” Michael asked. Ava shook her head. “Not at first. She has to be shown what powers to use. She’ll need time to recover. And there’s a possibility she’ll forget how to use them.” “Forget? Didn’t you just show her?” Michael asked. “Yeah,” Alex added. “Liz is a quick study.” “I know, and it’s no disrespect to her, it’s just that using powers will take a lot out of a human. I don’t know all the details, but the bottom line is there’s a possibility she’ll forget. Eventually she should be able to remember. It’ll become an instinct, almost. Just like our powers.” Alex squeezed my shoulder. I leaned my head against him, exhaustion threatening to put me to sleep. But I still had questions. “You said I could add my strength to your powers. How will that affect me?” I said, turning to Ava. “You’ll be tired. But you’ll recover. You just have to be careful that you don’t let anyone take too much of your energy. It could happen without them realizing it.” I nodded and tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn. “You should get some sleep,” Alex said as he stood up and put the covers over me. He kissed my forehead and whispered, “Call if you need anything,” before going into his room. Ava stood and motioned to the bathroom. “I’ll just go shower, I guess.” After Ava left the room, Michael walked over to the edge of my bed and sat down. He regarded me for a long moment. I yawned again and struggled to keep my eyes open. He gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.” He tucked the covers around me and whispered, “Sweet dreams, Liz.” I was asleep before he even left the room. |