Maria fell to a heap on the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees and rocking softly. The blood had drained from her face and tears were shining in her eyes.
She ran an extremely shaky hand through her blond hair and gave Michael a desperate look. "He was fine when we left yesterday, Michael. You said his heart was beating fine and he was breathing. How could he be dead?"
Michael closed the closet door and walked to behind Maria, wrapping his arms around her from behind. Her entire body was shaking in his arms and he squeezed her tightly to try to calm her. "I don't know, baby. He WAS fine when we left, with the exception of being knocked out. I don't know what to tell you."
His eyes strayed back to the door which protected his eyes from the grizzly sight of Hank's lifeless body and realized that something was not right. *Did we close that door when we left?* he sent.
Maria looked at him and sniffed. She swallowed thickly and spoke. "I don't remember. I don't think so."
No, he was sure that they had left it open. As he remembered it, Maria had touched Hank's chest, Hank had been jolted backwards and he had fallen against the wood paneled closet door. The splintered wood was still there but how did Hank's body manage to get inside the door?
"That's exactly how it happened and that's a very good question," Maria spoke, jolting him back to reality.
He gave her a thin smile and said, "I still forget about our connection sometimes."
"Not me. I like it," she said. "But back to the matter at hand, him being inside the closet doesn't mean much. I still killed him. I...." It was impossible for her to continue; her tears engulfed her again, choking over her throat.
Michael closed his eyes and squeezed her. She had begun to shake like a leaf again and it tore him apart to see her so helpless. Eventually, he turned around so that he was facing her. "I don't know if you did, Maria. That's what I'm trying to tell you. Something isn't right. What if this was Nacerro's work?"
She tried to smile at him but it came out more of a grimace than anything else. "Michael, I really appreciate your attempt at trying to prove my innocence, it's very endearing, but no. I killed him and there is nothing I can do about it. Hank could have come to and closed the door himself."
"I guess we'll see about that," Michael replied. He sighed and walked back over to the closet, throwing the door open recklessly. Maria jumped at the sight of the body and looked away, closing her eyes. Seeing the body made it just too vivid for her. "No, Maria. Look!"
Maria did and saw that Michael had undone the buttons on Hank's shirt. On his flesh, there were two iridescent handprints. "Come here," Michael said softly.
Maria looked at him incredulously. "You're crazy! I'm not going anywhere near...that."
Impatiently, Michael said, "Get over here now! Look, normally, we wouldn't have to even check - you would have been ruled out immediately because your not one of us - but with that print on your stomach and your new powers, we never know. That was where you touched him but the prints seem too big. I want to check them. You don't have to touch him, you just have to see if they're your size. So, please get over here."
Slowly, Maria crawled over on all fours, her eyes avoiding the body. "I can't do this, Michael. I'll put my hand up and you check but I think I'll puke if I look."
Michael nodded and took her left hand by the wrist. She looked at his face the entire time but her head whipped over to Hanks when he said, "They're not your size, baby." There was very little relief in his voice and she could read what he was thinking. It was exactly what she was thinking.
"This means were being followed, Michael." Her voice was now shaking with fear. "I just don't get it. Why would Nacerro want me to think that I killed him?"
Michael stood and walked to his tiny window, looking out in search of the Tyrvanas culprit. *I don't know, baby. But I think we should communicate silently. We don't want him to hear our thoughts. He could be around right now, listening to us.*
She nodded quickly. *What do we do about the body? We have to let the police know.*
Michael walked over to the body and waved his hand over the chest of the shell that used to be Hank. He cursed aloud and then switched over to the telepathy. *Let's get ahold of Max first. We have to show him this. I can't take away the prints and we can't call the police if those prints are there. Valenti will think it was me. Hopefully Max can take them away.*
Michael slid the closed door closed and then helped Maria up, keeping hold of her until he was sure that she could support herself, and they walked out to the kitchen. Michael picked up the phone and held it to his ear. He closed his eyes and shook his head then slammed the receiver down. "Shit! I forgot that the phone was disconnected. Hank didn't pay the bill last month. Let's go out to the pay phone."
They exited the house and made their way to the front of the trailer park. Michael dug into his pocket for change, found thirty-five cents, and put it into the slot. Quickly, he dialed Max's number from memory and waited for an answer. Max picked up on the fifth ring, his voice sounding breathless.
"Hello?"
"Max! It' Michael. We need you to come over to my house right now!"
Max's voice was instantly alert. "Michael, what's going on?"
"Just come over, please."
"Be there in five," he answered and then hung up the phone.
*He's coming,* Michael told Maria and they walked back to the trailer and leaned on Maria's car as they waited for Max.
Three minutes later, the jeep entered the lot, driving so fast that a cloud of dust was left behind. Both Max and Isabel were in the jeep and they looked worried.
"What's going on?" Isabel asked and Michael nodded to the trailer. He didn't want his nosy neighbor to hear anything incriminating.
They four entered the trailer quickly.
Isabel eyes the place distastefully and said, "I just realized that I've never been here before."
Michael snorted in response "You haven't been missing much." He led them to his room and eyed Max and Isabel cautiously and said, "I need you to promise me that you're not going to freak out."
Max nodded and Isabel rolled her eyes. "Please Michael, just show us already!" she cried in frustration.
He pulled back the door to reveal Hank's body and both Max and Isabel gasped. "What happened?!" Max cried.
Michael closed the door and told them to sit on his bed. He spoke in a quiet whisper, in case Nacerro was around, telling them the story of how they had left Hank last night, how they had discovered his body this afternoon, and what they thought happened.
"It still could have been Maria," Isabel said, looking suspiciously at the girl.
"No," Michael replied confidently. "He was absolutely fine last night, Izzy. She didn't do it. Also, the handpirnts are too big. We need to call the police but we need to get rid of those prints." He looked hopefully at Max.
Silently, Max stood and walked over to the closet. He opened the door and removed the prints effortlessly.
"Thanks," Michael said. "Now, let's get our stories straight and call the police."
*****
Maria rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sighed in relief as they approached her mother's car. "I thought they would never let us go," she whispered and then yawned.
It was after ten thirty and they had just been released from the sherrif's office after six hours of questioning. They had decided that Max and Isabel should leave the scene before they called the police, hoping that no one saw them there. The story they gave the police was that they had left last night when Hank had gotten home, leaving out the part about the incident with Hank and Maria, then they had found him when they came over to pack because Michael was leaving.
Valenti checked out their story with Michael's case worker and his neighbors, coming up with nothing. He kept asking the same questions over and over, waiting for them to slip up, but they had performed beautifully. Reluctantly, Valenti had finally decided to let them go.
They drove in silence to Maria's house and both entered to find Amy Deluca waiting in the kitchen. She stood from her chair and gave Maria a big hug and then taking Michael by surprise, she gave him a hug too. "You poor dears," she said. "Jim called me from the station and told me what happened."
"Mom, it's okay," Maria said as her mother embraced her again. "We're okay, I promise."
Her mother nodded. "I just know how traumatizing this must be for both of you."
Maria nodded looking away. "It was bad, yes, but I promise we're okay."
Addressing Michael, she said, "Honey, do you have a place to stay tonight?"
Michael looked at Maria's mother and shrugged, "I'll probably just stay at home. On Friday, I'm supposed to move into my new foster parent's house but I'll be fine till then."
"I'll hear none of that," Amy shuddered. "I don't want you going back to that place alone. We have an extra room upstairs that you can sleep in if you'd like. That is of course assuming that you and Maria can behave responsibly." She eyed her daughter and Maria rolled her eyes.
"Of course, mother. Like we would do anything with you in the house."
Michael remained steady on the outside but inside, he had to laugh at the ease in which Maria played innocent with her mother. Maria could read his thoughts and glared at him.
Amy continued. "I know, Maria. But you can't blame me for asking. I was once a teenager too."
"Thank you, Mrs. Deluca. I appreciate the offer," Michael said, after reminding himself to use his manners.
"Please, call me Amy," she said to Michael. "I'll go get the room ready and put out some fresh towels."
Amy excused herself and Maria instantly threw herself into Michael's arms. *I'm just going to stay in the room tonight. I don't want your mom to get suspicious or anything,* he sent. *But we still can talk. Are we going to go to school tomorrow?*
She nodded. *My mom doesn't work on Thursdays and if we're here, she'll drive me crazy so we should probably go. Besides, I'm going to have to deal with the stares and whispers eventually.*
*Okay. But Maria,* he said, pulling back a little to look into her face. *At the first sign that either of us are going to attack each other, one of us leaves the room. We can't let that happen again. Or maybe I should just skip the classes we have together.*
Maria shook her head. *No, you need to go to class. I don't want you skipping anymore. We just need to be prepared for anything that comes our way. We'll talk about it tonight, okay?*
*Deal,* he said. He pulled back just when he heard Amy descending the stairs.
"Okay, the room is ready. Would you rather shower now or tomorrow?" she said as she breezed into the room.
Michael shrugged and said, "Whatever is more convenient."
Amy said, "Tonight would be better. The hot water doesn't last long around here in the mornings."
Michael nodded and said, "Well, I'll go right now, then. Thanks again, Amy."
She touched him on the arm and said, "It's no problem."
*I'll talk to you in a little bit,* he said to Maria as he left the room.
*****
The next morning, Maria and Michael slowly walked towards the entrance of school. "You sure about this Maria?" Michael asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. I can't avoid school forever." Maria said firmly.
He grabbed her hand and squeezed tightly. With the other, he opened the door and they walked in. She held her head up high, ignoring the stares as they walked towards her locker. Only her shaky hand as she spun her locker gave her nervousness away.
"Well, well! If it isn't itty-bitty-titty Maria," she heard a smug voice say. She glanced sharply over to where Lisa was standing in front of her locker. The girl flashed Maria a sarcastic smile and she and her friends giggled. Maria narrowed her eyes and looked back at her locker. She felt her rage boil inside, like it did when she had touched Hank and Bobby Jenkins. Michael felt it too and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"Maria calm down. Ignore her."
Michael's pleading fell of deaf ears. Maria's anger was so high that the blood was pounding in her ears. She slammed her locker shut and turned on Lisa. She stared intently at the girl and her rage finally shot out of her in a severe blast of heat.
Lisa cried out in pain as her locker door slammed shut, crushing her hand. Her cry turned to a shriek as the locker continued to press painfully into her hand.
"Maria, stop it!" Michael hissed into her ear.
Maria turned frightful eyes on Michael. "I'm not doing it anymore," she replied, whimpering. "It should have stopped!"
Michael looked at her confused and then heard Lisa shriek. He ran over to Lisa and tried to pull the locker back but it was no help. The locker resisted his pull and he could hear the bones crushing in Lisa's hand. He looked towards Maria. *Are you sure it isn't you?* he sent as he fought against the locker.
*Yes!* she replied, her mental voice reflecting anguish.
He sucked in a deep breath and even tried to use his powers but they were no use. He turned his head to look at Maria but stopped short. He could sense power coming from somewhere else and his eyes shot in frantically in that direction.
He froze and his mouth fell open when he realized where it was coming from. All of the sudden he heard a sing-song voice in his head. "Which one do you want?" He became dizzy.
Maria could hear the voice in her own head and she knew. "Oh my God!" she said aloud. She looked behind her to a group of people were standing, staring at the scene before them in horror. Her eyes came to a stop on one member of that group. One member whose eyes were focused intently towards Lisa and the locker. One member who was radiating a fierce power.
*Do something!* Michael sent silently.
Maria jumped into action without thinking. Her body flew in the air and she smashed up against the person, causing them both to fall to the ground.
She felt the wave of power break and looked down into Kyle Valenti's surprised eyes.
Kyle recovered quickly. "Gee Deluca. Didn't know you cared," he said, smiling into her eyes sarcastically. "Now, will you get off of me?"
She sat up, getting off of him and he sat up as well. *What now?* she sent frantically to Michael who was back with Lisa, checking out her hand.
"Take her to the nurse," he told one of Lisa's cronies. Then he walked over to where Maria and Kyle were sitting on the ground. He grabbed the collar of Kyle's western style shirt and pulled him to his feet.
"Get off!" Kyle yelled angrily, pushing Michael away with his palms. Michael stumbled backwards and Kyle turned to walk away when Maria jumped in front of him.
"Please, Kyle. We need to talk to you!" She said desperately.
"Why?" he asked, putting his hands on his hips.
"How about why I tackled you," she replied, trying to assess whether or not he knew why she attacked him.
Kyle glanced sideways at Michael and then said, "You have five minutes."
"Let's go to the music room," Michael said and began walking towards the art hallway.
"After you," Maria said when Kyle made no move to follow him.
Kyle sighed and reluctantly turned to follow Michael, with Maria on his heel. When they entered the class, Maria made sure the doors were shut and turned to face the guys.
When no one spoke, Kyle rolled his eyes and said, "Well, kids, as stimulating as this conversation is, I really need to be getting to class."
"Wait!" Maria said, blocking his way. "Look Kyle, I don't really know to say this so I'll just say it. Who are you?'
Kyle arched an amused eyebrow at her. "You're kidding me, right?"
"Look, Valenti. Cut the crap!" Michael growled. "We saw what you did out there to Lisa. What the hell are you?"
Kyle looked between Michael and Maria and said, "What? Have you guys lost your minds?"
"Don't pull this shit. We saw you," Michael said, stalking up to Kyle.
"Lisa was fifteen feet away from me. How the hell could I have done anything to her?" He yelled at Michael who had gotten right in his face.
With both hands, Michael grabbed Kyle's arms and shook him fiercely. "Listen you fuck! You did something to her, you made that locker repeatedly crush her hand and I want to know how you did it? NOW!!!"
Kyle's eyes flashed. "I don't know what you're talking about Guerin, but if you don't let me go...."
Michael cut him off. "You'll what? What will you do to me, Kyle?" Kyle tried to push Michael away but his grip was too strong. Maria could tell what Michael was trying to do so she didn't interrupt.
"What Kyle? You'll what? You'll kick the shit out of me? You'll run and tell your daddy?" He shook Kyle again and said, "Tell me asshole!"
Kyle played right into Michael's hands. Both Maria and Michael could sense Kyle's intense anger growing inside and Michael braced himself as it shot out, sending him flying across the room.
"That!" Michael yelled, standing up and clutching his side in mild pain. "How did you do that, Kyle?"
"I don't know!" Kyle screamed in frustration.
Maria decided to try. "Kyle," she said softly. "Look, we're not going to try to harm you. We just want to know what's happening? Why and how you can do the things you're doing."
Kyle sighed in defeat and looked Maria in the eye. "I don't know why or how I do these things. I'm just a freak or something."
Taking a chance, she walked over to Kyle and put her hand on his sleeve. "Your not a freak, Kyle. It's been happening to me too."
His eyes reflected shock. "Do you know why?" he asked after a moment.
She shook her head softly and said, "Sorta but not really."
"Sorta?"
"If I tell you a secret will you promise not to tell anyone?" she asked him. She could feel Michael's outrage when he sensed what she was going to say and she sent silently, *Michael, I know what I'm doing. My way is working better than yours, so shut up!* He sighed in resignation and leaned back against the wall.
Kyle nodded. "Sure, I promise," he answered and she could tell that he was being honest.
"I'm pregnant, Kyle."
"Wow," he said, surprised and then confusion crossed over his face. "What does that have to do with having powers though?"
Looking him straight in the eye she said, "The baby is only half human."
"Come again?"
"My baby is only half human, Kyle. And since I've been pregnant, I've had powers."
"What's the other half?" Kyle asked slowly, looking over at Michael.
Maria opened her mouth but Michael stopped her. "No! You are not telling him! I forbid you to tell him!" he screamed.
"Kyle," Maria said, "I will tell you," she looked over at Michael and said, "I'm calling the shots here." Then to Kyle she said, "First though, when did you first get these powers?"
"On Sunday night, when I caught Vicky making out with Tommy, why?"
"What happened?"
"I got extremely angry and the six pack of beer on the ground exploded."
"My baby is half alien, Kyle." She answered and she heard Michael suck in a deep breath.
"I knew it," Kyle said calmly, not showing much surprise. He looked at Michael and said, "You're the father, aren't you? You're an alien?"
Michael nodded. "What do you mean you knew?"
"I only had my suspicions," he shrugged. "I've seen things that didn't make sense."
"You're not going to tell your dad, Kyle, are you?" Maria pleaded.
Kyle shook his head and bitterly said, "No. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing. He's too obsessed with the whole alien thing so I don't want him to know. But what does this have to do with me? Why am I having the same powers."
"That's a good question," Maria replied. She heard the five-minute bell ring and she said, "Kyle, will you meet us after school? So we can all try to figure out what's going on."
"I'll skip practice," he said nodding. "Just curious, but who all will be there?"
Maria said, "Michael, me, Liz, Izzy, Max, and Alex."
"The Evans are aliens too, huh?"
Maria nodded and said, "Meet us in the parking lot after school, okay."
"Sure," he agreed. He walked over to Michael who was glaring unhappily. "I won't say a thing, Guerin," he promised. "I'm in the same boat, and I just want to find out what the hell is going on?" He held out his hand to Michael in a truce.
Michael scowled at Kyle's extended hand and then reluctantly shook it. "Listen Valenti, you expose us and I'll expose you. That's a promise."
"You have no worries. I won't tell," Kyle said firmly, shaking his head and then turning to leave.
"Hey Maria," he turned to look at her as he reached the door.
"Yes Kyle?"
"Thanks."
Her forehead wrinkled and she said, "For what?"
"For trusting me."
She smiled and then he was gone.
She turned back to Michael and saw that he was furious. "What the hell was that, Maria?" he screamed, venom in his voice.
Maria's smile faded and she walked towards him. "He won't tell," she said with conviction. "We needed him to trust us if he was going to tell us what was going on."
"You better be right, Maria. If not, it means all our asses including yours," he pushed past her and stalked out of the room.
Maria closed her eyes and sighed, jumping when she heard the door slam. She was doing the right thing, she knew it. She was just going to have to convince Michael. The final bell rang and she cursed. She was late to class.
*****
When Maria arrived to English class, she tried to talk to Michael but he was still too angry with her.
Class began and she switched to their silent form of communication. *Please Michael,* she pleaded.
He ignored her, sending her an image of a cold shoulder while physically turning away from her as well. A tear slid down her cheek and landed on her open book. She buried her head in her hands and let the tears fall.
She hadn't realized how much she depended on Michael lately. His love and support and strength was all she had lately to keep her going while she dealt with her newfound powers and the baby growing inside of her. She didn't know what she would do if he didn't forgive her.
She could tell that Michael had noticed her crying and felt a sharp flash of sympathy from him but he stubbornly clung to his anger and persisted to ignore her.
She sobbed silently into her hands for several moments and didn't look up until she heard a knock at the door. She sniffed and watched as Mr. Flores walked over to the door.
Her heart stopped and she felt Michael's fear and rage when she saw Sheriff Valenti at the door. He talked quietly with the teacher for a moment and then the teacher said, "Michael, the Sheriff needs to talk to you."
Valenti grinned broadly at Michael.
Michael flashed his enraged eyes at Maria and his mental voice echoed in her head. *I fucking knew it! Thanks Maria!*