"Listen Maria, whatever you thought you saw, you didn't see OK? I'm telling you, you didn't see anything and you didn't understand."
"Michael, cant you see she's almost catatonic here, and all you can think about is yourself."
"Don't get me started again Liz."
"You know what, I'm just about sick and tired of trying to reason with somebody who is so pig-headed. There's no reasoning with you is there? So why should I bother�you put everybody at risk because you don't think before you do anything, and I've had enough."
"Liz�that's pretty harsh."
"Well Max, I've had it with him. I've gave you guys my time, patience and trust but that never seems enough for him. I understand that I'm a part of you guys now, but understand this�Maria is a part of me in ways you could never be, and if anything happens to her, I swear to God�" Unfortunately, Liz has been concentrating so much on arguing with Max, Isabel and Michael, that she has let Maria catch sight of them. With that Maria runs away, and however bizarre it is, she seems to simply disappear from sight.
"Oh great. See, this is what I'm talking about Michael, you just don't help anything."
"She has a point." Isabel points out to a troubled Max and enraged Michael.
Liz runs off to find Maria.
Max, Isabel and Michael are sure to follow, but are stopped for a second by Tess.
"Wow�what's their problem huh?" She says, obviously referring to the commotion causing Liz and Maria.
They ignore her, Isabel grimaces at her somewhat and when they are gone, Tess smiles to herself.
Alex spots Max and remembers that stupid cover up story he and Liz used at The Crashdown. Realizing that what they were covering up might have something to do with all the odd behavior that has been going on, he follows him, figuring also that the reason Max is running somewhere, is something to do with it all too. Shortly behind Alex, follows Tess.
The gang, lead by Liz, end up on a deserted road, with nothing but unused, fenced-off, sandy land surrounding it. Maria is nowhere to be seen. The presence of Tess is overlooked, due to the situation being more important than any innuendo she may have. Alex is very concerned.
"Liz, Max�what is all this about? Somebody please tell me what exactly is going on here?"
"Shut up Whitman."
"Michael, don't start this again, not now, don't you ever learn." Isabel stresses.
"Liz she's my friend too OK, and I want to know what is going on with her�I just can't make out what connects all you guys to her, why it involves you all."
"Alex, I'd really love to explain this all to you right now, and I wish I could�but I can't. Please just leave this alone, everything will be fine, but we can't have you here."
"Liz, I can't believe you'd shut me out like this, this is crazy."
"Oh yeah, well she is, so deal with it."
"Enough Michael!" Max orders.
"Enough? Yeah, I've heard just about enough from you too, freak!" Kyle appears out of nowhere and attacks Max.
All look on, as Kyle beats Max up pretty bad. Max could probably hold his own if he wanted to, but he has no intention of fighting Kyle, he is strong, but very much a pacifist. Isabel and Alex hold Michael back, Liz tries to get through to Kyle, Tess on the other hand isn't getting involved.
"Kyle stop! You hear me I said stop! We're trying to help Maria, not hurt her. You know that I'd never hurt her Kyle. Leave Max alone, he won't fight back so there's no point. Kyle stop it you're hurting him!"