Part 2

Michael was trying to sleep but the banging just went on and on, he buried himself further into the pillow, pulling the blanket up over his head. The noise was getting louder, he pulled the blanket off his head and looked at the clock, 7.00am, he growled and dragged himself out of bed. He strode to the door, yanking it open. "There better be a damn good reason to wake me at this hour....Liz?" Liz stood at his door, her eyes travelled down his body then shot back up to look at his face, her face had gone very red. He looked down at himself, he was wearing boxer shorts and nothing else. He cleared his throat and muttered, 'hang on a minute'. He made a beeline for his room, he pulled on the clothes he had on yesterday. Liz came into the apartment, she looked around expecting to see Maria, when Michael came back into the room he watched her, he was puzzled to why she was here. She only came here when Max or Maria was here, now there was just them two. "Liz? Want to tell me why you're here?" "Is Maria here?" "Does it look like she's here? Why don't you try her at her house. That's where she probably is, tucked up in her nice warm bed, probably asleep." Liz ignored his sarcasm, she had more important things on her mind. "She's not at home." "What do you mean she's not at home, where else would she be?" "I thought she would be here, she never came to my place last night, I thought she'd came back here." Michael grabbed Liz by the shoulders he peered into her face. "Wait a minute, are you trying to tell me that she never turned up for the girls night? Where the hell was she then?" Michaels hands tightened on her shoulders, Liz could feel his fingers biting into her flesh, tears formed in her eyes. "Michael you're hurting me." Michael let go immediately, he watched her rub her shoulders. "Sorry Liz, but I don't understand what's going on, are you sure she's not at home?" Liz shook her head sadly. "I went over there a while ago, I used the spare keys she keeps at my house. I checked everywhere, her bed looked like it's never been slept in." Liz sat down heavily on the sofa. "Michael I'm really worried about her." Michael sat next to her, he felt a bit awkward, he patted her gingerly on the shoulder. "We shouldn't panic, there's probably a good reason to why she wasn't there....I just can't think of a one at the moment." They sat in silence each in there own thoughts. Michael looked over at Liz, she was trying in vain to stop from crying. "We should check with Max, maybe she stayed over there last night." "Michael why would she stay there?" "They're good friends...look I don't know, but it's worth a try." Max was awake when his phone rang, he picked it up just as Isabel came strolling into his room. "Hello. Hey Michael, wait do you know what time it is?" "Ha, ha. Yes I know what time it is, listen Maria wouldn't happen to be there with you guys." "No but she was with Isabel and Liz last night, girls night and all that." "Yeah well seemingly she didn't go, you didn't see her at all?" "No, but I'll ask Isabel." Max put his hand over the receiver, Isabel snatched the phone off him. "Michael is that you? Do you know what time it is?" "Yes I know what bloody time it is. Is Maria there?" "No Maria's not here, she's probably in hiding. She knows she's in trouble, Michael who's there with you?" "Liz, she's upset. We can't find Maria, she thinks she's missing....I..I'm worried." "Michael before you start getting yourself all worked up, have you checked with Alex or Kyle's house. Maybe she's hiding out at one of their places. I tell you what you check with Kyle and I'll phone Alex, maybe we'll get lucky. I'll call you as soon as I know anything." Isabel put the phone down and dialled Alex's number. Max sat watching her, he didn't know what was going on but the vibes coming off Isabel told him it was something serious. He stood next to her putting his hand on her shoulder. "Isabel what's up?" "Seems as if Maria might be missing. I'm checking with Alex, maybe he's seen her....." "Hey." "Alex it's Isabel, did I wake you?" "Isabel? Am I dreaming or is it really your sweet voice I hear?" Isabel couldn't help but smile, Alex could always make her smile, then she thought about Maria and the smile fell from her face. "Yes Alex it's really me. Maria isn't there is she?" "Maria? No, I haven't seen her since yesterday, why, what's happened now?" "Alex she could be missing, I think we should go over to Michael's, he's checking in with Kyle at the moment, but we should still get over there." "No prob, I'm on my way." Isabel looked over at Max, she shook her head at him. Max pushed her to her room to get ready. As soon as the door closed her grabbed his clothes dragging them on. Within minutes Isabel was standing in the doorway. Max grabbed her hand and pulled her from the room. "You know this could be a false alarm, I bet any money she'll be there, when we arrive." "I hope so Max, I really hope so." TBC