Isabel held the photo of Maria, she concentrated, she could feel herself drift, flashes came then went, she couldn't connect. She opened her eyes and everyone waited, waited for the words that she knew where Maria was. Isabel looked around at each face until she stopped at Michael, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, I got nothing. It doesn't mean anything, she just might not be asleep or she's out of reach. I'll try again later....Michael?" Michael turned his back on her, he didn't want anyone to see how much this was killing him, he needed to be strong not just for himself but for Maria. Isabel spotted Alex making his way to the phone, she looked at him puzzled. "Alex who are you calling?" "The Sheriff, he should be told, he could help." Michael strode over to him, snatching the phone out his hand. "No you're not, he'll make it worse. No this we have to sort out ourselves." Liz looked at him pleadingly. "Michael, what if we can't handle this, what then? It could be too late." Michael looked at everyone, he shook his head trying to clear it. "Look everyone I'm sorry, but I still don't trust the guy. Let's just see if Isabel can connect with her, if not we'll go to him, okay?" Alex and Liz were reluctant, but they agreed. Michael needed some time alone, he needed space. They made to leave him, hoping that Maria might try and contact one of them. They would come back later if nothing came about it. Isabel would try again then. *MILES AWAY* Maria was strapped to a bed, she felt groggy and week, she tried to lift her head, but her head was pounding. She turned her face to look around to see where she was. The room was dark, except for a light coming through the cracks of a door. the door opened and she saw the outline of a person standing there. He switched on the light, she didn't recognise him. She tried to speak but her voice came out croaky. The man came in and poured her some water, he lifted her head, she drank the water thirstily, some of it spilled down her face. "Messy bugger aren't you?" Maria narrowed her eyes at him. "Who are you? Where the hell am I?" "I'm not the one you should be asking." "You know my friends are going to find me and when they do they are gonna kick your ass." The man laughed. "Find you? There's no chance of that happening. You don't get it, you're not even on American soil any more." Maria felt a rush of fear running through her, he had to be lying, but what if he wasn't, where the hell was she? Nothing was making any sense. She could see the mans mouth moving, but the rushing in her ears drowned out his voice. She breathed deeply, calming herself, his words penetrated her brain. "...but never mind, he'll be coming soon, now you're awake. He'll tell you then what's going to happen to you, don't worry though I don't think he plans on killing you....at least not yet." Then man laughed as he walked to the door, he was still laughing as he moved away from the room. Maria struggled with the binds on her wrists and ankles, the didn't budge if anything they tightened. The pain brought tears to her eyes, the rope was cutting into her. She listened for a sound any sound to figure out where she was, there was nothing. Thoughts ran through her mind, where was she? Why was she taken? But most of all, who had taken her? FBI? Skins? Who? She heard footsteps coming closer, the door opened to reveal a man, he wasn't the same guy who had came in earlier. But the way the others behind him looked at him, she could tell this was their boss. He made his way closer to her, he was a good looking type of creep, except for the scar that ran the length of his cheek. She looked into his eyes and shrank back, his eyes were cold, they held no emotion. The man stood over her, his eyes travelled over her body, from head to toe. The look made her shiver. "Not bad, not bad at all." The man smirked at her, Maria shrank back from him more. He put his hand out to her, running his fingers over her face, as he reached her mouth, she opened her lips and bit down hard on his finger. He didn't react, only looked at her until she released him. He smirked at her again. "Feisty aren't you, but not to worry, I'll enjoy taming you." Maria spat at him. "Who the hell are you?" "Me. Didn't anyone tell you?" Maria shook her head, the man tutted. "Basically...I own you, you belong to me." Maria stared at him, then burst out laughing. "YOU own me, do you know what century you're living in? In case it's escaped your knowledge, you can't own people, slavery is a thing of the past." "I own you, and I have a contract to prove it, maybe I'll show it to you sometime." "This is crazy, you're crazy." "I don't think so." The man turned to leave. Maria shouted after him. "Wait please! I don't understand, for you to own me....someone had to have sold me." He turned and looked back at her. "That's right you were sold." "Who?....Who sold me?" The man walked towards the door, he turned back as he shut the door. "You're father....." TBC

Part 4