Part 6 - Bright Light

Maria watched in momentary shock as the Skin picked up the alien artifact. She had seen the strange pentagon-shaped object before. Brody had bought it at an alien-related yard sale a few years ago. Personally, Maria found the concept of anybody outside Roswell having an alien-related yard sale to be hilarious. As she told Max, it just went to prove that there were weirdos all over. Two years of knowing that aliens were real wasn't enough to wipe out sixteen years of Roswell-bred cynicism. At any rate, Maria had studied the artifact, and even tried to help Max figure out the symbols on it, but no luck. They had no idea what it did, although it was a pretty good guess that it was dangerous, since it had thrown Michael across a room and knocked him out.

She watched silently as the Skin picked it up. Apparently, he knew how to use it, because he instantly touched one of the symbols. Next thing she knew, there was a flash of bright light and he was flying backwards through the air, landing in a heap at her feet. She blinked in surprise - somehow, she didn't think that was the intended response.

She decided that she had seen enough. The Amazing Flying Skin seemed to be knocked unconscious, so she should use the opportunity to get out of there and get help. As much as she hated leaving Brody, she realized that one unarmed human wasn't going to be much match for an evil alien with a weapon. She turned instantly to leave.

The Skin's eyes opened suddenly as his hand reached out and grabbed her ankle. Maria didn't even have time to scream as she fell down.

Her head hit the floor hard.

She desperately called out, but couldn't find her voice: MICHAEL!

Everything went black.

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Michael pulled up in front of the Crashdown, dropping his bike to the ground in his rush to get into the restaurant and find Maria. He wasn't surprised to find her Jetta parked outside. In fact, the only emotion he was feeling was a growing panic. Every minute since he had the vision had just increased the sense that something was very, very wrong. Something much worse than hurt feelings and a broken heart was going on here.

He was so fixated on getting into the Crashdown and finding Maria that he didn't even notice the man exiting until he ran into him. Even then, all Michael did was growl and push him aside. He was stopped by a strong grasp on his arm. Looking up, he encountered a pair of concerned blue eyes.

"Hold on a minute," Sheriff Valenti asked. "What's you rush?"

If it had been anyone else, Michael would have kept on going, either past him or through him. But whether he would admit it or not, Valenti was the closest thing Michael had (or probably ever would have) to a father, and what was more, Michael trusted him. Michael and Valenti had a common bond - they were both willing to go to any lengths to protect the group. So, he took the minute to talk to the older man.

"I had a vision. Maria's in trouble. I need to get to her."

To Michael's relief, Valenti didn't waste time asking any stupid questions. "She's not inside the restaurant," he said, looking around and noticing the Jetta.

"You're sure?"

He nodded absently. "Liz mentioned that she hadn't heard from her all day - asked if Amy had mentioned where she was today. I just figured she was with you." Valenti started across the street. "Come on."

Michael followed instantly. If he hadn't been so focused on Maria, he would have found this amusing. Here he was, the trusty second who couldn't even seem to follow one of his king's orders without arguing, but he didn't hesitate to do what the town's human sheriff told him. By the time they were halfway across the street, he realized why Valenti was taking them to the UFO Museum. Maria's car was here, and if she wasn't in the Crashdown, then the only other likely place she would be was with Max in the museum.

As they approached the door, Michael was overwhelmed by another vision. He barely registered Valent's arms keeping him from falling. Drowning out everything around him was one word, spoken in Maria's voice.

"MICHAEL!"

Then nothing.

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