Mel Odom - Shades

"Where are you going that you need to be so… comfortable?"

"Work."

"Office hours are over," Max said.

"I've got to go to the library."

"Oh."

"I just wanted to check on you," Isabel said. "Make sure you were doing okay."

"I am," Max said.

Isabel nodded, but didn't look convinced.

"Part of me," Max said, "wants to say that's not true, that I'm in denial about how I really feel." He paused. "I just don't want to be alone, Isabel, and I don't want to think about my son being out there somewhere, possibly in danger."

"I don't think Tess would hurt him, Max," Isabel said. She entered his room and sat on the bed next to him. "And as far as being alone, you're not. I'm here. And on some days you've got Michael. And our parents. And a lot of other people."

"I know. I just feel alone."

Isabel put her hand on his arm.

Max sat quietly, feeling better.

"You'll be seeing Liz tonight," Isabel said. "That's a start."

"A cheeseburger with friends. Not very promising."

"Not having a cheeseburger with friends is even less promising."

"True." Max exercised restraint within himself. He'd go; he'd have fun. And he would not expect too much. That was the secret. He looked at Isabel. "I thought you had to go to the library."

"I do. I will. It'll be okay. We have a… " Isabel stopped. "We have a very understanding library. That's one of the things that I've always liked best about the library."

Mel Odom lives in Moore, Oklahoma, with his wife and five children. He has written several Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch books, and the nov-elizations of Tomb Raider and Snow Day. He coaches basketball, baseball, and football and loves watching his kids play sports. When not at a game or writing, he's known to hang out on the Internet until way after the cows come home. He can be reached at denimbyte@aol.com.

From the television series developed by Jason Katims

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#01 THE OUTSIDER

#02 THE WILD ONE

#03 THE SEEKER

#04 THE WATCHER

#05 THE INTRUDER

#06 THE STOWAWAY

#07 THE VANISHED

#08 THE REBEL

#09 THE DARK ONE

#10 THE SALVATION

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