Disclaimer: James Patterson is the true owner of these characters. Unfortunate, no? (;
A/N: =D 'Kay, first Max Ride fic, be nice (: Can't thank HerGoldenWings enough for helping me with the plot and just generally helping out and being awesome (: Check her fics out, they're like out of this world.
Theory of Love – Prelude
"I don't want to hurt you," The doctor's voice was soothing, if a little exasperated. The dark-haired boy laughed, throwing his tied hands in the man's face.
"Remind me why my hands are tied." The doctor's eyes widened: this was the first full sentence he'd heard from the boy since he'd found him perched in a tree.
"I just want to make the world a better place," The man continued, ignoring the boy's widened eyes. "And you can help me. Forget the flock, forget Max. I can keep you safe. I just need you to trust me."
Max. Even her name sent splinters of pain rushing through his body. But at least she wasn't here beside him, this time. Not this time. He'd protected her by leaving her, leaving them all behind. No matter what, he couldn't go back, not ever. Not until he knew everything was safe. Until he was safe.
"Please," Now the man's voice was pleading, almost begging him. The boy almost laughed: like he didn't have complete control over him. He was the one standing free, not cramped inside a dog crate. Just being cramped in one was sending waves of nostalgia over him. "I can make you so much stronger than the rest, remember Dylan? I can make you strong enough to defeat him and so much more. I just need you to trust me."
The boy looked up, his eyes raking over the doctor: his white coat, earnest eyes, over-long hair not unlike his own. Dr Gunther-Hagen. There were so many reasons not to trust him, after everything he'd done.
"I trust Max," He said quietly, looking down, "To save me from this."
All around him, chemical smells filled the air. Before, he'd had the flock behind him, Max at his side. This time, he was on his own.