Well, I really wanted to write this new story. I have a lot of the rest of the story written, so I should update pretty often with this one. And just to tell anyone who is waiting for me to update A Winged Romance, chapter 8 is coming. Please enjoy this new story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride... James Patterson does.

Max POV

I heard a choked back sob and then some whispering. Hmm... that's odd. I slowly opened my eyes about 30 seconds later to find no one new in our little camp or anything. Well, that's good. I figured as long as I was up I might as well go check on the flock.

Angel was sound asleep on the ground next to me, she looked so peaceful. Nudge was laying on her stomach next to Iggy who was closer to her than usual... I'd have to ask about that in the morning. The Gasman was on Iggy's other side, snoring softly. And lastly, Fang was-- wait a minute, where's Fang!

Oh my god, he's supposed to be here. He's supposed to be sitting on the ground right next to Gazzy taking watch! I jumped up, whipping my head around to make sure no one was behind me. I walked over to where Fang was supposed to be and found a note laying on the ground. It had my name on it.

'Max,

I'm really sorry it had to be like this. I did it to protect the flock though. And you, mainly you. Erasers and whitecoats came. I have no idea how they got here without me, you, or Ig hearing them, but they did.

They gave me a choice. Either they would take the entire flock and do minimal tests on them, or they could take just one of us and do whatever they pleased to them. I couldn't risk them doing that to all of you anyway, no matter the agreement.

So, I told them I would go with them- without a fight- if they left you guys... mainly you... alone. They let me write this final note before I left, though. I wanted to tell you how sorry I am Max. I know I promised I would never leave you again, but under these circumstances, it was necessary.

I'm also sorry that I never told you how much I loved you. I should have done it a long time ago. Please don't be sad about me leaving, and please don't try to come get me. This is out of protection for you.

I couldn't watch them do those tests on you. Please tell the rest of the flock that I'm sorry for not being able to say goodbye. I'll miss you. I love you.

Fang.'

I covered my mouth with the hand that wasn't holding the note to try to muffle the sobs coming out of me.

"Max?" I heard Iggy's voice say from behind me.

"Yeah?" I managed to choke out, trying to sound normal, but my voice broke twice in that one word.

"Are you okay?" He put his hand on my shoulder. I couldn't hold it back anymore, I burst into tears. Iggy was rubbing my back, trying to calm me down.

"What's wrong?" He asked quietly once I'd calmed down a little.

"Fang... Fang is... is... oh Iggy!" I cried and burst into tears.

"Max, where is Fang?" He said calmly a second later.

"G-Gone! All he left was this note." I said softly.

"What exactly does the note say?"

"It says he let the whitecoats and erasers take him to save us!" I paused. "And then he said he loved me." I whispered the last part, but Iggy heard it. He was obviously speechless, but after a moment he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and a few tears fell silently from his eyes.

I heard quiet footsteps behind us and I turned around to see Angel walking towards us. Tears were falling from her eyes as well.

"Is he really gone, Max?" She whispered. I nodded sadly and motioned for her to sit on my lap. She buried her head in my shirt and cried.

Max, I can hear his thoughts. She sent to me.

Really?

Yeah, I asked him if he was serious about the whole 'don't try to come get me' thing and he said yes. She sobbed into my shirt and her small shoulders shook.

Angel? Sweetie, do you think you could tell him something for me?

Of course Max. What is it?

Could you tell Fang... that I love him? I was hesitant to tell this to Angel but she just said yes without giving me a hard time and I felt her presence leave my head.

The next chapter should be up pretty soon! So please review and tell me what you think of this first chapter. Thanks!