Chapter 1

"Guys, I'm pregnant." I said those three words at the campfire that night. The night before we were going to my mom's house.

They had been chatting all together, just talking about random things. But it had turned into silence quickly.

"What?" Iggy spat. He genuinely looked shocked. Angel seemed to be reading my mind, probably hoping I was just joking. Nudge was just silent. Staring at me in a way that broke my heart. Gazzy looked confused. Total, well Total just stared at me too. Fang though, Fang just looked at me, and my heart was already broken, but now it felt like it was being burned and put through a shredder…slowly.

"I'm pregnant." I repeated. I made sure my face wasn't showing any emotion, I hoped it was still wasn't.

Fang took off. Quite literally. He got up and just shot off into the sky. Not even looking back. But he stayed up there and waited. Never looking down though.

"He wants us to come with him." Angel looked at me. "But not Max." she spoke softly. Then she got this look on her face and it made me want to cry. "And-and-and he says that Max is a cheater. And that she-she-she" Angel started sobbing. I moved closer to her to gather her in a hug and she accepted and hugged me back as tightly as she could. "He says that she doesn't care about us anymore."

"That's not true Angel, that could never be true!" I blinked back tears. I got up. I could tell that the Flock had made their decisions and they were going to go with Fang. I hugged Iggy first because I knew he was shaking with anger. "Iggy, be careful. And I love you, okay? Be careful." He pushed me away. Then I clutched Gazzy. "You be careful too, okay? Be careful with those bombs buddy. I love you!" he shot off after Iggy but not before he whispered so quietly I was worried that I was imagining it, "I love you too Max."

Then Nudge, I held her tightly. "I love you Nudge! Be careful. And be the momma bird alright?" I was scared that she would say she hated me.

But she clutched me instead. "I love you Max, and I'm going to miss you, but Fang and the rest. I'm scared Max."

"Fang'll take care of you guys, I'm sure of it." I gave her a smile and she nodded and joined the others in the sky.

I stared at Angel still sitting on a rock. She leaped up and squeezed me. "Fang says he hates you. And he thinks you're lying, but I know you're not! I love you Max, but Gazzy! I can't leave Gazzy. You understand right? You don't hate me do you? Please don't hate me Max. Max. I'm scared."

"Angel, I understand. You guys will be just fine. Especially with a mind reader. Okay? And go to Mom's okay? You guys will be fine there. And live near there okay? I won't go to Mom's if you guys will. I'll be just fine by myself Angel. And I love you! I love all of you guys. Make a promise to me Angel?" she nodded. "All of you will live near Mom, together. Together. I give you permission to use slight SLIGHT mind control if that will make sure you can keep that promise. Stay together. And stay careful. I love all of you! Now go. I don't want them forgetting you." I shooed her up after a quick hug and a kiss on the forehead.

I looked to my feet and picked up Total, "You be careful to, I love you too Total. See you again one day." I lifted him off to the sky.

"See you Max!" he yelled.

I stood there and waited until they all flew away. Until I couldn't see them anymore. And I knew I was on my own. Without any help. But I would be alright, as long as they were.