Disclaimer: I don't own maximum ride. But I own this plot and Alyss.

First Fanfic, Be Nice Guys! I Know It's Long Winded, But Our Favourite Winged Characters Will Be Appearing Soon Enough...

Hi. You don't know me, and I don't know you. I'll probably never know you, but at least I can tell you about me. If you think I'm crazy you are probably right.

Well. I was.

My story isn't believable, and never will be. But if I tell you, maybe you'll understand just a little bit. I'm not asking you to believe. I'm just asking you to listen.

Before all of this happened, I was alone. But afterwards, I found something worth living for. Some very special people made me believe not only in myself, but in hope.

So listen and learn, readers. I'm only gonna tell you once...

Chapter 1

I glared angrily at my father. He glowered back, his face slowly turning puce.

"Room!" he screamed. "Now!"

Without a backward glance I thundered up the stairs, slamming my bedroom door and locking it for good measure. Seizing my pillow, I screamed all of my anger into it, stomping my feet and kicking my door. When I had finished I flopped onto the floor, listening to the faint sound of murmuring voices beneath my floorboards. I hated my life. Hated it. Especially of all, I hated my dad.

My name is Alice. It's not spelt that way, though. It is spelt Alyss. But whenever I had to write my name I wrote it like Alice. No one knows the real spelling. I'm fourteen, but will be fifteen next week. My birthday is on the fifth of May, and I live at thirty two Queen Street. I live with my dad and his multitude of girlfriends. I go to Creiff High - that's obviously in Creiff – and I have few friends.

Well. You wouldn't have many friends you heard voices.

Yep. You got that right. I hear voices. In my head. Technically, its one voice, but I prefer to classify it as voices. I began to hear it five years ago, when I was ten. Back then it wasn't so extreme. It almost was like my mother. It chided me for being late for class, it reminded me to walk the dog, it warned me to keep my temper with my dad…I didn't think it was bad. I clung onto it. If I held out a storybook and turned the pages, it would read to me. It was like a mother to me.

Because mine died giving birth to me, I didn't want to let it go. Until I reached thirteen, it looked after me.

Then it began to get nasty.

If it was reading to me, it would put nasty twists on the end of the book, and my dreams would turn to nightmares. At school it told me to backchat to the teachers, and it made me hit my dog, Heg. A year ago I almost killed myself.

But no one knew about that.

So I tried to keep myself to myself, keeping my head low, passing my exams. Occasionally, the Voice is nice and comforting, and tells me to keep my chin up, and cheers me up. But then it would get nasty again.

My only friend is Anna. She is my friend at school. Granted, she's a freak because she had sumo glasses and has scientists for parents. But she is still my friend. We hang out together in the library.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not a glasses wearing pigtail freak. Trust me. I have shoulder length blond hair and eyes that change to blue, green and grey according to my mood. I'm about average height, and I don't get called ugly at school. I just hear voices.

My dad is jobless, so the government pays for everything. I hate my dad. He is a drunk that has a woman every night. He hits me sometimes. I feel hate whenever I think of him. Still, he is my only living relative, so I can't run away to somewhere else.

I closed my eyes. Casy was around. My dad had told me to go to my room instead of walking Heg. I knew what was going to happen. They'd get drunk; fool around, and disappear for several hours. It made me sick.

Standing up, I looked at myself in the mirror. I had bags under my eyes. I hadn't been sleeping well the last few weeks. I have no idea why, but I started to have nightmares with monsters in them. I didn't know what had brought them on, but I wished they would go away. It made me look ugly.

Don't be silly. You're a very pretty girl, Alyss, and don't forget that.

I banged my head hard on my mirror. Oh no.

"You're back." I whispered. "Go away."

Honey, I wasn't gone forever. The voice chided. I'm still here. I'm always here.

"Go away." I said with force. "I don't want you."

Sometimes, the Voice would go away for a couple of weeks. Then it would come back. I didn't mind, because I got to act like a normal person. It was also the only person in the world who wouldn't accept the new spelling of my name.

Of course you don't. The Voice sounded amused. You never want me. Now brush your teeth. It's time for bed.

I looked at my clock. God. It was half ten already.

With my stomach growling I got ready for bed, crawling under the covers. I switched on my antique electric blanket. After a while I stopped shivering and started to drop towards unconsciousness.

Don't forget you have a history test tomorrow.

I was half asleep, so I didn't feel that annoyed. "I'm trying to sleep." I muttered. "Thanks, but tell me tomorrow."

Go to sleep, Alyss. Sleep safe.

Closing my eyes, I fell asleep.

I woke up and rolled out of bed. Landing on the hard floor on my backside wasn't good. I rubbed my eyes and stumbled up. After changing and brushing my hair, I made my way downstairs. My dad's door was closed. After a brief breakfast of toast I grabbed my bag and left, resigning the half hour walk to school. My father couldn't drive. He lost his licence when drunk driving. So now I had to walk everywhere.

It isn't your fault.

"Of course it isn't." I snapped. "It's your fault for being in my head."

No one else cares about you.

I resisted the urge to smack my forehead. I could never hurt the Voice. Only myself.

Too right.

With a snarl I ignored the Voice. It only bugged me in the mornings. When I finally got to school, I had to run and sign in before slipping into assembly. I spotted Anna and sat beside her, ignoring the small whispers of "Loser" and "Psycho."

"Hey, Anna." I said with a smile. "How was your weekend?"

She smiled, showing braces. "I got braces. And my mum offered to have you over for tea."

Knowing how busy her parents were, I knew this was a special invitation. "Thanks, Anna." I exclaimed warmly. "That'll be great."

She blushed and looked at the ground. Our head teacher, Mr Banks, came to the front of the hall and tapped the microphone.

"Quiet, please, quiet…"

No one shut up, of course. Mr Banks sighed and brought out a whistle. He blew it hard, startling the students into silence.

"Thank you."

He straightened his tie, looking nervous. "We have school inspectors coming, this morning. All of you are to behave. If anyone is rude or does misbehave you will get a punishment exercise and a phone call to your parents. Is that understood?" he squeaked into the microphone. The hall was silent. "Good." he sighed with relief. "Remember, they will be checking your school files to check everything is correct. You received a letter about it a few weeks ago. There are no assembly announcements. Dismissed."

Noise erupted in the hall the second Mr Banks left. I kept silent. So did Anna. We weren't big talkers.

My first lesson was Maths. Anna and I copied answers from each other and laughed a bit at our teacher, Miss Linen. She was incapable of handling a student, let alone a whole class. Once, she got so angry she locked herself in a cupboard and refused to come out. It was fun to play tricks on her.

When the bell rang I stood up slowly. I had history next.

As well as a history test.

"Damn!" I hissed. "I forgot about that!"

I told you last night, but you didn't listen.

"Shut up!"

I noticed that a few of my classmates were looking strangely at me, so I waved quickly to Anna and hurried out. Some people sniggered. I ignored them and headed to history, groaning mentally as I entered the classroom. The desks were separated and a sheet of lined paper lay on each desk. I plonked myself in the back row and took out a pen, studying it as others sat around me, chatting to their friends. My teacher Mr Love came in and put the test paper on our desks.

"Remember, no cheating." He barked. "You have forty five minutes. You may begin."

A flurry of papers resounded around the classroom, and I turned my paper around slowly. With a deep breath I looked down, my nervousness turning cold.

Oh, no. I didn't know any of the answers.

It is your fault because you didn't revise enough. If you ask nicely, maybe I will tell you.

Please tell me! I begged silently. I don't want to fail this!

Fine. Read the first question.

I read it hurriedly. When was the Easter Rising in Ireland?

1916. It lasted five days – 25th of April to the 29th of April.

Thank you.

With the Voice helping me, the test was ridiculously easy. I was halfway done when the door opened and closed. I didn't look up, but stilled as measured footsteps walked up to the front of the classroom. I heard an unfamiliar voice speak to Mr Love.

Look up, Alyss.

I looked up. A man in his mid thirties was standing in a smart suit and suitcase next to the board, speaking quietly to Mr Love. The inspector had dark hair and eyes, and had a small smile on his face. Well. I would be smiling too if Mr Love was dithering and drooling over my shoes in an attempt to gain marks for his teaching.

The man nodded to Mr Love and began to survey the classroom, his dark eyes resting on the head of one student before flicking to the next. I felt surprisingly unsettled and looked down at my paper, reading the next question.

What would you call the type of warfare that the Anglo-Irish War (The War of Independence) had?

I don't know! I sighed. Please, tell me.

Okay. It was a Guerrilla War. This meant that there were almost no major skirmishes, and used ambushes, assassinations and burnings.

Cheers. I wrote that down. It was only then I realized that the Voice was completely silent.

Usually I could tell when it was there. It was like a presence in my mind, waiting to say something. But I couldn't sense it at all. It was gone.

Um – hello?

Nothing.

I started to sweat. What was I going to do? I couldn't finish the rest of the test. They'll think I cheated. I looked at my paper in panic. This was bad. Very bad.

I felt the hair on the back of my neck raise. Swallowing hard, I raised my head.

Chapter 2

Dark eyes bored into my own. I couldn't move. Dimly, I realized that somehow I was caught in the inspectors gaze. I wanted to break free, to look away, down, anywhere, somehow…

Let go!

I looked at my paper. I heard the inspector catch his breath in surprise. The Voice was hissing angrily, muttering words I couldn't hear.

Don't you look up again, Alyss!

Don't worry. I won't.

The voice quickly gave me the rest of the answers. The bell went just as I was finished, and I scrawled my name untidily on the front. I grabbed my bag and ran out the door, running to the toilets. I locked myself in a cubicle, breathing hard.

"Who was he?" I gasped. "What did he do to me?"

I don't know.

The voice sounded frustrated.

Listen to me, Alyss. You're going to avoid him. Even if he is in the same hall you turn and go into the other direction. You're going to do this for me. No excuses.

I felt comforted briefly. "I thought you wanted to kill me." I whispered.

Well, I did. It's fun to mess with your head. But now I have other problems. Keeping you alive is a major one. Do you promise?

I swallowed and rested my head on the door, letting the cold wood cool my forehead.

"I promise."

When I got home that night, my dad was out. After a quick shower I took Heg for a walk, letting him off his lead at the park. The Voice didn't bother me. When I got home I laboriously did my homework. The Voice chided in, helping me when I didn't understand. Just as I was cleaning the kitchen the phone rang.

I picked it up and held it to my ear. We never got phone calls.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is that Mr Ridell?"

I recognized the sound of Mr Banks, my head teacher. "Um, no, I'm sorry, Mr Banks is unavailable. Can I take a message?"

"Is that Alice?"

I kicked myself. "Yes."

"Where is your father?"

Careful, Alyss. Tell him he's at the shops.

"My dad is just doing some grocery shopping." I said carefully. "Is there a message you'd like to pass on?"

"Oh. Yes. Alice, you and your father and required to go to a meeting after school tomorrow. You will be meeting with Mr Roger and myself. Is that understood?"

Say yes.

"Yes, Mr Banks." I said quickly. "We'll see you tomorrow. Bye!"

I slammed the phone down. I heard my father coming into the door. I ran to meet him, planting myself firmly in front of him.

"You have to go to the school tomorrow and see Mr Banks, my head teacher." I spat. "I have to go too."

"Why do I have to bloomin' go"?

I felt angry.

Don't say that!

Too late.

"Because in case you haven't noticed, you're supporting a teenage daughter. If you can't be bothered to take your soggy ass to my school, then I'll be taken away and you'll be out into jail. That's why."

I knew I had gone too far when my dad's eyes narrowed. He unbuckled his belt. I stood tall, glaring at him.

"I have to go, do I?" he said in a dangerous voice.

Alyss. You went too far.

When my dad's belt whipped across my face, I agreed that I had gone too far, too.

With shaking fingers I put slave onto my face. I looked terrible. I had a black eye. Tears started to fall, and I fell into a sore, rocking ball on the floor.

Poor Alyss. My poor, poor Alyss.

I cried harder. It was only a voice in my head. It wasn't even a real person.

Poor Alyss. He was terrible. You look so hurt. Here. Put some salve on. That's my girl. That's my strong girl.

The tears continued to fall. I finished putting the slave on and fell into bed, my tears soaking my pillow. I hated my life. I hated my dad. I wanted my mum. Not a voice inside my head.

My darling, darling girl. My baby. You are so strong. Go to sleep, my angel. Have some rest. I'll watch over you.

"You're a voice." I whispered brokenly. "You're not real."

I started to cry again.

Alyss.

I burrowed my head under my pillow. Yes?

I am real as long as you want me to be. Now go to sleep.

I obeyed. The Voice started to croon a lullabye, and I soon fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. I recognized the song.

Goodnight my angel, time to close your eyes…and save these questions for another day...

Chapter 3

When I woke, the light was unnaturally bright. I lifted my head. Bright sunlight was streaming through my window.

"Wow." I murmured. "A bright sunrise."

Check the clock.

Yawning, I rolled over and faced my clock. It took me a few minutes to take in the time.

"Holy crap!"

I leapt out of the bed, tripping over my blankets. It was half twelve. School started three hours ago.

"Why didn't you wake me?" I demanded. I started to pull on some clothes. Looking at my arms, I winced. The small cuts and bruises looked worse in the sunlight.

I didn't wake you because you were out under so much emotional stress yesterday. Your body refused to let me connect to your mind and wake you.

I threw books into my bag. "I'm so dead!"

Where do you think you're going?

I stopped. "Um…school?"

Wrong. It's too late. Claim you fell through a hedge and had to stay in bed all day. You can't just go to school. They'll suspect your father hit you. Which he did. Now get yourself presentable and stay in your room. We'll stay until it's time to go out.

I sagged. I was so tired. What was the harm of lying for one day? I didn't want to be adopted. So it made sense. I sighed.

"You always make sense."

My dad was out, so I had a shower and ate some breakfast. After brushing my teeth and feeding Heg, I played with him until about two thirty. After some lunch I went to my room and slowly brushed my hair. I was lucky. My hair dried naturally straight, so I didn't need straighteners. I couldn't afford them anyway.

I took a nap before going out to walk to my school. I made sure that I was fully awake, with my face covered with old make-up I stole from a woman's bag. I wore a long sleeved shirt so the scars on my arm weren't visible. Finally, I couldn't delay anymore. After one last check in the mirror at my face I started to walk. It was a hot day. It felt good not to be in school. Some old grannies tsked at me for walking past too quickly, but I didn't care. I was too busy worrying about this meeting with Mr Roger. Who was he? A person from the government? Did he hear about my dad's treatment to me? Have they decided to send me to a carer until my father was fit to look after me? Was I going to move school? What if I was in trouble? Did I do something to upset the inspector?

I was too deep in thought to see the car. I was crossing the road, my thoughts in the clouds, when I heard a screech of tires. My body tensed, and the Voice shattered, louder than anything I've heard before – LOOK OUT!

I dived forward, feeling hot air rush behind me. I crawled over to the sideward, my head pounding, and my eyes wide. The blue car that had nearly hit me swerved on, ignoring the angry shouts. A few people came over, asking if I was all right. I nodded and smiled; until I pleaded I needed to get home. They let me go. I started to run. My antique watch told me it I was going to be late for the meeting. I ran into the school grounds, not stopping until I was at reception. I skidded to a halt in front of the desk. The receptionist looked up.

"Um, I'm supposed to be meeting with–"

"That's all right, Alice. They're in Mr Banks office."

I frowned. Taking a deep breath, I walked into the office.

My father was surprisingly sitting on a chair, nibbling away at some biscuits. Mr Banks and two other people were there, one a woman, the other a man. The woman had short, bouncy blond hair, with blue eyes and a stern face. She had a smart blue suit on, a blue waistcoat with a skirt. I froze when I recognized the inspector I had seen yesterday.

Him again.

"Please, sit down, Alice." Mr Banks motioned to a seat. I sat, my eyes narrowed.

Breath evenly. Keep your head up. Be calm. Whatever happens, don't look surprised.

I nodded. Mr Banks took that as a sign to start.

"Alice, I am sorry to inform you that there has been a rather…well, big mistake with your school records." He started nervously. My father didn't look bothered.

"So? Get new ones."

I restrained my irritation. They better not think I'm like my father.

They won't. They don't. They see your father like the man he is, a drunkard.

"You see, while we thought we were processing your academic, dental, medical and personal records, the inspectors discovered that we were accidentally deleting them. Although this seems a minor trouble, the government is very vexed at this."

"What's the government got to do with this?" my dad slurred. "Get new ones. You have back ups, surely. All Alice has to do is go to school. So let her."

The woman leaned forward. "Mr Ridell. I am Dora Mclean and this is my associate Doctor Redmand. We are very concerned at your daughter's loss of records. By government law we are required to get her out of this school, as it has proved inadequate."

Mr banks started to bluster. I looked suspiciously at Doctor Redmand. So that's your name, I thought. How fitting.

A doctor? How ironic. The Voice agreed.

My dad looked angry. "What? Pay for a new school? I'm not going to work extra–"

"Mr Ridell, your house, loans, rent and daughter school fees are paid by the government. You do not work. A social services check is being made upon your house. If it proves unsatisfactory your daughter will be removed from your care and placed into another school."

I stared at Dora Mclean. She's taking me away from my horrible life!

I bet they're not even from the government.

A small buzzing sound emitted from Dora's bag. Her hand flashed, and she held a small silver phone to her ear.

"Yes…yes…ah. Indeed. I shall inform Mr Ridell and his daughter. Thank you." she snapped the phone shut.

"Mr Ridell, you no longer have parental control over your daughter." She announced. I stared at her. My father choked.

"Your daughter is to leave today to go into care. A car will arrive for you," she said looking at me. Her blue eyes were piercing. "You are to gather your personal possessions and wait outside your home. At six o'clock precisely a car will arrive. It will take you to our social services facility."

"Wait!" my father blundered. "I need documents, officials – you can't just take her away!"

"If you are unsatisfied with this brief meeting, here are some documents." Doctor Redmand handed over pieces of paper. My father's eyes bulged as he read it.

"Who'll do the dishes?" he spat. "I'm a busy man, my house won't clean itself!"

I felt rage rise.

Gently, gently. This may work out.

"Mr Banks." Doctor Redmand said calmly. "Would you please sign here, accepting full responsibility for this child's loss of records?"

Mr Banks looked at me. My face was pale, with spots of red on my cheekbones. He took the pen and paper from Doctor Redmand and signed, shaking his head.

"Nonsense." He muttered.

"Mr Ridell." Dora held out the pen. "Please sign accepting that your parental skills are unacceptable, and that your daughter would be better in the governments care."

My dad snatched the pen and signed angrily. He sneered at me. "Wretched girl."

"And, Miss Ridell."

I looked up. The four adults were staring at me. I looked at the poised pen, wavering in the air in front of me. I looked at the piece of paper.

"Please sign accepting that your father and school were incapable of keeping you and you accept living in government care."

I took the pen. It was heavy, and embodied in the gold was a strange crest. I glanced at the paper. There was a lot of writing, and three small spaces. Two were occupied with signatures. I sighed. I would have to write my birth name. I lifted the pen and brought it down on paper.

Write your false name, Alyss! The Voice told me. Write it the way you always spell it!

I frowned. Swallowing hard, I lifted the pen, and wrote solemnly in my neatest handwriting. When I had finished, I looked up. The inspectors looked smug, my father was in a huff, and Mr Banks was drinking his tea. I looked down at my signature. I felt like a weight was on my shoulders, like I had signed myself into something I should have never agreed to do in the first place. It was my name. But it wasn't right.

Alice Ridell.