This is written by Misthorse.

Here is my collection of Maximum Ride mini-stories. They have nothing to do with each other, but are just kinda for fun. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: James Patterson, (not me!) owns Maximum Ride and its characters.

Tattoo

I swept my dirty-blonde hair up into a sloppy attempt at a bun and looked over my shoulder into the mirror in Dr. Martinez's...er, my mom's bathroom.

"Nudge, does this look okay?" Yes, that's right. I'm asking a nine-year old for fashion advice. But then again, I'm not exactly what you'd call fashion-forward. I mean, I can't even tell Chanel from Corvette! (Hmm...that didn't sound right...oh, whatever.) The point is, I was going on my third-ever date, and my second one with Fang, so I needed to look at least somewhat presentable. I turned to Nudge. "So?" She was standing there with her mouth forming a shocked O. "That bad, huh?" I sighed and reached for the ponytail holder to take it out and start over. Again.

"No, Max, it's your, uh, your..." Nudge sounded like she had something stuck in her throat.

"Nudge?" I prompted. "Something wrong?" Instantly, I did a 360, taking a careful mental check of the general vicinity. Nothing seemed out of place, except my hair. So what was the problem? Then, I saw. Nudge was pointing a shaky finger at my neck. In the mirror I could just make out some faint numbers. 4-1-09. My expiration date.

* * *

I did a double take. No! It couldn't be! Not now, not just when things were getting (somewhat) better! Suddenly, the room started to swirl around me, and I was vaguely aware of Fang slipping into the room as everything went black.

* * *

Two hours later, I work up in a cold sweat lying on a bed in the guestroom. I glanced at the clock on the dresser. The letters glowed 8:45pm onimously. I was still in a state of shock. This couldn't be happening. My worst nightmare (and trust me, if you think YOURS are bad...) was coming true. Right here, right now.

That was March 31, 2009.

* * *

The next morning, I awoke to see the Flock huddled around my bed with solemn faces. Nudge looked like she was holding back tears. Ella and Angel were crying, Total was sobbing hysterically, Iggy was silent, and Fang was blending into the background, but I sensed his presence. Jeb and my mom were absent, along with Gazzy. I suspected my mom was comforting the latter, and that he'd show up eventually. As for Jeb, well, he probably had no reason to care. Suddenly, the Gasman himself comes barreling into the room, screeching his head off...laughing?! Everyone turned to glare at him, but then he dumps a small black object in my lap, along with a piece of paper. I glance down at it, confused. Was this some sort of...parting gift? I pick it up, and read the label on the side. Uber Tattoo. Easy and fun! Fool your friends! Huh? What was this? Something is nagging me, but I can't quite place it. Gazzy looks practically ecstatic, and I notice him exchange a not-so-secret look with Ig.

"Try it on the paper!" Gazzy exclaims. Wondering why I'm doing this, I press the stamper-like object to the page. The wet, dripping ink has formed...numbers?

4-1-09.

What the...Everything suddenly clicks into place.

"GAZZY!" several voices yell at once, including mine.

"April Fools!" he shrieks, joined by Iggy.

"IGGY!" we all yell again.

"Where did you get this?!" I demanded. The guilty party exchanges another Look. "Gazzy and Iggy, you better tell me RIGHT NOW!" I use my best Angry Leader voice, but the partners-in-crime leap out the open window, unfurling their wings hard in unison. The rest of us bird kids (and one flying dog) soon take chase after them. Boy, were they in for it!!!