Hey, this is my sceond Maximum Ride fanfic. With hindsight, I would have added my previous story, Under The Stars to this, but it's done now. I've rated it K+, but please tell me if you think it should be higher or lower. If the reception is good, a second collection will be published in the future. Enjoy!

Max

I know I'm the last person you want to hear from right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if you tore this up straight away without reading it. Actually, no. You probably wouldn't even bother opening it altogether, because you wouldn't think I'm worth the energy. And I don't blame you. But please, I'm begging you, just hear me out.

I'm sorry okay? Sorry for making such a mess of everything. It seems that everything I touch, everyone I love… everything gets destroyed in the end, no matter how hard I try. I'm like a poison, spreading death and devastation wherever I go.

I want to thank you as well. You looked after Ari when he needed it most, when he was dying but I was too wrapped up in my work to notice him. And I know how much it cost you - it nearly split the flock in half - and yet you did it, you stuck by him, simply because he was your brother. In those final weeks, he was probably more happy then he'd ever been in his life. He was a good kid, but I was only interested in what I couldn't have, and despite everything, he never stopped loving me. That was why he did all those terrible things to you - to get my attention, and I feel awful. I made him into another one of those pathetic experiments that Itex are only too fond of creating, and he went along with it, just to please me. I turned him into a monster! All he wanted was the three of us to be one big happy family, and I couldn't even give him that.

And above all, I want you to know that I never meant to kill the flock. I swear I didn't know what they were planning, and as soon as I discovered the truth, I did all I could to save them. Sometimes, things happen which out of our control - you of all people should know that. I'm not asking for your forgiveness - I know I don't deserve it - but please, just know that I didn't mean to. You know I would never do a thing like that; I love you too much. Didn't all those years I spent with you when you first got of the School teach you anything? I gave up everything to keep you guys safe. You were like the family I never had. And the family I did have? Yeah, I guess I kind of messed any chances with them too.

Your loving father, Jeb

Jeb

You're right. I will never, ever forgive you for you did, for what you put them through. I wouldn't even have written to you if my mom hadn't had persuaded me to. Yeah, that's right - mom. But don't expect me to be calling you dad anytime soon. I don't know how you can even think of calling yourself that. Don't try to contact me again. We're moving in a few days time. I don't know where exactly we're going, and to be honest, I don't really care, just so long as it's as far away from you as possible.

Your hating un-daughter, Max

Jeb

I don't know what's happened - Max won't talk to me about it - but please, just respect her wishes and stop pestering us. She doesn't want to talk to you, okay? Don't you get it? When I first met you, when you forced me to do those things, you made me feel like nothing, like I was worthless. I wanted to die. I never told Max the truth because I didn't want her to hate me. I didn't want her to think I was weak. But maybe I should. She deserves to know just how evil her father is. How I didn't donate my eggs to the School. What really happened. Max was the only good thing to come out of it, and yet even then, when she was born, you just wouldn't leave it, would you? You've destroyed her, Jeb. My beautiful daughter.

Dr Valencia Martinez