Wind whipped around my face, swirling my hair in knots as it flew out of the hair tie holding it back.
My bare feet pounded against the soft green grass, my shadow racing after me. Drips of sweat crowded my brow, sliding down my nose to drip off the precipice. Pain filled me. My chest strained as it expanded for each breath I took, my feet ached and small lacerations covered my heels from where I had sliced my feet on rocks.
I had to run, stopping wasn't an option. If I stopped it would catch me. My past. The decisions I had made. What had I done?
All I wanted right now was to spread my wings, to have them rip out from my sides, and snag the wind tearing past me. I wanted to feel my feather tips rustle into place as my wings beat down, forcing the air they had caught, to lift me up into the air. I wanted to soar away, fly so high that my problems would be left far behind. But I couldn't, so I kept running. It was almost as good. The wind still whipped at my clothes, but instead of the relaxation I felt while flying, the running made me fill with pain, and I couldn't run quite fast enough for my memories to leave me. They were there, stepping on my heels, slipping into the corners of my mind.
I had left my flock alone, to fend for themselves. It was only for five minutes! Watch was so boring, and no one was around. Actually, no one was going to be around. We had only just defeated Itex, so what was the point of watch? No flyboys were going to be sneaking up on us tonight. All I wanted was to clear my head of some thoughts, and a quick flight seemed like the perfect idea.
I was going to wake someone, Fang, or Iggy…. But they looked so peaceful, and I wouldn't be gone long. I was just going to fly to the state border and back, five minutes tops. So I stood up, and unfolded my wings slowly, one at a time. First my left wing, I watched the feathers rustle into place, then slowly opened my other wing. They were what I liked best about myself, and hated the most about my life. If only I had no wings, my childhood would have been normal. But, knowing what it is like to fly, I could never give them up.
So, stretching my wings to their fullest length I jumped up, catching the wind and soared off.
My thoughts quickly turned to Fang. I didn't know what to do with him. I felt something toward him, but because I had to lead the flock I wasn't going to explore those… feelings? No, not feelings for him, I was sure I didn't like Fang that way. But something had changed…Well, whatever it was I was going to ignore it. But Fang seemed pretty intent on forcing me NOT to ignore it. I had run away from that, it wasn't like a fight. Fighting I was good at, fighting was clear. Kick. Punch. Repeat. But with Fang I had to feel something else, and I wasn't sure I could. So I ran. And now, he was quieter than ever.
I sighed internally and upped my speed. If I just flew fast enough then these thoughts would slip away just like the wind slipping past my face, and down the length of my wings.
I decided it was time for me to turn around, get back to the total and constant confusion that was my flock. But that was what I lived for, those five totally crazy kids that were my family, and that looked toward me to be their surrogate mom. I don't know what I would do without them.
I sped up, and then poured on even more speed. Soon I was flying faster than I ever had before. It felt like total bliss, freedom. I could go forever like this.
With my razor eyesight I saw my flock off in the distance. I put in one more burst of energy, and the wind seemed nonexistent. I was a bullet, a knife through the air, and nothing could stop me. This was amazing.
Then the pain hit my body, I heard a tremendous boom that shook the air around me and then a flash of light filled the air.
In an instant all that was over. I looked around me, and I seemed to be in about the same spot. I looked for where the flock was, anxious for their opinions on what had just happened to me. I looked again.
Now I was nervous. I scanned the horizon, pinpointing the exact clump of trees where the flock had been sleeping. I quickly descended to find no one there. No even a sign that anyone was there. No ashes from the fire that I had left burning moments ago. No bent grass, in the shape of small and large bodies that had been laying there when I had left. Where were they? Had my flock left me?
Oh my god. They had left me. I was alone.
I just knew this was going to happen. Don't ask me why, but deep down my greatest fear was that I wasn't good enough for them, that I didn't deserve such amazing people as my family.
I didn't cry. Max does not cry. So I ran. I wished to fly, but subconsciously I knew that the great noise and flash of light were no coincidence. I couldn't fly, but I had to sort my thoughts and running was the next best thing. Why had my flock left me and not even given a reason? I must have done something.
I wished I was perfect, knew I was not. And I ran. I didn't feel the pain at first. It just felt good to be running, almost as good as flying.
I decided then to go to the Martinez's house. My mom would love me no matter what…. Wouldn't she?
FPOV
I watched Max take off, and then sat up. She had been taking these midnight flights more often now that Itex was over and done with.
I sighed, wondering what she was thinking about. Wondering why she didn't come to me to talk about it, like she used to. Wondering if she knew I was thinking of her.
Five minutes passed, and an unnatural sound caught my ears, almost as if a plane had reached the sound barrier, then busted right through it. A flash of light blinded me then, before I was even sure it had occurred, the light and noise was gone. I shook it off after waiting for ten or so minutes without anything else happening.
I stretched and sat up. I must have fallen asleep at some point last night. I checked for Max, wondering why she never woke me for watch. She was gone.
Oh my god. Max had left us. She would never be gone for this long unless she wanted to be, and with Itex out of the way there was no way she could have been captured. Max had left us.
Max had left me.
What was I supposed to do? Should the flock go after her, when we don't know where she is or even if she wants us to find her? I decided to wake the rest of the flock and tell them the news.
As I described last night's events to them, each of the flock glanced around, checking that she wasn't just hiding behind a tree, making sure that this wasn't some sick joke. Not wanting to believe the obvious, Max was gone.
"Oh" Angle whispered, and I glanced toward her small face as realization flashed across her eyes.
"What is it Ange?" I asked. Not wanting to get my hopes up.
"I know where max is. And she definitely isn't where you think she is." Angel said.
"Tell us. Now Angel." I needed to know where Max was, even if she didn't want to come back, I needed to know she was safe.
"I can't." Angel replied sorrow now filled her eyes.