A/N: This is set during the time where they are at the E-House, before Dylan arrived. My first fanfic on this website.
I stepped into the rebuilt E-House, carrying a heap of grocery bags. Glancing into the living room, I found the Flock, huddled around each other, whispering. The same pang of worry shot through my chest – over the weeks, everyone had been avoiding me, exchanging nervous glances, shrugging away from any interaction. I had been dismissing it at the beginning, but slowly and surely, my suspicions have been arising.
"I have food!" I called, pushing a stack of cereal bowls coated in Cheerios away to make room for the bags. A small sigh escaped my lips; we really needed to learn how to be more hygienic. Shuffling feet echoed into the kitchen as the Flock moved into the kitchen. Angel pointed towards the dinner table, a malicious look of barely concealed venom plastered on her angelic face. I moved to the tale, sitting in my normal seat. Angel, Nudge, Gazzy, Iggy, and Fang were seated as well.
"We think you should step down from the position of leader," Angel started, a twisted smile spreading across her face.
"Of course, I will happily oblige to fill in this position, as I have superior powers and the right skills."
I snorted. "You are seven years old! You can't lead the Flock! You can't even cross the street on your own." I reminded her.
Angel narrowed her eyes; she pounded her hand against the table, causing everyone to jump. "I can bring this Flock to a level of greatness that would be unachievable with you here." She snarled. Suddenly, this seven year old looked like a hateful demon, despite her cute features.
My death glare was unleashed upon what used to be my baby. "So you want me to leave?" I growled.
Iggy held his hands up. "No, no. Definitely not. You are our best fighter." He insisted. "It wouldn't be the Flock without you-"
Instead of being soothed by this information, I became furious. Angel looked at Iggy with a glare that would have frightened an Eraser. It fazed none of us. Especially Iggy, as he couldn't see.
"That isn't your decision to make, Iggy. Max is most certainly not our best fighter,"
Before the beast could continue, I rolled my eyes and stood up so fast my chair fell backwards. I could not believe this – after all I have done, these ungrateful backstabbers were telling me I was a horrible leader! Various levels of anger flowed over me, so intense it felt like my very insides were burning. To my surprise, fire sparked on my hands and flames licked up my palms. Widening my eyes, I blinked multiple times and the flames disappeared. No one else seemed to notice them, as they were still shocked over my abrupt movement. I figured something was wrong with my mind; I was simply emotionally stressed.
Walking calmly down the hall, I entered my room and pulled out my best backpack. Fitting a laptop, charger, phone charger, all of my money, my Max card, clothes, another pair of shoes, a blanket, hygiene products – boy oh boy, has the policy of cleanliness changed lately – and other necessary items in my pack, I zipped it up. Pulling on my new black converse, I grabbed my hoddie, put it on, and then threw my favorite sweatshirt over my shoulder. It was frigid outside. Quickly, I grabed the photo album of the Flock and stuffed it into the remaining space in the pack. Taking the food I had stashed in my room and the three water bottles I had in case of a midnight dry throat, I left my room. The Flock was crowded in the hall, waiting or me.
"What are you doing?" Nudge asked.
"Leaving." I explained. "I mean, that is what everyone wants. I can tell."
"Max, please don't go." Gazzy and Nudge pleaded, Iggy adding, "We need you."
I laughed. "According to Angel, you obviously don't. I am only bringing this Flock down, right?"
The question hung there, and I nodded as confirmation before pushing the French doors out, opening the entrance to the balcony. Stepping onto the ralling, I face the Flock.
"Bye Gazzy, Nudge, Iggy. I hope to see you again." I lied. Looking over to Angel and Fang, who was just standing there silently, I smiled sweetly.
"Burn in hell, you two."
Nudge ran forward, hugging me quickly. Gazzy and Iggy sprang forward. I embraced them all. In front of us, Angel lifted her arms slightly. I thought, Oh. No. I am not hugging you, you little demon.
I'm not sure who that hurt more: Angel or me. The pain was nearly unbearable, but I stood tall and waved one last time.
"Wait!" Angel called. I straightened.
"What?" I snapped.
"How will we pay for food without your Max card?"
"Not my problem." I grinned wickedly, falling backwards and pulling upwards, going into hyper-drive. I could tell that I was flying at nearly six hundred miles per hour. The trip to Arizona was just under five hundred miles per hour, so I would be at Mom's in under an hour.
*One Hour Later*
"Sweetie, I am just saying, it is a good thing that you aren't in the Flock anymore!" Mom tried to explain.
I shook my head, my emotions overwhelming my mind. "Are you kidding?! They were my family."
"Max, they are crazy for kicking you out!" Ella exclaimed.
"Ella, darling, no they are not," Mom remarked, "Max was not needed in the Flock anymore. Truly, it was the correct decision."
The hot prickling of tears burned as I realized that even my Mom was against me. All I had left was Ella. Standing up, I abandoned my cookie, my fourteen year old form slumping. Ella hugged me quickly, whispering a goodbye.
"When will you be back?" She mumbled, crying silently.
I shrugged. "Honestly, probably never. I love you, Ella. I will find you, in the future. Goodbye." I muttered, slinging the heavy pack over my shoulder.
"Bye." I growled, looking at my mother. Running out of the house, I took off, flying nowhere in particular, just looking for somewhere to be accepted.