Hello readers, it is I, the writer. I am writing today on the eve of a new year, 2018, to bring a new story. It's not new, actually. Years ago, I wrote a story when I was 13. I've grown some, 17 going on 18, and I've been meaning to rewrite it for a while. I'm rewriting The Last Ride: To the Maximum Level, from my old account SoNotPerfect. If you are at all interested to see how my writing has changed, feel free to go and read it. You might be spoiling the story for yourself, however, if you haven't read it.
Without further ado, enjoy!
Max POV
We should have been ready. I should have been ready. I blame myself mostly. Had I kept look out, had I done my job as leader we wouldn't be in the mess we were in. Because of my ignorance, the Flock and I were crossed-legged around the fire, roasting boar-on-a-stick, with guns at our much-needed heads.
I laid my meal in the fire, intentions to eat forgotten. "I thought we agreed Ari. I kill you, you stay dead." I told the bastard calmly. He'd gotten older since the last time I saw him, dead and impaled by a broken pipe. "Now you're here, alive and kicking."
"It's wonderful to see you too, Maxi-Pad." Ari grinned, clearly showing off his nice sized, and yellowing canines.
"You look a little old to be calling kids names, Brother."
"Eh." Ari shrugged. "Sibling rivalry." He walked around our fire pit, kicking dirt and sand into it. The embers slowly began to die. Angel huffed, glaring daggers at our new addition.
Max, one is knelt behind you. If you sling your head back, you can nail him in the nose and grab his weapon.
Angel spit at Ari's feet, making a scene I realized. Angel, you blessed creature, you. I watched as Ari chuckled and turn towards. He made a reach for her face and slung my head back. I was on my feet, disarming the guy behind me, and sending him sprawling into the anthill a few feet away. Guns clicked, and I held mine best I could at Ari.
Fang and Iggy hissed as they were pulled to their feet. I met my partner's eyes. He was waiting. My Flock were trained to handle situations, but I had the worst feeling in the pit of my stomach. Fang was waiting for my order, a signal, and yet I had none to give.
"Don't try and fight, Max. You don't know how to use a gun."
"I know how to pull the trigger." I stepped forward, prepared to drop Ari for a second time. My blood boiled, and Ari's sadistic smirk didn't help.
"Max, this all can go down easy and simple. Your Flock are being put up for adoption. The School doesn't want you anymore. They have new play things." Ari strolled forward, walking right up to my heavy hands. "Someone else wants you. We're not here to hurt you. We're simply here to pick up the package and deliver to the new owner. Now, before you do something stupid, lower your gun. It's not just my men here, the good ole sons and daughters of the United States are here as well and trust me they're not as forgiving as I and my pack of mutts."
Out of the shadows of the trees, uniformed soldiers stepped out and joined the few Erasers holding my Flock hostage. Fear took bloom in my chest, sending shakes into my arms.
"What is this Ari?" I asked. On cue, a pretty colored woman stepped from behind a soldier and smiled. She was small and stout, a little plump, and a lot creepy.
"Maximum Ride. You are very gorgeous young woman, with a lot of potential. You and your family have been called to service." She clasped her hands, puckered her lips in a smile. I looked to Ari who continued to kick dirt into the fire.
She wants us to become soldiers. Angel's voice shuddered in my head.
"We're not your toy soldiers." I moved my aim away from Ari to the middle of the lady's face. "My family are not up for adoption, or for sale. We're not soldiers. We're experiments that got out and are trying to stay out. We're not searching for a career in the military."
"Max, you and your family are going to be given a home. You're going to be set free from the school."
"And slaved to fighting wars. I don't think so."
"You don't have a choice. The price was set, and I own you. The Government owns you. Compared to the treatment the School committed against you, this offer is your saving grace. Put your gun down Max. You have no choice. Someone will die tonight if you try anything and it's not going to be my soldiers, or the dogs." She reached for my face, almost like a mother would reach for her daughter or son. I let her, dropping my weapon.
"This isn't an offer." I told her. The woman barked an order and I watched as my family were drugged and put to sleep. My hands were cuffed behind me.
"You're right. I tell you what, if you submit and you and your flock put your hearts and passions into protecting your country, I'll allow one of you to walk."
"Of my choice?"
"No. Of mine. I still have to run a business, and business is all about decisions."
"But," I cut off, unable to find words. I caught sight of Fang being slung against a tree, a needle sinking into his arm. He fought weakly, his words slurring.
"Max!" He called. His eyes rolled, and he collapsed.
"Do I have some say?" I asked the woman. She sighed, signing some papers and handing the clipboard to Ari. She spoke, "Tell your father I appreciate doing business with him and this School place." The woman turned towards me.
"Max, get in the van and I'll let you say anything. Okay?" She crossed her arms and stepped back. "Don't make me order for your own sedative Max. You get in the van of your own accord or you get in asleep. Deal?"
I bowed my head, regretting not keeping watch like I should have been. I should have been more vigilant. "You win, Lady."
"You'll thank me in the years to come." She said. Her perky voice grinded against my every urge to punch her.
"You keep telling yourself that."
And that's that. I hope you enjoyed! I'll try and keep the story interesting. We'll see where we go from here! Constructive criticism welcomed!