I was running, running down a tunnel beneath the streets of New York City. Raw sewage flowed sluggishly down the canal in the middle of the tunnel. A rat scurried across the slime-covered walkway in front of me. My lungs felt like they were going to burst -- I was so tired. The footsteps of my pursuers reached my ears, reminding me to continue my flight. I looked over my shoulder, but could see nothing in the darkness.

"Max!" a voice called dreamily from behind me. "Where are you?"

I knew that voice; it was Fang's. Every part of me said to stop, but I kept running. There was something wrong with the voice; the way it called to me. I came to a bend in the tunnel and turned, still running full out when I ran smack dab into Fang's muscular chest. I fell over backwards onto the hard concrete sidewalk. Some mystery ooze off of the ceiling dripped onto my cheek and slid down into my shirt. Fang smiled at me in the darkness.

"Hello Maximum!" he laughed. Then he kicked his black boot into the side of my head. Everything went dark.

I awoke in a cold sweat. My head was ringing, but not because I had gotten kicked in the head. I sat up and self-consciously put my hand up to feel my scalp where Fang had kicked me. My skin was clean and flawless under my tangled dirty-blonde hair. That dream is really starting to get to me. I can't even remember how many times I have had that same dream already. The location is always different but the ending is always the same. I slid my feet out from underneath the covers of my bed and set them on the cold, hardwood flooring of the hotel we were staying in for the night. I crept silently into the bathroom, trying not to awake Nudge, Angel, and Total on the way.

All four of us were sleeping in the same room; one bed for me and another for the two younger girls (and Total, who refused to sleep on the ground) to share. Once in the bathroom, I splashed some water onto my face from out of the sink and ran my fingers through my tangled hair. I stopped and looked into the mirror. No. It couldn't be!

Small, dark hairs dotted my hands, arms, and a little bit of my face. I pulled the hem of my tank top up and peered at my stomach. Yep, hair there too. Fearing the worst, I opened my mouth. My top two eye teeth were longer and had become sharp and pointy. I pressed my index finger against one. Blood oozed from the small puncture wound that the tooth had made. Then I noticed my finger nails. They had grown into huge, curved claws. That was the last straw. I jumped into the bathtub and pulled the curtain closed before I could look in the mirror again. I sat there, shivering, and thought about what I had just seen. It couldn't be true, could it?!

The first time I thought that I was becoming an Eraser, the only proof that I had was my image in the mirror. This time though, the transformation was physical. What if Fang and the others find out?! I can't let them see me like this! Without thinking, I ran out of the bathroom and opened the sliding glass door that lead to the balcony. I walked out on to the little concrete patio that was suspended from the side of the building and closed the door, silently, behind me. I was glad that we had gotten rooms on the top floor of the hotel.

An endless sea made up of bright lights of New York stretched out before me. Normally, I would have spent a few minutes looking out at the busy city, but not tonight. I need to get away and relax a little. Without further thought, I jumped off of the balcony. Air rushed by me as I fell. Shoot, I hope nobody is out on their balcony right now. Luckily, I didn't see any stunned faces peering at me before I snapped my wings open and pulled out of the freefall. I soared upwards into the sky, pouring on as much speed as I could muster without using my warp drive. I flew higher than I have ever had before. I started to black out from the lack of oxygen and the heavy smog. Red spots swarmed before my eyes like a bunch of annoying ladybugs. I was about to fly downwards into the cleaner air, when I heard a voice behind me.

"Max!" I turned in midair to see Fang flying towards me.

"Fang." I whispered as I passed out.

I couldn't have been unconscious long, because when I awoke Fang was struggling to stay aloft as he carried me. I could feel every stroke of his dark and powerful wings as they kept the two of us in the air. He must have notice that I had awakened, because he glanced down at me.

"Don't EVER do that again!" he warned, his voice a mixture of anger and concern. I pressed my head against his chest and kept it there, breathing in his comforting scent. I really can't describe how comfort smells, it just makes you feel safe and warm, like nothing bad with ever happen again.

Fang carried me all the way back to the hotel. I guess he was afraid to let me go again in case I did something stupid. I didn't blame him.

Instead landing on the balcony of my room like I thought he would, Fang flew up to the roof and, very gently, set me down on the ridge (that's where the two side of the roof meet) before sitting down beside me. I breathed in heavily.

"Max . . ." he started to say.

A rush of tears came so unexpectedly, that even I was caught unawares. "I'm sorry!" I sniffed, burying my head in his shoulder. That's me, unshakable Max. Fang seemed shocked by my sudden outburst, but allowed me to cry all over him. He stroked my hair and murmured comforting things into my ear.

I cried until I could control my emotions and stop the flow of tears. I pulled my head away from Fang, noticing the big wet spot that I had left on his shirt. Gosh, he must be soaked under there! My eyes were all red and puffy and my nose was runny. I must have looked like a wreck, but Fang didn't seem to notice. He stared out into the night sky, his face as expressionless as ever. Finally, he turned and looked at me.

"Max, you really scared me." he said, "I couldn't believe it when you jumped off of the balcony in front of me." It suddenly occurred to me that he had been sitting on the balcony next to me, shielded from my view by only a cement wall.

I opened my mouth to say something, but only a hiccup came out. Drat!

"Max? Are you alright?" Fang asked. I wanted to tell him everything that had happened, but the words wouldn't come.

"Yeah, I'm alright." I replied. Fang didn't look like he believed me, but he kept his mouth shut.

I felt his hand come around and start scratching my back in between my wings. Man, it felt so good! I leaned my head on him and looked out over the city. My heart did a little flutter. Why do I always feel so good when I am around him?

I could have sat there forever with him, looking out over the bright city. But Fang finally stood and I followed pursuit.

"Good Ni . . ." I started to say when Fang kissed me. His lips were so warm and soft and they pressed into mine perfectly. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. Oh man. I am kissing FANG! Like right now! I stood there and kissed him back until my lungs started to scream for air. I felt light headed and dizzy.

"Good night, Maximum." he smiled. Then Fang leapt off of the roof and glided down to the balcony connected to his room, leaving me standing alone in the night. I was dumbfounded. I had just kissed Fang! My heart was thumping so loudly that I thought all of New York could hear it.

I stayed on the roof until sunrise, pondering over the events of the night.