Fang POV
Fang POV
I hugged Max closer to me, sobs racking her body. I looked over at the rest of the flock mourning. Angel and Nudge were clinging to each other, tears pouring down their faces. Iggy sat near the mound of dirt, shoulders hunched. Gazzy was trying to comfort Angel, but to no avail. Jeb just stood there, his eyes red rimmed behind his glasses. I looked over at the freshly made mound that was all that remained of Ari.
Ari had tried to kill us countless times, had nearly succeeded with me, and had split up the flock. He was a horribly disfigured eraser who had had nothing but revenge on his mind. I should've hated him with all my being but strangely enough I didn't. I was grateful to him. He had looked after Max, even though she didn't really need to be looked after. He had been there in Germany when I wasn't. For that I was grateful.
The arrival of rain brought me out of my thoughts. Max looked up at me, her beautiful brown eyes red and sore.
"We should go" she said in a raspy voice. I nodded and signalled to the rest of the flock. They trooped over and we had an awkward group hug. The rain was really pouring now, causing tears to mix with water.
"Lets go to mom's house" Max said, trying to keep the sadness out of her voice. The rest of the flock nodded glumly. I just stood there.
Jeb was going to take the car beck to Dr Martinez's. We were going to fly. Iggy went first, followed by Nudge, Angel and Gazzy. Max hesitated, waiting for me.
"I'll be there in a sec" I told her and she nodded. Leaping into the air, Max unfurled her wings and stroked downwards hard, lifting herself upwards above the treetops. I waited until she was out of sight before crouching beside the grave.
"Thank you" I said quietly. "Thank you for everything. For being there for them-her when I couldn't. I know you did all you could to protect her. For this I am grateful"
I turned and flew away through the rain to where my flock would be waiting.