It took me forever to come up with this story, don't be surprised, I'm not a quick thinker, but I finally got it! My first Maximum Ride story!

Max's point of view

(After Saving the World and other Extreme Sports and before The Final Warning)

The flock was back together, happily back together, after our split up. We were flying toward Canada. Maybe for once we could relax.

"Tell me, why are we going to Canada?" Iggy asks, flying in next to me and Fang.

"We want to relax…or try. Let's just hope those god-forsaken Erasers don't show up." Fang answers.

I look at him and smile. After the flock was literally cut in half, we've been spending most of our time together, making up for the lost time when the guys left.

Dr. Martinez and Ella….we had just left them and Jeb back in Arizona. If we ever returned, it would be hell for all of us. But I really missed Ella, my sister. I've always felt close to Nudge as a sister, not Angel as much because she was more of my kid than a sister, but Ella always wanted me as her sister, and she got her wish. And we were both happy about it.

But I was glad the flock was back. And hopefully in the future we won't make any rash decisions like we did before. Ari was gone now anyway…sadly, and Fang had nothing to worry about. But it didn't matter, we promised to never leave each other again.

I smile at the thought and Fang sees it. He doesn't smile back, of course having one of his mood swings. Fang has multiple personalities and it drives me crazy sometimes. Sometimes he'll be happy and actually smile, other times he'll be quiet and won't talk as much, kinda keep to himself. But who am I to judge? I have my moments.

"Max," Angel says, taking Iggy's spot as he flies away. "How do we know there isn't "a school" in Canada?"

"I guess we'll find out." I respond. But what if she was right? Maybe there is one there and we haven't heard of it. Like the Itex situation, it was everywhere, at gas stations, on clothing. And we never noticed it.

I look at Fang, flying right next to me, as Angel goes toward Nudge. "Angel has been right on several occasions." I say.

"But not always." Fang says, looking me straight in the eye, and I can tell from the expression on his face he's feeling the same fear I am. "We've gotten away from every Eraser so far, every time they tried to capture us, or even succeeded, we always conquered them."

"And some have gotten very, very hurt in the process." I say, remembering the time on the beach, both times. Fang has gotten hurt so much, and I've lost him a lot, too. Even though he's always come back, it's been pretty close.

"But it turned out alright." Fang says. Yeah, don't bother explaining. Mr. man of few words, I think to myself.

Focus, Max. Focus on what's ahead of you, not what's behind. And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, the mutant bird kid, and to top it all off on The Crazy List, she also has a voice inside her head.

Yes, it's true; I have a voice inside my head. Not my voice, not Fang's voice. In fact, I don't know whose voice it is, but it's still there just the same.

The fact that I'm here is something of the past, deal with it, Max. You've got bigger things on your plate, the voice says.

Oh really? Because I'm pretty sure having a voice in my head is something to worry about, I say back.

What's bigger, saving the world or a voice in your head? The voice asks.

I don't answer, not because I don't have an answer, I know saving the world is bigger. I just didn't want to deal with his "question and no answer" attitude.

So I pay attention to other things, like noticing we're close to the border.

"Almost there, guys." I say to the flock.

"Woo!" Gazzy yells, putting both fists forward.

I smile. Crazy kid, I think to myself.

"So…what do we do once we get there?" Fang asks.

I look at him, "Other than relax and enjoy it?" I ask.

Fang nods.

I look away, "We try to figure this out, try to figure out what's going on, if anything."

"Ok. What if Erasers show up?" Fang asks, trying to make me look at him.

But I refuse. "Make a run for it…again. I don't want anyone to get hurt again." And I finally look at him.

Fang has a "really? You think I'm that weak?" look on his face.

"What? It's happened too many times. I can't lose you." I say.

"You won't. I can fight just the same as I could before." Fang says.

"Well…" I say, a little quieter. Do I think Fang can't fight? No, I know he can. Do I want to risk it? No, if he gets hurt again, my life will be an instant horror.

"Max." Fang says.

"I just wouldn't want to risk it." I say.

"It won't be a problem." Fang says.

I don't answer. He knows what I would say. That's what we all thought, we all thought Fang was tough, but he got hurt too many times. I'm not saying he can't fight, or that he's become weak, I'm just saying some Erasers are stronger.

Earlier, we decided to go to some place on the coast, some place where we can follow the ocean to America if we needed to, and not get lost in the process. So as we mere left to go to the ocean, I watch people below. Canada was a lot different than America, there were different landscapes and such, it just didn't feel familiar.

And I didn't like it.

I look at Fang, and he's focusing down below as well. "Fang." I say.

"Hmm?" he asks, looking up to me.

"This feels different. It doesn't feel the same." I say.

"Maybe because we just left our home country. What, does the air feel different? It's fine, Max, trust me." Fang says.

And I did trust him, more than anyone. "No, I mean, it feels unfamiliar."

"I know what you mean, I feel it, too. Trust me, Max, if anything happens to you or anyone, it'll be ok." Fang says.

He's saying he'll protect us.

Max, the voice says. Trust your gut. And I know your gut is telling you to stay in Canada.

Alright, fine. We're staying here, in Canada.

For now.

My first story that wasn't a cliff hanger. Wow! Hope you liked it. Please review, thanks.