The Past and the Future- The Past and the Future of Maximum Ride

Chapter One

With Max not knowing where she came from was entirely differently from not WANTING to know where she came from. Sometimes she wishes she never knew why she had wings, why she lived with Jeb and why he wasn't her real dad… Why she had so many siblings and only two really looked alike… Max had so many questions that were never answered and never will be answered. Well come on, she's only thirteen for Pete's sake.

Nothing was perfect when she was thirteen, having to deal with Fang always creeping up on her and the family, Iggy complaining yet again about who moved the furniture yet she always knew it was The Gasman. Then again Angel always could tell Max when her older brother was lying.

Yeah, they're the only two related in our little rag tag group of seven: Jeb the father figure, Max the fearless leader, Fang the mysterious dark rebel, Iggy the blind chef and expert flyer, Nudge the fashion obsessed and creative child, The Gasman- well his name speaks for itself. Max agrees that he really needs to get that checked by a doctor someday…. But last but not least the baby, Angel who was special to Max's heart. She was the rock to Max's sanity besides Fang- but you all know that comes later on…

"Max. Max, Max, MAX!"

"Not now Nudge…." Max moaned and turned over in her bed. One of the downfalls of sharing a room with that pesky crazy kid- up at all hours and then waking up earlier than Max most days.

"But Max…." she whined and Max rolled over.

"Yes Nudge?" she asked and opened her eyes- adjusting to The Gasman staring at her with his big blue eyes. "Gazzy- really, this early?" she asked and looked at her clock.

"Yes this early… It's an- emergency!" he whispered and she slowly sat up, rolling her eyes to see Nudge actually sleeping like a rock in her own bed. The only way she could tell she was still alive was by the occasional little snore that slipped out of her mouth. How cute.

"What kind of emergency Gaz? What did you blow up this time?" she asked and he pointed to the den just as Iggy walked in.

"That was crazy. Max you should've been there! Gazzy just dropped it off the back balcony and KABOOM!" He narrated for her and that's when her nose got hit with the scent of smoke and burning wood.

"You two are so dead." She grumbled and got out of bed, slipping on her slippers and walking down the hall to see Fang and Jeb standing outside assessing the damage.

"Gasman, Iggy. Come down here please." He instructed and they both looked so ashamed.

"Coming…." Gazzy mumbled and stood on the railing of the balcony and helped Iggy climb up, then just jumped off and what a sight of his little wings carrying him down the side of the ravine. He was in so much trouble.

He is absolutely toasted… Max thought and rolled her eyes.

"Rolling your eyes at them or at me?" Fang asked and she jumped.

"Fang! What the heck!" she said and smacked his arm. "Not funny. It's too early for your jokes…" she groaned and walked back inside to the fridge and got the orange juice out.

"Have you ever wondered how Jeb gets all this food yet we live so far from civilization?" Fang asked and Max looked at him.

"No… Why bring it up?" she asked and he chuckled.

"No reason- it just sort of popped into my head today." He shrugged and she drank most of the bottle then put it back.

"Just utterly disgusting Max; at least use a bowl or something." She heard and started to smile a bit.

"Well good morning to you to Nudge." She sighed and patted that lovely caramel bed head hair.

"Don't touch the hair. I plan on doing something new with it today." She announced and Fang exchanged a look between "oh boy" and "should we go run and hide" to Max. "Hey I saw that!" she instantly snapped and sighed. "I'm going to bleach parts of it to give myself home mad highlights!" she announced- yet again.

"But Nudge, why do you have to use bleach?" Max said and shook her head. "I don't know, what Jeb would think?" she asked and Fang nodded in agreement with her.

"I just don't think it's a very good-"

"I can do it to you too Fang! That jet black hair with a little color…" she offered and Fang's face got paler than usual- and he's a pale, pale boy without the sun for a while.

"No thank you." He said instantly and walked out of the room.

"Max…." she offered and Max looked at her.

"I don't know Nudge… How about I see how it comes out on your head first and I'll think about it oaky?" she offered and Nudged just shrugged it off.

"Yeah, yeah be that way Max…" she sighed exasperated and walked out of the room, slamming the bathroom door behind her.

"Is she upset?" Jeb asked wiping soot off his glasses onto his dress shirt sleeve and looked at Max.

"A little bit." She sighed and looked at him. "I think you need to change now." She laughed a little and he chuckled.

"I think I do too kiddo... I have a job interview in a few hours and I need to freshen up then head into town. You and Fang watch over the gang alright?" he asked and Max nodded, smiling at him a little.

"Deal Jeb, you can count on us." She grinned and he ruffled her hair.

"That's my girl." He smiled, like a loving father would smile and walked to the other open bathroom to behind freshen up.