DISCLAIMER: I do not own Maximum Ride. James Patterson does.

Chapter One

It has been days since Fang and I finally got together. I am still on a high. These last few days have felt like I have been living someone else's life. Eating dinner every night at my mom's house with Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, Angel, Total, Ella, and my mom is surreal enough but spending those private moments with Fang…ahhh…unbelievable.

"I really don't understand what is so important that we have to go to Africa?!" I exclaim looking at Jeb. Of course, he has to ruin my fun.

"Well Max, if you wouldn't have interrupted me I would have explained why." We are all sitting in my mom's living room staring at Jeb. He just walked in here, without a warning, and stated that we all have to pack up and leave. And I still didn't completely trust the guy. Yeah, I'll listen to him because my mom trusts him and, yeah, he has helped us out a bit in the past. But he is still a traitor in my book and the fact Angel can't read his mind is scary too.

'I wish I could Max. I'm sorry.' Angel gives me a sympathetic look.

'Don't worry sweetie, Jeb being Jeb is something we just can't control.' Angel…my mind reading baby.

"As I hope you guys all know there have been fighting, starvation, disease, and depression in Africa for decades. A billionaire recently decided to start a huge research clinic in Liberia to help this ongoing crisis." Jeb finishes his statement.

"So why are we needed? That's not exactly saving the world." I'm so confused. I sit down next to Fang and he grasps my hand reassuring me.

"No, but it is saving part of the world," Jeb looks around the room, "listen with you guys there you can help fight the terrorists, research, and give hope to children already miserable by this mess."

"He's right." We all stare at my mom in horror. "Africa is in need of help and hope. The kind of hope that you will provide."

"I am pretty handle with a computer." Nudge smirks.

"Fighting is what we do." Iggy states 'looking' at Gazzy who starts grinning.

"Yeah!" Gazzy exclaims. "I really want to test," I interrupt him.

"There will be no bombs going off!" I command. Iggy and Gazzy are still grinning.

"I really don't expect to be much fighting," Jeb says, "I actually would like you all to meet the children there, you could give them hope and their dreams back."

"Wow so sentimental. So in dog crates they go, huh?" I glare at Jeb who looks shocked. Nudge actually gasps.

"Max! Why would we do that!?" Nudge looks horrified.

"She was just bringing up the irony of the School and me." Jeb looks down clearly ashamed.

My mom gives me a look. "Jeb, why don't you leave and I will talk to them and call you later with their decision." My mom pushes Jeb out the door and turns around. "Ella go to your room."

"But….but this involves me too." Ella pouts.

"No it doesn't. You and I aren't going anywhere. It's the packs decision and I don't want you or myself getting in the way of that." My mom kisses her on the forehead and sends her to bed.

"Max, it is the right thing to do." And with that comment my mother goes to her room.

I sigh and put my head in my hands. "Well, what do you guys think?"

"I've always wanted to go to Africa." Angel looks thoughtful.

"We have never been there. It could be fun and we can help kids!" Nudge looks at Angel and smiles.

"You are kids." Total jumps onto Angel's lap and looks at me. "But your mother is right."

"I know." I sigh and look at Fang. He shrugs as in saying 'I'm in if you're in'. "Iggy? Gazzy?"

They both look shocked. "Of course, we are in. Africa sounds interesting." Gazzy says looking at Iggy who nods. They are probably both thinking of the stunts they could pull off in another country.

'They are.' Angel looks at me and smiles.

'Great.' I think back at her sarcastly.

"Okay, Africa it is then."