MAXIMUM RIDE

chapter 1

It has already been three weeks since Fangs departure and I missed him more than words can say. How in the heck was I supposed to wait 20 years to see him? Twenty years! That's like putting honey in front of a bear and trying to tell him not to eat it. Physically impossible. Though, through all this mess, I do deserve some good props. Instead of breaking down and completely locking myself in my room like I wanted to, I didn't. Of course the flock and I had our day or break down and weep, but I didn't want to keep it that way.

First things first, I put them to work on cleaning up the house, while I went grocery shopping. Angel joined me and together we flew in silence, and I don't mean fly like in a plane or some other aircraft, no I meant fly as in with wings. Wings that have been grafted onto our body by sick, twisted, evil scientists. Finally I broke the silence by asking, "So your not going to leave me again? I mean, just making sure so I can be prepared for my heart to ripped out again." I knew it was harsh, but she knew we never had that talk that I've been wanting to have for weeks. So I laid it on her. I directed all my anger into those words and I could tell she felt them because she flinched when I asked her about my heart being ripped out.

I glared at her and when she finally looked up from the canyon below us, I could see tears in her eyes. Okay. I didn't think she would cry about it. It was rare for any one of us to cry, though we all had a good dose of the salt water this past couple weeks, but I seriously thought that Angel was just merely going to shrug her shoulders and say, "I'll be sure to tell you a day in advance." But she was literally crying, streams of water pouring down her face, clumps of snot blowing behind her in the wind.

"Ang, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry. I just... don't want you to leave again, that's all. Please don't cry sweetie." Angel slowly wiped away her tears and glance up at me. I gave her the best smile I could muster and nodded.

"Its all my fault that he's gone Max, I just know it. He left because I told him he was going to die, and he did die. I let that happen to him. I didn't save him, nor did I save you. I was too hooked up on being the leader, and thinking I was right all the time. You and Fang did love each other, but I know you loved us too, but I still made the flock turn against you. I'm sorry Max, I really am." Angel began to cry again and slowly lose altitude. I lowered my self down too, and moved as close to her as I could possibly get without our wings colliding.

"No Angel. It was not you fault at all. It was Fangs choice to leave. You had no part in it. You-"

"But remember how he said I was right too, how splitting up the flock will help. I said that!" she screeched, as if she couldn't believe it. "I had part in him leaving and I feel horrible about it." I looked at her, and decided not to say anything about it. I just let her cry. Of course I know she had a big part in it, but we all did. Mine was just big enough to make him leave. If I just hadn't agreed to open my self up to him as much, if we didn't kiss every second, if I acted more like a leader, I-

"He would have still loved you and would have respected your wishes." Angel said, interrupting my rant again. "But while you think being more concealed was a better way to go, you both loved being open, and romantic to each other. It came naturally and there was not way to stop it." she shook her head and sighed. "At least we know he's safe." but I barely heard her, for I was already angling myself downward towards the market.

chapter 2

"Okay, so we have meat, veggies, fruit, bread, mustard, ketchup, pickles, cereal, waffles, syrup, eggs, cinnamon rolls, milk, cheese, chips, and toilet paper. What else do we need?" I asked Angel, checking toilet paper off the list.

"Ice cream." she giggled and ran down the isle containing the frozen goodness. "Max, can we? Please?" she stuck out her bottom lip and blinked rapidly.

"Sure. I guess, but not a lot." I shrugged and walked down past the ice cream towards the check out. I stood waiting in line, till all the sudden my back tingled. I whipped around and did a 360, looking at every face, corner, and isle. Nobody was staring at me, but I swear I could have seen a flash of black near the isle Angel was walking out of. She was smiling, carrying three tubs of flavored ice cream. Then I realized how big of a mistake it was, just bringing a sixty pound seven year along, who could barely fly with anything twenty pounds or heavier in her hands. When she saw my panicked expression, her smile disappeared and she too did a sly 360.

"Max, what is it?" she asked, finally coming up next to me.

"I feel like someone's watching me, and when I looked around, I could have sworn I saw a flash of black behind you. Did you pick up anything around you?" and by that I meant, did you hear anyone's thoughts that sounded different or close. Yes, I said read minds. My little powerful seven year old could do that, plus much more.

"No I didn't. Not a peep." she gave my an innocent look, and I glanced back one more time, just to be sure. When I saw the isle was empty, I shook my head and moved forward, putting the groceries onto the conveyor belt. When we had bought all our food and had secured ourselves for flight behind the store, Angel asked, "Did you think it was Fang?" I glanced at her and cautiously nodded. "Well, there's no need to think that. Dylan said he was long gone and safe."

What?" I yelled in shock. Angle jumped and stepped back a bit. "How in the heck does he know that?" I tried really hard to lower my voice but failed, miserably.

"He can see him. Remember? Dylan has really good sight. He can see Fang. When I asked him about it, all he told me was that he's far away and that he was safe." Angel face was filled with worry while mine began to fill with rage. Without thinking, I jumped into the air, spread open my wings and flew high into the wide, open air. I flew straight and fast, without stopping to rest or slowing down for Angel keep up. I knew it was wrong to leave her, but right now I was so mad that I didn't have time to fly slow. If Dylan could see fang, and he didn't tell me, I am so going to kick his butt from here to China.

Chapter 3

"Dylan!" I screamed, running into the safe house and dropping the groceries into the kitchen. "Dylan!" I screamed again.

"What?" he asked, slowly walking into the kitchen, yawning. "Where's Angel?"

"Where's Fang?" I screamed so loud that my voice echoed through the canyon next door. Dylan's face instantly darkened and he looked to the floor mumbling things like, 'I'm gonna kill her, why did she spill the beans, angel...' plus some swearing here and there. "You know where he is, don't you?" my voice instantly dropped to a whisper and I backed away, tears stinging my eyes. Dylan looked up, his perfect features creating a mask of horror on his face.

"Max, I'm sorry. I didn't think it was right for you to know. He said not to come looking for him, and if you knew where he was, then you would."

"Hell yes I would! He's my brother, my life, my boyfriend! Yes I would! Now tell my where he is or I'll beat it out of you!" I was screaming again, running toward him. I made as if to punch him, but he whipped out his hand and grabbed my wrist, yanking me closer to him and kissing me. I struggled against him, but he wouldn't let go. Our hands stood up straight in the air and his other hand wrapped slowly around my waist. I heard Angel enter through the door, but then leave the house.

I will admit, he's a really fierce but good kisser. Wait. Did I just say that? Well it was true... I guess.

See Max. you two belong together and it took Fang leaving for you to realize it.

Voice? I asked, still kissing Dylan.

Hi Max. How are you?

What is it I have to do to get him to tell me where Fang is? I asked, annoyed.

Well... it's not that simple.

Just tell me what I have to do and I'll do it.

You must be his other half in return. You must be complete, you must be one.

So, all I have to do is kiss him some more?

No, you must do what the doctor said to Fang and Dylan. To make your love complete, and your bond strong, you must mate with this boy. And once that happens, there will be no love with another. You will realize how much you love him, and that will be it.

I yanked away from Dylan and stepped back some.

"You see Max, how much we were made for each other." Dylan smiled and stepped closer to me. I put a hand on his chest to stop him and looked down. You mean you want to...um... have-

Sex? Yes Max, that's exactly what I and you both want. You'll see.

But I've never had sex before. If it was possible to sound flustered in your head, well then I was. I wont know a thing.

He will though. And when he does, then you will. Then he will tell you where Fang is.

"I think you know what I want, Max. And once I have that, I will tell you." Dylan said, placing his hand over mine. I looked up at the sudden touch, and stared into his eyes. I wanted to know where Fang is, so bad, but was it worth it? If we... um.. mate, will I still be able to find my Fang, and be with him instead? Finding Fang was worth everything I had, maybe even me. He was worth the shot, and I said I would do anything.

I squeezed my eyes shut, took a deep breath and sighed. Opening my eyes, I looked at Dylan and nodded. Slowly, I moved closer to him and kissed him. He was light at first, then he realized that I was agreeing to his price. He picked me up so that I had to wrap my legs around his waist. He walked up to his room and shut the door. It went downhill from there, or up hill. I cant remember well.