Broken From Within
A/N: You did not have to read Betrayed From Within to read this story. I provided you with the basic background info. However, it would be useful for you to read chapter 18 of Betrayed from Within or the epilogue. This is just the summary and Intro. Trust me, the story will definitely get better as you continue to read the next few chapters.
Background knowledge: The Flock has just escaped a lab on an island after being betrayed by Iggy. Now they are at a hospital in North Carolina until Angel who has a broken ankle, Max who has kidney failures, and Gazzy who has an unknown medical condition get better.
Summary: 3 years after book 4. The Flock has just escaped the island lab* and are waiting for things to get better. Max is deathly ill. Gazzy is sick and experiencing many complications and the doctors don't know what's wrong for them. They are in desperate need of money and jobs, yet they also need to continue with their education.
Can they deal wit the physical and emotional stress while trying to get through life and figure things out?
Introduction: (Fang's POV)
I looked down at the note. Oh Max, she knew how to make me laugh and make me really depressed at the same time.
I of course was angry at Max. Angry at her because she was about to die. Angry at her for not saving herself. Then, again I felt a great deal of respect for her for willing to save us in place of herself.
I put the note down and just stared at Max for a few minutes. She didn't have the strength to smile, but her eyes told me everything.
"Oh Max!" I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't take the stress and somberness of the situation. I passionately kissed her on the lips again. "Max, I don't want you to leave me. Max, if you leave me, I'll…I just won't be able to survive." Max's lips quivered as though she were trying to say something.
"Max, what is it? Um…blink three times for the letter A, four for the letter C, no B…" Max rolled her eyes. "Nevermind." I must have sounded like a total idiot to her.
"How is she holding up?" The Dr. asked. "She's getting weaker and she can't talk anymore." The Dr. quickly examined her. "I'd say that she's approaching her last couple of minutes. If you want to say goodbye, I'm afraid that now would be the time. I'll leave you alone. Would you like me to get your friends?"
"I don't think that it would be best for them to see Max like this. This is hard on all of us." The Dr. nodded. "I understand." I waited until he left the room before I leaned over to kiss Max.
As we kissed, I remembered everything that we had done together. Everything good and bad. Everything that we had been through. Oh Max, please pull this one through. I can't let it end this way. Not so soon!
I noticed the warmth from her lips slowly slip away. "Max!" I felt for a heartbeat. "No! Max! Come on Max!" Let's see. I was a junior lifeguard two summers ago. Let's see…CPR. CPR!
I started on the chest compressions. It wasn't working. I knew that I could do this, I had to. Maybe if I just beat harder!
I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Fang, I'm sorry." It was the Dr. "No, I can save her! I'm so close. Just a little harder. I can do it, don't worry she's not gone yet!" I pushed the Dr. aside and continued with the chest compressions.
"Please, I understand how hard this is for you but there is no hope. I really hate telling people that, but I'm afraid that it's the truth."
"You don't understand. Max is strong. She can pull through anything. She's not just another sick person, she can pull this through if you just let me help her. You really don't get it, please I have to- I have to…"
"I think you need some time to absorb everything." The Dr. escorted me out. I tried to fight him, but he was too strong.
"Why don't you just go and be with your friends." I nodded. As I headed to Angel's room, I caught Nudge in the hallway by the vending machines. "Nudge!"
"Oh, hey Fang…" She shuffled her feet nervously. "So, how's Max doing?" I tried to blink the tears way from my eyes. "Why aren't you with her?" I burst into tears. "Oh…"
"Maybe we should- you know, go tell- um…Angel and Gazzy, okay?" I wiped my tears away. "Yes, we should do that." I said trying not to let my voice quiver.
"Why don't you do it, I have to go to the bathroom." As I headed for Angel and Gazzy's room, Nudge flung onto me. "Oh, Fang! It's just so horrible." Nudge burried her head in my shirt and started crying.
"Nudge, why odn't you just go to the bathroom and wash your face off. When you're ready you can meet us in Gazzy and Angel's room."
"You insensitive-" Nudge was about to say something else, but she was too chocked up to continue. Instead she just ran down the hall in her tears. Girls, so emotional!
Oh Max, why did you have to die! I ran to Angel and Gazzy's room and stood outside the door for awhile until I was able to get a hold of myself.
"Fang!" Angel cried out as she limped over to me. "Where's Nudge? And how's Max?" I motioned for her to sit down. "What is it?" Gazzy asked.
"I'm afraid that Max has died. She died happily, though. I don't think she was in very much pain. And yeah… that's it. That's how it is."
"She died?" Tears fell from Angel and Gazzy's face. I couldn't stand to be around them any longer. I really needed to be alone. "Where are you going?" Angel asked as I headed for the door.
"To-uh get Nudge. I think we need to arrange her funeral." Angel grabbed my arm. "Please don't go, Fang." I sighed. "Okay."
We sat in the room for about an hour until Nudge came in with the doctor. The doctor agreed to help us arrange Max's funeral and said that he would talk to one of the guys at the funeral home. We thanked him and he agreed to leave us alone.
I opened the blinds. It was around five-o'clock and was cloudy and gloomy. Perfect weather suited for the perfect occasion.
While Gazzy, Nudge, and Angel cried, I pulled up a chair by the window, stared out, and just let the tears fall from my face.
