Without You!
By Mel Gray
Note: The flock may have some other powers, but I forgot what they were. Please don't flame me about that.
Summary – All those times she was hurt, he was there. All the times she was in trouble, he was there. But, now, when she's all alone, in a dank, dark, deep cage, he's no where to be found! Max's P.O.V. Fax.
Chapter 1
The Cage!
I could hear the rustling of the rats in the cage next to mine. Yeah, you heard right. I said cage. Not cell, CAGE. My wings were a bit stiff and I longed to stretch them, but the chances of the Erasers letting me out anytime soon were a million to one. Not very good odds. I actually didn't mind being cooped up in this cage. It might've been cramped, but that didn't harness the fact that I was all alone. None of my flock had been captured and, for that, I was grateful. I ruffled my wings a little, still thinking about my 'family'. They're not really, but they're the closest thing I have to it.
First, there are me and Fang. We're both eighteen and the oldest out of the group. Although we share the same age, I'm the leader. The one who calls all the shots. Fang, well, Fang's a little dark, but he's always there when we need him and that's what counts. Like a month ago when I started having visions and attacks, Fang would be there, ready to help me up. I don't know whether some of my words of being nice to him when we were little rubbed off or not, but Fang was the best person to have at my side.
Second, there's twelve year old Iggy. He had lost his sight a while ago when we first fought the Erasers (wolf-like creatures with amazing super-human abilities), but, with the traits he has, well, lets just say locked doors don't stop us. Iggy's like a little brother to me, someone who needs looking after. We had found his parents a while back, but, once they found out about his wings, they wanted to use him to make some extra dough. Well, needless to say, Iggy decided not to stay with them and returned to the flock. Honestly, I think we were all glad to have him back. (I know I was.)
Third, there's ten year old Nudge. One thing before I explain. Yes, it's her real name. Not something you make up off the top of your head, but a real, absolute, birth certificate name. (Not that we have birth certificates.) Nudge is a talker. Now, I don't mean like you say something and she responds with a broad answer. I mean like you ask a question and she'll give you the answer in full detail. Then, after that's finished, she'll go on to a different subject. But I love here, anyway.
Fourth, is the Gasman. If you've ever stood downwind of him, you'll know where he got his name from. Gazzy's a nice kid, but a little young to be fighting Erasers all the time. Another thing about Gazzy, he's a genius with mechanics. (Specifically bombs.)
And, last, but not least, is my baby, Angel. Even though she's the youngest in our flock, this little lady has many special abilities. Ever since I've known her, she's been able to read minds, but, in our time together, she's developed the ability to breathe underwater, talk to fish, and (this one I'm not too proud of) 'force' a thought into someone's mind. For instance, tell them they have to go to the bathroom, next thing you know, they're running for the door!
I sighed. Ten excruciating days of non-stop tests and I was worn down. Nothing mattered anymore. The flock was free. They had Fang. He could lead them through anything that comes across their paths. (I hope.)
"Max? Are you awake, sweetheart?"
I closed my eyes, hoping to block out the voice that I dreaded the most. Jeb. Before we (the flock and I) went off on our own, a man named Jeb had taken care of us. Almost like a father would his children. Then, suddenly, he disappeared and never returned. The flock and I had figured him to be dead, but, unfortunately, that was not the case. That, and Jeb's seven year old son was a seven foot tall, mean, ugly Eraser.
I can see right now that you're probably wondering, What exactly is an Eraser? An Eraser is a wolf-like creature that can take a human form whenever it wishes. Ari, Jeb's son, has the ability to do that.
I could hear the door to my cage being opened. Instinctively, I curled up into a ball, fighting the pain that they had inflicted on me earlier. I felt Jeb's hand brush my cheek lightly. Inwardly, I cringed, but held back from moving to give away the fact that I was still awake. As he sat, stroking my hair, a name came into my mind. Fang. It's difficult to understand, but Fang and I have-had a special relationship and, right then, I wished for nothing more than for Fang to be doing what Jeb was doing right then. Tears came to my eyes and I struggled to hold them back, but it was useless.
"Don't touch me," I ordered, teeth clenched.
Obviously surprised I was awake, Jeb backed away from me. I had an icy stare in my eyes, even through the tears. An Icy stare that told him plainly, "I want to kill you."