Running From the Past
For two years, Max has been running from the police. One day, when she drives past Fang's town, she needs a hostage. And who better than that random boy over there? But while Fang's being held hostage, he might just uncover that there is more to Max than her title of Most Wanted.
Pawns
Max took a slice of cake from the restaurant's handouts. It was for employees only, but Max didn't really care. It wasn't as if anybody would find out who took the cake. After all, Max was a highly skilled criminal.
Before the accident happened, Max was a normal girl. Sure, she had made a mistake that had cost her dearly, but she was innocent. When she told the police that, they didn't believe her. So she was locked up in the police station.
Max couldn't live a life in jail, so with the help of her friends, she escaped. The police chased her across town, but she made it. The police couldn't believe a child had escaped their clutches, and so they offered a pricey reward for anybody who captured Max and Company.
Everybody wanted the reward. Max had nowhere to hide. So to live, Max had to become the very thing she wasn't. A criminal. That was two years ago.
Now Max was No. 1 wanted.
But today, Max couldn't worry about that trouble. She was about to meet up with Iggy and Nudge- her two friends with the talent of escaping trouble (something they did when they helped Max escape). It wasn't a formal meeting, just one that would let Max know where the police were looking, where they weren't, and what Max should disguise as next.
Nudge found everything over the police radio. Her foster father used it before he died and left Nudge with a fortune.
Nudge was lucky. She had money to support her.
Max sighed. If her life had gone nicely, she would be at home right now, eating chocolate cookies and talking with her sister. She too would have money to support her.
But that wasn't Max's life anymore. It never would be again. Sometimes the thought stung. Sometimes it brought thrill, adventure. But it was always a numb emotion.
To Max, her life seemed like a routine. Do something, change appearance so nobody identifies you, check in with Nudge and Iggy, change appearance, check in with Angel, do something again. It wasn't always boring, but it was always exasperating.
It's always a good time,
It's always a good time.
Nudge's ringtone, Good Time, by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen sang across the room. Max picked up the phone.
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Hey, when are you coming over? We have everything ready. We might even have some extra information!"
"Uh, that's great I'll be over in a second." Bye temporary cake. Max left the restaurant and walked to her car. It was glossy from the recent waxing it had. Of course, it had just been stolen from the waxing place.
As soon as Max had opened the car door, she was speeding. Luckily, no police cars were watching her go. Nothing good came from that.
Max was at Nudge's house in five minutes. The house was glorious. No wonder Iggy stayed here.
"Hey girl!" Nudge yelled from inside the house.
"Hey Nudge. What," Max stepped inside the house. "Do you got?"
Their voices were hushed as they discussed everything they thought important. But there was one part where Max almost screamed. "Wait! They're looking for me in almost every town in Dakota? I haven't even done anything in that state!"
Nudge rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I know. But I think you kind have implied that you were going to stop down there. You pretty much left that message. However, there is this one area, on the corner of North Dakota, at the very top, next to Michigan. I think that place is pretty unguarded."
"Nudge, I want a place where you are absolutely certain the cops aren't looking for me."
"Ok, ok. There's this place in Virginia. It's called Alexandria. They won't catch you because they are dealing with a tax protest in their greater parts. It may not be the safest idea considering all the cops using pepper spray for the riots, but it's better than most of what we have."
"Ok. Sounds good. What's my new look?"
Iggy laughed. "Nudge has been working real hard on this one." He said.
Nudge glared at him, but it did nothing to him- he was blind. "I am turning you into a redhead. It has a special mix in it, so like the other ones it will come out in three days. You will have black eyes. For your outfits, I have some things set out for you in your suitcase. And please don't complain about the dress."
Max grit her teeth. "Of course not. What's done is done."
As soon as she left the house, Max was in touch with Angel, her strategist, as she drove to Virginia.
"Alexandria, huh? Well, stay low key, and don't wander the streets with the car. I would walk around and try to look like a rebel who hates taxes." Angel took a pause in her speech and laughed. "I think Nudge has a shirt or something for that. 'DON'T Go With The Flow' it says. I wouldn't wear anything that makes you stick out. And despite the shirt, don't get in with the action that's going on in there. I have a bank for you to rob, and I can't have my stealing plans ruined by your anger issues."
Angel continued, "And I want a hostage. Alexandria's full of people on the streets. Pick one and keep them until you need a completely clean slate for a plan. And Max?"
"Yes?"
"Try not to go threat crazy. Or sarcasm crazy. You know those officers are just stalling when they talk to you."
"Yeah, whatever. They haven't caught me before, have they?"
Angel's voice was colder this time. From what, Max couldn't comprehend. "Goodbye Maximum Ride." The phone clicked shut on the other line.
While driving with one hand, Max unzipped her suitcase. Inside was a gray shirt with the same words as Angel had said, some ripped jeans, some sneakers, and an 'I Love Haters' hat. Despite being a disguise, it looked like actual Max clothing, which was nice for a change.
3 hours Later
Should I go to sleep in the car? Yes? No? Hmm . . . yes it is. As soon as Max tried to sit down and curl up, Iggy called.
Pervert Pervert Pervert
That was Iggy's ringtone. Just the word pervert repeated over and over. "Hey, Igster. What's the problem?"
"Nothing. But we found something. There is a small sector of Alexandria that is like rich people zone. If you are taking hostages make sure you take one from there."
"K, Iggy." Max didn't really care by this point. She was ready to shut her eyelids.
"I have to go. Nudge's suspicious of this guy who she's seeing everywhere. We're worried he could tap our calls." Iggy clicked his phone shut. Max sighed. Nudge always thought someone was on their tail.
But she felt like she should be thankful. If Nudge weren't so careful, would they be behind bars now? Max didn't think she could stand if she ever got caught. As hard as it was to believe, she wasn't supposed to be caged. Or a criminal.
Max turned her head to the picture of her family she had placed on the dashboard. There were eight copies in random places, waiting for her in case she lost any. The photo was of her mother, sister, dad, brother, and her.
The photo was complete, which Max was thankful for. After she had copied it, she returned to her home once to get the original. It was almost complete. It was just Max that was missing. Maybe it was to symbolize the family she had lost. Or maybe to say that Max was out of their family. Permanently.
Either way, she wasn't going to take a photo that left her out of her family. Sure, she had been a lot of trouble when she was with them, and she still was even without them, but it wasn't her fault that they were separated forever. Or was it?
That question kept Max awake at night, sometimes. But she wouldn't let it today. She had important business for the next day. Every detail about the plan took a bit of money, so Max had better do a good job, or she would be in a boatload of trouble. Of course, Max had a plan of her own.
She would get a hostage, make them rob the bank or something, keep them in the dark, make the family pay money for their return, make the person retrieve money, set them free. Some people would think Max was crazy, having a plan like that. It had so many holes. But not if Max put a tracker on the person. Then, she could always find them. And it wouldn't be a cheap strap-on one. Max had learned from her previous mistakes.
This tracking device would be under the skin. It couldn't be deactivated, but that was the best part. The devices cost money. You might need to reuse them, she thought.
These types of thoughts were burned in Max's head. Sit straight, talk clearly, and hold a gun behind your back. If some person makes a mess, leave no survivors or witnesses. Her mother would be ashamed.
But death came for everyone at one point, right?