I rushed to their yard, signalling Fang to wait by the trees. Ella looked up from her pug, Magnolia, only to lack eyes with me and tackle me into a hug.
"Mom!" she shrieked. "Max came back!" Dr. Martinez sashayed out from behind the door, the smell of chocolate chip cookies wafting out behind her. She saw me and hugged me tightly. I was about to freakin' cry, and trust me, I never cry. I waved at Fang, telling him to come out from behind the trees. He stalked out of the shadows, and Dr. M gasped in surprise.
"Who's he?" Ella cautiously asked.
"Fang, my… sort of, not really, kind of brother." I looked at him, thinking, What are we? Friends, or… more? Dr. M ushered us inside, and Fang's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.
"What's that smell?" he said in a velvety quiet voice.
"Chocolate chip cookies," I said in awe. "You'll love them."
After he tried some cookies, Fang said he needed to talk to me. We walked outside onto the porch for some privacy.
"How do we know they are trustworthy?" He hissed, staring at me disbelievingly.
"They helped me when I was hurt, remember?" He looked at me like I was crazy, then reminded me,
"Do you remember Anne? and Sam?" I involuntarily shuddered. I never trusted Anne, but I had actually thought Sam was a good guy, until Erasers and scientists overran the school. "There are also more people who have betrayed us."
"Stop!" I snarled. "There are also people who have helped us!" Fang scoffed,
"Like who?" He snarled. "Ari?" My face instantly closed off. We never speak of Ari. I thought we both knew that.
"Ari's dead." I whispered, staring in shock at Fang as he realized his mistake. A tear streaked down my face. Fang's face softened, and he stepped forward and enveloped me into a hug.
"I'm sorry Max," he muttered into my hair. "I shouldn't have brought that up."
"I hate it when we fight." I whimpered.
"I don't like it when we argue either."