Ella was practically dead. And it was all my fault. I'd fallen asleep during my watch. So when this guy with a knife snuck into our hotel room, (technically it was rooms, the boys room, the girls room and mom and Ella's room)I had been passed out on the couch. Luckily mom had been going to the bathroom when he snuck in through her window. But unfortunately for Ella, the man had found her first and, well, shot her. Of course within seconds I was awake and in full fighting mode. But I had been to late. Although Nudge had called the police and Angel controlled his mind and made him stay here and drop the gun.
We had rushed Ella to a hospital. As soon as we got there, they took her into the ER and then straight to the OR within ten minutes. I never sat down once.
"Is she going to be okay?" I asked one of the doctors'.
He looked at me and I knew the answer before he even said anything.
That's when I ran into the hospital parking lot and took off flying, I heard Fang almost silently taking off behind me. So then I used my useful little power and took off even faster, probably 220 or so. I just wanted to be alone at the moment, well, I at least didn't want anyone to see me cry.
I landed when I reached the Rockies. We were in Denver at the moment so the Rockies were like next door, figuratively speaking. It was probably 20 outside at the moment, so it was somewhat cold, but I'd seen colder, especially living in the Rockies for over four years. But that's not what was sending chills down my spine. The fact that Ella didn't have hardly a chance of living right now was just horrible. And the fact that it was mostly my fault, made it even worse.
I leaned against a great big pine tree. There were hundreds of them around here. And I heard someone coming. Okay seriously? How can I get followed this easily? I just wanted a break. I was tired all the time, I didn't want to have to fight at least once a day, or keep moving from place to place, it just sucked sometimes.
Whoever it was, was getting closer. I turned around to punch the creepy stalker. It turned out that the creepy stalker was Fang. He grabbed my wrist and smirked like he'd just won a fight or something. Then he took a look at my face and shook his head.
"What are you doing here?" I snapped.
"Seeing if you're okay," he replied looking at me intently, making me feel a little uncomfortable.
"I'm fine, why can't you just leave me alone?" I said.
I really just wanted to be alone, it wasn't any offense to him, but I needed to clear my head, maybe jump off a cliff with my wings closed, you know.
Without thinking about what I was doing I shoved him-hard. Then he shoved me back-harder. Usually it wouldn't have surprised me. Fang and I got into these fights all the time. But this one seemed to be a little different.
I started running so I could take off flying again. But instead of just following me again, Fang grabbed my arm and yanked me back towards him. I glared at him and snatched my arm back. He glared back. This was going to get bad, I could just tell.
"I know what you're thinking Max." He said. "I'm not stupid."
"Why do you even care? It's not like it's going to affect you anyways." I challenged. "All you care about is yourself and your stupid blog."
He raised his eyebrows. "My stupid blog helped you girls out in Germany. Don't forget that. If it weren't for my stupid blog, you guys might still be in there. And all you care about is being the leader and telling everyone what to do."
So not true. Well, maybe it was number four or five on my list. After flock, then family, ten saving the world. But really, it wasn't that important to me.
"Take that back!" I demanded.
"Nope." He denied so I threw my foot up to kick him. But him being all quick reflexes and all, he caught it and flipped me so that I landed hard on my stomach with an 'oomph'. "Not until you take what you said back."
"How can I? If I don't know it's true?" I asked.
He sighed. Jeez, he had to be really offended plus mad if he was sighing like that. He bent down onto his knees. I rolled over and started to sit up but Fang just pushed me back down. What was up with him today? I started to sit up again, but this time he pinned my shoulders down.
"You know," I said. "You're really trudging on dangerous waters here."
"I'll take my chances." He said.
"So, while you've got me here, why don't you spill?" I asked.
"I do care. Max, I wouldn't still be here if I didn't care. I would spend endless hours on watch, so that you could sleep, listening to Nudge go on and on about things and I wouldn't hold Angel after she has a bad dream almost every other day."
He didn't say anything for awhile, just let that all soak in. Angel had bad dreams?
"And most of all, I wouldn't listen to you all the time, give you advice, back you up on things, and be there when you need me."
The boy actually might have had a point. But then what he said about being on watch reminded me of Ella. I inhaled sharply. Fang let go and pulled me up.
"Go back and check on the flock." I said. "I just need some time alone."
"You sure?" He asked.
I nodded. The flock was probably wondering where we were, Fang should go back and tell them.
He gave me an unsure look, but gave me the slightest nod. He disappeared into the shadows. Good, now I could break down into tears without having the flock watch me. That was so embarrassing on the beach after we left Anne's house. But when Fang had been there to comfort me, I had felt so much better. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Fang was hereā¦
My mind went back to Ella. What if I was missing the last few moments of her life? I wasn't such a good sister, was I? I felt tears forming in my eyes. Come on, don't cry, I told myself. But it was too late, I was already starting up, and nothing could stop me now. Well, an Eraser popping up might, but otherwise nothing really.
I slid down, my back against the tree. I put my elbows on my knees and put my head in my hands. One tear fell down my cheek, then another, and another. I was breathing heavily now, trying not to start sobbing my guts out. I hate stupid girly emotions, jeez. Well, I still have them, even though I'm me.
"You still sure about that?" Someone asked.
I looked up at Fang staring down at me, his face a little bit worried.
I couldn't find a snappy comeback like he'd been expecting. That's when his face became even more concerned. He bent down by me and put a hand on my shoulder.
"Are you ready to go back with me?" He asked.
I shook my head when I started to break down into huge sobs. I know, me actually crying. Amazing right? Well, I get to have feelings too, okay? Not that I express them very often, but I still have the right to though.
I expected Fang to say something like 'well, toughen up and do it anyways' but he didn't. Instead he pulled me up onto my knees and pressed me against his chest, my head on his shoulder.
"I'm here Max, I'm here." He chanted.
It didn't fix the whole thing, but it sure did make me feel better, know my, uh, best friend was there for me.
