Tick…Tick…Tick…
They were back: Yard of Despair, Itex, Germany. The mutants were walking around the yard, their minds spinning. What did I do wrong? They said we'd be happy, safe. They betrayed us… from the beginning. Where'd my sister go? Wherever she went, she's not coming back. Max listened intently to the mutants, maybe one of them knew what was going on. She felt that some of their complaints were petty, and yet, she didn't have a single sarcastic bone in her body to secretly mock those few complaints. She was afraid; mostly of what the mutants said scared her. Maybe they've had a harder time than us, the Flock; at least we were free for a time. Tick...tick…tick…
Suddenly, one of the white coats stepped into the circle. "Ven I call your name, please step fovard to me." He said in a very heavy German accent. "Lara, Kenya, Paul, Tom, step fovard." The four mutants stepped out of line and faced the white coats. They looked completely normal at first glance, but definitely were not human. They seemed to be a sort of a sea creature: shiny, blue scales, webbed fingers and toes. Even gills were sprouting out of their cheeks. Don't go! Max though desperately; you're not going to come back! The remaining mutants were walking the Yard for two hours after the fish hybrids left; they never returned to the Yard. Tick…tick…tick… time was running out. Max knew that they weren't going to be walking this yard much longer. What's going to happen to us? What's going on in there? Mom, where are you? Betrayed!
No more! Make it stop! Let it end! Max realized that these were her own thoughts. She was beginning to become more and more frantic, preparing herself to pull an "up, up and away" at any moment. Oh, how good it would feel to spread her wings! It wasn't the same, though. That was a joy she needed to share. Not with anybody, but with somebody. Fang… dear, dear Fang. Now more than ever did Max want to see his emotionless, but beautiful face, once more, before she was done. "I'm on the clock, Fang. My time is up. The white coats are going to come collect us any minute now. Fang, listen to me," Max muttered. "I'm sorry. We've been through a lot you and me. I've put you in a lot of danger and I'm sorry. But Fang, please don't forget me. Remember me as your best friend, your sister, even your girlfriend for all I care. I love you, Fang. Don't forget that either. I love you sooooo much."
"Maximum Ride" Tick…tick…tick…