A/N: I hope you guys like it!

Summary: Max has just been in a terrible accident. While driving with her friend JJ, a bridge collapsed- with them on it! Max witnessed many deaths and this scarred her emotionally. Her mom, step dad, cousin Ella, and brother Iggy move to Montana to get away and she intends to keep to herself. But of course there's a dark stranger and his friends who may just break down Max's walls. FAX!

Chapter One

It has been more than 36 hours since we left my old home in Seattle, Washington but I still feel like at any minute we could turn into our old driveway and pull up to my old home with its cracking tan paint and broken screen door. But that's not possible considering we are just now passing over into Montana state lines, never to return to the sleepless city.

When mapped out, the drive from Seattle to our new home on Wolf Road, it's about 12 hours. But we had to make a few stops in Idaho to visit family members that I had never heard of before. It was weird walking through homes of strangers who all insisted on patting me on the back and asking if I was OK, as if they were my therapist or something. What made them think I wanted to talk to them about anything? I mean, I didn't know half of them and the half I did know, well, let's just say there was a reason we never visited each other.

But besides that fact, what made them think I wanted to talk about any of it, at all?

After visiting distant cousins, step relatives, and some half uncles twice removed (or something like that) we had one more stop, but this house was on the border of Idaho and Montana. two minutes after crossing the border, we get off the highway and drive around on some windy dirt roads. When we pull up to a house, my mom tries prodding me into getting out of the car one last time.

"Max, honey, I promise this is our last stop. Will you please come out and greet your Aunt and Uncle?" My mother's soft brown eyes searched my face for any signs of emotion but after a minute of staring at me, she realizes I am not going to come out of the car. And she won't make me. Because that's the type of person she is.

Especially towards someone who has just been through so much in the past month.

"Ok," my mother continues. "Igs and I may be a while. It's going to take some time to get all of Ella's things in the truck, assuming Jeb gets it here soon. Come in when you're ready." She turns around and joins my brother, Iggy, on the front porch.

They knock a few times and when the door opened I saw the back of my brother's strawberry blonde head disappear into the house. My mother stands at the entrance for a bit, talking to the woman who opened the door for them. She has dark brown hair and naturally tanned skin. She looks like my mother in the way that their facial structures are very similar. And I am guessing that her eyes hold the same caring dignity that my mother's always has.

While I watching my mom talk with her sister, I can't help but notice how different all of us are. I mean, my mom has beautiful dark brown hair, a light tan, and creamy brown eyes. I have dirty blonde hair with milky brown eyes that looks the color of dirt water and a pasty but somehow still slightly tan complexion.

Then there's Iggy. He has strawberry blonde hair and he is taller than everyone, even Jeb. He has bright blue eyes and big dimples. Of course he could look nothing like us since he's adopted… That may have something to do with it.

Then there is Jeb. He has greying hair and dark brown eyes. He isn't my biological dad but apparently my real dad looked nothing like me. Of course I wouldn't know since I have never met him.

Before I could think anymore about my family, both women on the porch looked towards the car, offered a small wave and a genuine smile, then headed into the house, shutting the pristine white door behind them.

I plug my earbuds in and flip through songs with my eyes closed. I have no intentions on going into yet another relative's home. Of course, this would be a bit different since Ella and her parents were close to me and mine, along with Iggy of course. But I still don't want to go through the same pity gazes and "Are you alright" bothersome conversations. I plan to sit here with my IPod until Jeb, my step dad, shows up with the almost full truck. Once he arrives, Ella, my cousin, will pack her things in and we can head off to our new home.

I guess I should explain the Ella situation. Ella Martinez is my cousin. She lives in the house I am currently sitting in front of, but she hates it here. Her school is pretty large and she is known by almost everyone- just not in a good way. Her parent's knew my mom was relocating us after the incident and once they heard it was only two hours from where they currently live, asked if we could take in Ella to get her out of this town and into a better environment. Ella's parents never got the full story of why everyone had something against Ella but they were tired of having her come home in tears, wishing she were somewhere else.

Since Aunt Maria and Uncle James can't move until their jobs allow them to (in about two years) they decided it would be best to ship her off to us. Which I guess is cool.

Just as I was getting to the chorus of a Skillet song, a tapping on the window woke me from my music-induced coma. Jeb stood outside the car, asking with his eyes if it was OK for him to come in. I nod, unlock the doors, and he climbs into the drivers side.

"Hey Kiddo," he begins. "What are you doin' out here by yourself?"

I have always loved Jeb but sometimes he gets on my nerves. Like now for instance.

"I didn't want to go in."

"I get that. But do you think you could come in just to say hello? I promise we can leave as soon as we get all of Ella's stuff packed up. And if you talk to your Aunt and Uncle, that means I can get your mom to pack with Iggy and I and we can get out of here quicker." Jeb was always good at convincing me to do things, no matter how stubborn I was.

"Can I help you pack instead?"

Jeb smirked. "Only if you say hi to everyone first."

"Deal." And we both climbed out of the car.

While walking up the steps, I began wrapping up my headphones. Instead of knocking like my brother and mom did, we just walked right on in. In my silent observant state, I watched as my brother struggle carrying five bags and suitcases while Ella talked animatedly to him, carrying nothing but her purse. My mom was across the room talking to my aunt while my uncle stood there, making eye contact with me. It was eery in the way that no one else seemed to notice the exchange between my uncle and I but at the same time, there has always been something about Uncle James that told me he understood. Understood what? I have no clue, but he did.

I made my way over to Iggy and took some of the bags, he gave me a relieved sigh and continued towards the door. Ella chirped up next to me.

"Max! It's so good to see you again! Aren't you excited to be moving? I am! And the best part is that we are going to be like sisters! Except not really because we are cousins but we are living together which is super awesome! And-" I blocked her out from there. I was fine with letting her talk because I wanted to stay in my own silence but man did that girl have a mouth on her.

I made it out to the U-Haul truck, threw her stuff in next to where Iggy threw the other three bags and started making my way back to the house. But before I took three steps I was bear tackled by my brown-haired, frail cousin. "I am so glad you're here." That was all she said before running after Iggy.

I stood, confused, but slowly moved towards the house.

"Max," Jeb called towards me. "Why don't you come say hi?" He noted somewhere in his voice that he saw through my plans of leaving without fulfilling our deal.

"Hi Uncle James, Aunt Maria." I said as both of the adults came up and hugged me. Aunt Maria pulled back and looked me in the eyes.

She said "If you ever need to talk, I'm here for you." She said it like everyone else says it; as if it is obligatory after something terrible happens. As if if they didn't, they would be terrible people.

However, Uncle James says nothing but "Did you hear about the game happening on Sunday? I expect a call after the game to discuss how terrible the Dawgs are! Now that you are officially a Montana Champ." My uncle and I always had a thing for college football and he knew better than to become a part of numerous people telling me "life goes on." And his casual approach almost made me smile. Almost.

"Will do, but Dawgs are going to win. Your team kinda sucks."

He seemed to consider this for a second then said "True." And he smirked as I rolled my eyes.

Uncle James was the only one besides my brother to have the right sense to treat me normally. He always knew exactly how to act around me. And I love him for it.

"You guys ready to go? Ella's things are all packed and the car is already running." Jeb was trying to usher us out the door.

Everyone in the living room made their way to the porch. I made my way to the U-Haul, deciding I would ride the rest of the way with Jeb. Iggy walked to our Explorer and got in the back,leaving the front seat to Ella… Which is a courtesy Iggy never showed to me. Ella was still on her porch, giving tearful hugs to both of her parents.

Without another glance, Jeb and I took off towards the highway. Two more hours until we arrive to our new home.

I plugged in my headphones and almost immediately my eyes drifted closed and I began dreaming. Which usually was great but lately, the only dreams I have been having are nightmares. And all my nightmares are is a play-by-play of the day the bridge collapsed; the day everything changed for me.

I was in my red Honda Accord driving down I-90. I was passing through a tunnel and when it opened up, I was on the bridge that connected this part of Seattle to the rest of the Puget Sound area.

I blasted music and was singing along to some John Mayer song when my friend, JJ, pointed out a little girl riding a bike in the bike lane with her parents. We were stuck in a lot of traffic so I had time to look over and see the little girl wearing a unicorn helmet. It was swirled with a rainbow of colors and had a purple horn protruding from the front of it. Her parents were smiling at her and taking a picture with a disposable camera.

The traffic was at a standstill because all the construction, that seemed to never be finished in Seattle, was blocking up one of the lanes. My car was stopped right next to the little girl and her family when all of a sudden there was muffled BOOM noise coming from below.

JJ and I looked at each other and everything seemed to be in slow motion. We looked back towards the road and realized we were in the middle of the bridge and that the concrete was moving down.

There were honks of panicked cars in front of us. The screams of people running out of their cars and trying to run towards the tunnels. And the family with the young girl, instead of running, hugging and crying because they know that there is no way to get from here to safety.

Still in slow motion, JJ and I exit the car and walk over to the edge of the bridge. People are already littering the water. People are jumping- hoping that will save them but how could that save them when the height alone could be enough to kill them?

"Max, what do we do?" JJ's eyes were panicked and she was shaking all over. I was still in shock but I managed to speak.

"JJ, whatever happens, know that you are the best friend anyone could ever ask for. Now, we need to figure out-" I was cut off by a loud squeaking noise and a chorus of more screams.

All of the sudden, Life came back into normal speed and the bridge started to twist to the right. I grabbed JJ's hand and dragged her away from my car. If we could get in the right position, we may be able to jump into the water and out of the way of anything that may try to crush us.

We ran towards where the family with the little girl was and stood there. I told JJ to get ready to jump. The family saw my movements and I guess they thought I knew what to do.

The older woman broke away from the rest of the family and pushed the girl towards me. She tried telling me something but I couldn't understand her words; she was speaking another language. But I understood her eyes. She wanted me to save the little girl.

I nodded and she gave me a saddened smile. I didn't realize how much I had been crying until I tried looking down at the little girl but all I saw was a blurry blob.

"JJ, grab her other hand. When I say jump, you need to jump and help her get in the water safely. Don't let her drown but make sure not to lose her. I'll do the same. Are you ready?"

She nodded.

"OK, I love you Jay. Jump on three. One…" There was another loud screeching noise. "Two…" More screams. "Three!" And after that, there was nothing but a blast of wind. I could see the water rushing towards me when all of the sudden my feet connected with the surface. Water filled my every sense and for a second I lost all thoughts.

Then I looked over to see the little girl. She had on a bright purple backpack and I knew that as soon as it filled up with water, it would be harder to swim.

I moved her to be in front of me and took it off. I noticed that it had the name "Annabelle" plastered across the front pocket.

Then I noticed that her eyes were closed.

I also noticed that her helmet no longer had the purple, glittery horn on it.

Worst of all, I noticed JJ's absence.

I did a 360 as best I could while still submerged in water but couldn't see much. I grabbed the girl by her arm and pulled her up towards the top. There was still screaming but the continuous screeching was blocking out most of the cries for help.

I looked again for JJ but couldn't see her. I knew that Annabelle and I could not last much longer in this water without being crushed by something coming off the bridge, or the bridge itself, but I also knew that I would not have much time until my muscles give out from swimming for both me and this little girl.

Annabelle's eyes remained closed and I could not tell if she was breathing or not. I got to the edge of the lake where there was a car that crashed into the water but got stuck in the shallow end. I dragged Annabelle to the top of the car and stood up, still searching for JJ.

"JJ! Can you hear me?" I knew it was useless because my screams and cries would get lost in the rest of the noise. I searched more but I couldn't see my best friend anywhere.

"Ma'am, are you alright? Can you come down please?"

I turned to find the owner of the voice and I found a man dressed in an official looking uniform. He was trying to usher me toward the ambulance but instead of coming down myself, I handed him Annabelle.

"Her name is Annabelle, I think. Her family… I don't know where they are. I need to find JJ though so can you make sure she's OK?"

The man didn't hesitate. He handed the little girl to his comrade while simultaneously climbing up the car to reach me. But before he could, I was in the water walking towards the masses of bodies; some kicking and screaming while others… weren't.

I tried calling her name a few more times before I gave up screaming and focused on breathing.

"MAX!" The combination of someone screaming my name and pulling out my headphones woke me up. "Sorry Kiddo, I was worried. You're all sweaty and shaking… Was it the nightmare again?"

I nodded while I tried to dry myself off and cool myself down. I was still shaking some. "Yeah, thanks."

"Well, Max, welcome to your new home," Jeb said as he pulled into a long driveway.

Here, I thought to myself, I don't have to be Maximum Ride, the girl who lived through the bridge collapsing. I don't have to be the girl who lost her friend. Here, I am going to be Max. I am going to be the new girl who no one knows her past. That is exactly how I want it.

A/N: I know you didn't get to see much of anyone but I hope you guys like this! Tell me what you think! Feel free to give suggestions and I apologize for the spotty tenses. I couldn't decide which tense I wanted to write in and I tried to fix it but… Yeah. Next chapter will be better!