A/N: hi guys! This is my second Max Ride fanfic, enjoy! (and in case you don't know or haven't realized by now, my other fanfic, Bittersweet Blood is on hiatus. Sorry!)

Full summary: The flock receives a message from a stranger offering them to stay at his house, and while Max is suspicious, it turns out to be an amazing offer. While the flock is enjoying their new life, Max keeps growing more and more paranoid. Is Max just crazy, or is there a reason she should be worried?

"Checking up on your blog again?" I asked Fang. He was hunched over the laptop on the cheap motel bed, a concentrated expression set upon his face. While waiting for a response, I surveyed the room for the nth time that night. Iggy appeared to be napping on the cushioned chair in the corner of the room, Nudge and the Gasman were arguing over which of the five free channels they should watch, and Angel was giggling nonsense with Total underneath the bed. I checked again to make sure the door was locked and the curtains were drawn tight.

"Some dude messaged me…" Fang murmured softly. Instantly my mind began racing. I triple-checked the locks before sitting next to Fang to look at the laptop screen.

Dear Fang and Flock,

I've been following your blog for a while and I'm completely supportive of you. I know you've been though a lot, and I was thinking I could try to help out you guys. I live in a large house that certainly holds enough room for all of you to stay with me, if you want. My house is on a secret private island off the coast of Southern California near Oceanside, completely safe from outside harm. If you choose to live with me, however long it may be, I would guarantee you shelter and safety. You don't have to do anything in return, I'm doing this on my own to help you best I can. I'm not forcing you to accept my offer, but I would appreciate it if you thought it over. Whatever your choice, I wish you the best of luck.

Sincerely,

J

"It's a trap," I concluded. Have you heard of the phrase, "if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is"? That's exactly what I was thinking. I mean, come on. Living on a private, island unknown to the rest of the world, and no catch? Yeah right.

"What's a trap?" Angel asked, peeking out from underneath the bed skirt. Nudge and Gazzy had stopped arguing and had looked at me curiously, and Iggy stared attentively in my direction.

"Listen to this, guys," I told them, and I read the message out loud. "Isn't it a load of-"

"Awesome! A home?" exclaimed Gazzy. I exhaled. Not what I was going for.

"No, not a home! Think about it: some complete stranger is inviting us to his 'perfect island' and to come live a 'perfect life' with him," I said, using sarcasm and air quotes. "When's the last time someone told us something like that and didn't have something bad up their sleeves? And seriously, if he's such a regular nice guy, why couldn't he give us a real name? Don't tell me your 'suspicious-trap senses are fading."

Nudge grinned, and I scowled in return. Why couldn't they take me seriously?

"Max, not everyone is evil," Angel said. "Especially Fang's readers. Remember how they helped us in Germany? Plus it'd be nice to stay at a place longer than a day..."

"Yeah, Max. As much as I love flying nonstop without a set destination in mind, and crashing at the local forest or, if we're lucky, the occasional motel at night, this dude's place might just be what we're looking for. We don't have to stay permanently, but even a week or two would be nice while we figure out what our next moves are."

I glared at Iggy. Was no one even considering my side? I turned to Fang. He saw the message first; surely he sees the awaiting trap?

Keeping his face smooth and expressionless, he looked at me and said, "Ig does have a point." I groaned and had the deep desire to bang my head against the wall.

"Max," Nudge started. Here we go, I thought. I didn't want to listen, not after they had already ganged up on me. "It could be okay. We can meet him in a super open place, like on a cliff or beach or something, so if it is a trap or something we could fly away and escape easily. But we could outnumber him if we had to fight, unless he brought like a ton of bad guys with him or something, which would be bad, but we're strong. Besides, in the message he sounded like he really wanted to help us. Plus, a private island! It would be so cool, it would be all to ourselves, and we'd have an awesome view and it'd be warm all the time and-"

"I get it, Nudge," I said, cutting her off. I evaluated the flock's faces with disapproval. Angel was wearing her Bambi eyes, Gazzy and Nudge were both fantasizing the "perfect place" we were going to, and Iggy tried to look indifferent, but I could see him pleading for a break. Fang simply stated at me, his face betraying zero emotion. As hard as I searched, I had no way of knowing whether he was supportive of the flock, or of me. He was forcing me to be the leader and make the decision alone for everyone. I hated that.

Let's see, I could tell them 'no' and reassure their safety for now, but be the bad guy. Or, I could go with it and risk walking straight into a trap, but everyone would be happy doing so.

...And then I saw Angel's wide, adorable, pleading eyes…

I growled in defeat. "Fine," I said, and everyone cheered. Angel and Total high-fived, Gazzy fist-pumped in victory, Nudge squealed, "thankyouthankyouthankyouMax!", and Iggy looked at me gratefully. Fang's expression didn't change at all.

"Fang," I instructed, "tell the guy to meet us at the Oceanside pier at 8 o'clock in the morning, no later. Make sure he comes alone; we don't want surprises.

"Listen guys, it's a two-hour nonstop flight from where we are, so we're getting up with the sun. You all asked for it, so no whining. But for now: shower, then bed. Go on."

They all scattered, shoving each other back to get a turn in the shower first. I sighed and buried my face in my hands.

"I hope I made the right decision…"