Disclaimer- I do not own Max, Fang, Iggy, Gazzy, Angel, or Nudge. James Patterson-the amazing author-does. I also do not own Nikias. He is a friend of mines who has so graciously agreed to let me use him. Thanks to Endless Dawn for her help.

Chapter 1

Max's POV

I sat in the clearing watching over the rest if the flock as they slept. I looked at each of them, examining them carefully. Angel was hugging Total to her while Gazzy snored quietly next to her. On the other side of Angel, Nudge slept on her side muttering to herself. Next To Gazzy, Iggy was lying on his back with his arms behind his head. A little ways away from the rest of the flock was Fang. He was sleeping soundly as opposed to me who was stuck on watch.

I caught myself staring at Fang and averted my eyes reluctantly. He looks so cute when he sleeps. Whoa! Bad thoughts Max. No, do not think things like that! I heard a twig snap and shot upright. Another twig snapped and then another. The snaps were getting closer.

"Fang," I whispered into his ear, "Fang, get up! Someone's coming this way!" He stirred after that and propped himself up on his arm. He looked at me with a look that said are you paranoid? "Fang, I am serious. Twigs have been snapping and coming closer," I said in an urgent tone.

He got up and started walking towards the trees surrounding us. I looked at him confused for a minute before I realized he was going to check if anyone was there. Oh, that's what he was doing. Why not just say so. I walked back to my watch position and sat down again. I flashed back to why we had come here.

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Flashback

"Where are we going now Max?" asked Gazzy as we flew away from Itex the day after my rescue from there.

"Well…….. We are going to," I stopped, unsure of where we were going myself.

"Washington, Max, You are going to Washington" said the voice.

"Welcome back, oh annoying voice of mine. Why Washington, and do you mean the state or the city?" I asked the voice mentally.

"You are going to Washington because there is someone you need to meet there." It said back to me. "And I mean the state. You will be going to Forks, Washington."

"Who do I need to meet? Do you ever say anything outright?" I shot back to the voice.

Of course the voice decided to not answer that. "Ma-ax? Hello? Max!" someone said as they waved their hand in front of my face. I looked over to see who it was. It was Gazzy. "Max, where are we going?"

"Oh, ummm….. We are going to Washington. And by Washington, I mean the state and not D.C. again." I said, distractedly.

"Okay," said Gazzy as he flew off to spread the word. Fang looked over at me as if to say "Washington, why Washington?"

End Flashback

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After the first few minutes of Fang's absence I began to wonder if he was okay. Another few minutes later I was becoming frantic. I started to wonder if he had been hurt or killed by whatever was out there or if he had been caught by an eraser. I was about to go in after him when a shape flew down into the clearing with black wings. Thank you, Fang is back.

I walked over towards the figure and was about to ask what had taken him so long when I looked up at his face. I stifled a gasp when a horrible realization dawned on me. This wasn't Fang!