Chapter 2: Dream

MAXIMUM RIDE

I pulled my blanket around myself. I realized that Fang was crawling into my bed with me.

"Hey there," I said. I kissed him lightly.

We both knew that nothing else was going to happen. He got under the blanket and hugged me tight, and we fell asleep, just like that.

The second I found myself drifting off, I was in a strange stone room. "Whoa," I said.

"I greet you, grandchild," said a glittery red creature. "I am Fallen."

"Is this a dream?" I asked.

"That would depend on your definition of a dream," Fallen said cryptically.

"Uh-huh. Well, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather have the dream about being in a swimming pool with Chace Crawford."

Fallen paused. "Chace Crawford?" it said blankly.

"Yeah. He's hot."

"Um..." Fallen seemed at a loss. "Well, as I was saying, that would depend upon your definition of a dream. If by a dream, you mean something not happening in this world, something only in your head, then yes, it is a dream. If by a dream, you mean as a fleeting path without origin or meaning... then no, absolutely not."

"Oh, so it's not enough that I have a voice in my head, I have to have visions too?"

"I do not know anything about that," Fallen said, and somehow I knew that it was the truth. "Tell me, Max, do you see yourself as something of nature?"

"Of course not," I said. "I was made in a lab. Nature could never come up with something like me."

Fallen scratched its chin. "Interesting," it said.

"Uh-huh. Can I have my Chace Crawford dream now?"

"You interest me, Max," Fallen said. I nearly applauded its ability to ignore my wisecracking. "You are unnatural, and yet... your fate is remarkably important. You are intertwined quite strongly with the Earth."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. I've heard it all before. Do you have any original material?"

"You are nothing I have ever experienced," Fallen said. "I do not judge. I do not interfere. I only observe. We shall meet again, Maximum Ride. Until then, hold your heart close and know that you are not alone."

"Ooooooh-kay."

And I was back in bed. It was morning, and the four junior members of the flock were surrounding me.

"What happened here?" Nudge demanded.

"We're just cuddling," Fang said. "Nothing happened."

"I had a funky dream, though, I'll say that much," I muttered.

"Chace Crawford?" Nudge asked.

Fang spun to face me. "Chace Crawford? Blecch."

"I don't dream about Chace Crawford," I snarled to Nudge. "No, it was a very different dream."

"That wasn't a dream, Max," Angel said. "Fallen is interested in us. Well, mostly you."

"Fallen?" Nudge repeated. "Huh... I had a dream about something named Fallen."

"Glittering red?" Fang asked. "Crazy hair? Wings?"

We all looked around at each other. "Well, I can't wait to hear Jeb explain this one," I muttered.

"Jeb had nothing to do with it," Angel said. "Fallen works alone."