A/N: Okay, this is totally-one off. I know it's not really Fang or Max-like. I do not own Maximum Ride.
I was starting to get worried- it was too good to be true. We were heading back to Ella's house, just for a while. But we hadn't seen hind or hair of the Erasers. Usually we would've been attacked by now. I was on high alert as we flew through the skies. It wasn't far now, only a few hours. I was flying underneath the flock, watching. I heard Total talking to Iggy. Iggy looked a bit pissed. I smirked. Nudge dropped down a bit to my level.
"So, Max," she said. "I noticed you looking at Fang kind of…funny."
I rolled my eyes. "So?"
She sighed. "Max, pretty please tell me?"
"No. That's my business, not yours."
"Okay then." She shrugged. "Well, Angel already told me. I still wanted to hear it from you, though."
Oh, crap. "What do you mean?" Nudge looked annoyed. "I know he likes you. He kissed you."
"That's for me to know, Nudge."
"I'm not stupid. He's liked you for ages. He looks kinda happy, you know."
I didn't reply. "You're different, too." Nudge said.
I looked at her. "What do you mean? I'm different?"
"Your eyes are all shiny. You look like a kid in a candy store," Nudge explained. "You're smiling, too."
"So? Maybe I'm having a good day. It doesn't mean Fang and I are in…in a relationship." I choked out. I wanted to believe Nudge. I did love Fang, but now wasn't the time for this. But…I was scared. I mean, how did Nudge know that he liked me? Fang was silent and moody. I didn't see much of a difference. Nudge opened her mouth to respond, but she was cut off by a low growl. A growl I knew only to well: Erasers. I shot upwards, Nudge close behind. The rest of the flock appeared at my side and we flew in a tight formation, ready to strike.
"Max!" Fang yelled at me, but I was too slow. A claw clamped into my leg, just above my knee. I screamed out in pain. I tried to kick him off, but he dug in further. I punched his head with all my might, but he didn't let go. The Eraser slid down my leg, slicing it to ribbons. Iggy swooped over and tore the Eraser off, but the damage was done. Hot blood poured down my leg. I was getting kind of dizzy, but I still had to fight. Angel was hovering untouched, the Erasers falling when they tried to attack her. Iggy was beating up the Eraser that had hurt me, and Nudge and Gazzy were fending off a couple.
Fang rushed over to me and took in my bloodied leg. I smiled weakly. "Fang," I whispered. The blood had soaked me, I was covered in it. I felt myself falling downwards. I tried to keep my wings open, I tried to catch myself. But they wouldn't respond.
I was falling, falling.
I wasn't unconscious. Fang had dived down and caught me, and hid on some nearby cliffs. "Max," he said. "Listen to me. Don't go to sleep, okay?"
I tried to nod. The pain was so much. Black void crept around my mind, inviting in. I could feel it: it was soothing. A solution to all my pain.
No, my Voice said. You're not much use dead.
I snapped. God, I couldn't leave. Angel, Gazzy, Iggy, Nudge, Total, Fang…oh God, Fang…He was staring at me desperately, his eyes riddled with worry. I smiled slightly. He looked down at my leg. I felt kind of a weird pressure: it hurt. A lot. But the pressure lifted, and the pain became more intense. I screamed. Fire, burning through me. Fang winced.
"It's okay," he soothed. "We'll get you to Ella's. Don't go, please."
I opened my mouth. "Fa…ng," I choked. "I'm...here."
He smiled a rare Fang smile. He bent over my face, and whispered in my ear, "I love you, Max. Stay with me."
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"Oh my…Ella! Get my supplies!" I heard. I was half-dazed, trying to stay awake. I knew I was loosing blood, fast.
Keep going, my Voice instructed. I struggled against the void. It was growing larger, filling every space. I could hear Angel sobbing, Nudge wailing. Fang was silent, but I could feel his hand in mine. Gazzy and Iggy were helping Dr Martinez. I felt air hit my leg as they cut away my jeans. I heard a gasp from someone. Total was yowling.
"Ella," I heard her say. "Get them the younger kids out of here."
"No!" Angel wailed. "Max, please!" I wanted to hug her. I couldn't stand her screaming like that. I felt a mask cover my face. I sucked in deeply, breathing in something. I felt my eyelids flutter shut.
That's it, my Voice said. It's over.
