Thanks for the reviews.
Again not my characters, JP rocks.
Chapter 3.
One kiss, just one kiss and he was already thinking about kids! Max, you know the kiss meant more. You and Fang mean more. The Voice nagged.
Voice, oh how I've missed you. Not! And you do not have an opinion on what just happened between Fang and I and if you do don't tell me. This was so not the right time to be having a conversation with the thing in my head.
Max, I may not agree with some of what Fang said like you DO have to save the world. But he has realized his role in this game, it might be a little soon but this is good. The Voice went on.
My hand tightened around Fangs as we got to the others. Voice, shut up. Not now. Go away.
No response. Good.
'That might have been a little blunt,' Fang said. He let go of my hand and sat down on a log. His eyes still refused to meet mine. Awe, he was embarrassed.
'Just a bit. But we can talk about it later. Right now I need to think…. and sleep, so—', I paused shifting from one foot to the other. Oh man, this was awkward.
'Yeah, I'll take first watch. You sleep,' He blurted out. Still focused on the fire.
Oh, this would not do. 'Fang, its okay. I mean, a little confusing and scary and weird and stuff but not bad weird.' I licked my lips. Well, that did not help at all.
'Ahhh,' I grunted. Angel shifted a little and I lowered my voice. In one deep breath I let it out hoping it would clear the air and we could get over this pink elephant in the room thing.
'My feelings for you have changed' I whispered. 'That kiss was the most amazing thing I think I've ever felt. And you and the flock are my life as well. Especially you. I kissed you on the beach when you were hurt and that made me start thinking about you… and us. And then when I saw you kiss Lisa,' I paused trying not to puke. 'Well, I was beyond jealous. I'm 14 but I feel like I'm 20. So yeah, okay, we just kissed. And sure, we would more than likely become more than what we are now. So, I guess this was good. Crap, I'm babbling and cant- I just mean- Ahhh, this is so not coming out right…. Fine! Our kids will have my hair and your eyes!' And with that I walked over to him and kissed him hard. 'Goodnight Fang.'
Fang blinked in amazement. 'Night, Max.'
I turned and found a nice patch of sand. Thoughts running through my mind. Fang. I'm in a relationship with Fang. Right? Do we even have relationships? I mean, its not like I can go date anyone I want. But Fang. Wow, Fang. How are we going to tell the flock? What will they think. He is the father figure for the kids. Kids. Our kids. OMG! Fang and I having kids. That involves more than kissing. Much more. I smiled. A stupid giddy smile that I prayed Fang couldn't see over the flames. I moved a piece of twig that was jabbing me in the face. And who decided we should sleep on the beach tonight!
I drifted off to sleep and woke up around, not quite sure when. Couldn't find the time when a hand was over my mouth and a gun pointed at my head. Ari. They found us.
I turned to look at the rest of the flock. They were still sleeping soundly and Fang was slumped over with blood running down the front of his face. My eyes bulged out in concern.
'Don't worry birdy. Lover boys alright. Quite a moment the two of you had near the water, huh.' Ari spoke in my ear. His breath was kickin and he almost knicked my ear with his teeth. 'Come with me and they'll live. Fight me and I'm so going to shoot them. I'm tired of this Max. This ends tonight.' And to prove his point he made the other erasers hold out guns pointed to the rest of the flock.
When in the hell did they get guns! I nodded, not wanting to chance it. He grabbed me up by my throat. Hurt much! I had my mouth free and couldn't resist. 'Peeping Tom, Ari. You sick dog.'
He dragged me into the nearby woods. And who was there waiting. Jeb. Well duh. Ari released me but still had the gun too close for comfort. 'Hello Max. As Ari said before, it ends tonight. You have a choice to make, a very simple one. Come with me now or I'll have the flock shot a point blank.' He looked tired and angry but when his eyes met mine they softened.
I wanted punch the softness out of him. I wanted to do a lot to Jeb. And Ari. I just stood there and listened. He means business.
'No more playing around, Max. This is it. We have a deadline vastly approaching and you are a critical part in this. I'm getting sick of these games.' His eyes went up into a smile. 'And if you do come with us, you have my word that the rest of the flock wont be touched, ever.'
I laughed at that. 'Since when did your word ever mean much?' I was getting very mad, very quickly.
'I mean it. We wont touch them we wont even look for them. We can't anyway. We have no way of finding them without you being with them.' He stared down at my arm. The chip. So it was me who was leading them to us. I was the reason they were in danger. I almost felt sick.
'So if I go with you, the flock's free. That's it. That's all.' I wasn't buying it.
'Yes Max. You were all we wanted anyway. And we will of course let you go once the mission is accomplished if your still alive. So it's a win win situation.' He took a step forward and rested a hand on my shoulder. I wanted to break it but just shrugged it off.
He presented a suit case and opened it. Money all neatly stacked. 'Look. They can have this to get their life started. We can't even trace them. They would be completely off our radar.' He paused and closed the case. 'We really need you Max. Need you to cooperate with us and we know how much the flock means to you. Max, this is serious. They. Can. Be. Free.' He looked at me with a combination of pure evil and remorse in his eyes.
I was in shock to put it lightly. Leave the flock. Give in to the bad guys. Loose.
'One life for five. Sounds like a great deal,' Ari spat out. I turned to him and gave him a shut up before I kick your dog ass look.
I turned back to Jeb. 'If I live I go free. You won't keep me for anything else?' I can't believe I'm considering this.
'Saving the world is all we want you for Maximum. So yes, you go free. If you live.' Jeb looked hopeful.
I knew he was lying. More than likely he'd leave the flock alone. That I believed. But after I was finished with God knows what, they wouldn't let me go. I would be theirs until I die. But it was either my life or theirs. And I'm too selfish. I need them alive, want them alive. Even if I cant be their with them.
I swallowed hard and held out my hand. Jeb looked at it questionably. He glanced up at the other erasers near camp they cocked their guns.
'Deal, Jeb. We have a deal.' I said quickly. 'Let them go and take me.' He took my hand and shook it. I wanted to cry. Its all falling apart.
'Talk to Fang. Tell him not to look for you. If they interfere our deal is off and we will take action.' He started and then spun me around dragged me behind some boulders. I could see them drag Fang through the sand over to me.
They through some water from a bottle on him. He freaked awake. And four erasers were on him fast. One with a hand over his mouth. Jeb pushed me towards him. I clinched my teeth trying to stop the tears from falling. I was failing.
'Fang,' I squeaked. 'Umm, I have to break my promise, our promise. I'm so sorry Fang.' He looked at me with eyebrows up in shock and struggled to get free. Oh man, how he struggled. I could hear him screaming in the paw over his mouth.
I looked up to the sky wishing that we could just fly away. 'They're letting the flock go. No strings attached. They wont ever hunt for you again. You and the others are free. Free, Fang.' I smiled trying to look happy. I crouched down even with him on his knees. I took his face in my hands. 'They just need me. Only me.' He struggled even harder and his eyes went big. He shook his head over and over again.
I started crying harder. 'They were going to kill all of you and make me do it anyway. This is the only way. The ONLY way Fang.' My vision blurred. His eyes looked like pools. 'Don't come looking for me. If you do they will kill you and all I've done would be for nothing. Do you understand Fang. If you come for me all we have been through would be for nothing. You need to live. Make the flock happy. Make them live on.' I paused and glanced a Jeb who's face never faltered.
'And Jeb said that after I save the world I can leave too.' I glanced back at Fang. His head still in my hands. Forgetting all around, I kissed his head and pryed the hand from his mouth. He started to say something but I stopped him with a kiss. My last kiss. Our last kiss. Our tears mingled and a pathetic whine came from me.
This was not supposes to happen. We were supposed to win. I stopped and placed two fingers over his mouth. 'I'm so sorry.' I whispered. 'I think our children would have been beautiful. I love you and if you love me then let me do this for you. Let me be Max one last time.' And with that I got up and stood beside Jeb.
An eraser came up with a needle. What the hell. And stuck it in Fang. I lunged forward to stop him. 'Relax Max,' came Jeb. 'It's just a sedative to ensure we wont be followed. He'll wake up in six or so hours.'
'I hate you so much.' I replied. He took my elbow and started to lead me deeper into the forest.
'I know, but it is for your own good. You were created for this. And your destiny needs to be fulfilled.' He turned to me with his own needle. And jabbed it into my arm. I stumbled back. Oh this is just great. He grabbed me and picked me up. 'Just so you'll come more willingly. Just in case.' He said.
It was all murky. Everything was fuzzy. I couldn't see right. I felt like my whole life was torn away. I wanted to cry until no more tears came. We had lost. The flock was separated and I agreed to it. And Fang. I crocked out a cry again. We were so close to something amazing. I know it. I could feel it. And now its gone. I don't care anymore, the only people I've ever loved are gone. Voice where are you? Why didn't you say anything?
The best death is one that is for the one's you love, Max. You made the right decision. This cat and mouse game had to end. Like they said, it ends tonight. The Voice interjected.
That was the last I heard as I slipped into darkness.