" What the hell do you mean? Who sent me?" I had yelled in frustration at the girl. I threw her off with a reverse hold and jumped to my feet. My flock had alright joined me except for angel.
" Did Kane send you? That cant be possible… he's dead. I saw him die." The other Max almost seemed to be having a conversation with herself. " Did the goons from the facility send you? Ill die before I go back!"
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Was this girl completely nuts. " I don't know who you are or where you came from. But I didn't come here to hurt you. I would like to know how you know about the school though,"
" Max. Why does she look like you? She isn't another clone is she? I don't wanna go through that again. I mean she tried to cook. And you don't cook max. That was just weird. Almost as weird as now. Though this may be we-"
I had to cut her off for sanity sake. " Well? Who are you?"
The other Max ushered the little girl and a little boy behind her. She looked like a mother hen protecting her chicks.
" My name is Max. These are my children. What are you doing here?" You talk. You die. Max wasn't about to tell these strangers anything even if they were like her. She looked over her shoulder and chirped to the children.
Both instantly took off down the beach towards the woods. Just under the cover of the trees I could see a small lake house, or a cabin. Were they going to call the police? Going to get back up? I felt uneasy either way.
I didn't have to look over my shoulder to know that Fang was there. I could feel his presence. It made me feel safe to know he was there.
The feeling was obviously not shared by the other Max. Her face instantly went from angry and fierce to a look of shock.
" O-Ozymandias?" She said shakily.
Fang raised an eyebrow at her. " Um no. My name is Fang."
She took a step forward and then stopped. She backed up a few more steps. Over her shoulder I could see a man and a woman followed by the children from before, plus a young man that resembled the other max, a lanky young man, and a small pair of children that looked like Angel's age and could have been twins.
I wanted nothing more than to take off and leave, but I couldn't leave angel. I got into a fighting stance. I didn't have to speak to let gazzy, nudge, and fang know to be ready.
The man arrived first. He had a gun in his hand. The woman behind him looked normal enough.
" You kids wanna tell me what you are doing here on our land?" The man said. " My name is Kit, and this is Frannie."
I bit my lip. I didn't want to give them anything. Talking always led to trouble.
The man lowered his gun. " Why don't you come into the house? We can talk things out."
I looked at the others. They didn't move or speak. That meant the choice was up to me. Since Angel hadn't resurfaced I couldn't leave her. I had no choice.
" I- I guess maybe for a minute."
The man smiled. He didn't appear to be too threatening. He made a welcoming motion. I picked up my backpack and my jacket and followed them. Fang and the others did the same.
Total and Akila followed. I gave total a look to keep his mouth shut. Last thing we needed was for these strangers to hear the talking dog.