I guess I should have done this before. I don't own Maximum Ride.

Murder

Max's POV (Flashback)

I woke up later, I don't know how long after being captured. I took in my surroundings and became confused.

My entire flock was tied together, on a catwalk, far below ground with people I'd never thought I'd see again. How could I? They were supposed to have died when we destroyed Itex. I guess they weren't dead, because Anne Walker, Marian Jensen, and Roland ter Borscht were standing on the catwalk. In between us was a large vat made of glass or some clear plastic that held a light blue liquid that glowed eerily.

"At last, we meet for the final time, Maximum." The Director said.

At this, Anne kind of looked down. She didn't seem willing to meet my eyes.

"Not if I have something to say about it!" I yelled at her.

"You von't." ter Borscht said happily. He seemed like a little kid about to blow from anticipation. "Zis is the end off you and the rest off your little mutant mistakes. Zere is nofing you can do about it! You are dead!" Despite the finality he was telling me, I couldn't help but think his accent made it sound funnier than it was.

"Bite me." Fang said sleepily.

"There is no time for this! We need to terminate them!" The Director said angrily. "Goodbye, Maximum Ride. We've met for the last time."

Suddenly, we were pushed from behind into the liquid.

The liquid burned insanely and I realized it was acid.

I watched helplessly as the flock died around me.

Gazzy went first. He was fighting the entire time, but my little trooper started to slow down, and then he stopped completely.

Iggy went next. It must have been horrifying, feeling the acid eat away at you without being able to see it.

Nudge, Fang, and Total went simultaneously. I could see the pain in Fang's eyes, as he struggled against the bindings, hoping to save me.

Angel, the last one left besides me, looked into my eyes, and suddenly I was transported to the E-house.

At least, in my mind.

Angel was in her bedroom, making her little nest of clothes and pillows exactly as she did every night.

For some reason, I had to stop Angel.

"Angel, what are you doing?" I asked her.

"I'm making my bed, Max. I have to go." she said sadly.

"No! You can't go."

"Max, it has to happen. It's not like I'm all for it, but I have no choice, I have to go."

She was finished making her little nest and was about to sleep, when I asked her "Can you at least hug me before you go?"

She smiled. "Sure."

We hugged and I refused to let go for even a second.

"Max, you have to let go."

"No."

"Max." Angel said sternly.

"Fine." I pouted.

Angel dropped into her nest. Her breathing slowed, and then stopped. The illusion began to fade away, until I was alone in the acid.

I struggled for a little longer, but I was fading fast. Everything went dark, and for a second, I realized I was falling.

This was the dark chapter, you can keep going.