Chapter Two: The Attack

Fang's POV

I needed to think. As much as I enjoyed staying at Dr. Martinez's house, nothing could replace the vast, blue skies and the sense of peace that came with flying, that is when we weren't escaping evil mutants. Or listening to Gazzy sing the constipation song, for that matter.

I slipped silently out the back door. It was morning, but everyone was still asleep. Okay, so I guess it was still pretty early, but hey, what can I tell ya? I'm a morning person.

Taking a few running steps, I unfurled my wings, and yes! I was flying. So I wouldn't be recognized, as a flying-bird-kid that is, I flew at a high altitude, soaring over the houses, feeling perfectly at ease. The skies were so clear I could see everything within a ten-mile radius. Which is why, when they appeared so suddenly before me, I was shocked.

There were about nine or ten of them, hovering in the air, effectively creating a wall in front of me. I shifted my gaze and found, to my utter dismay, that just as many were behind me, ending any hope of escape.

They were huge. And I'm talking several feet larger than me, and at 6'4", I'm not exactly what you'd call tiny. I was hovering too, now, trapped. As they neared, I noticed the sun glinting off their almost metallic skin. Great, I thought sarcastically, not only am I outnumbered, but they are fully armored. But they weren't robots, that much I was sure. Their eyes were… I gasped… human. By now, you'd think that I'd be used to it. Heck, I was one of them. However, I couldn't help but be disgusted at what these people would do to create a decent army. These, too, were mutants. They looked like some odd combination of reptile, bird, and human, but they were mutants all the same.

But they weren't like us. I locked eyes with the one directly in front of me, and he spoke in a flat, dead voice, "Where is Max?"

"I'm afraid I don't know who you're talking about," I said, playing dumb, "but if I see him, I'll let you know." Boy, would Max give me heck if she knew I called her a "him," but most people would think Max was a guy's name, right?

It looked confused by my response, so I took the opportunity and dive-bombed. I lost altitude fast. Before I could get too close to the impending ground below, I took off and started to fly as fast as I could. I didn't get far. Faster than I would have ever thought possible, they had me surrounded. They didn't look too happy.

The one who had previously spoken, clearly the leader, flew close to me until he was inches from my face. He spoke again, this time, with a trace of hatred and anger in his dead voice, "I asked you before. Where is she?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, my voice dripping with a hatred of my own- Like I was gonna tell him! As soon as the words left my mouth, he slapped me across the face. As if the initial sting wasn't enough, I felt his clawed fingers pierce my skin, slicing my cheek as he dragged his hand away. I dropped several feet in the air before I recovered, catching myself. Once again, they lost altitude as well, following my every move.

I'd had it. I attacked him, punching him full in the face. However, years of fighting Erasers had not prepared me for this- it was like hitting a brick wall. I felt several bones shatter. Immediately, I was dragged off him by one of the others. I struggled against his iron grasp, but it was of no use. He was too strong.

They continued to beat me, asking again and again where Max was, and each time I would lie and say that I didn't know. If they ever found her… I shuddered.

Then they were gone… and I was... falling. I realized that when I was mere feet from the ground, already too late. I shook out my wings, trying vainly to stay aloft. I managed only to slow my fall. I landed hard, crushing my wings beneath me on the cement. The pain was unbearable, but I was too weak to move…

Through the fog, I heard a voice. "Fang!" it screamed. Max, I thought, as I went under.

o.O.O.O.o

Max's POV

As soon as I woke up, I knew that something was not right. In the bed next to me, Ella was still sleeping. I crept out quietly into the hallway so I would not wake her. I poked my head into the boys' room. Fang was missing. Part of me, my rational side, realized that he was probably safe, out flying, perhaps. But in my gut, I knew the truth was far worse.

"Iggy," I whispered as I woke him. "Where's Fang?" I asked.

"I dunno," he replied groggily. As he took in my alarmed voice, the frantic look in my eyes, he immediately became alert. "I'll wake the others," he offered.

"Thanks," I said. I wasted no time. I dashed through the house; already sprinting faster than any Olympic runner by the time I unfurled my wings and leapt into the air.

I scoured the cloudless sky, but it did not take long for me to realize that he wasn't there. Part of me had already known he wouldn't be, but I had hoped. I turned my focus to the ground. Still no Fang.

That's when I saw him. I landed without a second thought. He lay in a heap in the middle of a basketball court. Oh no, not "FANG!" I screamed.

o.O.O.O.o

Fang's POV

When I woke, her face was the first thing I saw. I was acutely aware of Dr. Martinez poking and prodding, tending to my various wounds, but as far as I was concerned, Max was the only thing that mattered.

"Hey," she said, managing to smile. Her eyes were red along the rims. She had been crying.

"Hey," I replied, gazing into her beautiful, chocolate-brown, yet still somewhat bloodshot, eyes. I heard her breath catch.

"You scared the hell outta me," she stated simply, although her voice burned with a new emotion.

"Sorry," I mumbled, smiling sheepishly, as I continued to hold her gaze.

"So what happened?" she asked, her brow furrowing in concern.

Before I could answer, Dr. Martinez interrupted, "That should be good. Stay in bed and give yourself some time to heal- you'll be fine. We'll take you to get X-rays tomorrow." Turning to face Max, she continued with a smile, "And since my work here is done, I think I'll leave you two alone." Huh, I thought, maybe she wasn't so clueless.