Chapter 2

I look around the office, trying to find an escape route. The news said that people could start showing up to see the flock at 11, and it was already 10. I quickly grabbed my bag and ran to the front room. I was about to walk out the door but then noticed the entire flock watching the door; crap. I looked around, trying to find somewhere to go. I spotted the fire exit and ran to it. We're not supposed to go out this way, but this is an emergency; good thing the alarm broke a while back. I pushed it open and ran out into the sunlight. Running down the alley I headed in the direction of the preschool. I looked back to see if anyone followed me, but no one did. I ran into the preschool and quickly signed Poppy out. I went and got her and took her to my car.

"Wow Mommy; you're early today!"

"Yea, we're going to go home and eat lunch ok?"

"Ok mommy!" I started to drive off and finally let out the breath I didn't even know I had been holding in. I sent my thoughts to Fang.

"Don't bother with the mob; I'm no longer in the building. You really should check the fire escapes." I waited a minute for a reply, but I finally put a mind-block up when I didn't hear one. I unbuckled Poppy as we got to the house; I walked her inside and locked the door behind me; there was going to be no flock coming here tonight.

"Do you want some mac-n-cheese Poppy?"

"Yes yes yes!" I smiled at how excited she was. I walked to the stove and poured some water in a pot. When it was boiling I poured in the noodles and then the cheese. When it was finally ready I poured I tin a bowl and put it at the table.

"Poppy, lunch is ready!" She ran in and grabbed the bowl, taking it back into the tv room. I ate lunch myself, making some grilled cheese. After I finished I walked into the living room to see Poppy asleep on the couch. I cleaned up her toys and put them the bin in the corner of the room. I looked at my watch and saw it was already 3:00; better get going on that case.

I grabbed my bag and walked into the kitchen; I had just taken out my papers when I heard the doorbell ring. My god can I get any work done? I walked over to the door and looked out the peephole. And guess who was there; the flock. Man will they give me a break. I decided to ignore them and see what they did. Angel was the first to talk.

"Max, we know you're in there. I can hear you thoughts." I mentally slapped myself and put up a mind block; then I mentally slapped myself again. If she suddenly stopped hearing my thoughts then she knew I was in there. I opened the door a crack and peeked out.

"I told you people before; I don't know you."

"Give it up Max." I was about to tell them something else when I heard something that made my heart stop beating for a few seconds.

"Mommy, who's at the door?" I froze and looked behind me; Poppy was standing there rubbing her eyes. Before I could stop her she had stuck her head out the door and looked at the flock. The flock froze and everyone looked at her. I turned to Poppy.

"Why don't you go play upstairs sweetie?"

"Ok mommy." I waited until she had gone upstairs to turn back to the flock.

"Is, is, um, she yours?"

"Yes, she's mine. Now, please leave." Everyone was stunned for a second but the Nudge spoke up.

"Were you pregnant when you left?"

"Please leave." When they still didn't leave I slammed the door in their face and turned on my computer. I needed to know when they were leaving. I googled flock world tour and came up with tons of results. I clicked the first one and found their schedule. Apparently they were going to stay here the rest of the week, which means that I was taking a vacation this week.

I started looking at hotels in Virginia that weren't around here. I finally found one on the coast and made reservations for the rest of this week. I quickly packed mine and Poppy's suitcases. I walked into Poppy's room and gasped. The flock was right outside her window, trying to get her to open it. See, all our windows are made of a glass that can only be broken from the inside, which comes in handy in cases like this. I walked over to Poppy and handed her the suitcase.

"We're going to go to the beach. Do you want to?"

"Yes!"

"Then go downstairs and pack some toys. I already packed your clothes." She smiled and ran downstairs while I walked over to the window.

"Seriously?!"

"Yes, seriously." I glared at them and closed the blinds. Walking to Poppy I waited till she had all her toys and then led her outside. Thankfully the flock was gone, and I remembered that the schedule said something about a dinner at 5:00; good. I buckled Poppy in and got in the front seat and started driving. Once we were near the coast I felt like dancing. They had no idea where I was, and they never would.

As soon as I got to the hotel I checked us in and walked to the room. I had two beds, one for me and one for Poppy. I put Poppy in bed, promising we could go to the beach tomorrow. I grabbed some clothes and walked into the bathroom to take a shower. As soon as I got out and got dressed I dried my hair with a blow dryer they had on the sink and walked into the hotel room and screamed. The flock was sitting on my bed, waiting for me to come in. I looked for something to throw but found nothing.

"Now will you talk to us?" I sighed and rubbed my temples in frustration.

"Fine, but if you wake her you're dead."

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