Author's note: only Lisa, Michael, Tessa, and Emma, and librarian are mine, everyone else is James Paterson's creation. Actual places mentioned in this chapter.

Chapter 2

Tessa's POV

Flying was like being freed from the bonds of the earth. It is incredible, and awesome, but exhausting. All I had was the clothes on my back – no money, no food, no treasure, no knowledge of how to find the Flock, not even a map. To try to change that, I dived down and landed in a big city, near a public library. The city was huge; with skyscrapers and beautiful bridges. I figured that I could find the flock using the computer. Tucking mywings in to make me look less like the freak I was, I ambled in and asked a librarian for access to a computer.

"Sure thing hon, just sign your name here," she told me, smiling kindly. The librarian was middle-aged, with graying, brown hair and soft green eyes. The library itself was amazing; artifacts, models, bookcases, and old-leather bound books everywhere.

I looked down at the greensign in sheet. I couldn't use my real name, in case Itex or some other evil scientist or corporation was after me. I put down a fake name instead and followed the librarian to an ancient, pale gray computer.

"Here you go hon."

"Thanks." I realized that I really had no way to contact the flock, even if by chance I found them.

"Sissy, try this," a strange voice whispered in my ear. Startled,I looked around, but nobody was there. Then, the computer screen flashed to an internet site.

Here's what it said:

NEEDED: GEN 77 and/or HUMAN-ANIMAL HYBIRDS

Yo,

Feel like you don't fit in? Do you know that you're different? Can you do things no one else can? If you know what I'm talking about, the world is changing and I need your help.

Tell me your skills and send me your coordinates. I'll be in touch.

Fly on,

Fang

Well, ain't that something, I thought, grinning a little. It felt weird – I hadn't done it in a while. I began to type my reply to Fang, slowly, one finger at a time so I wouldn't make a typo.

Fang,

I think we need to talk. I cannot tell you what or who I am, as the School may be searching for me. My coordinates are approximately 37.7N 122.4W. Please come soon.

I hope he gets this, I thought as I sent the message. I exited out of the window on the computer and tiptoed out ofthat section of the library. I'll hang out here till it closes. I wandered through the endless rows of bookcases. Even Itex doesn't have this many books. I found an interesting book, and sat down to read in ared puffy chair. No reason to just sit here and do nothing.

I had finally completed the book when the library closed. I returned it and walked out. Even though was about six o'clock in the afternoon, it was dark outside.

Where will I sleep tonight? I wondered. I heard a swooshing sound and turned to face whatever it was. What I found was a teenaged boy that was slightly taller than me with dark eyes and hair. He was wearing dark blue jeans, and a black t-shirt. His black wings that reminded me of a raven, stretched to their full length of fifteen feet. I felt my heartbeat quicken, knowing that this person could change my life. Is this Fang?

"Are you the one who sent me the message?" he inquired.

I nodded my assent.

"So what and who, are you?"

I took off the half coat thing and spread my fawn colored wings to their full thirteen feet. Fang looked a little surprised that there were more avian-mutants.

"My name is Tessa. I escaped from Itex early this morning." He staredat me for a moment, scanning me as if to check I wasn't lying, and then took off into thedark, starry night sky.

"Follow him. He isn't going to hurt you, Sissy." I looked around but again saw nobody. Maybe I'm losing it.

I had discovered the Flock at Itex. Jeb was constantly talking about an avian-mutant named Maximum Ride and her Flock. I knew that since the "Flock" had survived alone, I could, too, with their help.

I followed Fang to a cavern on Hawk Hill. It was part of a mountain range; it was rocky, but covered with plants that kept it beautiful, and wild looking, even for winter.

"So, um, what are we doing here? I asked quietly, surveying my surroundings.

"We're camping here tonight. Then, tomorrow, we're going to find others."

"Is it okay if I catch a few zs'?" He simply nodded. It seemed okay, so I balled up my coat and found a flat place to sleep.

Fang's POV

So, great, I have a member of my army. And there are more avian-mutants. She's fairly pretty.Her eyes remind me of Max's. Max. God, I miss her.

Don't be stupid you need to stay away from her. Staying wasn't going to help her. She has Dylan. Fang all but snarled like an angry tiger at just the thought of that idiot. Calm down.

"What's wrong with you?" Tessa asked, interrupting Fang's inner dialogue. How did she know something was up?

"Fang, when you've lived in Itex for as long as I have, 'ya learn to read people. It's sorta creepy, 'ya know."

Great, someone that can read even me. Well, I guess we can use this to our advantage. Just how powerful is Tessa? And what does she know about the flock?