Max scanned the documents that they had managed to print before escaping from the compound. Her chocolate brown eyes picked out words like 'eradicate' and 'superannuated'. She sighed, looking up at the rest of the flock.

"So basically, we don't know what they want other than to use us as weapons. We do have a list of who the people are. Jeb is on the list." Max's voice broke. "Our refusal made quite a few of them want us dead." She paused, looking for a particular line.

"These mutants are nothing more than brutes. They are failures who escaped repeatedly not through their own strength or intelligence, but rather through the incompetence of those sent to eradicate them before they reached the public's eye." Max read the line in a monotone, then said, "Well, look who's done their homework. Although Jeb already knew all about us. He's the one who said that."

"Such denigration is just.. is just… is just plain mean!" Nudge exclaimed.

Fang smirked. "Looks like someone's been reading again."

"Yes I have," Nudge stated haughtily, then continued with zeal," and I could also say that I feel scandalized and actually be using the word right." Max smiled, then glared at Gazzy as he perfectly imitated her voice, saying snottily," Nudge, turn the bubble level way down."

Max snapped at him. "Gazzy, how many times have I told you not to imitate me?" She then turned to the rest of the flock, noticing for the first time how high the moon was above the rocky canyon that they were spending the night in. "Alright guys, bed. Fang, you and I have first watch. We can continue talking tomorrow."

An hour later, after Angel, Nudge, Iggy, Gazzy and Total were asleep, Fang whispered softly, "Max." Max looked into his jet black eyes, already spreading her tawny wings, knowing from the tone of his voice what he wanted. She leapt into the air, beating her wings slowly, the pivotal points a quarter of an inch away from her shoulder blades. She followed Fang up to the edge of the canyon. He landed softly, feet hitting the ground with a dull thump. Max landed less gracefully, almost tripping over an unseen rock. Fang's tone was serious as he said almost pleadingly, "Max, don't judge him too harshly."

"Wait, so I should walk up to him and hug the man who betrayed us all? In that case, how about we just send him some flowers?" Max said, first incredulous, then slathered in sarcasm. "Have you lost your mind?"

Fang interrupted before she could continue. "Look, all I'm saying is, maybe he's playing a part, like Angel did that one time. He did get us out, that first time."

"Fang, are you hearing yourself? You're asking me not to judge the man who acted like our father, disappeared, left us believing he was dead, then showed up working for the very same people who originally locked us up in dog crates!" Max's voice rose to a very angry stage whisper. "Then he turns good guy again, only to work for another bunch of evil whackadoos. Don't you dare propitiate him to me. He has betrayed us so many times, yet you think I can just let that go and trust him again? No! That will never happen. How could you ever think that I could ever trust him again?" This time Max's voice rose to a half shriek, half shout as she grew steadily more worked up. Instead of waiting for an answer, she hurled herself off of the cliff, angrily snapping open her wings. Max sped away as fast as she could, but before long she became dizzy. Diving low, Max slowed until she was able to lower herself to the ground at a fast walk. Curling into a ball, she let the angry tears flow freely, cursing both Fang and her concussion.

About a half hour later, Max realized that she had left the flock with only Fang on watch. This realization had her in the air, streaking back as fast as she had left.

Arriving at the canyon, Max tried to sneak up behind Gazzy, but the world wouldn't stay still and she crashed into him.

"Max!" Nudge squealed. "Fang wouldn't say anything other than I'm not the only one who was reading . Where were you? Why did you crash? Are you alright?"

Max looked at Nudge, then said, "I went for a short flight, but I guess it was still too far. I'm fine." Nudge looked skeptical. Max turned to pick up her filthy grey backpack, but Fang already had it. With a glare, she jerked it from his arms. Then Max spread her wings and jumped. She caught an updraft and let it lift her. Turning, Max then headed for a small house in Arizona.