A/N: Oh, wow, it has been way too long since I last updated. Sorry about that, guys! I know how many of you want this to continue, so here's a new chapter. I've sort-of got an idea of where this is going now, so yay me.
Dedication: To NerdyCrazyFangirl for her pairing name; this will now be known as Fax II. ;)
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Isn't that a shame?
"Fang…don't. Please."
Fang turns. Standing behind him is Max, her eyes red, her fists clenched. The rest of the flock stands by her side, their eyes downcast, none of them daring a glance in his direction. Fang is standing on the edge of a cliff; the scent of salt fills his nose, the cries of gulls ring in his ears.
"I have to, Max," he whispers. "I have to leave."
"No! No, you don't!" She flings out her arms in exasperation.
"Yeah, Fang, what's the matter with you?"
Fang starts. Iggy has suddenly spoken, his blind eyes staring directly into Fang's. He looks furious.
"I-I—You guys know that I have to—"
"But that's just it!" Gazzy cries. He appears by Iggy's side. "You don't have to leave us. There's no reason to."
"You're just a coward," Angel says, taking her brother's hand. "You're not worthy of Maximum's love. You're just a slimy little worm, too cowardly to face his fears."
Fang begins to pant; his wings flutter, anxious to flap, to get him out of here. The flock is swarming in, their eyes blazing with fury, hate darkening each face.
"You betrayed us," Nudge whispers.
"You liar," Max growls. "You promised you'd never leave me!"
"Cheat!" Gazzy cries.
"Hypocrite!" Iggy adds.
"Slime-ball," Angel hisses.
"Traitor!" Nudge snaps.
Fang backs up closer and closer to the ledge as the Flock advances. He holds out his arms, pleading.
"Please—no! No! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"It's a bit too late for that, Fang."
Out of nowhere, Dylan appears. He is as handsome as ever, his blond flipped over one side of his face. His dazzling blue eyes pierce Fang's soul; it burns to look into them.
"It certainly is," Max agrees. "I loved you, Fang. I thought you'd stay with me. I thought we could be happy." She gives a dramatic sigh. "It's too bad you were too much of a coward to stay with me. Poor little Fangy; has to run home to mommy when things get too rough!"
She cackles, a sound Fang has never heard from Max before. And then, to his horror, she presses her lips to Dylan's, smirking at him the whole time.
"Max!" Fang yells. "Max, no!"
Fang rushes toward her, to push her away from Dylan, to change her mind…anything!
But the Flock has blocked his path. They hold his arms and legs, binding him to them. Fang yells and screams and pleads, but in vain. For all he can hear is Max's cold laughter, and the Flock's vicious snarls…
Fang gasps, awakening from his dream, clutching at the sheets on his bed. It takes him a few moments to realize where he his, and when he does, he leans back into his pillow. The same dream. The same nightmare. His reality.
"Oh, good, you're up."
Fang watches as Max II strides into the room; hair wet and a towel wrapped around her. She squeezes the ends of her hair, letting the responding liquid drip onto the carpet.
"I was afraid you'd sleep the whole morning away. Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty; we've got work to do."
With that she grabs a pile of clothes and heads back into the bathroom, closing the door with a small slam.
Fang sits up in bed, shaking his head. He still can't get over how much like Max she is; the way she walks, talks, acts…she truly is the perfect replacement.
It is only in these moments, in the start of his day, that Fang is reminded that the girl sitting beside him is not his Max. It is then he is able to notice the subtle differences in the two; the way she folds her clothes in her suitcase, neat and practiced; the way she brushes her teeth only in the morning, never at night.
Such small, meaningless differences.
Yet, whenever Fang notices them, he feels remarkably like Alice; everything is perfect in his world until something slips. And then feels as though he has fallen through the looking glass.
Okay, guys, tell me what you thought. Next up is a chapter from the point of view of Max II—each chapter should switch off between the two of them.
R&R?
