Chapter 3

"Max, run!" Nudge screamed as an Eraser grabbed her by the wings. I turned and tried to run but a Flyboy blocked my path and slammed me onto the floor with one swift movement of its arm. I struggled with its grip around my neck, choking on the cloud of dirt that had engulfed me and the flock. I knew I only had a few seconds left before I was crushed like a grape so I called for the only person I knew who could save us.

"Fang!" I cried as the grip got tighter around my neck. I could hear Nudge and Gazzy screaming as the Erasers tore their wings off. All of our worst fears were colliding into one.

"Max." A soft voice called from the shadows. Slowly Fang appeared, he seemed…older.

"Help me." I whispered but through my hazy vision I could see him shake his head.

"It's too late Max. Changes have to be made."

"Yes, Max." A voice spat from above me. I looked up to see the Flyboy holding me down had been replaced by Angel, who looked more like a demon. "Changes have to be made." She smiled sinisterly. "Starting with a new flock leader."

I suddenly felt my neck break and everything went black.

I bolted up straight in my bed, sweat masking my hair to my face. I felt around my neck for any breakages but I was fine, everything was fine.

"It's just a dream." I reassured myself.

A light shone from the door and Angel was stood there with Celeste in her hands.

"Max, are you ok? I sensed your panic." She whispered.

"Yeah." I panted. I remembered how in my dream Angel had broken my neck, and that evil look on her face as she did it. I turned to look at her and was greeted with a shocked face. Oh yeah, I forgot she could read minds.

"I'm sorry Max. Are you sure you're ok?" She muttered; tears making her eyes sparkle in the dim light.

"Yes Angel, it was just a bad dream. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt the flock." She gave me a silent nod and left the room, the door clicked behind her and I fell back on the bed.

"Please Fang, I miss you." I wept, looking up to the ceiling as if he would emerge right there.

I laid staring at that one spot on the ceiling until I saw the sun rise across the valley. I decided I should check up on what Fang was doing because let's face it - I have nothing better to do than check up on my one and only love to see if he's…I don't know. To see if he's forgotten about us and met someone else. I pulled the laptop onto the bed and logged onto Fang's blog.

Hey fellow bird watchers!

How's everyone doing? Me? I could be better. Leaving the flock was a real bummer, leaving Max was a big fat punch in the face, but, I had to do it. But there's still good news for you all!

I'm currently in the land of tea, royalty and who know what else! I'm not going to say where exactly but today I met another person like me! Except they don't have bird DNA in them. Her name's Emma and she can make things float, like Harry Potter can except without the wand. We're currently searching for more talented people like us so if you think you're up to it, give us the heads up. I haven't felt so alive in a long time, we finally have a plan which may work! Even though I'm no longer with the flock I'm still rooting for them to save the world.

I'm too busy at the moment to answer any questions but a lot of you have asked if Max and I are a'no no' now? Well all I can say is (and Max I know you will probably read this) me and Max will never be a 'no no' only a 'hell yes!' , it just might not seem like that yet. So sorry ladies for any inconvenience that this news may cause. But I hear Iggy's available!

Happy flying!

A wave of relief finally washed over me. Thinking that Fang was alone and helpless made me worry all the time in case something happened to him, but he's found someone. All I can be is happy for him.

He still believes there's hope for us. But my dream thought otherwise.

"Hi Max! Were baking a cake!" Gazzy gleamed as I walked into the kitchen.

"Ok, but make sure Iggy's helping you. I don't want to burn down another house." Err…long story.

"How you feeling?" Dylan asked leaning against the door.

"I'm fine."

"So you've stopped mourning over Fang?"

"He's not dead!" I shouted pulling the door shut so he fell like a tank with a thud.

Me and Dylan have never gotten on, and we never will. He's just so…frustrating! When Fang was here all the two of them could do was fight (mainly about me, but let's not get into that - it's nasty.) and now Fangs gone? Well let's just say Dylan is partly to blame.

"Whoa chick, calm down!" Dylan teased from the floor.

"Just stay away from my flock!" I spat in a whisper, kicking him back down again.

"Cake's finished!" Gazzy squealed pushing the door Dylan was behind open. As if it had been predicted Gazzy immediately tripped over him on the floor and sent the cake straight in my direction. Now you may have heard somewhere that us bird-kids have reflexes like lightening, in this situation? It was the complete opposite.

"Max! I'm so sorry! I didn't see Dylan and-" Gaz gasped as he took in the sight before him.

"Gaz, it's fine. I gotta go." I wiped the cream from my eyes and quickly ran towards the 'too big' window at the other side of the room, launching myself into the air. It felt so good to have the feel of the thin air on my wings again.

I wiped more cake from my face and looked down at my only clean clothes, at this moment in time they looked like the victims of a food fight that got way out of hand. I flew to the tree me and Fang use to always visit to be alone and have some freedom. I hoped he was there, sitting on our favourite branch but I knew deep down he wasn't. I was alone now and had to lead the flock on my own - somehow.

I landed on mine and Fang's branch and looked out at the canyon. It looked so peaceful and perfect, the complete opposite to how I was feeling. So many questions had been left unanswered and it bugged me.

'Crack!'

I burst into defensive mode and turned to see where the noise had come from. "Who's there?" I asked, clenching my fists.

"I come in piece." I voice answered from behind me. I turned but no-one was there. "Oh sorry. Hang on!" It said again.

Suddenly a boy emerged in front of my eyes from nowhere. He had brown shaggy hair and light brown/red eyes. His hands were up defensively and he was edging slowly closer to me on the branch. I instinctively edged further away.

"No no! Don't go Max!" He stuttered as I turned away.

"How do u know my name?"

"Fang talks about you a lot, on his blog I mean. I never knew you were this pretty." I saw his cheeks go red and I responded with a small smile. How could I look pretty covered in cake?

"How did you turn invisible?" I asked changing subject.

"I was hoping you could tell me that." He smiled nervously. "One day I woke up and found out I could turn invisible. Scared the crap out of my mother."

"I bet it did." I laughed. No Erasers had attacked yet, good sign.

"Oh sorry I forgot to tell you my name. I'm Zayn." He walked up to me holding out his hand but slipped on his last step, sending both of us falling to the sandy ground. I landed with a bang on top of him, struggling to catch my breath. I quickly jumped up and brushed the dry dirt off my clothes.

"So does this mean I can join the flock?"