Part Three: Life in the Fast Lane

Chapter 11

You all know how the flock hates my driving? It's because of that slow minivan and how I got it onto two wheels. Well… My driving skills haven't gotten any better.

BUT! I have a wicked car that can make me look a whole lot better. And yes I have gotten it on two wheels. Just in case you were wondering. I hadn't even started my drive, but yet the flock looked sick.

"I know it's no limo and I'm no chauffeur but this is how I drive," I explained kinda harshly. "I haven't even gotten started yet," I mumbled under my breath.

I looked in my rearview mirror and saw black Sedans and black Hummers right behind me. "Screw road regulations," I muttered as I gunned it and swerved into a different lane. For you that live in New York, imagine being me. I'm in a fast car with things that want to kill me right behind me on a busy street. This is why I prefer flying. But nooo.

I put a little gas and was literally on top of a taxi. What a funny picture. I gunned it and went up and down. Hey… You don't make room for me to get away; I drive over your car. Get over it.

Take a right into the ally.

The Voice was back. Oh thank goodness. "Gotcha," I thought back. I swerved off one car and landed on the actual road. I looked in the backseat and saw the flock's eyes wide. I grinned and swerved into the ally and surged forward.

The ally has two pieces of ply board, strong enough to hold your vehicle. Gun it once you hit the ply board. You'll enter another ally that will take you to a shortcut to a highway. Get there and hide in darkness.

I smiled. This sounded fun! Dangerous. Yay.

I saw the pieces of ply board and almost missed Fang saying, "Oh no. Oh no no no." So Mr…. Mr…

Ugh. Never mind.

I did just what the Voice told me to do. The next ally was kinda bad. There was a bunch of homeless people and trash. I tried not to kill anyone. I reached the end of the ally and saw that I should've turned earlier. The Voice couldn't have told me that there would be a tight left turn? Jerk.

I backed up a shmidge (that means a little) and barely made the turn. "Iggy. Use your sight and let me know if you see any Sedans or Hummers," I commanded.

"No cars in sight… Oh wait! A Hummer just crashed through the wall! Go!" Iggy yelled.

I'll have to lecture him later about him not telling me what to do. I barely put my foot on the pedal and the car surged forward. We were going at least 75 down an old, abandoned, back road with Erasers and Flyboys right behind us. Why they weren't flying, I do not know.

Before I knew it we were on the highway. And it wasn't that bad. Stay in darkness. Why would the voice say that?

"Choppers," Fang said looking up. Ahh. I get it.

What happened next reminded me of what happens in Batman: The Dark Knight. One minute the chopper had its light on us, the next and we were completely hidden. But unlike in Batman I was driving in reverse and had to dodge all of the cars.

You know what is really helpful? Those medians. The place where grass is that separates to the opposing directions. Know what I'm talking about?

Well somehow I got in the median and got into the opposite way the Erasers thought I was going in. It is pretty awesome how stupid they could be.

But now I had to drive back past the banquet hall and arrive at the Plaza. Oh yes. The Plaza. Thank you Jeb.

Now at least a few miles away from those evil people, I started following road regulations.

"That was so awesome!" Gazzy squealed. I look back at him and the corners of my mouth lifted.

"Where are we going now Max?" Angel asked curiously after stroking Total.

I turned around and looked at her. "We're going to a hotel to sleep. You don't have to worry about clothes, my mom took care of that," I said looking back at the road.

"We're sorry Max," Nudge said. I just nodded my head and my knuckles on the steering wheel turned a little whiter. The rest of the ride was full of tension and awkward.

Chapter 12

When we reached the Plaza I parked my amazing car in the farthest parking spot in the parking lot. I opened the doors and saw five kids jaws drop along with Total's. It was pretty funny. I usually spent my nights in motels so when Jeb told me we were staying at the Plaza, I was shocked.

"Who's paying for this?" Iggy asked.

"Jeb. He's president of the School and another company. He's in because he has to find out more information," I explained quickly. I started walking towards the entrance, with the flock on my heels.

"She does look hott, has she changed much?" I heard Iggy ask.

"Yes I know she does and I don't know," I barely heard Fang say.

I looked in the corner of my eye and saw Angel reach for my hand as she looked around. The next thing I knew I had her hand in mine. I looked down at our hands and looked at her. "We really are sorry. I'm sorry. What can we do to prove that we are?" Angel said with tears in her eyes.

"It's ok. I know. It's just hard when the people tell you to leave," I explained.

We walked through the entrance and our jaws kinda dropped. It was beautifully breathtaking. Wow. Oh wow.

I walked to the front desk and smiled at the receptionist.

Repeat after me: My name is Marija Gimbutas. My step-father reserved the Royal Plaza Suite for us. I repeated what the Voice said and the receptionist looked at us with great interest.

I grinned. Marija Gimbutas was the Bird Goddess. Real clever Jeb. The receptionist gave us a gold room key and said, "When you're in the elevator, press 'P'. You'll get off the elevator and your room will be down the hall. The whole floor is yours."

We all smiled innocently and nodded our heads. We went to the nearest elevator and pressed the P button. This 'P' level must've been the top level, which is pretty cool and very handy. We got off the elevator and I saw the golden plate on the door. Fancy.

I put the key in the door and opened it. We all stood, mouths open, looking in the room. We walked into the room (rooms actually) and looked around. The suite was at least 4,044 sq feet. In the living room, which was very fancy, there was a piano. I guess Jeb wanted us to learn an instrument; I doubt it. There was a flat screen TV hung on the wall and an iLuv stereo audio system with surround sound. Wow. VERY fancy and high tech.

There were also lots of windows (bullet proof of course) and it overlooked what looked like Fifth Avenue and 58th Street.

Angel and Nudge ran to the left and they must've found a bedroom because they yelled, "This room is ours! It has what looks like baggage with our names on it!"

Iggy and Gazzy paired up and ran in the same direction as the girls. "We call this room! It has our baggage!"

I took a slide look at Fang. This suite only had three rooms, with two already taken… It meant that I and Fang were probably going to share…

Ugh. Jeb… I'll kill you one day.

Chapter 13

I didn't want to face the fact that Fang and my baggage were in the same room. How come we have to share? I barely trust these guys. They tossed me out.

I shook my head. I started walking around and exploring the suite. The dining room had 12 seats and it was a very fancy dining room. I wasn't use to it at all. There was a small kitchen with small refrigerators and a little bar. There was a very large pantry too. Stocked with food, of course. Next to the room me and Fang were in was a study that was full of books and a small couch with a light next to it. This is probably where I'll be for awhile.

I went into each bathroom and they all looked the same. They had a lot of gold faucets and other little accessories you'd find in a bathroom. They also had white marble vanities and earthy mosaic tile. It looked very, very cool. I looked at the little soap stuff on the vanity and they were Miller Harris bath amenities. I don't know what those are but ok. I'll probably use some of those soon. Very soon.

Throughout the whole suite there were chandeliers and I read that they were, apparently, Beaux Art inspired. Once again, wasn't sure what those were and I really, really don't care.

I began to notice that in every room there were little remotes that controlled the lighting, heating, and 'entertainment'. I smiled. I was going to like this a lot. I would barely move and be able to turn on everything. Also by the front door there was a flat panel screen that was labeled "Concierge". Wouldn't be using that. Nor would we have the butler come up here and I would make sure that the maids only came up every once in awhile.

Erasers were starting to look a lot different. I had actually killed an old Eraser. She was at least 45 looking. I went into my room and noticed the closet. It was so big! And there were lots of different padded hangers. There was also an iron and ironing board, which we'd probably never use. Unless the flock had changed and actually ironed now. I doubt it. I looked out the windows in the bedroom and saw Fifth Avenue. "I think things might end up either horribly wrong or absolutely perfect," I whispered to the city of New York.

"Max?" Angel asked. I turned around as she ran up to me. "I've missed you so much. I tried to find a way to contact you. We didn't want you to go, we were being so selfish." She hugged me and was in full hysterics.

I hugged her back. I missed them all so much. "I know," I said as I wiped her tears away. She was such a tough trooper; it hurt to see her cry like this. "How about you go get a quick shower and then go to bed? You'll feel better," I said as I led her to her bathroom. She nodded her head and shut the door.

Nudge came up to me next. She looked a little nervous. "Max? I don't want you to think that I'm sucking up or anything but I really miss you. It just hasn't been the same without you. Will I ever grow up to be like you? I'm sorry." She opened her arms and as an acceptance I hugged her.

"I understand. When Angel gets out, you should get a shower too. Then go off to bed, alright?" Nudge nodded her head in a head bob way. "You can unpack, I guess, while you wait." She nodded again and walked to their room.

I turned around and saw Gazzy peeking around the corner. "Hi Gazzy."

He came to me. "Hi Max. You really changed and you kick major butt and drive a really fast car. I also like your tattoo. The wings remind me of your old wings," he paused. "I'm sorry Max."

"It's ok Gazzy. I understand. And I know about the tattoo. I got new wings and I didn't want to lose my old ones," I explained and he nodded in understanding. "Go get a shower and then go to sleep." He nodded again as he ran to his room. He almost ran into Iggy was still getting use to his sight.

He saw me and smiled. "Thanks for the sight. I don't deserve it though. I yelled at you to leave," he said sadly, his smile disappearing. "It's different seeing you now since you haven't been with us for two years." I nodded and patted his shoulder.

"I know and it's ok. When Gazzy gets out of the shower, you should get one and then go to sleep. It has been a long, surprising day. You can unpack while you wait," I said in a more hard voice. The younger ones would've listened whether I used a strong voice or not but with Iggy, I'd have to be a little stronger with him.

"Geez you really have kinda remained the same," he teased with a laugh. Then went off to unpack.

I walked over to the living room and sat down. I felt the hairs on my neck stand up straight. "Fang. Go get a shower or unpack."

"Yeah. Okay. Like you can tell me what to do," he teased. I stood up and walked to where he was.

Our noses almost touched. "Right now you'll do what I ask. You guys told me to leave and now I'm back. I'm still the oldest and I really think you should go get a shower."

His eyes got wide and he tilted his head to the right a little bit. I backed up; I didn't forget about him kissing me. I was not in the mood for him to do that. "I'll get a shower. Then we need to talk," he said, then turned around to get a shower.

Chapter 14

I walked into Nudge and Angel's room and saw them climbing into their king size bed. "Guess what Max? They have cool, lightweight bathrobes. Some are either terry or Mascioni. At least that's what the tag says," Nudge blabbered in a tired way.

I smiled. "That's cool. Now go to sleep guys. I'll see you in the morning," I whispered as I tucked them in.

After that I walked into Gazzy and Iggy's room. They were talking about bombs, big surprise right? "Hey guys. You should probably go to bed. It'd be best," I said as Gazzy gave me a hug. I tucked him in even though he's 10 years old now. Iggy smiled and nodded and lain down in his bed.

I walked into mine and Fang's room. He had just gotten out of the shower and was sitting on the small couch that was in there. "I'm going to get a shower and I'll be out," I said harshly. I looked in the baggage and saw about seven black, silk nightgowns. I was going to kill Jeb.

100% cotton Italian Mascioni linens