Fang's POV:

I don't know how I can take the pain any longer. I don't know why I haven't turned back by now. It would have been so much easier if, say, I had never left. But I have a growing suspicion that if I come back now Max will kick my butt to heaven! What could I say to her to make up for the horrible losses this no doubt caused her as well as the ones it caused me? I can be so stupid sometimes with big decisions.

See, I never really wanted to leave. But after Dylan talked to me about how my staying put the flock, and my wonderful Max especially, into danger, I just couldn't risk it. I couldn't bear the thought that the reason the baddies kept finding us and were tracking us down was me. So I wrote a long, heartfelt note explaining partly why I left, packed a little travel bag including Max's computer, and flew away. The whole first day was unbearable. My wings would turn of their own accord and go towards home, and I had to force them to go the other direction.

I've no doubt Angel will try to find me for Max. I put up a mind block so she'll have a ton of trouble getting to me, and she will never be able to get in anyway. I feel so awful for doing this to everybody.

Of course, fate makes me see only now what a fool I've been. Dylan set this up! He wanted me to leave so it was only him and Max! He wanted to make Max think I was a loser who dumped her and he was the good guy who has wanted her forever! He's the loser! I'm Max's freaking soulmate and he can't change that!

But the part about me leaving is totally true. I was a jerk and left her in the dust to be toyed around with by Dylan. I bet by now she and him are all hooked up and act the way we used to. Before I was gone. Before I was duped into a trap by the horrendous Dylan.

If I go back though, the flock won't understand this. How could they? Have they ever been tricked by their friend?

Actually, yes. Jeb. But let's not think about him since he seems to be good at the moment.

So right now I was flying over Arizona with Ella. I know what you're all thinking, like, Ella can fly? Really you're a nut, dude! But Ella was grafted with avian during one of Jeb's visits, and I found her wandering the sky. She doesn't know why the flock isn't with me and I don't plan on telling her, even if she asks about Iggy. I know she and him are head over heels crushing on each other! Iggy and Ella sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g! Okay, I'm over it!

I put out an ad on my blog for other mutants to reply to. I plan to collect an army of mutants and use them to destroy every branch of Itex that ever existed. As well as Chu Corporation and whoever Gunther-Hagen works for. And Dylan.

Dylan especially, for said reasons before.

Ella is used to my silent treatment and knows it's not personal. I like that about her, how she knows me. Not in that way you perverts out there!

The sun was shining on me full in the face so I had my eyes closed, using my inner compass to guide me. I just hoped we didn't run into something else in the air 'cause I'd be toast!

Wanna know what I was thinking about?

Max.

My amazingly wonderful Maximum Ride.

I thought about the way her hair shines in the morning light when we're taking off. I thouht about how peaceful and loving her open face looks while she sleeps. I thought of how we used to tease each other when we were little. I thought of all those times she rejected me before she loved me back. I thought about her soft mouth under mine. I thought about Max. Before. I. Left.

I had just decided that I absolutely must abandon this "Save the World and Max" plan and return to my regular life with the addition of Max's half sister when I heard Ella scream.