Chapter Four: Decisions, Decisions

Max glanced at Natalie, Jared and Jackson. Jackson had them all around her, trying to comfort them. Max felt almost a bit nostalgic of the memories when she got that warmth of being able to comfort her flock. But she never wanted to go back.

But I guess I can't avoid it... we can't just leave the School still out there.

Just then, Fang came charging into the forest edge. A look of fear was displayed across his olive complexion.

"Fang, what is?" Max said, sitting upright and getting ready in case there was Erasers. Nudge, Gazzy and Angel filled in after Fang, glancing at the other bird kids.

"They took Iggy. They shot people at the bar and took them." Fang rushed.

Her throat choked up, and she felt a knot form in her stomach. "Wha'...?"

"I explained to them" -a jolt of his head towards the flock- "what happened. But the Erasers left a note." Fang then looked over at the younger ones. "I need to talk to you."

Max nodded, assuming he didn't want them to hear. Fang walked away from where everyone else was, and Max followed, walking stiffly.

"Max, they want those three back."

"Natalie and Jackson and Jared." Max informed him, but not paying attention to what she said.

He nodded, but closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You don't get it, though. They have Iggy, but they don't actually need us anymore. They don't care about us, they care about them. We have a week to bring them back or they're killing Iggy."

She wanted to scream. But she was already frozen. She couldn't say anything except for little grunts that she tried to make words out of.

"Max, we have to bring them back."

This caused her to get a part of herself back. "No! Fang, we can't! I'm not going to go knocking on their door and just hand them over-"

"Do you want Iggy to get killed?" Fang hissed angrily. "I don't know about you, but I'm not going to leave a part of my only family in a hell hole like that! We don't even know if we can trust the others!"

"Fang, their ten. They can't do anything, why can't we just trust them?! We can go there and get Iggy back, but I'm not going to make a deal with them. Then we're just helping them with whatever plans they have!"

"I'm not switching back." Fang said angrily. "I'm not going back to being on the run 24/7. That's over, and it's staying over."

Max tried to calm herself down. There was too much stress already, she didn't need any fight escalating with her and Fang. She closed her eyes and tried to get herself together.

"Please. We did it once, stopping them. Now we have three extra people, and we're older and stronger. If anything, it will be easier. Plus we have money, no scavenging. If we do our best, this will be a quick and painless job."

Fang thought about bringing up the fact that it was basically just an extra two, but didn't. They had two decisions.

"Okay, fine." He sighed. Then there was a little bit of silence. Fang pulled Max into a hug, and whispered into her hair, "I'm sorry. But this is just too sudden. A lot of pressure."

Max let out a shuddering breath, resting her head on his broad chest. "I don't want this, Fang." She said shakily.

"I know." He kissed her hair. "But maybe this can be quick and painless. Let's just go and try to get this done with."

The two walked back to the others. It looked like everyone was up to date with everyone else.

Alright, Max thought, let's get this ship sailing. "So where is the School?" Max asked the younger ones, but aiming it at Jackson since he seemed like the leader.

"Somewhere in California." He responded, mispronouncing it a bit. Max didn't blame him though. "I don't know. That's what the signs said."

"Okay... probably same place as last time." Max thought out loud. She thought that they would be smarter to at least change their locations. At least, being in Arizona right now, it wouldn't be the farthest they've flown. "We should start going, like, right now."

Max... why are they being more... civilized about it this time? Angel asked in Max's head.

What do you mean?

Like... they're acting like they're scared of us. Why would they ask and make a deal about it instead of just starting a fight?

Max had to think about that for a second.

I don't know, hon. I know as much as you do.

***

The woman took another of sip of the coffee.

"It's too cold, warm it up." She demanded, holding up the cup behind her. The boy- who looked about sixteen- strode over to her and just stood, looking at her a little blankly.

She waited.

"Now, Omega."

The Director made a couple jerking motions with it, trying to get him to take it. He finally did and walked off.

"Keep in mind you should be dead. I took the risk of breeding turtle in you also so you could live longer."

Omega stopped halfway through his steps on the way to the microwave, a bit of anger washing through him. But it was true- his expiration date would of kicked in quite awhile ago if not for her. He continued his task.

"Omega..." She continued. "Thanks for choosing the School. I know we raised you up in Itex, but after those bird brains ruined it, we had our final strike. The main-main boss kicked out everyone that survived the attacks that she thought had ruined them. But yet she still thinks they can go on." She paused, and then chuckled. "School versus Itex. Sounds like some stupid movie ripping off Godzilla versus... who was it?"

"Mothra, King Kong, Megalon, there was a lot of them." Omega replied blankly.

"Ma'am, Omega."

Omega held back another flood of anger. "Sorry. Ma'am."

When the coffee dinged, Omega took it out and handed it to the Director.

"Well, I guess that Itex finally knows that their old workers are rising the School back up. And now that our plan is finally in motion, we can prove that we are worth something, and Itex will be whole again..." She finally said. She took another drink of her coffee.

"May I be excused?" Omega asked, tired of her rants.

The Director ignored him and cleared her throat.

"I mean, may I be excused, ma'am?" He hissed through his teeth.

"Yes. You may."

Omega ran out of the room, feeling free.

In the hallway the whitecoats were running freely around, going about their business.

He sighed. He was just about ready to just leave here and run. After being beaten by Max, after being in jail with the Director for so long, after faking both of their deaths to get out of there... He was tired. He wanted out.

And maybe he would just would...

A/N: Okay. Like it? Sorry it's not super long, but I can't make it really long without making it over-detailed and boring. But please review, more reviews= next chapter. ;D