I'm really sorry about the long wait--I've a bunch of excuses, but let's just move on to the story...

Replies:
googlefish: So would I... On a happier note, thanks for reviewing!
paro4peace: Actually nothing in it was really important. Nice try though. :) It was just showing how everyone's reacting and stuff. Thanks so much for the review!
the7thflockmember: I know, writing an MR fanfic without Fang is starting to bum me out. It just doesn't feel right. Thanks for reviewing!
MaxandFang101: Thanks for reviewing twice! Yeah, I know what movie you're talking about. (can't remember the name at the moment...) This is going to be just like that movie, although this is actually inspired by the Sword of Truth series. Hardly anyone has read it though.
5253Racer: Thanks, I'm glad you like it!
TiffanyDamodred: Awesome, three reviews! Thank you very much!

A couple hours later we were all being hugged by my mom. It felt great to see her, but I quickly cut to the chase. Maximum Ride is not one to procrastinate. "Mom, do you know who Fang is?"

My heart sank as I watched confusion cross her face. "Who?"

"A nonexistent guy that Max is in love with," I heard Iggy say under his breath. I made a mental note to kick him as soon as my mom wasn't watching.

"Fang," I repeated, trying not to sound too desperate. "He's another bird-kid, like us."

She frowned. "No, I don't think I know him. Should I?"

"Yes, but--never mind," I said to my mom. "Is Ella here?"

She checked her watch. "No, it's only 3 o'clock. She'll be here in about twenty minutes."

"Okay, I'll wait. I need to talk to her."

"Max," Iggy said in a low voice, sounding irritated. "Be nice. They're your family, remember?"

Ever since Fang had disappeared, Iggy had been acting different. Iggy was now leveling me out, making sure I stayed calm and rational. He was less immature and obnoxious and more… I don't know. It was so weird.

"Fang's my family too," I said, stalking into the house.

"Doctor Martinez," Nudge whispered as I left. She seemed to forget the fact that we all have great hearing. "We need your help. Something's wrong with Max..."

---

As soon as Ella had come home, I had pounced on her. She didn't remember Fang.

Of course. Because God forbid the person who erased everyone's memory happened to forget one person.

But they did forget one person. Or it didn't work on me. But the million dollar question was why? What did they want with Fang, and why was it so important that no one remember him?

I pushed that thought away. There were so many horrible possibilities. I felt my stomach tighten in anxiety.

"Max, are you okay?" Ella asked anxiously.

"I am fine," I said through gritted teeth. I didn't want to be mean to my sister, but everything was getting to me. My family couldn't remember Fang, and they were constantly talking behind my back like I was the one with the problem. If I could just find one thing to prove Fang existed. I needed them to believe me, to help me find him.

I blinked back hot tears, thinking about whether or not I should just leave the flock here and search for Fang, or proof of Fang. I didn't want to leave them though. One of the flock was already gone, and I didn't need to feel more isolated and alone. I couldn't bear to lose one more person in my family.

"Maybe it was a dream, and the people who took you did something to make you think—"

"Ella, he was real. Okay?" I said, resisting the urge to punch something in frustration. Why did everyone have to assume he wasn't real?

"Sorry," she said quickly, giving me a tentative smile before heading quickly to her room.

"Um, Max? Ella's gone now. You don't have to glare anymore," the Gasman said in a small voice.

Oh, no wonder Ella left in a hurry. Whoops. "I'm sorry," I told the flock, who was hanging in the living room. I was so close to losing it, but I strained to keep myself together. "I know it's not your fault, but Fang was real. Please, trust me."

Iggy took a deep breath. "I want to talk to you Max. I know how much you want him to be real, but you're the leader. Focus on saving the world, and focus on us. Not this Fang guy who doesn't exist."

I rounded on Iggy, wanting to hit him. Before I could answer, my mom came in. She gave me an anxious look, and I gritted my teeth again. I didn't need people worrying about me.

"Max, Jeb is here. He wants to talk to you," she told me. Now, I'm not stupid. Like Jeb happened to get here a couple hours after we did. He'd been hanging around, waiting for us, knowing we were coming here. Did I mention how annoying it was to have him around, trying to keep tabs on what the flock was doing? Because it was very annoying.

But I didn't complain. I needed to talk to Jeb.

I followed my mom to the door, the flock silently trailing behind me.

There he was, giving me a gentle look. "Max, how are you? Your mom, Dr. Martinez, told me the flock was worried about you. What's up?"

What's up? Seriously?

"Jeb. You remember who Fang is." I made it a statement, not a question. If anyone knew something, it would be Jeb.

Jeb blinked. "Fang? Yes, of course, how could I forget him? Why?"

This is a looks a lot shorter than it it did on Word. Oh well. Hopefully I'll have some extra updates anyway...