I tried to avoid the Flock as much as possible after that. Even though I was signed up and went to the same school they did, no thanks to Anne, the only thing I had with them was Lunch period or something like that. Even then, it was only with Jeff and Nick. At first, they didn't notice me in my corner, poking at my food rather than eating it. I hadn't had the appetite for this slop they called food, and I was slightly picky.

At least I didn't eat as much as the Flock.

My little corner was interrupted by Nick at first. His girlfriend, Lissa, quickly joined him. I didn't really care for the other girl, and I knew she was seriously flirting with him. Like I said, I didn't care about their relationships. As long as they don't try to befriend me, I was okay with that. Then I couldn't go through with my mission and die.

"Can I join you three?"

I looked up and saw Jeff, staring at the table. I raised an eyebrow and scooted to the wall. "Sure." As he sat next to me, I stiffened. I had just boxed myself in.

"Aren't you hungry?" Nick asked me.

"Nah, not really. The school's food makes me sick." Well, it was kind of true. Last time I had something, I had to run to the restroom to avoid a mess in the hall. But it was because of the text the BAU sent me. More missing kinds turning up dead.

"Can I have yours, then?" Jeff and Nick asked simultaneously.

"However you want to split it. I don't care." I shrugged.

"You must be hungry, at least." Lissa smirked.

I shrugged. "Nothing that'll stop me until I get home. Besides, if I really need something to eat, I've got emergency snacks in my bag." It was true, after I told my friend in the BAU about the school's food, she started sending me little snacks. Fruit snacks, granola bars, things that fit into a bag easily.

The two guys dished out my tray rapidly, then continued to eat. I sighed, turning to my book again. I was just at the point where the main character, with an enemy and a friend, were swallowed by this other enemy. It's more interesting than it sounds.

Someone snapped their fingers in front of my face. "Earth to Ray!" she chuckled. "It's almost time to get to class. Mind joining the rest of us for once?"

I scowled. "Shut up, Lissa. Or I could knock you on your butt in two seconds flat." I hated it when people did that. But when it's someone I don't know, I really get irritated.

"Oh, can you now?" Lissa raised an eyebrow.

"Not here. After school, of course." I grinned. "You're going down, pretty face."

Sadly, 'after school' didn't happen. An agent from the BAU took me from class and traveled with me to New York.

"Are you feeling all right, Ray?" my teacher asked. It was 'study hall', but I wasn't doing anything. My head was on the desk, and I was trying to get some sleep. The last time I had a decent night's sleep was over a week ago.

I woke in a cold sweat, from multiple nightmares. I had killed the flock, or they were after to kill me. Then the Erasers came in and finished me off. Or I would be stripped of my wings and tortured with fire (which was just the heat from the blanket and being on my back).

There was the missing children, the lab experiments, begging me to save them, to kill them, to end their suffering.

I shrugged. "Yeah." I mumbled, pushing myself upright and staring at the work I was supposed to be doing.

"I hear you're not eating anything at Lunch. Is everything alright?"

I sighed. "I just need some air." I stood up and walked out, earning stares from my classmates.

Once out in the hall, I pulled out my phone. Any leads yet?

It was a little bit until my leader replied. Busy on a different case. Ask Garcia.

So I sent her a text. Quick question.

Ask away, my little bird.

She always knew how to make me smile. About fourteen years ago, three kids went missing. Two male, one female. I think one of the guys is blind, but I think that might have been after the kidnapping. Any ideas or leads?

I sighed, sitting with my back to the wall. At least I was trying to distract myself. My phone buzzed.

Too many to count. Any areas in mind, Ray?

I frowned. Maybe by the Labs. Rocky Mountains. Death Valley. New York City. I've heard there's some in Asia, Europe, and South America.

Five in California, two in Colorado, one in New York.

Any with blonde, black, or reddish-blonde hair?

Another long pause.

No. But there's one nearby. Reddish-blonde hair, male, blue eyes. Last seen when he was four months old.

I had a hard time breathing then. What if ... I could find the Flock's parents?

Thanks. I pocketed my phone and walked down the hall. I wasn't going to go back to class right now. After all, I couldn't concentrate now.

"What are you doing out of class?"

I sighed. "I wasn't looking where I was going, and I got lost." I gave the Principal a lost look.

He gave me a narrowed look. He was seriously doubting me, I could tell.

"You're like those no-good teens, aren't you? A troublemaker, no doubt." He shot me a glare.

"Me? troublemaker? The only thing I'm doing is trying to learn and get good grades." I smiled innocently. "Could you point me to my classroom, please?" Once I had my directions, I walked down the halls back to class. I should tell the Flock the news about Jeff, right?

After school, I ran over to the Flock. "Hey."

"Hey yourself, Ray. What do you want?" Max asked.

I sighed. "Nothing. But I have some information I think one of you might like." I leaned against a tree. "Information about his parents."

"Who's parents?" Max's eyes narrowed.

"Jeff's." I smirked, knowing I had gotten their attention now. "He was known as James Griffiths, stolen from his crib fourteen years ago when he was four months old."