ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION!!!!!!VERY IMPORTANT: I know that a lot of you don't read the ANs, but this is very important! So, I've said it a few times, but the Prologue is IN THE FUTURE. It is not in sequence. It's like the prologues in the Twilight Saga. They happen later in the series. Does everyone understand?

Now, thank you for reviewing. I'm a little upset that you've only managed 12 reviews so far though. Let's see if we can do better.

I do not own Maximum Ride.

Chapter 3

Circles

MPOV

How the great have fallen. We're as good as lab rats, trapped in empty, glass cages. I know that the soldiers think they're superior, but they're just as trapped as us. I watch them prowl the halls, thinking that they mean something to the scientists, that they're special. The truth is: Jeb cares a lot more about his Avian Experiments than his Super Soldiers. It takes me a while to realize that they know this too. The soldiers realize that we're caged for a reason. It's not because we're more dangerous than the soldiers. It's because they're afraid to lose us. It's because they're scared. They don't understand us, so they keep us locked up.

The soldiers are lying to themselves just as surely as I ever have. They know the truth, but they don't believe it. There's a fine difference between knowledge and belief, but it's there. I wonder which side of the line I more often land on. Maybe it doesn't matter because caged or not, we're no better than possessions to the scientists, and sooner or later they'll make their move. They have no grasp of who we are. All they see are differences, and therefore we must not be worth saving. Yet, that's just the same distinction between real and fake that I was talking about. I'm just thinking in circles, trying to keep my mind from the facts. The facts are so painful.

Iggy can't take much more of this. He's barely even responding to Nudge anymore. I see her worrying. When she taps on the glass and receives only the barest acknowledgement, her eyes fill with crystalline tears. Iggy's turning into a shell of who he once was. He has nightmares. My heart goes out to Nudge, who can't help him no matter how hard she tries. Iggy's fading away. I just have to figure out how to save him.

Angel isn't doing so well either. She misses her powers, but she's strong. She's my little superhero. Angel will never give up. I see it in her eyes. She won't let them win. There's still fire in her eyes, but there's also fear. That fear is enough to send slashes of anguish through me every time I see it. I should have protected her. This is all my fault.

Gazzy's just as determined as Angel. They fall asleep with their heads almost touching, separated by the thin glass barrier, every "night". Night for us has just become whenever a scientist decides to turn the lights out or when we just get too bored to keep our eyes open.

It's incredibly difficult to see how my Flock has broken into little circles in our desperation, but maybe that's how it was always supposed to be, six people into three parts into one whole. It's almost poetic. I don't know what I'd do without my partner, the other half of my personal circle within the Flock, Fang. Every night I lie on my side and stare at him. He's incredibly fascinating to me. I don't know how I went so long without noticing it.

Fang is my comfort and my hope. When I see him, I believe that we can handle this. But I'm starting to doubt myself. Is my own pride and selfishness causing this pain? Maybe I should give in to the scientists. Fang would kill me, but it'd be worth it, wouldn't it?

"Are you okay?" he asks me. We've been lying on our beds, as usual. There's not much else to do around here. Occasionally, I'm grateful to the soundproof glass; it gives me an excuse to stare at his lips. No, bad Max, focus. I'm getting crazy in here, relaxed, careless. I have to get us out of here. I need to stop fantasizing and start planning.

"I'm fine," I lie.

"You look like you could use some sleep." Ouch. He knows me too well. You see, the nightmares are back. You know the ones that briefly went away when I carelessly thought we could have a normal life? They're back and better than ever. I suppress a shudder.

"I'm fine." He raises and eyebrow, but turns onto his back and stares at the ceiling. I sigh. There has to be a way to fix this. I try to think about what I know of Jeb. What is he waiting for? The answer hits me like a ton of brick. Surrender. Jeb has an excellent poker face and an unlimited supply of patience. He'll wait until I crack.

I feel sick to my stomach. I should give in. It would help my Flock, but I'm scared. I told you that the mighty have fallen. The great Maximum Ride is frightened of her own father. I force myself to stand. Pacing, even under the heavy weight of enhanced gravity, will help me think.

I eventually come to a decision. I will wait. Maybe Jeb will get tired. Yeah right. As soon as I reach this decision, I glimpse Iggy. He's having a nightmare. Nudge is facing the glass, her hands pressed against it, shouting his name and trying to snap him out of it. He looks terrible, tortured and in pain. My decision changes like lighting. Why am I letting them hurt my family? I'm suddenly filled with uncontrollable rage. Okay, Jeb. It's on. We're an even match, you and I, but I have something worth fighting for. Can you say the same?

I refuse to say the words that Jeb wants to hear. I will not say, "You win." I will not give up, but I let my anguish and pain over Iggy show on my face and throw in a bit of defeat for good measure. I look up at the camera and say, "Ok, What do you want?" I can almost hear Jeb's triumphant laugh. I don't have to fake my self-disgusted expression for giving in or my anger. Jeb should be convinced.

I trudge over to my bed and perch on the edge. Fang hits the wall hard to get my attention.

"What?" I mouth.

"What are you doing?" He looks incredibly worried.

"Fixing things," I say. He looks even more worried.

"Don't do anything stupid," he says.

"Who me?" I force a careless laugh. "I know what I'm doing." He doesn't look relieved. Fang knows me way too well. He alone can tell that I'm scared. Fang has seen me vulnerable, broken, crazy, and terrified. Fang knows I'm not invincible.

"Just…" He trails off.

"I know." I understand that he's worried. I would never in a million years let him go into the lion's den like I'm about to, but it's my job. This is what I do. I take care of my family. They're counting on me. "Trust me." I tell him. I wish I could trust myself.

What will Max do? What will she sacrifice for her Flock? How will she save them? What's up with ? The good stuff is coming up. Please review.