I was close enough to the cave that I could sort of see the vultures that were nestled in their homes. Some stared at me cautiously, and the others just rested. I guess they remember me. I banked to the left slowly, then made a straight dive, pulling up to land last minute. Man you have no idea how much of a rush it is.
Inside the cave came the slight glow of fire. Well, duh Fang is going to have a fire going. It's chilly out….What am I saying? It's chilly out? It's….chilly. Not nearly as cold as we've been in before…All this relaxation and Mrs. Martinez spoiling us is really ruining us. "Fang?" I called. Nothing. I turned to see if he was flying with the vultures. But they were in bed.
I started to worry.
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe Fang left for somewhere else. Like last time. He just left. Gone. Again. Why did this have such a major effect on me? He's strong. He can fend for himself. C'mon. It's Fang. Fang is Fang. I don't have any control of him. He's his own person. He can do what he will. I mean he's seventeen. We were adults at thirteen years old…
I wiped away a tear.
No.
I cant be crying.
I'm Max. I'm Maximum Ride, leader, care taker, soldier, fighter. I'm strong. I can hold it together. I don't need Fang, and Fang doesn't need me. I have the flock. Angel, Nudge, Gazzy, Iggy………Fang……Who am I kidding? I need him. I cant hold it together without him. He's gone. What's going to happen now?
My knees gave out beneath me, and I heaved a quiet sob. I'm glad that I'm alone in this cave. It would be degrading and humiliating if anyone saw me like this. Weak. Powerless. Falling apart.
My mind raced and with each thought came a pang of hurt. I punched the ground angrily. "Max, holy hell, are you okay??"
I froze.
He squat down and wrapped his arms around me, wings shrouding.
It was Fang. Fang. He didn't leave. He was here the whole time. The whole time. "Max are you okay, why are you crying?" He asked again. I breathed in his smell. Any other time, I wouldn't of on account of our questionable hygene, but now…He's got this smell to him. I buried my face into his neck. "Max?"
"Don't you ever pull that again…" I managed to mutter, though it was muffled by his throat. "Don't you ever just leave. Do you understand? Never ever again."
"I'm sorry…" He whispered, hands rubbing my back.
I looked up at him.
His black eyes looked down at me.
We stared.
Then a thought came into my mind.
Something I would of never really thought before this time.
But it was now.
It was that look.
His eyes…
I moved forward for something that was morally forbidden…
But so right…
So right.
