Hello People,
I am happy to tell you that I was able to get 6 reviews out of the last chapter. Well done for those who reviewed. I wonder if we can do one step better... 7 or eight maybe?
Heart of Diamond
Max: The War Eagle
Chapter 4: Rescue
Max POV
I thought I was a mess. I can tell you right now, mum was 10 times worse. She was just incredibly good at hiding it.
I convinced her she needed rest. She gave in eventually. Once she was upstairs, I sat on the couch. Indi woke up and I breastfed her. After vomiting most of it back up again, she was fully awake just as the sun was rising above the sky line.
I took her outside and rocked Indi as we watched the rising sun. She made faces at me, blowing spit bubbles out of her small pick lips. I smiled at her. She was so free and full of energy. My heart shattered at the thought of all those experiments locked in cages and used as entertainment.
Welcome to the real world, Max.
I rolled my eyes. Can I ask you something?
Jeb didn't answer.
How on earth am I meant to save the world when it hates my guts? I can't save the world when it's trying to get me.
Saving can also be said as rescuing.
I thought about it. But what is there to rescue?
Too much.
Well how am I meant to do it all?
You can't do it alone.
There was a pause. I knew what Jeb was talking about. I need my flock.
You need everyone.
What? Everyone?
One fish alone can't bring down a shark, but a billion fish working together can withstand a thousand sharks.
Your point?
You are one fish in the sea.
Again?
No answer.
I sighed. Great. All I get from Jeb is that I'm meant to find everyone to save the world and that I'm a fish in the sea. The last time I checked, I was sure I didn't have scales.
"Max?"
I turned around to see Nudge making her way towards me. I smiled slightly and Nudge walked over, standing beside me leaning against the rail. We watched the sunrise in silence.
"Um... Max?"
I looked at her. "Hmmm?"
Nudge sighed. "Where were you when you left?"
I looked down at my daughter. "We were in the Amazon somewhere," I sighed. "I don't know. I found a cave, stole some furniture and made a home. I didn't know what else to do."
Nudge nodded slowly. "You know... if you had told me... I would have come with you."
Guilt washed over me again. Nudge saw it. "Sorry Max, I..."
"No Nudge," I whispered. "It's ok. What's done is done. I can't change it now."
Nudge just looked at me. "I was there when they took Ella."
I stared at her. Nudge just sighed again. "It... it was horrible. I was asleep and I heard a banging on the door. Valencia told me to hide, so I did. I hid under the floor boards, a hideout we had made in case this would happen. I heard shouting and screaming. Someone ran up the stairs. Ella was screaming..." She paused, hatred and anger flashing across her eyes. She looked at me. "I want to kill them Max. Valencia was devastated..."
"Shhhh," I whispered softly kissing her head. "Trust me. If any of them touches you, Indi or any of the flock, they have hell to pay. Hurting my mother and taking my step sister... you better stand out the way when I get to them."
I succeeded my plan. The anger vanished in Nudge's eyes. She smiled slightly. "It's good to have you back."
I smiled back at her. "I can agree with you on that one."
Nudge gave a small laugh. Silence filled the air again. I looked at the risen sun. "Jeb spoke to me."
Nudge looked up but I didn't meet her gaze. "It said I needed to find the flock..."
"I'm coming with you," Nudge said instantly.
I looked at her. "Nudge, I'm not asking you to come with me."
"Max, I'm part of the flock. You're my leader and my sister. I go where you go, no matter how messed up the world is."
I smiled at that. The fact she was accepting me as her leader made me proud. Nudge shrugged. "And besides, someone needs to babysit."
I laughed and knocked her head with my wing. Nudge grinned, but it faded slightly into a frown. "What else did Jeb say?"
I sighed. "Something about how I was one fish in the sea can't kill a shark but a million fish together can kill a thousand."
Nudge was silent for a while. "You know... as soon as the flock separated, I didn't have my power anymore."
I stared at her. "Wait what?"
Nudge shrugged. "I just couldn't see any visions when I touched things any more. I thought it was because I was depressed and tired trying to find you."
Oh god, why on earth did I leave? Nudge looked at me. "But I got them back as soon as you arrived... It was like some bond kept our powers alive."
I frowned. "Jeb hadn't talked to me, since I... left and then suddenly appeared when... when I was in the shadows of mum's house."
I never flew super speed after I left, because I was too depressed. I wondered if that would have worked while I was gone...
Nudge smiled slightly. "You see Max? We need each other. The flock needs to be together to feed each other's powers. It keeps us strong..." She paused. "Jeb is right. Your one fish in the ocean. You can't save the world by yourself. You need the flock. Together we resist a thousand sharks."
I stared at her. "What happened to Nudge? Who is this wise person standing next to me?"
Nudge blushed. "Stop it."
I chuckled. "No seriously, where is she."
Nudge smiled. "She has always been by your side."
When Valencia woke up, she wasn't happy we were leaving.
"Val-Mum, it's my job to find the flock again. I have to leave," I said seriously.
Mum looked like she was going to cry again. "Max. There are people out there who would kill to have you in their freak shows. The danger is all around you. It's not like old times when Eraser or experiments appeared occasionally, these are everyday people, who will have you on your knees in two seconds flat. I CAN'T LET THEM TAKE YOU AWAY TOO!"
Indi started to cry in Nudge's arms. Nudge cooed her softly and walked out of the room, giving me a troubled look as she left. I pulled out a chair and next to my mother who had her head in her hands.
"Mum," I whispered. "I have to do this."
"Why," she snapped not looking at me.
I hesitated. "I have to save the world," I said simply.
Mum looked up at me. "How can you save the world when they want to kill you?"
I hesitated. It suddenly snapped. I realised what I had been missing this whole time.
"I have to save the world from destroying itself. No, I have to rescue the world from destroying its self," I whispered.
I paused.
"Oh god," I whispered to myself. Mum looked at me strangely.
That's it. That's what Jeb was trying to tell me. The people are destroying the earth. They are killing each other. Like Ella. They took Ella away from her family.
"Mum?" I asked seriously. "Is Ella the only child taken away around here?"
My mother sighed as tears ran down her face. "No... The foster... the foster parents on the other side of town said they had the same thing happen to them. I... I heard a rumour it was happening in other towns too"
Shadow's had these children. What were they doing with them? Was it only this state or was it around the whole of America? The whole world?
A generation was disappearing. And by this happening the world was falling apart. Why though?
I had to find answers. I had to find my flock. I had to find Ella and these missing children.
I looked at her. "Mum. You have to let me find the flock. It's the only way to save the world from destroying itself. It's the only way to find Ella."
Valencia hesitated. I held her gaze. I had to be strong. I had to be old Max again. I knew my future would be difficult. But it is what I had to do. And I knew I wasn't alone.
Mum wiped the tears from her eyes. "You really do think you can save the world."
"I have to believe Mum," I whispered. "If I don't how can anyone trust me when I don't trust myself?"
Mum stared at me. "You really have grown up. Just like Nudge."
I blushed and rubbed my hand around the back of my neck. "I... guess."
Mum sighed. "Well, we better start packing. I'll head down to Wal-mart and get some everything you need."
I hugged her tightly. "Thanks mum."
Mum hugged me back. "Are you going to take Indi?"
I sighed again. "I need to. She's part of the flock too."
Mum hesitated but sighed. "Ok, I guess ill drop off at the baby store too."
"I owe you Mum."
"Just promise me, none of you will get hurt."
I hesitated. I knew I couldn't promise that, but this was to make Mum happy.
"I promise."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoxoxo
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