Author's Note: This Chapter is all about how Angel left and why she isn't there anymore. You may thank one of my reviews for bringing it to my attention that some may have been confused to why Angel wasn't in the picture anymore and so I have come and answered their questions.

Disclaimer: If you've read this far you should know by now.

Flashback

It had been about three years since everything had ended. All five of us were living peacefully in a house in the mountains of Montana. Angel wasn't with us, she had betrayed us and for that she would never be allowed back in the Flock. It was in the last battle we fought, against all odds we were set to lose, but no one could have imagined the events that day.

The fighting started earlier than usual, working as a team we flew in patterns and loops, and everything we did we did as a team, save Angel. Alone and fighting she was somewhat strong, but no match for Ari. He approached her from the back, not in a fighting stance mind you, but of annoyed patience.

"Angel, some help over here would be nice." I yelled sarcastically trying to get her attention. She gave me the oddest look then did something amazing. She flew at me. Pumping her wings as fast as she could, to get optimal speed, she flew at me and knocked me back. Looking confused of what just happened, she punched me. All other fighting had ceased and now, it was just us, Mother and daughter fighting to the end to see who was stronger. We were standing across from one another, ready to move in a moment's instance.

"You're weak Max, stop while you can save yourself." Angel's voice was strong and over confident.

"I'm seventeen! Don't tell me I'm weak." I hollered back

"If you are strong than why can't you win this fight? You know, you don't make that good of a leader, you always were weak. You never really were good at leading, with all those Brain Attacks and everything else." Her voice was matter-of-fact.

"Don't you even dare throw that in my face! I was fourteen; I didn't know what else to do. It's not like I wanted to be the leader and go through what I went through. If you think you're so good then tell me this, if your Flock was separated, divided, and in anarchy how would you bring them together? How would you calm them down and be able to lead them to the next destination?" My voice was cold and harsh.

"You're stalling Max, time is up, and you're going to die." Angel's voice was nothing but happy. For someone who once looked up to me and loved me, her mood matched nothing that she had ever shown. When Ari and Anne stood behind her I knew that there was no getting her back. I had lost my Angel; to the people I hated the most.

"Angel, why?" I shook my head and sighed

"You never really understood did you Max? I could have saved us; I could have stopped all of this, if you had let me! I never asked for more than was necessary. You were always uptight and restricting, never letting me do what I wanted to, for that I hated you. Then when you tried to kill yourself, please that lost all of my confidence in you. I trusted you with my life until that point. I should be the leader, you are weak, you tried to kill yourself, and you've hurt each one of us more than once. You never loved us!" Angel's words sunk in and I stumbled back. These words were something that I didn't want to hear, but if she believed this, then there was no making her understand.

"Alright Angel, how about you try to look out for five other people and a dog, save them from Erasers, find food for them to eat, and shelter so they will be safe. Then on top of all of that how about you try to add the fact that you have a voice in your head giving you brain attacks where you pass out, and not know where you are and be in so much pain that you want to end your life. Having an uncertain future is stressful enough, but when matters get from bad to worse, and the FBI decides to start coming into your life," I paused glaring at Anne "Finding a new home, new clothes, and food isn't easy! Especially while trying to lead a Flock," I paused shaking my head again, "When you go through that, tell me what it's like. You'll never understand." My voice was final

I looked up, rage was covering her face, she lunged at me one final time, a knife in her hand, but I was already racing towards her ready to block the blow. As I did the knife flew back and nicked us both. It nicked me on the cheek and her on the arm. I picked up the knife, closed it and handed it to Fang; suddenly my world was fading, wrapped in crimson and black. The blade had been poisoned, Angel wasn't reacting to it, and I knew it had been meant for me at that point. My love for Angel wasn't dissolving only disappointment started to fill where it had one been. Angel was my baby, and she always would be, but now I could never look at her in the same light ever again.

My memories are weak and faded; I remember feeling like I was falling from the sky into a black abyss that I would never come out of. I felt safe and happy when there was a sudden feeling around my waist, what it is was I never knew but whatever it was, it was the thing keeping me alive and keeping me from ending my life.

When I awoke next, I found everyone except Angel, standing around my bed.

"Is she…..?" I didn't voice the last part of my question, it was all too painful.

"Yes, she is." Gazzy's solemn voice answered first. Gazzy looked as if he had been crying, but knowing him he would never admit to it. He hadn't just lost someone that he was close to, he lost his sister. He left the room and Iggy followed him, wanting to try and help him but not knowing how. Gazzy loved Angel more than anyone, he was supposed to be there and protect her. He felt as if he had not only let her down but the rest of the Flock. I loved Gazzy; he was so amazing that I knew maybe in time, he would be able to get over it.

Standing up gingerly, I walked to the window, looking out at the scene of a calm sunny day, I rested against the sill. Fang came over by me putting his arm around my waist to help steady me. Knowing that Gazzy wasn't the only one that felt like they had let themselves and the others down, Nudge left. Leaving Fang and I alone, just what I needed, a friend to stand by my side so matter what happened.

Every day after that everyone was very tentative, and moody, shifting from one mood to the next, we took back all of out trust for everyone, we still loved each other, but no one knew if they could trust anyone else, not after what had happed with Angel.

End of Flashback

Okay well since Thanksgiving for me is coming up I probably will not update Chapter 5 until after my break. So have fun while I suspend your anticipation.

Annika