My hand clutched my cell phone so hard that I thought it would break if I held on any more. I gently pried my fingers from the soft metal to reveal a handprint easily imprinted on the cell phone's back. But it still worked, unfortunately. "You need to do this, Maximum." Jeb's voice said through the line. I rolled my eyes at this as I sat in my bedroom. It was just about where fifth hour would've been in school except I had come home. I didn't want to stay at school where Edward and his family could hear and then there was the issue of my family. As much as I loved them…no, that was the issue. I loved them. I knew they wanted this; school, regular issues, boy troubles, girl troubles, homework to complain about. I knew they wanted all that so that they wouldn't have to complain about broken bones, crushed ribs, the loss of a family member, or any of that. I wanted them to be normal and out of danger.

Jeb had called me during lunch and I had come home as soon as I saw the caller ID. Of course I had to tell Fang something so I had told him I was going home for a stomach ache. I doubt he really believed that seeing as we never get sick. Either that or he believed that I'd gotten my code. I frowned at that thought. Had I checked them lately? "This will get rid of the codes, Maximum." Jeb said into the phone. I frowned at that. "How?" I asked. "If the genetic department aren't around then they won't be able to activate the codes." Jeb answered. I felt myself give in at the very mention of the logical reason. Damn scientist. Believe him, Max. He isn't lying. Go to the lab. I growled at the lousy Voice that entered my mind. "No one else goes," I growled into the phone. "That would be irresponsible, Maximum." Jeb said. I rolled my eyes. "I'm supposed to save the world, not the Flock. They stay safe." I said into the phone and glanced at the door of my bedroom. "I can't order you not to but I do advise they come as backup." Jeb said. I frowned. "No, that is out of the question," I said as I stood up from my bed. I headed to my closet and pulled it open.

"They just got settled and they are staying. There is no way that they will be taken away from here." I said. I heard a burst of static, indicating that Jeb had sighed. "I'll email you the blueprints; please be careful," Jeb said before hanging up. I sighed and rolled my eyes before heading to my laptop, booting it up. I felt myself kick into high gear as I whipped off my jacket and my top. I felt my necklace dangle around my neck, thumping against my chest in sync with my heart. I quickly pulled open my dresser drawer, pulling out the pocket knife I'd unpacked this morning. I quickly slit steep cuts into the pair of clothing, enough space for my wings. "This is gonna suck," I muttered as I pulled the shirt and jacket on. I glanced at the back of my shirt and jacket and whipped out my wings of tawny. "This is really gonna suck." I muttered.

I had no clue how this was gonna go but I did know that I was getting back into the habit and that was not a thing I wanted to do. I quickly turned around, careful not to knock anything down. I folded my wings in again and glanced in the mirror, checking the back of my neck. There was nothing but tan skin there. "Thank whoever the hell is up there," I muttered as I glanced at the ceiling. A few seconds went by before I decided on what I'd do. I quickly left a note. Dear Flock, I'll be back soon. Don't worry about me but please do be cautious when I do get back. Safe word is XXXXX. Please be careful. –Max.

I left the note underneath my laptop, where Fang or someone would find it but no one else would. I picked up my backpack and quickly stuffed it with a couple of T-shirts and a few pairs of jeans. I rushed downstairs, heading to the cabinets. "Max?" I heard a groggy voice. I looked up and noted my mom on the couch. "Hey, mom," I said before turning back to the cabinet. Mom saw what I was doing and jumped to her feet. "I'll be back in a few days at most," I said to her as I shoved a few cans in the backpack. I only took a couple of cans of stuff I wouldn't need to cook before I zipped up the backpack. "Where are you going?" Mom asked. I cocked an eyebrow up at my mom and she rolled her eyes at her own foolishness. "Well, you will come back, right? What do I tell the kids?" Mom asked frantically.

"Just tell them I didn't want them to get hurt and to not come after me." I said to my mom. "It's just a basic recon so it's nothing too dangerous. I'm not that stupid." I said. In full truth, I had no clue if it was just basic recon.

"They wouldn't kill me but use me for experimentation and the others know that. Give me about a week at the most before you guys come looking for me." I said. Mom frowned but nodded. She was obviously debating something. "You aren't…leaving, right?" Mom asked worriedly. I shook my head the second the words left her mouth. I pulled my backpack on over my now-covered wings and rushed forward. I let my mom hug me and I hugged her back. "It's just a basic recon. It's nothing dangerous," I assured her as I pulled back. "I left a note upstairs under my laptop that holds the safety word; tell them to memorize the safe word then burn the letter." I said. "I don't want Max II finding the letter so tell them to not let me see it." I instructed her as I shifted my wings to a free spot surrounding the sides of my backpack so I'd be able to actually fly with the backpack on. "What do you want me to tell Charlie and Bella?" Mom asked. "Just tell them that I went to see Jeb." I said and shrugged. Mom frowned but nodded. "Oh, I hope this doesn't complicate things." Mom muttered. I laughed and shook my head. "No, mom; things will be better as soon as I come back." I said. Mom nodded.

"Okay, I'll be going now. I'm going to walk for a bit before taking off. I want to scatter my scent so no one will be able to trace it back here." I explained to my mom as I glanced around. I spotted a pair of leather gloves on the counter, still on the plastic hook. I raised my eyes at my mom. "It seemed to be something you'd enjoy," Mom said with a sheepish smile. I laughed at that and picked up the gloves. There were no fingertips in the gloves and the knuckles were coated in thick metal brackets that looked like they would hurt. "Thanks," I said as I snapped them off the hook and pulled them on. Mom shrugged and gave me one final hug before I headed to the door.

"Love ya, mom," I called back as I closed the door. I jogged my way down the streets until I was convinced my scent was everywhere.

=x=x=x=

This was where the email led. It was the bottom of North Dakota in a small abandoned town called Cadence. It was a ghost town as far as anyone was convinced but there was supposedly a hidden lab somewhere around here. There was nothing but abandoned buildings with garbage everywhere despite the lack of people. There fenced off areas and basketball courts, abandoned warehouses and offices. I just barely wondered what had driven everyone out. The thought of zombies occurred to mind and I shook that thought off. As much as I love fake gore and fake zombies, the thought of apocalypse was not as inviting. It was just downright depressing and made me think of Angel being eaten by a zombie.

Going at hyper speed, I'd made it here in a matter of two days. I was kind of proud of that fact. I had eaten some of the cans of food but I had enough to last me about three more days if I skipped some meals. And when I was burning calories by the second that was not a very warm thought. I kept my peripheral vision open, deciding to play it safe seeing as I didn't have Iggy's hearing or Fang's sight. Nor did I have Angel's mind-reading so that was a disadvantage. I was just me for the moment; plain ol' kick-ya-ass, snarky, sarcastic Maximum Ride. I sighed quietly as I glanced around again, sizing up the place with my eyes.

There wasn't a living thing in sight other than the occasional rat that passed. Each time a paper or a piece of garbage flew in the wind I'd cringe and near attack it. But I suppressed the urge to attack a harmless plastic cup. I was so proud of that. I inhaled deeply through my nose, inhaling the fumes and sifting through the smells for any sign of life. I smelt something and it was strong but it wasn't something that I enjoyed. It did mean that the school was here, though; blood and bodies. I frowned as I closed my eyes, abandoning the sense of sight. If I could just hear then I'd be able—

I whirled around, aiming a punch at the face of my attacker. My glove-clad fist collided with a furry nose and a growl erupted in the throat of my attacker. An Eraser; oh, joy. I frowned as I lifted my foot behind me and kicked out his knees. The Eraser howled in pain, attracting the attention of two more Erasers that started their run towards me.

I backed up, away from the Erasers before a thought attacked my brain. I wasn't gonna find this place anytime soon so… "Alright!" I cried out and lifted up my hands. "I give up!" I cried out as I held out my hands in surrender. The Erasers paused, confused at my actions. From what they'd heard, I was a stubborn mule who was gonna kick their asses and they no doubt refused to be put in the same category as their former colleagues. I sighed theatrically as two of the Erasers shifted back to their human forms. They were wearing rubber suits of some type. I think that was when my phone rang.

I glanced down at my pocket. "Do you mind if I get that?" I asked the Erasers. One of them shrugged stupidly so I reached into my pocket and pulled out my half-crushed silver cell phone. "Hello?" I said into the outputting end. "Max, where are you?" Fang's low tone entered my ear and I smiled at the sound of it. "Hi, Fang," I said as I lowered my other hand that was still held up in surrender. "Max!" Fang growled. "Oh, c'mon, Fang; you called me? Don't you know that that could've very well given away my position in a fight?" I scolded Fang. "If it were possible, you would've turned it off." Fang muttered. I rolled my eyes. Nope; I was too stupid to do that. "I forgot to." I muttered back and bit my lip. One of the Erasers growled and lunged but I held up a hand. "Don't be rude; I already said I give up." I scolded the Eraser. "YOU WHAT?" I heard Iggy's voice cry out. I rolled my eyes. Fang would know that I had a plan but Iggy, of course, would doubt me. Shame on you, Iggy.

"I might as well give up that plan then," I muttered as I raised my leg and kicked the nearest Eraser's chin. They all ambushed at that moment and I instantly began to retaliate. "Max! Will you come home already?" Fang said in exasperation. "We have to talk with Edward's family, remember?" he reminded me. I frowned at this. "I remember. I'll talk with them when I get back. I've already tried to get out of this but it's not like I can." I scoffed into the phone as I reached my free hand to punch an Eraser's face. "Do we need to come get you?" Fang asked gravely. "No, it's not like that. It's just that Jeb won't stop badgering me about it." I said and sighed as I roundhouse kicked the next Eraser. Before I knew it all three Erasers were on the ground, groaning and moaning in pain.

"Are the Cullens with you at the moment?" I asked Fang as I reached up and swiped a strand of hair behind my ear. The pathetic bastards hadn't gotten one punch in. "They're in the living room," Fang informed me. "Hand the phone to them." I instructed Fang. I heard a slight plastic jostling before a new voice entered the line. "Hello?" A voice I didn't recognize said. It was still beautiful over the line though. "Oh, well, who's this?" I asked as I examined the groaning Erasers in front of me. "This Carlisle Cullen but you may call me Carlisle." The voice answered proudly and warmly. I frowned at this and glanced at my surroundings. "This is Maximum Ride," I said over the phone as I glanced up at the high buildings. "Say, do you know why a certain town is abandoned in North Dakota?" I asked. "Which town?" Carlisle asked. "Well, I think it may be the only ghost town in ND." I said into the phone. "I just want to make sure no zombies are gonna pop out at me." I said into the phone as I glanced back down at the Erasers. I saw one of the Erasers begin to get up. "Excuse me for a moment," I said as I headed over to the Eraser. I gripped his human form jumpsuit by the collar and growled in his face. "Where is the lab?" I growled at the Eraser. The Eraser seemed to want to do nothing but spit in my face so I gave him a nice big punch to help him sleep. "That's getting me nowhere," I said as I swiped the spit from my face. I could easily torture the Erasers into the info but that just wouldn't be as fun as wandering around aimlessly.

"Get Nudge on the phone," I instructed Carlisle. I heard another dull jostling before Nudge's hyper voice arrived in my ear. "Oh, my God, Max! Where are you? We've been so worried! We only just got a hold of you now and why haven't you been answering your phone? Were you in hyper speed or something? You seriously need to come home! We're too worried—," Nudge said but I cut her off from her ramble. "Nudge, get on the computer now." I ordered into the phone. I heard a slight more jostling before Nudge's squeaky "okay". "I'm on Fang's laptop," Nudge informed me. I nodded. "I need you to see if you could find the Itex in Cadence, North Dakota." I said to her. "That's been abandoned for who knows how long though!" Nudge squeaked.

I furrowed my brow, confused at how she knew this. "I've been talking to the computers," Nudge explained to me. "Just tell me where it is, Nudge." I ordered into the phone. "The Erasers aren't giving me any info so I need you to tell me." I said as I glanced at the Erasers. I pulled my backpack off my back and dropped it to the floor. I licked my cracked lips for moisture, wondering if there was any running water nearby. "Do you know that the Cullens can hear everything you're saying right now?" Nudge asked me quietly. I rolled my eyes. "This is IMPORTANT, Nudge," I said, emphasizing 'important'. "Right," Nudge said as she headed back to whatever it was she was doing; probably talking to the computers. "Max, there's an abandoned Itex on Johnson and Brick; you should see it immediately. It's HUGE!" She cried out. I frowned and gaped at the phone in disbelief. "You're jacking with me, right? How rich can these jerks get?" I scoffed as I glanced around. "Wait, is it the tall building with the large sign at the top that says…yeah, okay, I found it." I said to the phone. "Max, you really should've told us." Nudge whined into the phone. I smirked and rolled my eyes. "It was urgent and I couldn't come round you guys up immediately. Besides, you'll be safe with mom and the Flock," I informed Nudge.

"But Max….!" Nudge whined. I frowned at this and sighed. "I need to go now, Nudge." I said but hesitated. "I order the entire Flock to stay put. You do not want to challenge my orders right now." I growled into the phone. I heard Nudge's faint whimper before I hung up the phone.

FANG POV:

I watched as Nudge hung up the phone, looking extremely torn. "She said that she orders us all to stay put and not to question her orders." Nudge said to the rest of us. I glanced back at the Cullens, wondering just how we were going to keep this secret anymore. "You can't." Edward intervened. I really didn't like that damn mind-reader. "How did you know that I read minds?" Edward asked. I smirked. It was a bit obvious. "That's crap! We should just go to that damn town and—," Iggy started but I cut him off. "We'll stay put." I said. Everyone's eyes turned towards me and I heard Iggy sigh. "Great! How come she always puts you in charge?" Iggy cried out. "I'm second oldest," I answered with a shrug. Iggy frowned and crossed his arms, imitating my stance.

"Max is your…leader?" Edward asked, confused. "Yes, she's the leader of our group." I informed him aloud, deciding it was more for the benefit of the family. "She said that Jeb was badgering her about it which means that the Voice would be badgering her about it." I reminded the Flock. Nudge instantly stared down at the table, looking guilty while Iggy seemed to think this was more "crap". "And don't swear around the kids, Iggy," I reminded him as I glanced around the Flock. "She said that she wanted us to stay put and that is what we'll do. If anyone wants to disobey orders then you can go through me and Max when she gets back." I instructed the Flock. "Who exactly are you? Why do you sound like…this?" Edward asked, confused. "Because this is necessary," I growled at Edward and turned back to the Flock. Angel frowned. She was obviously missing Max a lot. She looked up at me and nodded. "Plus she learned to guard her mind so I had no clue." Angel whined. Well, that was new information! "I didn't tell you because if she didn't tell you herself then it was probably kept for a reason." Angel reminded me. I nodded my understanding.

I watched as the Cullens watched in curiosity. "I suppose we should explain before Max gets back. She might be a bit put down but she'll be too exhausted when she gets back to explain." I told Carlisle. Nudge was shocked. "She said she'd talk to them when she got back, though," Iggy said and smirked. I frowned at him but it was entirely wasted on the blind kid. "We're following her orders and staying put however the Cullens know enough to figure out something's up." I explained to him. In full truth I just wanted Max back so she could take all the awkward situations in stride and we can both just do nothing at all. I turned back to the Cullens. "We are human." I said to Carlisle, the father. He had Esme, his wife, beside him. "But we aren't fully human," I explained as I shrugged off my jacket. Nudge instantly went to work, moving my laptop and the table out of the way so that there'd be enough room to not break anything. I nodded my thanks to her and she gave a sheepish smile.

I didn't bother with cutting the holes in my shirt but instead I just let them rip through my shirt's material. My full black wings went to their full fifteen feet across the room, brushing against the walls of the room. I think each of them had their mouths open in pure shock. Well, except for Carlisle. He was too shocked to do anything. The second that he got over his shock he approached slowly. "May I…um, touch them?" He asked cautiously. I shrugged, jostling my wings before he reached a hand forward.

Carlisle's cold doctor touch felt against the feathers of my wings and he squinted to make sure that he was seeing right. "These are real wings. Were they surgically placed on?" Carlisle asked. I shook my head. "No, we were each genetically jacked up when we were born or in our younger years and they placed avian DNA in our bodies." I explained as I folded my wings back in. My shirt was completely ruined. "Each of you have wings?" Carlisle questioned to the Flock. Nudge nodded, making her head look like it was vibrating more than moving. Iggy just rolled his blind eyes. "And I suppose that were not born blind," Carlisle asked gently to Iggy. He instantly tensed. "The scientists who created us tried a night vision experiment on Iggy and it went wrong." I said. Carlisle seemed instantly saddened by this news.

"How does Max fit into all of this?" Rosalie asked. I frowned at her. "Max was the first successful avian hybrid and the daughter of one of the scientists, Jeb Batchelder. She's now prophesized to save the world and has a Voice transmitted into her mind by an unknown character that advises her and consults her on her actions." Nudge explained rather than me. I glanced at her, curious. "I was talking to the computers again," She said, almost shamefully. I smirked and shook my head in disbelief. I turned back to the Cullens. "Jeb saved us from a lab called the School. When he disappeared Max took over and kept us from dying." I added to the Cullens. "We've been on the run for about six years but we came to Dr. Martinez, Max's biological mom, to stay safe because she kind of…um, threatened us." I said. Everyone's eyes turned to Dr. Martinez, who sat in the corner of the room with Ella.

"You…threatened them?" Emmett laughed. I smirked as well as the doctor shrugged. "I merely wanted my daughter safe and at home," She said quietly. "She threatened to kill herself if Max didn't come home and Max saw it as a chance to stay safe and to have a family." I explained to the room, keeping my arms crossed as I leaned against the wall. "Where is she now?" Carlisle asked. "Well, apparently Cadence, North Dakota." Nudge muttered as she pressed her hand against the front of my laptop. Her eyes were coated over with a thin film as she allegedly "talked" to the computer. "Nudge has an ability to communicate with electronics and that's how we get our information." I informed the Cullens as they watched her in confusion. "Jeb called her and requested she find the labs there and destroy them." Nudge informed us. "There are more labs?" Carlisle questioned. "Hundreds," I answered gravely.

Carlisle frowned sadly. "What's so special about the labs in Cadence?" I asked Nudge. "The genetics unit is there," Nudge said in shock. I frowned. What exactly was that supposed to mean? "The department that activate our codes," Nudge said, looking over at me with clear eyes. She smiled sheepishly. "She's going to get rid of any possibility of the codes being activated!" Nudge squealed. I think even I showed a bit of shock. "What do the codes do?" Emmett asked. "The codes are the barcodes that develop on the back of our necks. They indicate we'll be 'retired' soon." I explained. "And not by anyone but instead by a poison that springs into our systems so that it will be readily willing to kill us in case none of the live experiments get to us." I said and turned to the Cullens. "They're a backup plan to kill us." I explained. "Because no one's been able to kill us properly," I said and smirked proudly.

It was then that I felt something. I felt something twinge…inside me. I felt a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, an uncomfortable feeling. "Max is dead," I said to the Flock.

MAX POV:

Was this really happening? Did I really just get…shot in the head?