So a bit longer chapter this time. It definitely gets you headed in the right direction. Shout outs to: silent-ninja-twins, ArmyOfWings, jessakeepsitGoNE and dillydip248!

Chapter 4 Don't Look Back

"Max!" I turned and stared in surprise as Fang came running through the trees with Maya and the rest of his Flock flanking him. Before he reached us Star appeared directly in front of me causing me to take a step back and Dylan to tense next to me. After a few moments the rest of her Flock joined us.

"Max oh my God what the hell happened?" Okay, this was unlike Fang. Since when did he ever talk that much (okay so he had been chatty lately I'm not gonna lie) or sound so worried? Because the way he said my name was definitely worried. Maybe even, dare I say it, concerned?

I opened my mouth to reply but Dylan beat me to it. "She's bleeding from the back of her head and has this gash on her leg plus some other cuts. We need to get her patched up, fast." I turned to glare at Dylan but he refused to look at me so I turned my glare on Fang. "I'm fine."

Fang seemed to be having some silent macho man discussion with Dylan because they just looked at each other until it became a bit awkward for all of us there just standing around. Then Fang looked at me and said, "You need help."

I opened my mouth to give him some smart remark when he interrupted me by saying, "At least let Iggy look you over. Iggy?" Fang's head turned to Iggy on this last part, an open invitation to accept, and wouldn't you know it, the pyro agreed.

Glaring at Iggy would have been pointless, man my head was really starting to hurt, so I glared at Fang and then Dylan remembering he'd started this whole conversation. But Dylan merely looked at me with those sad, concerned eyes of his. Stupid Models R Us puppy dog face….

"Maybe we should get away from these flames," Ratchet suggested, nodding towards the crumpled remains. "That is unless you guys wanna be chicken tenders." Star smacked him on the shoulder but I saw a smile play at her lips as Ratchet shrugged and headed back through the trees with Holden trotting after him to keep up. Star and Kate cast worried glances back at the flames but otherwise didn't comment and followed after the boys leaving Fang and my clone still standing there, staring at the flames.

I felt a hand on my shoulder but could tell immediately it wasn't Dylan's. I turned and saw Fang's face close to mine. "Come on, Max. There's nothing more you can do here." Fang squeezed my shoulder comfortingly then stepped back and lifted his wings. Behind him Maya watched me.

I nodded at Fang and turned to face the fire once more. I said, "This place was once a home." I licked my lips. "But it was never my home."

And with that I took Nudge and Gazzy's hands before leading them after Fang and Maya who continued to glance back at us. Dylan followed behind me helping guide Iggy though he didn't really need the help. Both of them continued to look back. I was the only one who didn't.

About five minutes later we stumbled out of the woods. My Flock was dirty, exhausted and sad. Fang's? His was clean, rested and remorseful. We looked like the X factor Flock compared to them.

"Ratchet, see if you can hear the nearest fast food restaurant. Holden, fetch my pack and give it to Iggy, it has the medical kit. Kate you keep a look out for anyone suspicious, Doctor M's house wasn't rigged for fun. Star, be ready to go with Maya to get some food when Ratchet tells you were it is. That was a long plane ride and we need to get our energy up." Fang glanced at the Flock, my, Flock. "We need as much as we can get."

"I think there's a McDonald's 20 miles Northwest." Ratchet said, pointing in said direction. Star and Maya nodded before taking off. Star almost disappeared as her form blurred with her speed while Maya took a running start and leapt into the sky, beating her wings and going higher and higher before disappearing among the clouds.

Holden appeared again with Fang's pack in tow. He handed it to Iggy with a confused expression. "But I thought you were blind?" Iggy looked up at him and his blue eyes locked on Holden's green. "I'm pretty good at being blind."

Holden's face turned cherry red and he looked away in embarrassment. The Flock chuckled softly before the moment was gone and realization set in once more.

"Okay Max come here." I glanced at Iggy who had knelt down beside me and saw that he had Fang's text book sized med. kit sitting beside him on the ground. I looked over his shoulders and saw Nudge and Gazzy sitting quietly together with their heads bowed. I made up my mind.

"Check them first."

"What?" Iggy said, already reaching towards me with one of the cotton wipes. I grabbed his wrist and gently pushed him away towards them. "Check Gazzy and Nudge, then Dylan and yourself. I'll get checked out last."

"But you're the one who got hurt!" Dylan protested, coming up behind me from my spot on the ground.

I looked up at him and saw that already the small cuts on his arms were healing. In his fingers was an inch long splinter. Ouch.

"Max don't be a hero. You're still bleeding." Fang pointed out, nodding at my own head. I winced, as if I needed the reminder that my head was killing me. It was almost as bad as the brain attacks I used to get when the Voice first showed up. I really hoped I wasn't going to deal with those again.

"I'm not being a hero," I said sharply, my eyes narrowed. Iggy, Fang and Dylan just looked at me. I sighed and patted Iggy's knee. "Please?" Iggy frowned but nodded and picked up the kit before making his way over to the younger kids and setting it down once more. Dylan crossed his own legs and sank down beside me with a humph.

"Putting them first won't bring her back." Fang's words cut like a knife right through me and I forced down the tears which had entered my eyes. I would not cry.

Dylan rubbed my back comfortingly and I realized all I wanted to do was lay my head against his shoulder and let the world melt away from me. The old Max would have done that. But not me….

Dylan's eyes widened as I stood up. My teeth clenched when I nearly lost my balance but I remained up right and turned to face Fang who's face was expressionless as ever. "We need to talk."

The next conversation is very important. A lot of you will probably hate me for it but it's the way the story needs to flow for a while. But don't worry, the end will be how it needs to be.

Please review…..