Chapter 7
Max's POV
"Ari?" I ask him, after bringing him upstairs. I didn't want to deal with Dr. M and the flock's questioning. "Ari, buddy, how bad are you hurt?" I ask him. This kid meant the world the world to me.
"Nothing, really just a few bruises. I think he was being careful with me. You, know not to tick you off too bad." He answered grinning. I smiled back at him.
"Here bud" I said tossing him some clothes. "Go get changed. I have to clean up." I said, walking over to my bed. Reaching underneath it, I got out my first aid kit. All the tools and everything. This thing has saved my life more times than anybody can count.
I walk into the bathroom and start the water. I strip off my clothes and walk into the shower. The water runs pink then clear again. Scrubbing and cleaning my wounds, I wash my hair. Satisfied I was clean, I step out and dry myself. I'm careful enough not open any wounds.
I open the first aid kit and start on my knife wounds. Ouch. That stings.
After bandaging myself up and changing in to PJ's I walk out to see Ari sitting on my bed. I smile, seeing he stayed and waited for me.
"Ready for bed buddy?" I ask him. This boy doesn't need no explanation or reassuring. He knows who Dylan is and everything. He's a tough boy.
"Ya, ok Maxi" he replies, I smile at my nickname. "Can we really stay at home for a little bit? Like how long?" he asks sleepily, but I know he won't rest until he has answers.
"Of course I meant it buddy. Have I ever broken a promise to you?" I ask. Ari shakes his head at me. "Exactly and maybe a week? How does that sound?" I ask him. Ari breaks out into a huge grin.
"YA!" he says, excited. "Good, we will get ready and pack tomorrow, okay?" I ask him. He nods then starts to fall asleep. I smile and tuck him in and kiss him goodnight. When Ari is asleep I slip outside onto the balcony and slip into my tree with a pillow and blanket.
After making a little sleeping camp on my branch, I realize that I'm simply not tired. After today's events I don't think I could sleep if somebody drugged me. I decide to just think over what happened. With this I realize that Ari could have died today. All because of me. Don't get me wrong, I have dealt with worse situations but it makes my stomach twist every time.
I scolded myself to do better. I need to, I'm all this kid has left of family. It's my job to protect him, and I failed again.
Again. That word suddenly brings back memories that should remain hidden.
Flashback
Mr. Chu smiled wickedly. "Well Maximum, if you refuse to do my bidding then perhaps a certain little brother would change your mind." He says. Ari was suddenly dragged into the room, and he looked pale. He was shaking and little red bumps showed me he had been shocked. He was bruised and bloodied. Worse thing was he was crying.
Ari doesn't cry.
That snapped for me. I couldn't take it and nobody. I mean NOBODY touches my Ari. I could feel the adrenaline and anger rushing into me. I was invincible. That day I earned my name: The Invincible Maximum Ride.
With a roar I tackled Ari's guard, catching him off by surprised. That's all I remember, bodies moving, gun shots, screams, blood, punching and screaming and CRYING.
All of a sudden Ari was in my arms with Mr. Chu's entire force down. By one girl. The Invincible Maximum Ride, the girl who took out one of the FBI's main targets single handily.
I called in back up. Mr. Chu was in a coma. Ari was nursed back to help and was better than ever, physically if not emotionally. That day on NOBODY messed with Ari. I had made myself a name to be feared.
The Invincible Maximum Ride.
End of Flashback
From that day on I swore to protect Ari. And nobody touched him. Till now.
How could I have messed up?! I should have had more help protecting Ari. I felt bad for Ari's foster family. They went through hell with Dylan. I saw Ari's foster mom, Lee, covered in bruises. I asked about them and she gave me a snort and said that I had been through 100x worse and still managed to come out on top. I laughed, knowing it was true.
But still, I could have installed more security. Or I don't know, actually finished up with Dylan. I thought the FBI had him. Turns out he escaped and got Ari too.
I sighed.
I was so stupid and Ari almost paid the price for it. Well screw that. It's not happening pal. I will move heaven and Earth to keep this boy safe. Hell, I practically have.
At least at Lake Mead I can protect him and I know it's safe there.
After that I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
Running without a master plan. Just off adrenaline and pretending I know what to do. And it's getting pretty hard to keep looking like I do. I have no plan and I know Dr. M and the flock are going to want answers that I don't want to give.
Sigh.
I'm not going to say anything. I made my famous snap decisions. I can't have them getting hurt because of me. And knowing anything dangerous about me practically just labels them as NEXT VICTIM
Ugh. Why can't things be easy?
I lowered myself into my branch and quietly closed my eyes. I slowly drifted off to sleep, unaware of Fang's and the flocks different ideas for how tomorrow morning would go.
Oh the joy.
-LINE BREAKS ARE BETTER THAN UNICORNS-
I woke up at dawn as usual. I opened my eyes and started to fold up my blankets. I was walking onto the patio about to go through the doors when Ari called out "Maxi!"
I instantly was there to be faced with a surprised Fang and a scared Ari. He remembered my warning. Pride flooded through my body. Good kid. I glared at Fang.
"Something wrong? I was just coming in to check up on you and your wounds." Fang asked, mildly curious. I wasn't buying it. I wasn't going to let anybody near Ari anytime soon.
"At dawn? And I don't need you to catch up on me. I can take care of myself and I have been for the past 10 years. Thank you very much. And stay away from Ari." I growled, warning him. Fang didn't seem to understand that.
"Hey! I won't hurt him and besides I want to make sure he doesn't have any weapons." He defended. And before I could register what was happening, Fang had placed a hand around Ari's upper arm.
Bad move, bucko.
Instinct kicked in and I darted between Fang and Ari, cutting off his grip. I them shoved him into the wall and threw him on the floor. By then the whole house was awake and in my room, but I didn't care.
Nobody touches Ari. NOBODY.
"Don't you dare touch him" I growled, giving him my full on death glare. He glared back. Ari suddenly was by my side, taking my hand. He knew how to calm me down. I took a deep breath and bent down to him. Glancing in the flock's direction, I didn't want them to exactly understand what I was saying…
"Ey, ty v poryadke buton?" I asked him in Russian. (Translation: Hey, you ok bud?) Ari nodded in response and I smiled at him. Good, if Fang hurt Ari I was going to murder him.
"Out. Now" I said, growling and glaring. Fang stood but made no move to leave. Nobody did. I wasn't in the mood for this, especially after Fang touched Ari.
"Excuse me? I think you got some answers to share" Fang demanded. I almost laughed. He thinks I'm going to answer his questions? Pffffft, why is that?
"Not happening." I replied walking over to my bag and started packing it. At first Ari looked at me confused but then his face lite up and he ran to get his bag. Lee gave it to me last night. It had most of his clothes and stuff.
"Um, Max?" Iggy asked, uncertainly. I continued to pack. "Yes?" I responded not looking up.
"What are you doing?" he asked, still with the same tone. I shrugged zippering up my bag. I changed last night because I couldn't sleep so ya. I was already dressed. Ari can bounding in all dressed with his bag
"Some place with Ari for a week. I'll be fine and no I'm not telling you where I'm going. That's my secret and Ari's only. Good luck finding it. And don't even try following me." I warned and grabbed my stuff.
Fang glared. "You have a lot of secrets." Fang said dryly. I shrugged. It was true.
"Wait can we come?" Iggy asked, sounding excited. I frowned. What part of I don't like sharing secrets don't they get?
"Um, seriously? What part of I don't like sharing my past, don't you understand?" I ask them. This was weird. Fang seemed to get angry at this. Oh boo-hoo.
"Max we are a family and-"he started by I cut him off right there. No way is he going there. Not into the family part of this. His mother killed our parents.
"Don't even go there." I said my tone had icy steel in it woven with venom. Everybody, including Fang looked taken aback. "Don't even start on family to me. I have lived on my own for the past 10 years with the only family being my little brother. Meet Ari, guys. I have fought and secured everything and have worked hard for it. This boy right here is all the family I got." I said, anger creeping into my voice. "And no thanks to your mother, but my parents are gone as well. Not to mention myself to. What would Ari do then? So, don't you dare say I have a family. Because I don't want one." I finished icily.
Everybody looked surprised. I looked at Ari who was looking at my timidly. He was afraid I would lash out, I smiled at him softly and his face lit up.
"Hey there buddy. I think we have had enough of this for today. We don't we had on off right now?" I ask him his face lighting up. "Bike or car?" I ask him, already knowing the answer. Of course Fang butts in right there. Idiot.
"Who says you can take our cars?" he asked smugly. He thought he had me. Wow if it brings this dude so much satisfaction just to see me lose once he need a life.
I smiled sweetly. "Nobody. I just assumed we would take my car. But do I need permission from you too now? I didn't know you were my father, considering your mother killed mine." I made my tone icy at the end. He flinched.
"Wait you have car?" Iggy asked. I nodded my head and turned to Ari. He smiled and asked "Can we take your bike?!" he asks eagerly.
"Sure bud, but one thing" I said. His smile dropped. I smiled, reassuring him and said "But you need to help me repair it after last night." His smiled beamed back at me. Ari loved working on my bike more than riding it.
"Yes! Awesome! Thanks Maxi!" he said smiling. Fang snickered. I looked at him. "Maxi?" he asked smirking. And snickered again.
Uh oh.
Ari is very defensive of my nickname. Since he is the only one allowed to call me that, he gets upsets when somebody makes fun of it. And my little bro doesn't get angry often but when he does, run.
Ari glared at Fang and asked "What got a problem with it? And don't you dare call her that. I am the only one and that's because I'm special. And I swear if you call her that or make fun of it, the next morning you won't find any toes on your feet." Ari threatened. Fang looked mildly worried, while I smirked. Ari was capable of his threat and would do it.
"Ok then" Fang said.
"Let's go work little bud." I said and pushed him gently forward.
"Oh no you don't, I want answers Max and I'm going to get them. Right here and now." He demanded.
And then he did the worst thing possible.
He took Ari and held him off the ground one arm around his shoulders and the other around his torso.
I SAW RED.
FANG WALKER IS DEAD MEAT. LITERALLY.
Ohhh cliffy!
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