Fang tapped Iggy's hand, letting him know it was time to get up. Fang himself had been up all night, convincing the others to get some rest. It was his fault they were there and it wasn't like he would be able to sleep himself anyhow. He spent the night reading, and re-reading Jeb's file Ig had jacked from the basement office back at Dr M's. Everytime he read it he got more filled with emotion...anger at Jeb for lying to them again...rage at how easily Jeb could betray his own daughter...guilt for allowing himself be taken in and believing Jeb's lies. He had played right into his hand. Jeb knew he could never get Max back to the lab with him around. He wouldn't let it happen. And it's not going to happen now if I can help it Fang thought, clenching his fists. He had to get to her...and hope she would forgive him. If she did, he swore to himself he would never leave her side again.
"Yo, up." he said as he tapped the blind kids hand then went to awaken the rest of the flock.
"I'll fix some grub." Iggy mumbled, feeling around for his pack.
"No time Ig. Here, catch. Nine o'clock." Fang said as he tossed Ig a couple of cereal bars. He gave two bars to each flock member and a bottle of soda.
"This is it? But I'm-" Nudge started to complain but Fang cut her off quickly with a look that said"shut it". And shel did, cramming the first bar into her mouth. Then Fang turned and disappeared into the line of trees.
"Guess Fang is taking over now then , huh ?" Gazzy voiced, looking at Iggy for a response.
"Looks like. That if, if he can stay around long enough." Ig retorted. He held Fang responsible for Max's condition. For the flocks state. Noone had been the same since the day Fang had left. Iggy would never forgive him for that.
"He will." a small, quiet voice said from behind Nudge. Angel. The youngest and sweetest and most devious of them all. They all turned to look at her.
"How do you know that Ang?" Gasman asked his sister.
"Because I seen it. In both his mind. Fang is sad. He is hurting right now too. Real bad. He missed us...missed her." Angel got real quiet for a moment then continued"He loves her."
"I thought he loved us all. He said he left to protect us, remember? " Nudge added.
"At least that is what he said." Ig retorted snidely.
"He thought he was doing what was right. Jeb told him she would die if he didn't. That all of us were in danger because Itex was still out there...and they wanted him. He did it to keep all of us safe." Angel said getting angry now. She always did have a soft spot for Fang.
"We all fell for Jeb's act. Not just him." Gazzy said in defense.
"But 'we' didn't leave her. He did. He feels terrible. He blames himslef for all this. But there's something else...something different...dark inside him. Something I can't completely get a hold of" Angel's voice lowered " like a part of him is shut down or missing." They were all quiet for a moment then it was Nudge that spoke.
"She's missing. She's a part of him. He doesn't just love her like the rest of us. He's in love with her. Max is just as much a part of FAng as Fang is a part of her."
Just then Fang reappeared from the trees carrying 5 more bottles of soda. He tossed one to each member of the flock and without noticing the looks on their faces as they stared at him after their realization and spread his wings.
"Up" was the only word he said. They had flown for two hours with an hour still to go when they landed , thanks to Nudge's whining for food, and ?Angel's request to use the bathroom. Fang went into the store and bought 3 regridgerated sandwiches...but he had jacked 8 more along with 5 bottles of gatorade. They quickly scarfed the food and drink behind the store before Fang released his wings and pointed upward.
"Fang wait" Iggy said when Gazzy told him time to go. Fang retracted his wings a little and looked at Iggy.
"Later Ig. We gotta get going. We gotta get back to Dr. M.'s" Fang said as he started to unfurl his wings once again, but Iggy persisted.
"No. Now Fang. We have a right to know what we are getting into. And what is going on with Jeb and his goons. What was in that file? There is something you aren't telling us. I can hear it in your voice. You've left her for this long, why the sudden tush to see her now?" Ig noticed the anger in Ig's voice and the stren look on his face and sighed.
"Yeah Ig, there's more. A lot more. " Jeb and his goons plan on trying again to build the perfect species...and they wanna use Max's DNA to do it. Which of course requires them to get Max's DNA seeing as we destroyed all they had when we destryoed the labs at ITEX." Fang said bluntly in a way only Fang can.
"Okay, so they wanna swab her cheeks. They wont need to hurt her then. That's good at least." Nudge said but Fang looked at her witha face that told her that's not all. "There's more to it isn't it?" she added.
"They don't just want her DNA NUdge" Angel said reading Fang's mind again. Alook of hooror on her angelic small face. Nudge and Gazzy read that look and they both looked back at Fang for further explanation.
"They want her ...her...eggs. They want to shoot her up with tons of hormaones to make her ovaries produce rapidly so they can harvest dozens of super eggs containing her DNA. "Fang said, Angel looking at Fang reading his rage filled face. His fists clenched with anger. She had never seen him this angry before. He couldn't even say the words. So she finished telling the flock for him, never once taking her eyes off his face for she could feel his pain at the thought of Max being used like that.
"And they are even condidering using Max as an incubator for their creations after splicing the Egg DNA with that of other animals." Fang clenched his jaws as she spit out the last sentence. "Their sole intent is to now use her for breeding purposes."
"Oh " was the only sound heard, from Gazzy as the rest of the flock looked at him horrorfied.
"I think I am gonna be sick" Nudge said after a minute or two.
"Never" FAng muttered through his clenched teeth as he apread his wings and took to the air. The flock took of after their new leader heading back to Dr. Nartinez'...praying they weren't already too late.
The flock landed at the house an hour of so later to find that they were too late-Max was gone. So was Dr. M. and Ella. They began to search the house and found a note addressed to Iggy in Ella' room. It looked like it had been written in a hurry. Fang read it silently then laid it on the desk, sitting on the bed.
"It's okay Fang" Angel said, taking his hand into her much smaller one."She's going to be fine...all she needs is you." Fang glanced up at Angel but kept quiet. Nudge picked up the letter and read it aloud for the rest of the flock.
"It says ' Dear Iggy, we have gone to search for Max. Jeb took her away. He is up to his old tricks. I don't why or what , but I am sure it isn't good. Please help as soon as you can. I hope Fang is with you. We will need all the help we can. I left a cell phone in the book safe Gazzy gave me. When you find it call. We will set up a meeting place. Love, Ella. 217-613-2942'" Iggy got the small flip phone from the safe intending to call but before he could flip the silver top up Fang had the phone in hand open and dialing the number.
I am sorry it has taken so long for me to continue with this story. There have been several medical problems with family members and then I lost twins to pre term birth so please try to understand.I do hope you like it. Read and REview plz!If you liked it, check out my other stories.