Notice: As always, I do not own Max Ride or the series content.

It seemed to take years for the flock to reach the cave. That whole time I sat there, never leaving his side. I whispered to him, telling him what the girls and I (and Total) had done since they left. Told him I knew everything would be okay. But most of all, I told him how much I loved him, and how he wasn't allowed to leave me as I would never leave him.

I looked up only when Iggy came rushing across the entrance, the first to make it to the cave.

"Max?!" he cried, coming to a stop over me and Fang's limp body. "What happened?!"

"Max?" Angel's timid voice echoed. She tapped me on the shoulder and I realized I hadn't answered.

"I-I…don't know. He just…got angry…and then…that was it. He fell. His voice gave out, and he fell. He…also hit his head a bit during the fall." My voice was shaky, and I took hold of Fang's hand. His chest rose up and fell down, in only slightly shaky breaths.

Angel kneeled beside us, as did Nudge and Gazzy and Total when they made it to the cave. Iggy stood over us, his mouth a hard line.

"Max….I think he'll be okay. His thoughts are relatively clear, and he can hear most of what we're saying." Angel reported, her eyes watery,

He needs a doctor, Max. Now.

Angel's voice echoed in my mind, and my panic rose to a new height.

"Well, off we go." Iggy announced, and everyone nodded. Obviously Angel had sent them the same thought, so that Fang wouldn't hear it and get all panicky about going to the hospital.

I tried to help Iggy carry Fang, but Gazzy said no, that I had been through enough for now. He and Iggy hoisted Fang up, and edged towards the cave opening. All of us spread out our wings to their full extent, brushing each other's wings slightly in the smallish space available.

The cold night air brushed across our faces and stung our eyes as we headed out into the black sky, away from our home, away from our safety. This time we weren't running away for our lives. We were running to save Fang.

A/N: Yes, short chapter, but, look! Another one just behind it!