We made good time the next day, reaching Virginia around early evening. Fang hung back for a good portion of the way. I think he was trying to avoid me.

Now we were camped out in the bat cave near Anne's old house. Yes, I did say old. Apparently, had moved out since the last time we'd been to Virginia and a new family had moved in. Which was fine by me. Being in the area with that woman gave me goose bumps.

The cave was big and dark and it smelled like bat poop, but the vines covering the entrance would block wind, rain, and prying eyes. Plus, we weren't sure where else to camp and the cave seemed like a safe option. Iggy had built a fire in no time and we were all sitting round it, roasting hot dog and marshmallows. I managed to eat a whole package of hot dogs before I finally slowed down and began to enjoy the meal. After my tenth dog, I called it quits. Feeling happy and full, I curled up on the floor, using my tattered backpack for a pillow, while Iggy took first watch. I was asleep in no time.

I had third watch and the liberty of waking everyone up. After a few not-so-gentle kicks, I managed to get everyone up. Iggy was favoring his left side, were my toe had 'accidentally' connected with his flesh.

"Glad to see you're so happy." Iggy said with a wince. I pretended to ignore him.

"Alright everyone," I said after the Flock had gathered around the newly-lit campfire. "Our game plan is still the same, even though we have Fang back." I shot Fang a look - for what, I don't know.

The Gasman looked at me with big, trusting eyes. "So what is our game plan Max?"

I hesitated for a moment, scrolling through a list of possible answers in my head. Stay here. Search for anything unusual.

"Where going to stay right here." I said firmly. "See what we can find out about Itex." What's left of it anyway. By the way Voice, what ARE we looking for anyways?

I'm sure this will surprise you, but the Voice didn't answer back. "We need some food," I commented, noticing our small stash of jerky and energy bars. "Fang?" Fang looked at me with quiet Fang-like patience.

"Iggy, you're in charge until we get back. No blowing things up or leaving the cave, comprende?" Iggy nodded, trying to suppress a snicker. I rolled my eyes. "I'm rolling my eyes Iggy."

After I was fairly sure that they wouldn't blow anything up in my absence, I walked out the mouth of the cave and jumped outwards, unfurling my wings and feeling them fill with air. Fang followed silently, beating him wings fast so he could pull along side of me.

We landed behind a grocery store, pulling our wings in tightly and putting on our oversized, baggy windbreakers. I tried to look casual as I walked into the store, like Fly? Me? Nah. In truth, going into a busy Albertson's was driving me nuts. I felt like snapping out my wings and getting the heck out of there. But we needed food, so I didn't.

"I going to get some doughnuts," I whispered to Fang, "You can go find some high energy snacks. Nothing heavy."

I walked back to the bakery area, tense as a coiled spring. If anyone said anything to me, I was going to punch their lights out. I made it back to the doughnut case without victimizing any poor sucker who made the mistake of talking. I pulled one of those cute plastic napkiny things out of the little pink container and began to place donuts into a box. After grabbing enough 'nuts for all of us - which was like, three dozen - I walked down to the snacks isle. My hands were literally shaking the entire way.

I turned into the isle, boxes in hand, and there was Fang, standing right next to the Red Haired Wonder.

I pulled back before he could see me and stood, panting. Images of Fang kissing her, back when we were staying with Anne, immediately flooded my mind. I felt like screaming. My heart was pounding so hard that it sounded like a little, annoyingly loud drum drumming away in my chest. A few people who walked by, pushing their cute little shopping carts, paused to send some curious glances my way. I didn't blame them.

I took a deep breath and turned the corner. Fang was still standing there, his eyes transfixed on the girl, and he was freakin' smiling! I wanted to punch him. Maybe later.

Fang didn't notice me until I practically bowled him over. To busy watching her bat her eyelashes at him!

I felt acid boiling up in my stomach. My eyesight was tinged red. "Nick," I hissed, ignoring the Red Haired Wonder. "We need to go."

Fang turned to look at me. Anyone who didn't know him really well would think that Fang looked normal; cool, calm, collected. But I could plainly see the unbridled anger that flared up in his eyes.

"Are you Max?" The Red Haired Wonder asked, "Nick's sister?"

"Yes," I said through clenched teeth. She didn't seem to notice, 'cause she continued on.

"I'm Lissa." she said, sidling closer to Fang. "I was in Nick's class last year." She paused to frown. "Why did you leave so suddenly last year? You were there one day, before the fire drill, and then I never saw you again."

I realized that she was referring to the day we were attacked. The teachers must have told them that it was a "fire drill." Whatever that is. Fang was being annoying calm around her, like he had no problem being in her presence. I felt like I could snap any second.

"There was a rumor circulating that you . . ." here she paused and lowered her voice, "flew away from the school."

Fang flashed her a smile that ripped me in half. "Yeah, I did have wings that day. I could swear that my feet never touched the ground the whole time I was running." Lissa, the creep, looked unhappy with the explanation but she kept quite. I was glad, but still boiling mad, that Fang hadn't just gone, "Hey, want to see my wings?"

My cheeks were hot and my palms were sweating. Part of me wanted to grab Fang by the ear and drag him out of the store, kicking and screaming. But somehow, this plan didn't seem to line up with the whole 'lie low' thing. So I stayed quiet and seethed.

Fang didn't seem in any hurry to leave. Is he doing this just to annoy me? "Nick," I said calmly. "We need to go. Now." Fang frowned at me, and shook his head. What?! I turned and looked at Lissa.

"It was really great meeting you Lissa," I strained. "But Nick and I have to go now." Lissa frowned.

"Nick just said that he was free all day." She scuffed her foot on the floor. "I was hoping that he and I could, you know, go out tonight." Then she looked me in the face. I wanted to curl me lip back and growl at her like, um, an Eraser. "But if you guys have to go, don't let me stop you." A look of genuine disappointment flashed across her face.

Fang scooted closer to her. "Really, we don't have anything to do." He stared at me pointedly. "Tell Mom that I'll be home a little later. You can carry all of the groceries on your own, can't you Max?"

He was baiting me. I could:

jump up and down while screaming at him, drawing undesired attention.

tell him that I couldn't carry all of the stuff home (which I could), therefore admitting that I was jealous of him and Lissa

calmly tell him that that was fine and I'd see him later

All three options sucked. I finally, reluctantly, chose to go with the third option. "Ok," I said brightly. "I'll tell Mom that you'll be home by SEVEN." I punctuated that last word to prove my point. And when you get home, I'm going to chew you out. Fang frowned at me, but he didn't argue. Lissa was smiling like I'd just handed her a big lollipop.

I flew home in a fury. I could still see Fang's smile as he looked at Lissa. It was imprinted into my brain, a great big billboard on the highway of thought. A great big repeating billboard that lasted for miles. I skidded to a stop as I landed in our bat cave, almost colliding with Iggy, who was rummaging through our bags.

"Watch it!" he complained as a pink doughnut box knocked him on the head.

"Sorry," I growled, shoving the boxes into his hands. "Have some doughnuts." Iggy took the boxes calmly and walked over to the fire.

"S' 'bout time you got back!" Nudge squealed. "I'm starving!" She snatched a box from Iggy and opened it, pulling out three crème-filleds.

I sat on the ground with my portion, packing dough and frosting away. I hadn't noticed that I was so hungry. I finished licking my fingers and stood up. "I got to go out." I said. "Iggy, you're in charge until I get back."

"Where're you going Max?" Nudge asked, her mouth filled with crème.

I hesitated momentarily. "Just out." I said with finality. I didn't want to tell them the real reason for my leaving. I turned and ran out of the cave, jumping at the edge and unfurling my wings. I felt the familiar sensation of going airborne and soared upwards with a few hard strokes. I leveled out just below the cloud line, scanning the ground below for Fang and the Red Haired Wonder. I finally spotted them walking down a side street. Thanks to my raptor vision, I could see them quite clearly. They had gotten ice cream; Fang chocolate, Lissa vanilla. The two of them were heading in the direction of the movie theater, chatting like old friends and holding hands.

I felt my blood boil. Adrenaline rushed through my veins like white-hot lightning. I felt like hurling. I circled away and headed in the direction that seemed the most practical. The opposite of them. I flew into the woods where, all those months ago, Ari had chased me and the Flock as we made our getaway from Anne's house. Where Fang had beaten Ari up. Fang. I perched on a tree limb, letting my wings stay out as they cooled down. I felt all nauseated and confused - not a desirable combo. I sat down and gazed out at Anne's pond. A pair of young kids - one boy, one girl - were splashing around while their parents sat on the bank in their lawn chairs, smiling. I wish I was normal.

Max, both you and I know that a normal life would bore you to tears.

Oh yeah?! Well Voice, why don't you try being on the run for a few years. I'm tired of worrying!

I understand that you're upset Max. But you've done very well, considering the circumstances.

I don't care! The fact that I've 'done well' doesn't mean anything. I'm still a mutant freak! I have WINGS! I'll never fit in anywhere, never!

I was on the verge of tears now. I rapidly blinked, trying to hold back the flood. But Max, you do fit in. Maybe not in a normal way, but in a special way, a way that suits you best.

I was crying softly now. Drat. I turned and punched the tree trunk as hard as I could. New tears welled up in my eyes, pain tears, as I looked at my knuckles, red and raw and covered in splinters. My hand hurt like hell. Thankfully though, the pain had cut through the confusion and the pain of tangled thoughts was gone. For now anyway.