Chapter 9-Max's POV again

Okay so, I'm usually not one to jump to conclusions-oh, wait I guess I am-never mind…Disregard that first remark…Anyway, I ran into Mom's place after Ella, and burst through the doors screaming Mom's name like the bratty little teenager I never got the chance to become. Wow, that felt weird…yelling at my warm, caring mom. Who was I? Then I realized something:

Where was The Voice all this time!?

My first reaction was to be mad at Mom I wasn't mad I was torn disheartened darkened frayed. I put strength in my tone of voice.

"M-Mom? You here?"

She ran downstairs.

"Max! What a pleasant surprise! Not that I'm not happy to see you and all, honey but…why are here?" Her warm smile turned into a concerned, mom-like frown.

"Mom, answer me honestly, okay." I took a deep breathe, and closed my eyes. "What do you know about chemical A?"

"What did Jeb tell you, Max?" now Mom looked almost afraid.

I explained our story in the same detail that I explained it to you.

"Max, honey…" Mom started. "Jeb didn't tell you everything. Chemical A is highly experimental…we created it under the Director's orders. You see, even before you were born we were creating hybrids. They weren't as intense as you and the flock are, but they were hybrid none the less. As I said, they were experimental…unstable. Some scientists were even killed. We created chemical A to make them human again, but some, well…couldn't handle it…the crossing made them…crazy. They felt death was a relief from there pain."

A tear graced Mom's eye.

"You see, we didn't have the technology we do now then and we didn't realize the brutal pain that the transformations caused to the experiments…we didn't know any better…you six were transformed when you were infants, you can't remember the pain…we used to transform adults and teenagers, thinking they'd be stronger…"

Mom took a deep breath.

"So we'd use Chemical A to heal them, but the Director didn't like it…she wanted them to die so we could use their DNA for future experiments…the Director was-is evil."

No shock there.

"Now we've reconstructed Chemical A to completely heal the experiment's bodies and minds. Anyone of you who uses it would be completely human again…and there is no antidote. It would give you all normal lives, finally." Mom finished and looked up at me.

"And you could live with Ella and I if you'd like…we could be a family." Okay that one hurt. Did she think I didn't want her? Of course I did! I loved her more than any daughter could ever love her mother, ever!

"M-Mom, I…" I paused for a second, breathed and continued. "I want to be a family. I want that more than anything. I love you and Ella more than anything…but it's really not that easy. You see, being human…all human…it just seems alien to me…not being able to save everyone…I'd feel like it was my fault every time anyone got hurt…I just wouldn't be able to bare it! Someone has to protect the people in this great big world, if not us-then who? This world-this world needs heroes…it needs extraordinary, mutant, bird-freaks like us! You said each experiment had a purpose…and I really think this is mine."

You're right Max, said the Voice. Saving the world: that is your purpose.

***

Fang appeared out of no-where as my mom and I finished hugging and she walked upstairs. He surprised me.

"Whoa! Ease-dropper, much?"

He smiled.

"Sometimes fading into backgrounds has its perks." Then suddenly, out of no where…the gap between our lips faded…

We kissed.