Ok, so we're back to Max for all of you who just can't keep track. Sorry my updates are taking so long at the moment but I've been busy with my job and moving house and all and I'm having a bit of writer's block. I know what's going to happen I just can't seem to get it down on the page. For anyone who cares I finished the Harry Potter book on Sunday (after buying it at midnight on Friday) and it was brilliant! Anyone who wants to talk about it is welcome to PM me because none of my friends or family have and it's driving me nuts! Thank you ruby1792 you have been my Harry Potter outlet it's really nice to have someone to talk to about it. Enjoy the next chapter it's filler because Fang's chapter will be really important if I can set it up right.

Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride. James Patterson does. However I do own my OC character, who will either be called Alex or Lily I haven't decided yet.

I'm going to start by asking you, how you find a guy who doesn't want to be found, who hasn't been seen for 4 years 2 months and 3 days, and who could be absolutely anywhere in the world. Well, you all say, I would call in the team from that show Cold Case. Eh, no, we also can't get the police involved. Let me elaborate on my question. How do you find your winged 'brother' who doesn't want to be found, could possibly be dead, or in the School, who you haven't seen or heard word of for exactly 4 years, 2 months and 3 days since the day he left you with little to no explanation in a forest in Colorado and who could be absolutely anywhere in the world?

The answer we all came up with, but, just didn't have it in us to say out loud, was . . . you can't. It can't be done. Fang is gone. Dead to us in all but one sense. Unless, someday, he tries to contact us, we will never see him again. And seeing as I don't have that long, well I figure, I'll never see him again.

I was sitting in the sitting room with my family when I realised this. I'd never felt so alone. There was a pain in my chest that felt like someone had punched me in the same place over and over. I was starting to find it difficult to breathe. Gazzy had gone really quiet since he'd silently come to the same realization as me. His 12 year old face was screwed up in discomfort and he looked as if he was trying not to cry. 14 year old Nudge was hugging her legs to her chest and rocking back and forth on the floor. She wasn't talking, which was an obvious sign she was upset. Iggy, almost 18, was in his own little world, probably imagining what Fang was doing now. He used to tell stories to the younger ones before they would go to bed at night, until one night I had overheard him telling a story about an imaginary Fang and what he was doing now. After that I had asked him to stop. We had argued over it for a long time until finally we had compromised, Iggy wasn't allowed to tell stories about Fang anymore. They were all too old for stories now anyway but I could still remember feeling left out. There was no Fang for me to talk to while Iggy told stories. So I usually just went for walks, or flights. Though, I always stayed close enough to protect the flock. Old habits die hard I suppose.

Angel was next to me on the sofa leaning against my side; I put my arm over her shoulder and drew her in close for a hug.

"Max?" she thought to my head.

"Yeah sweetie?"

"Do you want to go for a walk?"

I thought about it for a second. A quick glance at the flock told me I couldn't comfort them, they were comforting themselves already as they had learned to do over the last few years, I hadn't been much of a role model at the time and they had had to learn to cope without me, for which I would always be sorry. A walk would also do me good. But I was worried about how it might affect Angel. I was labouring her with way too many of my sad thoughts.

"I don't mind Max," she assured me in my head, "I love you."

"I love you too Angel." and I hugged her harder.

"You need a walk," she said and stood up.

"We're just going for a walk downtown" I told the others, "We won't be long."

They nodded and I followed Angel out the front door.

Right I know its short but bear with me. It's about to get good. I hope. I have a plan. I swear. As I've said before I have an aversion to begging for reviews but I would also like it to be known that that doesn't mean I don't love getting them. I'm still always really amazed when people say they enjoy my story because I always thought I was a really bad writer, so it's nice to get good feedback. I'd like you guys to tell me when I make mistakes, so I can fix them though. Did anyone spot my mistake in chapter 8? It must have been pretty confusing for those who did! For which I apologise I was rereading it today and I had to double take! Even I got confused! Thanks again and I'll see you soon. Cat