Maelynne's POV

The next morning, we explored and began to plan finding the Institute.

A week later, we had to flee, but after we left the city, Ari beat up Fang.

Before we fled, we all got makeovers. Iggy's strawberry blond hair had been spiked like Gazzy's but with black tips and got his ear pierced. I got a whole new look—my stylist cut half my hair off and then wove the rest into this braid-like style, called dragon knots, and went to town on the makeup, making me look even more like Aurora, which was kind of good and kind of bad. Now it was obvious we were related—before we looked nothing alike. Our differences in appearance had protected me and her. After which, I then picked out a whole new outfit—a cute, little purple blouse with a matching miniskirt. Of course, I knew Max wouldn't approve, so I also grabbed a pair of jean like leggings and a pair of black high heels

While Max was attending to Fang, I followed Ari and attacked him.

Then I think Ari slashed my torso—from my left shoulder to my right hip and I collapsed. I forced myself to crawl back to the others, leaving a trail of blood.

"Igs," I gasped in pain. "Help me."

The others ran over to me and we had no choice but to go to a hospital. We all hated it—but thankfully I was out of there the next day and we finally found the Institute. I also got my shirt replaced—for free. Now I had an even cuter blouse. It also was a little lacy and more girly, but I liked it.

We all gathered around our files—I had mine and Iggy's.

"Here you are, Iggy," I called, shaking his shoulder eagerly. "Here's an address too. And, oh, I'm sorry. Says your dad's dead. But your mom's cool."

I described her. Then he asked, "What about you?"

I glanced at my files and found quite a bit of information. I began to describe my family aloud to Iggy, so knew what they looked like.

"My parents—they're both alive, but they miss me—and Aurora," I said, excitedly.

Iggy nodded and said, "They're probably searching for you, Maes!"

I rolled my eyes and elbowed him playfully. "Yeah, right. They wouldn't put me in danger. If they tried to find me, Maleficent could and I really don't want to prick my finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel any time soon. They love me too much."

Then I continued describing my family. "Mom has blond hair, and soft blue-green eyes. Dad has black hair and blue eyes as well. They both have normal skin tone—like yours—it's kind of pink. He also tends to wear black and gold a lot. Mom wears a maroonish pink color a lot. But Aurora, she doesn't live with them. She's living as a peasant…"

I grimaced. "Oh, sure, she got the mythical nice family," I grumbled.

"What's Aurora look like?" Angel interrupted my rant against my twin.

"Aurora has hair of golden sunshine, eyes blue as the sky, and lips red as the rose," I said simply.

Iggy nodded and then I added, "Maybe I'll meet her—not just in dreams, but in reality."

The others nodded and then I added, "Let's find Iggy's mom before we search for my parents. I'm not ready to reunite with my family just yet."

The others nodded and Iggy said, "We'll tell my parents that we're engaged when we find them."

I wrapped my arms around him protectively.

Angel looked at me and Max asked, "Mae, do you feel up to singing?"

I nodded and said, "Sure, what song?"

They all looked at each other and Fang said, "Anthem."

"Which version," I replied, "the Kerry Ellis version, the reprise version, or the original Chess version?"

"Kerry Ellis version," Nudge and Angel chorused.

I nodded and began singing.

"No man, no madness, though their sad power may prevail, can possess, conquer my country's heart. They rise to fail. She is eternal. Long before nations' lines were drawn, when no flags flew, when no armies stood, my land was born, and you ask me why I love her through wars, death, and despair? She is the constant, we who don't care, and you wonder will I leave her, but how? I cross over borders, but I'm still there now. How can I leave her? Where would I start? Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart—my land's only borders lie around my heart."

Angel nodded and asked, "Could you sing another song, please?"

"Anyone else want to hear something else?"

Everyone nodded and I asked, "What song?"

"Journey to the Past—original version," Nudge suggested. This was met with cheers of agreement.

So I began singing once more.

"Heart don't fail me now. Courage don't dessert me. Don't turn back now that we're here. People always say life is full of choices. No one ever mentions—fear or how the world can seem so vast on a journey to the—past. Somewhere down this road, I know someone's waiting. Years of dreams just can't be wrong—arms will open wide, I'll be safe and wanted, finally home where I belong. Well, starting now, I'm learning fast on this journey to the past. Home, love, family—there was once a time I must have had them too… Home, love, family—I will never be complete until I find you… One step at a time, one hope than another—who knows where this road may go?—back to who I was, on to find my future—things my heart still needs to know. Yes! Let this be a sign, let this road be mine, let it lead me to my past and bring me home…AT LAST!"

The others grinned and I said, "Any other songs before I hit the bed?"

Nudge asked, "What are you most afraid of, Mae?"

"Losing the six of you," I replied immediately.

"I meant, what causes you nightmares, like we should know, because if we don't know, we can't help you or protect from your fear," she continued.

"Nudge, a, you're a kid, b, it's not important, and c, I can handle my fears on my own," I finished.

She nodded, but then I felt guilty. "OK, I'll tell you guys what I'm afraid of," I sighed.

Everyone moved closer. "I'm scared of spinning wheels," I admitted sheepishly.

Fang rolled his eyes, but Iggy said, "Hey, it's OK to be afraid of spinning wheels and you've got the best reason for your fear—it's completely logical."

I smiled and snuggled closer to him.

The others rolled their eyes and I glared at Fang. "Fang, listen up!" I snapped. "I was cursed when I was a baby to prick my finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die! So wouldn't it make sense for me to be afraid of spinning wheels?"

Fang flinched and nodded rapidly. "So, any other songs?" I repeated.

Iggy slipped his arm around me, pulling me closer to himself. "Alright, you lovebirds, cut it out," Max ordered.

I reluctantly pulled away from Iggy and he glared at Max. I giggled and then she suggested, "How about a group number?"

"What song?" I asked.

"Seasons of Love," she replied.

I nodded and we sang.

"Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights? In sunsets? In midnights? In cups of coffee? In inches? In miles? In laughter? In strife? In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes? How do you measure a year in the life? How about love? How about love? How about love? Measure in love. Seasons of love. Seasons of love. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. Five hundred twenty-five journeys to land. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure the life of a woman or a man? In truth has she learned. In times that he cried. The bridges he burned are the way that she died. It's time now to see that the story never ends. Let's celebrate and remember a year in the life of friends. How about love? Oh, you got to, you got to remember the love. How about love? You know love is a gift from up above. How about love? Measure in love. Measure, measure your life in love. Seasons of love. Seasons of love. Seasons of love."

The others grinned and I asked, "Any other songs we wanna hear?"

"Angel of Darkness," Iggy suggested and I nodded.

"Angel of darkness. Angel of darkness. The world is in your hand, but I will fight until the end. Angel of darkness. Angel of darkness. Don't follow your command, but I will fight and I will stand. When darkness falls, pain is all the angel of darkness will leave behind and I will fight. The love is lost. Beauty and light have vanished from the garden of delight. The dreams are gone. Midnight has come. The darkness is our new kingdom. Angel of darkness. Angel of darkness. The world is in your hand, but I will fight until the end. Angel of darkness. Angel of darkness. Don't follow your command, but I will fight and I will stand. Hunt goes on deep in the night. Time to pray down on your knees. You can't hide from the eternal light. Until my last breath, I will fight, I will fight… Now realize the stars—they die. Darkness has fallen in paradise, but we'll be strong and we will fight against the creatures of the night. Angel of darkness. Angel of darkness. The world is in your hand, but I will fight until the end. Angel of darkness. Angel of darkness. Don't follow your command, but I will fight and I will stand."

The others grinned and Angel asked, "Can we sing something from Newsies?"

"Sure, sweetie," I replied. "What song?"

She looked thoughtfully up at me and then said, "Seize the Day."

I nodded and then began singing.

"Open the gates and seize the day. Don't be afraid and don't delay. Nothing can break us. No one can make us give our rights away. Arise and seize the day. Now is the time to seize the day. Now is the time to seize the day. Send out the call and join the fray. Send out the call and join the fray. Wrongs will be righted if we're united. Let us seize the day. Friends of the friendless seize the day. Friends of the friendless seize the day. Raise up the torch and light the way. Raise up the torch and light the way. Proud and defiant, we'll slay the giant. Let us seize the day. Neighbor to neighbor. Father to son. All for one and one for all. Open the gates and seize the day. Open the gates and seize the day. Don't be afraid and don't delay. Don't be afraid and don't delay. Nothing can break us. No one can make us give our rights away. Neighbor to neighbor. Father to son. All for one and one for all."

The others grinned and we all fell into bed exhausted.