Chapter 10

As expected, there was an uneasy silence in the mention of the School. I mean, our childhood was pretty much filled with scarring memories of horrible experiment because of them. NBD, as Nudge would put it.

"They took Angel back to the School?" the Gasman asked.

"I think so," Max answered trying to keep her cool, even though I was the only who could tell that she was having panic attacks inside. That's Max for ya.

"Why?" Nudge said softly. "After four years, I thought maybe they had forgotten-"

"They want us back," I said curtly. We only wished that they forgot about us. But I don't think it'll be easy to forget about the six most successful avian hybrids ever who escaped four years ago. Again, I thought, NBD.

Gosh, now that I think about it, the story of our whole lives could be sarcastically ended with NBD. Which is really pathetic, I know.

Oh, yeah, Iggy's blind 'cause they operated on his eyes. NBD.
Max, Iggy, and I have been experimented on 'til we were ten. NBD.
We have freaking wings. Wait for it and-NBD.

It's like our lives were meant to be a sick and twisted joke.

And let me tell you, it's no walk in the park.

"They'll never forget about us," Max interrupted my thoughts. "Jeb wasn't supposed to take us out of there." I could feel the darkness in Max's voice.

"Jeb knew they would do anything to get us back. If anyone ever discovered what they did to us, it would be the end of the School," I explained. Hm, that's the longest speech I've said in a while. Good job, Fang, I mentally congratulated myself.

Suddenly, I remembered the files that used to be on Jeb's desk. I knew for a fact there was a map in there, and secretly, I read through all those files when everyone else was asleep during the first week Jeb was gone. I figured there was something in there to help me find out where he went. Something in my gut told me he was still out there. Not dead like what everyone thought. Don't get me wrong, I trusted Jeb, but there must have been something that happened. Also, it was a precaution in case we needed the information for future use.

But that had been two years ago. When I finally found the files, they were all yellow and faded. The edges looked nibbled and there was some mouse poop on it. Nudge will get a kick out of this.

I returned to the room while the others were planning and they all turned to face me as I walked towards Max. Sure enough, Nudge reacted to the mouse poop.

"Here," I said, back to one-word sentences pushing the papers at Max. She walked over to the kitchen and spread them on the table.

After sifting through the pile for a moment, I finally found what I was looking for. It was a large manila envelope, sealed in wax. Max motioned me to open the envelope and I popped it open with my thumbnail. Gazzy, Nudge, and Iggy gathered around me to see what was going on.

"What is that?" the Gasman asked.

"Map," I replied. I pulled out a faded topographical drawing. I knew what was in it, but I never had the chance to study it since no one really knew that I had read over everything. The wax sealed it shut so everyone would be suspicious if it already had been opened. Sure enough it was what we needed, it was the one and only...unfortunately.

"Map of what?" Nudge asked, leaning closer. I could feel Nudge's breath on my neck.

"Map of a secret facility," Max said stiffly. "In California. The School."

Though I've heard the name a thousand times, it still gave me chills.

And the thought of coming back to it, gave me a thousand more.

A/N: HA! I UPDATED TWICE IN ONE DAY. I'M SO PROUD OF MYSELF. SNIFF SNIFF. So listen up guys, I've been thinking of doing another story. I have some few ideas up my sleeve but I was wondering if there's a particular storyline you want me to take a crack at. If I like it, I may just do it. :DD So yeah, PM, review, do SOMETHING. But I am NOT doing any Mylan or Miggy stories. Because I'm a trueblue Fax fan. Sorry. :)

Iggy: For once, I agree. I mean, Max and I? Talk about ew.

Max: HEY! What's wrong with being with me!

Iggy: NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! IT'S JUST THAT...UM...WELL, THERE'S...ELLA.

Max: ARE YOU SAYING ELLA IS EASY? *shoots lasers from eyes*

Iggy: NO, NO. SHE'S HARD. I MEAN-SHE'S SOFT. WAIT WHAT? I'M SO CONFUSED. *mumbles* She's probably on her period or something.. *mumbles*

Max: WHAT DID YOU SAY?

Iggy: Uh, I said there was a MYRIAD of birds...OVER THERE! YEAH, THAT'S IT. BYE! *backs away slowly then runs*

Max: Sigh, boys.