Chapter 14

Fang's P.O.V

Something about today didn't feel right, I couldn't explain it but I had a bad feeling about something. I made sure that I was on high alert today, I walked into the kitchen and was greeted by Max and the others. I took a seat at the table and looked around I still couldn't shake this feeling, no matter how much I blocked it out it just kept popping up again. I didn't know what was causing it or what was gonna happen, I shook my head trying rid myself of the feeling. Max put her hand on my shoulder, I looked into her worried brown eyes. "Fang are you alright?" she asked. I nodded and gave her a reassuring smile, she gave me a half smile meaning she was still worried. The two kids ahh what were their names again…oh yeah Angel and Gazzy, anyway they were putting on book bags and walking to the door. Before they could leave and go to school Zira told Max and I that we would be returning to school to, she said she'd have some cops go under cover and stay at the front of school so they could pick us up when it was over and make sure no suspicious people enter the school. Max and I didn't have our stuff with us but luckily we had our stuff in our lockers, so after we had a quick breakfast we hopped into Zira's car and she drove us to school.

Max had an uneasy look as the school came into view, she shook her head and put on a face that said 'mess with me and your screwed'. We climbed out of the car and walked towards school, we waved goodbye to detective Zira then walked into school. We walked down the halls and a few people stared at us like we were insane, Max and I walked to our lockers grabbed our stuff and walked to homeroom. When we got in the teacher immediately eyed Max like she'd ditched for half the school year, guess he didn't watch the new… I always thought that's what old people did all day.

"Max and Nick, where have the two of you been?" Mr. Barns asked enraged.

"I was in the hospital." She answered.

"With what?" he asked.

"I had a shoulder injury and had to stay in the hospital for a while to recover." She replied.

"How do I know you aren't lying?" he demanded.

Max had an annoyed look on her face, she bent her neck and moved the sleeve of her shirt over so that the scar on her shoulder was visible. When the teacher saw the scar he pointed to the desk we sat at, Max and I walked to our desk and sat down. I really didn't understand the point of homeroom, I mean you come in sit then leave like ten minutes later. Max and I walked to our next class then to the next, on our way to third period we had to stop by our lockers. I opened my locker and put my stuff in, while I was pulling out my other stuff I noticed Max's dazed expression.

"You okay?" I asked.

When I spoke she jumped in surprise, "what! Uh yeah I'm find, just got a lot on my mind."

"You wanna talk about it?" I wondered.

She shook her head then her locker closed, we both looked over and saw Dylan and three other guys. Dylan was a football jock and my mortal enemy, the reason why he gets that title is because he's the biggest dickhead in school. Max gave him a death glare but it didn't seem to effect him, I tried not to pay to much attention to him.

"So Maxy where've ya been?" he asked.

"None of your fucking business." Max answered with annoyance.

"Aww that's not very nice." he chuckled.

"Well neither are you." she pointed out.

"I'll ask again, where've ya been Maxy?" he asked in a stone voice.

"I told you it's none of your business, so back the hell off!" she shouted in his face.

"You little-" he grumbled.

"She said back the hell off." I said stepping in front of her.

"Aww isn't that sweet, emo boy's being brave and standing up for a girl." Dylan chuckled.

"Back the hell off." I growled.

"Why should I." he grumbled lifted his fist up.

He tried to punch me but I dodged it and kicked him in the chest, he took a step back and looked like he was ready to kill somebody. That somebody being me, I balled my hand into a fist and punched him square in the jaw. The impact of my fist against his face didn't even move him, he grinned evilly then punch me in the gut. Damn him and being a football jock, the impacted of his punch made me slam against the lockers. Max clenched her fist and started shaking with rage, she stepped in front of Dylan and punched him full force full rage right in the chest.

"I've had enough of this bull shit!" she roared.

"What the hell are you doing?" I demanded.

"Shut up! I don't need you to fight my battles for me!" she shouted at me. Then she turned to Dylan. "You need to get your head out of your ass and stop being such a dick!"

She angrily stomped through the crowed of students who had formed to watch the fight, I stood up and gave Dylan a 'you're such a dick' glare. I got into third period and sat in my seat, in third period Max and I didn't sit together. Her seat was near the window and mine was a seat away from hers, luckily my buddy Kyle sat in between us. I wrote a note on a price of paper, I folded the paper then waited so that the teacher wouldn't see him pass it.

"Yo Kyle, pass this to Max." I whispered.

"On it." he gave me a thumbs up and took the folded paper.

He looked back at the teacher then tapped Max on the shoulder, she looked over at him and saw the paper in his hand. She took the note and read it, she wrote something else on the paper then refolded it and handed it to Kyle. He handed the note back to me, I unfolded it and read it.

"I'm not talking to you." she wrote. I glanced over at her but she didn't look at me, what the heck was wrong with her. Okay so you guys get the whole I write something and pass it to Kyle then be passes it Max then back to me right, good cause I'm leaving all that crap out and just leaving what Max and I are saying in paper talk.

"Why won't you talk to me?"

"I said I wasn't talking to you."

"You're talking now."

"No I'm writing."

"Same thing."

"Whatever!"

"Is it because I backed you up in the fight with Dylan?"

"You made me look pathetic and weak..."

"Max I'm sorry I thought he'd hurt you."

"We'll talk at lunch."

"Ok."

Ten minutes after that the bell rang dismissing us to lunch, I stood from my seat and we all walked towards the cafeteria. I grabbed a tray and stood in line to get my lunch, after my tray had food on it I walked towards the table Max was sitting at. I sat next to her, she took a bit of food then glanced over at me. "I didn't mean to make you look that way." I said. She didn't give me a response she only ate, I hated when she didn't talk to me. I guess I was getting a tasted of my own medicine, this must have been how I was to her when we had that fight.

"Max talk to me, please." I requested.

She leaned back in her chair, "I'm sorry I'm being such an asshole Fang, just so much has happened and I've got so much running through my head."

"Guess I deserve it though, after how I treated you when we had that fight." I replied.

"Yeah, but I'm being a million times worse." she muttered.

"It's no problem, how about after school we go for a fly. Just you and me." I suggest.

"Sounds like a plan." she smiled.

When the final bell rung we all hopped up out of our seats and rushed to the door, I met up with Max and we walked out together. I heard some chuckling so I turned my head and looked in the direction, I saw four girls standing together laughing. Max shot them a death glare I could tell it bugged them but they didn't stop, I put my hand on Max's head and shot them a death glare as well. That did it for'em we watched as they sunk to the back of the crowd, I pulled Max close to me as we walked out of the school.

Max's P.O.V

Fang and I stood in the front of the school poking for our ride, I saw a man in a guy step out of a car and approach us. When he got close to us Fang was tense, ready to attack if he had to. "Max and Fang?" he asked. We nodded at him, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "Names officer Mic, my partner and I were ordered to keep a protective eye on the two of you, come on we'll drive you guys over to Detective Zira's place." he explained. Fang and I exchanged glances, Fang gave me a nod meaning he was okay with the situation.

We piled into Officer Mic's car, we were introduced to his partner Officer Daric. The car was full of an awkward silence, none of us could break the awkwardness so we let it be. The tan car we were in sped down the road till it came to a stop in front of Zira's apartment building, we got out of the car and walked to the building. Before we disappeared inside I waved at the two officers, they waved back then drove off.

Fang and I walked into the apartment building and over to the elevator, I leaned against the wall of the elevator trying to get my mind organized. After a moment of silence a dinged sounded and the elevator doors opened, Fang and I walked to the door and knocked on it. The door opened and Angel stood at the door with a big smile on her face, she gave me a big hug then one to Fang.

"Yaay Max and Fang are back!" she cheered.

"You're really excited, did something big happen?" I asked.

"Yeah Mommy said that I could go over to a friend's house for a play date!" she cheered happily.

"That's great Angel, are you going alone or is Gazzy going with you?" I asked.

"Gazzy's going with me, his friend is my friends brother so they'll play with action figures or whatever it is boys play with." She answered.

"Well you'd better go and get ready." I said patting her head.

She nodded then skipped happily to her bedroom, I walked into the apartment with Fang following behind me. He smirked and I swear I thought I heard him chuckle, I gave him a questioning gaze.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"Nothing, your just really good with kids." He replied.

"And that's funny how?" I wondered.

"It's not funny I was just imagining you being a mom." He chuckled.

"Well that's not gonna happen, I'm not planning on having kids." I grumbled.

"Oh come on Max don't be stingy, maybe not now but when we get outa here and live together we'll have a kid or two." He said.

"You aren't yanking my chain are you?" I asked, wondering if he was joking.

He shook his head, "Just think about it, we can think of names later but just imagine having a little you or me running around."

"That does sound nice." I sighed thinking about our little future family.

"So how is it you're so good with kids?" he wondered.

"We'll I had to take care of one back when I lived at home." I muttered.

"Wait a minute, do you have siblings or have you had a baby already?" He wondered.

"I had a brother, his name was Ari and he was fifteen." I said with sorrow in my voice.

"What do you mean had?" Fang asked.

"….he died." I whispered.

"What how?" He tried keeping his voice down so the others wouldn't hear him.

"He committed suicide…right in front of me… Jeb beat him too before he died. He went crazy saying he'd had enough of it, enough of the pain. He got Jeb's gun out of the safe we kept at home, he held the gun up to his head I tried to stop him but he didn't listen. When Jeb found out he had died he nearly killed me, he blamed me saying it was my fault my brother had committed suicide." I explained.

"Sorry for bringing it up, you gonna be alright?" he apologized.

"I'll be fine don't worry about me." I assured.

I tried to get Ari's face out of my head, I was tired and wanted to go and lay down. I walked into the room Fang and I were staying in, I put my book bag on the floor and laid down on the bed. Fang crept in soundlessly and sat at the edge of the bed, he stroked my cheek and gave me a smile. Ugh I feel like I'm gonna hurl, my stomach feels all wishy washy like when you sit in a car for more than an hour. I closed my eyes and started to fall asleep, Fang kissed my cheek then stood to leave the room.

"Hey Fang…" I said sleepily.

"Yes?" he asked.

"We can go on that fly…" I yawned. "When I get up okay."

"Alright, you want me to leave the door open?" he asked.

I didn't answer because I had fallen asleep, I heard the door creak but not shut meaning Fang had cracked it.

Dream

I was walking through the house, my old home where I lived with my family and Jeb. I heard a thud come from the ceiling, it was from Ari's room. I ran up the stairs and went to his bedroom door, I grabbed the knob and tried to turn it but the door was locked. Sudden fear washed over me and I started pounding on the door, I knew something was wrong…because Ari never locked his door. "Ari open the door!" I shouted. there was silence from the other side, making me anxious. Then there was a click and the door opened, Ari stood at the door he pulled me inside then locked the door. Judging by the look on his face and the way he was shaking, I could tell something had really gotten him worked up and scared.

"Ari what's wrong?" I asked him.

"I can't take it anymore!" he shouted.

"Can't take what anymore?" I wondered.

I went up to comfort him as he sank to the floor, tears streamed down his face as he held his head and started shaking.

"T-The beating, I just can't take it anymore!" he chocked.

"It's okay Ari, he's gonna get what's coming to him." I told him.

He shot up and stomped towards his dresser, "I can't wait that long, I can't take it anymore I have to end it."

He pulled out a gun from the dresser, he held it up to his head and put his finger on the trigger. He looked over at me with his terrified gaze, I guess this was what he meant by having to end it.

"Ari think about what you're doing." I said standing.

"Don't come near me, this is the only way I can escape the only way I can get away from him!" he yelled.

"Please Ari just think this through, you don't want to make a mistake you can't fix. You're better than this, now put the gun down." I said walking towards him.

"I'm sorry Max, but this is goodbye." He muttered, then there was a loud bang.

Blood splattered on me as I watched as Ari's body fell limp onto the floor, the blood oozing out of his head. I shook his body calling his name, it was too late…Ari was already dead. I looked down at my blood covered hands, my brother's blood on my hands. I backed away from his bleeding body, how could I have let this happened…because I couldn't stop him my brother…the last member of my family had killed himself. I tried getting the blood off of my hands, but no matter how much I wiped my hands the blood just kept coming back. The patches of skin covered back over with the crimson liquid, I screamed and again tried getting the blood to go away.

End of dream

Fang's P.O.V

I went in to check on Max, she'd been sleeping for almost two hours now. I silently opened the door wider and walked inside, Max was shaking and muttering something in her sleep. I walked over to the side of the bed and then I saw her fear and troubled expression, I lightly shook her shoulder but she didn't wake up.

"Max!" I shouted with worry.

"Have to get it off…it won't go away…" she muttered

"Max wake up." I said shaking her again.

Then she shot up, her eyes were opened as wide as they could go she immediately looked at her hands. She staggered out of the bed and ran into the bathroom, I followed behind her and when I got to the door Max was leaned over the sink rubbing the crap out of her hands.

"Ma what's wrong?" I asked.

"I have to get the blood off." She replied.

"Max what are you talking about, there isn't any blood." I told her.

"Dammit why won't it come off?" she asked herself.

I grabbed her shoulders and turned her so that she was facing me, she didn't look at me she only looked down at her wet hands. I lifted her chin up forcing her to look at me, her eyes were full of fear and sadness. She still looked down at her hands, why was she avoiding eye contact with me? I put cupped her face in my hands, now she couldn't avoid my gaze though she still tried. "Max look at me, there isn't any blood on your hands. Just calm down and take a breather, did you have a nightmare is that why your all worked up?" I asked. She looked into my eyes, put her hands on mine then pulled them away from her.

"I'm fine, it's nothing." She whispered.

"What got you all worked up?" I asked.

"I don't wanna talk about." She replied then walked out of the bathroom.

I watched her walk into the kitchen, she opened the fridge and grabbed a glass of water. I walked into the kitchen and sat next to her at the table, I wanted to know why she looked so afraid. "Max can you at least-" she cut me off and put her hand over my mouth. She shook her head back and forth, "I said I didn't wanna talk about it." She repeated. I nodded then she removed her hand, she took a sip of water then glanced over out the window. It was dusk outside, the sky was an orange-ish pink color it almost looked like a painting.

"You wanna go flying?" I asked.

"If Zira sees were gone she might think something's wrong, then when we get back there'll be a swarm of cops here." She replied.

"Good point, how about we go when it gets dark." I suggested.

"Okay, I'm gonna go stand on the balcony I need some air." She said walking to the balcony door.

I followed her maybe some air would help me to, I still couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was gonna happen.

Max's P.O.V

God being outside felt good, I wanted to just spread my wings out and fly. I put my head down on the grey rail, I can't explain it but I feel all twisted up inside, well, that actually is explaining it I guess. I let out a frustrated sigh then felt an arm wrap around my waist, I already knew it was Fang so I didn't bother to look up. He was persistent he released my waist then captured my shoulder pulling him towards me, this time I couldn't help but look up at him. I looked down at the town below us, there were tons of people walking around it almost looked like an impersonation of New York city.

"Fang can I ask you something?" I wondered, pulling away from him.

"Shoot." He replied, leaning against the rail.

"How did you…get your wing?" I asked.

He was silent for a moment, "I died and became an angel." He replied.

"Fang I'm serious, and besides if you did become and angel why are your wings black instead of white?" I said in a serious tone.

"I'm an evil angel how about that." He retorted. "When I was fourteen I had a fight with my parents, so I stormed out of the house for some time alone. While I was out wandering town this gang of guys jumped me, I managed to fight'em off but then one of them snuck up behind me knocked me out. When I woke up I was in a lab with all the stuff attached to me, I tried to get out of there but when I tried to move my back hurt like crap and felt really heavy. I looked back to see what the cause was, then I saw the numb wings on my back."

"So a group of thugs bagged you and pretty much gave you to a group of evil scientist?" I verified.

"Yep, well that's my story, what's yours?" he answered.

"I was fourteen too, Jeb had beaten me for what felt like the millionth time. I was frustrated and hurt so I decided to go to a little secret hideout I had, on my way there I saw this weird guy following me. I ran but I could still see him following me, I fell into a river near the house. I hit my head on a rock then it all went black, when I got up I was on the bank of the river. I couldn't move my body was numb from being hit against the rocks, then I saw the guy who was chasing me come near me. I told my body to move to try and fight back, he injected me with something and I blacked out again. Before I fully fell unconscious he said "you're a perfect specimen for the project." I had no clue what he meant, till I got to this abandon building. They injected a whole bunch of chemicals and stuff into me, I was in there for a week maybe then I saw my wing fully grown out of my back. They made me do these weird test but I fail all of them then they said I was to be 'retired', I broke out of there before they could retire me, whatever the heck they meant by that." I explained.

"Good thing is I couldn't feel anything, bad thing is you did." He muttered.

"After I broke out of there I just wandered around, like a lost soul. I remember collapsing in an alley in a town near where I lived, I couldn't think or move all I felt was pain. Then I saw this kid probably same age as me appear out of nowhere, I thought he was a girl because he had long hair but once he got closer to me I knew he was a guy. He helped me out of the alley, I didn't know who he was or why he was helping me but I was somewhat glad. He didn't tell me his name so I couldn't thank him for helping me, it seemed like he was different from everyone else…I guess that's why I was glad." I said.

I thought back to that horrible day, that day when I met that mysterious boy. He didn't even know me but he helped me, I couldn't remember what his face only his long hair pulled back into a high ponytail, and his deep voice. I looked over at Fang, his eyes were wide open and he looked at me in surprise and shock.

"What's with that look?" I asked curiously.

"That was you?" he replied.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Then I saw him, I saw the boy who had met three years ago…he was…Fang?