Coincide- Chapter 14

Flock P.O.V.

Fang couldn't believe it… Max… alive? Was this seriously Max or some kind of sick joke? If someone thought this was funny, he'd make sure they paid for it. Every moment without Max was torture, he couldn't stand to having to accept her death all over again. The flock would be devastated, her mom and sister too. He'd have to go check this out on his own. Now the only question was how he was going to get away without suspicion as to where he was going. He'd have to leave now, before Angel could do any mind reading. He shut down the computer and scribbled a brief note on the pad of yellow paper.

It read: "I had somewhere to go, I'll explain when I get back. Fang."

Now, it was time to go investigate the truth behind Max's mysterious message.

Max P.O.V.

A week! A whole week had passed since I put my neck on the line to let the flock know I was alive. And yet here I am still, sitting with my back against the wall, staring at the door.

Then the speaker in my room turned on. "Maximum Ride, report to the interrogation room."

"Why?" I asked, rubbing my temples. I wasn't in the mood for another movie about the by-half plan and the good it will do for the world.

"You have a visitor."

My heart stopped, well… at least it felt like it. The only time I got visitors was so I could battle them to the death. In the 67 days I'd been held here, I had killed 19 people. I had to choose between me and them 19 times, but in my mind there was no choice. I had to get back to my flock. But now is different, I'm getting back to who I once was. I'm no longer brainwashed.

I pushed myself off the ground and walked out of the room in a very excruciating silence. My stomach was in knots and my heart was nearly pounding out of my chest. I couldn't take this. If I had to kill another person… it might break me. Me. The unbreakable Maximum Ride.

My hands felt cold as ice as the I pulled open the door to the interrogation room. It was empty, so far. I sat on the single metal chair in the room and stared at the black walls around me. Any second now I would be faced with some new kind of evil.

The door opened and a person was shoved inside, followed by four flyboys, the Director and Jeb. I jumped to my feet, surprised by the amount of bodies in the room. And then my eyes focused on the person pulling themselves up from the floor.

"Fang?" I asked, feeling like my brain momentarily short circuited from the range of emotions I was feeling. "What…" I stepped toward him, but the glare from the Director stopped me. I felt anger flare inside me, longing to punch the turtle woman in her smug face. "You said you would leave the flock alone if I didn't try to contact them again!"

"You did this, Max." She said gesturing to Fang. My eyes ran over his body, looking for any sign that he'd been hurt. I couldn't find anything wrong, except for a bruised cheek and a slight wince of pain sometimes. "You had to break the rules and let him know you're alive and now look where it has gotten you… well, him. He's here when he could be safe with the rest of your precious flock. You did this, not me."

"Max…" Fang whispered as if registering my presence for the first time. The corner of my mouth lifted, I hoped it looked comforting. "You're really alive?"

"Yeah." I whispered with a nod. He closed his eyes, as if thanking somebody then and there. I turned to the Director. "Just let him go."

"I can't do that." She insisted, crossing her arms over her chest. "He knows your alive and now he won't rest until he's freed you."

"Yes, he will." I argued.

"No, he won't. I know how strong your bond is with him. He wouldn't leave, even if you begged him to." Her sure tone was getting on my last nerve.

"You don't know anything." I denied, shaking my head.

Fang stopped me. "She's right, Max."

"Shut up!" I yelled at him, furiously. He would do what I told him to do. I wasn't going to take no for an answer. If I had to be stuck here, so be it. But I won't let Fang be doomed to what I've experienced.

His dark gaze pierced me. I looked away, but still felt the power of his eyes on me. "I'm not leaving you here."

"You'll do what I tell you to do." I fired back, still refusing eye contact.

"A lovers quarrel?" The Director asked, raising her eyebrows. I shot her the bird.

"Maximum…" Jeb spoke up, winning my attention momentarily.

"What?" I yelled. I was in no mood for lectures.

His eyes were sympathetic, full of emotion. I could never understand my… um… father… That was still so weird to say, no matter how many times I think about it. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."

"Since you are so fired up, I think you need a way to work off the steam. A fight for your life." She said seeming very proud of herself. Jeb seemed to register something I didn't, because his face showed a look of horror.

"Director, please don't do this." He begged. Weird.

"She needs to learn to follow the rules, show her dedication. What shows more dedication than killing someone she loves?" The Director exclaimed, eyeing me for a reaction.

"What are you talking about?" I questioned giving her a funny look.

A smirk played on her lips. "You and Fang are going to fight to the death."

My stomach dropped. I felt like I was going to vomit. "No way."

"Please, this is madness." Jeb tried again. The Director sent him a glare, obviously not liking being called crazy… even if it was fact.

In a moment of rage, I charged her. I tackled her to the ground as hard as I could. I was aware of Fang taking on the flyboys and I decided to help him out while the Director tried to suck air back in her lungs. He already had one finished. I took another one out within a minute. Fang blocked a punch and threw a kick at the midsection. I placed a kick at the base of the spine from behind, finishing him off. Another one came at me, but Fang tripped it and stomped at the head, until it was finished.

The Director climbed back to her feet, but I was there within seconds, slamming her against the wall. I held my arm across her throat while she tried desperately to suck in air.

"Maximum." Jeb said seeming surprised. "Let her go."

I didn't listen. I was hell bent on making her pay. I brought my knee up and contacted her in the stomach. Seeing her wince was so satisfying. I pressed harder against her throat.

"Max." It was Fang this time. He was walking to me. "Don't do this."

"She deserves whatever she gets." I growled.

His hand rested on my shoulder and I looked into those dark brown eyes. I could see I had him concerned for me. He probably though I'd snapped. Had I?

I took my arm away from her throat, making her cough and suck desperately for the air.

"Let's get out of here." I said looking him in the eyes. He gave a slight nod.

AN: WOW, it has been a long time. The problem is that the board is still down and that makes my motivation to write go way down. SO if you guys want the next chapter sooner rather than later... I give you permission to threaten me or yell at me, whatever you want. Hope you liked it! Review...