An Unexpected Visitor

A/N: I know it's been a while, but I've had a lot of things going on. I tried out for my school dance team. Finals are drawing closer. And my grandmother was in the hospital for a while. I want to thank all of you who come back and read this story even though it's been soooo long. Thanks for being patient with me.

A little over three weeks later, my burns were healed and my broken bones were nearly mended. Tired of staring at the blank, white walls, I begged everyone –and I mean everyone- to let me out. I needed fresh air. I still hadn't gotten used to the too-sanitary smell and look of everything. But the doctors were still concerned about the weak heartbeats of the twins.

Twins! I mean, birds usually laid more than one egg, but I was only one teenage girl who was supposed to save the world and was already in charge of four other people. How was I going to keep up with all the pressure while pushing a double stroller? I hadn't even figured out how I was going to do it with one little bundle of joy.

Lucky for me, Fang was constantly at the hospital, glued to my side. I was so happy that he'd reacted the way he did. I didn't have to worry about hiding anymore, and from the look in his dark eyes, I knew that we could make it through anything. Plus, with my raging pregnancy hormones and Fang's all-too-willingness to oblige, (Thank goodness he wasn't repulsed by my pregnant stomach!) we'd almost been caught making out by nurses more than once.

But today Fang and the Flock were MIA. Apparently there was some kind of amusement park nearby. Gazzy and Iggy had been dying to go, so after making them promise not to blow up anything, I gave Fang permission to leave my bedside. I could live with no one to talk to for… approximately ten minutes, and there was no way I was striking up a conversation with a nurse. I planned to be utterly bored out of my mind.

"Chrissie?" one of the nurses asked, coming into the room. I rolled my eyes and silently cursed Nudge for giving me such a girly name.

"Chrissie, there's someone here to see you," she said, pushing her long, black hair behind her shoulder.

"Okay, well, the door's open. It's not like there's a 'Do Not Disturb' sign hanging on the doorknob," I said, leaning back into the pillow and picking up the remote. She left the room, clearly insulted.

I channel surfed for a few minutes before settling on one of the many talk shows that are on at 9 AM. There was a way-to-perky blonde talking to some old, gray-haired guy about finances and romance. Complete snore-fest!

A soft knock sounded on the open door and light, clicky footsteps sounded on the gray-speckled tile. They were footsteps that I remembered from a beautiful mansion-like farm house; footsteps that I had hoped to never hear again. But hope doesn't help much does it?

"Hello, Max," Anne said, coming into view. She moved to stand at the end of the bed and I saw the shocked satisfaction in her eyes as she took in my condition.

"Max, Max, Max," she chided, "don't you know how much danger you've gotten yourself into."

I flicked off the television and waited a few seconds before asking, "What the hell do you want?"

"You were supposed to save the world, not breed. The scientists have no way of knowing what the outcome will be."

"You mean the white coats didn't program this for my future. Isn't this just another obstacle I have to face?" I snapped, sarcastically.

"Max, do you understand the seriousness of your and Fang's actions? You could die, and then who would save the world?"

"Who said Fang was the father? And since when do you care about saving the world?" I asked.

She ignored the question. "No one knows how the twins will turn out. The best thing, the healthiest thing for you would be to…"

My mind whirled for a moment. I hadn't said anything about having twins. Then again, nurses seem to blab everything.

"You don't know the outcome and neither do I, but if you're even considering telling me to get an abortion you're crossing the line. You have no authority over me. I'm not a little dog who's willing to do everything you ask. I love Fang and he loves me and we are going to bring these children into the world," I said coldly. "Plus, I think it's a little late for that scenario."

A sad smile graced her face for a moment. It didn't reach her eyes. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Max" she said, pulling a small vial from her jacket pocket.

I watched as she pulled a syringe from the same pocket and filled it with the clear liquid from the vial.

I slowly struggled out of the bed, but Anne was in front of me before I'd taken a step, Stupid cast!

"Why don't you take it easy?" she said, pushing me back to the bed. Her grip was iron. She was stronger now and her eyes showed no emotion.

I tried to fight. Kicking with my good leg and punching out with my arms. She didn't even flinch. She was like a robot… or a clone!

Even as I struggled, clone Anne managed to find the vein in the crook of my elbow. I felt a hot, burn run up my arm as the unfamiliar liquid entered my blood stream. My sight grew hazy and clone Anne faded in and out of focus.

"Bye, bye, Max," I heard her say. And then my chest clenched and everything blackened except for a white light a few meters away.

Three high pitched beeps sounded in unison and then the heart monitor flat lined.

A/N: Yes, it's another cliff hanger. I am working on the next chapter and hope to have it up soon. Please review. I appreciate all of you readers.