Hey! I'm back, and I'm sorry it's taken me a while to update. I've been sick (well, I still am) and away and a bunch of other stuff, but I'm here now! Just to let you know, I got a FictionPress account so if you like this, keep your eyes open for me over there too. I haven't done anything yet, but I have big plans! Speaking of big plans...nah, I'll tell you later! (I know, I'm mean.) Well, anyways, thanks to my loyal readers and I hope you guys stick with me. ENJOY! :)

Chapter 14

Max

Okay, I love Warren, I really do, I mean, the boy's like an older, overprotective brother, but after a few days at his house, I had to get out. I know you all are thinking "He lives in a mansion!" and "He saved your life!" but trust me, you would understand if I told you, and I will. He lives in a mansion (that I frequently got lost in), yet he frequently just happened to come across the same room I was in, and then he'd stay there until I left, only to do the same thing again with the next room I found. He never let me have two moments peace. I was always followed or watched over. I couldn't leave or go anywhere. I couldn't even leave the room without him knowing. If I did, he'd freak out. All of this totally did not go with my lifestyle. Sure, I loved living it big, but I had to get out and live my real life.

So, I got past security, and snuck out my window and soared far away from the house. I kinda felt bad leaving, knowing he'd worry, but I needed my freedom.

I flew in the midnight skies for hours, letting my skin absorb some much needed moonlight while letting the icy winds rip through my hair and go right down to my bones. I flew and flew with unlimited energy, until I stumbled across a small city far off the edges of any map. I was curious, so I curved my wings sideways, and swooped down, letting my sneakers skim the edges of the old, faded buildings as I descended.

My landing was the smoothest I've had in a while, my body barely making a sound, my wings barely disturbing the wind as I glided to a stop. I felt like a ghost or a shadow, and that's exactly what I was in this town.

I heard no noises, not the hum of a car or the bark of a dog. The streets were barely lit, the rusted lamp posts letting out a dim, yellow light from their ancient bulbs. The streets themselves were old, crumbly, and faded. It had been patched over so much that I guess, after a time, the people just gave up on it.

The city must've been great at one point, with the high buildings and apartment complexes. There were shops along the streets, but I couldn't tell if they were abandoned or not. I was standing behind an old drug store, but the windows were grimy, and with the shade of night, I couldn't peer inside.

I continued walking, the sound of glass crunching under my feet. The streets were littered with papers and empty beer bottles and as I walked farther, pushing the city limits, I saw old homes falling apart at the hinges surrounded by yellowed, graffitied fences. I supposed that this city was probably home to a bunch of gangsters, if anyone even lived here anymore. Not a single light was on in any building or home I passed, save for one, single light coming from a small office building across the street. This was really creepy.

I turned the corner and made my way to the old building, its foundation showing through the deep cracks in its walls. Plants and ivy wound its way half way up the west side while the other half looked like it was barely hanging on. The place wasn't too tall, standing about five floors, and it wasn't too wide either. As I got closer to the front door, I saw that the building had no name, no identification. It was just a plain, useless space with no purpose but to be the only source of light around. Right...

Against my better judgement, I pushed open the glass front doors and slowly crept inside. Strangely enough, the place looked as if it were in pristine condition. The tile was polished, the mahogany reception desk sparkled, and the elevator doors gleamed in the moonlight.

I slowly shut the front doors, careful not to make any noise, and used my wings to glide over to the elevators. I pressed the arrow and the button lit up red. A few seconds and the doors opened and closed the moment I was in. No one else was in, so I scanned my options. I had floors one through five, the roof, the basement, or S1. Curious as to what S1 was, I pressed the button. Instead of turning red, this one turned blue and slowly took me down, the suspense and adrenaline building.

Moments later, the doors opened into a space I had seen too many times before, one I thought I'd never see again.

Fang

When I showed Nudge the ring, she burst into tears, and, despite my wanting to say otherwise, so did I. We just sat for the longest time, sobbing into each others arms and losing our sanity. I didn't know why I cried, but I did. The ring just served as salt in an fresh, open wound. I knew Nudge would take it bad, but I didn't expect to lose it like that. I guess I really didn't know myself that well anymore. That in itself was sad as well.

When the sobbing was over, Nudge finally had collected herself to speak.

"What are we going to do Fang?" she asked desperately. "We can't keep on like this."

"I don't know." I shook my head. "I didn't really expect to find anything, and now, with the ring, it's all so..."

I couldn't find the right words to complete that. How do you describe the feeling of losing your best friend, your soul mate, and team mate? You can't.

"I know..." Nudge said, "Should we show the others?"

"I don't think so. If anything, and if you're right, we should show Angel."

"You know, I've been thinking...it all seems so irrational to think that now. I mean, she's grieving as much as we are."

"Good." I said, letting out a deep breath. "Cuz at first, when you blamed Angel, I thought you were going mad. I mean, Angel's messed up, but she isn't capable of doing something that evil."

"Yeah. And she was the closest to Max."

"Exactly."

"I know. I guess I was so caught up in getting answers, that my mind skipped to anything or everything it could."

"I get what you mean. I felt the same way." I looked away. "I still do."

"Me too, Fang. And I don't think this is just going to go away any time soon."

She looked at me sadly and shook her head. I sighed and looked up at the starry, midnight sky, wondering where Max was now. Hopefully, it was a better place.

"It's not, is it...?"

With another shake of her head, I surprised myself. I laughed. I don't know why, but I did. I laughed.

"Then, I guess we'll have to find a way to live with it."

I opened my arms and let Nudge fall into them, her body leaning into mine, almost curling into mine. I felt her heavy breaths as I stroked her hair like Max used to. We watched the stars, and eventually, Nudge went to sleep. I didn't bother her. She was too peaceful, and this was probably the first time she'd slept in ages.

Things were going to be different. I got that now. The problem, however, was going to be getting there, getting to that different because Max was never easy to get rid of. Why should that change in death?

Angel

I didn't mean to spy, I really didn't, but they were right there on the porch, and how could a telepath resist? The more I listened in on the conversation between Fang and Nudge, the more I had to keep from peeing myself with laughter. I mean, first, the girl lets me off scott free, and then they both defend me! But the icing on the cake was Fang's little monlouge in his head about Max and how hard she was to forget about. I mean, BARF! I wasn't sure if I was going to burst from laughter of get sick from his lovers daze. Seriously Fang, get a spine and grow up; I thought you were the tough one.

I was so happy right now. Happy for myself and for Dylan! It was as if the stars were looking out for us, like we were blessed or something! I couldn't wait to tell him so we could celebrate!

"Dylan!" I called mentally.

"What!" He shouted from a sleepy mind

"Get down here! I have big news!"

"Fine..." I heard a bunch of grumbling and then the sound of cursing before tuning him out. He was such a pain sometimes.

His mind grumbles turned into real ones as he trudged out of him room, down the hall, and into the family room where I was seated. It was different than the usual kitchen, but I didn't want to be seen or heard by Fang or the little nuisance with him.

Dylan, fresh out of bed, complete with the wild hair and PJs plopped himself down on the couch and gave me the evil eye.

"What is it with you and midnight meetings? Some people do sleep!"

"Hush!" I scolded as I pointed to the windows. "And, besides, it's only two a.m."

"Oh," he replied sarcastically, "Only two a.m? What, three isn't good enough for you? At least then I could've gotten one more hour of precious sleep!"

"Shut up you ingrate and listen to me." I hissed at him. "I have the most wonderful news!"

"Oh?" he asked, the sarcasm still there, but a hint of curiousity was present now.

"Yes. As it turns out, we completely off the hook."

"Really?" he asked, the cynicism dripping, "And how did you manage to pull that off?"

"I didn't do anything?" I gleamed in joy, "That little numbskull out there did it all herself."

"Nudge? What could she have done?"

"She was the one who suspected me, the telepath I warned you about."

"Ah, is she now? And how did you figure that one out?" It was obvious he didn't believe me, but I kept on going.

"I have my ways, but anyway, she just up and changed her mind."

"And this was of her own free will?"

"Yes. I was listening to her conversation just now and she said that sge was crazy to even think of my guilt. She's blaming the whole thing on stress and insanity. It's priceless really." I could barely contain my joy, the words making my stomach tingle in delight.

"So, I'm assuming she doesn't know she's a telepath?"

"Correct."

"And she said she doesn't suspect us anymore."

"Right again." I beamed at him. "It really was hilarious! They both, she and Fang, started defending me, claiming I was too sweet or innocent and all that bullshit."

"Remarkable. I was really starting to worry for you." he said in an uncaring tone. That actually kind of hurt, but not enough for me to truely care. I knew deep down that he still needed me, after all, he was only a baby.

"Oh haha. If my ass went in the fire, yours would go straight down with me." I sassed him.

"I don't think so. You see, unlike your power-hungry self, I did a damn good job covering my tracks by kissing everyone else's ass, especially Nudge's and Max's. Everyone loved me. I was the 'good one'"

"Well, the past is the past, and the future, my friend, is looking bright."

"Yeah, I just have one question." Dylan said to the wall.

"What?"

"Fang. Where the hell has he been? What's with the secret meetings with Nudge? I thought you were on top of this." Now, his eyes were aimed right through mine, staring me down, trying to break me down. He was getting quite good at that, but I was still the master, and he was the student.

"There's nothing suspicious. Apparently, from what I could gather, Fang went searching for evidence to incriminate us." I waved my hand and looked away as if I cared less.

"Holy shit!" Dylan jumped up. "Did he find anything?"

"When he got to the place all he found was a hole in the ground, some dust, and Max's ring. Nothing solid. Nothing pointing to us. He just came back to show the ring to Nudge." I said impassively.

"And you didn't bother to tell me about this?" he spat in fury. "What if he did end up finding something?"

"Then I would've told you, but since he didn't, I was perfectly fine letting the subject die." I explained rationally but with a sharp edge to my voice. "Jesus! Don't get your panties in a bunch!"

"Sorry if I am just a tad bit concerned." He was still fuming, but whatever nasty comment he had afterwards he swallowed. I was actually disappointed. He was getting rather good at his comebacks lately.

"Anyway, that's all I wanted to say so if you love your precious sleep so much, feel free to return to it." I dismissed him.

"You better watch yourself Angel. You've been lucky so far, but one day, that luck will run out, and I may not be there to help save your ass when it falls."

I didn't respond to that. I just let him walk away and back to his room, his door slamming shut behind him. He was asleep in a matter of minutes, but I couldn't sleep.

I knew I was lucky, but I also knew that I was on the right side. With the school and their money funding and supporting me, I could never lose. I would always be the winner, and in the end, I would be the leader.