Hey y'all !!!
Sorry bout the long delay between chapters but I've been crazy with homework.
Anywho, a couple people hasve told mke that its really hard to read without double spacing, so I tried to fix that, but it didn't come out quite the way I wanted. But I hope it's easier now for you all !!!
And this chapter goes out especially to luver of all that is hot&male!, who not only has a funny name but celebrated a birthday a little while ago...or so I'm told...
And to Odet Mae and her sister xXfangsluvr6Xx, and to CelticDragonQueens, who convinced me to actually stop being lazy and post this chapter. LOL. So you can thank them for this new chapter!
Love from, CK
Chapter 21
"FANG!!!!"
I yelled as loud as I could and I prayed to a God that I hardly believe existed that there would be an answer to my call.
….There was nothing but silence.
I heard pounding footsteps coming from behind, but it was heavy and more than one.
Erasers.
I swore aloud as my decision was made for me, and I felt a knot of regret pit in my stomach.
Don't think, just act, Max I told myself.
I turned away and ran down the hall and dropped to my knees when I heard Angel's voice calling out to me. Within a few seconds, I cracked the lock over her cage and told her to get Nudge while I grabbed Gazzy and Iggy.
I unlocked Iggy's gage and Iggy was out in a flash, immediately working on Gazzy's lock, breaking it twice as fast as I had could've hoped to do.
Thank gods Iggy knows how to pick locks like he knows how to breathe!
"Guys, the door down the next hall! Move!" I called as I heard the feral snarl of an Eraser right behind me. My Flock took of like we were running for our lives (literally) and I pushed them all out of the door as fast as I could.
Well….. all of them but one… I thought to myself, then mentally hit myself and tried to push the thought out of my mind.
You cannot focus on the past and what is done if you hope to move forward… My Voice suddenly chimed in my ear, seeming to come from nowhere (as always.)
I would've loved to have made some snappy remark back at it, but I had none. My head was buzzing already without having my Voice bugging me.
As we pushed through the door, we got lucky -- that's the only way I can describe it. We ended up through one of the few doors that lead to the "practice arena" that was better known as where the Erasers tore apart their prey and laughed and then ripped apart a few more.
It wasn't exactly pleasant, but it was outside.
And the only thing separating us from freedom was a thin wire fence that surrounded the area. I heard a door being thrown open behind us and I turned to see a swarm of Erasers and a group panicked whitecoats chasing after us.
Why do I feel like I'm going through deja-vu? I asked myself sarcastically before I unfurled my wings and ran.
"Guys! U and A! Go, go, go!" I yelled, watching with pride as my little ones and Iggy all took off like arrows into the air. Gazzy hovered for a split-second to touch Iggy's palm, leading him up and over the fence as I leapt to my feet to follow them.
Unfortunately, before I could get high enough, a large hand grabbed my ankle. Gravity took its force (along with the Eraser's strength), and I was pulled down roughly, wincing as I bounced off the hard ground. Before I could react, an Eraser put his heavy foot over my throat and I choked for breath.
Stupid…jerk… I thought to myself as I managed to squint through the sunlight to see who was holding me down.
Who else? It was Ari.
Ari growled lowly, a feral grin creeping over his face as he leaned close to me, wagging his finger and grinning like he'd just won a videogame.
"Ah, ah, ah…big, plump birdies like you are supposed to stay for dinner, Max" Ari hissed at me with a grin. I narrowed my eyes at him, finally finding the breath to speak.
"Well, for your information…" I muttered through laboured breaths. "I…may be a big, plump bird….but you're ugly…and I can diet…" I said, grinning to myself.
Ari's eyes narrowed at this and I knew that now was the time to act. I kicked up my leg and managed to hit Ari directly behind his knees.
Bull's-eye!
Ari yelled out in pain and collapsed to his knees, releasing his foot from over my throat. I jumped to my feet and leapt over him, hearing whitecoats shouting in panic to confused Erasers as I took off down towards the fence.
See ya suckers! I thought to myself as I neared the fence, when suddenly (as always when the world thinks I'm getting too confident) pain burned into my side.
I let out a ragged gasp through clenched teeth and forced myself to keep running. I had almost forgotten about that cut on my side, I'd have to look at it later…
I heard an angry growl behind me and realised that the Erasers had gained a little when the pain hit, making me put all I had into the last few feet before the fence.
Now! I thought triumphantly as I leapt into the air and unfurled my wings. I winced as I was jerked roughly by my wings being thrown open so suddenly and I lost a few feet, quickly pushing up with my wings when Erasers tried grabbing for my heels.
"Max!" I heard Iggy call out and I flew towards my Flock yelling at them to start flying. All of us flew off as fast as we could (wouldn't you) until the school was nothing more than a black speck behind us, but I knew that we still needed to get further way. (Truthfully, the end of the earth still wouldn't be fare way enough for me, but hey, you learn to accept what you get.)
"Max?" Gazzy chirped up timidly as a steady silence overtook us. "Where's Fang?'
I physically wince at the question, and then mentally hit myself for being so open.
Now the younger ones are going to get worried!...dang it…
Gazzy must've seen some weird expression on my face of how I was feeling and quickly spoke up again. "It's okay actually. Fang knows how to find us and he'll be fine" Gazzy said, and I felt tears well up in my eyes at how brave little Gazzy was being, meanwhile I was a complete mess inside (I'm turning into such a cry-baby.)
I forced a smile onto my face and nodded at him, spotting a group of high cliffs in the distance, and told my Flock to head for them. That was going to be our bed for the night. And I silently was hoping to myself that I could believe Gazzy's words as guilt pooled sickeningly in my stomach again.
Fang would know how to find us later…wouldn't he?...
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"Okay guys! Up and at 'em!" I yelled, making my Flock all mumble as I woke them up from their sleep. Angel and Gazzy were curled together in a corner and Iggy stumbled to his feet as Nudge yawned.
"Max?" Nudge began and I sighed, knowing what was coming. "I'm hungry. Can we go get something to eat?" Nudge asked.
I forced a smile and nodded at her.
"That's the plan. We grab some grub and then see if we can find Fang" I said, forcing the smile to stay put even as my heart felt like I dropped it over at cliff at the mention of Fang.
"Cool" Iggy mumbled as he shrugged, helping Angel and Gazzy to their feet. "Okay folks, you heard the Maxinator, let's go" Iggy said, unfurling his wings and the others followed suit.
I sighed to myself and muttered a quick 'thank you' in Iggy's ear as he passed. He just nodded in understanding at me.
I guided Iggy out of the cave and we both swooped out into the air, glad to feel the wind in our hair (not to mention feathers) again after being in the School. The place was a nightmare, but it sure helped you to appreciate the little things in life.
After we had escaped the School, everyone had immediately wanted to know where Fang was and what had happened to him. (Well, excluding Angel after she read my mind without permission.)
Reluctantly, I told them pretty-much-truthfully that Fang had run off so that we could all escape while the whitecoats and Erasers were busy with him. I tried to sound light-hearted, like it was no big deal and that Fang would easily be back I a few hours. And although I could see the concern on everyone's faces, they seemed to believe it.
Hey, even I had believed it then…
After the first night, when I woke up to see that Fang wasn't there, I forced myself to stay calm. He'd show up later in the afternoon…I was positive…
Then the second night came and passed, I was starting to worry. But this was Fang we were talking about— there was no way he couldn't come back.
By the third night, I was worried and starting to feel really anxious. I was desperately hoping that Fang would come back tonight…
And after the fourth night came around and there was still no sign of Fang, I was officially an emotional mess.
Thank goodness for Iggy-- he had been a huge help.
Ig kept the little guys occupied with games and kept them from bugging me too much about Fang. And even then, he'd been the one I had ranted to—told him about what had really happened (since he already knew about the whole bloodlust thing) and how much I hated myself for having even considered leaving Fang. But Fang was gone now, and it was day five since we'd escaped, and there was still no sign of him.
Where could he be? Fang has to be okay...at least I hope he is...
No! Come on, Max! This Fang! He's a tough guy, and he can take care of himself. I'm sure he's fine…probably watching us somewhere and not showing it just so he can make me feel bad for leaving him…and so that he can turn me into a twitchy, worried, nervous, panicky, uptight, fretful, emotional mess….yeah, that's all…
I had to roll my eyes at myself for this thought (you can see how bad this is, since I'm rolling my eyes at myself! Does that give off 'insanity' vibes or what?)
Yeah right, I thought to myself.
Although Fang would love to see me as a twitchy, worried, nervous, panicky, uptight, fretful, emotional mess (try saying that three times fast), he'd never be gone this long unless something had happened.
And it was all my fault.
I bit my lip worriedly as a list off all the things that could've happened to him and what was happening to him now ran through my head like a bad film.
Leave him... My Voice whispered.
I did a double take in disbelief at hearing my Voice and what it had just said.
WHAT!? I mentally yelled. I am not leaving Fang!
You already have... my Voice hissed, making me wince guiltily.
Max, you left Fang for the better interest of your Flock… So now, you need to focus on that same Flock and forget Fang…you did place them above him, didn't you?
That's not fair! I defended, although a part of me was ashamed that it was true.
I had no choice! Fang had already disappeared and it was save the other four or risk all six of us staying at the School…and besides, I thought you said that you didn't care anymore if I liked Fang or whatever! I shot back desperately, sounding like complete idiot but hey, I tried.
I said that if being with Fang would make you happy and help you focus on saving then world, then so be it…but Fang is no longer here…and so, you should be focusing on your destiny of saving the world Max…the entire planet is depending on you, Maximum!…and are you willing to risk their lives for Fang's?...
Do you want me to answer that honestly, politely, or dead-serious-and-rudely-in-your-face? I asked my Voice, mocking sweetness.
A sharp pain shot through my head as a warning.
This is no joke…you need to focus, Max…the time for your part in destiny is coming sooner than you think…
Ooo…spooky… I thought sulkily, not wanting to listen or care about anything my Voice had to say. Although, a little part of me was a little creeped out by the last bit.
My destiny is coming sooner than I think? What does that mean? The end of the world is tomorrow? Or is it the day after tomorrow?
"Max…."
I was snapped out of my thoughts by Gazzy waving his hand in my face and calling my name. I grinned sheepishly and did a double take when I saw a four hotdogs in his hands. He handed two to me as I looked at him I confusion.
"Where did you guys get these?" I asked. Gazzy looked at me skeptically.
"We went and got them while you were in a trance. We called your name like four times, but you were zoned out. So we went and got the food without you…"
"Oh…" muttered, looking at the now very appetizing and mouth-watering hotdog.
"Umm…okay. But how'd you—"
"We took them when the owner wasn't looking" Angel muttered, a guilty but satisfied smile n her face. "No-one saw us though. We made sure…"
"Ah…well then…I guess now we…go back to the cave" I said, awkwardly turning and flying back, trying hard to ignore the hard look Iggy was throwing in my direction.
I understood it perfectly but stilled pretended not to see it.
We'd been at the same cave for almost five days. The cave was great protection and had a great location, but it wasn't too far away from the School. They'd find us soon and haul us back into dog crates unless we moved further away. Soon.
And I knew that Iggy cared for Fang as much as I did, but we both knew that if we didn't move on soon, we were toast.
Unfortunately for Iggy, I'm stubborn as you-know-what sometimes. And I was not going to leave Fang again. Even if the Erasers had to drag me out of that cave, I was staying there until Fang showed up.
We landed gently on the rim of the high, mountain-side cave and walked in, settling to sit on rocks or grooves we found in the walls or floor.
Iggy sat close to me and gave me another of the warning looks as he bit into his hot dog. Again, I feigned being dumb.
Nudge made a small noise and scooted over from Angel and Gazzy.
"Awww, Gazzy" she muttered through the last of a bite of hot dog. "Was that you?"
Gazzy stopped chewing in confusion.
"Phno…" he muttered, and that's when I heard it too. A low groaning, like someone's stomach rumbling too loudly or a door swinging slowly open.
Nudge must've thought he farted again… I thought in amusement and went for another bite of hot dog.
But then the sound changed, and I froze.
A low croaking noise came from behind me and I stiffened, training my ears on the sound and watching as my Flock all stiffened too. So I wasn't imagining it…
There was a loud thud and a scraping sound, and I jumped up and pushed my Flock protectively away. There was a scratching on the ground and a rustle of movement
Ok-ay, there was definitely something behind us.
"Max…" Nudge said worriedly and I pushed her back a little farther. The closer we were to the edge of the cliff, the better chance we had of escaping.
And of course, Gazzy being Gazzy, he poked his head over my arm to squint at whatever the noise was.
"It looks weird…" Gazzy muttered to me and tried to push past me, which wasn't going to happen, as I pushed him back again.
There was another sound, louder this time and the croak was ragged and breathless. "Wait… Iggy said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "…It sounds like a wounded animal or something..."
I squinted into the blackness of the cave with my raptor vision, and my breath hitched in my throat.
Oh gods…I thought in worry and relief all together.
"Guys, it's Fang! And he's hurt!" I said.
ALAS!
Fang returns! Woohoo!!!
But I'm really sorry about beating him till he sounded like a wounded animal!...hehehe...
-- nervous laughter --
...hehehe...please don't hurt me ?! ...