The Sickness- Chapter 21

WARNING: This chapter of The Sickness contains character death therefore making it a darker chapter. Please do not criticize me for killing off character(s). I will not kill any Maximum Ride characters in this chap, only my own. They are my characters and I will do what I wish with them. Thank you for understanding and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

I woke from sleep to hear whispers and the faint sound of crying. Lifting my upper half from the ground and supporting my weight upon my hands I was able to see Flash, Fang and Iggy in a huddle no doubt where the whispering I had heard had come from.

All of their faces wore the same worried expression, even Fang. Everything seemed to come flooding to me in that moment as I took time to survey the situation. Fang's brow was furrowed, Iggy seemed to be numb to his surroundings, Fang and Flash were actually speaking to each other, and Slate was weeping in Veil's arms next to a very pale Frame.

Something had happened.

Flash departed from the trio leaving my two flock members silent as he walked to lay a comforting hand on Gus' shoulder who was alone about twenty feet from Frame.

I stood slightly furrowing my brow in confusion.

"Fang." I called out to him softly.

His head turned toward me quickly and just as quickly he began walking to me.

"What's going on?" I asked puzzled.

"Max… something's happened…" He began and I could see he was dreading to tell me whatever it was. Had I missed an Eraser attack? Did someone else get sick?

"What is it?" I asked as he stopped in front of me.

"Frame took a turn for the worse during the night." He said sullenly is eyes no longer masking the built up emotions. "He tried to hold on…"

"Fang what are you trying to tell me?" I whispered feeling the familiar sting come to my eyes. It was as common as a bad headache with a dull aching pain you can't rid of.

"Frame died, Max… just this morning." Fang said looking me straight in the eyes.

I felt my lips part and a wave of emotion crash against my heart. It was too late to save Frame. How long would it be until the other two passed? Would it be today? Tomorrow? How about the day after that… when would we be left two people shorter? Two friends shorter? And with these thoughts came an irresistible urge to let everything out, so I did.

I let the tears fall and the sobs escape my throat.

Fang pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly to him as if trying to shield from the situation even though he knew it was impossible, the damage had been done.

"Oh Fang, what are we gonna do?" I cried into his shoulder.

"We'll figure it out, Max… we always do." He assured me pressing his cheek against the top of my head.

"But this time is different." I said pulling away from him. "People are dying, friends are dying."

"And someone's gonna pay." Flash said walking to the two of us and stopping just a few feet away. "I'm not waiting around like a sitting duck anymore. I'm getting revenge."

"Flash no." I said shaking my head as the sullen whisper escaped me.

"I'm going Max." He said surely. "And I want you to come with me."

"She's not going with you." Fang said sternly. "We've been over this."

"Yes, the two of us have been over this, three if you include the Igster, but Max and myself have not been over this." Flash said glaring at Fang. "She's a big girl, Fang, she can decide for herself… butt out."

"I'm not going to let you fool her into traveling to her certain death while she's in a fragile state of mind, just like you're in." Fang explained sternly.

"You talk like she's stupid, just let her decide." Flash said stepping closer.

"I'm not gonna let you put her in danger." Fang warned also stepping closer.

"Would you two stop talking about me like I'm not here!" I yelled surprising both of them. Heck, I even surprised myself.

"Max." Gazzy called looking frightened.

"Yes?" I asked calmly.

"Lane… she's… she's…"

"What is it sweetie?" I asked feeling my heart stop.

"She's not breathing… Max…"

"It's okay sweetie…" I said walking over to him as he cried in my arms. I cried with him.

"Flash…" I said sniffing.

"Yeah?" He questioned barely audible.

"I'll go."

AN: Hope you liked it! Reviews are love!