Chapter 21
MAX:
I walked into the conference room with Sam and Anne leading us. I was prepared for something that had a lot of anger in it, but it wasn't something that I wasn't expecting. Far from it, and it hit me like a wreaking ball.
I sat down with Sam sitting next to me in the chair and rubbed my hand in his soothingly and it felt good. I let my eyes close and loved feeling the texture of his rough and coarse hand on mine.
"Max," Anne said as she sat down across the table from us.
I wanted to glare at her. She was the head honcho on this whole experiment thing, and all the time she had been acting like someone who didn't know anything about this. She made my blood boil sometimes and this was one of those times when I really wished I could land a good blow.
"Max," she said again. "Look, this isn't going to be easy for you to handle, but there is some bad news that I unfortunately have to give. From there, you can choose to remain with us or you can go back to your flock and we won't hold it against you. We'll handle it the best we can on our own.
"The thing is that there is a new avian-human hybrid, but this time it needs your help, your help specifically."
"Why my help?"
"He's your brother, Max. Not like Ari or Ella, but your true flesh and blood brother, who is only a year younger than you are. As of right now you are fifteen and a fourth, and he is fourteen. He is having a hard time adjusting to this and he needs someone who is willing to teach him everything he needs to know, someone who can relate to him on a level that no one else can reach. That would be where you come in, Maximum. He doesn't know you exist, just like you never knew he existed, but he doesn't want us anywhere near him.
"So we were hoping and wondering if you could help your little brother out. He has some of the abilities you have; I'd go as far to say that he is almost an exact copy of you, from physical all the way down to the attitude and abilities. He is a truly wonderful person, but isn't willing to let us help. Please, Max, you're his only hope."
I looked at Sam and his eyes were sad. I looked at Anne and her eyes were almost pleading. So that must mean that there was more trouble than she was giving me. and in any case, I had to see my brother, see for myself if he really existed, or if they were just yanking my chain. I never thought I had a brother other than Ari, and here he is, just like me. Well, isn't that dandy.
I'm sorry, Angel, baby, I said in my mind, knowing she was listening in. Tell everyone that I am sorry, and I will be there as quickly as I can. I have to see for myself if this is true.
I'm sorry, Max, she replied.
"All right," I said briskly. "Where is my brother?"