So, in order to keep the quality of this story where it is I might have to go to updating less often. I know, I'm sorry, but wouldn't you rather wait a few days for a longer, more well thought out chapter than a rushed one? I would and hope you think so too. So, just a fair heads up, because of Graduation Testing, Golf, and my new Job, I am swamped and won't be able to update as often. Will I still update? Ofcourse, just not everyday. For now every two days and if I can't keep that up then every three. When things calm down if this story isn't already over, it's still got a ways to go, then I'll go back to updating daily. Shout outs: Lleia Ride and Inspiron.

Chapter 19 Wild Side

I must have fallen asleep after my talk with the Voice because when I opened my eyes not only was the sun well into the sky but there was a big dent in my forehead. I lifted my head groggily and shook it before pushing my hair back and blinking against the harsh rays which slanted through where the windshield should have been. I peered over the busted up hood of the bus but saw only the woods surrounding us. We were alone.

I twisted and glanced around the bus. Not only was I the last one to fall asleep but I was the first to wake up. Fang still lay with his head back against the head rest of the front seat while Iggy slouched behind me, drooling. Gazzy and Nudge sat side by side behind him, Gazzy had his head on Nudge's shoulder while her cheek was stretched against the glass where her breath left it fogged.

Opposite of them across the aisle Holden held a seat to himself and was curled up with his head resting on his pack. Behind him Ratchet was leaned over the seat with his head propped sideways and his jaw slack. Total lay in the seat beside him on his side and as I watched one of his paws flicked. On the other side of them behind Nudge and Gazzy, Kate and Star rested against each other peacefully. Finally, behind them, sitting side by side, were Dylan and Maya.

My eyes widened as I took in the way they sat. Their bodies were pressed close together and Maya's head was propped up against Dylan's shoulder while his cheek rested on her forehead. Their arms were nearly touching.

Something stirred inside of me at the sight of the two of them so seemingly peaceful together. Where had I see that before? Oh, I realized, and my face flushed though no one was looking. Fang and I, we used to act like that. Used to be happy like that. I used to lay my head on his shoulder and he would put his chin on my hair. I'd lean into his strong arms and feel comforted though I told myself then I didn't need it. Maybe I did, though, everyone needed someone; and Fang had been that someone, once….

"Max?" I was shaken from my thoughts by the groggy voice and turned to see Nudge peering at me with sleep laden eyes. "Hey sweetie," I said, giving her a small wave. She waved back tiredly and yawned loudly. Immediately three heads popped up and I was greeted by the semi alert eyes of Fang, Iggy and Gazzy.

All three boys yawned before Fang got up and began looking around outside the bus for danger. When he was sure we were safe he leaned against the window frame of his seat and stared at me. "Satisfied?" I asked calmly. Fang smirked but nodded. "I thought for sure I'd wake up in a ditch somewhere."

"I'm a pretty good driver."

"Sure."

I rolled my eyes at him and turned to Iggy and Gazzy who were talking to Nudge. I caught the words 'miracle we're still alive' and decided to intervene. "Guys, I think we should go to the Gen. 77 school, today." That got their attention. All four pairs of eyes locked on my face in an instant but I didn't flinch, I was born for this stuff.

"Today? Why today?" Nudge asked, her head cocked to the side. My eyes flickered to her face for a moment then back to all of them. "I don't think we have a lot of time to get to the bottom of this. Those badies that attacked us yesterday seemed bent on at least wounding us. If we hadn't gotten away there's no telling what they might have done."

"Oh I think we can guess." Iggy pointed out, his voice dark. Gazzy and Nudge flinched and I sent a glare at Iggy which, ofcourse, was lost on him.

"So you want to go to this school and just bust in demanding to know who made it and why all the mutants are there?" Fang asked, his voice emotionless. "Um, yeah pretty much."

The Flock stared at me for a moment then Fang shrugged and said, "Why not?" He put his fist out and Nudge stacked hers on top of his followed by Gazzy and Iggy. I smiled and put my fist on top. "We'll eat and change out then go. Hopefully our new clothes don't already have bullet holes in them." I said, only half joking. The Flock laughed and we let our fists fly. It was time to get moving.

"Eat up, we aren't stopping until we reach the school." I said, making my rounds as I helped Nudge pass out the clothes she'd bought. I had to admit I was proud of her. She'd done exactly as I'd asked and gotten weather proof clothes over the latest fashion trend. She'd even gone as far as to get shoes without any pink on them, well, at least for me.

"These are yours, Max." Nudge said, handing me a pair of black combat boots, blue jeans, a blue t-shirt with silver swirls across the chest, socks, unmentionables…., a long sleeve shirt, hoodie, and a new windbreaker. And guess what? Not a shred of pink.

I took my things from Nudge and said, "Thanks." Nudge smiled at me and went to hand Kate her things which were a bit higher on the fashion scale than my simple get up. Still Nudge had shopped for wear and tear, not glam and flare.

"Dude! You got me Hulk boxers?" Everyone turned and looked at Holden who was holding up a pair of, uh, boxers, with the Hulk smashing his fists and glaring out from the black fabric. Nudge, Kate, Star and Maya all burst out laughing while Iggy choked back his laughter and Gazzy studied his own new boxers which were a dark green. "What's wrong with a lil' Hulk action?" Ratchet teased, elbowing Holden in the ribs. Holden glared at him and quickly stuffed the boxers into his pack while glancing around warily.

"What's so funny?" I looked towards the woods and saw Fang appear seemingly from the shadows. His once dirty black clothes had been replaced with, well, clean, black clothes. Dark jeans, darker shirt, all Fang.

Fang smirked at me when he caught me looking him up and down. I jerked my head away but hid the embarrassment from my face. Instead I watched as from a few yards down from where Fang had appeared Dylan came out of the woods. He wore a yellow t-shirt with a black guitar on it and a pair of blue jeans and sneakers. This simple get up from Walmart looked as if it could have rocked the Abercrombie stage all because Dylan was wearing it. His blonde hair was tasseled back by the light breeze and his sea blue eyes avoided the Flock all of which were staring at him.

Star and Kate were openmouthed, obviously they'd never truly looked at Dylan before, and their eyes tracked his path as he made for the bus and disappeared inside of it without a word. Once he disappeared though the trance was broken. Star and Kate looked at each other and immediately began whispering while casting glances towards the bus. It was obvious who they were talking about.

"Hey Max, you should probably go change now. I'm almost done cooking breakfast then you'll wanna leave." Iggy called from his spot by the hastily made fire. He poked at the roaring blaze with a stick and lifted the handle on his new pot's lid. "Mmmhhhmm, this is gonna be great!"

I grinned as I watched Iggy add a few more spices to whatever the heck he was making before checking everyone was okay. Seeing that they were I made a beeline for the woods. As I entered the forest I felt the atmosphere shift dramatically. The temperature seemed to drop sending goosebumps down my skin. Damp air filled my lungs and the half light made it hard to see. Green, lush, foliage held my focus as I followed the small path the Flock had made as they went to change one by one.

A clump of ferns had been flattened and a branch cracked as I stepped on it. Out of instinct I paused and did a quick 360 letting my senses range outward. When I felt alone, I moved in deeper and found a large oak where the trail ended.

I cast a glance around once more and changed quickly from my old clothes into my new ones. It felt weird, having a set of clean clothes. My old ones had felt like a part of me, had been with me through a lot. It was almost like giving up a part of me, but a part that could be replaced.

I stepped out from behind the tree as I lanced my boots up and surveyed my new outfit. Simple, sturdy, durable, like me. I looked up into the branches of the tree above me and saw a sliver of sunlight peeking it's way through the canopy. Adjusting the watch on my wrist I took a step forward..., pain exploded in my skull.

Immediately I sank to my knees and my hands gripped my head as it felt like it would burst. My eyes closed and I gritted my teeth as I shook violently. Fire, burning flashes of heat, seared my skin and as I opened my eyes I saw that I was surrounded by flames.

I screamed and stumbled backwards only to feel a sharp pain in my gut. I looked down and my eyes widened as my hands wrapped around a dagger which had been plunged into my stomach. A blue liquid was seeping out of the dagger and coated my hands and seeped into my blood.

My body locked up and I fell to my knees as the flames roared all around me. That's when a pair of tiny, black boots stepped in front of my eyes. I looked up but spots danced before my eyes and I couldn't concentrate. The person looking down at me was barely taller than me on my knees. Dark shapes spread out on either side of their body and I thought I recognized feathers.

Suddenly, the person reached out and wrapped their arms around me. Shock and pain pulsed through me but I pulled them close avoiding the dagger I couldn't find the strength to pull out. "I'm sorry," a small voice whispered, full of grief and sorrow. My eyes caught sight of a opening in the flames but I couldn't move. Pain overwhelmed me and the heat of the flames seared my skin.

Then, we were consumed….

My eyes snapped open and I sucked in a sharp breath. Adrenaline coated my veins and my heart beat against my chest as I sat up and stumbled to my feet. My head was pounding though not like before and spots no longer danced before my eyes. The flames which had engulfed me were gone, and so was the person who I had held.

I glanced down at my stomach and rubbed the fabric where the dagger had been plunged. No blue liquid ran with my blood and there was no wound. It had been a vision, and, seeing as that had never happened before and I wasn't near any fire now, it had to be of the future.

The Flock's heads all snapped up as I ran out of the woods. Everyone was gathered around the small fire eating calmly but when they saw the look on my face they knew that something was wrong. "Max?" Fang asked, concern barely concealed in his voice. I forced myself to look calm but the vision still replayed vividly in my mind. "Eat fast," I said, "-there isn't much time."

R&R please