I awoke motionless and deaf. I opened my eyes to see only the fluorescent glare of the light above my head. I was still strapped to the table but I couldn't feel my limbs. I turned my head to the side to see pure chaos. My flock was in turmoil, screaming at me all the while engaged in a vicious battle that included both erasers and white lab-coated men, a few of which were throwing themselves into a wall. I suppose Angel's getting stronger. I looked further down to see a straggling white lab coat bent over the last table actually unstrapping Gazzy from where he lay. Once he was free, he jumped into battle. Fang broke away, punching an eraser in his path, quickly making his way to me. Our eyes met and he paused for a split second, slightly cocking his head, and then continued to close the remaining gap between us.
"Max! Max, are you okay?!" He shouted at me, interrupting my rather peaceful viewing of this very entertaining battle. I decided not to respond, I was beginning to feel the pain in my body from the events of the last 48 hours, and answering his question required too much energy. Rather, I just waited as he undid my straps, blood falling from his face onto my already blood soaked t-shirt. Once unstrapped I casually sat up to better take in my surroundings.
"Max, are you okay!? Answer me, are you in pain?! C'mon Max we need to get out of here, we can't hold them off much longer! Angel won't be able to pull this stunt again!" Fang nearly shouted this at me at the same time bending to pick me up off the table. I swung my legs off the table before he got to me and carefully stood up to his surprise.
"Fang! Is she alive, is she okay?!" The rest of the flock shouted, running towards us. I looked up to see Angel standing in the center of the lab with her eyes closed, every single white-coat and eraser stock-still, it was magnificent.
"Max, can you hear me?" Fang asked reaching his hand out towards me approaching closer.
"Yes", was all I responded. His face changed from intense worry and panic to shock, pure shock. He took one step back from me. He was still close enough to touch me, but far away enough to give me a good look over. And then his faced changed again, from shock to sadness. I looked at the rest of the flock, looking from me to Fang and back again.
"Guys, c'mon! We need to get out of here, what are you waiting for?" Gazzy finally piped-up.
Then Iggy chimed in with a simple "uh-oh".
"Don't you dare say that Iggy!" Fang snapped. Then he suddenly grabbed me, pulling me towards him, placing his hands on either side of my face. I was too tired to resist. "Max? We need to get out of here…" he said with a very soft begging tone, looking me dead in the eyes, as if he was searching for something. He eyes grew sadder and sadder the longer I didn't respond. Then he kissed me, a forceful yearning type kiss – a vulnerable kiss. I stepped back, and broke the kiss. When I looked up I swear I saw a tear roll down his cheek and he whispered "I love you."
With that, I turned and limped out of the room, into the hallway. I didn't look back, but when I looked forward I saw Jeb standing in the middle of the hallway looking at me with a smile on his face. Now how did he get out of that lab room? I didn't have much time to look, the numbness I had been feeling in my body was slowly dissipating and the pain from my very many injuries was seeping in. I cursed the annoyance my pain caused but continued to limp on leaning against the wall. I wasn't sure where I was going but kept going despite this fact. My knees buckled but before I hit the ground I was grabbed by someone behind me. I turned my head to see the stone-cold face of Fang, eyes black as night. He said nothing to me and just picked me up as my world became foggy once again. Before the world completely disappeared I heard Fang tell Jeb to get out of our way.
And his only response was, "I will not stop you Fang. She will be back. I can already tell by the look on your face that you know as well as I do, this is not the same Maximum Ride. I'll see you soon my dear Maximum."
And with that I was cradled even tighter to Fang's chest and everything went black.