Chapter 25

I was just sitting there think about life, my next steps, my hopes and dreams for my future. Yeah right.

Actually I was thinking how I couldn't sleep on this plane. So after many failed attempts, I opted on looking out the window, purposely keeping my gaze away from Red's.

We were off to Hawaii on a mission to save Max's mom and get another evil bad person that was trying to kill us at the same time, just because we are amazing like that. But this time around we did it in the lap of luxury. I really made no difference on the stress level whatsoever.

John was talking to max about important stuff that leader tend to talk about. Gazzy was mesmerized with the view, Angel and Red playing cards. The rest of us were just lying around the spacious jet.

"John?" asked Gazzy, sounding to curious for a casual questioning.

"Yes?" John answered wearily.

"What would happen if a big bird, like a goose, flew into the jet engine?"

"It would probably be very bad." John said.

"What would happen if someone hummed a football into the engine, right when the plane was taking off?"

Oh jeez, he was talking about that.

"Is there a point to this line of questioning?"

"Just wondering."

*flashback*

"Ig, come on! We gotta do this quick just to see what happens."

I looked over at Gazzy and willed myself to be still. I followed them to the airfield where they stood just off the side of the runway, hiding themselves in the overgrowth there.

"Okay, when I say so, throw this at 11 o'clock. Then duck for cover quick."

Iggy nodded as the Gasman handed him what looked like a football. I turned to see a airplane taxiing over to this air strip and power up for takeoff. Even my eyes widened at this, but crazy enough I let them continue their experiment.

"Ready….ready….okay! GO!"

Iggy lobbed the ball right at the planes engine, just as it was about to take off. Following Gazzy's advice to Iggy, I ducked and took cover right as the plane engine burst into flame.

"Oh way awesome man! Up top!"

They slapped high fives and ran back to where the rest of the flock were waiting for us to come back from the washroom. Little did they know that they just blew up a jet engine. I just shook my head and followed the devil's offspring.

But I was sure of one thing. Gazzy would blow up the world one football at a time.

*end flashback*

"I never thought that I would say this but," Iggy spoke up, keeping the heat off the Gasman. "I actually miss Nudge's run on mouth." Nice save.

"I miss her smile." Angel added form where she was playing cards.

"I miss her brownness." Iggy continued the conversation.

"I'm sure she's fine." She might be, but Max certainly wasn't. Her brow was constantly furrowed and her fists were always clenched. "She made her choice." Max was really torn up about this Nudge leaving thing. If only there was a way to cheer her up….

"I miss her laugh." Gazzy pretended he didn't even hear Max. "And, like, her, I don't know, girliness."

That was a low blow to Max's ego. She was girly, just in her own Maximum way. A plan was slowly coming together in my mind so I decided to put it in action. I got up and sat beside Max, feeling Red's stare the entire time but I really couldn't care less.

I took a deep breath to calm the nerves and looked around the cabin to make sure that no one was looking, especially Red. I found Max's hand under the blanket and held onto it, squeezing it slightly. It was soft and warm, and, God bless her soul, not pulling away from mine.

"This sucks about your mom," she just nodded, half dazed. I would have like to think it was from me. "And Nudge." I looked over and saw her eyes focused on something far away, but even though they were unfocused, I could see the pain and worry swirling inside. Her eyelids fluttered closed.

"I'm here." I finalized before she feel into a coma like sleep.

Not seconds later, her eyes shot open again. I stared at her, a little concerned about her state of health. And possibly what this stress was really doing to her.

I watched as the panic leached out of her eyes and they drifted closed again. The exhaustion was too much to hold back.

I relaxed again too, falling asleep as we continued way ward to our final destination. At least I thought we were.

There you go, 3 chapters in one day. I think I'm pretty amazing. ;) Review if you have drunk 2 liters of Root Beer in one night. :D

Ella