Chapter 25

Jeb stared at me as his entire body went rigid. I could tell he was trying to see if I was joking or not. He was still obviously pretty messed up from Ari's death. But, when I stood there, my arms crossed and my wings slightly flared out, I could tell he understood I wasn't lying.

For a moment, I knew he thought he misunderstood me. His thoughts were there across his face. He even stared at my stomach as if I had said my son and not his. That sort of made me a little bit on the angry side.

"She's not lying Jeb," Iggy stepped up, staring right at Jeb. The fact that the blind boy could see him also sent Jeb into a reeling set of questions. "Ari's sleeping."

When I dropped my hands at my side, Fang quickly wrapped his fingers around mine. "He won't wake up Jeb. He's scared of the world." Then, I tilted my head, "How could you leave him when he was so scared? He's just a kid."

Jeb shook his head. I looked around for where he possibly could've come form. I didn't see any cars or helicopters, he sort of just appeared. "You don't understand Max. Ari's more in control than he'll ever let on. He told me to take you and the flock. He asked to stay behind. He's a smart boy." Jeb ran a hand through his graying hair and fumbled with his glasses.

"Would you like to see him?" I asked patiently, seeing the way Jeb's hand was shaking and how he hunched over as if he could barely stand. When he nodded his head, I led him into the house.

My flock watched from the living room as Jeb stepped in. I caught Max II's glare at me. She was still angry with me, fed up with me. I didn't blame her. I would hate to be the copy of someone else and have to deal with not being just like that person. I bet the flock gave her a hard time, for looking like me. Fang especially did just that.

Fang had to lead the way because I didn't know where they had brought Ari after I passed out. We kept our hands together, not really wanting to let go. My entire hand was tingling from his touch. Jeb seemed to notice the difference between us but he didn't say anything about it.

Jeb walked through a door as if sensing where Ari was. When he entered the room and I followed after, I realized he was right. Ari lay there on a bed, the blankets underneath him. He was dressed just like I was, in the white awful clothes of the prison we had gone through together. I didn't realize how small Ari was for his age. I mean, we were all these skinny, tall bird kids so we were genetically large height wise. But Ari, he looked five years old even though I knew he was seven going on eight.

I watched Jeb literally crumbled, it was honestly painful to see. He was the last man I ever expected to fall apart. He taught me how to fight, train, never show emotion, and yet, he was breaking all his own rules now. He fell down at the edge of the bed and reached out to garb Ari's fragile hand. He was whispering and sobbing all at once. I guess that's what happens when you realize the son you thought was dead was really alive.

He peered over his shoulder at Fang, Iggy and I. Tears were wet against his wrinkled cheeks. He never looked as old and exhausted as he did at this moment. "I would like some privacy please with my son." Iggy was behind Fang and I so he easily left. I then stepped back with Fang and shut the door behind me.

My eyes were on the floor, sort of scared at seeing Jeb such a mess. Fang rubbed his thumb against my wrist and pressed hard to feel my beating pulse. "We have to leave soon," I murmured, remembering Max II's threat. She didn't want us bringing danger to SAFETY and I didn't want to.

"Come," Fang pulled me gently towards his room. We passed the opening that led to the kitchen and I caught a quick glance of my flock waiting in the living room. They probably wanted to see me, to ask what to do next, but Fang brought me into his room. "If we're leaving," he was saying, "Then you might need this."

He reached towards the chair in the corner and picked up a bag I instantly recognized. I opened my mouth to say something, anything but we know the words don't just come to my mind that easily. I took my backpack and held it for a while. "Fang," I whispered and then he wrapped me up into a big hug.

"Just promise you won't ever leave again. We stick together." He was holding me tightly and I hugged back. I nodded my head in complete agreement. We had split up once before and that didn't work. I should've known leaving the flock wasn't the best idea.

"I just had to save you," I stepped away from him, but his arms remained around my waist and my hands on his chest. I took a deep breath, "And they'll keep trying to hurt the flock, especially you, as long as they want me. At the moment, if they had me, I thought you'd be better off." I moved a piece of black hair out of his eyes. God, being here, with him, this wasn't going to be easy. Loving Fang would be the hardest challenge I would ever have. Saving the world, that was hard but I was trained and prepared to do that along side my flock and whoever else was willing to help. But being in love, I was on my own and there would be people who would use that against me. As long as I loved him and he loved me than we stood a better chance.

We exchanged a quick kiss. The backpack was still in my hand, showing me how he would never let me go, ever. It gave me hope that we could fight off the worst in our lives until there was nothing to worry about. "Let's tell the flock it's time to go. I think we should pay my mom a visit too. She might know what "The Saviors" were or if there were more Global Safety Production buildings. I knew if we went back Mr. Chu would've cleared the entire place out.

Then, we walked out towards the living room, holding hands. A lot of the other kids were there in the kitchen observing Fang and I. They were all so young, I thought. Fang, Iggy, and I were the oldest living Itex creations alive. It felt strange. My flock sat on the couch, silent as if there was no reason in the world for them to play. It broke my heart each time I thought about all the hardships they had gone through. They couldn't play a game without looking over their shoulder and worrying. I had dragged them into this. As if reading my mind, Fang tightened his grip on my hand.

We stood in front of them, their eyes all on me. I smiled at Iggy and he smiled back immediately. The others were happy too when they saw how Iggy got back his sight. At least, in the terrible portions of our life, we had those moments that were great. Angel easily read my mind and before I could even open my mouth she was speaking.

"Max says it's time to leave." Everyone seemed to accept this. No one complained or back talked.

"I'm sorry if you're enjoying it here. We have to go though and see Dr. Martinez about some things I learned at the building. We need a new attack. Jeb will want us to go there anyways and take Ari with us." I informed them.

They were such little troopers with wings. They could handle anything if they were forced to. I wish I could promise them a happy ending after all of this. I wanted Nudge to learn fashion and be able to make designs all the time. I wanted Gazzy to make gizmos and bombs along side Iggy. I wanted Angel to be whoever she wanted to be without using her mental powers. They all deserved finding someone special and have real families. I watched as they stood up to go back their backpacks. We would be ready to leave soon.

Jeb walked in, the flock staring at him as they passed, and he held Ari in his arms. He looked like he was crushed with a wrecking ball. "Hurry up," he informed us. "Our ride will be here shortly." Fang and I nodded our heads knowing it would only take minutes. We were trained for fast getaways.

I found Max II staring at me from where I stood. "Thank you for all you've done, even though you hate me." I gave her a smile and she nodded her head. I watched as she rolled her eyes. Here was possibly, our last goodbye for now. Max II would be here at SAFETY protecting the children and I would be off saving the world. Once upon a time, they had thought Max II was better fitted for it than me but the way things were now felt like the best choice for the two of us.

"I don't hate you Max, I'm just sick of everyone thinking I am you."