Okay, because I'm in a REALLY good mood today (and because Orangeduck23 begged) I decided to post an extra chapter. It's a bit sappy, in my opinion, but also really sweet. Hope you agree! At least, I hope you agree about the sweet part...

Chapter 25 – I'll Care

Fang felt like screaming when Max drifted off. Max was never going to wake up again, and it was more than likely that the Angel and Gazzy only had a few minutes left of their short lives. All their lives had been so short, things should have been different.

Just then Iggy, who was the only other person still conscious, spoke, "Fang..." he said, "why aren't you doing anything?"

"I can't…" Fang slurred. The effort he used had been excruciating when he had fought Zanna back the first time, and right now his brain felt like a muddled mess of melted butter. There was no way he would be able to concentrate enough to fight against her.

Iggy sighed sadly, "You have... you have to try, Fang. Do you want Max's last words... to be her begging to you for help?"

Something seemed to click inside of Fang when Iggy said that to him. Max… Fang struggled to move from the huddle of bird kids and crawl towards the glass panel, feeling as if he had anvils strapped to his body. His vision was getting fuzzy around the edges as he dragged himself across the room, but he could still see Zanna sitting calmly in her chair, her expression currently emotionless.

She reminded Fang so much of himself it was scary.

Zanna, Fang looked up at her tried to communicate with her through the glass, you have to help us.

Zanna got up from her chair and stood in front of him, looking down at him with an angry expression. Why should I? You chose Max over me. However, Fang could feel Zanna's confusion as she tried to decide how she felt about about him, her emotions caught between anger and pity. Fang kept up hope; there was still a chance she could be persuaded.

Come on, Zanna, he said, stimulating sympathy in her brain, I know you don't want to do this.

When Zanna felt him trying to influence her she lashed out, crippling him with a wave of terror that nearly caused his poisoned mind to lose consciousness. Don't you dare use my powers against me! This isn't my fault!

Fang struggled to fight the emotions and the blackness back as he kept on trying to persuade her. Do you really think this is Max's fault, just because she was the first victim? You can't blame Max for someone else's actions.

You don't understand what I've lived through! Zanna said, sending another wave down on him.

This time, however, Fang was better prepared to stand up to it, and he managed to block most of its effect. You think I haven't had an awful life? He replied, If it wasn't for Max, I would probably have a nice family and fourteen less years of pain and scarring!

Then why don't you see things my way? We could get along so well, we could keep each other company when Itex destroys the world!

Fang shook his head. You can't kill my family and expect me to get over it. Even you feel bad about this, Zanna. I can feel it. Slowly and surely, he was pushing back at Zanna's control.

It's a necessary evil! Zanna mentally shouted, this is Max's fault!

Stop chanting Itex's propaganda, Zanna, Fang said, think for yourself.

But then Mama won't love me anymore, and you'll just leave me and go save the world with your little Flock! Zanna's eyes flamed wildly at him, and he could feel her struggle against his control. It was no use though, he had the power now.

Zanna, Fang said firmly, Anne does not love you. She's tried really hard to love you, but she can't do it. She can only like you when you do what Itex wants.

Zanna was slowly caving in to her emotions, and her eyes now reflected her desperate sadness. But then no one will care what happens to me. They'll kill me and take my body away like they did with all the other experiments. Zanna leaned against the glass wall and began to cry, acting like the little girl she was underneath all the training and brainwashing.

Fang knew now that this was no longer a struggle against Zanna, but a struggle to save both her and the Flock from total destruction. Using the last energy he had left in his dying body, Fang raised himself up onto his feet, using the glass as a support. When he gained his footing he pressed his hand against Zanna's through the glass. Zanna, he told her softly, I'll care.

Zanna lifted her head to look at Fang, tears running down her cheeks. You will?

Fang nodded. You aren't a killer. You deserve to be loved.

Zanna and Fang looked at each other for a moment, sensing the sincerity of each other's thoughts and emotions. However, before Fang could say anything more Zanna abruptly turned around and raced out of the room, breaking off the connection. What was she doing?

Suddenly there was a loud hissing noise from the vent on the roof, and the sound of a large fan being turned on. Fang tried breathing, and to his amazement he was met with lungs full of fresh oxygen. He heard the door to the room open, and saw that Zanna was standing there. "It's oxygen mixed with an antidote to the poison," she said, "They'll be alright in about fifteen minutes. We'll have to hurry. Mam---"Zanna cut herself off, "Anne will probably check in here when the timer runs out," she looked at the numbers on the countdown, which was down to twenty-seven minutes.

"Could you help me up, please?" Iggy asked weakly from the huddle in the corner. Zanna walked over to him, pulled him out of the huddle, and helped him regain his footing. He and Fang walked around slowly, trying to get the poison out of their bloodstreams. A few minutes later, the others started to stir.

Fang kneeled down next to Max, who was still lying on the floor where he had left her. "Max," he said softly, "you have to wake up now."

Max's eyelids fluttered open wearily, and she smiled at him. "We're not alone, and the room's not very dim," she said drowsily, "so I guess I'm not in the afterlife." It was an odd thing to say, but Fang decided just to leave it for now and ask her some other time when she was thinking clearly.