I should have posted this on the 25th chapter of the story, but I guess it doesn't matter which chapter it is posted on. I want to thanked two of most loyal readers:
SomethingAboutDarkAngels and angel experiment 18
They are readers who have posted reviews for my story. I also thank current readers who have read these chapters and posted reviews before. You, guys, are devoted.
Yatlou: Don't you mean that they have devotion.
Me: Don't correct me when I'm thanking other people.
Yatlou: You were asking for it.
Me: Really? Did a question slip my lips without noticing? No, I don't remember that.
Yatlou: Temporary memory loss
Me: I don't have that. Hey, where's my pencil? I left it on my desk.
Yatlou: You mean the one in your hand.
Me: O.O How did it there? I was certain that it was on the desk a second ago.
Yatlou: You grabbed it a few minutes before. -sighs- Why was I created from this disgrace?
Me: Hey! Be happy that you weren't created by James Patterson. Who knows what would happen to you?
Yatlou: James Patterson would know.
Me: It was a rhetorical question. Now, go with Shadow because you are distracting me.
Yatlou: Thank your teenage short attention span for that.
Me: Okay, I get it. But, seriously, I have to sta- Oh, look an e-mail.
Yatlou: Focus!
Me: Huh, oh yeah.
Ventus' POV (Yes, I'm trying it again.)
I stared as Jeb pulled the trigger only to release a low click. Total flinched on my lap as he expected a loud noise, but there wasn't a bullet soaring into Yatlou instead she was standing with her arms crossed with a smirk on her face. Jeb looked disappointed as he opened the gun's chamber to see it empty. Didn't he load it before taking aim? Yatlou seemed ready to explode with laughter as she stared at Jeb's failure. Jeb only glared at her with pure hatred before taking a swipe on his wrist.
"Finding it amusing, Yatlou. Not for long. I have signaled the Yotrole company at this moment. They will find you and exterminate you like they should have done when you failed the emotional stability experiment," Jeb stated with an evil grin as he showed the group a small red button on his inside cuff. Yatlou immediately paled and she touched her left wrist. Yotrole, why did that sound familiar?
"What's Yotrole?" Max's strong voice boomed in the room. Curiosity was picking at me too. This is one of those times that it seems awesome to have Max as a leader with her blunt personality.
"A company that experiments on humans just like the School. It is known to have constructed a connection with the School to increase the progress between them. That is the reason why I came here, Max. I came to give you the next step to finish this battle," Jeb announced. "And guess who was part of that company?"
Immediately, everyone's eyes including mine went to Yatlou. She looked shaken and I remembered that she was a servant in that company. This can't be good if the flock thinks that she could be an enemy. "But, she was forced into the company like the rest of us," I said to interrupt the unavoidable conclusion.
"However, she was the company's top assassin," Jeb wasn't really helping the situation. What was his problem? From the flock's story's, he seemed like a nice guy going through a confusing moment of trust. However, in the end, he always seem to help the flock. At the corner of my yes, I saw Fang and Iggy stiffen. Max immediately traveled to her room and came back with raging eyes surrounded with tainted brown flecks of mistrust.
"Top assassin, huh? What are you going to say about that, Yatlou? All your knives seem to have disappeared. I knew that you couldn't be trusted fro-" Max started with a steel tone only to be stopped by Yatlou.
"From what? From the start? Yeah, I guess I forgot that you are the all-knowing Maximum Ride. The legend that soars from the over the ocean and taints people's minds a sense of failure. Of course not, you knew when you realized the true potential I hold. If you didn't know all of this, if I hadn't attacked that human, you would have been filled a pretentious attitude and ostentatious pride. I was the pathetic failure that you could snap like a twig because you are Maximum Ride. You know everything. You always have a plan. You triumph in any battle. You are Maximum Ride, mo"
"Yatlou, don't get too far. Max is a great leader that is aware of all of the options that are given to her. She is kind, generous, and thoughtful at her actions to help others around her including bystanders. Just because you are jealous of her, doesn't mean that you can criticize her," Fang stated in his cool mode.
"Dear brother," Fang's eyes widen at this statement including many other eyes, "don't let your little crush blind you from the truth. Your oblivious perspective that you group owns the world when in reality, it is ruled by weak humans like Ella."
Fang is her brother. That's actually not surprising. Their personalities are closely similar except that Fang would have stuck to his morals and not have killed anybody. Their hair was the thing that they had the same color unlike their eyes. Onyx and Gold.
"Hey! Ella might be human, but she is stronger than she looks. Maybe not physically, but she is emotionally strong. She is inc-" Iggy defended. I knew that Iggy and Ella were having a secret relationship since they were "relatives". However, I never knew that Ella was emotionally strong. I saw her crying last week because she heard a rumor that Iggy was cheating on her. I turned to see Ella admiring Iggy with Nudge sitting next to her. At that moment, it seemed that Nudge was uncomfortable and speechless. A rare event, but it did tell me something. This was important and difficult moment for the flock.
"Unctuous, much? Iggy, your flattering won't help you. Emotions are a curse sent upon us to tangle with our morals and ethnics. Jeb, how much time is there left?"
What? There was a time limit, but when did it start? Wasn't the button just a joke?
"Well, I actually don't know. He didn't tell me anything," Jeb responded while adjusting his glasses to send that mystifying appearance.
"Damn, you're worthless," Yatlou murmured. Her gaze seem to space out and her eyes seem to be labeled with concern. But, her attention was caught as she saw Max step up.
"Yatlou, we accepted you into this group, but it turns out to that you are a fraud. Hiding you identity from us," Max stated getting into fighting stance. Come on, don't fight. Not now. Can't she see that Jeb is hiding something?
Yatlou switched her gaze to Fang. I looked at him to see his head subtly shaking back and forth. She narrowed her eyes and returned to her conversation, "It wouldn't prudent of you to create a scandal in front of the young ones. Now, get out of your fi-"
A black blur smashed through the window crashing into Yatlou carrying her through the other side of the room. The building shook lightly letting dust fall form the rough debris covering the crime. Soon, Gazzy started to run after the blur disappearing behind the dust. That kid did always have a closer relationship than the rest of us. I sprinted after him into the bright sunlight. Its days like these that fill me with energy and joy. Searching for blonde hair, I saw it past through the woods only to see it raising into the sky. Where are the others? Releasing my wings, I raised up and flew swiftly next to Gazzy. His mischievous blue eyes were filled with tears with his arms stretching out like any moment her body would appear in that space. I wrapped my arms around him only to see his tears swimming in the same place refusing to fall. Strong kid.
"Gazzy, we can't go now. Don't worry, I'm sure that we will see her again. I'm mean Fang is her brother, she will return to see him again. Of course, she will come back for you," I comforted him as I rubbed his back as I seen Max done it. It felt weird comfort someone, but nice, I guess. Like a little brother moment.
Gazzy only nodded with a blank stare. The blank stare he gets when one of his bombs are taken by Max except those only last a second. This was hidden in the back of his bright eyes. I forced a smile on my face and brought him back to the house only to see the group discussing. I see that they didn't see the giant clue that just smashed through the walls. I would be chasing it down, but it was too fast.
"We will probably see her again," Max started. "If what Jeb said was true, we will see her as an enemy." My arms were yanked away as the small, blonde boy ripped them apart to take part of the conversation.
"What? No, Max! Isn't Yatlou our friend?" Gazzy told Max as he entered the circle. I traveled the longest couch and laid down the onto the black leather. Total soon back on my stomach and I petted him. His fur calmed me as I feel that I might the only that is different. We both have a wolf trail in our history, so it was nice. If he didn't talk.
Max looked doubtful, "Gazzy, didn't you hear Jeb? Yatlou is an assassin. She can't be trusted. I don't want anything to hurt my flock especially when I am able to prevent it from happening. I want to keep all of you safe from any danger and that means keeping her away."
"But, people can change. You said the same thing with Ari. Why not Yatlou?"
Nudge entered at that point, "Think about it, Gazzy. Jeb pushed the button that called the company which stole Yatlou away. She could be dead already. She might not survive the torture or punishment they are going to make her endure. I wish Jeb didn't call them, but maybe this will help us. It would be nice to have an inside ally. But, that's what Jeb is for. Jeb is nice, but a backstabber. Just like Yatlou, we have to be careful with both of them. Ari was a nice kid that was Max's little brother. He was kind hearted, but he…"
A sudden silence ended as we all knew what was supposed to be said next. Ari was kind-hearted from the last stories that were told, but he caused the flock's separation. Iggy coughed, "What do we do about Ms. Martinez and Ella? We can't take them with us and their home was partially destroyed."
"I'm sure Jeb will figure something out. They will be safer if they are hidden," Max puzzled out with a thoughtful gesture.
"What's the next step?" Fang questioned with confused look. I bet he is still affected that he has a relative that was labeled as a top assassin in a big company that could be his next enemy. I would be, too.
"We are going to Paris. Jeb told me that that is where the company is located at," Max responded while looking at Angel.
Angel shook her head and tightened her arms around Celeste, "No, her mind would have this wall made of equations and confusing variables. Also, there were weird terms that were hard to know what they meant. I couldn't get through."
This seem to make a wave of awkwardness grow between the members as we realize that we don't have the usual upper hand. Angel was an important resource in the flock especially talking with all-humans. Normally, the idea of reading someone's mind made me jump with excitement. I mean reading another person's mind must be awesome! But, lately, all this talk of betrayal really affects the cheerful mood. Can reading minds be a secret way to communicate with others? Even if the person can't answer, they can still say thoughts that really affect people especially when the brain is still growing. That's what the whitecoats did to train 'Erasers'.
Since I hadn't said anything lately, I decided to break the ice. "So, we are going to Paris?" I asked.
Max nodded, "Get ready in three days to head out." The group separated to their ways after that and started to prepare or enjoy their last days of 'normalness'. Out of the kids, Gazzy was the only one that looked determine to go to this adventure. Then, again, I'm only nine years, or was it 10? I don't know, but that's what happens when you are an experiment. Ah well. The other three didn't seem please to have to go, too. I guess I don't want to go either, I mean, I have friends. They don't know anything, but still. I looked down to see Total staring at me with his beady eyes. Oh no, here it comes.
"We're going to Paris, again. The rich cultures that are seen in that place excited my heart. I love to see the bright colors and flashing lights that accompany the title of that city: The City of Love. The inspiring creations that have risen from that city. The exotic and delicious meals that seem to warm the insides and lighten my heart. Oh Ventus, can't you think of anything more beautiful?" Total asked with a sparkle in his eyes.
"Yeah, some food and peace. When do you think we are going to eat?" I answered while standing up to go to the kitchen letting Total fall to the floor.
"Unforgivable! How can you let me fall to the floor while having an amazing conversation with yours truly?"
"Does it matter? You're always on the floor trailing behind Angel barking your yaps all day long." The only answer I got was a huff.
Yatlou's POV
I coughed the dust out of my esophagus as I felt strong ropes tangled themselves around me. First, I was in a living room outsmarting Maximum to being kidnapped from an unknown source. Going with my second instinct, I held my position and did not send any signals of panic to the enemy. Their scent was strange as it held a mix of fresh gasoline and mint. Taking a peek, I looked at person's hands to see black oil dripping from metal claws. A sense of relief flowed through my body, instantly sending a message to loosen my muscles. It wasn't Yotrole. I still have time to corrupt them first before they destroy me. It seems that we will have to speed up the plan.
"I heard a couple of jets already zooming from the west that is about a few thousand miles. They really need to fix that 3rd engine from the right," a husky voice whispered into my ear causing slight shivers to travel up and down my spine.
"Don't whisper into my ear. By the way, can you calculate their speed?" I inquired, preparing the equation into my mind.
"Probably 785mph, why?"
"The flock is certainly going to receive a surprise in around 3 hours," I stated with a devious smile and jumped from his arms only to land on platform made of ice. Carefully, I started to create my trail. "How did you get oil in you claws?"
"Nothing," he responded with a blush.
"You did something stupid, didn't you?"
"Psh, no."
"Well, it doesn't matter. We are going to Paris, France. In the land of beautiful Europe, to meet an old friend." I grabbed Shadow's hand to guided him on the smooth ice to the true heart of my world.
Happy President's Day! I hope your day is filled with presidents and american colors.
Yatlou: I'm kidnapped and all you can do is greet your readers.
Me: Some could say that you were Cat-napped.
Yatlou: Really? Could you do be any more humiliating?
Me: I was just trying to lighten the mood. I mean, you were kidnapped.
Yatlou: Forget it. You aren't going to do anything.
Me: In case you forgot, I'm the author, so I decide what happens to you.
Yatlou: You're probably going to make do something stupid.
Me: How did you know?
Yatlou: I hate you
Me: Whatever, I still own you like Ventus.
Yatlou: Yeah, yeah. We already went over that.
Me: Whoa, when did we do the author's note?
Yatlou: -shakesheadindisappointment- What am I going to do with you?
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