"Ugh, I'm such an idiot," I said for the eighty-billionth time into Fang's shoulder. I was not a pretty picture to see. My eyes were all puffy and red after crying until my body was incapable of producing enough tears for me to regret yelling at Gazzy like that.

"I'm so angry at myself," I said as I swiped the last remaining tear from my face.

"I know, I know, baby. I know you didn't mean it and I'm sure Gazzy does to," Fang said wearily. Even though I still find him pretty to look at, he wasn't in his best form either. His tight black shirt was salt stained from the tears I shed and his eyes had bags after hearing hours of my incoherent words.

"If I were Gazzy I'd kick my ass," I said as I finally lifted my face from his shirt. Fang lifted my chin so I could meet his eyes. As he searched my face, he winced a little. (Very encouraging)

"You okay?" he asked sincerely.

"Not really," I said. I looked around. I noticed Courtney's flock was gone. I couldn't really blame them. They needed to find a safer area away from the explosion.

"Where'd Sarah go?" I asked. Its not like she could just fly away.

"I'm not quite sure, she just took my laptop and ran, which reminds me that I need that back," he replied.

"Odd," I said as I got up. Fang naturally followed. I walked over to the vending machine. It was beyond any use for repair. I sighed. Fang hugged me from behind.

"So what do we do now?" I asked.

"I don't know. You're the one that usually comes up with stupid plans that magically seem to work in the end. We have to find a way to save humanity, though. I mean, what will become of me if I don't have a whole bunch of screaming fan girls worshiping at my feet," Fang said.

I shrugged him off and punched him in the shoulder. "Ouch," he said, rubbing his wound.

"This isn't funny," I said. Just then, my eye caught something on the ground. Right behind the vending machine was a small, circular hole about big enough for one person.

"Did the earthquake open this up?" I asked.

Fang stared at it, too. "Sorry, I didn't really have enough time to explore with a crying girl pinning me down. Anyway, earthquakes don't usually open up perfectly circles in the ground.

"I'll go see what's down there. Maybe, there'll be a way to stop the explosion," I said as I stepped towards the hole.

"Wait!" Fang said as he held my arm to stop me. He dropped a stone down the whole. We couldn't hear it hit the bottom.

"Regardless, I'm still going down there…" I said

"Max, you can't." Fang interrupted.

Shocked, I said, "Excuse me!"

"How do you expect to get out? I mean, it's not like you can fly very far, remember?" Fang argued.

"I got rid of the voice last night, thank you very much," Fang's eyebrows rose at this, "I can fly perfectly well," I said.

"Oh yeah, prove it," Fang said disbelievingly.

"Fine," I retorted. All prepped and ready to go, I planned to expand my wings with pizzazz. Nothing happened. I tried again. Still nothing. Scared, I turned to Fang.

"I can't move my wings," I said weakly. Even he looked shocked.

You can't get rid of me that easily. You've caused too much trouble for me, Max. One sacrifice will be enough in order to create my perfect world the voice boomed louder and more controlling than ever.

"No!" I yelled in despair. I fell to my knees.

"Max, what's wr…" Fang started worryingly.

"Max…" a weak voice interrupted.

I quickly composed myself and held my arms open wide. Gazzy ran into my arms with tears steaming down his face. The rest of flock came to where we were all assembled.

"Max, I'm so sorry! I'm sorry!" Gazzy blubbered,

"Shh, baby, I know. I'm sorry, too. I didn't mean those words," I said as I stroked his blonde little head.

As I let Gazzy cry into me, I asked Nudge, "Do you remember if the plans had anything about a hole like this?" I indicated to the whole near where we were.

Nudge thought for a moment, "I think that's the hole Itex used to send people down to assemble the bomb. It'll probably head straight to it."

"Then, Iggy could go down there and disassemble the bomb, right?" Gazzy said, his eyes full of hope.

Nudge shook her head gravely. "There's a one way highly secure door down there. Once you go down, there's no coming back."