Chapter 27

An hour and seven full bellies later we were spread out in the living room unable to move. Our normal consumption rate should be at least 3000 calories a day. Problem with living on the run – sometimes we didn't eat at all. So we took full advantage of every opportunity for a good hearty meal. We were lounging around, relishing the peaceful morning and the hushed roar of the ocean outside when Iggy spoke up.

"What's the plan, Max?" Iggy asked with a hint of snicker in his voice. I was so going to kill both him and Fang.

Actually I had no plan. I usually relied on my Voice or my natural GPS for directional advice. Hadn't heard from the Voice in a while so I decided we were going to head for warmer weather.

We're heading –" I began.

Go back to New York, my Voice charged.

"Wha-at? New York?" I exclaimed. Six mutant eyes were staring at me. I walked away from the group, one hand on my temple – attempting to concentrate.

We can't go back to New York! Or have you forgotten the bomb in the basement situation? I reminded it.

You need to finish your work there. Jeb is waiting for you – with Dr. Martinez, explained the Voice.

A huge smile began to form on my face and I felt a warm resurgence of energy floating through every muscle of my body. Dr. Martinez, aka the coolest mom in the world, was a veterinarian out in Arizona. She and her daughter Ella befriended me and took me in when I was hurt and she took a chip out of my arm that the School had put in me long ago. Then, while we were in Germany saving the world, I found out she was really my mom. My whole world just got better after that.

So – back to New York it was.

I turned back to face the flock, all of them eagerly anticipating my orders. Well – all of them except for Fang. He wasn't speaking to me or looking at me. Which didn't ease the pit at the bottom of my stomach but I guess I deserved that.

"I guess we're going to New York," I said as my flock's puzzled expressions grew even more bewildered.

"I love New York! Can we go see another fashion show?" Nudge wondered allowed.

"I say we go to the Met," Total suggested while licking a paw. Six bird kid eyes descended upon him. He looked up to our perplexed faces. "Oh come on…. The Metropolitan Museum of Art?! You people are so uncultured."

Every single one of us rolled our eyes at the same time.

"Well – I guess we're not going to Disney World – again," Gazzy huffed dejectedly. "I am never going to ride a rollercoaster."

I sat down next to him on the couch, placed my arms around his shoulders, and curled him up into me. "Tell you what, Gaz," I said. "As soon as we finish whatever work we have to do in New York, we will find you a rollercoaster." I ruffled his hair as he looked up and smiled.

"So – what's in New York?" Iggy questioned, breaking up the charming HallMarky moment.

"I don't know exactly. The Voice just said we have to finish our work there. Jeb is there," I paused before I continued, a gigantic smile sneaking onto my features again. "And so is my mom."

Fang finally glanced at me with raised eyebrows. Angel and Nudge smiled almost as big as I had. They all loved my mom because well – she was just so awesome.

So that was it. We were going back to the disaster we just left not even twenty-four hours earlier. Wondered what else the Big Apple had in store for us.