The Disbanded: Divided We Stand-Chapter 38
By MyNameIsCAL
---Fang's POV---
Max came and sat next to me on the couch. "You look like you're going to pass out."
I leaned up against her. "That's because I am."
She took my hand. "You know if you want to talk about something, you can."
Maybe that's what I needed to do. Max probably deserved to hear everything. There were still things I haven't told her. Or maybe I just needed to vent and get some feelings out.
"I know," I whispered.
"There's some food to eat in the kitchen," Max said, changing the topic as Ella came in. "Would you rather eat here or there?"
"The kitchen is fine," Fang answered.
---Max's POV---
Fang refused my help as he struggled towards the kitchen. As soon as he sat down, the others bombard him with food. It looked like Fang had an appetite today. After a few minutes, we sat down with him and ate some food. I always felt like Mom cooked too much, but once we finished eating, there was barely anything left.
"Mmm that was so good," Iggy said, leaning back in his chair. "We gotta cook like this more often."
I watched Fang pull out a box with his pills for every day with his meals. He always took them when no one was really paying attention to him. It was easy to see that Fang was ashamed of what happened to him, and it worried me. Fang seemed to be getting better, but he still wasn't the same. His silence we different. Most of the time, his silence was because he was too busy thinking about his problems. Nothing went through his head without him thinking about his guilt.
---Gazzy's POV---
I don't remember Dr. Martinez lived. Somewhere in Arizona. Every now and then I would look in a phonebook, when I could find one. These days, those things disappeared. Who needed phonebooks when everything was online?
Most people ignored me. They were busy, rushing place to place for New Year's. Most supermarkets were crowded with the people trying to get last minute things. It was prime time to lift some food, and that's exactly what I did. But even a little bit of food couldn't fill that growing hunger that got worse and worse every day. I hoped I found Dr. M soon. Hopefully, she hadn't moved.
My next stop was the library.
---Fang's POV---
It's a long time until midnight, but I'm already so tired. Max suggested I get some sleep before then, so now I'm lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying not to look at my arms. Eventually, I knew Max would end up in here next to me. She didn't like to leave me alone for long, but I'd like to think it was because she cared that much for me.
I can hear them talking and laughing downstairs. Ted is the one talking, but I can't make out what he's saying. He must be telling a story because every now and then Cal interjected. Those two made a good couple. They balanced each other. They had everything going for them when I had everything to lose with Max.
And like I said, Max came in a half an hour later. She climbed onto the bed and plopped down next to me.
"Hey," I said.
"How're you feeling?" she questioned.
"Better," I answered. "Just tired."
"You should sleep."
"You always say that and I never do, even when I try."
She sighed. "Yeah, I know."
---Max's POV---
Fang drifted off a little bit before three in the afternoon. I slipped out of our room and headed back downstairs.
"How is he?" Cal asked. Ted was lucky, she cared a lot about him. She cared a lot about us too.
"He just fell asleep. Although it won't last for long," I answered. "He'll be ok."
"Well, that's good to hear," Cal smiled.
I sat, listening to all of them carry on their conversations. Once New Year's came and passed, we'd be out on the road again, searching for the flock and trying to finish off Itex. We had to finish what we started years ago. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too late for that.
And even if Gazzy, Angel, and Nudge were still alive, would they forgive us? Fang was lost and broken without anyone. He easily forgave me. If Iggy hadn't seen Ella and Mom first, I'm sure he wouldn't have been as forgiving. Gazzy, out of all of them, would probably be the least forgiving. I mean, after a while, I had just given up and worried only for myself. Fang, Iggy, and I all knew that under different circumstances, we might have walked away each other or thrown a few punches.
---Gazzy's POV---
It's New Year's Eve. The Library won't be opened for another two days. I could fly aimlessly around Arizona, but I was tired, so I found a secure spot on the side of a cliff, overlooking a small town. There was a bar that people kept going in and out of. Another year has come and gone. I haven't gotten anywhere. I lost my sister and Nudge. It felt like Max had abandoned me. Had Fang even survived? Poor Iggy must have been so lost without anyone. I hope he was ok.
The sun was just setting. There was still a ways to go before New Year's Eve actually kicked off. Too bad I couldn't go and mingle with those people and pretend to by someone else. I looked too young to be in a bar, but felt older than I should. Sometimes when I slept, I wish I'd wouldn't have to wake up to all the pain and horror.
Thanks for being patient. Updates will come slowly. The holidays season and school make things a lot more stressful. Good thing for fanfiction. It relieves stress. Check out my newest fanfiction Second Changes? if you're lookin' for something new to read. Thanks, once again, for reading.