Ok, I apologise profusely for the massive delay. This year will be worst than most for updates. I am absolutely SWAMPED with work. As I write this I should be studying Physics but I've taken some much needed time out and I can do it later. Anyway I'm hoping I can update again next month if I'm lucky. I do apologise but I WILL keep up this story so don't get nervous if my updates are few and far between.


Max's POV

It was the most breathtaking and yet heart-wrenching thing I had ever seen.

There before me lay the view from my childhood, from the happiest days of our lives, and there, abandoned in the middle of it all, was an old, rundown country house, our home.

Standing on the mountaintop, overlooking our serene, isolated little valley, I felt that same sense of belonging as when Fang had walked through the door of our house in Florida, the feeling that something missing had finally clicked back into place. A sense of completeness and peace washed over me and I wondered why I had never thought to return here before. A faint smile spread over my lips as I spotted familiar landmarks; the strawberry plants we'd harvested every summer, the big tree we'd slept in once or twice out under the stars, the small cave I could just pick out, hidden in the opposite mountainside. I felt Fang's hand slip into mine and I leaned into him slightly.

"It's so beautiful," I said gently, "so simple, so idyllic."

He nodded and I watched as Nudge, Gazzy and Angel spiralled around the valley, ducking and diving in every direction.

"It's kind of sad though too." Iggy mused. "In an odd sort of way, as if it's been waiting for us to come back for years."

I sighed thinking of this poor house of ours rotting away waiting patiently for our return and being forever disappointed, The home or our sweet, childish little world, when life was simple and taken for granted. No fear, no death, simply peace and childish games. After living in cages, this isolated valley had been a heaven and a sanctuary to a bunch of lonely, confused kids.

Fang squeezed my hand.

"Do you want to go inside?" He asked carefully.

I nodded and I turned to Iggy, "coming?" I asked.

"Yeah." He nodded thoughtfully. "For old times' sake."

We threw ourselves off the embankment, snapping our wings out just before we began to plummet, the rush of air made me giddy, but I was still sober enough to feel the red hot flames burning up and down my scars. Wincing slightly, I wobbled in the air. Fang shot me a look and, swooping underneath me, slowly lifted until my hands could rest lightly on his shoulders to steady myself. So we flew down, our wings beating in unison, Fang keeping me stable all the way.

Landing was a sticky business as we'd never tried to land together before, but when I stumbled Fang had already turned to catch me. No one has ever had a right hand man as amazing, helpful, caring, devilishly good looking, pick any positive adjective and he is probably it, as I have. The thought occurred that maybe sometime soon I should tell him so, before . . .

I felt a pang in my heart knowing that I didn't have long. Turning to the house I tried to hide the fear of the inevitable in my eyes, but the ever perceptive Fang slipped his hand into mine and squeezed gently. I squeezed back and then reached for Iggy's hand. He turned to me and smiled, knowing as I did that this was the exact way we had arrived at this house for the first time.

Flashback

Ten years old, I stepped out of the car mistrustfully, my eyes darting around nervously as I searched for whitecoats and erasers in every corner of the bright valley. Fang was next to slip out of the car, his hands curled tightly and head held high. I watched as he too searched our immediate vicinity and then nodded to him, secretly signalling that it was clear. He stepped up beside me and our hands shot out at the same time, too nervous to be embarrassed we clung to each other in shared unease.

We turned as Iggy stumbled out of the SUV, his legs shaking. Still unable to walk comfortably due to his recent blinding, he flailed wildly until I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards us.

"It's ok Ig." I whispered in his ear out of habit. "We've checked the area. We're safe. I think."

He nodded quickly and Fang and I turned our attention to Jeb who was slipping the two year old Angel into a baby carrier on his back. He smiled at us and taking Nudge and Gazzy's hands he gently urged us forward. Fang and I glanced at each other and I nodded. Nudging Ig's hand I took a step forward and then another. With that, we had begun our walk to freedom.

End Flashback

Stepping forward as one, we, the three eldest, retraced our first steps on the road to freedom, but today, instead of shuffling timidly, jumping at shadows, we strode confidently with the lean battle readiness of true fighters. We were prepared, we were powerful, we moved as one, with the fluidity of those who knew their partners better then themselves.

We reached the open door together and, with our heads held high, we stepped over the threshold. My mind immediately flung me into the past and looking around the room all I could see was how things used to be; the old grandfather clock against the far wall of the hallway, the forest green wallpaper that formerly covered the now decrepit walls and the light cream carpet that had faded away now to show the wooden floorboards underneath.

As our eyes began to adjust to the darkness we started to explore the house, Iggy merely changing his stance slightly to account for the possibility of rotting floorboards. Fang and I were more cautious, uncomfortable as we were walking in the dark. After a short trip down memory lane in my room we made our way to Fang's and the two of us watched the sunset, our sunset, with the younger half of the flock zipping through the skies in front.

It was beautiful, and again I felt a sharp pang at the knowledge that I would not grow old with this memory. I had but a week to relive it in my mind and I would never sit in this room again.

The sun set for the last time and the room was plunged into a soft darkness. My head resting on Fang's shoulder I let go of my thoughts and allowed myself to just enjoy the moment.


Ok sorry again as I said. I've finally gotten a laptop so hopefully I'll have more little in between times where I'll just be able to quickly type ideas which should speed things up a bit. I hope there are still people out there interested in this story although if I've lost everyone it's no one's fault but my own. Talk to you all soon Cat