Honestly, I am sooooo glad I got writer's block for this story and decided to redo it. This version (in my opinion) is soooooo much better. What do you think? Which version do you like more?

Oh and thanks to AMixOfFandoms for favoriting my stories!

And thanks to BabaLooWho for reviewing my stories!

And thanks to FailingAtLife for allowing me to write one of your stories! (And the new story will be coming out after I finish this story!)

I decided that this chapter is the last chapter in the present! Well, the present for now! Yes, finally! I hope you like this last chapter in Max's present. Next, we'll see Max's past! Who's excited? I know I'm excited! Did I have sugar again? Nope, I am completely calm. Anyways. . .

Here is the next chapter!

-Kath

Chapter Seven:

Present… November 8th… 10:00 a.m… One year after Max was abandoned… Itex Building… A little outside of Berlin, Germany… Max POV…

This last week has been like Halloween. I would have to perform experiments on little kids, scientists would be in the room observing, and the kids' screaming would scar me for the rest of my already messed up life. So, yeah, I am just freaking fantastic. I have told Jeb over and over that I am done. But, of course, he doesn't listen to me. But, I only have three more days until I can free the experiments and get the hell away from here. I don't think I can last three more days.

But do you know what I just realized? I haven't experimented on Subjects 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66. I wonder why. . .

Present… November 11th… Midnight… One year after Max was abandoned… Itex Building… A little outside of Berlin, Germany… Max POV…

It's time, Max, says Jeb through the little device that has been bugging me since I first got here. Finally. It's time. I can't believe it. These kids have gone through hell and I have gone through hell and now, we're going to get out of here.

"First, head down to Subjects 111 and 122. Cooper or Subject 133 is in the room across for them. No scientists or Erasers should be in that wing of the building tonight. There is some pretty happening in one of the lower levels. You are supposed to be keeping watch on the experiments tonight."

"How rude! I don't get to be invited to the party?" I scoffed. I could tell that Jeb was frowning on the other side.

"Focus on the task at hand, Max. When the alarm sounds, all the scientists are going to put the experiments away and head down to the party. Act like you have started your patrol."

"I've been thinking, Jeb. How come on the night of my heroism, I coincidentally have patrol?"

"Because I made sure you had patrol." Of course you did, Jeb.

Seconds later the alarm went off and chaos ensued. Scientists were scrambling from room to room already talking about the party, Erasers were holding cages with unconscious experiments, and the light was dimming slightly for my patrol to start. I walked around aimlessly and once all the halls cleared out, I relaxed slightly but I could hear the sounds of my blood running and my heart thumping loudly. I leaned against the wall and jiggled the keys in my pocket.

"Now go to the security room and turn off the cameras for the experiment wings. Leave the other ones on so nothing looks suspicious."

I pushed myself off the wall and started walking down the white walls that have become so familiar as pretending to be one of the devilish scientists. I finally let out a shudder as I thought back to those kids' screams and seeing the agony the kids' were in when the Erasers would carry their cages back to their rooms.

After about five more minutes of walking, I came to the security room. I pulled out my keys and unlocked the door. Luckily, it was completely empty. Don't these scientists realize that it is so easy for the experiments to escape when there is one measly scientist on watch? Haven't the whitecoats learned anything from all my and the flock's escapes? Guess not.

Shutting and locking the door behind me, I walk over to the many computers. I hit a few keys and watch as the videos cut out in the sections where I'll be. Smiling, I got rid of evidence that I was here but cleaning the keyboards and door knobs. Grabbing my blue gloves from my pockets, I put them on. You can never be too careful.

Once I am outside, I make sure I am completely alone before taking off my heels and sprinting down the halls towards the experiments. Heels are too noisy and I need to be able to run.

"You only have an hour to escape, Max." That rang through my ears as I sprinted harder down the long white halls. Finally, I came to Subjects 111 and 122's room. I unlock the door and step into the barely lit room. I have to blink a few times in order to adjust and I start walking towards the only two cages in the room. The experiments cower in the back of their cages when I kneel down in front of them. Sadly while I have been here, I have been the harshest on these two. Hey! It's not my fault. Mr. Wacky Boss wanted me to do the worst poisons on them and he was in the room.

I let down my mask and I notice the experiments blink a few times. Going to have to lie… "I'm Maximum Ride. I was pretending to be Kennedy Rickety. She is at the party below us. I'm here to rescue you." Their faces brighten and they start moving towards the front of the cages. I smile slightly and unlock the doors. "Now, please be quiet." They leave the room and now, I just noticed the rough shape both kids are in. It's a boy and a girl; twins with red hair, blue eyes, and fair skin although it looks slightly bluish now from the experiments.

I meet the kids' eyes and they are waiting for my next move. "What are your names?"

The boy says, "I'm Joey and this is my twin sister Avery." I nod and smile. I motion for them to follow me and the three of us enter Cooper's room. I notice that luckily, he is in a similar condition to when I last saw him and he's not worse. I smile, unlock his cage and help him out. He smiles when he sees me and hugs me.

The four of us hurry outside and I pause, not knowing where to go next.

"Go get Subjects 77, 88, 99 next. They are down the hall, take the first right and third door on the left. You only have 40 minutes, Max."

"Let's go," I say and start at a light jog so the others can keep up. I follow Jeb's directions and soon, we are at the door. I slowly open the door to the dimly lit room and step in with the three kids right behind me. I see the three experiments cower but they stop when they notice me and the three kids. Curious, they move forward. I smile and unlock their cages. Quickly and swiftly, they get out and stare at me in awe. It's two girls and a boy around the age of twelve. They look similar so I am guessing they are related. They all have brown hair, green eyes, and fairly tan skin. Their names are Chase, Cass, and Clara.

We head out and I look around at all the different halls and doors. "Go down the hall on your left and it's the very last door. Be careful, Max. These experiments are different."

I frown at his words. What does he mean? Isn't it weird that I haven't experimented on these last six when I was supposed to? I shake it off and start heading down the hall towards the very last door. I glance back to see all the kids following me. I smile. It felt nice to be a leader again.

We approached the door and I couldn't help but feel the growing pit in my stomach. It is making me feel a little sick. I frown again. I slowly approach the door and signal for the kids to stay out here to keep watch. I have a feeling that something bad is about to happen. I slowly open the door and weirdly, the room is pretty well lit. I see the cages to subjects 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66. I freeze in my tracks and my eyes widen.

I couldn't believe it. My heart starts pounding loudly in my chest and I immediately put a mind block on. The experiments' eyes widen when they take in my appearance. Hair in a neat military bun, black dress pants, no shoes, a fitted royal blue shirt, and the clean white lab coat.

I take in their appearances as well. They all look so much older than the last time I saw them. The little blonde who is now eight. Her hair is straighter than it used to be, her blue eyes lost the fire they had before and now they just look tired, her skin as a slight sick tint to it. Angel. The other blonde who is now eleven. His hair is curlier than ever, his blue eyes seem darker and more haunted, and his skin is paler than usual. Gazzy. The chatterbox box who is now thirteen. Her hair looks like it was straightened but now it is just a mess, she has huge bags under her eyes, her skin as a weird glow to it and she is more grown up since the last time we talked. Nudge. The strawberry blonde who is now sixteen like me. His hair is sticking straight up, his pale eyes seem worn out and drowsy, and his skin is slightly darker than it used to be. Iggy. The black haired boy who is sixteen as well. His dark hair falls flat on this head, his dark eyes which are holding so much emotion that it is overwhelming, and his skin looks sickly. Fang. Oh and Total the dog.

As I stare at them, the more memories come flooding back that I have spent months keeping locked up so I could live my new life. And here they are, destroying everything I have kept locked up.

I was right. They didn't get a record deal. It was all a trap. Blind idiots. As I continue to stare, the only thing that swirls through my mind is the article. How they said I died. How they said their true thoughts and feelings. How they acted like I never cared for them. The only one who never said anything and actually said something nice in that letter was Total. I unlock Total's cage then I turn towards the others. I pour as much anger and hate into my eyes. I smirk when I see them flinch.

For the past year, I have changed. Changed to the quiet kid. The nerd girl. The loner. The one who was never loved. The one who only had one friend. The one who obeyed orders from her two least favorite adults. The one who kept her emotions bottled up. The one who hid her anger and sadness for her life. Now, seeing the very people who destroyed my happiness, my anger, hate and sadness have been released. And it feels powerful.

I have no sympathy or love felt for these kids. Not after everything they said about me. Did they not think I would see the article? The interview about me? They deserved to be rescued but not from me. They can figure it out on their own. They said that I was a terrible leader so I am going to be a terrible leader to them.

As I continued to stare at each one of them, I was reminded of the day they left me like trash. I could feel my anger continue to rise as I locked eyes with Fang. With one final glance, I turn towards the door. I could hear their sharp intakes of breath as they realized that I am leaving them here to be tortured. Yeah, that might be harsh but honestly, I don't care about these people anymore.

I pause at the door and look over my shoulder to see the flock's hurt, shocked, and betrayed expressions. "Did you really think that I wouldn't see the article?" I hissed with so much hatred that the flock had to look away. "Have a nice life. You deserve to be saved but not by new. Since I can't seem to be good for anything and you can take care of yourselves, you find a way to escape." Without waiting for a response, Total and I walk out the door to see the kids waiting for me. I soften my eyes and smile at the kids. I look down at Total to see disappointment in his eyes.

Well, too bad. If he wants to stay with the others then he'll stay. If he wants to be with me then he can come with me and the kids. I start walking towards the exit and I see Total follow without hesitation. I smirk and continue on with the kids at my heels.

As I walk, my mind replays everything that has happened the past year.

So, how was this? Maybe Max was too mean but I wanted her to be like that for the story! Next chapter and many to come will all be in the past so make sure you are paying attention.

-Kath