Max closed the door and threw her keys on the counter. She and Theo had searched for Ire all night, but they didn't have any luck finding her. The only one who really made progress that night was Logan; he had found out about the DNA transfers. Ire had some of Ben's DNA transferred and worked into her DNA make-up so that they could create a new perfect little soldier. Max didn't see it that way. Max knew they were asking for serious trouble when they mixed so much warped DNA.

Max sighed and walked to her bedroom. She rummaged through her drawers looking for something to change into when she *felt* someone walk into her doorway.

"Theo?" Max asked. She was a little afraid to turn around.

"Guess again."

Max turned slowly around. She was right. It was Ire. Ire was leaning against her doorway with her arms crossed.

"Ire?"

"You're getting a little slow." Ire said calmly. Ire was talking like she had just seen Max yesterday.

"Are you okay?" Max asked.

"Me? Oh, I'm fine." Ire said. "I've actually been a little worried about you."

"About me?" Max asked, puzzled. "You were worried about me?"

"Well, there are people out there... looking for you." Ire said.

"What are you talking about?" Max asked.

"Don't you see Lannie? It's trouble! Manticore is after you." Ire said. Max was confused and scared.

"Ire, what's going on?"

"Lannie, you've got to go! Renfro is coming and I just know she's on a shoot-to-kill mission!" Ire exclaimed.

"Ire, what's wrong? Are you all right?"

"Lannie, listen to me! Go! Run! Live!" Ire exclaimed.

"I'm Max!"

Ire just stared a while then closed her eyes and shook her head. When she looked at Max, she had tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"This isn't a way to live." Ire said and took the CD from her jacket. She gave it to Max.

"What's this?" Max asked, looking at the CD.

"It's a gift." Ire said.

Before Max could say anything, Ire rushed out of the room and out of the apartment. Max went to the window and looked out. She saw a blur, that must have been Ire, run down the street.

Max turned the CD over in her hands and noticed a small note tucked inside the case. Max opened it and opened the note. It read:


Me and my shadow
Are wrestling again
Look out stranger
There's a dark cloud moving in

But if you could hear
The voice in my heart
It would tell you
I'm afraid I am alone

Won't somebody please
Hold me, release me
Show me the meaning of mercy
Let me loose
Fly, let me fly
Let me fly

Super paranoid
I'm blending, I'm blurring
I'm bleeding
Into the scenery


Max closed the note and stuck it back in the case. She had no idea what it meant.

Max walked absentmindedly to her dresser and grabbed her portable CD player. Max read the list of songs on the back of the CD case as she put the CD in. Max put on the headphones and put on track ten, "Barcelona".

As she was listening to the song, Max realized that Ire had written down a few lyrics from the song.

After the song was over, Max realized something was very wrong. Max shut off the CD player and rushed into the living room. Someone was already there, waiting for her.

"You feel it too?"


A/N: I'm not done yet. I'm working on this story right now. I will not rest until there is a big THE END in the last chapter. *Stephanie runs off to write the next chapter*