Max sat next to Zack and Alec in the back seat all 3 of their hands were handcuffed behind their back.

"I'm sorry Maxie, I wasn't strong enough to protect you from them, I failed." he said in shame.

"Zack, no you didn't, they cheated. They cheated, you did fine." Max corrected him.

Alec looked over at Max, who then glanced back.

"I can't believe I am going back. I mean I always knew it was possible but I never thought I would actually get caught." Alec said sadly.

Max sighed in fear and laid her head on Zack's shoulder. If she fell asleep of not, Max didn't know but before she knew it she felt the truck stop in front of a building. Zack peered outside.

"This isn't Manticore." Zack said.

Max looked at Alec frightened.

"The cult." she said softly.

Zack looked back at her.

"The what?" he asked.

"The cult, it's a stupid breeding cult where that freak Ames White comes from, he's a familiar which is a lot stronger than a transgenic and they don't feel pain." she said softer.

"I knew that guy was whacked up." Zack said.

The 3 watched Ames and Lydecker get out. Ames opened the door closest to Max and grabbed her hand and yanked her out. Max shrieked and fell out of the truck, back first.

"Hey! you want me to break something else?" Zack warned yelling at him.

Lydecker grabbed him by the throat and shoved him back into his seat.

"Don't talk to a Manticore employee like that ever again do you hear me solider!?" Lydecker shouted at him.

Zack glared at him and shook his head yes.

"What!" Lydecker asked.

"Yes sir!" Zack shouted.

"Good." he replied then released him, leaving a red mark on his chin.

Ames then shot Zack and Alec with teasers, which made them paralyzed making them unable to escape. Lydecker slammed the door shut and yanked Max up. They started walking, Lydecker pushing her. Max shivered with fear, were they going to kill her? Lydecker even sensed some sense of resistance as she walked but he pushed her along none the less.

"Ames." Lydecker said before they opened the door to the building.

Ames turned to face him. Lydecker then shot him in the stomach. Max jumped far as she watched one of her biggest archenemies fall down to the ground dead.

"Move, now." he ordered almost dragging her back to his truck.

"What the hell are you doing!?" she demanded.

"Hey I just saved your life, that's why I did it. I don't want those cult loonies to keep and kill my kids, now get in." he explained and shoved her into the back and slammed the door.

Max landed hardly on Zack and Alec, Max's head laid on Alec's lap and Max's waist down laid on Zack's lap. Alec looked confused at Zack as they watched Lydecker back out and drive off in a hurry. "Sorry for the detour kids, now let's go home." he told them, giving a chuckle in his throat as he got back on the main road and drove off.

Max sat on top of the roof of Manticore above her and Zack's cell. It was about midnight as Max looked back up at the dark black sky with the stars making her feel so small and the big full moon giving so much light. She sat with her Manticore uniform on, camo pants and tight bluish gray t-shirt. Her knees were against her chest as she just looked up.

Well, this isn't exactly my needle, but for right now I guess I'll have to deal. I'm lucky that Zack and Alec are covering for me because I am sure that if I get caught up here, I'll get hell from Lydecker.

It's so weird, I'm used to looking down on tall city building lights and stuff but now I am just looking at the tops of trees and the grass sparkling in the moonlight and guard lights. I have been here for 3 weeks and counting, and tonight is the anniversary that me and my 11 brothers and sister first got out, kinda sad if you ask me.

I wonder what Logan is doing? If he is ok. And my home girl, OC is ok too. Hope their not to sad about me getting picked up by Manticore, but I am sure they are. When I was in the cafeteria this afternoon I saw Eyes Only hack. I laughed to myself. Because they tried to get his identity out from me. But the truth is, I don't know. I used Manticore's famous way of how to forget something. I forced myself to forget everything about Eyes Only. Oh I could probably remember if I wanted too, but I don't, not as long as I'm in here. I know whoever is Eyes Only, I cared for him and I don't want to put him in danger.

I hate this place. Actually, truthfully, I have no clue what's worse, being in here and tortured and working all the time of frightening and hunting or being out there, constantly looking over my shoulder, running, and getting myself in situations in which my life is the penalty. I guess my life sucks either way.

Zack has taken his role of CO back, we still play those games that I hate so much and he does a good job of giving orders and stuff, but I think he's itching to get out of here too. Maybe he'll get me out like the first time.

So I guess the story of my life is like a bad story. Like return of the pod people or something. They win, I loose. I wonder if it'll stay like this. One by one they are bringing in other freed transgenics, including my siblings. Jondy was brought in a couple days ago, and Krit last weekend. I am just wondering if I'm ever going to win, if I'll never have to worry about Manticore again, just sweep it under a rug and forget that ever happened.

But I doubt it. No matter what I'm always going to have to live in fear, even though I am tired of it. And Zack is always going to have to come and get us out of jams. But, there is always hope. Ha, hope? Hope is for losers……………guess that makes me a loser.

Max thought to herself as she grinned not taking her eyes off the stars

******~THE END~******

PS- KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MY NEW STORY COMING OUT THIS WEEK, "Take it to the MAXimum level". thanks for ALL your support on this story, it's famous all over he internet. Thanks for being there for me and all my fans watch out for my story!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!