A/N: Shortest chapter so far. REALLY SHORT. Deal with it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride, blah, blah, blah. I do own Allison Raines. And who's she, you ask? Well, read on!

Chapter Three:

The woman looked maybe in her early thirties, with curly black hair and dark brown eyes. She had a slim figure and olive skin with a deep tan.

She looked just like Fang.

I studied her in shock, mentally comparing her to my best friend. They were so alike. Same face, same shaped mouth, same quiet confidence. Fang was taller than her, but that was probably genetic engineering at work. Other than that, they were perfectly identical.

It was like staring at Fang's older sister.

Or his mom.

It had to be her. They were so alike, and since Fang's mom had been a teenager when she had him, this woman would be just the right age.

Hold it, I told myself. According to the screwy, mixed-up files we'd found at the Institute, all of the flock's parents were in the DC area. No jumping to conclusions. I needed more proof.

I found it via express delivery mail.

In the corner of the package the woman held under her arm was her name and address:

Allison Raines

2478 Heron's Creek Road

Jacksonville, FL, 32210

Raines. According to the same screwy, mixed-up files, that was Fang's last name.

Allison Raines. Very possibly Fang's mother.

A/N again: Sheesh, done already. Told you it was short. Oh, and BTW, "Raines" has nothing to do with Fang's dark personality. Actually, I just pick up an old yearbook, flipped it open, jabbed some random person's picture, and used their last name. Thus, Allison Raines was born. REVIEW YOU FOOLS!