A/N: Okay, another short chapter and then things heat up. I promise the chapters will get longer after this one. Promise. This is just a quick bridge chapter, so nothing really happens, but it's tiny, so you guys can deal. Thanx to all the awesome people who gave me reviews so far, you guys are… awesome. Another big thanx to the people who voted. YOU CAN STILL VOTE. More on the name election at the end of this chapter.

Disclaimer: I am not James Patterson. Therefore, I do not own Maximum Ride. Happy?

Chapter Five:

We reached the top of the hill, away from the eyes of the townspeople below, and the others began to get ready for another flight.

"So Max, where are we going to go? I mean, we don't really have a set destination right now since we can't go back to the Itex headquarters and everything," Nudge babbled while she stuffed granola bars into her backpack.

"Actually…" I started and everyone immediately stopped packing, heads whipping around to look at me. "I was thinking… since we really don't have anywhere to go…"

Angel's eyes lit up. "Oh! Can we go back to Disney World?"

"Yeah!" Gasman exclaimed. "Or the beach?"

Definitely not the beach, nothing but trouble happens there.

"Well… I was really thinking that we just stay here," I finished. The siblings' faces fell.

"Why?" Iggy asked. "What's here?"

Oh, just one of the flock's dream come true. And my nightmare.

"Nothing, I know. It just feels…" I struggled for a believable explanation. "…really safe here. Just… safe. And I saw a good size cave just a little north of here. And the town's right there so we wouldn't have to worry about food. We could just- relax, take a break until we have a real plan."

Confused silence met my words.

"…it does feel kind of… safe here," Fang finally said and I inwardly thanked him. "It sounds okay with me if we just rest up for a while."

Slowly everyone else began to nod. Except for Total, he was scratching at some fleas.

"Okay then," I chirped, relieved. "That's settled."

The rest of the flock watched me as I began to unpack.

A/N again: Very short, very dull, yes. But it'll get better after this. Longer chapters are coming up, I swear! (Actually, the next chapter is one of my favorites. Yea! It's finally being posted!)

THE VOTE CONTINUES! What shall Fang's real name be? So far the vote stands Hunter-2, Blake-0. And one of the write-ins is NICK. Which, I've decided to add to the vote. (Fnick… +snicker+). So submit a review and vote! HUNTER, BLAKE, or NICK. Or, you can submit a suggestion and it too could be added to the election. If you've already voted, VOTE AGAIN. I don't really care if you cheat like that, as long as I get lots of review. IT'S COOL TO VOTE!