A/N: I am really sorry this took so long to post. Okay, when compared to some people's standards, I update at lightspeed. But this took longer than usual, so sorry. I've been busy, that's the only excuse I have for you. Okay! Chapter seven! You know, this is actually the first chapter I "wrote". (I plan out entire novels word from word in my head before I actually put them to paper. So when I say "wrote" I mean, in my head.) The ending of this chapter occur to me in the shower one night and since I liked it, I figured out a story to lead up to it. Coolio. I'm finally here, posting the "first" chapter. SCORE! R and R please.
Chapter Seven:
The next morning during breakfast, I dropped the bombshell. Needless to say, everybody was amazed, slightly baffled that I'd waited an entire day before telling them, and, well, this a teeny bit jealous. But mostly amazed.
"Fang, that's so great!" Nudge squealed, giving him a hug. Fang smiled vaguely, looking embarrassed but happy, and peeled Nudge off of him.
"Thanks," he said, glancing at me. I looked away guiltily.
"It seems kind of unlikely though," Iggy muttered doubtfully. "I mean, you just magically saw my parents on the news, didn't you Max? And now you just happen to bump into Fang's mom at the post office? Too coincidental if you ask me."
"Who cares how it happened, all that matters is it happened. Right Max?" Nudge asked.
I nodded numbly.
"You're so lucky, Fang," the Gasman said wistfully.
Fang just smiled. That was twice. He had officially reached his smile quota for the day and it was still just past breakfast. Astounding, what suddenly having a mother could do to you.
I couldn't take it anymore. "Well, let's get this over with," I mumbled, standing up. I could feel Angel's eyes on the back of my head and knew she knew exactly what I was thinking. So I ran for it. Ran and took off for 4287 Heron's Creek Road.
When we all got there, we did a little basic recon. No lights, no sound, no car. No one home. So we sat up in a tree nearby, hiding and waiting for Allison Raines to make an appearance. And getting antsier by the minute.
"Where is she?" Nudge moaned, wiggling around on her branch. "My butt's going numb."
"Maybe she's at work," Iggy suggested, carving God knows what into the tree trunk with his penknife. "Some people do work, you know."
"It's Sunday," Gasman retorted. "Who goes to work on a Sunday?"
"Church then." Iggy said, pausing to feel his progress.
"It's two," Angel said quietly. "Past church time." Total had long ago fallen asleep in her lap and now she was stroking him softly.
"So where is she?" Nudge moaned again.
Fang and I were silent, his eyes fixed on the empty house, my eyes fixed on him. Sweat was dripping down his forehead, though from sweat or nervousness, I couldn't tell. He had a killer grip on his branch, squeezing so hard I was scared it was going to break. He barely seemed to be breathing.
"Fang," I whispered to him, while the others started a game of I Spy. His eyes flicked over to me distractedly.
"What?"
"Don't worry, she'll be here."
Fang smiled gratefully before returning his intense focus on the house again. That was three. He really was pushing it.
Finally, after what felt like days of waiting, a small, black car drove up the road and into the driveway below us. When Allison Raines steeped out of the car, Fang exactly gasped.
"She does look just like you, Fang," Gasman murmured.
"Really?" Iggy asked, annoyed. He couldn't see what the heck was going on after all.
"Yeah."
Allison walked up to her door and unlocked, unawares to the six, well five, kids watching her every movement. Then she disappeared inside.
Beside me, Fang craned his neck to see her through the window, a sad, hungry, happy, expression on his face, if that's possible. I could tell just by looking at him that he was sure it was his mom.
I'm losing him, I thought.
Bitter tears stung my eyes and I bit my lip, holding them in. I was not going to cry again today.
No good.
Suddenly, I pushed off the branch, making the whole tree sway, and leapt into the air, spreading my wings. Any random pedestrian below could've seen me. You know what? I didn't care.
I was losing him. Fang. He was leaving. One of the few people I cared about, grew up with, trusted with my life. Gone. Misery sunk down on my shoulders, bringing more unbidden tears. Misery… and… and fear. I mean, what would I do without Fang? I depended on him. I needed him. I-
"You love him."
Startled, I looked back, and there was Angel beside me, pumping her small, white wings to keep up.
I wiped my tears off with my arm. "Sweetie, I love all of you," I said, feeling just a tad defensive.
Angel looked back at the rest of the flock, taking off to join us. "I know. But you love him."
Love him? Hoe could I love Fang? He was practically family, my best friend in the entire world. Sure, I love Fang, but I didn't love Fang.
Did I?
"Don't worry," Angel continued, falling back a little to join her brother. "He loves you a lot too."
A/N: Yeah! I love this chapter. But something about the present/past tenses seemed screw up to me while I was writing it. If the tenses seem wrong to you too, tell me. POLL UPDATE! Current count stands: Hunter- 6, and Nick- 7. Some write-ins have been submitted, but I don't think I'll add any of them in. Of course, if you have a different idea, do tell. I love write-ins. Someone suggested Damian, which I would put in the vote, but it's the name of that kid in the Omen, and that would be kind of creepy. So, HUNTER or NICK? What shall Fang's name be? YOU ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE AS MUCH AS YOU WANT.After this, you'll only have one more chance to vote, so submit while you still can!
