I-am-in -major- HURT HERE! Oh lord I need to exercise more!
" Gozbud, How could you do that? better yet why?" I asked
"He asked me."
"Oh so If I ask you Gozbud, did you have a girlfriend before you became a genetic FREAK like me ...are you going to answer that?" I could tell I struck a cord.
" No I wouldn't," Gozbud replied.
" Okay , so tell me then Gozbud. WHY THE HELL did you have to tell him!" " Why do you have to be so darn secretive! Purple Cat!" ...oh-ho-ho ho...you know its fight when somebody shouts your full name.
"Think about it Gozbud , you're the grown up here. Do you actually think I want to share with ANYONE what it's like to lie on the ground screaming at the top of your lungs as your body rearranges itself! Do you actually think I want to share with anybody what it's like to lay in a pool of your own blood and watch pieces of you fly across a room?" I asked with a knot in my throat. "
" I apologize , PC. It wasn't my place to say anything. But If you keep things like that locked up inside you it will destroy you."
" I've already shared my with someone and I think you knoe who."
"Breeaka"
" Uh huh... Look what's past is past. I'll be stewing over this for a couple of days but in the main time. We need to figure out how to get Bree back."

... muffled voices...I'm waking up now...oh please let that be you, PC...Roc...Gozbud...anybody but...WHITECOATS !

What the? NO!... I started screaming angrily not listening to reason. I began to claw at the wall of the cage. Two Erasers were guarding me...I didn't recognize them. They cursed and spat at me trying to get me to be quiet. Yeah good luck with that. I began to pull at the door of my cage. Whitecoats were shouting at each other. I guess they just expected me to sit there and look pretty.
"Let me out!" I shouted at them. "Let me out or you WILL be sorry!" One of the two Erasers kicked my cage, sending it tumbling to one side of the room.
"Stop it! If you hurt her than, Rancor will be furious," one of the Whitecoats said. I knew this one very well, her name was Dr. Risa and she was the one that made me what I am. She was both cruel and kind. When I behaved, Dr. Risa used to treat me well. But if I got out of line there would be a punishment waiting in the wings just for me and that was a guarantee. Dr. Risa, treated me like she would treat her own dog, Samson, which she brought around the lab sometimes. She knew that good treatment brings out the best in a dog, but poor treatment only brings out the worst. It was by this principle that she cared for me. Never think for one second I considered her my mother. I immediately shut up when Dr. Risa knelt down in front of the cage. She had piercing eyes like mine and they looked hard at me now.
"Behave yourself my harpy and you will not be harmed. You are not the one we want," she said in her cold bitter voice. I knew she meant PC, who else.
"Haven't you tortured him enough?"
"According to Rancor not nearly enough nor to our special guest."
"Guest?"
"You needn't concern yourself. If all goes according to plan, you will be free once more." I forgot to mention that Dr. Risa is an old woman...an old hard one at that. She called me her harpy...it was kind of a pet name she gave me. Breeaka, the name I go by, I made up myself. I was worried about PC and Roc...did Fox kill them? If that was the case then I don't think I would be this fortunate. I had a feeling that something more sinister was going on here. I had a feeling that the pain and torment that was to come was not something physical but mental...

You know that feeling that you get when you want something to go by faster, for instance the week, but it goes slower instead. Well I felt the same way. I was anxious to get out of that stupid bed. But the pains and aches were taking their time to go away. The day I became conscious again all I wanted was to run to Lab 7 and get my Bree, back. That was the only thing that mattered me above all else. I would do anything for Bree...
I stumbled around in the hallway, my right leg was cramping up and my left paw toe had fallen asleep. " PC what are you doing! You're supposed to be in bed!" Gozbud shouted after me.
"What are you my mother or my grandmother? I suggest you...ow...ow...pick my grandmother...ow!"
"What are you trying to do ?"
"Walk! I'm sick of limping around." I said. I forced my leg to move they way it normally would, gritting my teeth. " I can get hit by semis and cars and be fine in hours...how come this is taking forever."
"Because you're not in bed resting... and by the way the incident with the semi put you out for a week." Gozbud said walking beside me.
"Whatever...just help me get to the kitchen."...

Time was going by too slow for me. I wanted to save Bree just as much as PC did. However I knew in some strange way that Bree was safe. My leg and the rest of the wounds that I had obtained healed faster than PC's and for that I was grateful because it looked like PC was having a hard time getting around…but he seemed to be improving a little.
Gozbud was able to remove that tracking device that the Whitecoats placed in my body. The feeling that somebody was looking over my shoulder seemed to vanish along with the device. Even though all this good had happened I was afraid of what would happen when we returned to Lab 7...would we get Bree back and disappear once again or would we be killed?...

You know when people say" what you don't know can't hurt you?"... They lied...

The night was darker than usual which didn't help our growing anxiety as Roc and I sat in the shadows outside of Lab 7. He insisted that he come along even though I told him not too. I am glad to have some company. I am a firm believer in the "two heads are better than one" rule, because no matter how heroic it sounds to going to Lab 7 solo it's not only stupid…it's suicide. Gozbud stayed behind, he said it wasn't his affair and he had his own problems to attend to...jerk...but I can't blame him, I didn't want to be there either. But we were the 10 ghosts...not the 9 ghosts...or the 8 1/2 ghosts...NO we were 10 and there should always be. There were two Erasers guarding the door. The light was dim so we couldn't see them distinctly, but their hulking silhouettes were all we needed in order to know how old they were. Fortunately for us they were young and stupid...just the way I like it.
" PC are you sure this is a good idea? Going through the front door?" Roc asked.
"Why, is there something wrong?"
"Well its STUPID, I mean who ever in the history of the world went to save someone and went through the front door?"
" No one. But they didn't have the element of surprise. Look, it makes perfect sense. Bad guys usually expect you to come in through some shady way like an underground pipe or ventilation system. THUS they have all their attention focused on what's behind them instead of what is in front...soooo...we are able to be sneaky...and get by them. On top of that those Erasers are fresh off the presses. They can't tell the difference between their tail and their butt. So we're perfectly fine."
Roc paused to let it sink in "PC that makes NO SENSE."
"Is it really that hard of a concept?"
"It's stupid! They'll gun us down before we can reach the door."
I sighed. "Ye of little faith... Watch and learn." I said moving towards the lab on all fours.
"PC! PC? What are you doing!" Roc whispered.
"Sh!" I moved to the darkest clump of shadows outside of the compound and then stood up and began to whistle outside of the fence. The two young ones instantly heard my whistling and followed it growling. I whistled louder and they began to break into a run as I continued they ran faster and faster and faster. Then I stopped. Th Erasers couldn't stop themselves in time and ran into the fence and fell backwards hitting their heads hard on the ground. I climbed over the fence careful with the barb wire and used them to cushion my landing they were out cold…sweet…I whistled in Roc's direction, he was hesitant as usual but then joined me.
"That was stupid...what if they had night vision?"
I shivered at the thought, "Well then I would have been in trouble. But that is beside the point. The point is they are at our feet and now for our use."
"What do you mean?" I picked one of them up and tossed him over my shoulders "They have cameras at the entrance naturally...so in order to get in we have to look the part. They will be out for at least and five minutes. We have to move quickly...come on."
"This is insane..."Roc muttered...

The front door creaked ominously as we entered Lab 7. A scent hit my nose which hadn't been their before….cleanliness….You see Lab 7 was not the most well funded place in the School's network. So for me to walk in and it smell clean gave me the shivers and it seemed to worry Roc too. We exchanged worried glances and kept walking. I listened to the faint heart beat of the unconscious Eraser on my back.
"Uh what happens if someone sees us?" Roc whispered.
"They'll shoot us...it's slandered procedure."
"So what do we do?"
"Throw your Eraser at them then run away like a little girl."
"Well what if that doesn't work?"
"Will you quit with the 'what ifs' you're making me nervous." I looked over at Roc, he was pale and..." SHAKING? Are you shaking?" I whispered loudly.
He nodded "Why not? Aren't you scared?" We cautiously rounded a corner.
" I am terrified, but the only thing that prevents me from wetting myself in terror is the fact that I am not alone. Will you stop shaking...dang it , Roc."
"I can't help it."
"Come on your guy. Where is your backbone or did you leave it at the Pansy Mart. If you're worried it makes me worried and then our whole plan goes to pieces. On top of that I think it would help to show our readers that at least for an instant that we look brave and that FOR ONCE we know what the heck we are doing." Roc finally stopped shaking and adjusted the Eraser's position on his back. "Alright let's go." We walked down another hallway. I had a good idea where Bree was probably taken, our old room...or cellblock is what I liked to call it. I read the directory conveniently posted on the wall and quickened my pace once I knew we were close. Suddenly I realized that Roc was no longer walking beside me. I looked over my shoulder. Roc stood stiff eyes wide and as pale as the tiles on the floor.
"What's wrong?"
"My Eraser is waking up," he breathed...

I noticed that my Eraser's heart rate was going up. "Shut...I am going to count to three...On three hurl your Eraser against the wall and stay on my tail because once security sees us they are going to be all over us. Bree's room is down the hall, we get her and we get out, okay?" I said.
"Okay." Roc whispered.
"1...2...3!" With all my strength I hurled the Eraser off my shoulders and into the wall and Roc did the same and then we ran. The alarms didn't go off right away wihch was good. I kicked in the door to Bree's room and Roc and I darted inside. Just as we shut the door, the alarms began to blare and lights began to flash. I knelt down in front of the cage.
"Bree are you alright?" The creature that was inside the cage was not Bree. It was cross between tabby cat and something else sinister. Its eyes were on the sides of its head and it had no nose. It made a strange noise and attacked the bars of the cage with the biggest set of fiendish teeth I had ever seen. I instantly recoiled and my heart began to pound. Where was she? "Roc let's move she isn't in here" I said. We bolted out the door and ran down the hall. I could here Erasers in their human forms shouting in normal sounding voices….

"Where is she?" Roc asked running alongside me.
"I don't know!" I said irritated. The more we didn't know the more chance there was capture. I would NEVER leave Bree here THAT wasn't an option. The phrase "Room 333" popped into my head. That was the room where I was supposedly executed. I read the numbers of the rooms were close. I kicked in the door and before I could set foot inside an Eraser darted out biting into my shoulder. I roared and tore at the Erasers fur which normally would result in instant recoil. But this thing wouldn't let go. The more fur I pulled the more it chomped down into my shoulder. Roc Jumped on top of it and wrapped his arm around its throat in an effort to choke it. I roared angrily and fell backwards on top of Roc, but he stayed on. I hurled myself at the Eraser and took my claws to him .But much to my surprise the thing didn't bleed. Roc we suddenly ripped from the Erasers back by another one. This one was bigger than Fox , it had small red eyes and enormous jaws with over sized teeth that looked like razor blades. I continued to try and make a scratch in the Eraser I was fighting, but to no avail. It grabbed my entire head in its hand and rammed me into the wall. The force was incredible. I had never faced a creature that strong. I struggled to break free; grip was so strong it was suffocating. Then with a snort it hurled me into the dark room. I rolled a couple of times before stopping. The Eraser stared in at me from the door way. I could hear Roc fighting outside.
"What are you staring at?" I asked getting up. The Eraser said nothing its two blue beady eyes glowing in the dark, then it pointed to something behind me. A huge striped creature very similar to the tabby with enormous teeth lunged at me roaring like a lion. I quickly evaded its heavy paw and swung at it and hit it in the side of the head. That just ticked it off. It pounced on me its body like a sheet of organic steel. Before it could pin my I slid out from under it and looked for anything in the in room that could used as a weapon. Nothing...naturally. The creature paced eying me with eyes the size of plate. Suddenly it made a slight twisting movement that looked like its version of a fake out and got me on the ground its teeth around my throat. Surprisingly enough the teeth had not broken the skin and it was only keeping light pressure... so I could still breathe. Afraid of being choked to death I froze. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Roc fall to the floor unconscious. The big jawed Eraser gingerly picked him up and tossed him over his shoulders. Suddenly I heard footsteps coming our way. A short shadow darkened the entrance to the room.
"Welcome home, Chesire."
"Rancor," I breathed. The creature released me and then clubbed me in the head with its paw. Lights out ...again...

Alright will someone please explain something to me...Why is it that bad guys always think that they need to knock you out? It's ridiculous! Its turning my brain into pudding! I think I am competent enough to know when I am down...or do I...

Cleanliness...its the smell I hate ...besides the smell during surgury... Clean air has no character and in my current perdicament it was an indicator that I was back in the hellhole known as Lab 7. I yawned and streched out my limbs to find that I was back in my old cage. How did I know?...there was the occasional blood streaks on the walls and daily talley I kept on one side. I observed the room outside there across from me was Bree curled into a ball staring at me with wide eyes.
" Hey Bree," I said pleasantly.
" Hey..." she said.
" Where's Roc?" I asked.
" They took him away," Bree replied worried. A pang hit me in the stomach and my mouth became dry. This can't be good.
" Well let's help him come on," I said kicking at the door only to get a rather painful jolt of electricity. I recoiled "This is new."
" That's not the only thing that's new," Bree replied. " I suppose you encounted one of those Tigers." she said.
" You mean the creepy cat thing?"
" Yes...they're used as trackers...for hunting down experiments at night and when they retreat into water."
"Great and I guess the Eraser I fought in the hallway was a new model."
" That's correct."
" Well this is scary," I said knowing it was an understatement.
" How are we getting out?" Bree asked.
" I'm not sure...I'll think of something...of course." Suddenly the door slammed open and Buch of Whitecoats followed by an Eraser entered the room. The Eraser was holding Roc in it's arms.He was unconcious and there was something different about his appearence...it took me a minute to realize what the difference was. Bree gasped and I roared and attacked the bars...getting accouple healthy doses of electrcity before having to let go. Roc's wings...they were gone!

WHY DID THEY DO THAT! How could they! ...Heads would roll for this ...I would see to it! I could tell Roc enjoyed flying and to see him wingless made my heart sink...

Bree and I and roared and screeched at them. Basically its all we could do, but if we ever get out ...they would pay DEARLY!
" QUIET BOTH OF YOU!" one of the Whitecoats said. I replied showering the moron with a stream of obscenities. The Eraser plopped Roc into the cage next to me then glared in at me, there was something about that things stare that made me keep my mouth shut. The door opened again and two other Eraser's entered.
"Rancor wants to see the cat," one of them said. The Eraser that had first entered deactivated the bars and opened the door. I was expecting it to reach in and grab my by the neck as they often did. But I think it already knew I wasn't going to fight them...if I was, it would be waste of energy. I crawled out and they slapped handcuffs on my wrists. Bree screamed angrily and clawed the cage. I looked back at her as they led me away and winked at her. It was my way of telling her that everything was going to be okay...I hope. I wasn't badly treated surprisingly, which made the situation even more suspicious. I heard distant screams echoing down the other hallways we passed and tried to ignore them. Lab 7 was even scarier than I remember it and it now dawned on me that we might actually die here. We reached Rancor's office and the Erasers released me and pushed me inside. The room was dim. I guess not everything had been remodeled. Rancor looked cross as usual with his hands folded on top of the desk.
"Hello, Rancor," I said cheerfully "...how's business?"
"This is no time for you to be cute, Chesire."
"Why do you insist on calling me that...when you know I go by something else."
"Alright then, PC."
"Thanks...You mind telling me Why Roc has no WINGS!"
"That is not the reason you were called down here."
I roared and pounded my fists down onto the desk "ANSWER ME!"
Rancor seemed frightened by my out burst, "Greenwing or Roc as you call him was a wing donor…wings were grown on him for the purpose of being removed and being implanted on an Eraser."
"That's sick. Now what are you going to do with him? He doesn't have them anymore?" " My dear boy , we will grow another pair on him and we will keep doing it….again and again and again! " I roared again and raked my claws across his face. He cried out and the Erasers were on me in an instant, flatting me on the ground knee burrowing in my back. A Whitecoat Nurse arrived to survey the damage. It wasn't the first time I had attacked Rancor …one time I had bitten him in the face after a procedure.
"You're lucky …HE wants you alive or you would be on the slab in an instant," Rancor growled. He gave me a swift kick in the stomach and left the room. I looked around and noticed a figure standing in the shadows. The figure stepped into the light to reveal another man...one that I didn't recognize. He was dressed like someone very important...he smiled at me...Ewww...creepy...The smile said to me ' you can trust me' ...But I knew better than that.
"Release him…I'll be fine." his voice calm and collected. The Eraser obeyed and left the room. "Hello Seth...I'm Jeb."…….

OKAY! I AM IN SO MUCH TROUBLE. This was definitely scary...this dude knew my real name the one I was given at birth. Jeb..Jeb...the name finally clicked after a moment of pondering...It was The Jeb...the one that used to be a friend to Maximum Ride...What the butthead wanted with me I wasn't sure but it couldn't be anything good. I tried to collect myself so I wouldn't look like I was surprised it didn't work...I looked like a wide-eyed idiot.
"Please sit down" Jeb said pulling out a chair. I was still fuming from what they did to Roc that I preferred to stand. Jeb didn't seem to mind. " How are you today, Seth." Who was this guy a satanic psychiatrist? I didn't like this...it gave me Goosebumps all over.
"That's a stupid question...how should I feel?" I finally said. "And why the heck are you calling me Seth, no one has called me that in years."
Jeb chuckled " You're interesting...I am calling you by your name...because I consider you a person not an animal. Think of this as an interview of sorts..."
"Whatever."
" I know you are upset about your friend…but please…listen to what I have to say."
" I take it you are the one responsible for all the murders."
" Murders?"
" YEAH MURDER STUPID ! You don't consider opening fire on innocent people murder?"
" You mean the experiments."
"Yes!"
Jeb nodded "That is regrettable but certain things must be done…for the better of the nation." I wanted to rip his face off and I bet every experiment in the world wanted a shot too.
"So What does that have to do with me?"
"I need your help."
" I am not going to kill for you," I said firmly.
"I am not asking you to kill anyone. I need a person with your kinds of skills to "collect" the renegade experiments."
"No."
"Listen to me," A flash of impatience gliding across his face. "You wouldn't be killing them or harming them in anyway. All you need to do is capture them."
"What will you do with them?"
"That is none of your concern."
"Well then we are done here," I said quickly heading for the door.
"Do you love Bree?" I froze, my hand gripping the door knob.
"What?"
"Do you love Bree, Seth?"
"What does it matter to you?"
"Let me tell you something, Seth. If you don't help me than Bree and Roc will most likely spend the rest of their lives here…and probably die here too…and I will see to it that you die last."
"You—." Yeah I cursed at him there…fill in the space with what ever word you see fit. I returned to the chair and this time sat down.
Jeb grinned " I know. Many people have often called me that…they are all dead, the ones that refused. Slow and painful deaths they were…it was sicking."
"If I help you…will you let them go?"
"Yes, of course…they will never be harmed."
"How do I know that you will keep your word?"
Jeb chuckled," I can't afford to be making anymore Maximum Rides so…you can trust me, Seth." I hated this…he was the devil …and I felt like I was selling my soul…My mind turned to Roc and the other ghosts and then to Bree…I couldn't stomach seeing them suffer just because of my stubbornness and there was no guarantee that we would ever be able to escape. A knot was tightening in my throat. I HATE THIS! WHY?...WHY ME! I bet a lot of people asked that question…I didn't want to be special…I didn't want to be the exception…I sat in silence for a moment.
"Well?"
"Fine….I-I'll do it."……

Jeb smiled at me with that wicked smile. "Good choice." Jeb picked up the phone and made a call, "Roc and Breeaka are to be released…unharmed."
"Wait. Can I say goodbye?" I asked.
Jeb sighed "You may…but don't forget our agreement." I nodded and was led away to another room where Breeaka and Roc were. Bree had Roc in her arms because, he had not yet awakened. I told her the news and Bree was furious.
"How could you do this?" I couldn't speak. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS? PC!" she shouted.
"I did it to protect you…and everyone else. If I didn't do this than two of us would be gone and the network would eventually fall apart. Without the network other experiments have no hope of escaping the School's reach." Bree sighed and shook her head. She understood but she didn't like the way this had played out.
"Why did this have to happen…we never had our vengeance on the ones who killed our family?"
"That is why it's more important than ever that you and Roc live. Please Bree…it was hard enough to say yes"
"…Will I ever see you again?"
"Probably not…" I said plucking one of my feathers and handing it to her with a wink. "A little something to remember me by." She stifled a grim smile and gave me a hug.
"Goodbye then," she said.
"Goodbye." I really wanted to cry but I had to be the tough guy right now. I watched her leave the room and I stood there alone. Fear was tearing at me. All I wanted now was to run, but I stayed put, my head hanging low. The door opened …I could tell it was Jeb. He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Everything will be fine," he said. I didn't reply. Suddenly I felt a sharp prick and a monstrous pain explode up my spinal cord. I cried out and wanted to curl up in a ball to relieve the pain but Jeb held me up. "Now listen to me…You are MINE."…….