I'm back! But- I only had 2 reviews! So, thanks, indigowolf and superfreak9201. Please, you guys, I NEED reviews! All right, this is a pretty short chap, but I wanted to get one more in before I go on vacation this weekend. I'll be gone about a week, but that's probably not gonna be a problem for you because the second book comes out today! But, maybe you will REVIEW! Okay, I just wanted to let you guys know, last chapter, when Max was crying, it's not like she was a wimp or anything, but she's not like an invincible superperson. So, I just wanted to show that she's not all powerful or anything. Okay, so, here's the chapter.

—

"Uh, guys?" We practically jumped apart (Fang and Max-last chap). I looked over at the cave entrance, where the rest of the flock stood, staring at us. The Gasman was in front, and I realized that it had been his voice I'd heard. How long had they been standing there? I felt my face heat up. This could not look good.

I suddenly realized that Fang still had his shirt off. Catching my eye, he hurried over to his bag and put on a new shirt, ignoring the blood-covered one still lying on the floor.

"Hey, guys," I said, trying to sound perky and act as if nothing had happened.

"Hey, Max," Iggy replied, sounding normal. I sighed. At least he hadn't seen it. He seemed to recognize my relief, though, and said, "I'm not deaf, Max." My cheeks burned hotter. We hadn't been loud.

"So, what's going on, you guys?" Nudge asked timidly. "I mean, has this been happening for a while, or-"

"No," I practically gasped. Fang looked at me with a weird expression. I had to calm down. "Well, we were just, um…"

"Max was just helping me and we, uh, got caught up, or, uh…" Fang said helpfully.

"We saw blood," the Gasman stated.

"Yeah. Fang got hit by a few bullets earlier. I was just trying to help him clean up," I stuttered.

"Yeah, but I guess you helped him with a lot more than that," Angel piped in. I felt myself blush furiously again. I glanced at Fang and saw, to my surprise and pleasure at not being alone, that he was blushing, too. Wow, he was breaking a lot of Fang Rules today.

"Okay, you guys, you've had you laugh. Don't laugh anymore," I ordered. I looked at the rest of the flock. Fang was the only one who wasn't smirking. "Why don't you guys go back outside? Fang and I have to talk."

Still smirking, the flock filed out of the cave. I turned to Fang "So…" I began.

"Look, Max, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that; it just happened."

"What do you have to be sorry for? I asked, laughing. "Do you remember that night on the beach?"

"How could I forget?" he asked, a small grin forming on his face as he watched the blush return to my face.

"Max-" Fang started, immediately stopping as a crash sounded from the cave entrance.

"Iggy!" I heard Angel scream. With a glance my way, Fang darted toward the entrance, and jumped back just as he was about to go through. Dark shapes flooded into the cave, swarming around us.

The cave was almost black, now that the creatures were blocking all of the holes. But, I knew what they were. An acrid smell pushed at my senses, forcing me to put a hand over my mouth and nose in an attempt to keep the foul odor out. A small line of light flooded into the cavern, illuminating a single eye in the darkness. I froze as the eye turned my way, and the light went out. I could still feel it on me, staring.

A strong hand gripped my arm, pulling me down. I let the claws scrape my limbs as I was dragged to the ground. It couldn't be. I had recognized that eye, that person. It couldn't have happened.

The erasers injected something into my arm, but I didn't care. I felt as if I had lost one of the flock, although I knew that I hadn't. She had been my closest friend out of the flock (besides Jeb). First Jeb left, now they've taken her.

A single word floated through my head as the world darkened. Ella.

—

How was it? Please review and tell me. The pretty purple button is right down there. Click it. I still need a better title. Okay, well, I'm gonna be gone for a while, so I hope you're fine with just this chapter (and of course, School's Out- Forever, which I know is much more exciting). So, please review, and I'll update soon. The next chap will have action.

P.S. I need reviews- so I'm not going to update until I have at least five. So, just please review.