Prisoner- Chapter 50

"The doors just went up." Gazzy said carrying Total over to Fang.

"Let's go." I said walking toward the Itex building. And once again, I didn't have a plan.

Fang put Total in his bag then came to walk next to me with Angel and Gasman behind the two of us. I glanced back at the two younger members and gave them what I hoped was a reassuring smile before turning to look back at the Itex building.

Someone walked out of the door in front of us where I had just been minutes ago. As the figure became closer the light of a nearby light pole unmasked Jeb's face of the dark.

"Jeb, we need to talk." I said clenching my hands into fists at my sides.

"Yes Maximum, we do." He said looking at me with his all too familiar eyes.

"I want Iggy and Nudge back now." I said narrowing my eyes on him.

"That can be arranged." He said with a subtle nod.

"But?" Fang questioned from my side, crossing his arms.

"Max comes with me." He said turning to look at Fang.

"No." Fang said shaking his head.

I stayed silent considering taking the deal. It would get Nudge and Iggy out and then I could find my own way out. I always found a way out before, why should this time be any different? Fang could take care of them while I was gone or longer if I didn't find a way out.

Don't listen Max. Find another way to get what you want.

'There is no other way.' I replied silently.

"I think it is Max's choice, not yours." Jeb retorted looking at me once again. "Max?"

I heard my name and looked at Jeb suddenly being brought away from the voice in my head. I gave Jeb a half surprised and half questioning look.

"Do we have a deal?" Jeb asked with friendly eyes.

I took a few seconds to debate the question then turned to look at Fang.

Fang was stiff and giving me a look that said 'why haven't you said no yet?'.

I lowered my head and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Deal." I answered looking up at Jeb.

"No." Fang said shaking my head.

"It's the only way Fang." I said pleading with him to understand.

"No it's not." Fang said obviously angry with me.

"Yes it is." I yelled back. "If we try to break Iggy and Nudge out, that puts all of us in danger of getting taken, hurt, or even killed."

"So it's better just to put your life on the line." Fang asked keeping a hard tone.

"Yes!" I yelled. "I would do anything for the flock!"

"What if we don't want you to put yourself in danger for us?" He yelled getting closer to me to the point where he was only a step away.

"You don't have a choice this time." I said shaking my head fighting back the tears.

"Max, don't do it." Gazzy said with tears forming in his blue eyes.

"I have to." I said ruffling his blond hair before laying a kiss on top of his head.

I turned to look at Angel who had tear stained cheeks from the river of tears cascading down her face to fall to the ground.

'I love you' I thought to her, laying a kiss on both her cheeks.

"I love you too." She said wrapping her arms around my neck.

When she released me I finally turned to look at Fang. I could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Don't do this." He whispered shaking his head.

"I have to." I said wrapping my arms around him.

He snaked his lean arms around me and for a moment I felt safer than ever before. I was going to miss Fang, so much.

I looked up into his eyes and couldn't resist the urge to kiss him. I placed a light kiss on his lips not caring that Gazzy, Angel, and even Jeb were watching. I'll be embarrassed later when I'm all alone, right now I'll just enjoy these few seconds of heaven.

When we parted I avoided all eye contact.

"Where are Nudge and Iggy?" I asked finally meeting Jeb's eyes.

"On their way out." He answered looking back at the door behind him expectantly.

Before long Nudge and Iggy were carried out by erasers. Jeb turned and looked at me expectantly.

"Max!" Nudge yelled in happiness at seeing me.

I gave her a small smile.

"You two okay?" I called out.

"Yeah." Nudge said nodding.

"Ig?" I questioned.

"Fine now." He explained as the erasers released him.

The two of them walked towards us with erasers behind them.

"Max." Jeb said beckoning me to him.

"Max, what's going on?" Nudge asked looking confused.

"She's playing hero." Fang explained in a monotone voice, as usual.

"What?" Nudge asked looking at me desperately.

"We made a trade, Nudge." I said tilting my head to the side and starting another battle with my eyes to hold back my tears.

"Trade?" Iggy asked looking around with his sightless eyes.

"Yeah, Ig, you two for me." I said wiping a single escapee tear from my cheek.

"Max don't." Iggy said pleading.

"Come Maximum." Jeb said turning his back to me and heading for the door.

Well, I wouldn't be taken without a fight and for that Jeb underestimated me. I put a kick to his back then turned to the erasers, there were five of them. There was some serious underestimating on Jeb's part. We finally got the break we desperately needed.

Nudge whipped around and placed a kick to an eraser's ribs, then flew up into the air where Angel and Gazzy already were.

"Max." Gazzy called for me.

I looked up at him, he was holding something up, an explosive. I gave him a nod then looked over at Fang. He returned my gave and gave an understanding nod before flying into the air. I followed behind him, Nudge just behind me.

"Now Gazzy." I yelled.

He threw the explosive to the ground. There was a loud boom then the sound of erasers screaming. I looked for Jeb only to see him perfectly unharmed looking at me with disappointment. I broke our gaze to look at the erasers. Only one eraser had managed to stay unharmed the others were either dead or close to it.

I gave Gasman a proud smile and that brought an instant smile to his face.

"Way to go Gazzer." Iggy said with a small laugh.

WHY MUST THE RULER STILL NOT BE WORKING!

We flew for about an hour then decided to get some rest after our long day. There was no judging how much darkness was left in the night. It had been dark for a few hours, so I guessed we would only have four maybe five hours of darkness left.

Iggy made a fire then joined the reunion the rest of the flock was having, well Fang was watching not interacting.

I put my fist out, then they stacked up and carried out our routine bedtime goodnight.

Everyone lay down for the night except Fang and I, big surprise.

"Get some sleep." He said walking over by the fire. "I've got first watch."

"Fang?" I called loud enough for only him to hear.

He looked over his shoulder at me.

I walked over to him as he turned to face me. When I reached him I put my arms around him. He seemed stunned for a moment then wrapped his arms around me as I let all the tears I'd held in fall.

I hated my weakness, but I needed to release my emotions before I exploded from all the tension mounting in my body.

Fang was my comfort… again.

AN: Hope you liked it! Reviews are love!