Update as of June 2022: Just like my other Maximum Ride fanfictions, I decided to re-edit because my writing style has changed a lot in the last year and this work probably has a bunch of mistakes I failed to catch the first time. And just like the other stories, this turned into a rewritten work.

Also, be on the lookout for the updates about Maximum Ride and the U.S. Military or now called Willingly. That story is completely different from the first and personally, I think it's more interesting than the original.

Now, here is the updated summary and information for this story, After Twenty Years.

The worst possible way to get heartbroken is through a letter. That tells you your partner isn't strong enough to face you. Fang, long gone by the time I got his letter, left, leaving only a letter saying that he'll come back for me one day at the cave near my mom's house. Every morning, I waited twenty minutes. Each day, I grew more heartbroken, more upset, more angry.

It's been twenty years since Fang left and everything was great until three days ago, I received a letter containing Fang's messy cursive.

Here is chapter one and two of After Twenty Years. New/updated chapters will be posted every Tuesday.

-Kath

Chapter One: Another Letter, Same Handwriting

Dear Max,

Twenty Years Ago, I made a huge mistake and I never realized it until I saw your first interview as a famous music producer ten years ago. When I saw your glowing, happy face, my guilt and longing to see you became overwhelming.

The truth is, I don't really know why I left in the first place. I had a bunch of shit going on and I needed space. I should have told you instead of leaving that awful letter.

I have felt guilty every single day since then but I have stayed away because I knew the pain would be too much to all of a sudden come back. I don't know if that thought process was just stupidity talking or my fear of what you might say and do if I just reappeared.

So, after I watched the interview, I finally stayed true to the promise I made in the letter. I went to the cave every morning. You never showed up so I assumed that you either never went in the first place or gave up. I totally understand but each day, as I stood there, I realized how much I truly miss you. How much I miss the Flock.

I should never have left. Now, I am in a better place so I hope that when and if you read this letter, you'll find it in your heart to at least hear me out. There is so much I want to say that must be said in person. All letters do is bring bad news. At least, in our experience.

I know that interview was ten years ago, but I have spent those years trying to figure out if I should write, see you or just give up. Many times, I came close to giving up and then I remembered all the good times we had before I threw that out the window.

Like I said, I wasn't in a good place but I didn't handle it well. Now, I am ready to face my past mistakes and accept the consequences.

So please, Max, come to the cave next Thursday, the 20th at noon. I'll be waiting and hoping that you show up. Of course, you don't have to. I will completely understand if you don't show up. I just hope that you do so you can hear me out. You don't have to forgive me or see me again afterwards but just come. I'll be there for twenty minutes, waiting.

-Fang.