Chapter Four: A Flower Crown

IGGY'S POV

Despite going to bed so late, I still wake up early. Curse you, damn sleep schedule! I groan, rolling over only to be met with the blaring sun streaming through a crack in my curtains.

I sit up, my head pounding with an incoming headache as I get out of bed and make the bed. I walk over to the closet and get dressed before opening up the curtains to let the bright sun lighten up my room. I smile when I hear the birds chirp, taking a deep breath.

My mood shifts as soon as I step outside my bedroom. Something feels off but I can't figure out what it is. Shaking my head, I walk down the stairs and into the kitchen. As I make my morning coffee, I stay tense, trying to figure out what's off about the air around me.

The coffee marker finishes up and I put milk and creamer into the cup before walking outside. I lean against the railing, pondering the strange energy. Did I forget to do something? No, all the bags are ready to go. Once everyone is up I'll make breakfast and Max will let them know what's going on.

I take a sip of my coffee, letting the heat warm me and freshen me up. I'm still tired from last night's events but there is nothing to be done about waking up at the same time every morning.

The door opens and my ears perk up. I turn in the direction of the door as it slams and I can tell by the footsteps that it's Fang. He sighs, standing next to me as he sips his coffee.

"Morning," I say, smiling as I take another sip. He grunts in response. "Did you get any sleep last night or did you stay up with Maxie-poo?"

He punches me lightly in the shoulder and I whine a little when I feel coffee on my hand. "I went to bed after I talked to Max for a second. Just a little upset that she didn't tell me what she was feeling."

I nod. "Yeah, it was clear as day that something was off all night with her. But Max'll be Max."

"Exactly." He takes a sip of coffee. He coughs and I turn in his direction, confused.

"What's that doing there?" I hear a coffee cup hit the railing then his footsteps as he walks around me. I set my coffee down and follow, confused.

"What's what?"

"What the hell?" He says, his voice rising slightly.

I'm starting to panic. This can't be good. "What, Fang, what?" It's starting to irritate me that I don't know what's going on.

I feel something against my chest and I clumsily catch it. It's a circle with flowers. A flower crown. That's odd.

"What's this doing here?"

"I don't know but it's Max's." I freeze. Oh hell. This really can't be good.

"Are you sure she didn't just drop it on the way in?" I ask, hoping.

"No, she had it on in the house when we walked to her."

"Then why the hell is it outside?" The silence is deafening.

"I never heard Max walk up the stairs or enter her room last night."

"Shit!" I yell. Fang and I both run inside, forgetting the cups of coffee. The flower crown is still in my hand as we run up the stairs and start banging on everyone's doors. Max isn't home and we aren't sure how long it's been. It could have been hours ago.

Fang and I are frantic as the doors open and I hear multiple yawns. I grip the flower crown and once everyone settles, I clear my throat.

"Max is missing," It's all I need to say for the gears to turn in the Flock's heads.