Chapter Eighteen: Paranoia, Oh How Joyful!

FANG'S POV

The Flock and I are spending the day in town. It's really nice out today with a light breeze and it's a decent temperature. Yesterday was our last day of school meaning we are free for the next several months.

And we're celebrating by doing a shopping run. Oh the joy.

We stop outside the girl's tenth store. Gazzy, Iggy and I are each holding five bags, none of them being our own. Why did I sign up for this? I could be spending the day with my girlfriend.

No, it isn't Max. She isn't here. Now, I am dating this gorgeous, super amazing girl named Ivy. I guess you could say I'm cheating since Max and I never technically broke up but I can't be single for the rest of my life. Ivy makes me happy so I keep Max and my relationship with her out of my mind. Like I said, she isn't here.

But paranoia is a bitch. It creeps up at random times when I am hanging out with Ivy. It whispers in my ear causing me to be guilty.

Max doesn't like a cheat, Fang. But, Max isn't here.

What would she say if she found out? MAX ISN'T HERE.

I have to shout silently to myself everyday. Max isn't here. Max isn't here. Max isn't here.

Now, on top of that, I have this new feeling in my chest. This type of paranoia has been dormant for years. It's the on-the-run paranoia. At first, during the early days of peace and safety, I only had the feeling because it was a habit. It took a while to let it go but finally, I was free.

Now, it has me trapped again, tightening its claws. But why is it back? I spent last night, awake, pondering. Not only that, but Iggy pointed it out first, having had the feeling too.

But what does it mean?

I've been trying to shake the feeling but it's only grown since I first noticed it. I look at Iggy shifting uncomfortably beside me. He shifts the armful of bags he's carrying and glances around at all the people. His paranoia is growing as well and it makes me worried.

I set the bags on the floor, tired from carrying them around. "Hey, Ig?"

He stops shifting and looks at me. I point in the direction of a food stand. "Wanna order some food?" He nods, setting his bags on the floor. He seems to pick up that I want to talk about something else.

"Hey, Gaz? Watch over the bags. We'll be back in a few."

He nods, slightly annoyed. "Get me something."

Iggy and I walk a little ways before stopping underneath an umbrella. It's midday and the sun seems extra bright today. "What's up?" He asks, back to shifting uncomfortably.

"I don't know, that's the problem. The paranoia has only grown."

He nods in understanding. "I'm getting worried. I don't know why this feeling has resurfaced. We haven't been on the run in years."

"Yeah, maybe it's just paranoia being an asshole. Let's not jump to any conclusions. If it's still about the new girl then we will know in a few hours. Dinner is tonight."

"Right. I still don't understand why it would have to do with the new girl though."

"Who knows? Again, we need to stay cautious. The others can't know yet."

We walk over to the stand and order some food. Everyone has assembled where we dropped the bags. They all smile when they see the food and it makes me pause.

The Flock is happy. I really hope this paranoia doesn't lead to any terrible truths. Whoever this new girl is, she better not have something to do with who we truly are. What are the chances that she's another mutant?

They're slim but not impossible. I hope the past isn't catching up with us. It needs to stay where it belongs.

Sort of like Max is now a thing of the past. She isn't here with us anymore and my paranoia needs to get the hell out.