Chapter 5

Jeb's face remained calm as I dived for him, but he did not signal the helicopter driver to move, just let me at him. I wanted to choke the life right out of him, for everything he told us, for him being inside of my head, for everything.

"Max!" Gazzy screeched, but Fang held him back. My fingers clasped around the wretched man's throat, but the whole time he had a smile on his face. What was so pleasurable? I gripped tighter and tighter until my knuckles turned white, and eventually his face was blank, eyes closed. Dead? No, but unconscious, the thing in between the two worlds.

The helicopter driver had long since abandoned his position, sky diving towards the ground. We had heard a loud bang, and assumed it was the pilot. The helicopter spiraled out of control, bursting into flames as it hit the trees. Was this the end? Had Jeb just…died? Because of me?

I stared in amazement. What had just happened here? Fang flew down closer to me, and I saw Jeb's body on the earth, unmoving, and burned. I bit my lip. Save that backstabber, or leave him to die.

What the heck, I'll save him.

I flew downwards at such an incredible speed I looked blurry, and landed beside him, turning my head quickly. I was in a crouching position and carefully picked him up, flying upwards again. Lose some weight… I thought wings moving furiously as I pushed upwards. I went down to a part of the city and set him down on the sidewalk. Hey, I never said where I was going to put him, if someone had any brains they'd call 911. Someone stopped and stared at me, not believing there eyes.

"Um…hi.." I said, somewhat baffled that a person had been watching. I surged upwards, liking the freedom of my arms again.

Fang too was staring at me and I shrugged, but that was all, and he stayed silent. The rest of the flock stared at me, disapproval on their faces. Iggy had no idea what was going on, so he just took my side, realizing the awkward silence.

"Leave her alone…" he said defensively, flying to my side. Fang shook his head in disapproval, and we began back to Kappa in silence, all of their minds, and mine, focused on how I had just saved the person who was trying to torture us.

"So…" Nudge said uncomfortably, playing with her finger as she did so.

"What was I supposed to do?" I blurted out, my words directed towards Fang.

"Let him die!" he yelled, looking at me coldly.

"I just…can't," I admitted, looking down below me. I couldn't meet his eyes anymore.

"Will you just shut up!" Iggy said, coming in between us.

"What's done is done, we can't go back, pick him up, and throw him in the fire…" Well…we could, but I wasn't about to tell Fang that, although he probably knew already. Fang grimaced, flying as far away from me as he possibly could. I looked at Iggy, but his face showed no concern, and I wondered if he had actually heard Fang move away.

"Thanks Iggy," I said, glad he had straightened that out. He started,

"Can you say that again? I didn't catch your words…" his tone was teasing and he flashed a smile at me.

"Thanks Iggy," I repeated, rolling my eyes. He gave me his combination smile/scowl, but I lifted his hands to my face to show I was joking.

"Hey Max…" Nudge said, pulling up alongside me.

"Where's Total?" Angel suddenly blurted out, staring at me in horror. I whipped around and said,

"I…I didn't have him…Fang?" But to our dismay, he shook his head no.

"Nudge? Gazzy? Iggy?" Angel said, now close to tears as she looked at each in them in turn.

"N…no Angel, I'm sorry," Nudge said quietly, and all of our mind were focused on the lost dog.

"Angel I'm sorry…" I started, but Gazzy and Iggy said,

"We didn't have him…" Tears erupted from Angel's eyes, falling down to the ground like raindrops. I lifted her in my arms, slowly descending. When I reached the bottom I set her down gently, watching her silently.

"I'm sure we can find him," Gazzy said, trying desperately to comfort his sister.

"No! No!" she said, Celeste now covering her eyes.

"We'll never find him!" Angel sobbed, now crying on my shoulder. I sat her on my lap, stroking her hair softly.

Fang looked at me and shrugged, unsure of what to do or say.

"Don't think like that Angel," I cooed softly, looking at her tear streaked face.

"But we flew so many miles! I reporter could have snatched him up by now!" Angel protested, stifling any other tears.

"Then I guess we better start looking," I said, remembering the comment we had made when we first allowed Total to stay. But ignored it plainly, shrugging at Fang with a look that said, 'I didn't know what to do!'