Six

Fang was eyeing the pair off as he stopped at my left shoulder, and Iggy stepped up to my right, dragged by Total. I motioned for the younger kids to stay back.

"So you are Max?" The boy asked again, and I nodded warily, and Fang's dark eyes narrowed. On my other side, Iggy frowned behind his black sunnies.

"Good. I'm Bree, this is Liz. We were sent to warn you."

"Oh?" Who were these clowns? Jeezum, the way he was talking was like he was waiting for me to throw myself at him in thanks.

Relax, Max. Go with the flow.

Great, just great. I rubbed the bridge of my nose. Liz was frowning at Fang, who was watching me intently with his 'the Voice is back' face. I gave a tiny nod, and saw his jaw tighten.

"Follow me. We have a room booked, and we can talk there." Bree spoke with quiet confidence, gaze on me. The girl – Liz – smiled winningly at Fang, who was still scowling.

"Right," I said, but none of us moved, "Why should we?" I felt the three youngster's shift carefully, preparing for flight of fight, literally. What are the chances of U&A? I wondered, keeping a wary eye on Bree and Liz.

"He was right, she's way cautious," Liz frowned at me, looking and sounding slightly irritated, her smile now gone.

"He?" Iggy asked, speaking up at last. From his tone, I could tell we were all sure who it was.

"Jeb," Bree started. Yup, I think. We need an U&A. "He sent us to warn you." Bree's voice was all soft and cautious, his hazel eyes boring into my own, before scanning the crowed.

Looking for back up, or an escape?

"Uh, huh. How do we know Jeb's not waiting in this room of yours?"

Bree shrugged, "Trust us."

Ok, now that is funny. I laughed, a bitter sort of sound, and looked at Bree and Liz in a pitying sort of way. "I don't trust anyone - especially those in league with Jeb. Goodbye." I spun on my heel, motioning for the flock to move off; arm brushing Iggy's so he knew where we were going.

I didn't get two steps.

Seven

Bree jumped me before I knew what was happening, and I didn't have time to react before his cold hand was down my back – wtf? – And then I knew, as he painfully twisted my wing just so, speaking harshly.

"Anyone moves and I snap it," The flock all crouched into fighting-stance, before slowly straightening up, I stood frozen, and saw Liz out of the corner of my eye. She was staring at Bree like he was insane. Wow, we're on the same level there, babe.

"Bree!" Liz spluttered, marching up beside us, "What are y-"

"Shh!" He hissed at her, and then leaned forward to whisper in my ear, "Jeb said you wouldn't trust us. Said we'd have to prove ourselves one of the 'Flock'. We don't have time for that. Now, would you like to come with one whole wing, or two?" His whispering was so low I knew I was the only one who could hear him, and I snarled at him, wishing I could rip his arm off. What an ass!

"Fine!" I spat, and felt his grip on my wing loosen, just enough that it wouldn't snap as he turned me around and shoved me in the direction he wanted to go.

"Let's go." He said, and shoved me again so that I walked. I could hear the flock behind him.

"Let her go, Bree." Liz said sternly, "You won't convince them we're on their side if you snap her damned wing!"

"No." Bree said, tightening his grip just slightly for a moment, "She'll vanish if I let go. I'm not that stupid. Besides, better her wing than mine." He sounded so matter of fact, and I hated him for it, before what he'd said actually sunk in.

He has wings? I thought, stopping in shock, and feeling his grip tighten.

Go with the flow, Maximum.

I didn't even get to respond, you know, because my head exploded.

Eight

Liz's POV

Scowling, I walked along beside Bree. He was such an idiot sometimes. Must be because he's male, you know. Behind me, I could hear the dark-haired one issue orders to the others, and then he was beside Bree, on the other side. Both of us looked at him, but he wasn't watching us, he was looking at Max.

The dark haired one smirked as Bree spoke about Max vanishing if he let her go and that was all I needed to know it was true. The wing comment caught them both by surprise, however, and I halted when Max did, glancing at the dark-haired guy as he blinked. Wow, not one for facial expressions, was he?

"Move!" Bree said, shoving her again, and then dropped her in surprise as she slapped her hands to her head and fell to the ground in a moaning lump. What the –

"You idiot!" The one beside us snarled, just as the youngest girl dashed forward, blond curls bouncing. "Max!" They both dropped to her side as the rest of the flock came forward, pushing us out of the way.

"Wow…" I said softly, quickly seeing she wasn't faking – she was totally crying and out of it – "What's wrong with her?" No one answered, but that didn't really surprise me.

"She's not going to die, is she?" Bree sounded unimpressed and irritated, which is way out of character for him, and I felt my stomach drop. If she died, we were so screwed.

"No." The dark haired one stood up, Max in his arms. "Where're we going?" Ok, that was surprising. Bree and I stared at him a moment as his eyes narrowed, and then Bree set off at a jog.

"This way," they kept up easily, with Max in some sort of seizure, as we lead them to the room we'd paid for.

"See, no Jeb and no Erasers," I said, almost cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood. The one carrying Max frowned at me, but said nothing as he and the other's made their way over to the couch, and placed Max on there. She was coming out of it now, just breathing hard. I stood quietly beside Bree, watching with interest.

Nine

I felt myself lifted off the pavement – Fang – and carried. Words were spoken, but I didn't process them, too worried about keeping my brains inside my head and off my friends. I hated this. I felt Fang stop, then was placed on a couch. I wondered how long it had taken them to get to wherever we were now, because it didn't feel like long. I shuddered, cursing the Voice and its damned brain explosions.

Sorry. You were being difficult. It was easier this way.

Yeah, for you maybe, I thought, carefully opening my eyes and looking up at the six worried faces around me, Total in Iggy's arms. I blinked at them, and then carefully lowered my hands. Damn it all.

"Welcome back." Fang said lowly, almost out of hearing, and I glanced at him. He looked worried. Fair enough, this was the first time I'd had a brain attack in ages. I'd be worried too; if Voice hadn't told me it'd brought it on purposely. I probably should be more worried because of that. I grimaced, sitting up, and gave Fang a 'talk later' type of look. He nodded, and stepped aside. I scowled.

"You again." I'm such a lovely person.

Both Bree and Liz looked very relieved, "What was that?" Bree asked, frowning slightly.

"Nothing." I lied, looking around the room. Typically Disney, there were characters everywhere. We were in a lounge room, the TV a short distance across from me. Must be one of those family room things that you stay in when you're like, a tourist or something.

"Fine. Can we talk now?" I frowned at him.

"About what?" I smirked. I could think up quite a few things to say, but I don't think they'd be very happy at hearing what that was.

"We were sent to warn you," Liz said, and I gave her a 'no duh' look. She looked slightly put out at that.

"Why did Jeb send you to warn us?" Fang asked, sitting on the arm of the chair beside me, arms crossed over his chest, eyes narrowed. Ohh beware the Fang.

"A few things." Bree started, sitting down on the TV table. Liz sat down beside him. I felt the couch shift as the rest of the Flock settled down around me.

"Firstly, Max escaped, and no one has been able to find her." Um, ok, that could hardly be good. I shrugged, playing it off, and looked at them expectantly.

Bree looked a little put off. Jeezum, Jeb didn't tell them much about me, did he?

No. They know only the basics. He decided you'd tell them what you wanted them to know, when and if you chose.

How do you know this?

No answer. That didn't surprise me, but the Voice's knowledge of the two before me was worrying. I felt Fang elbow me in the shoulder, and re-focused on Bree. They were both frowning at me.

"So?"

Bree sighed. "We have to find her. She's a major upgrade of you. Do you realise the trouble she could cause?" He sounded irritated again. Heh, this was fun.

Grow up, Maximum.

Why?

This is important. If you're not going to pay attention…

It left it hanging, and I pursed my lips. Threatening me with a brain attack! How mean was that?

Fine.

"So, we need to find you."

"As you said." I replied in a bored tone, now looking at Liz. "What else?"

Liz was trying to smother a grin. "There's an improved batch of Erasers ready for, uh, flight." I turned my gaze back to look at him.

"Oh?" Well, this at least was interesting. "What have they added this time?"

"Nothing," Liz said, sounding serious, before grinning at our faces, "They just upgraded their wings. More streamline now, and know how to fly shortly after birth. Smoother morphing, and are less model-like in appearance."

Okay, this was a worry. I felt Fang tense beside me. Their model-like appearance was one of the few ways of identifying them before they attacked.

"So, how do you know them?" Nudge asked, speaking worriedly.

"They aren't too different, but they're improving them. The wings are what you should really worry about. They are made stronger, more stream-line, and tuck in close to their spine – when they aren't morphed, you can't see them." He stressed this. The bunch of winged Erasers we'd seen previously were obviously add-ons, and painful. If they were born with them now… I frowned.

"And Jeb wanted you to warn us about this?" I asked, skeptical.

"Yes. Said you should focus on finding the girl, and that you didn't need new and improved Eraser's chomping your toes. They'll still come, mind. But now you can prepare for them." Liz grinned at me, bright and cheerful.

"Right," I said carefully, looking on the wall above their heads at the clock. It was getting late – where had all the day gone? – And then back at them. "How many does this room hold?"

Liz grinned. "All us girls; Bree will get another room for the boys."

I nodded. "What about food?" Nudge perked up beside me, looking expectantly at Bree and Liz.

"Yes, real food. No more fairy floss. If I eat any more of that I'll hurl." I laughed softly.

"We can order something. What do you want?" Liz stood up, and Nudge and Gazzy followed her, talking excitedly about what they wanted.

Ten

I was sitting around the large family table in the middle of the 'girls room', about eight boxes of super-sized pizza piled on top, the TV screaming insults at our ear-drums, the younger kids watching the Disney channel. Original, huh?

I was nibbling on my, say, tenth piece of pizza when Fang came over and sat down beside me. Liz was sitting next to Nudge in the lounge, and both of them were laughing at the TV. Angel was sitting on the other side of the couch, frowning at them with a small smile. Gazzy and Iggy were playing a board game with Bree, who looked frustrated because the blind guy was winning… constantly.

Fang was watching me, and I smiled around the piece of pizza. He frowned at me, looking slightly amused.

"What'd he do, before?"

Huh? Oh. "Not sure. He could have snapped me, though." I scowled. That was not a position I'd like to be in again any time soon. Fang looked slightly surprised.

"I thought he was bluffing, you know." He spoke softly, so the others wouldn't hear us over the roar of the TV.

"Really?"

"Yup, then I thought you were bluffing." Oh, my brain attack. I scowled. "Why'd that happen?"

I shrugged. "Apparently because I was 'being difficult.'" Fang looked shocked – he blinked.

"It wanted us to speak with them."

"Apparently," I repeated, putting down the crust. "It could've just said so, though." I almost smiled, but not quite. Fang nodded agreement.

"Have you changed plans, then?" Again with the quite tone.

"Nope. I still say we go to New York. I've just got a feeling."

"No Voice."

"Nope, just a feeling. We need to go there for some reason or another." I pursed my lips. "These new Erasers are bit of a worry. Bred knowing how to fly and all." Fang nodded again, looking thoughtful.

"What about them?" He nodded towards Bree, who was scowling at Iggy, and Liz, who was laughing with Nudge.

"No idea. I guess they'll return to Jeb?" I frowned again. Damn, I was going to get some major wrinkles from all this frowning.

"Then don't frown." Angel said sweetly, coming to a stop beside me.

"Hoy, what'd I tell you about reading my mind?" Angel grinned innocently.

"Something…" she said slowly. "But I was wondering, when you went on that first rollercoaster, your mind went spazz. Why?"

I blinked at her, and felt Fang's curious gaze on me. "Um, it did?"

"Yup, you were all like 'fear, fear, death, dying' and stuff. It was really scary. You've never done that before."

Both of them were watching me with interest. "I don't know. I just remember not liking it, and that it would be really bad to go on the next one…"

Everything happens for a reason, Maximum. I swear it sounded smug, and I frowned again.

"You're frowning." Fang teased, and I cleared my brow.

"'Everything happens for a reason?'" I repeated, puzzled. "Oh, damn." Angel giggle. "Voice did that, too… Didn't you?"

Very cleaver, Maximum.

Scowling, I got up from the table and stalked off.