Author's Note: So I did decide on a ship name for Fang/Skylar with the help of one of my friends. It's now Fanglar. Thanks, Raven1025 for suggesting it! I'm also switching back to Skylar's POV for now. Happy reading! XOXO- Skai.
I slept better than I had in a long while that night. Wrapped in the blanket of knowing that I had somebody who cared, people who cared. When my head finally hit my pillow in the early hours of the morning after staying with Fang on the roof, I was asleep almost instantly.
My nightmares weren't that bad that night, if you could call my dream a nightmare. I saw Dylan, with his sandfly blonde hair and tanned skin, he was the same age that I had seen him last, nine years old. He didn't say a word, but he didn't need to. He wrapped me in a hug that was so familiar I could call it home.
I missed him, so much more than I would ever like to admit, he had been like my older brother. He loved me like family at a time when I had never been loved before. So no, my dream wasn't a nightmare, but waking up, remembering he was gone, that was.
The pale sunlight spilled into the room as I took in my surroundings, all the beds were empty but several remained unmade. I stood up and walked around to the small chest that was at the end of my bunk, it was filled with a few toiletries and some clothes that Max had generously given me and others that we had found the time to buy quickly at a store with a credit that we found.
I ran a brush through my hair as I decided what I wanted wear for the day. None of them were designer brand or over twenty dollars, but they were clothes that weren't white, another sign I had truly left the School.
I pulled on a pair of black leggings and a navy blue jumper, making sure the bandage that was wrapped around my arm was covered. Most of my clothes were plain and solid colors. Maroons, blacks, dark blues and grey's. What can I say? Yellows and neons didn't exactly go well with silver hair.
I was pleased to see that Max's clothes were fitting slightly more snugly on my body. I was gaining back some of the wait that I had lost over a long time at the School.
I was tying the shoelaces of my sneakers when Gazzy popped his head into the room. "Breakfast is ready," he announced, padding over to me.
"Okay," I smiled, ruffling his hair as I stood up. I was a decent foot and a half taller than him. He grinned back.
The dining room also doubled as a kitchen and an office. Needless to say, as big as the boat was, the space wasn't unlimited. I sat down at the table and Bridgid began to place plates of eggs, biscuits, and bacon in front of everyone. The portions were surprisingly large enough to feed Max.
"Eat up," she instructed. "This is some of the last fresh food we have. When it's all gone we have to start eating all the rest." Of course, I should've realized. If we were on a boat with no access to grocery stores, we wouldn't have things like eggs or milk or anything that could go bad over time. I was fine with canned food, as long as it was food.
"Thank you," I said, gulping down a mouthful scalding hot eggs. Bridgid nodded in acknowledgement. "Would anyone like some coffee?" Fang and Max both nodded. Iggy declined, "No thanks, I'm good." "I want some," Nudge spoke up, Gazzy nodded eagerly in agreement.
"Nuh-uh," Max shook her head. "No coffee for you guys. It'll stunt your growth." Nobody argued with her but I could tell Nudge had a debate on the tip of her tongue. "Skylar?"
"Umm, sure," I decided. The Flock made small talk as a bitter yet refreshing smell wafted from the coffee maker. When the steaming mugs were placed in front of us, Max drained hers in ten seconds tops. I stifled a laugh.
I sniffed mine cautiously. Fang let out a chuckle, "You've never had coffee before, have you?" I shook my head. "Try it," he advised. "You might like it."
After swirling the dark liquid around the cup a few time, I raised it to my lips and took a small sip. It was a strong taste, and it was bitter. But I liked it.
"It's good." I took another drink, liking the warmth that spread throughout my abdomen from it. "Where's Ash?" I asked. "Eating in the infirmary," replied Max. "She seems to be healed completely. I was thinking today we could test her wings."
"Sure," I didn't know exactly how I felt about Ash. We were opposites, fire and ice, literally. But the School had tampered with her, made her the way she was in some ways. And for that I felt a pang of sympathy for her.
Max added, "I think it would be best if you and I did it with her. She doesn't seem to trust anyone else. Although I don't think you could call it trust." I contemplated it for a bit, "You're probably right. How about after breakfast?" I suggested. Max smiled, "Perfect."
My eyes drifted over to Fang, just speaking of it I could tell Fang was already wary about the situation. I wanted to put my hand in his and verbally assure him that it would be fine. I couldn't do the latter so I settled for the former.
I slipped my hand into his under the table. He squeezed my palm in acknowledgement. The small gesture made electricity spark through my hand and my stomach do flip-flops.
After everyone had finished eating, I found myself hovering above the boat. Max and Ash were on either side of me. "So I see your wings are working fine," Max lamented, her tone indicating she didn't care in the slightest.
I understood why the Flock hated Ash. I really did, but instead of waves of hatred, I had sympathy for her. The sky above us was stormy gray, the color of my eyes. Below us, the Flock and everyone else stood on the deck, watching us and chatting.
"Do either of you know how to angle your wings?" Max asked. "Yeah," I replied. "I learned by watching this documentary on birds of prey in the School. You just mimic their wings right?" Max smiled, "Yep, that's it."
"I don't have the slightest clue about what either of you are talking about!" Ash exclaimed, frustrated. Max's face hardened, "Then you'll learn."
We began to go over the movements and how to angle your wings the best so you had more agility when flying. "I think I've got the hang of it." A wide grin was plastered on Ash's face.
"It definitely seems like it," I complimented as she swiftly made a sharp turn, her wings in perfect form. "Do you guys want to race?" Ash looked hopeful.
Max and I glanced at each other, competition gleaming in our eyes. "Absolutely," Max challenged. I smirked, flying over to Max's side. Ash did the same.
"On your marks," I began. "Get set. Go!" We all took of at terrifyingly fast speeds, looping around the ship as we went. I was so enamored in the race, when a set of muscular arms wrapped around me, claws digging into my stomach, I didn't have time to think.
Max and Ash were both being grasped by eraser's as well. Oh god, how did they find us? I thought, panicking. A wave of nausea washed over me when I heard a familiar click and a cold metal barrel was pressed to the side of my head.
Fang's POV:
As both Iggy and I flew into the air I could feel my terror grappling with me. The eraser's had Max, Ash and Skylar pressed against them, hand guns that looked like they could do some serious damage, against their heads. I halted at the sight of them, although there was nothing more that I wanted to do than fly to them.
The eraser holding Skylar growled. "One foot closer to us and they're all dead." Unlike Ash's and even Max's face, Skylar's wasn't painted with fear, instead it was with concentration.
I saw a small spark of ice come from her hand, the eraser only up jammed the gun harder against her skull. He whispered something to her that made her face go alabaster with fear. She stopped struggling.
"We're going to leave, and you're not going to follow us," one of the eraser's instructed. "You won't because if you do, we'll put a bullet in their heads." A sly smile crept across another's face, "Starting with the pretty silver one."
How could they tell that she was so important to me, was it that obvious? "It's written all over your face," Angel's voice appeared in my head. Great, I thought sarcastically. A small whimper escaped Skylar as claws sank further and further into her side, about to pierce the skin.
Rage rippled through me, my voice was a low growl when I said, "Stop hurting her." "I don't take orders from you," but the eraser loosened his grip.
Too soon the eraser's took off flying, heading towards I direction I knew the School was at.
I landed on the deck. "We're not going to go after them?!" Nudge cried. A plan was formulating in my head. "No," I said, trying to keep my voice even and calm. Bridgid was apparently thinking the same thing as I. "Fang had me plant a small tracker on Ash's clothes where she wouldn't notice."
"We wait until their a few miles out, then we start to follow them far away enough that we won't be noticed. Iggy and I will go." I knew what was coming. "But I want to go," Nudge placed her hands on her hips. There it was.
"So do I," Gazzy piped up. Angel only looked at me pointedly, "You need me. I can read minds and control people, something that's pretty useful for breaking into the School."
I sighed, she had a point. "Fine, Angel you can come." Gazzy's mouth settled into a hard line, a look far too serious for someone his age. "If Angel's going, I'm going." "If you're letting the two youngest people come, I should be allowed to come," Nudge argued.
I was getting exasperated, "Fine! Everyone with freaking wings can come." "Will you be coming back to continue the research?" Asked Dr. Papa. "I don't know, maybe. I'll give you guys a call, I memorized the number on Bridgid's phone in case of an emergency," I told them. "But the cell reception-." "We'll just have to see."
I turned to the rest of the Flock, "Ready?" All of them nodded. Please let them be okay, I prayed silently as I shot into the air.
Author's Note: Hi guys! Hope enjoyed that chapter, I know it wasn't super amazing and interesting but the next one will be, promise :). Don't forget, please review, follow, and favorite. I update every week, sometimes more, and only every once in awhile, less. Thanks. XOXO- Skai.
