As promised, here is a longer chapter. Read and review as always. Thanks if you have reviewed, i'll post a list some time.


After Fang had hugged me, he left and went to his room. It was late, but, normally that didn't matter. I didn't like that we hadn't worked everything out.

The next morning, I got up early when someone was banging on my door. I threw on some jeans and a shirt and opened the door, "What?" I mumbled, as I was tired.

I saw Nudge looking kinda hyper and awake. "I'm hungry," she told me.

"Did you have to wake me up to say you were hungry? It's not a reason to alert the press."

"Fang told me to get you up," Nudge's eyes were the picture of innocence.

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes, "Give me a couple minutes to get ready."

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The hotel that we had picked did not provide us with complimentary breakfast. No, not even coffee or tea or something.

We headed to the nearest grocery store and picked up some food. Poptarts, Lucky Charms, Milk, Instant Coffee (for Total), donuts, etc.

We traveled back to our lovely hotel to eat.

I really needed to talk to Fang some more, without anyone else's intervention. That was going to be hard. The last time that I had gone off on my own to talk to Fang, the flock had been kidnapped. No need to repeat history.

The real question was whether or not to take Dr. Marks with us. I knew that Fang was against him, but I wanted to do what the Dr. wanted. He had rescued us. But, I wasn't gonna let this get between us again. There was no way that Ryan was going to turn into another Ari.

I was going to have to do with a very quick chat with Fang. After breakfast, I got him to come with me to my room. I sat down on my bed and bounced a little. "We have to talk."

His face stayed blank.

"I'm getting Dr. Marks in here and we are talking about where we should go next. Okay?"

I stood up and headed for the door. "Wait," he called to me. I spun on my heel.

"What?" I wanted to know.

"There is something I didn't tell you."

My eyes hardened, "What?"

"Have you heard from your voice lately?"

My heart froze, was Fang's voice back? "No," I whispered, mouth dry.

"I think it's in my head now. They must have taken it out of you or whatever."

I felt adrenaline rush through my veins, "No. No, no, no, no, no."

"Why are you afraid?" He looked puzzled.

"Because last time it took you over," I hissed, "You, it, almost killed me."

"It doesn't control me anymore," he insisted.

My head spun, I had to be able to trust Fang. It wasn't a choice. But, what if it wasn't him, what if he was being controlled. I was silent for a minute.

"If it were, you would notice. Last time, it only controlled my body. Not my mind, not my words," he assured me.

"Shit," this sucked.

"Please, you must trust me."

Then a knock on the door rang through the room, Fang went and opened it, I saw Dr. Marks waiting.

"Come in," I sighed.

When he looked hesitant, Fang motioned to a chair, "Sit," he said tersely.

Ryan looked uncomfortable. He shifted nervously in his seat. "Um, I was wondering what you were thinking about what to do next. It's not a good idea to stay in one place for a long time."

I glanced at him speculatively, "I knew that a long time ago. We were wondering if you were coming with us."

Fang glared at me.

Ryan tried not to notice, "Um, I hadn't thought about it."

"Meaning no," I said.

"No, no. Just that do you want me?" He smiled.

"It's not easy. We will leave you behind if you can't keep up," Fang said.

"Fang!" I admonished, then turned to the doctor, "He didn't mean that you would have to fly. You just can't complain, when we move fast, or sleep in the dirt. I mean it too. We will leave you like this," I snapped my fingers, "If you try anything.

"Where are you going?" Ryan wanted to know, apparently not intimidated by me.

"Away from here," my cryptic answer.

"I'll go with you," he replied.

Then, Fang reached for Ryan's ear. Quickly, he yanked out a tiny ear bud. He looked at me, self-righteously. Fang took out the ear bud and crunched it beneath his heel. "How about you stay right here," he said, and punched the guy in the face.

I took a step back and looked at Fang, "Sorry," I muttered.

"You're getting too trusting," he laughed and punched my shoulder, gently.

I tried to smile back, but my smile twisted, what if I couldn't trust him?