Okay, I'm really, really sorry that it took me this long to update, but I've been really busy. Thanks again to everyone who reviewed, and the Fax is coming, just wait. I'm going to try and update again fairly soon, hopefully this weekend.
As Dr. Martinez's house came into view below us, I jerked my head to the flock to signal we were going down. I descended slowly, landing on the ground as gently as I could so I wouldn't jostle Max. The flock landed behind me. "What if they're not home?" Nudge asked tentatively.
I just shrugged and started towards the house. We would wait if they weren't there, and hopefully they would be back soon. Anyway, there was a light on, so they were probably home.
We walked up to the door, and I told Gazzy to knock, because my arms were a bit full. He did, and a few seconds later Ella opened the door. Her jaw dropped at the sight of us, me holding Max, both of us dirty and bloody, the rest of the soaked and muddy flock gathered around us.
"Oh my god! What happened? I'll go get Mom, come in!"
She had barely paused for breath, and left the door open as she ran in the house, yelling "Mom!". We stepped in the house leaving muddy footprints on the clean, white linoleum floor, and dripping water. Total paused inside the door and suddenly shook himself vigorously, spraying us with more water, although we were already so wet it didn't matter. We could hear Ella pulling her mom down the hall, and Dr. Martinez's inquiries as to what was wrong. As they came into the kitchen she gasped and rushed forward. "Put her on the table" she quickly instructed, now in doctor mode.
"Ella, get my bag. What happened?" She looked at me as I gently lay Max out on the table. "She had a brain-attack and fell. I tried to catch her, and got her arm, but she still hit the ground pretty hard" I said calmly. "How long ago?" " I don't know. An hour, maybe two?" I hadn't really paid attention to the time.
Ella returned with the bag, and Dr. M got a stethoscope out, and listened to Max's breathing and heartbeat. Apparently satisfied, she started checking out Max's injuries, feeling her arms and legs. She paused and winced slightly when she felt over Max's right arm, and again over her left leg. "Her arm and her leg are probably broken, but I don't think it's anything life-threatening." Dr. M said.
The Flock looked relieved. "But I should take her to my office for x-rays and to put casts on so she heals correctly. "Can we come?" Gazzy asked anxiously. Dr. Martinez shook her head.
"Sorry, but all of you would attract too much attention. Even though it's Sunday and the office is closed, you still shouldn't risk it. Besides, I'm going to need some space while I work on Max." Instantly the Flock got on those stubborn faces they get whenever they're about to protest,
but at a small shake of my head they stopped. We were trying to lay low while we figured out what to do next, and Dr. Martinez was right. "I'm coming" I said. "Fang-"
Dr. M started to protest, but I interrupted her.
"You'll need someone to carry Max, and I'm coming" I squared my feet and glared at her.
I can be stubborn too, I learned from being around Max all my life. However, Dr. Martinez is Max's mother, and she had to get it from somewhere.
The Flocks eyes darted nervously between me and Dr. M, but to my surprise, she sighed and nodded. "Okay" She turned to the flock and Ella. "Ella's in charge, we'll be back soon, and I want to find the house fully intact when we return" She looked pointedly at Gazzy and Iggy. The Gasman looked at the ground, ashamed, and Iggy whispered in his ear "Is she looking at us? She is, isn't she?"
I rolled my eyes, and gently picked Max up from the table as Dr. Martinez opened the door.
As I headed out after her, I turned my head and glared at the Flock, mouthing "behave".
Knowing them, there would probably be several arguments, maybe a wrestling match or two, and by the time we came back, poor Ella would probably be losing her mind. Of course, there is also the off-chance that their worry over Max would overcome their urges to cause trouble,
and they would be perfectly behaved angels while we were gone.
Oh, wait- Dr. M already told them Max would be okay. Ah, well. Poor Ella.