Chapter 7

Okay, so how many times have I been so extremely close from killing someone, but end up saving them? That's right, tons! Honestly, who where we kidding? After two quick seconds we came back to reality. We wouldn't let Brigid die. We're just not like that. Maybe I did forgive easily after all. I hoped I didn't. I rushed to get Brigid once more. With Fang by my side this time. I caught her by her left arm, Fang by the other. She was unconscious. Shock was the cause, I guess. Fang and I rose with Brigid in our arms, a little bit more at ease with each other. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. I found myself hearing. The Voice was back. Fang deserves your forgiveness more than you deserve his, Maximum. Take it easy. Oh, Voice, what am I going to do with you? I sighed.

We finally reached the flock when Iggy said, "I knew you wouldn't let her fall." He smirked.

"Yeah, I did too." I grinned.

"Well that was intense. Did you see that, Gazzy? Max was an animal!" Nudge said enthusiastically.

"Hey!" I demanded. "Oh… Sorry, Max. You know what I mean, I mean you should have seen the look on your face. You were kicking this and that, breaking here and there. It was great!" Nudge replied. I winked at her and said jokingly, "Don't mess with Max." After a few seconds, Angel chimed in.

"Max, we really can't trust anyone, can we?" Angel said softly, with a hint of sadness in her voice. It was saddening to see Angel so disappointed.

"W--," I tried to answer.

"It's just that… well... I had a little hope, you know? That maybe Brigid wouldn't turn out to be one of the bad guys…" she trailed on. Damn Brigid, look what she did. And still, I had saved her life. I would make her miserable after this any way.

"We can only trust each other, sweetie," I said as I patted Angel's blonde curls with my free arm. I caught a glimpse of Fang as I said this. Actually everyone did, and I knew we were all thinking the same thing. "You know guys, there's a difference between making a mistake and betraying.

I said to them, my words honestly coming right from the heart. Oh God, here comes another of Max's Poetic Moments. Okay, let it out, Max. Let it out.

"You can deceive by doing both of them but—" I was cut off.

"What does deceive mean?" the Gasman interrupted.

"It means to let someone down," Fang answered to Gazzy without looking at him.

"Oh…okay," Gasman uttered kindly.

"Please, proceed," Total implied.

I nodded at him. "Thank you, Total… Okay, bottom line is we're only human. Or, well… at least ninety-eight percent of our body is. And Total's a dog, but… anyway, sooner or later, we're going to trip a few—or a lot—of times in life. Sometimes we'll do meaningless errors, but sometimes will do ones that will change our entire lives. But after being through so much with you guys, after making so many mistakes, I've finally discovered that it's not an error, unless you learn from it. Sometimes people will get hurt thanks to your wrongdoing. But we've all done it, and will probably do it many times eventually. What's most important is that we should forgive those who hurt us or let us down because of their mistakes. After all, you never know if you'll do anything as stupid that will have the same effect on them. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Yes, I did just use the Voice's words. Who would have seen the day that happened?

I glanced at Fang as I said this, and we gave each other a shady grin. He knew now, that I had forgiven him. And… for the last part of my emo-cheesy-inspirational speech…

"Mistakes are milestones in life, lessons you learn to make you a better person. You move on once you've passed them, and never look back. Unless you're in the same situation again, you will look back and will know what not to do. But it's okay guys, we're not perfect. Nobody is." I finished reassuringly.

And that's why you're the leader, Max, The Voice chimed in.

Oh my God, did all that just come from me? Believe me, I'm as surprised as you are. But you know what? Maybe the Voice is right, maybe that's why I'm the leader.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. For example, Brigid here. Not the definition of perfection." Gazzy shook his head disapprovingly.

"No, duh," Nudge added.

I giggled at this. I just freakin' love these kids so much.

"So, Max… Should we forgive all the white-coats and Jeb and all those people?" Angel wondered.

"Whaat? No, people get a second chance. And only a second chance." The flock snickered, including Fang. "After all, Jeb's the one who did this," I added, holding Brigid's wing out.

The awkwardness and discomfort between us was disappearing gradually, but it made me sad to know Fang and I had come to this. It annoyed me to know that we had been at the precipice of splitting apart again. And nothing hurts the most as knowing that I almost lost him, all over again. I knew though, that I would never ever stop loving him, no matter what he did. He's my good, old right-wing man.

We arrived at my mom's house and—yes—Jeb's car was there.

"Fang, you take her." I handed Brigid's other arm to Fang and marched down to the house. I decided I'd let Jeb have a little piece of my mind. I instantly recognized the smell of cookies as I came into the house—but that would wait. I happened to see Jeb sitting on the island with my mom. I entered the kitchen as he enthusiastically said, "Hello, Max!" Fang, Iggy, Gazzy, Nudge, Angel and Total were behind me now. How dare he just say "Hello, Max!" as if he didn't know what was going on? I faked excitement as I said, "Jeb! Just the person I wanted to see!" And here we go…