AN: ...Don't kill me? I'm really sorry for not updating for... seven months. I got a severe case of writer's block and this chapter just wouldn't come out. Updates should come sooner now, but still expect random updates, especially with school starting up again soon. I realize that this is much shorter than the last chapter, but I think most will be like this. Well, I think that's it. Read on.

This chapter is dedicated to everyone who reviewed and read my story despite it being so long since I updated.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Flock, Ari, or anything else that is related to Maximum Ride. I only own the plot, Aiden, and Artemis, along with anything else that is unrecognizable.

That Morning:

A large white hawk speckled with black and red feathers flew through the doorway and landed on a pillow next to head of dirty blonde hair. The bird chirruped softly, stroking its beak through the hair in an effort to wake the person up. There was a soft groan before the head turned so the bird could see the face of a teenage girl.

The teen groaned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes with a yawn. The hawk fluttered up to her shoulder and nipped at her ear softly. "Good morning Artemis, did you sleep well?" the girl asked as she stroked Artemis's chest. Artemis dipped his head in a nod and set about preening the girl's hair. She laughed and lifted him from her shoulder, setting him down on the bed frame.

The girl headed toward her closet, pulling out a black form-fitting t-shirt along with a pair of jeans. She threw them on and tied her hair up in a ponytail after brushing it. As she was about to walk out the door, sudden tapping on the window got her attention. Artemis had moved to the window sill and was tapping against it with his foot while looking at her questioningly. She shook her head, looking sorry.

"Not now Artemis, I have to get to school in a bit. Maybe later tonight, okay?" Artemis chirped an affirmative and flew over to land on her outstretched arm. He shuffled a bit so he could rest on her shoulder and ran his beak through the end of the ponytail. The girl smiled and rubbed his feathers before continuing downstairs.

She walked silently down the hall and into the kitchen. She easily spotted her mother who was mumbling to herself with her head stuck in the fridge. She stood in the doorway and just stared at the back of her mother's neck, knowing it would creep her out.

And she was right. Not five seconds later her mother had straightened and whirled around with a scowl, her eyes flashing in annoyance. "Aiden! Will you quit that?" she said with a slight growl to her voice. "Quit what?" Aiden asked with a smirk, "Breathing?" Her mother glared and closed the fridge with a huff after pulling out the eggs.

"You know what. Sometimes I regret telling you those stories, you know that?" Aiden's smirk grew. "I know," she chirped happily. She grabbed a pan from the cabinet along with the eggs her mom had pulled out, quickly scrambling them and putting them on a couple plates. Grabbing a fork, Aiden leaned against a counter and started to eat while her mom took hers to the table.

She picked up a letter with the superintendent's signature on it and read through it before putting it down. "What's this about an all day assembly at school today?" she asked her daughter. Aiden shrugged, swallowing the mouthful of eggs she had in her mouth. "Don't know, mom. The only thing they're telling us is that it's by some guy, something Batchelder." Aiden looked up sharply when she heard a clatter. Her mom was staring at her wide eyed and paler than usual. Her fork had fallen from her hand and now lay on the floor near her chair.

Aiden set her bowl down on the counter and walked over to the table, bending down to pick up the fork. "Mom, you okay?" Her mom jumped slightly, blinking a few times. "Ye-yeah, I'm fine." Aiden narrowed her eyes, opening her mouth to question her mother when said person caught sight of the clock.

"OH! Look at the time- you're going to be late for school Aiden, get going!" With that, the teen was practically shoved out of the house, barely able to grab her bag on the way out. Shooting her mother a look, she started jogging to school.

As soon as she was out of sight, her mother collapsed onto the sofa, her head in her hands. "I really hope he's not who I think he is."

Okay, that's the end of the third chapter. Leave a review, or if need be, a flame.

~Mirror Dragon A.K.A. Heart of Flaming Ice~