I hovered in the air outside the School, using my raptor vision to try and locate an entrance. Nothing seemed to be available, though.

Go down and east thirty degrees, the Voice said.

Is this a trap? I asked half-jokingly. I'd followed its advice this far; might as well keep going with it.

The Voice didn't answer. I scowled but angled down and followed the directions it had given me. Sure enough, a minute or so later, I saw a wide open window and cocked an eyebrow. These people don't just happen to leave windows open.

I took care of it, the Voice said helpfully. Just get in there.

At first, I hesitated, but then remembered why I was doing this. For the flock. For my kids. And for Fang.

With that last thought, I tucked my wings in and dove through the window, landing gracefully on the floor inside. As I tucked my wings in and looked around to get my bearings, I realized that I recognized this room. I figured it was just because all the rooms in the School looked the same… until I saw the empty cage at the other end of the room.

This was where Gracie and Devin had been kept. Where I'd found them. Where Fang and I became parents… where everything started to change for the better between us.

As I felt a lump beginning to rise in my throat, I made my way over to the cage, ignoring all the other mutants' fearful eyes on me. I knelt before the cage, reaching out and running my fingers over the label that was still there: Subjects Six and Seven.

Okay, Maximum. The Voice interrupted my dramatic rediscovering of the place I'd met my children. Time to get on track. Go to the top floor.

Using what, the stairs? I thought back sarcastically. They'll see me. How am I supposed to get there?

The stairs, the Voice said, as if that wasn't a totally stupid idea. Don't worry, you won't be found. Not until you come across the man you need to destroy.

I rolled my eyes and started to a door sort of hidden behind a larger cage, one I knew led to the stairs. When I stepped inside, I quickly counted the flights of stairs to the top: only two. Whoever it was I had to destroy was closer than I thought.

I padded softly up the stairs, trying not to be heard. With every step, I expected an alarm to start blaring, but it never did. The staircase remained deathly quiet.

When I arrived at the landing, I heard a typewriter on the other side of the door. Somebody's office.

Good job, Maximum, the Voice said. You're where you need to be. Destroy the person behind that door, and the School will be over, your pain will be over… you can be free. I'll leave you now.

And then it was gone.

I took a deep breath and lay my hand on the doorknob. The next few minutes would decide whether I lived or died. And in large part, it all depended on who I saw when I opened that door.

"Who's there?"

The voice was so sudden I jumped, then realized it was a familiar one. Curiosity overrode my fear, and I pushed the door open.

"Oh, man," I said when I saw who was standing behind the desk, eyes narrowed at me. "Look who it is. Our favorite evil Asian man."

Mr. Chu laughed humorlessly, coming around the desk. "Maximum Ride."

"That's my name, don't wear it out," I told him, crossing my arms. I was searching the room for weapons (there were practically none) and exits (one large window). "So look. What do you want from me?"

"That's simple," he said, taking one step closer. "Your life."

I glared at him, the adrenaline starting to pump through my veins, readying myself for a fight. I thought about everything this guy had done to me-- kidnapped my mother, created my children in test tubs to be used for bait, taking me away from my flock and family-- and suddenly had the uncontrollable desire to, as the Voice had said, destroy him.

I charged, fists flailing, trying to punch out Mr. Chu. He dodged me, backing up against a wall and smacking a flashing red button there. Two ceiling tiles slid apart, and five M-Geeks came storming out.

My hands snapped up defensively as they came down on me, knocking me to the floor. I heard Mr. Chu's cruel laughter, barely, over the droning of the M-Geeks as I punched and kicked them away from me. It was hard, and more than once I wished I would just die already. Slowly but surely, though, I fought the five M-Geeks off until they were all laying in pieces in Mr. Chu's office.

By now, an alarm was blaring, and Mr. Chu kept glancing at the door, obviously expecting reinforcement to arrive at any time. I knew I didn't have much time. I rushed at him, grabbing his throat and pinning him to the wall.

"I'll make this quick," I growled.

Max, you're not a killer, the Voice said.

I stopped squeezing his neck as the Voice repeated what it had said when I'd been about to finish off Marian Janssen. It was right. I wasn't a killer. I had to do what was best for my family, though…

"Listen," I told Mr. Chu. "Here's what's going down. I let you go. You leave us alone. If I hear from you again, or if you threaten us again, I will come back here and kill you. Got it?"

Mr. Chu nodded stiffly, and I tightened my hold on his neck. "Say it out loud."

"I understand," he choked out. "I will not bother you or your flock any more."

"Or my kids. Say it," I demanded.

He hesitated, and I pressed him harder against the wall. "I won't bother your kids," he finally said.

"Good." I drew my hand back, and Mr. Chu dropped to the floor, his face red from lack of oxygen. "Now stick to that."

With those parting words, I threw open the large window, unfurled my wings, and leaped out of it. The wind caught in my wings like sails and then lifted me up, up, far above the ground.

You understand the School isn't destroyed, Max, the Voice said. You didn't destroy Mr. Chu.

I understand, I thought back, looking at the mountains on the horizon as I headed toward them. I saved my family for now, though. I can deal with anything else as it comes up.

The Voice didn't reply, and I smiled as I stroked powerfully, watching everything below me become mere specks. Everything was perfect, everything was fine. Me and the flock and Fang and our kids were going to live in peace. For a while, anyway.

For now, that was all I needed.

Okay, so, this was an action scene, which I don't particularly like writing… and I don't think I'm very good at them… but I tried my best.

Next chapter, guys, is the LAST! Ahhhh!

Review!