Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Twilight or Maximum Ride. Check back next update to see if I magically have.

Chapter Seven—BPOV

Okay, before me continue, here's a little fact. I can lie; in fact, probably my whole life would be considered a lie. But I cannot, absolutely cannot, lie to vampires. Bummer, right?

"What?" Edward spluttered, staring at me.

Time to start acting.

I widened my eyes and smiled a 100-watt smile, my attempt at confusing them. "Nothing, Edward, I didn't say anything."

"She said she was a mental shield," interrupted Jasper, sneaking a glance at me.

I smiled wider, but it wasn't a nice smile; it was the predatory smile that clearly said, "Shut up."

"That's not what I said," I told Edward, cutting off anything Jasper was going to say next. "I said I was a metal shield, you know, 'cause I'm a bird freak and weirdly strong so if you tried to hurt me it would be like denting a metal shield and—" I continued rambling till Edward broke me off.

"She said mental shield," he decided. Turning to me, he remarked with his golden eyes fixed straight on me, "You know, you're a bad liar, Bella."

"Says the person whose whole life is probably a lie," I muttered.

"And yours isn't?" he shot back.

When I didn't answer, he sighed smugly. "Is your name even Bella?"

No, it's probably Subject 14… to the School anyway.

"As a matter of fact," I said, glaring at him, "it is."

"Sorry." He held his hands up in front of him before running one through his messy bronze hair.

"Mine turn to ask questions," I announced, changing the subject. "So what to you eat?"

"Animal blood," Carlisle answered calmly, waiting for my reaction.

I wrinkled my nose; blood wasn't exactly my favorite thing and decided to ask another question.

"Are there any other mythical creatures in Forks?"

Of course I already knew the answer: no. Duh, I mean, vampirism is pushing it but anything else, nope, absolutely not believing it.

And, of course, the answer wasn't what I wanted to hear.

"Werewolves," answered Alice cautiously.

"You're kidding."

Or you're crazy… but I'm that already anyway.

"You already believe that we're vampires, why not werewolves?"

"Next you're going to be telling me that Total grew wings," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"Total?" asked Edward.

"…"

"Bella, you can't just keep closing up. It's better if you tell us," Jasper coaxed.

"Look, I don't fall for any tricks. You people take what you want and leave a train wreck in your wake. I don't have time for that and I certainly don't need that."

"We're not like that." Edward walked gracefully over to me, pulling my head up gently so he could see my eyes. I turned my head away, ignoring the pull of his topaz ones.

Yeah, well you know who is? The white coats, Ari, and Jeb… do I really need to go on?

"And you know who is?" I pretended to be confused, tapping my fingers against my chin. "Let's see… some people I hate, someone I hate even more, and someone I wouldn't feel guilty if he died and I had the chance to save him but chose not to."

Rosalie took a breath and let it out slowly. "You hate someone that much?"

"I trusted him—we all trusted him. And then he betrayed us in the worst way possible. All he had to say when I say him was that it was all a test. That it was all for the 'greater good.' And they don't even know."

I let out a disgusted sound. "If you've ever hated someone so much for stealing away everything you loved, then you'll understand."

I looked up to Rosalie. She was staring at me. Her unusual eyes were alight with… empathy?

"Do you want to talk about it?" she offered quietly, glancing down. "I think I… I think I can relate."

I wondered what had made her mood quiet and withdrawn. Though I thought that maybe she had trusted someone once too… maybe it was part of the reason she was what she was now. A vampire.

"I'm fine," I answered as quietly. "I think I'll leave now though."

"No," Alice rushed out. "Please, don't go. Can't you stay for at least another half hour?"

I sighed. Was it a good idea to stay?

"Sure, Alice, if that's what you guys really want."

This wasn't good—I needed to distance myself from themselves. But one time couldn't hurt, could it?

She squealed in excitement but following that was an awkward silence.

"So… uh… what do you do in your spare time?" I asked, hoping to break the silence.

"Besides go to school?" Alice asked.

"Yeah."

"Baseball," she smiled.

"Uh-huh," I said with an unconvincing laugh. "Who would've thought the vampires play baseball? Let me guess, it's an American pastime?"

"Right," Jasper smiled at me.

Okay, this was pushing limits. Time to go.

"I think I'd better go now," I muttered, pushing an unconvincingly cheerful smile on my face. "I have school tomorrow."

"Bella, it's Saturday tomorrow," Edward pointed out, staring unnervingly at me with his unusually colored eyes.

Dang.

"Well, I have a busy day tomorrow anyway," I said.

"Really?" he had a smug smile on like he knew I had no answer. "I'm sure Alice wanted to take you shopping then."

Alice got an excited expression on her face and nodded, bouncing up and down.

"Packing, probably," I gave them a guilty smile, remembering my plan to leave Forks, "and then the usual."

Alice lost her excitement. "You're serious about leaving then? And what's the usual?"

"I'm going to move in with my friends," once I find them, "and the usual, staying alive and saving the world."

"Saving the world?" Emmett let out a snort. "Seems like your weekend really is filled."

"Technically, I'm not supposed to save the world, but I thought it would be better if I helped."

Helped Max, I finished in my head.

All seven of them were confused; I could see it.

I sighed and sat down on the cream carpet, crossing my legs and staring at my worn shoes. "Never mind."

Then I couldn't the scene in front of my eyes. The info-flash came so quickly that if I blinked it would have been gone. Two words flashed in front of my eyes.

Port Angeles.

A picture followed; the flock was racing down a darkly light alley, Max in the lead, her blond-streaked hair whipping in the wind. Fang and everyone were on her heels. Gazzy was glancing back behind them.

All I could see of the people—things?—following them was the red of robotic eyes.

My body jerked into a defensive position before the picture had even completely disappeared from in front of my eyes.

Adrenaline was suddenly pumping through my body, making my head pound and the sound of my blood rushed through my ears.

"Bella?"

I couldn't tell which of the Cullens had said that. All I heard was the beat of my heart, faster than usual.

"Looks like I'm going to have to cut this visit short," I wheezed out, whipping around and starting to sprint towards the door.

They followed me.

"Bella, what's going on?" Edward demanded.

I was on their lawn and so for a second, I turned around to face them, shedding my wind parka in the movement.

"I'm sorry," was all I said.

Then I turned around again, ignoring their stares on me.

"Bella—" he started again.

"I have to go."

With that, I lifted up into the air, my wings, well, flapping, behind me as I rose higher. The last time I looked back I couldn't see them anymore.

Port Angeles, next stop.

I skidded to a halt on a dark sidewalk, blending in the shadows, and secured my wings beneath the parka I had put back on.

Once I did that, I moved into the sidewalk, frantically looking around. There was no one in sight, except for a group of guys heading my way.

I started going towards them, maybe I could ask them if they had seen anybody, but when I got up close, I realized my mistake.

"Hey, Sugar!" one called out at me.

They were a bit tipsy, and very rough looking. Stubble on their chins, clothes that looked unwashed and wrinkled.

I began to walk backwards, away from them. Before I could get out of their range, one grabbed my arm.

"We're a bit lonely, darling. Why don't you keep us company?"

His breath stank.

"H-have you seen anybody around?" I stuttered at him.

"Nope," he grinned raucously. "Lookin' for anyone? We'll help."

I shrank in disgust.

What would Max do? I asked myself.

They crowded closer to me, smiling. "Now, darling…"

What would Max do?

Suddenly, I struck. I twisted my wrist around in the man's hand, so I was holding his arm instead. Then I braced myself steadily on my feet, and swung him over me. He went flying (flying! Get it? Whoa—so not the time, Bella) and he made a sickening thud against the pavement.

"Uuuhhh," he groaned.

All of the guys slowly backed away.

"Hey." I flashed forward and grabbed the guy nearest to me. Once I got a good grip on his arm, I twisted it behind his back painfully.

"I said, have you seen anyone around here?A group of kids maybe?"

They all shook their heads frantically.

I twisted the man's arm tighter and he yelped. They all shook their heads again.

Disgustedly, I released him.

They all took one last look at me, before running off.

One last whisper reached me.

"Dude, that's no normal girl. Freak."

I stood for a minute, my mind going over his words.

Freak.

I started walking, still searching for the Flock. Maybe…

I found no one.

Freak.

I crumbled, sitting on the sidewalk, crying my eyes out. They weren't here anymore.

As I sat, a pure white feather floated over to my side. I instantly knew whose it was. Angel.

My sobs got louder. I covered my mouth, biting my lip.

A few yards away, parked in the shadows, was a car I didn't see. It was a silver Volvo. I also didn't see the owner, gazing at me with compassionate topaz eyes.

A/N: OHMYGOD. I know. I finally updated. Sorry for the long wait!!!!!!!!!

Daughter of the Ocean is my first priority and I was having trouble updating that so I didn't even think about this. But my winter break is next week so I'll update this again and Daughter of the Ocean.

I hope all of you haven't given up on me. If you haven't, please review.