Max's flock waited for her to surface, none without a touch of worry. What if it didn't work? What would their leader do then?

Angel was the first to break the silence. With a gulp, she announced, "Max is going to surface."

7 pairs of eyes looked at the youngest hopefully, but sadly, things did not look bright.

Forlornly, little Angel shook her head. "It didn't work."

Everyone looked out into the water, watching as Max swam into view. Then, as soon as the fingers of the eldest broke through the water, Angel let out a yelp of pain. Max soon after vanished back underwater.

"A shock went through her, I felt it myself." She said through her tears. The pain was unbearable.

The flock digested what this could mean. The chip was no more, no doubt, but what was left of Max?

Angel let out another cry. That was the last straw. Without warning, Fang dived into the ocean. Then, slowly, two heads broke through the water.

Fang coughed, gasping for air. "She's not breathing!" He shook his head, angered by the silence. "She's not breathing! Jeb, do something!"

The father grimaced, his heart thumping painfully in his chest. This was his daughter on the line, for Christ's sake! He couldn't risk losing another child, especially one with so much potential!

Wiping his hands on his lab coat, Jeb took one cautious step after another. Finally, he reached his eldest child, placing a hand over her heart. No beat.

Trembling hands pressed against Max's chest as her father performed CPR. He wouldn't let her life slip away like he had let Ari's. No, this time would be different.

Several agonizing minutes passed. Jeb was almost ready to give up. He had done all he could. His hands slowed; a sign to the flock that it was useless.

The faces that surrounded Jeb and his daughter fell. Their leader was gone. Or so they thought.

Max's head turned as she spit up salt water. The people surrounded her couldn't believe it.

Their faces brightened, only to sink with worry when Max's body began to convulse. Her nails dug into Fang as she tried to fight the shocks raging through her. The imprint of her fingers left marks the drained blood down Fang's arm. He himself had to bite his lip until it drew blood, just to keep from howling in agony.

"Hold her down!" Jeb cried.

Nudge, with tears in her eyes, knelt down to Max's level. Her hands reached down, gripping the leader's shoulders.

"Max," She whispered, "You need to be still, okay? It's just like you used to tell us before bed; be still and relax your head. Peace will find you soon enough."

Her voice broke as she whimpered, "Please, Max, don't do this to us. You're scaring everyone, Max. Even Fang is close to breaking down." It was true. The long haired bird kid couldn't deny the water that threatened to prick his own eyes. He had sworn long ago that he would not cry over something that science had created, but Max was all he had. It was all the flock ever had.

Minutes ticked by as Max continued to tremble under Nudge's hands. Eventually, the tremors slowed to slight shivers before her whole body went still.

Chocolate brown eyes fluttered open weakly. With her face pale, Max looked at the faces that encircled her. Her eyes landed on Fang, and her heart pounded painfully.

"Fang," She croaked, "You're bleeding."

He had to chuckle, at least a little at her observation. "Yeah, I guess I am."

Short, I know. But, sometime within the next week… maybe… I'll have the epilogue for ya guys. But you wanna know what will make me update sooner? Lots and lots of reviews…

I know you have it in you!

~Faxisthegreatest123~