Okay guys! I have good news and bad news. Who wants to hear good news first? You in the red coat? OKAY! I DID NOT make the volleyball team. YAY! I was kinda starting to hate it...a lot. And the bad news... Speech and drama is coming up and I've been doing it for two years. And I simply REFUSE to give up acting... well middle school acting. But it's only 2 days out of the week so I think it deserves another YAY! Okay guys. I'll update Tuesday or Wednesday. I know that's like FOREVER but I want to get some pre-written chapters up because when I write something I get a major block and I don't want you guys to not get chapters every 3-4 days.

I don't own Maximum Ride.

I walk down stairs skipping every other step and praying that he doesn't hear my booming feet slamming against the stairs. He stands at the end of a hallway holding a belt in his hand looking menacing as ever with a usual evil glint in his eye. Oh God. What is he going to do now? He gives me an evil smile that is intended to be cruel, but the only thing I see is untamed hate swimming in his cold blue eyes. I look around quickly for anything I can use to defend myself with.
Nothing.

He steps forward. "Get over here," he says. I try to move my feet but I'm paralyzed with fear like a deer in headlights. "I said 'Get over here!'" he yells. My feet shuffle forward and I start to panic. He smiles that cruel, evil, smile he uses when my beating will be exceptionally bad. "Good girl." He says mockingly. I mentally sneer at him but keep my face the same. He grabs the belt by the buckle and the end and makes a whipping sound with it. I wince a little.

I'm completely and undeniably terrified. This would only be the second time I was hit with a belt in my life. Maybe he did some research because he couldn't figure out any other ways to torture me. I silently laugh at the idea in my head. I stand a good two feet in front of him. He brings his arm over his head and the belt catches my shoulder. I bite my tongue to keep from crying out in pain. He lashes out again and again until I see a thin layer of sweat covering his forehead. By now I'm screaming out in pain and my back is getting bloody. I want to hurt him but I know that if I do then he'll go after Gazzy and Angel.

Gazzy and Angel.

What do they think right now hearing me cry out in pain with each whip of the belt? I wish I could take away their pain. You're probably wondering why they're in pain. Well think about it, they're listening to their older sister get beaten senseless by their "father" and they can't do anything about it without getting hurt. Can you imagine that pain deep in your chest where you want to do something but you can't? That's their life. And I can't give them anything better.

Snap! I cry out again as the belt makes contact with my bare skin –my shirt being ripped to shreds ages ago– making it sting with fire. A few more tears slip down my cheeks as he whips me one last time. I start to sob and put my head in my hands and let the Niagara Falls come freely. He spits by my head but I'm sobbing too hard to care, he pulls back his foot and kicks me in the ribs. My breath leaves me in a whoosh and I hiccup only adding fuel to his anger.

I hold my arms over my head to protect me and he laughs a vile laugh, I want to bash his face in but think of Angel my sweet little baby girl skipping to my car at the end of a school day smiling brightly at me her blonde hair trailing behind her. And Gazzy my little trooper, smiling mischievously at me as he runs up to the car beside Angel.

The memory is enough to make me forget about trying to hurt Jeb for a moment. He kicks me one final time before shoving the heel into my temple. And I black out.

0.o.O.o.0

I wake up on a floor that I recognize as the hallway. I sigh and try to get up. Bad idea! My whole body screams. I slowly, and I mean slowly get up into a sitting position. I look at the Grandfather Clock at the end of the hallway and silently groan at the numbers that stare back at me, 1:54. I use the nightstand that we have -for some unknown reason in the hallway which is beyond me- and gently get up ignoring my body's screaming protest. And gingerly walk down the hall toward the bathroom, using the wall as a support. When I get there I immediately look in the mirror and wince.

I have bruises covering my body and my shirt is barely there because of the belt's cruel whipping for me. I turn on the shower head and while I wait for the water to get warm I strip. And people do use all a favor and GET YOUR MINDS OUT OF THE GUTTERS!

Now that that's settled. Back to the story that is my life. I look down at the puddle of pink by my feet and sigh agitated, and the worst part is that's the stuff that's loose. I sit down in the tub and grab a rag then start working away the excess dry blood even though it feels like fire scraping against my skin. I want so badly to cry out in pain but I know if I do then Angel, Gazzy, and Jeb will wake up and I do not need that to happen. So instead my eyes fill with tears and I blink them back forcefully. I continue this for five minutes and then just let the scalding warm water soothe my sore muscles and unravel the knots in my shoulders.

I get up using the side of the tub as a support for my body since I'm extremely tired. I grab a large black towel and dry myself off. I look around for clothes only to come to the amazing conclusion that I didn't bring any. But can you blame me? I mean I just woke up on a floor with an extremely torn t-shirt.

I open the door and walk down the hall then start to go up the stairs, only to hear…things that I do not need to hear coming from Jeb's bedroom. Glad to hear that while your daughter was passed out on the floor you were getting some, Jeb. I shudder and continue my ascent up the stairs. I hear little whimpers coming from Angel and Gazzy's room and my heart breaks. But I can't let them see the new cuts on my back no matter how bad I want to tell them I'm alright and I won't leave.
But I can't do that right now so I put my head up high and continue to walk down the hall to my room. When I get there I throw on some pajama bottoms and an old soccer jersey I have from two years ago. I go back to Angel and Gazzy's room and use the spare.

The door squeaks open and I see the closet door closed with light peaking out from under the space where the door doesn't meet the floor. I walk over and open the door. Angel is curled up next to Gazzy whimpering and Gazzy is snoring softly.

I smile and walk in I gently grab Angel from Gazzy and her arms subconsciously wrap around my neck for support. I lift the cover up from her bed and tuck her in, while putting Celeste by her, she snuggles with it and my heart melts a little.

I do the same to Gazzy and am almost out the door when I hear him whisper, "Max?"

I turn to him and smile, "Hey big guy." I say.

"Will you tell me a bed time story?" he asks. I nod slowly and sit on his bed and unconsciously start to stoke his hair.

Once upon a time there was a price, named Henry. Henry was always causing a ruckus from sword fighting the pots, to blowing up a chariot. When he turned eight a messenger brought his parents a letter. The letter was short and simple it only had 45 words. His parents were frightened by the letter. Henry asked to see the letter, his mother's shaky hand gave him it and it read:

Dear Henry,

We would like to invite you to the Cavern Fighters Club. We understand that you have princely duties. But we thought you would be very excited so we already have a quest for you. You are to save princess Ella.

Sincerely Cavern Fighters Club.

Henry couldn't see what was wrong with this; if anything it was wonderful! But what Prince Henry did not know was that a huge, fire-breathing dragon guarded her castle. So he packed his bag and set out on the road. He went on his quest for days and days. Until he came to a HUGE castle.

It was white and had two pillars at the entrance with a arch for an entrance, in the tower where the princess stays there is a gold top with gold beads spread around it and at the very top was a flag. It was very large but the inside was made with many, many arches. He felt small just standing there. But wouldn't you? Henry walked to the door at the far end of the room and opened the door.

In the room was a GIGANTIC dragon green with scales. He was peacefully sleeping snoring even. But Henry still kept up his stealthy act. He may be eight but there was also a very smart kid in his brain.

He walked past the sleeping monster and carefully creaked open the princess' door where she was reading a book. She looked up when she heard the door creak open. He strutted in the room like he was a king and kissed her hand.

Then they ran into the sunset holding hands. THE END.

"Max," Gazzy starts, "that wasn't a very good story."

I sigh giving up. I've never really been creative with anything; except art. Art was the only thing I could ever do right. "Well Gazzy," I say. "It is nearly 2 a.m."

He nods and yawns, "G' night Max." I smile and kiss him on the forehead.

"Good night Gazzy."

I get up and go to bed and the last thing to cross my mind is that I still have school tomorrow.