Inside a particular ladies restroom of Davidson High School, a figure lay sprawled awkwardly across the floor. The figure was so still, she might have been dead. But just then, she exhaled and her eyelashes flashed open.

Max POV

Opening my eyes, I jumped up only to discover I was too weak, and so settled for leaning on the wall. My heart thumped rapidly in my chest as I tilted my head backwards and closed my eyes. If I ever see the color gray everywhere again, I'll die. So, what was it? A very imaginative dream…or a mental connection all of us had somehow managed to establish? Was our new mental ability a new power?

Max, I know for sure it's not a new power, but I really don't have much of an idea of what it is. Although, I think the eclipse had something to do with it…

Don't know what the heck you're talking about, but go on.

Remember the Others have a stronger mental strength than average hybrids? Well, the eclipse is mainly supposed to help them with something, and since they have relatively stronger minds, they can stand the effect it has on hybrids. But you, Max, and the Flock also have stronger minds than average hybrids, although not as strong as the Others. So, instead of getting hurt, your mental bonds were forced to grasp onto other mental bonds, and in this case, every Flock member grabbed onto another Flock member. Thus allowing mental connection. Very rare and interesting development. I have never seen such a thing before, but it's the most reasonable and sensible explanation.

Will this mental bond still work now? And what eclipse?

Fang and the others know. Just try the connection.

And feel stupid? Silence. Fine. I snapped into an upright position and discovered I had recovered my strength. Walking out of the restroom, I hurried out of the school…

Fang POV

Man, I feel like hurling out my lunch. Groaning, I got up and walked with a slight limp to the door.

"Fang?" asked Mrs. Clyde, "Oh my, you look sick. Go to the restroom and hurry!"

I wanted to glare at the lady, but instead nodded, and walked out of the classroom.

Outside, I placed a hand against the wall and closed my eyes as the dizziness slowly went away. Quiet, and peace, that's what I need.

Fang?

Jumping up, I stumbled and fell on my butt. The connection…it works. I could swear I just heard Max's voice.

Jeez, Max! You scared me!

Sorry. Meet me outside the scho-

Max's sentence was cut short as a running blur crashed into me and fell on top of me. I looked at the face inches from mine and could say nothing but look in shock. Max's blue eyes stared back at mine, both of us at loss for words. Abruptly, a red blush heated Max's face as she muttered apologies. I was holding her arm, and upon realizing it, I let go immediately. My heart fluttered as Max pushed herself off my body and stood up. Face still red, Max held out her hand to help me up. I took it and pulled myself up.

"Well, I guess I don't have to go looking for you now," mumbled Max quietly. I laughed nervously, thinking of the flip-flop my heart had done…

Looking directly at her frame, slim and beautiful, I smiled. Her blue eyes were like bright-blue, sharp crystals, beautiful, but dangerous. I love Max. I always would. But Max would never love me back in the same way.

Max POV

Jesus Christ. I can't get his handsome, dark-brown eyes out of my head. Arghh, I don't like Fang! Not in that way! No, it's not possible. He's my best friend, not someone I could have feelings for. I wish…I wish Fang loved me. WHAT AM I SAYING? I….I….I might like Fang. UGH!

Fang POV

As I watched Max's expression change from sadness to anger a billion times, I wondered what she was arguing about. Maybe I should ask her.

Max? You ok?

Turning to look at me, she smiled.

I'm fine, Fang. Don't worry.

I nodded and said, "All we have to do is find Iggy now,"

"Find me? Who needs to find me? I'm looking for you!" exclaimed Iggy as he screeched to a halt from dashing down the hall.

Why's Iggy so happy? His face is practically glowing with happiness…

"Iggy, did you take a happy pill or something? You look like a chipmunk who just found a stash of nuts," said Max dryly.

Iggy rolled his eyes and said innocently, "What do you have against chipmunks?"

Max shoved him lightly in the shoulder. He laughed and shoved her back.

Before Max could murder chipmunk boy, I interrupted them with an urgent look.

"Max, why'd you want me to meet you outside of the school?" I asked. She looked at me and sighed, her face serious.

"It's time to get back on the streets," answered Max. I looked at her with a confused look.

"The Others are probably coming, even if we are in a public school, so, we have to leave," continued Max, "We'll go back home, pack, and take off. Well, after saying bye to Mom and Ella. But either way, we're on the run once again."

Iggy nodded and said, "Then let's go. We have to pick up Gazzy, Nudge, and Angel, remember?"

I nodded, but without any real thought. On the run again. Always being hunted, I hated it. Our lives would never move on like a real kid's and we would never be normal. Was it to be our fate? Our doom?

"Fang?" asked Max. She was peering at me with arched eyebrows. Oops, must have zoned out.

"Yeah?" I said.

"I said, what does the Voice mean by 'eclipse'?" repeated Max impatiently.

"While you were in the restroom, a total eclipse occurred. The whole sky became black and the only "light" was this halo of blue light around the darkened moon. It's over now, however. The sky is just gray," I explained.

Max seemed to think about this, then quickly she rushed out of Davidson High School. Iggy laughed and followed after her. Looking around me, I sighed and stepped out of the school, letting the door close with a solid slam behind me.

Max POV

After picking up Angel, Nudge, and Gazzy, we went home. Iggy was explaining to the kids what was going on and Fang was staring off into space…again. He seemed to be doing that a lot more often now. Whatever. I unlocked the door and stepped in.

"Hi Mom!" I yelled.

"Max? Why are you home so early?" answered Mom, "Something wrong?"

"Kind of," I said wearily. Catching Fang's gaze, I nearly laughed. "Kind of"? That was stupid. Things weren't "kind of" wrong, they're "anybody's worst nightmare" wrong. As Mom looked at me with confusion, I led my Flock to the kitchen table, grabbed a fresh cookie, and began a long explanation.