Max POV

Shadows crept closer and closer. We retreated into an alley…that was way too dark for my liking. Beside me, I felt Nudge grab my arm.

"Sweetie, it's ok. We're fine," I whispered to her. She gulped and nodded.

A clatter behind us made me turn my head sharply. Nothing. Fang looked at me and I frowned. Another clatter from the end of this alley. Some footsteps at which I tensed. Whoever they were, they were moving very fast in hope to get us confused. Think again, fools.

I let loose a low, threatening growl. Something shifted in the shadows. Silence.

"Fang," I hissed.

He turned his head slightly, a very small movement that no human could notice.

"I'm gonna distract them. As soon as I leave, take the flock back to the hotel. Make sure no one's following," I said under my breath. He growled and shook his head, again a small movement.

"On three…" I whispered. He tensed and his eyes blazed angrily at what I was about to do.

Not on three, but one.

"One," I breathed, then jumped into the air. I extended my wings and held them steady as I glided quickly to the end of the alley. Heavy footsteps were chasing me. I began running. It was going to be a chase in a maze. A cat-and-mouse chase. Except this mouse is going to become the cat.

Suddenly, a girl's scream pierced the air.

"MAAAAAX! MAAAX!" cried Nudge.

My blood froze. No……NO!! I turned around. Where was she? I leaped into the air…only to be pulled back. A bag went over my head. I twisted, trying to harm my captor. My body felt numbed. I struggled to lift my heavy arms. I could feel myself fading..No. Stay awake. Nudge. You need to get Nudg-

Darkness.

I sat up. Where am I? Wait, this is…a bed. I'm at the hotel. No, where's Nudge? I leaped off the bed then froze, realizing for once it was probably just a bad dream.

I blinked. But it was so real. That dream…it was so REAL. A warm hand touched my cheek and I turned to see Fang. Shoot, I must have woken him up.

"Hey, you ok?" he asked.

"Yeah, yeah, bad dream," I mumbled.

He relaxed and nodded.

I looked at the clock on the bedside table. 3:00 AM. Crap.

"Oh geez, sorry I woke you up," I murmured, feeling bad. He raised his eyebrows and sat on the edge of the bed.

"It's all right, Max"

We sat in silence looking at the moon. I turned my head and was surprised to meet his gaze. He smiled and I felt lightheaded. Weird.

"Do you want to tell me about the dream?" he asked.

"…uh, it was nothing really. I was afraid Nudge was getting hurt by someone and I couldn't save her," I rushed rapidly, completely at loss at my sudden…confusion.

Fang's wings extended slowly, draping themselves around me, before replying softly, "Never ever worry about that. You're always with us and we'll always be with you. You do a good job of protecting the Flock, Max."

His words were like magic…something magical no one else had. I breathed in Fang's scent almost hungrily and closed my eyes. The day Fang and I separated throbbed painfully in my head, and I knew if he ever did something like that again…I wouldn't survive it.

Fang POV

I really wanted to tell her. Just three words, and they could change our lives forever. But Max was too frightened right now. She cared about the Flock, all of us, so much; I sometimes think she puts her entire being into taking care of us. Nothing mattered more to her. Nothing. I stared at Max as she closed her eyes sleepily, leaning her head on my shoulder. My heart ached and I closed my eyes.

"Max……I love you"