A/N: WOW!!! I'm shocked!! I didn't expect to get this many hits and great reviews in only one day! Just so you all know: you just like, made my entire weekend!! The more I plan with this story the more I like it, hopefully you will too! Thanks for reading, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I'm not James Patterson, if I was I wouldn't have made Fang leave!!!

Chapter Two: Lake Mead

Max POV

The longer I sat out on that godforsaken cold porch, one the colder I got, and two the more I felt like a wuss. I soon opted to sneak back into my house and return to my bedroom, and proceed to ignore the rest of the known world.

But, for the first time in quite a few days, my stomach growled and I gave-in. So on my way back to my room, I made a stop at the kitchen and pulled out one of the many Tupperware containers that were stacked in the fridge for me that I had since ignored. Bless the Flock that they thought ahead to save me food, but I only wished that they wouldn't save everything…we were running out of room for groceries.

I pulled-out a tub of Mac 'n cheese and popped it in the microwave for 30 seconds, then crawled onto the loveseat in the living room and slowly ate the left-over's. I was more ravenous than I'd thought, but I was starting to get sick already from way too many memories running through my head.

Speaking of things running through my head, the Voice hadn't been a nuisance lately. Maybe it's actually giving me some space for once…

"Max?"

I leapt out of the loveseat and nearly dumped the Mac 'n cheese all over the rug.

"Dylan?" Fabulous. The very last person I would ever want to be in a dark room alone with.

"Hey, you're out of your room!"

"Really? I didn't notice."

Silence.

"Do you want anything else to eat?"

I shook my head.

"Drink?"

"No. You know, that was a really stupid stunt you pulled."

"What?"

"When you jammed that needle into your arm. Why would you give them the satisfaction of offing yourself?"

"What do you mean the 'satisfaction'?"

"All they want to do is get in our heads, and if you go out pulling emo stunts like that, then they're going to think that they are actually getting somewhere…which is not what we want."

"I'm sorry, Max. I didn't know what to do. I was made to be for you…but when I saw the way Fang always looked at you…I couldn't bring myself to it. I mean, yeah, I don't like the guy, but that's not entirely my fault. I think if we would've met on different terms, I dunno…"

"Did you see this coming?"

"What? Fang leaving?"

"Yes."

"No, I didn't."

"If I find out even the tiniest inkling that you did, and you didn't tell me…your throat is mine." Icicles stabbed my words into him. Dylan flinched and nodded. Good. I loved intimidation. "Is this clear?"

"Crystal, Max."

"Good."

"Uh, I'm gonna go back to bed now. Good night Max, it's good seeing you out of your room and eating."

"Hm."

Dylan turned and almost ran back to his room on the first floor, which happened to be the guest room. No way in hell was he getting Fang's old room.

Fang POV

After taking off from the house, yet again, I headed in the direction of Lake Mead. Aka, where we learned to fly with the hawks.

Once I got to the Cliffside where it seemed like so long ago Nudge and I shared chocolate and shish-ka-bobs. I kicked a few pebbles out of the way and sat down, letting my wings out to cool off in the night.

On the subject of that expedition, I remembered when Max found her chip at Dr. Martinez's clinic on the X-ray. How much hell had that little chip put us through? The terrible scene on the beach where Max tried to saw it out with a seashell. Me finding her with blood staining the sand beneath her.

Then flying to meet Dr. Martinez and holding Max's hand as she went under operation.

Her telling me she needed me, loved me, didn't want me to go…

Without thinking I slammed my fist into the stone behind me and howled in pain when I felt my knuckles pop and blood instantly started to flow. I really needed to get this whole punching inanimate objects thing down.

Punching yet another cave wall flooded me with recollection of when Max and I were looking for a place to settle and we kissed in the cave. Before I could tell her that I needed her, what does she do? Run away.

Now look at who ran. I can't believe I'm still doing this. It felt terrible when she left that night, I can't imagine how she must feel right now.

This is almost too much. Will it really take her twenty years to complete her mission? Was that way too much of a time gap? What if we aren't alive in twenty years, or if I'm not and she is? Or the other way around?

At least our last memory of each other we were having a good time. When Max walked down that aisle, my heart nearly leaped out of my chest. For a moment I even imagined and wished that it wasn't Total and Akila's wedding…

I rubbed my temples with my thumb and forefinger, and then flopped backwards, staring up at the stars.

My eyes slowly turned to slits as I began to drift to sleep.

Max POV

I finished the Mac 'n cheese and rinsed the tub with soap and water, placing it into the sink. Leaning on the sink I peered into the night.

I stood there for a few moments until it felt like my legs were stone. I began to trudge up the stairs to my room, unfortunately passing Fang's room, right across the hall from mine.

On a whim I spun and opened his door quietly. Then, tip-toeing, I crept across the carpet and laid down on his bed, still unmade, breathing in the still strong scent of him that lingered on the covers.

I moved my right hand onto the cover next to me, then reached over and played with the delicate ring on my finger, the only piece of fine jewelry I'd ever owned in my entire 15 years of life.

And what happens after I get my first nice piece of jewelry? The guy who gave it to me leaves.

After lying silently except for the occasional quivering breath, I slid off the bed, walked across the room, shut the door on my way out, and went back into my own room…only to go and open the window.

I turned and pulled on my windbreaker, got out a pen and paper, and scribbled:

Flock~

I'm so sorry for being so selfish and self-centered lately. Don't be alarmed, I've just gone out for a little flight. I will be back home soon and will not intentionally put myself in any harm. Ha-ha. I'll be back before tomorrow night most likely. Much love, be careful. And PLEASE don't catch anything on fire.

All my love~ Max

I left the note on my bed and crawled out the window with my destination in mind:

Lake Mead here I come.

A/N: End of chapter two! I'll have three up soon. Reviews make my day! Thank you for reading, take care.

~hawkstar2~