Broken Things

By, awesometastic9

Standard Disclaimer

Chapter Three

PAST EVENTS: Part One

Max's POV

Okay, so I don't think I fully explained to you what has happened in the past couple of months since we left mom, Ella and Jeb behind. Well, the Voice gave me some coordinates, and we flew off towards them. Guess where they ended up being?

No guesses?

Our old house, over in Colorado.

It took us about a day to get there, but as we got closer, I got an inkling of where we were headed; I recognized a lot of things. And, as we got even closer and saw it in the distance, Nudge voiced my inkling.

"We're going back?"

"I guess so. This is where the Voice led me." I said.

As we got even closer, we saw the destruction of the place we had left behind in our wake, almost a year ago. I felt a pang of loss, of regret, sadness, and anger. Why had this happened? Why did it have to happen?

It's your destiny Max. It happened because it was going to happen, sooner rather than later. It is all set in stone.

You keep saying that. What do you mean 'set in stone'? Do you mean no one can change it?

Exactly right, Max.

Yeah, okay; like I believe that.

Max… why won't you listen?

Because I don't want to! Why was the set onto me? I don't want this!

This was the first time I've ever said that, even if it was only to myself… well, the Voice and me. But, it's true. I never wanted this responsibility. I wished all that had happened to me, never happened. I wish I never had wings; I wish I never grew up in a dog crate; I wish I never had to eat out of dumpsters and be on the run all the time; I wish I'd never had to fight for my life almost every stinking day. I wish this had happened to someone else.

That's selfish of me, I know, but I'm just sick of it; sick of it all.

Max –

Just shut up Voice. Not now. Okay? I need to absorb this. Come back when you're not going to be a nagging nuisance.

Then it was silent.

We touched down on the partially-overgrown earth that was our yard, and took it all in: the wreckage of our old home; our old life.

I was overcome with sadness, and for once, I had this overwhelming urge to cry. But, I didn't want to add another finger to count on about how many times the flock has seen me cry.

I took a quiet shuddering breath and walked forwards into the wreckage, picking my way carefully over the debris of broken glass, burnt furniture and other things, looking around at our life that seems eons ago.

Fang came up and stood beside me, and Angel took my hand, looking straight ahead with a sad look on her face.

"Eerie isn't it?" Fang whispered. "It's like we barely even lived here at all; it's like a dream locked away; another place, another time."

"Studying poetry, Fang?" I said, trying to laugh, but it came out weird. "But, you're right. It does seem that way, doesn't it?" I whispered the last part, understanding what he meant.

"Wow. You guys lived here? What a mess!" said Total, astonished.

"Total," I said. "It wasn't like this when we lived here. The Erasers did this after they captured Angel, and took her to the School, and we escaped, saved her, and then went on the run. And well, you know the rest."

He trotted over to us, picking his way over the broken glass and other stuff and sat next to Angel. She looked back and me and gave me a small smile.

"Max? Can I show Total mine and Nudge's room?" she asked.

"Sure, Angel," I said. If it's still there.

She picked up Total and walked carefully over the mess, and down what was left of the hallway, to her room.

"I'm coming too, Angel! I want to see!" Nudge called, and followed her.

I looked around; Gazzy was walking with Iggy into the half-disturbed kitchen, leaving Fang standing beside me.

"How can they stand be here?" I whispered to myself, so low, I didn't think Fang could hear.

Because it's something they treasured, something in their past that belonged to them, Max.

Yeah, I guess.

The Voice and I were silent for awhile then I had to ask it something.

Why did you bring me – us – here, Voice?

I brought you and your flock here because there is something in this destroyed house that you and your flock can use on your mission. It's location recently came to my attention through my database.

What is it? I asked, curious.

Go find it first; then I'll divulge some things to you. The rest is for you to find out on your mission. Good luck.

Hey! That's not fair! Not even any clue on where it is?

I heard the Voice sigh.

Go to your room. Search the walls.

"Okay, then." I muttered, and I felt Fang look at me strangely, but I ignored him, and walked off into the carnage, down the hall and into my room which was still mostly intact. The windows were broken, and the door hung awkwardly off its hinges, but it was still my room. My bed was in the corner next to the window, with my bedside table next to it. My Mickey Mouse clock should've sat there, but was gone, and the lamp was on the floor, broken.

The bed was still made; the covers a little singed, but otherwise fine; my clothes were still in my closet, folded neatly. I forgot how obsessive-compulsive I was. I laughed out loud.

I walked over to the walls, running my fingers a long them, looking around, taking it all in, when something caught my eye: a box, reddish in color, sticking out of a hole in the wall.

I furrowed my brow, and went over to it, slowly, and picked it up gingerly. It was heavy. I didn't shake it, as other's would have done, to hear if something was inside, in case it was a bomb or something, and it set it off; or if it was breakable. But, I had a feeling it wasn't a bomb, or something harmful. But, I knew it was something valuable, and secret, otherwise, why would it be in a wall?

Exactly.

I went back to the bed, and set it down carefully on the sheets. I turned it around, and saw that it had a lock on it, like a safe. Looking closer, I saw that the reddish color – was rust.

I felt like this was something really important; something we – I – needed. But, it was locked. And despite the rust, it looked still strong and thick, and I doubted I could open it with force. I could try to break it open, but I might damage whatever was inside.

So, without the combination, I knew I was stuck.

Then, I got an idea.

"Nudge!" I called. "Come here, quick!"

I heard scrambling from the room next to mine, and Nudge appeared, Angel and Total behind her, then Fang a second later, and then followed by Iggy and Gazzy.

"What's wrong?" Nudge asked, alarmed.

"Nothing, but – come here. Tell me if you can get the combination."

She carefully looked at the strange box – holding back questions, and set her fingers next to the dial, and closed her eyes.

"7 – 29 - 4." She said slowly, after a moment.

"Huh." I said, not moving to put it in, just yet.

"What?" Nudge asked.

"That's my birthday. I mean, the one I gave to myself: July second, '94."

Everyone looked at each other, shocked and utterly confused. Furrowing my brow, I scrambled to do the combination. At the last number, I pulled, and a click sounded, and the door gave way.

A/N: okay, so this chapter was almost the same, but the next is going to be a bit different. mmmkay? please review!