What up you guys? I'm so insanely sorry about the delay on this chapter and on my other 3 stories. It's almost been a month since I last updated. I've been experiencing some writer's block and I've got a lot of stuff on my hands. And 17 reviews, guys! Love yew!

MPHknows- Don't worry, I've got some solid background info coming up in some later chapters. And yes, I agree with your difference; I've really got to work on my action writing skills. But thank you for the criticism! I really appreciate it.

DISCLAIMER: Nope, sorry, no.

Max POV

"You're mine. Whether you like it or not."

It just kept on constantly replaying in my head. I couldn't get the thought of Fang and him almost kissing me -maybe- out of my mind.

But what am I thinking? I just met the guy. Can't fall in love with him, not just yet anyway. Where'd that come from?

Currently, I'm 'packing' up my things from the hotel room. Fang demanded that I leave immediately with him as soon as we left the gym room. Jeb heard him, and before I could argue, agreed that I should go. I finished rather quickly and thought about making a break for it. My gut said no, but my head said yes; my heart didn't have a say in this. I grabbed my little backpack and put it over my shoulder. Twisting the doorknob, I poked my head through the crack, looked around and saw no one and ran for it.

I heard swift footsteps behind me when I got to the elevators. I muttered a few curses and waited 5 seconds for the elevator to come, but when it didn't I raced toward to where I knew the stairs were. Those feet were following me softly and quietly, almost as if that person was cautiously tracking me like I was their prey- which, of course, I probably was.

I stopped and jumped over the staircase railing to the floor underneath. I saw a corner where it would be a blind eye hiding spot for me from my chaser. I heard the chaser skip steps coming down and he stopped abruptly. Yep, my 'stalker' was a man. That made this even more so despicable. I observed him; he had midnight black hair and endless pools of dark eyes- wait a minute. Black hair? Dark eyes? A man? I narrowed my eyes.

Fang.

He was the one who stalked me around. I rolled my eyes and heaved a silent sigh that wasn't so silent. Fang spun around and caught my gaze. He strode forward and, as I turned to run again, grabbed me by the waist and hauled me over his shoulder. Again. I pounded my fists against his back and demanded that he let me down and let go of me.

"Hey! Lemme down!"

"No." Pound. Pound. "Ow."

"Leggo o' me, ya brute!"

"Yeah, sure, okay, whatever."

He dropped me and I landed on my feet. "Ya shoulda listen' to me earlier so I didn' have to pound on your dang back so hard. Golly."

"Ah, your accent's showing now?"

My eyes widened. How'd he know about the accent?

"I dunno what you're talkin' 'bout."

"That accent that you have. Jeb told me you were raised in the countryside. Not educated, too. Not like I didn't know already," he muttered the last sentence.

I narrowed my eyes this time and said, "Well sorry for being kidnapped at a young age- the age before getting admitted into an elementary school."

"Oh. Sorry 'bout that." He seemed to look like he regretted even saying that. "I shoud've thought that out more."

"That's what everybody says," I hissed. "I don't want your pity. 'Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that'. Blah blah. Yer all the same, you city folk. Conceited, arrogant, snotty, bratty rich kids! All yew have ta do to get money 'round here is ask your mommies and daddies fer it. I bet you've never worked a dang day in yer life! And you think you have the nerve to just buy me? Well, sir, hate to burst yer bubble but-"

Fang slammed his fist into the wall behind me, aiming right next to my face. "Don't talk as if you know everything, street rat," he glowered.

"Street rat?! For yer infermation, I've never been on the streets. Now good day to you, sir!" I screeched; I turned and was about to stomp away when his hand grasped me wrist, pulling me back into his chest.

He took a deep breath that was supposed to calm him down. "Look, let's just forget all this that just happened. And you can meet your new family, okay?" Fang muttered lowly. I blushed slightly, nodded, and turned my head away so he couldn't see the pink on my cheeks.

"Woo! Fangie's getting some, Nudge!" Someone whistled. Fang and I jumped apart and I could see that his face was a little flushed.

"Iggy, hush! Now go ask them politely to come to the car," a female voice reprimanded this 'Iggy' person. 'Iggy' grumbled something and came into my line of view. He was tall, thin, and had light hued skin. A strawberry blonde mop of hair was on the top of his head, stylishly messy, and ultramarine blue eyes looked straight into mine.

"Heya, miss. The name is Iggy Martinez, pleased to make your acquaintance, and I am at your service- your wish is my command, mademoiselle," he bowed slightly and stuck out his hand.

I was about to shake it, but Fang pushed Iggy's hand out of the way. "Oi, that was rude. Apologi-"

"This is Maximum Ride. She's our new 'maid'," he said to Iggy then turned to me. "You shouldn't shake his hand because you don't know where it's been. For all you know, he could've been making a bomb before coming here and had toxic all over his hands."

"I did," Iggy grinned. "But there's nothing foul on my hands, Fang. And there's nothing wrong with shaking my hands. It's the polite thing to do. And I washed this time."

"Congratulations."

Iggy turned his gaze to me. "Well, let's getcha all comfy and cozy in our car. We've got one heck of a drive ahead. About 3 hours to our house." He walked on ahead, completely expecting us to follow.

Fang chuckled and stuffed his hands into his pants pockets. "Let's get going. Don't wanna keep him waiting, do you? You've never seen him impatient; it's quite an amusing show to watch."

"No," I shook my head. "I happen to like him. He's actually tried to be polite, and I appreciate it. And he has a sense of humor that isn't twisted."

"You haven't seen it yet," I heard him mutter before he passed me, brushing my shoulder. I shrugged it off and went after him.

Outside, there was a nice dark grey car that I didn't know the brand name of. In front of it was Iggy and a dark-skinned girl who was waving her arms frantically, desperately trying to catch my attention.

She ran up to me. "Hi there, sweetie! I'm Nudge Martinez, Fang's cousin. How ya doing? Well, I'm doing great actually! Now, I'm gonna take it that you already met Iggy over there. He's Fang's brother. We're all around the same age, except I'm two years younger than the boys but just one year younger than you. Oh em gee, I can't wait for you to meet Angel, Gazzy, Ella, Dr. M, Total, and Akila-"

"Nudge, breathe! You're overwhelming her. She doesn't know that you can ramble that much. I forgot to warn her," Iggy cut in.

"Right. Sorry about that Max. I always do that and it kinda freaks some kids out. I'm 'Motormouth Nudge' and I can make the sanest person in the world go crazy!" Nudge flashed me a big, bright smile and stuck out her hand.

"Ha ha, I'm Max, as you already know. I'm okay. Who's Angel, Gazzy, Ella, Dr. M, Total, and Akila?" I asked. Iggy dramatically gasped and gaped at me.

"She. SMILED!" He yelled, pulling me into a hug.

I pushed him away and grinned. "Don't get all sappy on me here. So, where're we goin'?"

"New York. Now get in the car! I call shotgun!" Iggy raced past me.

"I'll be in the back with Max! You drive, Fang," Nudge said and dragged me with her to the backseats. Fang trudged behind us.

"Okay, so who's ready to go home?" Fang asked as he slid into the driver's seat.

"ME!" Both Iggy and Nudge yelled and shot their hands up.

This is gonna be one long ride.

Kay, you guys. How'd you like that? Do you forgive me for not updating? I'll try to update even faster this time and not take, like, a month.

Like it? Hate it? Love it? R&R! :)