Thanks so much for the reviews! This chapter will be longer, I promise!
Fang: A big shout out to Fallingstars97 and GigglesandBooks, you guys rock.
Me: Thanks Fang, now will you say the disclaimer?
Fang: What's the magic word?
Me: Fax
Fang: Not what I was going for, but that works to. Goddess of the Books does not own anything.
Me: I'm not going to write much of their during school time, because I'm not in high-school and have no idea what it's really like, and the plot doesn't need it. Enjoy!
Written In The Stars
Max P.O.V.
The week flew by, and now it's Friday. The day I've been dreading. Today's the day that Fang and I are going star gazing for our astronomy project. It's really kind of funny how time flies when you're enjoying yourself and having fun, or when you just don't want it to. Either way, I hate how time works. It's just not fair. But hey, life's not fair. I learned that long ago.
I hear the final bell, oh great, school's over. Now I get to go spend some quality time with the one person I'd least like to spend said time with. I grab my bag and start heading towards the school parking lot. I see Fang, but Iggy and Nudge are nowhere to be seen.
"Where are Iggy and Nudge?" It's weird that they aren't here yet, they're normally the first ones here. "Nudge is spending the night at her friend's house and is catching a rode home with her. And Iggy is already in the car Einstein." You know, Einstein was a brilliant man, yet calling someone Einstein is an insult. I don't quite understand that. We seriously do not give that man enough credit.
"It's nice to know that you appreciate my intelligence." Ok, I could have done better, but I just knew that little comment would bug him, and I was right. I love being right. "And I bet that me calling you Sherlock qualifies you as a detective." Ooh, did not see that one coming. "Yep, how'd you know?" Me and my quick wit, a shame that I didn't get a chance to injure his pride though. He just rolls his eyes and gets in the car. I get in and he starts the car.
"So Max, about your date with Fang tonight." Iggy did not just say that, I watch as Fang's knuckles turn white. "It's not a date Iggy; even a blind guy could see we hate each other." Oh, crap, Iggy's blind. As I'm about to apologize, I hear Fang begin a verbal war.
"Real smooth Max, I can tell you think before you open your mouth." His voice is dripping with sarcasm. Ouch, that one stung, but am I going to let Fang know that? Yep, the day pigs fly, well, maybe I shouldn't say that, I mean, look at me. "And you're real thoughtful?" The venom in my voice is unmistakable.
"Yeah, I am. If I insult someone I do it intentionally because I don't just say the first thing that pops into my brain. Although, since your brain is so small I bet it's hard to think of more than one sentence at a time."
"You're one to talk. You've got an awfully large head for such a small brain, but I guess it's just full of your ego. I'm not sure how you have so much ego, oh, I know now. You aren't smart enough to know what ego means so you made up your own definition so you could have more of it."
I'm pretty sure our verbal battle would have continued on, but Iggy intervened again. "Ah, lovers spats these days are so entertaining." There he goes again! I swear, Iggy's going to end up severely injured one of these days. After a few sarcastic remarks and some insults we were at the apartment. Iggy and I get out of the car and Fang drives off. Iggy starts walking inside.
"Iggy, you dug a darn deep hole, and if I were you, I'd start filling it. Start with the wings." He stops in his tracks and rounds on me. "Do you want everyone to hear?" He hisses. I grab his arm and lead him out to a clearing in the woods.
"Start talking, now." I surprise myself with the coldness of my voice, but no way am I letting up on him.
"You really want to know? Fine, I grew up in the school, same as you. The only difference was I was freed by a kid my age named Ari. We were six, and he was an Eraser. He got me out, but went back to help other mutants like me escape. He said there were six of us, and that he would send them all here, and cover our tracks."
"Wait, an Eraser helped you? I was saved by a whitecoat named Jeb Batchelder. He said his son was turned into an Eraser against Jeb's will." Then it hit me, Ari is his son. "Ari was Jeb's son, wasn't he?" Iggy nods.
"Anyways, I got here, and then Jeb freed you and sent you to me, telling you that I was your cousin, even though I'm not. Then he sent Gazzy and Angel, but they don't know that I know, and then he sent the final two, but I don't know who they are. He said that they are a boy and a girl close to our age, and that they are looking for me as well."
Wow, that's a lot to take in. So, I'm really one of six bird kids and I really ought to be looking for the other two that Iggy didn't find. Great, well, at least I know that they are in the region. I could have already met them, to be perfectly honest. Wow, again.
Fang P.O.V.
I'm not exactly exited about tonight, but I'm not dreading it either. I enjoy the verbal sparring that Max and I do. She's fun to make angry, but, her bad side is atrocious. She's as sarcastic and snide as it gets, but I can't honestly say that I'm not. When she insults me, it's sarcastic and cutting, but when I insult her it's witty and snide.
But beneath every barbed word and every cutting remark, there's a tiny sting to me. It's almost as if I care how she feels. But I don't. Of course I don't. I'm Fang, if I insult someone it's because I despise them, because if I just don't like people I ignore them. That's just the way I work. But why can't I just insult Max like I do everyone else? Why do I keep on thinking about it later?
Maybe I'm over thinking this, yep, that's it. If you convince yourself that something you do is strange, that doesn't mean it really is, it just means you noticed that particular action more. But why do I notice it more? It's just Max, yet I find myself fighting to say the word 'just' in the same sentence as Max.
I need to fly. Flying always helps me clear my head. I change into a black shirt with slits in the back and walk outside. I run a good distance into the woods out back and leap into the air, reveling in the feeling of the wind in my shaggy black hair. That's always been my trademark. The olive skin and dark eyes set the mood, but the hair is what completes the look.
I can image the mass outrage from the girls if I cut my hair. They all adore it, and it's beyond my realm of reasoning as to why. I guess it's just a girl thing, but it's an annoying girl thing. They are always trying to touch my hair, and I have sent so many of them away in tears it's a wonder they don't all hate me. Although honestly, I would prefer it that way.
I hover and check my cell phone. Oh crap, its 7:45 and I'm supposed to meet Max at the field at 8. That is not good, not at all. I put my phone away and zip through the sky, rocketing past unsuspecting birds at breakneck speeds. I'm going to be late, I see the field, I land nearby and walk out into the middle of it, where Max is waiting.
Max P.O.V.
I arrive at 8:00 and sit down, waiting for Fang to get here. I can't think of him as Nick, it just doesn't seem right. He'll never be Nick Walker to me, just Fang. The Royal Pain-in-the-Butt. Then I see him. He's wearing a thin black shirt and a black jacket, though I don't know why, it's pretty warm. Well, I can't be talking because I'm wearing a jacket too.
"How did you get here?" He just walked out of the woods, no car, just him. "How did you get here?" "Touché." I'll give him that one, but only because I can't tell him how I got here. I flew, and that's not exactly a conversation I want to have with him.
"We have about 30 minutes before the sun sets, Max." I look over at him, there's no malice, no sarcasm, no venom, just an honest statement. This might be bearable. "And what do you suppose we do to pass the time?" As soon as the words leave my mouth I know I'm going to regret them.
"Hmm, we are two bored teens, alone in a field, that doesn't leave us many options…" Wow, that's not what I expected to hear him say. Not at all, that is, until he winks at me. Oh gosh, I should have known. "I prefer not to spend the rest of my life scarred and vomiting thank you very much." He laughs, and for some reason I find myself laughing too.
"You know Max, you never said where you're from. You pretty much just showed up one day." Oh crap, uh, think Max! "Oh, um, right. I came here from New York. My parents abandoned me when I was little, so I grew up in an orphanage. They were cruel and abusive there, so I did some digging awhile back, and found out about my cousin Iggy. He said I could stay here with him, and here we are." That was the cover story I had decided on. Disbelief was etched onto his face. "What about you?"
"I'm from California. My mom moved here because of her work last year." California, that explains a lot. There's a brief flicker of unease on his face, but it's gone almost instantly. "So Max, how do you like North Carolina?" Oh yay, an easy question. "It's great, much warmer than New York." I smile slightly, and when he returns it I feel little butterflies in my stomach.
"You know, you don't really have a New York accent." "I lived on the outskirts, not all that many people had a heavy accent, and none of the people who worked in the orphanage did. I can use the accent if you really want me to though." I smile mischievously, and he laughs. Return of the butterflies, it doesn't sound menacing, but oh boy is it.
The sun starts to set and we get out some paper, books, a clipboard and a pencil. We chat idly about stars and space, and I'm mildly surprised at how much he knows about it. We throw in the occasional jibe, but it's good natured and we end up laughing. This isn't what I expected, its, nice. Huh, who would have thought that I'd be spending my Friday night laying under the stars with Fang?
"Well well well. Looks like we got two birds with one stone, eh boys." We turn to see about six Erasers walk out, Ari in the lead. "Ari, what have they done to you?" Ari laughs; it's a cold, harsh sound. My worst nightmare's finally real; the sweet kid finally became a monster. "They made me stronger, now, my dad finally notices me! But then he just sends me after you. You, you were always his favorite." The statement ends in a growl. He morphs.
"Fang, run, they're after me." I take off my jacket, and feel him grab my wrist. "Funny, I was just about to say the same thing." I notice that his jacket's gone. I snap my wings open, and watch as Fang does the same. His wings are slightly larger than mine, and jet black. I stare at his wings, and then hear Ari barking orders to the other Erasers.
That pulls me out of my little trance. I run towards the Erasers and then leap into the air, Fang hot on my heels. We fly clear over their heads, and then they start shooting. We're flying fast, and I'm pretty sure we're safe. We're a solid ways away from them when I feel a searing pain in my side. I cry out, and Fang is at my side in an instant, out wingtips brushing as he gets s close as our wings allow.
"Where are you hit?" I hear him yell above the roar of the wind whipping past. "My side." I manage to choke out. The pain is intense. He takes the lead and I follow him back to an apartment complex. We land just outside it and my legs give out under me. I choke back a scream as waves of dizzying pain wash over me.
He picks me up and carries me inside; we get into his apartment without attracting much attention. He lays me on a couch and examines the wound. "Max, how bad is it? If a hospital trip can be avoided that would be great. I understand why not, buy I'm really not in the mood for polite answers. I grit my teeth, fighting the nausea that threatens to overcome me.
"Oh, it's just great Fang, thanks for asking!" The sarcasm in my voice is evident, and I close my eyes and grit my teeth to keep from crying out in pain. He grabs a phone and calls 911. He explains where we are and what the situation is, leaving out a few details. He then calls Nudge, telling her to get her butt over here.
He puts his phone back in his pocket and gently picks me up. I cry out as he brushes my side. He carries me outside and I see Nudge running towards me. It's obvious she flew here; I watch her put on a jacket to hide her wings, and hope that nobody saw. An ambulance pulls into the parking lot, and they get a stretcher. Fang lays me on the stretcher.
They get me in the ambulance and close the door on Fang, despite my cries of protest. I fight to get free as they strap me down, but they give me a sedative, and I feel my eyelids grow heavy. My last thought is of Fang, and how I wish he could be here with me, but then my consciousness seeps away, only to be replaced by blackness.
Fang P.O.V.
They slam the door in my face and drive off. I snap my wings out and leap into the air, Nudge following me. We gain altitude and I soar directly over the ambulance, not taking my eyes off it for a second. I need Max to be ok, I can't think of a world without her sarcasm, her laughter, her smile. I shake these thoughts away, she'll be fine, she has to be.
We get to the hospital and I land outside it. Nudge puts her jacket back on and hands me one. We go inside and the nurse tells me that she's in urgent care. She tells me to sit in the waiting room and that someone will tell me when I can see her.
Nudge and I sit silently. The minutes slip by, and then minutes become hours. Nudge is asleep, her head resting on my shoulder when a nurse walks in. She motions for me to follow her. I wake up Nudge and we stand up. Nudge yawns and stretches, then we follow the nurse into a small room. Max is awake, but obviously drugged.
She smiles when she sees us, and my heart soars. "Fang, Nudge, I'm happy you're here. There were all these people in white coats." She shivers involuntarily and I find myself wanting to comfort her. "It's good to see you're still in the realm of the living." She grins at that. I knew she'd be ok, she's tough as nails, one bullet isn't going to stop Maximum Ride. I see Nudge eyeing the two of us, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes, knowing I'm going to get some crap about this later.
Max yawns and her eyes drift shut, the nurse walks in. "Max needs her rest, but you all are welcome to come back in the morning. The nurse leaves the room, and Nudge follows her out. I walk over to Max; she looks so peaceful when she sleeps, even though she's drugged and pale. I kiss her forehead before leaving the room, wishing more than anything that I could stay.
Max P.O.V.
I open my eyes. How long has it been? And, more importantly, what am I wearing? I realize it's a hospital gown, and everything comes rushing back. I throw back the sheets on my bed and sit up. There's a dull ache in my side, and I pull up the gown to examine it. There's a scab, but it doesn't look too bad. I pull an IV tube out of my arm and pull the IV over. I use it to help me stand, and spot my clothes lying freshly cleaned and washed in a neat pile on a little table in the corner.
I walk over to them and change, then look at the window. Notice how I said at and not out. It opens. I grin and pop the latch just as a nurse opens the door, carrying a tray of food. I open the window. "What do you think you're doing?" Her voice is high and annoying. "Get back in bed! You shouldn't be standing!" I hop up onto the window sill and watch as her face turns red. She puts the food down and storms over to me.
"You get back in here right now or I'll call security on you!" Wow, she really aggravates me. Any other time I would have just left, but she was just too irritating. I call her a rude word and give her the finger before leaping out of the window and snapping out my wings. I fly off, watching her gawk at my receding figure. I laugh and revel in the feeling of the wind in my hair as I fly to Fangs apartment.
I land nearby and jog up; I walk up to his apartment and knock on the door. He opens the door and blinks in surprise before wrapping me in a tight hug. My arms fly around him and everything just feels, right. "Awww!" Fang lets me go and we turn to face Nudge. She gives me a bear hug and I grin. Everything is as it should be, but, wait. "Where's Iggy?"
A few minutes later we're flying full speed to my apartment. We get there and see the door has been mutilated. "Oh no." We run into the apartment and see that it's been trashed. Iggy's gone, and we all know what happened, even if we don't say it. The Erasers got him. I feel hot tears that threaten to fall.
"No, Iggy!" I run through the tiny apartment, refusing to accept what happened. No, they can't have taken Iggy! It's just not possible! "Max, he's gone." I hear Fang, and see him standing in the doorway. Anger surges through me. "THEY TOOK HIM! HE SAVED US ALL AND THEY TOOK HIM BACK!" I cry then, for the first time since I left the first time.
"Those bastards took him." Fang hugs me while Nudge looks around the apartment for any sign of Iggy. I cry into his shoulder, soaking his shirt. "Max, we'll get him back, I swear." I look up at him. "Fang, what if we don't?" He hugs me tighter.
"Max, we will get him back no matter where they take him and no matter what they do. We WILL rescue Iggy. And we'll send as many of the whitecoats to Hell as we can in the process." He looks down at me, grim determination on his face. I nod and wipe my tears. Time for school to be out, permanently.
So, watcha think? I don't normally swear and that's probably the only time you'll see the actual word, but I think that's what they would say in that situation.
Fang: Oh, I'd say a lot worse than that.
Me: Shut up and go make out with Max or something!
Fang: If you say so boss.
Me: Really Fang? Really? –face palms- I swear, mutant bird kids these days!