Face Down Chapter 8: Face Down, a maximum ride fanfic

Chapter 8

(Possibly the final chapter)

It was Friday night, the night where The Flock was performing their new song. Max, Nudge, Aaron, and Mega were all at this show. Max and Nudge weren't performing tonight, they were going to watch from the crowd. Iggy couldn't help but be worried, what if Mega took this the wrong way and he took it out on Nudge? Iggy was scared, but he knew there was no turning back now. They'd asked Angel to fill in the girl vocals tonight. They were going to close with Iggy's new song so they were opening with a crowd favorite. When it was time to go on, the whole band took a deep breath, and they walked on to the stage. Iggy stepped up to the microphone and everyone else plugged in their instruments.

"Hey, we're the flock. Tonight, we've got Angel as our female vocalist. She's never sang with us before but I know you guys are going to love her." Iggy said and people cheered. "We're going to open with Both Sides Of The Story (Originally by We Are The In Crowd)."

He said and the whole crowd cheered loudly. Iggy smiled and the song started. They played through their whole set doing a variety of songs. Typical (Cartel), Sympathy (Good Goo Dolls), Everything (Lifehouse), Angel did In The Dark (Flyleaf) and Snow White Queen (Evanescence), Get Out Alive (Three Days Grace), and a few others before it was time for the last song. Aaron and Mega were at a table not too far a way. It was easy for Iggy to see them, easy to sing the song to them. The opening beat started and Iggy's foot tapped. He looked out and his eyes met Nudge's. Before the lyrics were supposed to start, Iggy spoke.

"This song was written by myself for a very special girl out there." He said. Then, Iggy started to sing.

"Hey girl you know you drive me crazy
One look puts the rhythm in my hand.
Still I'll never understand why you hang around
I see what's going down.

Cover up with make up in the mirror
Tell yourself it's never gonna happen again
You cry alone and then he swears he loves you."

Iggy was singing that part of the song to Nudge and he could see that in her eyes, she got the message. Now, as the chorus came he turned his eyes towards Mega. There was hate in both their eyes as they looked at each other.

"Do you feel like a man
When you push her around?
Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end
As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found."

Iggy turned and looked back at Nudge. He was practically pleading for her to listen, really listen. You could see it in his eyes, if you really looked at him. Nudge saw it. She had tears in her eyes now as she watched him. Iggy hated to see her cry but she needed to hear this.

"A pebble in the water makes a ripple effect
Every action in this world will bear a consequence
If you wade around forever you will surely drown
I see what's going down.

I see the way you go and say your right again,
Say your right again
Heed my lecture

Do you feel like a man
When you push her around?
Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end
As your lies crumble down a new life she has found.

Face down in the dirt she says, this doesn't hurt she says I finally had enough..
Face down in the dirt she says, this doesn't hurt she says I finally had enough..

One day she will tell you that she has had enough
He's coming round again.

Do you feel like a man, when you push her around?
Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end
As your lies crumble down, a new life she has.

Face down in the dirt she says, this doesn't hurt she says I finally had enough."

Iggy finished the song and Mega stood up. For once, there was no fear in Nudge's eyes. Just determination. She was going to end this now. Iggy walked off stage quickly and started making his way towards the table the Nudge and Mega had been at. But, when he got there, they were gone. People kept asking him who the song as for but he wouldn't answer. He just pushed past them all, fighting to get to the door. He ran outside.

"Nudge!" He yelled. He heard some yelling around back and quickly ran there. He was afraid, he knew Mega would be angry but he wouldn't let anything happen to Nudge. As he rounded the corner he saw something that made him both proud and happy.

Nudge was standing in front of Mega, her hand holding his wrist, making it clear she had stopped a blow from happening. He heard Nudge's voice too as it rose with her anger.

"Listen, Mega, I'm done getting pushed around by you. You've done nothing but hurt me and lie to me, and I'm over it. I'm not going to be your punching bag anymore. You're not worth my time or energy. I'm better then that, I don't deserve that. You're never going to touch me again, understand? If you come anywhere near me, I will call the police and have you arrested for stalking and assault." Nudge's yelling was starting to draw a crowd and Mega looked nervous.

"You're pathetic. You tear people down and push them around to make yourself feel strong. You don't even have the excuse of home abuse. You're just a pathetic asshole." Nudge told him. "And, I don't need you." With that, she threw his wrist away from her, turned, and walked away. As she met Iggy in the middle he smiled at her. Mega was still standing at the wall, stunned. Nudge had never truly stood up for herself to him. Nudge didn't even look back at him. Instead she took Iggy's hand, lacing his fingers with her's.

"Thank you." She whispered softly to him. He just smiled and nodded.

The Happily Ever After.

"Let's go." Nudge called up the stairs to Iggy. He smiled and told her just a second. They were going to see a movie with Max and Fang tonight. Finally, things were going right. After Nudge's little speech to Mega, she convinced Max to tell the police about Aaron. Someone at the club that night also tipped the cops off about Mega. Both boys were set to go to court in one month and they were on house arrest until then. People had obviously heard about Nudge and Max and both girls were handling it differently. Max was hating all the attention and trying to just blend into the background with Fang. Nudge, however, was using it as a reason to speak out about dating abuse and abuse in general. A few different magazines and newspapers had interviewed her about it. All the story headlines said something like 'Girl from the inside reveals the truth about abusive relationships.' Iggy thought it was good that she was talking about it and trying to help others. He was proud of Nudge.

"It all started with a song. After that song was played, it all hit me. No one deserves to be hit by someone who claims to love them. That's not love, it's abuse. So many people try to say 'well that's not really abuse because...' but if it's purposeful and it leaves a mark, physical or emotional, it is abuse." This was something Nudge said a lot. It was true. Abuse is not love and Iggy was so glad Nudge had learned that.

Their life might not be perfect but it was pretty good. Iggy walked downstairs and saw Nudge sitting on the couch watching TV. She was beautiful, talkative, funny, kind, caring, and so much more. But, best of all, she was his.

"Ready?"

A/N: So, how was it? Truthfully. Please leave me a long review. I might add on something if I get inspired but it's doubtful.