My teacher, on translating Shakespeare's Sonnet 116:

"So even if Time comes at you with this huge sickle, and slices off all your pretty parts, LOVE WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL!"

Chapter 17: Fairytale

Max's Story

Once upon a time, Max the birdgirl and her happy band of birdkids met a bunch of silly guys who wanted to do tests on them, so they offered her a deal! She could live in a nice, cozy house, and the silly guys would poke some needles into her (but don't worry – they'd cover up the boo-boo with a bandaid!) But Max was a smart girl, and she said no-no to the silly guys. That was okay. They went bye-bye. And Max had a nice talk with her birdkid brothers and sisters, and they said "Good job, Maxie! You're such a good leader and we all love you so much!" And they all gave Max the birdgirl a hug and lived happily ever after.

That's my story. Do you like it?

It's a fairytale.

So no, they didn't all live happily ever after, in case you're wondering.

. . .

"Hey guys," I said the next morning, once the Flock had woken up. (To the sound of me blowing the Gasman's kazoo. Really, really loud. What can I say? We had business to do.)

"I think we need to have a talk. Fang, Iggy, do you agree?"

Iggy made a choking noise. "What?"

I frowned. "I said, I think we need to have a talk."

"The talk?"

That was when it clicked.

"No, Iggy, you perverted pig!" I cried, facepalming, while Fang chuckled softly. What a bunch of idiots.

Angel piped up innocently (wait – did I just put Angel and innocent in the same sentence? Someone kill me now…), "I don't get it, Max."

Clearing my throat, I waved her off. "Nothing. Don't listen to those two," I gestured at the guys, who were still giggling like idiots. "They're just being stupid teenage boys."

Nudge nodded knowingly.

"On a more serious note," I said, shooting daggers at Iggy and Fang, "We do need to talk. About what happened last night."

It went dead quiet. Isn't it funny how a simple sentence like that can shut everyone up?

. . .

I bit my lip. I had expected the Flock to be a little less… I don't know, uptight about this whole situation. But Nudge's eyes went wide, Iggy's knuckles were white as he grasped Gazzy's shoulder, and Angel looked on the verge of tears. Again.

Dammit.

"Relax, guys. I just want to have a chat. About-"

"About what, Max?"

Whoa. My head whipped around to face the Gasman, whose arms were folded and eyes narrowed.

"Gazzy, I-"

"About how you always make decisions for yourself, not thinking about the rest of the Flock? About how last night, you did the same exact thing you always do? About how you never ask for our opinions, you just jump right ahead and do what you think is bestest?" I winced at his grammar. He was only a little kid…

"Well here's a newsflash for, Max. What you think is good isn't always what's good for the rest of us! Won't you ever get that?"

I reached out to touch his shoulder, but he recoiled with a pout on his face. My stomach dropped. This was the Gasman. My little trouper! He had always stuck with me, no matter what, and now he… he…

"Gazzy, sweetie. If this is about your parents, listen. We can always –"

"If this is about my parents? If? Tell me, Max, what would you do if you found your parents, finally had a chance to meet them… to see them after eight years, and then someone ripped them away from you, just because they felt like it?"

Taking a deep breath, I said softly, "I would stick with my Flock. With my real family."

"Well I wouldn't."

And with that, he took a running start, unfurled his wings, and leaped off the edge of the cave.

. . .

Nudge made a strangled noise and clapped her hand to her mouth. Iggy slumped down against the wall of the cave. Fang closed his eyes, slowly breathing in and out, trying to stay calm. Angel rolled up into a tiny little ball, shaking her head and whispering, "No… no, this can't be happening…"

Personally, I felt as if I was going to retch. Gazzy. Gone. Quite frankly, the idea was unfathomable.

We sat in stony silence for what felt like eternity. None of us got up. None of us went after him.

The thought made me sick to my stomach.

After awhile, Fang nodded his head towards the sky, motioning for me to come out with him. I tapped Iggy on the back of the hand twice, letting him know that he was in charge until I was back. With that, I grabbed Fang's hand and together we flew out of the cave, our footsteps echoing behind us.

. . .

I had thought that it would be awkward trying to mend things up with Fang. But as we sat on branch of a tall tree, miles away from the cave, with his arms wrapped tightly around my body and my head on his chest, it wasn't awkward at all. Because this time, we were going through the same pain together.

I didn't shed a single tear, surprising myself. I had thought that this would be a weepy occasion. But this – this was to incredibly sad for tears. Fang stroked my hair, and I closed my eyes, loving just being there with him, not having to worry about the pressure of our relationship. But every time I slowly began to relax, a fresh wave of pain hit me, rocking my very senses.

Gazzy was gone.

A long time, probably hours later, I asked Fang the question that had been burning in my mind ever since Gazzy had unfurled his wings.

"Should we go after him?"

Fang's answer was so quiet that I barely even made it out.

"No."

Oooh… DRAMA! Hehe, sorry. Just getting excited, that's all… XD

A super long AN today…

Again, I can't thank you guys enough for reviewing. Kudos to TweetieSweetie101, Lonestarwolfrox624, and Fanglover18… for reviewing every. Single. Freaking. Chapter. You guys are amazing.

This update is for Booklover711's Project PULL (see my profile for a link, if you're interested). From now on, I will be updating every other Friday, as part of the challenge.

Hey, if you guys are looking for another MR Fanfic to read, I highly recommend Unforeseen Origins, by Kae Jennings, which I am betaing for. The author has some amazing talent… seriously. And she is an amazing person. Go read her story. XD