I sat on the old wooden steps next to Gwen. She looked so strange, like something was up.
"Gwen, are you okay?" I asked, taking her pale hand.
"Max, something is going to happen. I don't know what, but it'll be bad." She looked up to me with teary eyes. "You're over reacting. Nothing will happen when I'm around. I've got your back." I smiled down at her, and she smiled back. I stood up slowly." Now, I'm hungry. Let's eat!"
The Mess Hall was packed when we got there. The tables were lined with food: real food. The scent of mashed potatoes, rice, buffalo wings, and a big, fat turkey filled the air. A banner that said: HUGE RATINGS, HUGE FEAST covered the back wall. I whimpered with delight and ran to get a tray.
I looked around for a place to sit. I spotted the flock, Duncan, and Leshawna at a lone table across the room. I started to walk over, but something loud coming from outside stoped me in my tracks. Chopper blades. The flock noticed it too, so they came over to stand by me. The noise got louder, and everyone stopped talking and eating and looked up. Then, a small can rolled into the tent. I recognized it right away.
"EVERYONE DOWN!" I yelled, but it was to late. The can exploded, and thick smoke and the sound of screams filled the room. While everyone was choking, a group of guys sauntered in like nothing happened. Erasers. One of the bigger ones came up to me. He chuckled and said, "Hey Maxie. Are you surprised?"
I recognized that voice. How was it possible? Ari was gone, so it couldn't be him. Or could it? Before I could think, the dude hit me upside the head. The pain was the last thing I could remember.
I woke up with Angel looking over me. She was crying and bleeding profusely. I sat up and looked around. The Mess Hall finaly lived up to its name. Everything was trashed, and everyone was gone. The flock (and Gwen) looked at me with wide eyes. Gwen started to sob. I mean, she broke down. Iggy tried to comfort her by putting his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him, and his shirt immediately soaked up the tears.
"Where is everyone?" I asked, my words were slurred.
"Gone," Nudge whimpered," they were all taken. Gwen was the only lucky one. This was all a big mistake. If I would have never wished for this, nobody would've gotten hurt." She teared up.
"No," I said," this was my fault, Nudge." The group looked at me.
"W-well, either way," Gwen stuttered through sobs," w-we should s-save the others." Fang, Iggy, and Gazzy nodded.
"Alright," Angel said," but we need to find them first." This was just great. Fang warned us, but I didn't listen, and now innocent people could be killed. This was just another day in the life of Maximum Ride.