Cheating Death – Chapter 13

By MyNameIsCAL

Okay, so I keep accidentally putting up the wrong documents for stories. So if you missed Chapter 12 and were confused, you probably read Chapter 12 from my other story which I accidentally put here instead where it was supposed to be. And I went back and changed Chapter 12. So if you missed the real Chapter 12, now is probably a good time to go back and read it. I'm really sorry for the confusion.

As Max helped Mom settle into the guest room, Gazzy and I sat on the back stoop in the backyard.

"Have you been following the news about the shooting?" Gazzy asked me

I shook my head.

"They're saying they think it might be students from that school again, whatever it was called, the one that spells ITEX," Gazzy explained.

"But then they're getting sloppy," I said.

"True," Gazzy grumbled. "But maybe it's a sign for us, Fang."

"Is that why you stuck around tonight?" I questioned.

He shook his head. "You know I go and sit with Angel when I'm home alone all the time. Sometimes I drag the TV in there and talk to her, hoping she'll talk to me even though I know she won't. I just felt lonely today I guess. I don't know. I was gonna go to Iggy and Nudge's place but they're always looking after me and I feel bad."

I frowned. "You know you're welcome to either of our places whenever you want."

"I know, but I feel like I can't carry on by myself. I mean, I know she's not dead and that she can talk to you. But why you, Fang? It's not fair."

"I don't know, Gaz," I muttered. "I ask her things all the time and she doesn't answer me unless it's important. If I asked her, she would probably just say because it's safer that way for all of us."

I was surprised when Gazzy agreed. "You're probably right."

The door opened behind us and Max came out. "It's getting late, Gazzy."

He looked at his watch, one Angel had bought for him a few Christmas ago. It looked like a bomb.

"I'm sorry to have stayed so long," he apologized.

"You can stay as long as you want," Max said. "I just wanted to tell you two that I was going to bed. I have to wake up and go with Mom to the hospital again."

I nodded and she left us again.

Gazzy sat back down. "Will you tell Angel something for me?"

"Sure."

"Tell her that I'm not angry at her."

"Why would she think that?"

He stood again, spreading his wings. "Because sometimes I just lose it and start yelling at her."

And then he was gone, off into the night.

Angel? I thought.

It took her a long time to respond. When you see him again, tell him I'm sorry.

I tagged along to see Ella the next morning. She seemed to be doing better now, still weak, but she was talking. It was a surprise to her that I came today.

"How is everyone else?" she asked, her voice strained.

"Good I guess," I replied. "I'm sure you'll see them later."

It was her way of asking about Iggy without mentioning him. I felt bad for her. She was still out of it, so Mom and Ella hadn't told her much. I wasn't even sure if she knew about Angel.

A nurse came in with Ella's food. Well, it wasn't really food. Just liquids. She ate it slowly. It looked like it was barely edible.

"You really don't have to come see me every day, Max," Ella said.

Max shrugged. "Maybe we shouldn't have left you guys."

Ella looked like she was thinking about what Max had just said. I looked out the window, wondering why I had come. There was no reason for me to. Ella never even really talked to me when we were around. I think I scared her. Maybe it was different now that I was married to Max.

Sometime later, Max and I left to go get some food, unable to convince Mom to go even though Ella insisted it was okay.

"Do you think it was a mistake to leave them?" Max asked, taking me hand as we went down the street.

I thought for a minute. It probably wouldn't have changed anything, well, except for the fact that Iggy could have ended up with Ella instead. "I never thought it was a mistake before, but maybe now I'd reconsider."

She let out a deep breath. "I just wish we could go back and all of us be happy."

I squeezed her hand. "Me too."

We returned to the hospital after lunch. Mom was outside of Ella's room, talking to the doctor. When Mom spotted us, they exchanged a few more words and then he was gone.

"What's up?" Max asked.

Fortunately, Mom didn't look too worried. "Just discussing what will happen after Ella can go home. It'll be a long time before she can recover fully."

I could have stopped that, I thought to myself. I could have saved her.

No, Fang, maybe that was supposed to happen. Angel had a way with replying to thoughts that were only meant to be said to myself.

Why haven't you shown me anything lately?

Angel sighed. Fang, the future is uncertain.

I wanted to answer out loud, to scream at Angel. Max suddenly slipped her hand into mine. "Is there something wrong Fang?"

I contemplated blurting everything out, but I knew Angel would just find some way to stop me, so instead I shook my head and we all headed to the parking lot after saying goodbye to Ella.

Tensions will run high between Angel and Fang in the next couple of chapters. Maybe Max will find out the big secret they're keeping from her, and if she does, it will put all of their lives in danger. Or maybe some kind of miracle will happen.

Anyway, new chapter will be up during the week sometime. Check out the poll on my profile, help me out with new stories. Thanks for reading!