Fang and the rest of the Flock sat in the waiting room of the Happy Paws Veterinary Clinic. They were all very nervous. Gazzy was bouncing up and down in his chair. Total was chewing on a complementary dog biscuit. Imagine that. Total actually stooped so low that he is eating regular dog food! Any other time, Fang would have teasingly pointed this out to the black, Scottie-like dog, but he was too preoccupied with his own thoughts. Max was in surgery, and the Flock was eagerly - and fearfully - awaiting the outcome.

Fang had his head in his hands while looking at his shoes. How could I have fought Max like that? I should have known; I know Max better than anyone else . . . Now looks what's happened. It's all my fault.

Dr. Martinez appeared in the waiting room, still wearing her surgical clothing. Fang jumped to his feet and rushed over, ready to pound anyone who got in his way.

"How's Max?" he demanded bitterly.

Dr. Martinez looked at the dark boy and smiled grimly. "I did the best I could Fang, but it's all up to Max now. She lost too much blood; I'm not sure if she'll make it."

Fang rolled up his sleeve and held his arm out. "I'll donate."

Dr. Martinez pushed Fang's arm down. "It's too late for that Fang. You would have to give about half your blood to do much good."

Tears clouded Fangs eyes. He offered up his arm again. "Do it." he commanded angrily.

Dr. Martinez shook her head. "No Fang."

"DO IT!" Fang screamed. Dr. Martinez looked shaken his outburst. Fang's lower jaw trembled. "Please." he said softly.

Dr. Martinez looked deep into Fang's piercing black eyes and saw his love for Max. Realizing that she could not convince him that his idea was impossible, Dr. Martinez reluctantly agreed. "Ok Fang." she sighed. "I'll do it."

Fang followed the vet into the starch white operating room. Max was lying on a silver table in the middle of the floor. An oxygen mask was hooked up to her face and several tubes fed into her body. Fang wanted to rip them all out and fly away with his Max, but he restrained himself. Fang walked over to Max's unconscious body and stroked her dirty blonde hair. Dr. Martinez trotted over to a counter and started selecting materials.

Dr. Martinez walked over to the operating table with a silver tray that was loaded with medical tools. She looked at Fang and then at Max. "You really love her, don't you?"

Fang looked up at her. Tears glistened in his eyes. "With all my heart." Dr. Martinez's expression softened. She gently grabbed Fang's arm and set it on a tall table used for holding medical tools during surgery. She held up a small pad for Fang to see.

"I am going to sterilize the skin now, ok? This may sting a little." Fang nodded and watched as she drug the small pad over an area of his skin. It tingled a little as it brushed over his scars, but he didn't complain. Then she held up a needle. Fang tensed, remembering the horrible times at the School in which he had been injected with chemicals. Dr. Martinez noticed his indecision and smile comfortingly.

"I am going to draw blood now. If you feel a little light headed, let me know immediately." she told him. Fang was still stiff, so Dr. Martinez showed him the needle, adding, "See, there is nothing in the needle." Fang relaxed a little.

Dr. Martinez positioned the needle on his skin, over a vein, and gently pressed down. Fang watched at the sharp tip pierced his skin and continued downwards into his blood vessel. Then the sucking started. It hurt a whole lot more than Fang had thought it would, but he clenched his teeth and didn't say a word. The needle's large cylinder filled up slowly with his red blood. This is for you Max.

When the needle was full, Dr. Martinez set it down on the tray and picked up a new one.

"How are you feeling Fang?"

"Fine." In truth, his was feeling a little dizzy, but not too much. He didn't want Dr. Martinez to stop; Max needed the blood. Dr. Martinez nodded unbelievingly, but she pushed the needle into Fang's skin and began to draw more blood.

Fang was feeling woozy, like he had been on one too many amusement park rides after a large meal. Stars danced before his eyes. He was unsteady on his feet. Dr. Martinez noticed.

"That's enough for now."

Fang immediately snapped to attention. He looked at Dr. Martinez. "How much did you take?"

The veterinarian looked indecisive. "Nearly three pints. I shouldn't of taken that much."

Fang looked at Max, who was lying deathly still on the operating table. "How much does Max need?" Dr. Martinez didn't answer. "How. Much. Does. Max. Need?" Fang asked, venom dripping off of his words.

Dr. Martinez looked him straight in the eye. "About four pints. That's a deadly amount to draw from one person in a single sitting Fang. I won't draw anymore." Fang looked at Max's mother, then he looked at Max.

"Then I will." Fang shoved Dr. Martinez onto the ground, grabbed a needle off of the table, and pressed into his skin. He pulled up on the stopper handle. Red blood flowed into the cylinder at an alarming rate. Black spots blotted out Fang's vision.

"Fang, don't! You'll die!" Dr. Martinez cried, reaching her arm out to the boy.

Fang smiled at Max's mother. "Without Max, there is nothing left for me to live for." Fang felt his knees buckle and he sank to the white linoleum floor, unconscious.