Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride. James Patterson does.

Chapter 3

"Anybody else feel like spreading their wings?" I asked the flock after I slowly tore myself away from Fang. It was getting to feel so natural.

"Wait. Before you run, uhhh fly off, I suppose, do you all mind meeting the man who created the clinic?" Jeb asked us. He asked us, not demand. I looked at him, I guess my look required him to say, "I know that you guys get a bit restless on small enclosed spaces like this and I'm sorry I just think it would be a polite thing to do. He is waiting to greet you."

I looked at my flock's faces and they shrugged. "As long it doesn't take too long, I suppose," I stated looking at Fang. His hair a little disheveled, some of it hanging over his dark eyes. He stood up, stretched and came to stand by me as the plane started to land. As we stepped off the plane I put my hand up to cover the brightness of the sun. Even though it was dusk, it felt like high noon to me. Focusing my attention on what is front of me I saw a pale man with dark hair in an overly dressed suit looking at me with great interest. Wow, self conscious much, Max? His intent stare toward me, made me feel awkward.

'Max, this man scares me...' Angel's voice sounded as though it actually shivered.

'Can you hear his thoughts? What is he thinking?' Talking to Angel gives me a chance to make a distraction for myself besides the pale, dark man with his intense glare.

'Yeah I can hear him. There is nothing bad or threatening in his thoughts, but he's just intimidating. '

'Yeah I know what you mean,' I replied back. Well that's one good thing. Check. I mentally checked off my checklist that this man seemed to have nothing evil going through his head. So far nothing bad, even his employees' (I think) smiles seemed sincere.

"Miss Ride, I have to say it is a great pleasure to meet yourself and the members of your flock," says 'the almighty pale one' "my name is Mr. Lee Vonderhaar and I humbly welcome you to the New Liberia Clinic. Your rooms have been set up and I hope you will find them to your liking." He shows me his hand expecting I would shake it...uh that's unlikely.

Giving a little wave I say, "Sorry I don't shake, it's…um nice to meet you too." I bring my hand down and grab Fang's rough one.

Mr. Voldemort…ha laughs and says, "It is quite alright and I really hope we get to know each other during your time here." I smile in response and look around at the people behind him and gasp.

"Hello Fang, Max," said a redhead. I think my jaw literally hit the ground and Fang gave a little jump that only I could tell just because I was holding his hand. Dr. Brigid Dwyer was here in Africa!! Damn it. I can never get a break.

'Max, breathe and stay calm.' My Voice consults me.

I concentrate on my breathing, Fang comes behind me and grabs my hips and secures me against him, helping me regain my composure. "Dr. Dwyer," I say calmly, "what are you doing here?"

She gives a little girly giggle, "Oh yes! I came here immediately when I heard of researching positions needed here."

"You have met each other before?" Mr. Voldemort looks between me and Dr. Amazing.

'Mr. Von-der-haar,' Angel informs me.

'Thanks.'

"We worked together in Antarctica for a while," Dr. Dwyer informs Mr. Vonderhaar, "Max and her flock helped more than words to describe," she exposes a smile and continues, "I believe they will be a great help toward your cause Lee." With that comment Dr. Amazing smiles and walks towards the clinic. Ugh.

"That's wonderful!" Mr. Vonderhaar exclaims. "Well, I hope you excuse me but it is has been a very long day and I would like to retire. Till' tomorrow my young heroes." He waves us goodbye and also retreats into the clinic. I quickly twirl around to face Jeb.

"Did you know?!" I exclaim.

Jeb looks at me, "Listen Max, I am just as shocked as you are; I am beginning to think Dr. Brigid Dwyer isn't everything she says she is." Jeb shakes his head and walks toward the clinic. "Come on let's get you guys settled into your rooms."

"This does not look good," Iggy says.

We all stare at him and then Nudge says, "Ig we are all staring at you."

"Haha the blind kid says 'look' and everybody stares," I smirked at him, "you all know what I mean."

"I completely agree with you Iggy and I think we should all keep an eye out for her," I say and then wince releasing what I said, "Ig," he cuts me off.

"I know what you meant Max, geesh." We all laugh and start to take a running start to take off.

I don't think you will ever know how good of a feeling it is to be in the air. Well, unless you are part avian and have wings. Good chance you don't and I am really sorry about that because everybody should be able to experience this feeling. Better than chocolate. Yeah, I said it. I close my eyes and feel Fang come from above me. He runs his hands from the top of my shoulders down to my hands, I shiver.

He brings his mouth close to my ear and whispers, "I know you're stressed. Have any ideas on how to change that?" He says this as though he already has some ideas. I blush and smile.

"Oh, I can think of a few." I flirt back.

"Ohmegod!!" Nudge squeals, pointing at a giant water hole below us.

Surrounding the water hole were a group of elephants spraying water with their trunks. A few antelope wandering around the edge of the water hole scared for the lions, no doubt. With my raptor vision I was able to spy a few lionesses hiding in the bushes.

"Nobody is allowed to land!" I shout to the flock.

"I completely agree with you," Total says from Angel's arms. Angel looks at him and sees the scared look on his furry face and defensibly wraps her arms around him.

"Okay, fine," Nudge huffs at me.

"Look, if you want to get hurt by all means," I say to her pointing toward the wild animals.

"But, Angel can tell them not to hurt us," Nudge whines.

"I really do not want to take that risk, right at this moment," I tell her giving her a cautious glance, "but I promise you we will try it sometime."

Nudge gives me a smile saying that she agrees to this compromise. We fly back to the clinic and land to see Jeb waiting for us.

"Great! You made it back. Everybody's luggage is already in your rooms and," I cut off Jeb.

"Great," I say darkly, "but we can take care of ourselves."

'Wow, Max a little harsh don't you think?" My Voice decides to chirp in.

I look at Jeb. He obviously looks crestfallen and is now staring in space.

"Sorry. I was just going to say dinner will be provided in your rooms for tonight, but after tonight you guys will have to the buffet line in order to get food. It's all free by the way." Jeb says this quickly making sure I have no time to say anything else to him. "Also, the rooms everybody stays in is below the clinic."

Whoa, what?! "Wait a second, buster," Gazzy says, "You mean an underground hotel, basically?"

"Uh, yeah," Jeb says pointing toward the elevators, "We are on level ten, which is the highest level, closest to the ground floor. Is this going to be an issue?" Jeb asks us referring to our claustrophobia.

Fang and I give each other worried looks. If something happens there will be no quick escape like flying through a window and no easy way to get away and fly, when necessary.

Jeb gives me six hotel-looking cards. "These cards well get you mostly anywhere you will want to go. It will get you into certain research areas, the post office room, your room, your own separate room, and the dining hall. Oh, it also has access to the elevators at all times and because you all are part avian I was able to convince security to give you access in and out of the building. So no busting windows or breaking down doors, okay?" Jeb studies each one of our faces closely waiting for a response.

'Max this is so cool!' Angel tells me excitedly, 'Say its cool, pleasssse.'

I smile. This relaxes Jeb a bit. "Okay sounds good but what do you mean by 'your room and your own separate room'?" I ask him.

He returns the smile, "Follow me," he responds.

I just would like to say thanks for the following people who has reviewed my story so far:

Conman2- Thanks so much for encouraging me!

StarofCalamity- Also thanks for your comment and I cannot wait for the book to come out!! I looked over your stories, I will probaly read a couple you wrote about Max. :)

Emmafer- Yeah, I know it isn't very original at this point but I have some plot twists coming up but it may take awhile for me to put pen to paper if you know what I mean. And I am working on adding more description to my stories, it's my least favorite part. Thank you for your input.