MAX

Thursday

Ari had gone to bed a few hours earlier and the sun was starting to rise behind the trees. I was nearly asleep, my head against the railing. When suddenly the Voice butted in, startling me.

Be alert, Max.

It was like some switch flipped on and I was suddenly wide awake and hyper aware. I was careful not to move. I just took in every sound, every rustle around me. Then I saw it. There were shadows moving across the parking lot, coming towards me. It was two tall figures that I recognized almost immediately. Crap! What should I do?

Stay low. Don't let them see you and warn the others, The Voice offered.

Yeah, I could do that. I nodded, although, it only occurred to me after that the Voice wouldn't be able to see. I took a deep steady breath. I needed to stay calm. I slowly shifted onto my tip toes, keeping my eyes on the shadows and crept back towards the our motel door. I opened it slowly, cringing painfully as the hinges creaked, then I snuck inside. I quickly moved towards the back of the room where our bags were, tapping everyone's feet on the way over.

Nudge and Gazzy were up almost instantaneously. They looked wide awake and alert, ready to go. So now Nudge was a light sleeper? I internally scoffed and made a gesture towards the stairs outside. Gazzy nodded and moved to wake Ari and Iggy. Nudge quickly helped me pack up the food and the clean clothes. Then the five of us were sneaking out of the door, two were stumbling, and running down the walkway.

Take a left.

Without hesitation I took a sharp left, pushing on the door with my arms, wincing slightly. Thankfully, it was one of those swinging doors and it moved easily. We were in one of those hallways where they keep the ice and vending machines. I knew it would open up on the other side of the motel where we could make our getaway.

I quickened my pace, sprinting down the hall. It smelled like cheap cleaner and old air. I could feel my heart beating fast. Our feet sounded like a herd of stampeding rhino on the cheap carpet. I shoved the door open and held it while the others filed out and continued down towards the stairs.

Be aware of your surroundings.

I didn't have time to react to the Voice's latest snippet of wisdom because I was suddenly grabbed from behind and slammed back against the wall. I gasped in surprise. It was Blondie. Her hand was clenching my shirt tight, her face impassive but deadly. This time I didn't hesitate. I slammed my palm into the inside of her arm, making her wince and loosen her grip, then I was shoving her back and aiming punches. She curled over, holding her stomach and I took off, following the rail and the walkway.

The stairs were on the opposite side and Blondie was a pretty huge obstacle between them and I. I was going to have to jump over the railing and try not to break anything. I glanced over towards the others while I ran. Nudge and Ari were up in the air, hovering over the parking lot. Mr. DarkAndMysterious was in rough hand-to-hand with Iggy and Gazzy was on the ground clutching his arm. Crap. What happened?

The end of the walkway came quick and I vaulted up, balancing on top of the rail. My arms windmilled as I launched myself off, tossing my wings out. I somersaulted before the wind caught in my secondary feathers and I got some lift. My heels brushed the ground as I raised up with a strong down stroke. I could feel my body tremble. God, that was terrifying.

I turned towards the fight, ready to help Iggy. I was maybe six feet from the rail when Blondie launched herself off the rail after me. She latched onto me, one hand clutching on my wing and the other on my shirt. The psycho! She threw me off balance and we went tumbling through the air. She let go, but I couldn't steady myself in time. I skidded painfully against the concrete and rolled. I felt gravel scrape my face and pain shot up through my wrist where I caught myself. The air had been knocked out of me and I felt lucid.

I rolled over onto my back to the best of my ability and coughed, blowing my blondish hair out in puffs. I clutched my wrist to my chest and scrambled up, trying to suck in oxygen. It was like everything was slow motion. Blondie was in the air, looking down at me. Her wings were the purest white. They were... like us? She turned and expertly dived towards Iggy and the dark guy.

I hobbled towards them, trying to breathe. I watched Blondie slam into Iggy shoulder first, then catch herself in a perfect crouch. Who were these people? I could tell Iggy wasn't himself. He was absolutely ravenous. He was still swiping at Blondie regardless of the gash on his forehead that was pouring blood. The dark one was closing in on him, while Blondie helped hold him down.

You are weaker divided. The Voice spoke up. What are your strengths? I swallowed hard and nodded again.

Think, Max. I thought to myself as I watched the dark one wail on Iggy. It was almost like a dam broke and blood started pouring from Iggy's nose. I swallowed again and rolled my wrist. Suddenly, a collection of memories came rushing back. Ari winning first place at the Jiu Jitsu competition, Ari getting in trouble for fighting at school and Kayla blaming Jeb for it, Ari and I wrestling our cousins in the grass during the Fourth of July get together.

"Ari!" I yelled, catching his attention from the sky. I pulled my elbow down while holding my wrist, knowing he'd understand. It was the gesture our Sensi gave us when he wanted us to go for the kill... The metaphorical kill.

He nodded and dived, pulling up so he landed smoothly on the asphalt. He was running towards the unaware Blondie. I started sprinting towards the dark guy, but I had my eyes fixed on Ari.

He tapped her shoulder and she turned towards him. She looked even more surprised when Ari backed away, baiting her forward. She lunged at him, attempting to punch him. Ari backed away further and I knew he had her. Mr. DarkAndMysterious turned as I slowed my approach. Our eyes met. I glanced at Iggy quickly. The poor guy was out cold. Nudge was still in the air and Gazzy had joined her. Thankfully, they got the hint and didn't interfere.

I heard an oof and looked to see Ari with his legs around Blondie. One knee was up under her stomach and her neck was in the crook of his elbow. She wasn't going anywhere. I sighed thankfully and approached the dark guy a little faster. He was wary and moved away from me. I decided to give him a little talking to as I chased him down.

"Who are you?" I snarled, "and why the hell are you doing this. We're like you!"

His jaw tensed, but he said nothing. The silent type? Okay, whatever. I was seriously looking forward to kicking his ass. I was close now, only a few feet away. Mr. SilentType rolled his shoulders and I lunged for him, grabbing him by his leather jacket and using it to grapple him to the ground. He gasped in surprise and I quickly wrestled him down. He resisted my hold and I rolled us so that I was on top, grimacing as the asphalt ground against my skin.

Finally, my arm snaked its way around his throat and he was stuck. He struggled, but I held tightly. I heard Nudge and Gazzy land behind me.

"Remind me not to piss them off." Gazzy muttered, in slight awe.

"We're mistakes," DarkAndMysterious suddenly decided to speak up, "We aren't supposed to be here!" He nearly yelled that last bit.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I growled.

He shut his eyes for a moment. When he opened them he glared at me with hatred, but he didn't elaborate.

"Nudge, Gazzy," I called, "Get some rope."

I was sitting on the bed back in the motel room. Iggy sat cross legged in front of me. He was gingerly holding my left hand and wrapping my wrist with an ace bandage. It still surprised me how delicate he could be with his hands. I gazed up from under my eyelashes, watching his beautiful blue eyes hold concentration. The cut on his forehead was bandaged and he looked a little silly with the toilet paper up his nose and the dark bruises on his pale skin. I glanced away as he looked up.

He fastened the wrap and inspected his work. Iggy nodded with satisfaction and sat back. We sat awkwardly for a few moments while I pondered what to say to him. I opened my mouth, but hesitated and decided not to say anything. Instead I turned to look at Ari. He was scrambling eggs and munching on a poptart.

"Max listen," Iggy began. I turned back to him. "I think it would be better if we didn't... you know?"

I felt my eyes narrow. "No. I don't know."

Ari coughed loudly and turned the burner off. "Looks like we need ice." He said loudly to himself as he quickly went out the front door. The doofus forgot the ice bucket, but he didn't come back in. I crossed my arms and faced Iggy again. Ugh, he was handsome.

"I don't want to hurt you." He said quietly, seemingly interested in the crappy sheets. He was lacing his fingers together, pulling them taunt and then untangling them.

"I'm not fragile Iggy." My voice was tough and I was annoyed.

Iggy met my eyes and lifted his hand to my head. He ever so gently ran his thumb along the taped stitches on my forehead. "Everyone is fragile Max." His voice was quiet, almost regretful. I felt my eyebrows pull together.

"If everyone thought like that we'd all be locked up in rooms and covered in plastic wrap," His mouth qwerked at my words. I amused him. Of course I did. I sighed and his hand slid back, running through my hair. I let my hands fall to my sides. "Plus, I could kick your ass." I added quietly.

He smiled, sighed and let himself lean against my shoulder. This time I stroked his hair and I felt his breathing soften.

"Comprende?" I asked.

"Crystal." He replied.

"Now lets eat, then we can interrogate some bird kids."