I led the way to the sliding doors that led to the kitchen. I opened them and froze. Cats. Tigers, lions, and bears. Well, no bears. But tigers. And a lot of them. With wings. Oh my.


I didn't know what to do. I mean, I can't fly. I would hardly be able to fight dangerous wild cats. But I was going to have to try.

"Okay, guys--" I started.

"What's going on?" Iggy asked, frantically. He could sense the tension in the air.

"You remember when we were talking about Jumanji a couple months ago?" Nudge asked. Iggy nodded, fervently. I kept glancing at the cats, but they were showing no signs of movement. It's like they were sleeping or something.

"Well, it's just like the lions in Jumanji. Except they are in our house. And there are tigers too," her voice was faltering. "With wings," she added, pathetically.

"Well, all I can think of is fighting them," I said. This was not going to be a pretty fight.

"They aren't awake now! Let's get away before they wake up!" Angel proposed. I had to admit that was a pretty darn good suggestion.

"Yeah, Max," Fang agreed. Right when he said Max, the white eyes of a huge, magnificent tiger shot open. The other cats quickly followed suit, showing off their sharp claws and fierce teeth. Me, the Maximum Ride was terrified. And I felt like no loser admitting it.

"Too late to back away," I whispered through clenched teeth. They were slowly walking towards us, their padded paws making no noise of the marble floors. Their teeth were bared ferociously.

One leaped towards me. I was in no mood to fight wild animals, but they gave me no choice. I delivered a roundhouse kick towards it's stomach, but it barely noticed. It pounced again, this time clawing me right in the face, leaving huge gashes on my cheeks, forehead and nose. I looked out from the corner of my eye as I was deliriously punching it, and saw that the rest of the flock were holding their own pretty well. I saw Iggy's arm at been clawed to bits, but that was the worst of the injuries. Us, the flock, against ten man-eating animals. Okay, so these wouldn't eat us, but they could sure chop us up pretty badly if they wanted it.

"On the count of three, fly," I yelled above all the chaos. The flock looked at me and nodded.

"One!" I screeched and they flew upward, against the ceiling, breaking it open, sending debris everywhere. I forgot. I couldn't fly. I desperately tried to lift my wings, but to no avail. Blood was streaming down my face, making it impossible to see. I blindly tried to swipe at any tiger I could get.

Suddenly, I felt strong hands pull me upward. I wiped some of the blood of my face, seeing Fang. I weakly smiled at him and he gave me a look and kept flying. That's Fang for you.


We soon got to a cave in the middle of nowhere. Yeah, that's what I said. Back to a cave! Darn. After I had put some cloth on my face and helped Iggy with his arm, I turned to Fang.

"Thanks for helping me back there."

He gave me another look. "Duh. That's what I'm for. We are a flock and we stick together. I wouldn't just leave you."

That was sweet and obvious at the same time. I just wanted to thank him, but I guess he took it as I'm thanking him because I thought that he wouldn't do it. Which I totally didn't think.

I smiled at him. He grinned back, taking my hand. But something weird happened when we touched hands. Electricity? Well I guess I liked him, but there was something more than that.

Max.

The Voice was back. Just what I needed. Not.

What? You just have perfect timing you know that, Dad?

I was rolling my eyes and Fang quickly dropped his hand.

"No, I didn't want you to stop holding my hand. I just have a little annoyance right now," I said, quickly.

"Annoyance? What is it?" Fang asked, concerned. Aw, how sweet. He was concerned.

Snap out of it, Max, I thought to myself.

Maaaax. The Voice was calling my name again.

"It's nothing," I replied to Fang.

"Yes, yes what is it?!" I cried out loud. The flock looked at me, quizzically.

"What's what, Max?" Gazzy asked, confused.

"Nothing, nothing." I walked angrily out to the edge of the cave, huffing. Fang of course had to follow me.

"What's really wrong, Max?" He asked.

"The Voice," I whispered, so that only he could hear. "It's back. The voice is back. Dad is back." I said, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Sshhh, sshhh," Fang said. It was sooo embarrassing to be crying in front of Fang but I couldn't help it. Finally we were gone of everything, the school, Jeb, everything and then it all comes back!

He rubbed my back, soothingly. He then slipped his hand in mine, like before. I felt a jolt and jumped a little.

"What?" he asked and took his hand away. The excited-ness (how's that for a word?) in my body went away.

"Do that again," I answered. He took my hand again. I felt another jolt of electricity and my wings moved. My wings moved.

"Oh my gosh, Fang! I can feel my wings!"

Fang stared down at me in amazement and looked at my wings.

"Let's go flying," he suggested, nonchalantly.

Max, do you know what this means? It means that when you touch Fang's hand the electricity in Fang is transferred to you, making your wings work.

I didn't want to believe the Voice. Hmm...could I really trust him on this?

"Fang?" He looked at me again. God, how I loved those gorgeous dark eyes.

I breathed and braced myself in case I fell over the cliff. I think I can fly. But there is only one way to find out.

"Let's go flying."


AN: Next chapter! Whee! I'm very excited for this chapter and the next ones!