Chapter 4

Annabel's POV

When we were still a little ways away I yelled back to the older ones, "About 2 miles to go, how are you guys doing back there?" giving me an excuse to look back at my mystery man, bleeding in the arms of a scary looking teenage boy with an attitude problem. Max yelled back that they were fine and the boy gave me this look that told me to stop underestimating him.

I couldn't help but worry about Iggy. Genetically altered mutant freaks have to stick together, right?

That's how I've always feel. Whenever I meet a new mutant I am automatically overcome with this feeling of protectiveness. Actually its not just with mutants, any time I find a stray animal or I see a regular human being picked on I immediately get defensive. Its just my nature I guess. I fight for the underdog, I always have.

As soon as I saw these kids fighting for their lives with those grotesque flyboys, I knew that I would do everything in my power to protect them, to make them feel safe and at home. They were a part of my family now, and I always fight like hell for my family.

"Thank you Annabel, that was really sweet." said the tiny Angel. I was confused and I looked to Sienna.

"Mind-reader." She said as if that were as obvious as the answer to 2+2. I nodded and started to look back to the girls, "She can also control minds, breath underwater, talk to fish, and she can change her appearance, but not like you can, it feels different." Sienna stated.

I was shocked, this little girl can do all of that. Wow. And I thought I was good.

"How do you know that?" Nudge asked.

"It's my ability. I can sense other mutants and their abilities. That's how we found you guys. I felt you."

"Wow." was all Nudge could say. Sienna just shrugged.

"Alright everyone, we will be arriving at our destination in 3 minutes. Please place your tray tables and seatbacks in their upright positions and fasten your seatbelts." This warranted a chuckle from all of the younger kids, even Gassy had a limp smile on his face. I could tell he was the most worried about Iggy. They must be close.

"Si, take Ryan and go up ahead and warn mom that we have visitors." Sienna nodded and I began to hand Ryan off. She rocketed ahead and out of sight into the trees. That's my little batgirl.

I slowed up so that I could talk to Max and Fang. "Listen," I began. "I know you guys don't really trust me yet, and that's alright, I understand. You just want to do what's best for Iggy, and my mom is literally the nicest person in the world so even if you don't trust her, please be civil. She just wants to help." I directed my speech mostly at Fang who just stared back at me with a blank look. Max nodded her head and I realized that would be all of the recognition that I would get so flew back to the front of the formation.

I could see our home in the only clearing on our massive 80 acre property. It isn't a small house, but it aint no mansion either. Two stories, plus an attic and a basement, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. And the attic had been made into a sort of "nest" for the other mutants that have passed through, it has a huge sky-light-type window that opens into the sky, which is a must for the bird kids.

I could also see one of the many outbuildings on our property. Mom's office. I could see her standing in the doorway, with a worried look on her face, as usual. I sighed and began my decent, five other pairs of wings flapping behind me.

I landed as gracefully as possible on the lawn and strode over to mom, she immediately tackled me in a bone-crushing hug. "Mom." I protested. "I'm fine, I promise." she let me go and gave me one last anxious look before setting her eyes upon the flock.

"Oh you poor things." she said in a very mom-like manner. She saw Iggy and walked quickly to his side. Her worry replaced with determination. "Lets get him inside." she said and, ignoring Fang's protests, picked him up and carried him into the building herself.

She laid him down on the hospital bed that she had "found" a couple months ago. She began to cut his shirt open to get a better look at the bullet wound. And let me tell you; it wasn't the heat in the office that made me blush.

I noticed that she had lit a few of her cinnamon candles before we had gotten there. She knew how much mutants hated the smell of antiseptic.

I walked to her side and helped her clean the wound. She had this deep look on her face that told me that she would make sure that everything would be fine.

"Okay," she said, looking at Max and Fang. "The bullet didn't hit any major organs or arteries. After I fix him up, he will have to rest for a couple days." Max started to protest but mom cut her off, holding up one hand. "I know you heal fast, but it would be better if he didn't use it for a while. The bullet managed to damage some of his flight feathers. There is nothing I can do for the feathers, they will heal on their own, but he wont be able to fly for a week, maybe two. But other than that he will be fine."

Max nodded and managed a cracked, "Thank you."

Mom smiled and said "You guys must want to get cleaned up. Annabel, why don't you take them up to the house, show them where the showers are and for gosh sakes feed them, they look like their starving." I knew that she just wanted to get the children away so that she could work on Iggy so I nodded and began hurdling them towards the house.

"What about Iggy?" Gassy asked.

My mother smiled sweetly and said "We're gonna have to keep him here, at least until he wakes up."

"I wanna stay with Iggy, Max. I don't want him to be alone." Gassy cried into her hip.

"He's gonna be fine Gassy." Max said trying to comfort him, he shook his head but didn't say a word. "Look, I'll stay here with him. You guys go and get cleaned up okay." He nodded slightly, and Max looked at Fang as if to say 'your in charge, don't screw it up'.

I knew that these kids needed a distraction, among other things, "So I was thinking spaghetti and meatballs, a couple pizza's, some ravioli, and some of my famous hot chocolate. What do you guys think?" I could see the eagerness in the children's eyes, Nudge was almost drooling. Max gave me a grateful look, and I smiled at her.

I started to usher them out the door, but stopped by Max. "I'll bring you out something to eat when their fed. I assume that you'll want to talk." She nodded and I slipped past her to join the kids.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Angel give Max a reassuring hug and I heard her whisper "We can trust her Max." Max's face was concerned but she seemed to take some comfort in the small ones prophecy.

And with that I herded the children, and a very moody Fang, into the house for showers and a feast.