((Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride, or any of the characters in this book. They all still belong to James Patterson, well, they still did when I last checked. Enjoy!
But I do own the plots, so PLEASE respect this story and the author and don't steal the plot(s).))
Chapter 3: Know You See Me, Now You Don't
"You know last night, when you were sick, Angel was talking to me. I could've sworn she called me dad when she went to bed. I asked her about it, but she insisted she'd called me Fang. It was really weird." Max smiled.
"And a bit uncomfortable, I'll bet. Yeah, she likes you Fang. I don't know why. I mean, she wants to be, like, all huggy and holding hands to you, but I think she scared." We walked in silence until we got to the vendor. We ordered what we needed, and after a strange glance from the guy at the vendor, we headed back. I was starting to get hot and sweat, and I hoped I wasn't coming down with whatever Max had, had.
"You ok?" Damn it! I hated it how she could take one look at me and know something. I could do that with her to.
"Yeah, I'm starting to work a fever I think. Nothing to worry about." I didn't want to say anything else, and Max didn't push it. She was good that way.
We reached the clearing and handed out hotdogs.
"Dig in guys," Max instructed then we all sat down, in a small circle.
"So Fang, how'd you go last night bossing everyone around. Enjoy it?" I shook my head no.
"Angel actually did the commanding. Thanks." I offered a small smile in her direction and she beamed.
"I was just trying to make sure I made Max proud," she murmured. I saw Max go red and I patted her on the back.
"You've done a good job turning her into a Maxlet. Do you want your medal now or later?" She waited until no one was looking then flipped me the bird.
"I'll have it no-," a crash filled the air around us and we all jumped up. I was the first to be on my legs and I started walking towards the noise.
"Fang!" I turned. Max was waving me back, so I backtracked my steps. She shook her head and looked upwards. A blotch of about 30 or so Erasers flew over head, their patched on wings flapping off-balance. I would hate to have wings like that. But I didn't feel sorry for them. Never would ether. Angel saw us looking and looked too.
"Oh know! Wait, they don't know we're here yet! Everyone hide!" We didn't need to be told twice.
We all pulled ourselves out of various hiding spots 20 minutes later and looked around. I heard Max doing a quick head count then she pulled herself out of bush behind a log.
"Report," and I went to answer her. Suddenly there was another crack and a branch fell in front of me, knocking me flat into the ground. An Eraser must have landed on the branch then taken off again, leaving it cracked. All it took as a gust and of wind.
"Fang! Are you ok? Fang!" I heard several people call my name, but I couldn't get up.
"I'm ok. I'm fine. Just get me out!" I called back. The branch was across my left foot, and it was heavy. It was thick too-about 30 centimeters wide. And it was across my leg. Did I mention that already? And it hurt.
"Fang! Hold on, we're coming!" I wasn't going anywhere.
"I can't, my legs stuck! I think it's broken." Max and Iggy hit the tree before the kids did. I guessed my face was pale with pain and anger. My leg was squashed at a slightly weird angle underneath the tree.
"Ok, we're going to get you out."
"How bad?" Iggy touched my leg softly.
"I think it's broken," Iggy nodded.
"It feels that way. What happened?" Max told him about the tree.
"Oh, crap," yeah that summed it up. But I've had worse. Nudge came to my side.
"It's cool Fang. We'll get you out." I appreciated what she was trying to do, but it wasn't working.
"Ok, we're going to try and pull this branch up high enough for you to try and pull it out. On the count of 5." That usually meant 1, so I was ready.
"1, 2, 3, NOW!" They all pulled upwards, and I pulled. Nothing happened except the pain in my leg got worse. I bit down on my lip, thinking. I knew Max took this the wrong way, because she bent down over my leg.
"I'm sorry Fang. I'm still weak from being unwell." Gazzy came up with a large branch.
"We could use this as a leaver." He put it under a rise in the branch and on top of a rock Nudge put down. Then on the count of three, they all pushed down. I got my leg out just as the branch bounced back onto where my leg would have been. I felt the broken bones scrape together as I pulled, and Iggy must have heard it to. Max looked sick. I looked down at my leg. A small pool of blood was forming beneath my leg, which was jutted out at an odd angle. A bit of bone, maybe half an inch, was sticking out my calf.
"Great idea Gazzy," I said, trying to take the limelight off me. Everyone turned to him and agreed. Iggy patted him on the back. Then they turned to look at me again. I tried to get up to show I was fine. I accidentally leant on my leg and I fell backwards. Oh, jeez. Angel moved to my side. Max held out her hand. Gazzy and Nudge went around behind me to grab my back if I needed it. Iggy moved the opposite side to Angel. I sighed looking at them all, so willing to help. I was filled with…what? Pride? I don't know. Then suddenly anger washed over me, drowning me completely. I tried to get up, ignoring Max's outstretched hand.
"I can do it myself," I muttered angrily. Did they not know that? I saw Max looking hurt and I regretted snapping at them all of a sudden. I ignored that feeling as well, as I limped over to the log. I sat down and looked up. The flock were still were I left them, all looking at each other. I felt left out all of a sudden, like I didn't belong. I looked down at my leg to find it wasn't there. Fine by me. I saw Nudge look toward me and gasp.
"Fang? Are you invisible?" She walked over and bumped into my outstretched leg. Pain flew up my spine and around my body like ice cold wind. I bit my lip to stop me yelling out. A small whimper escaped my lips and Nudge stepped back, realizing what she'd done.
"Oh my goodness Fang, I'm so sorry. Are you alright? Were are you, I can't see you? Can you please not be invisible for a second?" I watched Iggy approach.
"Stop there, I think his leg is right here." Yep.
"Fang, we can't fix it if we can't see you. Please help us out here. Remember when you thought Max was stubborn? You're being a Max, Fang." There's sense for you. I made my self visible again and waited.
"Fang you are so not being helpful. Please, listen to Iggy, he'll fix your leg." I looked at max, confused. Angel gasped.
"He thinks his visible!" Everyone looked at her, scared.
"Fang, we can't see you." Max bent forward, searching for my face. I gently put my hand on her face. She touched it, still searching.
"Can you change back?" She whispered into my ear. I shrugged, worried were this was going.
"I'm trying Max," and she nodded. I took my hand off her face and she straightened out.
"Guys, we have a problem. I don't think he can become visible again. Well, not yet, anyway." Everyone looked around. This was bad.
"I know! Let's go to mum and see what she says." I knew her Voice told her that. I asked her in a whisper if it was true. She nodded her head. Great. My visibility was depending on a Voice in Max's head. Perfect. Iggy spoke, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hey, at least you guys can see what I see in Fang now," and I thanked him silently for it. At least someone was trying.
"Ok, Fang I'm going to tie these strips together, then I'll tie one end to your hand. The other end will be attached to my hand ok?" Seeing ,y face, she added on "It's only so we know where you are." I nodded, silently wishing myself to turn visible so I would be tied to Max.
"Only if you fly fast," I said, joking. I frowned, deep in thought. Nudge and Gazzy were tying the strips together. One was still in Max's hair from when I had tied it in to keep her hair out of her eyes. I noticed she had kept it in, even thought I knew she didn't like her hair being up. At least she wasn't constantly brushing it out of her face. Max caught me looking at her and came over to me. She kneeled so the others would hear.
"Fang, I know your in there somewhere, ok? You can't hide forever. Trust me, I know. If it were possible I would be in hiding permently. Jeb taught me not to run though ok. I know it's hard. It's always hard. Life is like that. And anyway, how am I supposed to give you a kiss for helping me last night?" She got up and walked away from me, not turning back. I sat on my log, completely invisible, staring after her. My eyes must have been as wide as dinner plates. I could believe she had said that.
Half an hour later, I was chained to Max, ready to take off. We all knew this would be hard. On the count of 3, Max and I ran up and spread or wings, flying up into the crisp morning air. I must admit, even after everything that's happen this morning it felt good to be flying. Max yelled out to me to ask if I was ok. The running start had been hard, but I had hopped then sort of jumped into the air, letting my wings out quickly. It had worked, but I was glad I was visible. It would have looked really stupid.
2 hours later, we stopped due to Nudge's rumbling stomach. Only one hotdog wasn't going to be enough for a bird kid. Way off the mark. Max told me what was happening and I nodded, angry. Did they think that just because I was invisible I was blind, deaf and dumb? When we landed, I untied the strip and went to sit in a corner. Angel followed, using my thoughts to guide her. She sat down next to me, very narrowly missing my hand. I pulled it back quickly.
"Fang, please be nice to Max and the flock. And why are you being so stupid. Why don't you turn visible again? We can't help you if you don't help us! Isn't that what you told Max? I'm sorry this has happened but-," I cut her off.
"I'm sorry I'm not perfect ok? I do try Angel, I do. Just leave me alone for a few ok?" I yelled at her, but I didn't mean it. I walked to the edge of the chiff and dropped off it, opening my wings before it hit the second ledge. Nudge felt the wind from my wings and stood up. I turned back to see tears in Angel's eye's and Max looking around hurt and confused. I heard my name, but didn't go back. Gazzy was standing on the edge of the cliff, wings unfurled. Max held him back, looking around for me.
I flew to Max's Mum's house and knocked on the door. She opened it and looked around, Ella at her heels.
"Yes? Is anyone there?" I breathed in and spoke.
"Yeah, it's Fang, Max's friend. I've got a…problem. I'm stuck invisible. That's why you can't see me. And my leg's broken." She stood staring for a second.
"Come in, please." I followed her in side, limping. She pulled out a chair for me and I sat gladly down. I had never asked for help before, not even from Max.
"So, what's happened? Is Max alright?" I nodded, then remembered. It felt like I was talking to Iggy. Well, my…skill is to be able to blend in, or turn invisible. But I can't turn visible. The flock where on their way over there to find out if you could help us, but I…beat them to it. A branch fell on my leg this morning and it's broken. Can you help? Oh, Max will be here soon." That was the longest I've ever talked to Max's mum. I hoped Max would know that'd I'd be here. Max's mum, the vet, nodded, thinking. Ella sat on the chair next to me, looking for my face.
"Are you in pain?" I nodded slightly then whispered 'yes,' very quietly. I hated every minute of this. I hated asking for help.
"ok, I'm going to try and x-ray your leg. It might hurt, but I'll give you some special antiseptic to numb your leg. Do you know if you're allergic to anything?"
"No." She nodded.
"Ok, follow me. Ella, stay here in case Max comes. Tell her we're going to the clinic, and show her the way. Be good." We walked out to the car, and got in. I was a little scared, I must admit, of being in there with a women I had yet to trust, but I needed help. I put my seat beat on so she knew where I was.
At the clinic, she gave me a needle and lead me into a medium room with a operating table. The same one Max had been when her chip was being removed. I sat down then laid down when she motioned with her hands. She turned around, organizing things. She turned back around and gasped. I automatically scanned the room, but it was empty apart from us. I looked down and saw my body was back. Pale, clammy, bloody and bruised but back. In one piece, or so to speak.
"Ok. You must have reacted to the anesthetic I gave you, and turned back to your usual state. I don't think you can turn invisible. I think you blend into your surroundings. Can I take some blood tests to see what's happening?" I thought it over in my head while see got ready to fix my leg. Finally, I came to a decision.
"Ok, you can take blood tests as long as you don't show anyone and destroy the tests if you can. I don't want them in the wrong hands," she nodded, taking out a blood test kit from under her desk.
"I'm going to do it right away incase anything happens ok?" I nodded. She pulled my sleeve up on the left arm and wiped the area with a small cloth. She put the needle into my elbow, palms facing up. As she was putting it in, I heard someone outside.
"Fnick?" I straightened and looked around. The vet heard it to, and glanced up from the needle.
"Oh! I forgot. There is some of Max's blood mixed with mine. The hospital make her give me some when I had that accident." I waved my hand over the pink scars on the side of my stomach.
"That should be ok. I'll just pick out yours and destroy Max's. I promise." I nodded, frowning.
"Fang? Mum? Are you two in here?" Max yelled out from were the waiting room was I think.
"Yes Max, in here. Exam 3." An exam room? Huh? Max and Iggy walked through the door and looked around. Seeing me, fully visible, sitting up on the bed, a needle in my arm, Max clapped her hands over her mouth.
"Fang, we can see you now! Oh my goodness, you look like crap." I rolled my eyes and she smiled. Iggy flopped down into a chair by the door with perfect aim.