Nothing happened for a week, until another whitecoat came to take Gazzy. Gazzy stayed silent, trailing behind him, thinking.
I have to get out of here, he told himself. I have to find a way.
The whitecoat took Gazzy around a corner, and he was surprised to see another whitecoat walking towards them, a little girl at his side. The young girl reminded Gazzy of Angel. She was maybe five, and had long blonde hair that curled at the ends. She looked up with sad, brown eyes, eyes that were different than Angel's. Still, Gazzy couldn't help feeling protective of her. She seemed so sweet and innocent, undeserving of this horrible place.
The whitecoat leading Gazzy stopped Whitecoat #2, looking at the girl. "This one is Experiment 75b? Is she slated for termination?"
Gazzy's heart leapt in his throat.
"Yes," Whitecoat #2 answered.
"I'm busy with this one here. You do the paperwork for me?"
"No!" Gazzy exploded, moving in front of the little girl. The whitecoats looked at him, shocked. Gazzy would have laughed if he wasn't so mad. "No kids are going to die today, especially not this one."
The whitecoats just watched him with calculating expressions, and Gazzy struggled to keep his anger in check. Glancing behind him, he noticed that the little girl had inched closer to him and was looking at him with her big brown eyes.
If they didn't let the girl live, he would take the scalpel still in his shoe and stab it right through their throats, he swore he would. What kind of twisted person complained about the paperwork of killing a child?
Gazzy crouched down, warily keeping track of the whitecoats. They seemed to be content just standing there like idiots. Well, whatever. As long as they weren't going to do anything immediately, Gazzy sought to reassure the young girl.
"Hi, my name's Gazzy. I'm going to help you. What's your name?" Gazzy held one of the girl's hands, and she leaned into him a little. In the back of his mind he was thinking about how this was the last thing he needed—someone else to take care of. He didn't even have Angel back yet, and he was taking charge of a little girl who already seemed to trust him.
"I'm Tara," she said softly, eyes widened in fear. "The whitecoats are going to retire me… what does that mean?"
"Interesting," murmured one of the whitecoats. "It has been listening to our conversations."
Gazzy shot them a useless glare, then turned his attention to Tara. "It means… they want to hurt you. But I'm not going to let them do that, okay?"
"He seems to have taken responsibility for the girl. Isn't his sister the reason he came here?"
"Indeed. He has protective tendencies similar to his flock leader…"
Gazzy gritted his teeth, wishing they would shut up about how fascinating their experiments were.
"I know you'll help me. You aren't like them. I can tell," the little girl said, hugging him. Gazzy hugged her back, stroking her soft hair. He heard the whitecoats talking, but he didn't pay attention to what they were saying. What had he gotten himself into? This little girl had latched onto him, and how the heck was he supposed to protect her, rescue Angel, and then escape with them both? Gazzy took a deep breath. He could do this. He had to.
Gazzy stood, trying to make himself look as dark and Fang-like as possible. The only one who could look scarier than Fang was a pissed off Max, but even she couldn't look as dark as Fang. "You are not going to touch this girl, and if you even try to 'retire' one experiment, I will kill you. I don't care if I'm locked up in the most secure cell you've got, I don't care if there's an army outside my door, I will kill you."
The whitecoats didn't seem the least bit disturbed. "If you'd like, the girl can stay in the same room as you," one of the whitecoats said, watching Gazzy carefully.
Gazzy was taken aback and deeply suspicious. The whitecoats were monsters, ready to kill this little girl, and suddenly they were going along with what he wanted. Why?
"Here, we'll save your testing for later. Why don't you just go back, and take, what's her name? Tara? Go ahead and take her with you," the other whitecoat said like a kind teacher trying to compromise with a young student, making Gazzy feel wary. But then Tara tugged on his hand a little, and Gazzy doubtfully decided to go along with it.
The whitecoats followed behind this time, letting Gazzy lead the girl to his cell. They were murmuring to each other, but even Gazzy's sharp hearing couldn't detect what they were saying.
A couple minutes later they reached the cell, and one of the whitecoats graciously opened the door for the two kids and then locked the door behind them.
Gazzy went over to sit on the cot, bringing Tara with him. "So how old are you, Tara?" he asked curiously, holding her.
"I don't know," she shrugged. "How old are you?"
Gazzy grinned a little. "Fourteen. I'm ancient, aren't I?"
Tara giggled, and Gazzy couldn't help feeling a little uplifted. Maybe he couldn't help Angel at the moment, but he was making a cute little girl a little happier.
At the same time, his heart ached. How could a young child seem so happy in a place made of death and inhumanity?
Tara was still smiling, but she had a peculiar expression on her face. She was looking up at Gazzy, concentrating. "You look like her," she said decidedly. "That girl."
"What girl?" Gazzy asked, feeling a leap of hope. Could she possibly be talking about Angel?
"The girl who told me I could trust you. She said I'd be able to tell who she was talking about. She was really nice," Tara said, looking up with her innocent brown eyes. "Do you know her? Her name is Angel."
"Yes!" Gazzy said excitedly. Angel was here, and she knew Gazzy was here too. For the first time in days, Gazzy felt like maybe this wasn't so impossible. "Listen, Tara, this is important. Did she say anything else to you?"
Tara thought for a moment. "Yeah… she said when it happens, it's not your fault."
Gazzy was startled. "What the heck does that mean?"
Tara shrugged. "She just told me that when it happens, you shouldn't blame yourself. S'not your fault, that's what she said. And she said she loves you."
Gazzy swallowed. He couldn't let Angel down. He wasn't totally sure he knew what Angel's message meant, but it sounded bad. What didn't she want him to blame himself for? Something in the future? Was Angel going to be hurt?
"Is that it?" Gazzy asked.
"I think so," the girl said, unsure, not realizing how serious the situation was. She lost interest, playing with a loose thread on her shirt. Gazzy wanted to press her for answers, but she was just a kid.
Gazzy sighed, watching the girl hum quietly to herself. He wished Angel was with him, and it was her he was protecting. However, it was Tara in his care, and he was going to do his best not to let any of those monsters get to her.
When Gazzy woke up, he was alone. It took him a minute to remember why there was something terrible about that.
"Tara!" Gazzy looked around wildly, but the girl was gone. The cot she was sleeping on was gone. In fact, there was no sign that she had ever been in the room.
The door of Gazzy's cell opened, and Gazzy narrowed his eyes as Kyle walked in.
"Liar liar," Kyle chided gently, watching Gazzy for a reaction. "You promised to protect the girl, but seeing as how she's lying in a room right now, cold and dead…"
Silence. It took only a second for Gazzy to comprehend, but he was rendered speechless as the horror of what he said washed over him.
"You—" Gazzy stopped, unable to think of a name vile enough for the man.
Kyle watched with a faint touch of amusement. "If it makes you feel any better, she was unconscious the whole time. She didn't even twitch when we put her down with a lethal injection. She died happy, the little lamb."
"Screw you," Gazzy said, his voice rough. His fists clenched; he wanted to kill that man, more than he'd ever wanted to kill anyone before. The flock could have been safe. Angel could have been safe. Tara should never have died. It was all Kyle's fault.
"I'm not the one who betrayed—what was her name?—Tara." The young man shrugged. "Well, at least she died without knowing. Wouldn't it have been awful if she had known about her coming death? Here you were, such a nice boy, offering her protection. At least she didn't have to die knowing you weren't there to save her."
Gazzy wanted to say something, do something. Preferably, strangle the man before him. However, Kyle had struck a nerve. He could imagine Tara's face pale with death, and he suddenly felt stomach-churning guilt.
Was that what Angel meant when she wanted me not to blame myself? Gazzy thought. Angel had said it wasn't his fault. Gazzy felt even worse. It was his fault. He'd let his guard down. He'd slept through the murder of an innocent girl he promised to protect. And she was so young, not even six probably.
"Why?" Gazzy whispered.
"I want you to know what you're dealing with," Kyle said. With that, he left, the door slamming shut behind him.
"No!" Gazzy's reflexes, numbed by horror, were too slow. His fists struck the solid door, and he slid to the ground, feeling an urge to cry and scream at the same time.
He had failed. Again. From trying to rescue Angel to trying to protect an innocent girl, Gazzy could never get anything right. Remembering Tara's sweet, naïve personality, Gazzy fought the urge to throw up.
"Damn it," he yelled, hitting his head against the door. "I will kill you, Kyle. I swear to God, I will kill you!"
Angel. Angel. Angel.
She was all Gazzy could think about, the only safe haven from the guilt of Tara. It was only a small consolation, but if he could save Angel, maybe a little bit of the wrong he had done would be righted.
When she was younger, Angel had been unbearable. As a seven-year-old, she had been the worst.
It had started as Angel's occasional campaigns to become leader, but it grew worse. Angel and Max constantly fought, and Angel began to invade the flock members' heads. No one noticed at first, and Angel very nearly got Max kicked out of the flock permanently. However, Max saved Angel's life. They had been hunting down the remnants of Itex and destroying them. Angel, who had been behaving recklessly, had been attacked by a group of people from Itex. They planned to kill her, but Max showed up just in time.
Even that didn't slow Angel down much. She manipulated the flock, and she constantly drove Max to the edge. She was relentless. When Fang found out about Angel getting into their heads, he was furious. Everyone was. Gazzy remembered that terrible night, when Max finally lost it. She kicked Angel out of the flock.
The flock had been staying at Dr. Marinez's for a bit. Max promised Angel that they would stay there for one more week. If Angel wanted, she could come back and apologize, and she would be accepted back into the flock. If she refused to change, she could stay gone. Angel coldly left without speaking to anyone, except for Total. She asked him to come with her—he refused. Gazzy had never seen Angel so angry.
That had been a terrible week. Angel had it coming, but at the same time, it was dangerous for her to be alone. Itex was gone, or so they had thought, at that point, but they were famous. They were still in danger from evil megalomaniacs who wanted to get their hands on some avian-human hybrids. The flock was also the only family Angel had. What if she didn't come back by the end of the week? Would Max really ban her from the flock forever? The flock was anxious. Max was haunted by the idea that she had made a very wrong choice.
Desperate, Gazzy had gone to Max. She was his sister. Maybe she was terrible sometimes, but she was almost eight. She was way too young to be out alone. He had screamed at Max, accusing her of trying to kill his little sister. Burdened by guilt, she had screamed back. It was the worst fight Gazzy had had with Max. It was the only fight he'd had with her. Never before had Max been brought down to his level.
Right as the flock was ready to leave, Angel showed up, tearful and repentant. Max had instantly taken her into her arms, crying. Gazzy had never been happier.
From then on, there was a change in Angel. She no longer went behind Max's back. She no longer resented Max's position as leader. She stayed out of the flock's heads—most of the time. She even came to love Max as an older sister. Gazzy was jealous of their relationship, but it was better than the two constantly fighting.
Things weren't always bad; there were definitely some light moments. Gazzy went through a phase where he wanted to be called Zephyr permanently. He felt it would make a better "superhero name" than the Gasman. Iggy went through a Mohawk phase. Nudge fluctuated between being a vegetarian and giving in to meat. She would break down and eat a burger or something only to feel extremely remorseful and proclaim that she was a vegetarian again.
The flock grew up even more. By the time Angel was nine, it was obvious she was an incredibly bright girl. The flock was starting to break up around this time, and Angel went to different schools for "gifted" students. Gazzy's relationship with Angel was strained. While he too was smart, he wasn't at her level. They ended up separated. He tried to be supportive of her, but he couldn't help hating her at the same time. Why was she so talented, unlike him?
Famous as they were, the flock could do anything. They split up, though they did visit Dr. Martinez often. Angel once made an educational trip to Europe—without him. Angel felt bad that she was away from Gazzy so often, but learning was her passion. When the two did meet, Gazzy tried not to feel too resentful as she told him about all her accomplishments. She could still read his mind—even though she tried to stay out of people's heads, a nice change—and she could sense his discontent.
The flock was briefly reunited at Max and Fang's marriage. The two were young, but as they pointed out, they'd been through more than anyone could ever imagine. Their experiences had forced them to become very mature very early. They had also been together for years, so obviously they were committed to each other.
After the marriage, the flock made a brief effort to stay reunited. Max and Fang left, though, to start their life together. Everyone else stayed near or at Dr. Martinez's house in an attempt to stay in touch.
The creepy calls had started. Angel had acted strangely. She was then kidnapped. Everything had lead up to this.
Looking back, Gazzy figured he probably should have asked the for flock's help in rescuing Angel. It was just so hard, though, after all those years. They grew up and apart. Even though they lived in the same area, they weren't as close as they were before.
And Angel. What was she doing now? Was she hurt?
Gazzy sat, with nothing to do but worry over Angel and feel nostalgia for days in the past. Things were so much simpler when it was just the flock and no one else. Fang had wanted to go live on an island and just forget the world. Would things have been different if they had just done that?
Gazzy.
The boy froze. The voice was faint, but it was there in his head, and he recognized it in an instant.
Angel? Is that you?
Of course it's me, the girl's voice said inside his head, sounding impatient. The Gasman couldn't help smiling at the sound of her voice.
Angel, are you okay? Where are you?
No time for that, Angel said. You have to get out of here. Gazzy, as soon as you can get out of your cell, you have to unlock all the other cells.
How? Gazzy asked. He had so much to say, but he let his sister talk – as soon as they escaped they would have all the time they needed.
Gazzy listened as Angel listed off all the codes and passwords he would need. It was a good thing Gazzy's memory, like all of the other of the flock, was near perfect. Angel even explained how to access certain computers with a skill that matched Nudge's hacking abilities. Gazzy wondered why Angel hadn't been able to escape by herself.
Angel picked up on the thought and spared a second to answer it. I'm in one of the more secure cells, Gaz. They hardly let me out of here, just bring in all the stuff they need to do tests.
What tests? Gazzy said, his worry surfacing. Angel didn't answer this question.
Gazzy, you wouldn't leave without me even if I begged you to, would you?
It took Gazzy a minute to comprehend what his little sister had asked him. Angel, what are you talking about? I'd never leave without you.
Angel paused, before replying, I thought you might say that.
Gazzy was panicked at the way sadness colored her words. He stood up and started pacing, almost without realizing it. Angel, I swear to God, you better tell me how to get your butt out of that cell, because I'm not leaving until—
Fine, came Angel's curt reply. The code's 54980. You'll need a card too, just snag one from one of the scientists down on my level. Lowest floor.
I'm gonna get you out, Gazzy promised.
Just be ready, Angel answered.
Wait, Angel, don't go yet… Angel? Are you listening? The Gasman let out a breath, going over to his cot and sitting down. Excitement made his heart race, which felt good. It was nice to have a battle plan – it brought him back to the old days with Max. Still, there was something bothering him. Angel had been so distant, so professional. He knew that it had been a while since he and Angel had really talked, but there was something that felt so off about the situation. Like Angel asking about him leaving her… what had that been all about?
Gazzy's eyebrows knit in frustration. Once they were out of there, Gazzy was going to fix things with his sister. He missed that easy relationship he'd had with her, and he made a promise, right then, that he was going to do all he could to get that back. It took Angel being kidnapped to make him realize it, but he needed his little sister back in his life.
A lot happened in this chapter... any thoughts?