Sorry for the long wait! But here is the next chapter! I kinda changed the direction of this story, so I think you will notice that it's a bit more serious now than it is funny. I'll try to get the humor back into the story, but this is the general tone for the next few chapters.
Chapter 13
Third Person
The white hallways smelled like antiseptic, chemicals, and blood. But this was no hospital where lives were heroically saved by doctors in angelic white jackets. No, this was a Scientific Laboratory of human experimentation; there was no place like hell. Lissa passed through these hallways a thousand times, and dreaded the thousands more that she'd travel through here. She wouldn't still be here if her plan had worked the first time. If it wasn't for that brat Angel, she'd happily be in some nice fluffy king sized bed with her Fang to play with all day.
She grew up in this laboratory. Even if it was hell, it was also her home. The sound of blood curling screams had been her lullabies, the smell of blood had become her fragrance, the cold metal cages had become her bed, and the shadows of the dead, her friends. This was the life she grew up with . . . and she couldn't ask for anything better. She cracked an insidious smile, and paused at the door of experiment 00097. He was her personal favorite.
She listened to the sweet melody of his bloodcurdling screams and shivered in delight. Her entire body ached for more of it. But she was disappointed when the small boy collapsed in mess of dirty blonde hair. Thanks to the damn Eraser passing out, fun time was over; it was time to face the big daddy.
The last door in the last hallway, on the top floor of the dark black building, hidden deep in boreal forests on the Washington and Canadian borderline, was the door to her father's office. His name was Edward Clarke, but his common English name was nothing to be made fun of. That man was sadistic through and through, Lissa couldn't have been more proud to have a father like him.
"You're late," his deep voice, laced thick with a British accent boomed. Lissa paused; she shut the door behind her slow, and seductively. She put one stiletto in front of the other in a graceful catwalk, and swayed her hips as she walked to toward the man clad in white suit, with fair wispy blonde hair, a dark red tie, and satin button down. He gestured with his cold icy blue eyes for her to take a seat in the chair in front of his desk. She ignored him, and placed her bottom on his desk, and crossed her long slender tan legs over as much as her tight skirt allowed her too.
"My apologies Father, I was simply enjoying the presence of experiment 00097," she pouted cutely as she could manage. He glared back at her.
"I have told you several times to never address me as Father, your filthy ass may have come from my genes, but I have never thought of you as a daughter you filthy feline," He replied, he opened a desk drawer and pulled out a pale folder, and slammed at shut. Lissa fell to the ground on impact, and tore what little of her skirt that existed.
"I'm hurt," She muttered sarcastically. He tossed the files in her lap, and picked up a blue coffee mug. She quickly scanned its contents and snorted in response. "You want me to bring that bitch back? Why do you need her? Couldn't I just kill her and bring back my precious Fangie?"
Slap. A cold sting bit at her left cheek. She spit out a tooth and drops of blood into her palm, and held her cheek with her other hand. She opened her mouth to scream at her father, but his deadly glare made even Lissa freeze in fright. He grabbed the collar of her tiny top
"You are a pathetic creature. Consider yourself lucky I haven't thought to dispose of you when you failed all of your assassination missions. Bear in mind, that unlike you, wench, I have killed over a thousand with this right hand alone," He whispered into her ear, after getting the reaction he desired, he dropped her. Lissa shivered remembering that her father was left handed
"Maximum Ride is the most successful experiments the American branch of Itex has ever created. Every organization in this world, the German, the Chinese, and even the American branch that created her, has failed to re-capture her and crack her genetic code. Now it is the Era of Great Britain. We will capture her and mass produce her DNA." He chuckled slowly, staring far into the deep forests of the Canadian-American border. It was high time he got his hands on that pigeon and returned to his home land.
"You mean you plan to turn her into a breeding factory?"
"Precisely,"
Lissa cracked an evil grin, she couldn't wait till her little pets tore into Maxie's body, and then her precious Fang would finally be ALL hers. This time none of the moon energy shit.
# # # # # # #
Max P.O.V.
I hummed to myself quietly and pulled the chiseled brush through Nudge's silky, straight Mocha colored hair. I loved the texture of it, and I simply couldn't stop playing with her hair. Nudge giggled at me.
"Oh Max, I hope you're having fun," She rolled her eyes. I blushed brightly and folded my hands in my lap.
"Sorry," I mumble quietly. Nudge shook her head and placed the brush back into my hands.
"It's okay, even my motor mouth needs a break once in awhile; besides, I like it when you play with my hair," She smiled warmly. I smiled back at her tentatively and continued long stroked down her hair. A tiny snore came from beside us, both Nudge and I quietly giggled at the sight of Angel curled up with Total in her arms, both were fast asleep.
It's been three months since I stayed with the Flock. I wasn't kidnapped anymore, I was staying of my own free will, and of course with Bridget's permission. It was a surprise for me, but she said she was happy that I was reunited with the flock. She said that she enjoyed our time together, but that my heart was still with the flock, even if I had forgotten them, she says it's best for me to stay with them. I thanked her for taking care of me and promised I'd visit soon.
I decided to stay back with the flock because I wanted to understand what Bridget meant by "My heart was always with the Flock." I've heard many stories of bits and parts of our past together, but I couldn't remember them as my own. To me, there were just stories, with me casted as a character.
Even so, during these past twelve weeks I've come to love the Flock. Angel and Nudge were like my little sisters, Gazzy was the mischievous younger brother, Iggy had become my best friend, and Fang . . . we haven't spoken more than 50 words to each other. Besides that, I had a lot of fun having dinner with everyone. Nudge and Iggy would always debate over the food, Gazzy would mimic one of their voices, and the debates would start all over again. Total too had his fair share of arguments. The first time he talked, I nearly had a heart attack.
"Nudge . . . do you . . . like him?" I mumbled, and then blushed because it slipped my mind. Nudge froze.
"You knew?"
"I might have . . . guessed," I shrugged, Nudge frowned and slumped over. "Did I say something I shouldn't have?" I panicked and rushed forward to face her. Nudge's face was covered up by her hands. I gently pried her hands away, hoping she wasn't crying. She wasn't . . . her mocha colored cheeks were faintly pink, and she had a very gentle smile on her lips. I giggled at her expression.
"Are you teasing me, Max?"
"No, you're just incredibly cute when you think about Iggy," This time I really did tease her. Her cheeks burned up, and she bit her lip unable to hide the smile stretching across her lips. But then her lips flipped in a frown.
"Even if I do have feelings for Iggy, I'm still a child in his eyes." She whispered sadly, and began twiddling with her smooth hair. "Do I seem mature to you Max? Am I really that childish?" She asked all panicky. I smile and pat her hair down.
"Nudge, sweetie, I think your childishness is your plus point. If I know Iggy, he loves a good laugh. I can't make him laugh or heat up like you do. It's okay if you're not as mature as you want to be yet. Don't worry, you'll get there before you realize it," I reassure.
"Thanks Max but . . ." Her eyes then widen as if a sudden thought came to her mind. I smirked in amusement; I could sense a ramble coming on. "What if he thinks I'm too young? I mean I'm only like two years younger than you and Iggy. I'm fourteen Max. The same age as you when you and Fang got together. So it wouldn't be weird for me to like Iggy right? Two years is NOT that big a difference right? What if he only sees me as a bratty little sister? What if he doesn't see me as a woman? Oh god Max, I think I'm gonna cry." She rambled getting all teary eyed, and voice crackling near the end of her speech.
"Aaah, what do you want me to answer first?" I ask in complete panic. I thought I was used to Nudge's rambles by now, but I could barely figure out what to respond to first.
"What if-"
"Hey Ladies!" interrupted the voice belonging to Nudge's beloved cherry blond bird boy. He peaked into the doorway; blue eyes, blonde hair, pale cheeks and all stared earnestly at the three of us. Nudge squeaked in surprise and ducked behind me. "What?" Iggy asks completely oblivious to our previous conversation. I laughed awkwardly trying to break the tension. Nudge, being the great and fabulous Nudge she is, pulled herself together quickly. She glared at Iggy, and put her two hands on her hips. Iggy gulped.
"What do you think you're doing here? Can't you see Max and I are having our girl time here?"
"You two have had plenty of girl time. If I recall correctly, you dragged Max to every Mall in the state to find matching dresses. Since when was wearing a dress sensible anyway?"
"Since you and Fang found a reason to stare at Max's curves,"
"I was not staring! Geez, why are you always so nitpicky,"
"Who are you calling nitpicky, you brainless twit? Need I remind you who won our last debate?"
"Yeah, yeah, it was you're win, you're highness. But only because you dominated the dinner table. This time, Gaz and I have a foolproof plan!"
"Mmm, Max, is something wrong?"
"Oh, hello Angel, sorry we woke you up. Iggy and Nudge were just playing."
"We were NOT playing" Two voices echoed from a fiery Iggy and Nudge. I frowned at them.
"But you were both smiling," I reply as if it were the most obvious thing. They blushed and looked away from each other. So they were just playing! Angel giggled at Nudge's expression, who eventually smiled back at the little blonde haired girl with a tender smile. My heart thudded in my chest. The five bird kids living under this roof, although not related by blood, were more a family then anyone could imagine. A tiny silver piece of string seemed to keep their bond together no matter how far apart, or how many fight and arguments. I wonder if that silver string would ever find its way to me.
"A-anyway, hey Maxie, wanna learn how to fly?" Iggy smiled his embarrassment away. My jaw dropped and I eagerly nodded my head. Nudge and Angel giggle at my childishness. I flush but follow after Iggy who gestured to follow him.
"Lemme get Total his snack, and we can hit the air, get it, hit the-" He paused when I stared at him dumbfound. "Never mind," I followed Iggy into the kitchen and leaned against the counter as he busily made Total a bowl of…who knows what? I always liked watching Iggy cook. He had this peaceful yet excited smile on his lips, and his hands moved with grace. Iggy was really an artist when it came to food.
Iggy and I spend a lot of time here in the kitchen together. I liked talking to him because he usually didn't bring up my past. He cared about the Maximum Ride that he was seeing here and now. He always made me laugh with silly jokes, and Iggy was defiantly the easiest person to talk too. Sometimes we would just work around the kitchen in comfortable silence, I sliced while he stirred, or I washed while he dried. Sometimes he would even teach me his secret recipes. I took that as a sign that he trusted me.
"Why are you putting his food in a dog bowl? Wouldn't that upset Total?" I gasp when I saw the beautiful, but brown mush being poured into a red dog bowl. Iggy smirked.
"This is pay back for backing Nudge at our last debate of 'I'm way more superior.' Stupid traitorous mutt deserves this!" He stuck his tongue out at the bowl of mush childishly. I giggle in response. Then Iggy shoved the mush into my arms. "Here go give this to him, and meet me out in five!"
I stare at Iggy in horror. He snickered at my expression and shoved me into the dining room. I gulped my nerves away. Total was going to go ballistic! I won't live to see tomorrow! I tiptoed my way in, shooting fleeting glances at Iggy who was hiding behind the kitchen wall snickering at my demise, Total was curled up into a ball near the leg of the dining table. Please, oh please let him be asleep. I placed the bowl in front of him, and held my breath.
Total cracked a sleepy eye open and stared at the mush. "Max," He calls, not letting me escape. "What is my snack doing on the ground?"
"Umm . . . isn't that how dogs eat?" I ask stupidly. He gave me the evil eye.
"Normal dogs maybe, but I am of an elite species of dog breeds who deserve to eat on a proper table," He deigned critically. My mind raced for a comeback. Didn't Iggy say it was in situations like this where I used to say something sassy?
"Yeah well . . . eating on the table would require using forks and knives. And dogs don't have opposable thumbs. So the ground it is for you!" I say gaining confidence near the end. Total stared, and stared, and stared, for a good long minute. A chortle of uncontrollable laughter came from the kitchen.
"Maximum Ride . . . were you attempting to say something sarcastic?"
"Umm . . . yes?"
"High paw girlfriend! It was horrible for a first attempt, but I'm proud of you for trying!" He exclaims in excitement and high fives me before I respond. I blush madly and try to laugh it off. Total than gave me a really serious face. "Now put my food on the table and next time in a real bowl unless you want me to bite Iggy where no man should ever be bitten," He threatened coldly. I gulped and placed his food on the table. I caught a glimpse at Iggy's horrified face. I guess Total knew my weakness was hurting the flock members.
"What exactly are you eating Total?" I ask as he jumps onto a chair and elegantly starts chewing on dainty sizes of mush.
"Why this is my wondrous super meal of course! Iggy promised he would take me to visit Akeila soon. The deal was that I fly on my own. I am now building my already chiseled bodice," He responded enthusiastically. I shook my head and quickly retreated from Total's domain.
"Well that was highly amusing; except for the part where Total threatened to destroy my man hood, of course."Iggy mused and lead me out the door. "So you ready to fly Maxie?"
But I can't respond to his brilliant eyes full of excitement. My body was frozen on the porch. The familiar sight of red mountains with deep cavernous valleys extended across every direction I could see. The red sun colored the sky in hues of pink and red, and seemed to touch the valley at its horizon. It was a scene I hadn't seen in three months. Since the day I jumped. My body began shaking, and tears formed in my eyes.
"Max?" Iggy asks. He placed his arms on my shoulders and bent down so that we were eye to eye. "Are you alright? You're shaking."
"Take me back," I whisper brokenly. "Take me back inside," I slid closer to Iggy and pressed my forehead against his chest. I couldn't do it. I can't fly. Not while I was terrified of falling again.
"Don't tell me you're afraid of heights?" Iggy asks in panic. He firmly wrapped his arms around my body as if he wanted to hug the shivers away. His strong voice tickled at my ears and I shake my head against his chest.
"Falling . . ." I whisper. Iggy cursed under his breath and tightened his arms around me. I look up questioningly through teary eyes.
"There goes my pushing you off a cliff plan," he mumbled.
"You were going to push me off a cliff?" I exclaim in shock and reel backwards. Iggy catches me and pulls me in close again.
"Sorry, sorry, that's how I was taught to fly. I figured it would work for you too," He apologized pressing his forehead to mine. I gasp at the close contact and my cheeks instantly burn up. I never realized how dazzling Iggy's eyes were. I stumbled back again, and this time Iggy didn't hold me back.
"I- I think we should try some other time," I manage to say coherently despite my jumbled thoughts. Iggy pouted for a moment, but then again his eyes lit up.
"Oh I bet Fangles knows a way for me to teach you!" He exclaimed charging into the house. I try to go after him, but the door clicked. I panicked and tried not to stare at the endless pit below me. Not only did Iggy leave me out here alone, but he was going after Fang? I still wasn't ready to face him yet.
Whenever I was around Fang my heart always beat uncontrollably, and I always broke out in cold sweat. His cold eyes scared me, but they also intrigued me. His aloof personality intimidated me, but also drew me closer to him. His silent enigmatic smile sent shivers down my back. Whether they were good shivers or not, I do not know.
"Slow down and tell me why I'm here," That same deep voice flowed from behind the door. A moment later the door swung open to reveal Iggy pushing Fang out of the house. Fang's eyes landed on me. I hissed a breath. Those deep obsidian eyes were staring at me, the familiar sight of his shaggy black hair, and black attire with navy blue jeans instigated the sense of nostalgia in my mind. To me . . . black was such a warm color. Bridget found it astonishing that I was more drawn to cooler dark colors than the warm ones that matched my personality, or so she says.
"Please, please, please, help me teach Maxie how to fly. I promised I'd teach her, but the only method I know is by getting pushed off a cliff. You know, like you and Max did when we were seven?" Iggy rambled; I was barely keeping with his Nudge-like ramble. Well they did spend a lot of time together. "Yeah well apparently, that method won't work for Maxie here because she has a fear of falling. But I promised I'd teach her so PLEASE help me I'm begging you,"
"Iggy . . . shut up," Fang replied, and stalked back into the house. But Iggy was too persistent for that. He dragged Fang right back out.
"I'll make your meals!"
"You already do,"
"I'll do your laundry, wash, dry and fold!"
"Don't touch my clothes,"
"I won't blow anything up for a week."
"A month,"
"Deal!"
"Iggy, you don't have to-" I began to say, but Iggy shushed me and said to just trust Fang. He took a few steps back and watched us with eagle eyes, preparing to help me fly. Fang slowly sauntered over to me, a cold smirk on his lips.
"The real Max, wouldn't fear anything," He whispered quietly. I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent from screaming: "I AM the real Max." That wouldn't do any good with Fang. I didn't want to ruin things just when they were getting better. But I was lying to myself if I said that, if anything, with every step Fang took closer to me, the more my hearted thudded in fright. Why was I so terrified of having Fang near me? He leaned his head against my shoulder.
"Close your eyes," I flinched. When did he get behind me? I gulped and did as he instructed. I want to fly. No matter what, I want to learn how to fly with the rest of the flock. Maybe it will help me get my memories back. "Do you trust me?" He whispered again. I shook my head, unable to lie to him.
"Hey Fang, what are you doing to her?" Iggy yelled.
"Good," Fang replied to me. And then . . . we were falling. My eyes snap open and I scream. The dark abyss of the bottomless trench drew closer to us faster and faster. No . . . I was falling, again. I felt Fang's arms wrap themselves around my waist. The sharp fall suddenly eased into a gentle glide. The wind caressed against the both of us, and held us like feathers drifting with the breeze.
"We're flying," I whisper in awe. I could see long black wings flapping on either side of us. Fang grunted in response and took us higher in the sky. The thought of falling no longer bothered me. I was too exhilarated for that. My heart pounded in my chest with a rapid excitement. As Fang rose higher in the sky, the once scary red canyon looked like nothing more than picture on post card from the sky. It was a beautiful canyon really; it looked like painting with hues of red, orange, and yellow. We flew through the evening pink sky with ease. I giggled into the wind.
"What?" He asks, interrupting my trance. I almost forgot that Fang was here with me. I blush; he was the one supporting both of us right now.
"It's so beautiful up here. Thank you for showing it to me, Fang," I smile back. It was a real genuine smile. There was so much happiness in my heart, I thought it would explode. Being up here in the orange pink sky with Fang was an indescribable feeling.
"Open your wings," Was his reply. I froze in panic. I can't fly. Not yet, I wasn't ready. My body began shaking without my realization. Fangs arms tightened around me. "Don't worry. I know you can do it," He told me. Heat instantly rushed to my cheeks. I'd never heard Fang speak in such a gentle voice. It made my heart flutter like crazy. Oh gosh I was such a mess of emotions right now.
I thanked the heavens that Nudge cut slits into all my dresses in case I needed to spread my wings. (Don't worry, I always wore shorts under the dress) I let my caramel chocolate brown wings unfurl for the first time in the nine months since I lost my memories. They were super stiff. Fang adjusted himself so that my wings never hit him.
"First let yourself glide, let the wind catch you. Remember to keep your body relaxed. The slowly flap your wings. The moving motions need to come from here," I gasp as he pressed a finger against my weak spot between my wings. I blushed very brightly now, my face was really burning. I nodded. Fang released me.
I'm gliding. I'm really gliding through the air, I thought. I laugh into the air, I felt like I was swimming through the air. I spread my arms out towards the sun, as if I could capture as much of this feeling as possible.
"You're doing great Max, now flap your wings," Iggy shouted against the wind. He pulled up beside me. I noticed that his wings were pale like his hair, but more peachy, and not so much white. He flashed me a 100 watt smile. I wondered if he felt the same exhilaration I felt. Iggy twirled in circles, and flew around me, giving a rather show performance.
"Show off," Fang muttered quietly, but I somehow managed to catch it despite the strong gusts of wind pressing against my body. He too began beautiful arcs and spins and glides. I frowned; I wanted to fly like that too. I tentatively flap my wings, trying to imitate their flying. To my surprise, my wings seemed to know exactly what to do. I giggled as I was propelled forward. I was no longer letting the wind carry me, I was swimming into it.
"Iggy, Fang, I'm flying," I exclaim brightly. Two quiet chuckles reach my ears. I giggle, and did a fast nose dive and then sprung back up just as abruptly, and twirled in the air. I'm flying. I'm actually flying. My body knew exactly what to do!
"Now who's a show off," Iggy tisked. But his eyes seemed to be in awe, he looked like he had his breath taken away, and knocked off his feet. Fang too had a similar, but much more subtle look in his eyes. I wonder why. I flew closer to Fang and Iggy so that I was now between the two of them. We flew in wide arcs and crisscrossing patterns. But the sun was setting and we couldn't fly forever. Before I realized it we were back at the house. Nudge, Angel, Gazzy, and Total stood on the porch wildly waving their arms at us.
"Down and under in five," Fang announced, Iggy nodded in response.
"What does that mean?"
"It means land in five seconds,"
"But I don't how!"
"WHAT?" Iggy shouted. I scream; I was going to crash into Angel and Nudge. Iggy dove forward, and skittered to stop on the porch. He stood protectively in front of Angel and Nudge, and I dived into his arms.
I landed on top of Iggy. I laid there for a good minute before I came to my senses. Iggy and I sat up in a mess of wings and feathers. Neither of us was hurt. The flock all laughed at my clumsy landing, and Iggy's attempt to catch me. I blushed and thanked Iggy.
# # # # # #
Fang Pov
I struggled to hide a chuckle at Max's awful landing. For someone so graceful in the sky, she was a klutz on land. Max stumbled off of Iggy blushing brightly, apologizing and thanking him at the same time. Without realizing, I was smiling at Max.
I saw it in her earlier when we were flying. Even if it was only for a moment, I saw of bit of the old Max. Only Max could look that beautiful flying in the sky. Even though this new Max was different than my Max, she was also the same, at the same time.
My Max would awkwardly blush, and grudgingly thank others. This one blushes, stutters, and then smiles. My Max would chuck a blanket at me if I slept on the roof, this one would gently spread it over me. My Max would always comfort the Flock in motherly way. This Max . . . was not so different.
But then again, my Max couldn't cook, sing, or play music. My Max didn't wear dresses (No matter how amazing she looked in them). My Max didn't stutter or shy away from me. My Max wasn't intimidated by me. My Max trusted me.
It really wasn't so bad after all. Max's changes weren't too bad. I even liked some of her new traits. Maybe, just maybe this Max could be my Max again. If she stopped getting scared around me. Thought the thought of scaring Max nearly made me crack up. It was hilarious really.
"Fang," Her sweet voice called, breaking my thoughts. I spared her a glance. Her face was still bright red from her landing on Iggy. And to my surprise, Iggy was bright red as well. Definitely needed to question that later. "Thank you, for teaching my how to fly," She whispered with a tiny smile. I blinked in shock. It was the first time Max had smiled at me since we brought her back.
"You already said that,"
"Yes I know, but I really am grateful . . . and umm, I like talking to you, Fang," She smiled, blushed, and then ran off with Angel and Nudge, leaving me stunned. I thought she was afraid of me. Oh crap, rapid heartbeat, did I actually just feel attracted to Max again? Oh man, I'm so whipped.
"Hey Fangles, don't just stand there, let's go eat man." Iggy shouted at me, propping the door impatiently. I narrowed my eyes.
"We need to talk Iggy." I reply. Iggy raised an eyebrow, but quietly shut the door and expectantly waited for me to begin talking.
"What's the deal with you and Max," I ask bluntly. Iggy's jaw dropped and his cheeks flushed pink.
"W-what are you talking about?"
"Don't play Ig, I just want to know what your deal is," I say through gritted teeth. Why was I so irritated all of a sudden? Iggy seemed to pick up on my mood and smirked tauntingly.
"Jealous Fangles? You can't stand to see me and Max getting all chummy huh? You can't deny that she's attracted to me too," Iggy stated smugly. The back of my neck burned.
"I never implied that,"
"You sure did Fangles, and guess what? I'm attracted to her too, and this time, Max will be mine," He declared, his face settled into a firm gaze. When I didn't respond to Iggy, he patted his faded jeans, and walked back into the house, slamming the door as he went.
I stood on the front porch of the Flock's home and safe haven. My legs were like glued to the ground. They wouldn't move. I took a deep breath, and quickly sorted through my thoughts.
Number one: I was in love with Max . . . again.
Number two: Iggy was in love with Max too, I would have to fight for her
Number three: Max could choose either of us this time.
Hehe, I hope that wasn't too serious. I hope you guys are prepared for an epic ending. And if this story gets somewhere around three hundred reviews, I WILL write a sequel to it :)
Also, I think the rest of the chapters will be about this length.
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
~kiki1607 out . . .