Thanks to:

Bedelato, review&favorite story

Rainbow. Wings, you are the best reviewer ever!

I've decided to try to post something every 2-3 days, at least until school starts then it'll have to be weekends only cuz of gymnastics and homework.

Max POV

We arrived at my mom's house just before dinner time. Ella was outside with Magnolia (that's the dog's name, right? I wasn't sure and I'm too lazy to go check the book).

"Max!" she squealed then ran over to hug me and each member of the flock. Magnolia started barking loudly at Total.

"Oh shut-up already," He muttered then trotted over to pee in the bush.

"Hi I'm Ella, Max's half-sister. Who are you?"

"Misty."

"Mom! Come outside!"

"Ella, honey what is it? Max!" She ran over and hugged me. Normally I'm not a very huggy person, but I make an exception for my family. "Oh Max I know you won't be happy about this but-" At that moment, Jeb walked out the door. My mood dropped several notches. Of course he would be here when I was. I was about to ask what he was doing here but Misty beat me to it.

"Why are you here?"

"You know him?" I asked surprised.

"He's my Uncle."Did anyone catch the hint in the first chapter?

"Max, I knew you were going to come back here eventually, so I've been waiting. Misty, I'm Max's father."

"You forgot to mention the part about being an ex-Itex scientist," I muttered.

"Itex, really? Then would you care to explain why I acquirred wings so recently, was this your doing?"

"It wasn't my idea. I didn't want to help. I can't explain it to you now."

"So you helped, but since it wasn't your idea, it's not your fault right? Wrong. I didn't believe a lot of things my parents said, especially when they said you were a bad person. I guess they right, who would've thought that?" She lifted her hands and unclasped the necklace she'd worn the entire time I've known her. She dropped it at Jeb's feet as she walked into the house. The flock silently filed into the house leaving me and Jeb. He sighed and shoved the necklace into his pocket.

"So what was that about?"

"I'll explain later let's go eat." Normally I would have demanded an answer, but the mention of food set my stomach growling.

Dinner was tense. The younger kids talked some. Ella told me about how she had the leading role in her school play. After dinner everyone went into the living room to watch some movie. I decided this would be the perfect time to confront Jeb.

"So are you going to tell me what happened with Misty?" I whispered to him. He nodded and motioned for me to follow him. I grabbed Fang as we left the room. I wanted someone to help make sense of this, and he was probably glad I saved him from the movie anyway. Jeb led us to the study and locked the door behind us. Fang leaned against the wall and I sat on the table since Jeb had taken the chair.

"Misty is my sister's daughter. Her mother started working for Itex around the same time I did. She ended up marrying another scientist who worked there. When she got pregnant she wanted me to give her child wings. I refused at first but the Director thought it was an excellent idea. But something went wrong and she was born with no wings. Her hearing and eyesight are above average, but not quite as good as yours. She was going to be retired but I convinced both the Director and her parents that it would be helpful to study how an "enhanced" human would fit into society. She was supposed to have a power that would've developed about a week ago, but I doubt it showed up. She's lucky she wasn't deemed a complete failure. I-" A knock on the door stopped him. "Come in." Angel popped her head into the room.

"Max, can we go shopping tomorrow?"

"Please. Pretty please?" Nudge begged. Shopping. No way. No freaking way. I HATE shopping. "Pleeeeeeeeease." I looked at her to tell her no and. . .

"Fine." Stupid Bambi-eyes. Jeb had already left so I figured I might as well go to bed.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" Nudge squealed.

"Night," I muttered to Fang. Tomorrow was gonna be hell. And I still have to figure out what to think about Jeb.

I know that was really short but I didn't have much time. But that was the explanation I promised in chapter 1. It also explains how she got a good Itex laptop. R&R