Chapter 10 – Surprise
When I returned to the Flock, I was in for the surprise of my life (or non-life).
But before I get ahead of myself, let me back track a bit. After Bobby and Zeke rushed off to investigate the whole Derrick ordeal, it was my time to exit. And no, not from this world, but from Dead School. I didn't know how together the Flock was at the moment, whether they'd spread out or not to search for my body. I wasn't even sure if Max had rejoined them yet. Still, the clock was ticking until I literally became a dead man.
Of all the mutant bird-kids I wanted to be with, there was really no option. The main reason I had to find my body was to be with her again.
I teleported to Max.
As my spirit coagulated to where she was, I landed to some spot mid-air, with her flying straight at me. She zipped by, her powerful strokes cutting the distance between us instantly. I was in her path. Out of instinct, I flipped out of the way to avoid the impact, but I was getting carried away ― not literally. I realized that it didn't really matter. She would have gone straight through me anyway. How profound.
I wondered why she hadn't returned to the Flock yet, or if she was going there now. Maybe she had wanted the distance while she could get it. To be alone to think of what to do next. I felt horrible; I'd been the cause of all of this. If only I had stayed with the others instead of wandering off for a little while. Then I could have been with them when I "died". This whole mess could have been avoided.
While I was stuck in my reverie, she was speeding away. I needed to catch up to her.
I didn't know how fast I could float or fly or whatever I could do now. It would have been wise to brush up on my powers before I came back, but there wasn't much time left. Tomorrow afternoon would be the 48-hour mark, and unless I had returned my spirit to its body I would be dead forever. I couldn't afford to waste any more time.
Somehow, floating was similar to flying. I forced my momentum forward without needed to flap my wings, shooting toward Max like Superman dashing to Louis Lane's side. Even as she flew at extremely high speeds, I was able to keep up. By the time we were even with each other, I was hovering over her. I tried to look at her face, but her sandy hair blew around her head wildly.
What I would have gave to be able to read her thoughts at that moment! Of all the Dead Skills that I obtained in my sort-of-dead state, reading minds had such potential. It would put me on even grounds with Angel. I could tell what Max was really thinking right now, and that prospect made my heart (miraculously) race.
The sun was rising in the horizon. I could see if reflecting off a river hidden through the line of trees. How far were we from the others? Had they found my body yet while I was gone?
A few minutes later, Max descended, folding her wings into a nose dive to the ground. I quickly dropped with her. Normally the wind resistance and G's would have made my eyes water, but being dead had some conveniences. We were heading toward a clearing. Below, I could see the heads of the Flock looking up at us. I was relieved; at least they had waited for Max.
I was counting heads — what can I say? It's a habit of bird-kids— when I noticed something odd. I stopped and then recounted. One, two, three… four… five? Then a smaller dot that was Total. Who else was with them?
Max noticed the extra number, too, and flew faster. I was caught off guard by her sudden speed; I had to push myself harder to keep up.
About one hundred feet from the ground, I recognized who the other form was. Of all the possibilities I could have imagined, none was as relieving or as horrifying as this. My eyes widened in complete shock.
It was me.
My breath — if I'd had any — caught in my throat as I saw myself looking up in our direction. The rest of the Flock looked excited; about Max or me I wasn't sure. But this was all wrong. That was not me, because I was still here. But there I was, in the flesh, standing upright and definitely not dead-looking.
How was this possible? I'm dead! Or sort of dead, anyway. Why isn't my body lying flat on the ground? Maybe this is some horrible dream… or attack of the zombies.
I sniffed. Zombies. My view on the supernatural was really broadening.
I made eye contact with my body, and I knew instantly. The sly smile, crinkled eyes that were too deceptive and proud. While it was my body that took on these traits, the mannerisms did not belong to me. It was someone else. Someone, or something, was inside of my body while I was stuck in the spirit world.
Of all the possibilities I could have imagined, this was definitely not one of them.
Max landed, standing before the five bird-kids and a flying dog. I came to stop in front of her to read her expression. She was just as surprised as me, and, oh! I could see the skepticism, too. I knew I could count on her to see the truth. The rest of the Flock seemed to believe this imposter except for Angel, who looked frustrated.
"Max! Max! Max!" everyone shouted in unison as they rushed her. She appeared flustered but hugged everyone. The other Fang hung back until the others were finished.
"Hey, guys," she replied. Once they were finished, she looked at my body. "Fang." Her voice was stiff, guarded.
For the briefest second, he hesitated as he got his first real look at Max. I could see it in his eyes. He was attracted to her, but that didn't surprise me. It only pissed me off. When he regained his composure, he shuffled over awkwardly to hug her. I was boiling with rage. Who the hell did he think he was?
The embrace looked uncomfortable and lasted a little too long for my liking. If I had any physical ability right now, I would have pulled him off of Max and ripped his smug little head off his neck. But I really didn't want to damage my body so he was lucky.
"Max!" Nudge exclaimed again. "Oh, Max, why were you gone so long? Fang came back only a half hour ago. We were going to split up to look for him but then here he came and now we're all one big happy family again. Except, not really a family because none of us are siblings except for Gazzy and Angel but you know what I mean."
"Hmm… Maybe I was gone a bit longer than necessary," she mused.
"But I told them to wait until you returned," Iggy inserted proudly.
She rolled her eyes. "Where were you?" Everyone knew she was addressing the other me, but the way she did so confused them. It was offhand, untrusting, cold. Either she was convinced that I'd deserted the Flock — and inadvertently her — for several hours or I was a fake. If it was the first option, I was a real goner when I found a way to get my body back.
"I was captured by some whacko scientists, but I was able to escape," the other me lied smoothly. Hearing his—my— voice was disconcerting.
"Is that so?" I did not like this Max, and neither did the Flock.
"Don't be mad at him," Gazzy defended. "You weren't the only one hurt when he disappeared. Just be glad we have him back now."
My heart sank. How could they fall for his lies? Couldn't they tell by looking at him that this wasn't me? I contemplated writing on the ground again, but I really didn't want to alarm them. For all they knew, this guy could be Fang II, and then where would we be? I had to wait for the right moment to strike.
Max rubbed her head angrily. "Okay, guys, we've wasted too much time here. Let's find some food and then head off on the mission Jeb asked us to do."
The others were concerned for her but didn't argue. Quickly they packed all their belongings. One by one they took off, until only Max, Angel, and Fang were left. Max pulled Angel to the side to talk with her. I didn't hear their conversation; I was too busy examining my body with no success. I couldn't tell who was in me.
Angel took off after they'd finished, and Max turned to where Fang and I stood. "You coming?" she asked sternly.
He nodded. "Just give me a moment."
She shook her head and flew off with the others.
When we were alone, he turned to my general direction. It almost seemed like he could see where I was standing. He smirked again.
"Fang," he said haughtily. "You're girlfriend's hot. I'm going to enjoy the rest of your life with her." He laughed.
I was ready to punch him. If he could have heard me, I would have cussed him out.
He prepared to take off, not quite knowing how. "By the way, I love this Possession Skill." He ungracefully took to the sky. I gasped.
Derrick was in my body.
Um... yeah. This has been written for a while, but I've just been kind of lazy. I'm going to be in Florida tomorrow through next Saturday (I'm gonna die in the heat!), so I probably won't have computer access. But I am officially done with high school! Freedom rocks. B)
-biteoutoflife-