Dearest, darling readers…
I write to you today with a heavy heart, for I must be the bearer of bad news. The truth is…
I forgot about Fanfiction.
There's really no excuse for abandoning my writing, I'll admit to that. But I've had a lot going on, and last year wasn't exactly the easiest year I've ever had. It took me a while, but I've managed to work out a lot of my issues, now, and I'd like to make it up to you.
How do I expect to do that?
By updating these AND starting a whole bunch of new fics, of course!
Despite all this, I'd like to thank a couple of writers out there. The first, easily, is Sandfire Kat. She's the one who inspired me to start writing again, and her updates always put a smile on my face. Another is St. Fang of Boredom. Her wit and strange version of a 'superiority complex' with Fang always brings a smile to my face (and confusion to my brain.) Lastly is Darkemoangel808. She's not a writer on here anymore, or if she is, she's working under a new name, but she's one of the reasons I keep writing. Because all through our time together, this soul sister of mine encouraged me to keep writing, listened to my ramblings, and put up with my bullshit, and she'll always be my number one sis, in my heart. So to her I say Blessed Be and Long Live the Queen of Pervs.
Anywho…on that teary, sentimental note…
ON WITH LE STORY!
FANG
Leaping through the window, I heard Max hit the floor with a thud behind me. "MOM!" I yelled. "MOM!" My mind was racing. Where would he put them, where would they be? I looked around for a clue. Something, anything, to give away their location.
There.
"Max!" I gestured for her to follow me as I ran. The staircase was one of those metal ones that's mounted straight to the wall, with no support under it and only a rail on the side for protection. The thin sheet metal was rusted over and creaked loudly under the strain of my weight as I bounded up the steps. "MOM?" I called again.
I was answered with coughing. I threw myself at the door, rattling the knob. Through the tiny slit window I could see Mom and Shai. Mom was on the floor, curled around a bundle of cloth. I rammed my shoulder against the door. "Shai, honey, open the door," I called through. "Honey, it's Fang. I need you to open the door."
Shai looked out, her eyes wide. "Fang?" she asked. She covered her mouth as a cough racked her small frame. When she pulled it away, I saw flecks of blood staining her skin.
"Yes, honey, it's me. I need you to open the door for me."
"I," cough, "can't." Cough, cough. "It's l-" cough. "Locked."
I swore. "Alright, sweetheart, stand back." I turned to Max. "I need you to help me kick the door in."
She nodded once, her eyes wide. Then she looked at the door and set her jaw in determination, a feirce look coming over her. "One," she counted slowly.
"Two," I said.
"Three." We both kicked out with all our might. The plywood door splintered and cracked open. I rammed the door with my shoulder again and it gave. Wincing with pain and fully aware that as soon as the adrenalin wore off my shoulder would be useless, I ran into the room.
Shai stared at me with wide, fearful eyes, like I was a ghost come back to haunt her. "Mommy's sick," she reported blankly.
I knelt next to my mother. "Mom," I said softly, shaking her. "Mom you have to get up."
Mom opened her eyes weakly and looked up at me. "Nicky…"
"Mom please, you have to get up," I begged. "This whole place is going to explode."
She pushed the bundle of cloth at me. "Take him," she said.
I looked down, suddenly realizing that it wasn't just cloth she'd had in her arms. A small baby boy peeped his head out and looked up at me with large, dark eyes. "Mom…"
"Take them and go," she croaked.
"No," I protested tearfully. "I'm not leaving you." Without another word, I passed the baby to Max and pulled Mom's arm over my shoulder. Shoving my other arm under her knees, I lifted her up bridal style and turned to Max. "We have to hurry."
She nodded. "Come on, sweetie," she coaxed, guiding Shai out with her free hand. We moved down the stairs as quickly as possible. Mom wasn't heavy, she was actually incredibly light, but my shoulder was starting to burn and we were running out of time. We needed to get out of there fast.
"There's the window!" Max cried. I sighed in relief as I watched her help Shaia through and hand her the baby. Max crawled out next. "Hand me your mom," she said. I reached through the window and settled Mom into her arms.
"Go," I begged.
Max took off at a run, dragging Shaia with her. Mom was draped over her shoulder, unmoving. I scrambled out of the window. A large shard of glass scraped my ribs as I did. Ignoring it, I hit the ground at a dead run.
We were just barely across the street when the building blew. The sonic blast alone knocked us off our feet. When it was over, Max stood unsteadily. She took the baby in her arms and gathered Shaia to her. "Fang, are you alright?" she asked shakily.
I opened my mouth to answer when a wave of dizziness washed over me. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. I staggered sideways and slid to the ground.
"Fang?" Max dropped to my side and examined me. "Oh god, oh god. Fang!"
I looked down, wondering what she was staring at. The fabric over my ribs gleamed wetly. I opened my mouth to speak, but my vision grayed out and took on a tunnel effect. The last thing I saw was Max's wide brown eyes, full of fear and anguish.
As I blacked out, I wondered vaguely if I'd ever see them again.