The moon's light filtered through the clouds and shone onto the ground of our meadow. The surrounding forest was silent – even Dee had stopped snoring. Everyone was asleep except me. But I couldn't fall asleep. I had too much on my mind.

Fang had said he loved… yams. Yams? Yams? That was so strange I couldn't believe it. I thought for sure he was going to say something else. I mean, who even likes yams? I hate them, and I know Ella and Mom do too. Maybe it was just my imagination getting the better of me. I mean, he couldn't possibly have wanted to say 'I love you', could he? I sighed. Life was so complicated now. With being on the run, and having Dee trying to get my Flock (emphasis on my), I just wish things were the way they used to be.

No evil Jeb, no evil Ari, no Erasers, Flyboys, M-Geeks, or any of the other things that had threatened my family. I kinda just wanted to be normal, you know?

Maximum, you will never be normal.

Oh, thanks for the encouraging words, Voice!

The Voice is right, Max. Angel chimed in.

You can hear the Voice?

Of course. And he's right. You are the opposite of normal. Normal would be plain hair, plain eyes, plain family and problems and what not. You are stunningly pretty with brown and blonde hair, and sparkly eyes, and instead of a plain family, you have us. Problems for you are normal, but the problems themselves aren't. How many other people can say that they have been swimming with sea monsters huh? Normal would be an insult to you.

Um, thanks, Angel.

She's right, Max. She has a very good point.

Why thank you!

Oh you're wel-

OK! STOP! I can't take it anymore! I'm going to be, and you two better get out of my head!!

Just be careful, Maximum.

I covered my head with my arms and bit my tongue. I wanted to scream, "LEAVE ME ALONE! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" But that would make me look mental, plus it would probably wake up everyone else. I needed to go for a fly. I stood up, walking past my beloved Flock. Jumping up, I opened my wings, lifting myself higher and higher into the air. Oh, did it feel good to be flying again.

I soared across the night sky, which was brightly lit with stars everywhere. Flying just had this calming effect on me, like tea sometimes has for people. I felt refreshed as I headed back down to the little meadow. I landed away from it, in the forest, and made my way to the meadow. As I was about to step out of the trees, I heard something that caught my attention.

"Max broke my leg!" Dee screamed. What kind of crap was that? I could see Dee, lying on the ground, her arms covering her right leg. "I was sleeping and she woke me up! I sat up, and then she grabbed my leg and snapped it!" Her statement was followed by a cry of pain. What kind of wacko would break her own leg? I didn't break it!

I stepped from the shadows of the trees. "What are you talking about?" I asked. "I didn't touch you!"

"Yes you d-did!" Dee was crying now. What a baby. If I was any other person than me right now, I would have believed Dee. But I was Maximum Ride, and I don't go around breaking people's legs for nothing!

"I did not!" I yelled. "I just went to fly around for a bit! How could say that, liar?!"

"I'm a liar? You're the one that's lying! Admit it, Max, you broke my leg." Dee started into a fit of blubbering like a baby. Nudge was kneeling beside her, talking to her. Iggy was bandaging her leg, and Gazzy was staring at me.

"What?" I said. "I didn't do it!" Gazzy turned away, tears in his eyes. Nudge looked up at me. I saw fear in her eyes, and hatred. They believed Dee! I had known them their whole lives and they betrayed me like that? I looked to Fang. "Fang, can we talk?"

He nodded slightly and disappeared into the trees. I quickly followed him. "Do you think I broke her leg?" I asked.

Fang was silent. "I saw you get up…"

"Well, I did get up, but I had a lot on my mind, and I just wanted to go for a fly. You don't believe her, do you?"

"Actually I do."

"WHAT?!"

"Dee told me what you said. I can't believe you would betray me like this. From now on, just leave me alone." With that, Fang stalked off into the forest. I can't believe him! He chose Dee over me! And what did I say? I haven't talked to Dee the whole time she was here! That liar! Someone was going to get hurt, and trust me, it was not going to be me.