"Honey, we just need to give Iggy some space." Nudge looked up at me, tears in her beautiful brown eyes. "He'll be back to normal in a bit. He's just going through a hard time right now. We all are." Did I sound convincing or what? I hadn't told the kids about Iggy slapping me – it would just worry them – although Angel probably already knew.

I got up and went to the sliding glass doors. Pushing it aside, I stepped into the cool night air. The wind whipped my hair around my face. Hopping into the thin railing, I sighed. "I'll be back in a bit, guys," I called. "Be careful. Don't do anything immensely stupid while I'm gone, okay?" I took a deep breath and threw myself off the balcony – right into something else.

"Aiii!" A scream escaped from my lips. I spun around, my arms flailing wildly. My wings flew open, and they caught the air sharply, jerking me upward. I checked myself over – good, I was okay. My eyes focused on whatever it was I had crashed into. I shot down after it. Getting closer, I realized it was a person. Huh. Wait – it was Fang!

He was dropping like a rock. "Fang!" I yelled at him. "Fang! Move your wings!" As he heard me, his eyes opened. They widened as he focused on the scene around him.

"I can't!" He yelled back at me.

Time for me to take over.

I flew to his side. I looked at his wings. There was blood on one of them. Oh, God. Please don't let him be hurt. The wind whooshed past me. The ground was getting closer.

Maximum!

It isn't a good time right now, Voice!

Get out of there!

NO! I can't leave Fang!

Well. Have fun then.

Pain seared through my wings. I cried out in pain as my wings stopped working. I pulled them in and looked to Fang. He looked freaked out. Hehee. Fang never looked scared. Wait! Back to the point!

"Fang!" I yelled. "I can't move my wings!" Looking at the ground, I figured we had about, what, eight seconds? Until we hit the ground. "Fang!" I yelled again. He looked at me. I looked at him. He smiled weakly. I grabbed his hand and held it tightly. I shut my eyes and trembled slightly. I hate situations where I was useless. Like this one.

Don't let us be hurt! Please don't let us die! I don't deserve to die! Ok, maybe I do. I'm sorry!

Seven. I love you Angel.

Six. I love you Nudge.

Five. I love you Gazzy.

Four. I love you, Iggy.

Three. I love you, Mom.

Two. I love you, Ella.

One. I love you, Fang.

We hit the ground with a sickening thud.

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