A/N: First of all, thank you:
OrangeDuck23
Fang Raven
Starr33
and transitticket
for reviews, story alerts, and favorites. You guys are so awesome!
And Starr 33, I had some replying difficulties, so if you didn't get my message, I did go back and fix that. Thanks for your help!
Second of all, I realize I forgot a disclaimer.
I do not own any Maximum Ride characters.
Everyone good? Alrighty then, here's chapter 2!
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I was keeping watch, although we had seen no sign of any mutant creature or robot or other unknown trying to kill us. We learned the hard way; better safe than waking up in some scientific lab where you'd face things worse than death. For example.
Actually, I had another reason for wanting to keep watch. Making sure everyone was fast asleep, I crept over to our backpacks, and picked mine up. As quietly as I could, I started to creep away.
I knew what I had to do. I had to keep my flock safe. Those scientists were going to get a surprise when they met a pissed off bird girl. Without her flock.
I turned one more time to look at my family. The family I loved.
No regrets, I told myself.
But Fang wasn't there. Startled, I glanced again. He was gone.
"Going somewhere?" A voice behind me asked.
I whirled around to see Fang materialize. He was gazing at me intently, as if trying to read my mind. If he could, he'd be hearing some intense swearing.
I maintained a calm countenance, although I almost had a heart attack. "Just going out for a flight." I said lightly.
"With a backpack?" Fang raised his eyebrows.
"Well, I…"
Fang waited, his eyes steadily staring into mine. Stupid, beautiful eyes staring right into mine.
"In case I need I snack," I mumbled pathetically, unable to think with his hypnotizing eyes looking at me.
"You really didn't think, did you?" Fang said darkly. "How would the flock feel if they woke up and you weren't there? How about me? The kids would be terrified, thinking you were taken by the School or something. You're our leader. So why are you leaving?"
My stomach dropped. I didn't really think beyond 'My flock's in trouble and if I leave them they'll be safe'.
"Look, Fang…"
"Tell me, Max," Fang hissed angrily. I'd never seen him like this before, besides the time I asked Ari to join us. It was almost scary. But of course when someone's angry at me, I do not take it well. Part of my charming personality. "Why are you trying to leave? What did you find in the files?"
I meet his glare with a glare of my own. "They're trying to take the flock. And they're tracking us by yours truly."
"Max," Fang said urgently, his anger immediately changing to… concern? "They can probably track all of us, but since you're the leader-"
"They're going to go after me," I said in a hard voice, eyes blazing and fists clenched. "And the file says they're able to track me, specifically."
"That's not possible; the chip was taken out…"
I crossed my arms angrily. I didn't have the time to make arguments. "Fang, don't make this harder than it has to be…"
"You're the one making things difficult…"
"You're the one who won't freaking leave me alone! The flock doesn't need me. I saw you with Angel and Gazzy. You'd be fine as a leader. And this way you won't mess with my emotions every ten minutes. I'm tired of you throwing yourself at me when, clearly, I don't want your attention."
Okay, so I felt bad for the last part, but-
"Fine, then leave! You're leadership skills are sadly out of shape anyway," Fang snarled uncharacteristically in a low voice.
"What?" I asked, shock clear in my voice. Fang… had problems with my leadership skills? I remembered him stepping in and taking over, with me shoved in the background. So that's what that was about?
Fang turned white, and I couldn't tell in the dark, but he almost seemed scared. Yeah, right. "Max…"
"I'm outta here." I said.
"Max!" Fang reached out to grab me, but with my super speed, I was long gone.
No regrets.
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Fang's POV
I felt stunned.
Max left us, her family.
I was such an idiot. Why had I told her to leave?
I knew why. I was mad. I thought Max liked me, like I liked her. Apparently I was wrong.
My stomach clenched. Still, even if Max didn't need me, the flock needed her.
And of course the flock was awake when I got back. Just my luck.
"Fang?" Nudge mumbled sleepily. "There you are; we were looking for you, and Max. Where's Max? Angel said she woke up, and when she couldn't find you guys…"
"It's alright. Max just went out for a short flight. She'll be back," I lied calmly, but my heart was breaking. How could I tell them Max wasn't coming back? They all depended on her. "I'll be on watch, just go to sleep."
How the heck was I supposed to be the leader?
I didn't even know what to do when I heard Angel softly crying.
So Angel knew then, that Max wasn't ever coming back.
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Max's POV
My vision was blurred by the stupid tears that kept coming. I couldn't stop thinking about Fang, and how he told me to leave.
Max, you did the right thing.
"Shut up!" I screamed at the Voice. I was not in the mood. I was flying away, voluntarily, from my family, the only people I could truly be myself with, as corny as that sounds. Worse than that, my best friend had actually asked me to leave, because I wasn't a good enough leader.
I flew on, not knowing where I was going. I considered visiting my mom, but I wouldn't be able to stay there. There was no way I'd put Ella in danger, especially with the scientists tracking me.
I decided to call my mom in the morning.
As for where I was going?
Frankly, I didn't care.
I just flew, not noticing the twelve dark spots flying behind me at super speed.
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