Hey people! It's me again!

Emerald: Who else could it be? Dear God…

Me: *Sighs* She's still grumpy 'cos I won't tell her what I've got planned. Do you want to do the disclaimers?

Emerald: No.

Me: Fine have it your way. I don't own Max Ride. I own my OC's and the plot. Onward!

Oh crap, I thought.

I leapt off the boulders and sprinted towards the trees. Dreamer's screech was echoing in my ears. Oh God, what if they had kidnapped her? Or Poppy or Harry or Jake? I ran faster, then swore loudly as I tripped over a rock and did a face-plant. Why did I have to be so clumsy at the absolute worst times? Then I saw a spider. A frickin' spider, crawling up my arm. I screeched like a banshee and tried to scramble to my feet. GROSS, GROSS, GROSS!!! I really, really hate spiders. I got it off and continued running towards Dreamer's continued screeching, trying not to throw up. I burst through the trees, and then, of course, I tripped again.

"GOD DAMMIT!" I yelled, then I was pulled to my feet, and my hands were pinned behind my back. I looked around. Everyone was being held by Erasers, but it was obvious they had fought. Jake had a spilt lip and Iggy's eye was black. Max shot me a look that clearly said, Where the Hell were you?

I was so, so furious with myself. Because of a bloody spider, I hadn't been there to help them fight. If I had been there, we probably wouldn't be in this mess.

"Well, now that the gang's all here, I think we could start." One of the more ugly Erasers said.

"Start what?" Max snarled, "You could have waited for an invitation before you decided to gatecrash."

"Oh, we don't mind gatecrashing," the Eraser leered, and then I heard a muffled scream. I looked around, and what I saw made me feel sick. Two Erasers were holding Dreamer, and one of them had a hand over her mouth, and they were holding her above a fast-flowing, deep river. Rage filled me. How could they do that to a seven year old? Were they completely heartless? Dreamer was crying, terror in her big green eyes.

"Well, let's get started, then." The Eraser grinned, and actually licked his lips, "Where the all we can eat buffet start, boys? I'm thinking cat girl, but that's just my opinion." I heard Gazzy gasp and Chase moan. I screamed "Dreamer!" but the Eraser holding me put a hand over a mouth. The Erasers holding Dreamer dropped her on the ground and pinned her arms to the ground. Just as the Erasers were getting ready to leap at her, the lead guy cocked his head to one side, and muttered something I couldn't hear.

"Looks like the buffets going to have to wait, guys." He said, "But I give you permission to drop the kid in the river. She doesn't have wings, after all. Wish I could watch the show." Then the two Erasers picked Dreamer up, and held her above the river. She was truly screaming now, her eyes wide and terrified. Then…Then…

They dropped her.

I heard her screaming, followed by a splash. Then my Eraser dropped me, and the group ran into the wood, almost screaming with laughter. The Flock grouped together and looked over the edge of the cliff. I could just see a small blonde head being pulled down the river.

"OH MY GOD! WHAT DO WE DO?" Chase yelled. He didn't look his usual cool self. He looked younger, more vulnerable. His only sister was being pulled away from him. Maybe I was just being picky. Or stupid.

Max looked at Fang. "Could we…"

"The current's too strong, it'll pull us under and we won't be able to get out."

"Max, I have gills." Angel piped up.

"Yeah, but Dreamer doesn't." Gazzy said, his face white.

Suddenly, I knew what I had to do. I don't know what made me do it, and if I ever look back at it, I see it as the stupidest thing I've ever done. I walked determinately towards the cliff, pulling off my jacket.

"What are you doing?" Nudge asked, scowling.

I ignored her. I braced myself for what I was about to do. Then Chase grabbed my wrist.

"Don't be an idiot." He said, "You'll get yourself killed."

"I don't care what you have to say, Chase." I snarled.

"Emerald…"

"Do you want Dreamer to die?"

"No, but…"

"Well then get off me." I snarled, pulling my wrist out of his grasp, "See ya!"

Then I leapt off the side of the cliff.

***

I was instantly submerged in water. And I'll tell you this. It was really frickin' cold. I took a deep breath and inhaled most of the river. Smart, Emerald, real smooth. I tried breathing without inhaling the world's supply of water, and it actually worked. I know, you're shocked. I started swimming towards Dreamer. I looked up, and saw the flock flying across to the opposite bank. I continued to swim towards her. She was up to her neck in water, and even as I watched, she was pulled beneath the surface again. I dived under, and saw her floating underwater, her eyes closed.

No, no, no! Don't be dead. Please don't be dead.

I swam over to her and grabbed her under the arms. Then tried to swim to the surface.

I popped out of the water, taking deep breaths. And got hit over the head by a tree branch. I gasped and then screamed as I got pulled under again. Again I came up.

"No, no, swim, swim!" I yelled to myself. I couldn't use my arms to propel myself forward or I would drop Dreamer. I desperately kicked my legs, trying to get some power. But it wasn't doing squat. The current pulled me under again. And this time, I couldn't pull myself back up.

Everything was going fuzzy. I felt like my brain was about to explode. The only real thing I could feel was Dreamer. I clutched her more tightly to my chest. Chase was right. I had killed myself. I had killed us both. Just as everything was starting to go grey, a branch shot into the water out of nowhere. I grabbed it with my available hand, and felt myself get pulled upwards.

***

Dreamer and I got pulled upwards. We surfaced and I breathed in deeply, trying to fill my lungs. I was still clutching the branch. The Flock was at the end, pulling it. Dreamer and I got dragged out of the water and onto the bank. I felt for Dreamer's neck. Was that…yes! There was a pulse! I grinned widely and looked up.

"She's-alive." I managed to breathe.

"Oh thank God." Chase said, then he pulled me into a hug.

"You blithering idiot," He said, "You complete retard. How could you be so stupid?"

"I-I don't know." I whispered, then I burst into tears.

Okay, done! Hope you liked it!

Emerald: I didn't like it.

Me: You hate everything from my outfit to my breakfast cereal because I won't tell you what I'm planning. So anyway Read and Review!

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