CHAPTER 4
Fang POV
We finally made it to Dr. Martinez's house, landing in the dark woods just outside their yard.
"Max!" Dr. Martinez yelled as we stumbled out of the woods.
"Hi, Mom," Max said into her mom's hair as they hugged each other.
After they pulled apart, Dr. Martinez proceeded to give us each a hug.
"Is everything ok?" she asked, well, like a worried mother.
When she reached me, she wrapped her arms around me. I felt the sudden urge to hug her back after I was struck with a sort of relieved feeling. So, I reached my arms slowly around her back and gave her a quick hug before dropping my arms back to my side.
"It's good to see you all again," she smiled to me. She was as shocked as I was that I actually hugged her back this time.
"We were in the neighborhood," Max replied.
"Well, come on inside," Dr. Martinez stated. "Ella and I were just making cookies for after dinner."
Max POV
As we stepped out of the woods, I saw my mom standing out on the front porch.
"Max!" she called as we came into view.
She ran towards us and we smashed together in a hug.
"Hi, Mom," I smiled.
She immediately started hugging everyone and asked, "Is everything ok?"
I chuckled to myself when it was Fang's turn for a hug. He was never the huggiest person, and, when my mom gives him hugs, he goes stiff.
I was shocked when Fang actually hugged her back. I mean, it was quick and barely considered a hug, but it was more than he'd ever done.
When she pulled away, she smiled to him and said, "It's good to see you all again."
"We were in the neighborhood," I replied.
"Well, come on inside. Ella and I were just making cookies."
Cookies…
Fang POV
The scent of freshly-baked cookies filled the house. We followed the aroma straight to the kitchen as Ella said, "Mom! They'll be done in five more…"
Her voice trailed when she saw us.
"You guys are back!" She screeched and lunged for us.
"Hi, Ella," Max laughed after their hug.
Just like her mom, Ella gave us all hugs, but I didn't hug back like I did with her mom.
Ok, I wasn't trying to be rude, but the only reason I hugged her mom was because that strange emotion overwhelmed me.
Thankfully, she didn't take offense to my reaction. It was normal.
"You guys came just in time," she smiled.
I noticed that her focus was on Iggy as she said that.
"We're making cookies!" she finished.
Max's mom fixed us some drinks, and Ella checked on the cookies again.
She opened the oven and reached for the cookies. Almost immediately, my hand felt like it just got stung by something, so I flinched and pulled it back.
Max gave me a strange look until our attention went back to Ella when she cried, "Ow! I burned my finger!"
Max POV
That was one of the most bizarre things I'd seen.
Ok, so maybe not, but it was still pretty weird.
"Fang…" I began to say.
He looked at me, then back to his hand, examining it again.
"That was totally crazy!" Nudge stated. "You flinched right as Ella burned herself! Is your hand okay, Ella? How's yours, Fang? What happened?"
"I-I don't know," Fang answered quietly.
My mom helped Ella, and they both joined us in our questioning looks to Fang.
"Dude, what happened?" Iggy asked. "I felt the table jerk and, then, Ella scream."
Gazzy answered first. "Fang and Ella jumped at the same time."
"Fang," I started again. "Did you…do you have a new ability?"