CHAPTER 18

Fang POV

Iggy and I froze. "A coma?" I asked in disbelief.

"What can we do to prevent that?" Iggy asked. "Fang and I can give her blood like Max and I did for Fang. What do we have to do?"

Dr. Martinez shook her head and looked down at her shoes. "It's not that simple, I'm afraid."

"What then?" I demanded. "What can we do?"

There were tears forming in her eyes. She glanced between Iggy and me and said, "Wait. We have to wait and see. But the chances are slim. The only reason I believe it's possible is because of how long she's already been out. She shouldn't be out this long. She hasn't lost enough blood to cause that."

"We can't let the kids know," I declared.

Iggy nodded and Dr. Martinez added, "I agree. As I said, the chances are slim, so I don't want the kids to get worked up over nothing."

"Do you think Angel already heard?" Iggy asked.

I rubbed my forehead with one hand, the other still holding Max's limp hand. I let out a sigh and said, "I really hope not."

Dr. Martinez and Iggy walked out to the lobby to let the others know they could come back in.

Soon after, the others rushed back in with Iggy slowly following. The Gasman ran to my side, Nudge and Angel to the opposite side of Max's bed, and Ella and Iggy, who had an arm wrapped around Ella's shoulders, to the foot of her bed. Ella's eyes were blood-shot from crying.

Max wasn't as pale anymore and her heart monitor was already getting back up to pace. For the most part, they all looked a little more relieved. Everyone, that is, except for Angel. Angel's emotions were ranging from relieved, to sad, to confused.

"Fang?" Angel asked in my mind.

"Yes, Angel?" I thought back.

"Max won't really go into a coma, will she?" I decided that was where the grief came from.

"I don't think so, honey. Dr. Martinez says that it isn't even that likely," I thought reassuringly.

She nodded to me and wiped a fist across her eyes.

"What are we gonna do?" Gasman asked me with scared eyes.

"Wait," I replied. "Wait for Max to get better."

"How long will that be?" Nudge asked. "I mean, we heal really fast, so are we thinking tomorrow? Tonight? She is looking better already, but I doubt she'll be up by tonight. I mean, even mutant bird-kids can't heal that fast. But Max is strong. Maybe she can."

"How about we let Max sleep," I suggested, cutting Nudge off.

I held out a fist, and the others, including Ella, stacked their fists on top. Dr. Martinez stepped back in as everyone, minus Iggy, walked back out into the lobby. She did a few more check-ups to make sure Max was still stable.

"Hey, Ig," I said quietly.

"Yea?" he asked.

"I'll take watch tonight," I stated.

"All night?" he questioned. "I can take a watch."

"Nah," I shrugged. "I probably won't sleep much, anyway. If I need you, I'll wake you."

"Alright," he yawned and walked back into the lobby.

While Dr. Martinez was checking on Max, I went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. When I came out, I had to walk back through the lobby to get to Max's room again. Everyone was settled down for the nearly-sleepless night we were all expecting. Nudge was lying on one of the three couches. The Gasman was sprawled out on the floor, blankets wrapped around his legs. Iggy was sitting on the other couch with Ella, who was stretched across the couch with her head in Iggy's lap.

I found four of the five kids. Angel. Where was Angel?

I entered Max's room where Angel was talking to Dr. Martinez about Max.

"Fang," Angel said with a little smile. "Dr. Martinez says that I can help her see if Max is okay!"

"How?" I asked Dr. Martinez.

"Well," she began. "If Angel can find any of Max's thoughts, she may be able to talk to her. If Max shows any signs of awareness or response to Angel, then, she should be back with us soon."

I looked back to Angel and gave her a nod that said "go for it."

She locked her eyes on Max, obviously in deep concentration. After a moment, a smile spread across her face.

"What is it, Ang?" I asked curiously.

"I heard her thoughts," she replied.

"And?" Dr. Martinez pressed.

"She's really tired," Angel stated. "And her back hurts."

"Did she respond to you?" I asked.

She nodded excitedly and replied, "Yes. But she just wants to sleep more.

I took Max's hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Angel's grin widened and, in my head, whispered, "Max is thinking about you, now."

"Thank you, Angel," I answered aloud. "You did a great job. Why don't you go get some rest?"

"Goodnight, Fang," she said out loud and gave me a hug. "Goodnight, Dr. Martinez."

After she hugged Dr. Martinez, she skipped out of the room, completely at ease. I really hope we can stay that way. At least, for a little while longer.