hey!
i apologize. I have an incurable case of slow-update-ositis. it's tragic, really.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: i need a beta!!!! (or, i want one. whichever you prefer.) so, if you're interested in beta-ing for me, review or PM me!! i think it would be totally fun to work with somebody on this!! i need somebody who's good with.,.,.
-battle-y action-type stuff
-romance (nothing too hot and heavy, if you know what i mean)
-humor
but hey, even if those aren't your fortes, contact meee!! we'll give it a try!! :D
and also, i'm sorry that the story's been a little slow. i've been writing all these chapters like randomly. whenever i remember or feel like writing, i just sit down at the computer and type quick! and voila, we have a chapter in our midst!! so as soon as they get back to the flock (they, meaning max and fang), the action will pick up. cuz, you know, they still have to bust up that itex meeting.
we'll see how that goes.
so, onward, troops!!
FOR ASLAAAANNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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"Max?"
I woke up with a start, my eyes wide open, my breathing coming out in hurried pants. I looked around, scanning the
small cabin for the source of the voice.
"Max…" I jumped and looked down beside me. Oh. Right. Fang.
…Wait a minute. Fang! What was he doing in bed with me?! 'Cause I don't know about you, but I was going to be needing
an extremely good explanation for all this. Well… In the morning, of course. Right after I lay back down…hey, I'm a growing
mutant. I need my z's! Plus, you know, Fang was sooo warm… But had nothing to do with it! I was tired, okay!
Then it all came rushing back to me. We had fallen asleep together for warmth on the small cot a couple hours ago. Ah, right.
That makes much more sense. Okay, then. No reason I can't go back to sleep then, right? I was about to lay back down when
Fang whispered my name again. "Max." I rolled over to look at him, flushing at the proximity of his face to mine; then I
remembered he was asleep.
"Yeah, Fang?" I whispered, curious as to where this would go.
His face remained an emotionless mask. "I—I can't, it's—too—much—"
Oh, crap. He was having a nightmare. And a pretty bad one, at that. Trust me, if you ever hear Fang say anything resembling
those words, you know he's in extreme pain.
I touched his cheek. It was feverishly hot. "It's okay, Fang. It's gonna be okay." It felt so weird, comforting him like that. I
mean, I was used to comforting the rest of the flock, but Fang was usually okay on his own, not needing that kind of support.
He had always been the big reassurer, telling me it was going to be fine. Now the tables were turned, and I didn't know what to do.
His face contorted as if he were in pain, and his voice sounded stretched and thin. "Max, don't—don't leave me…"
My heart melted. What was so horrible that was happening in his dream that would make him say that? "I—I won't Fang," I said
softly. "Never."
A fleeting, faint smile played across his lips, then was chased away by a look of pain and he reached his hand out deliriously. I grabbed
it, and laced our fingers together, squeezing it tightly, feeling all his rough callouses and scars.
"I'm right here, Fang," I said, snuggling into his chest and trying to blink back the unwelcome tears stinging my eyes. "I'm right here."
We stayed like that for the rest of the night, me repeating those words, over and over, Fang's even breathing tickling my ear, and his
interjection once and awhile of my name.
I almost cried that night. I wanted to wake him up, to tell him that it was just a nightmare, like he was a little kid and that would make
it all better. But somehow I knew, that he needed to face this. He had to go through it all by himself, with me whispering in his ear, sort
of encouraging him, or reminding him that I was still there. It took so much will power not to shake him awake, or scream at him, something, anything,
to make it all stop. But I couldn't. I knew I couldn't. Fang had to do this himself. He had to get through this, and be okay on his own.
And maybe that was what scared me the most. That I couldn't help. I couldn't tell him, "I got your back," because I didn't. I felt…helpless.
"I'm right here, Fang," I whispered, giving him a soft kiss on his lips, and drifting back into unconsciousness.
: : : : : : : :
To complete our little night of chaos and angst, I had a nightmare, too. I dreamt that I had failed my mission, and the world was dying.
Everything was dying. The people, the animals, the plants, the water, even the oxygen… everything was decaying and rotting, filling the
streets with a horrible stench, and the sound of wailing filled the air. Everything was twisted and mangled and upside-down, as if I were
looking through a kaleidoscope. It was hideously sickening, and made me feel nauseous and weak at the knees.
Sure. Most girls my age dream about walking into school in their pajamas, or getting kissed by the captain of the football team. I dream
about killing the world. Ah, the bitter irony…
THIS is what I don't want to happen, Max. This is why you've got to keep going. The Voice cut through all the hysterical crying that
clouded my dream. Your choices affect every one.
Ah. Good to know. Isn't that what every hormonal pubescent 14-year-old girl wants to hear? I closed my eyes, not able to look
at the destruction any longer.
The journey will be hard, and the road tough, but you'll make it. I know you will. The Voice said.
But that's just it! I cried, shaken and desperate and frustrated. What if I don't make it? What if I fail? What if this becomes reality? And what
is going on with Fang? Is he alright? You know I couldn't do any of this, and I won't, without him.
The Voice sighed. Yes, yes, Fang. He'll be fine. He just had a brain attack, as you call them, but without the physical pain. He will wake up
eventually, and then the two of you must get back to the rest of the flock.
I groaned. So much for a vacation.
Yes, Maximum, your night of amusement is over. Now it's time to get Back to Work.
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heh heh. i couldn't resist the caps at the end!! it was too tempting!!!
review, dearies!!!
MY LIST OF REASONS TO REVIEW:
-because you want to.
-because you're an author and you know how much fun it is to get reviews.
-because you like me--in a friendly, totally non-creepy way, of course. (awww!! how sweet!!! you guys are just too much!! sniff, sniff!)
-because reviewing is harpin' awesome.
-because i find reviewing attractive in a man. (Lol. don't take me too seriously. i, obviously, don't. ;D)
-because you feel sorry for me. (yes, i stoop that low. hey, i'll take what i can get!!!)
-all of the above.
any of these work!! make them apply to YOU today!!!
"....but first, talk to your doctor. side effects may include...."
heh heh heh.
REVIEEEWWWWW!!!!!!!!!
if i get enough reviews, it might cure me of my incurable disease!!!
...wait. something's wrong with that.
well. maybe it's a semi-curable disease.
there we go!
latah latah!!!
memrylaine :)