It took everything I had not to scream in frustration. We were on a freaking rescue mission, and we would have to stop—again. My stomach was grumbling, Iggy's stomach was grumbling, Nudge's, Gazzy's and Angel's stomachs were practically screaming at me. Even Total began to whimper a bit. I had to get us food, but I hated delaying our rescue.

"Max," Nudge said finally, moaning, and I sighed.

"I know, I know." I looked into my pocket and was pretty sure that we had enough money for a pit stop. "Let's go down," I said, a grimace on my face as my stomach yelled at me. "We can find a McDonald's, or something." My decision was met with cheers.

Diving through the sky at a hundred miles an hour is an experience that, seriously, everyone should be able to have. I closed my eyes and let my hair whip around my face as I flew straight down. At the last minute I pulled up, carefully folding in my wings and landing with a soft thud on the ground.

"Where are we, Max?" Iggy asked as he touched down, his sightless eyes looking in my general direction. I calculated.

"Somewhere in Nevada," I told them.

"Ohhhh!" Nudge cried excitedly. "Can we go to Vegas? Maybe we could meet Criss Angel!"

"Yeah!" The Gasman agreed. "He could, like—"

"Make one of us fly?" Iggy said sarcastically. I giggled.

"Yeah, an entire group of underage kids skipping along the streets of Las Vegas trying to find a magic man; really under the radar, guys." I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't let the smile fade from my face. They were just so cute when they were determined. I winked at Angel, who beamed at me. "Besides, Angel will just look into Criss Angel's mind and find out how he pulls off all the stuff he does. It'd ruin the surprises." Gazzy shrugged, looking bummed, and Nudge pouted. I hated seeing them let down, so I put a hand on each of their shoulders.

"Maybe after we get Fang, alright guys?" I said, trying not to let my anxiety spoil their fun—or let on to the fact that Criss Angel kindof freaked me out. Immediately, their expressions lifted, and the light in their eyes was totally worth it.

"Really, Max? You mean it?" Gazzy exclaimed. I nodded. "Yes!" He punched the air with his fist and then began chatting happily with Nudge, planning our trip. I let out a breath—oh joy.

"So, where are we going to eat, Max?" Angel asked me. Celeste was tucked under her arm, and I made a mental note to try and wash the bear next chance I got.

"I'm not sure," I said, taking her hand. "Let's go into town and see what they've got."

&

A half hour later we were all crammed into a booth at a restaurant. I honestly couldn't tell you whether it was on the fancier side of life, or if it was a takeout place. It seemed to be a little bit of both. Anyway, after the waitress gave us confused looks and asked multiple times if we were sure we wanted that much, she shrugged and went to place in our order. I had begun to get nervous that we were going to have a situation like what had happened in New York, and had unconsciously began studying the ceiling just in case we had to pull an up and away.

Chowing down was like heaven, each bite seemingly getting better as I chewed. I sucked down my apple juice and started on my iced tea, wolfing my three cheeseburgers. Look at me, I thought sadly as I gulped down my second helping of fries, I'm getting to be as bad as the boys.

Suddenly the back of my neck prickled, but when I looked up I just saw Angel, sitting across from me, and staring at me with wide, blue eyes. I gave her a look that clearly said ?, and she looked down at her plate. Uh-oh.

"Um, Angel? Do you have to go to the bathroom, honey? I think I'm going to go before we take off again." I nodded slightly at her.

"Uh-huh," she said quietly, and Iggy and Nudge moved out of the booth so that Angel could squeeze past them. Total took the opportunity to sample a little bit of Angel's food. I saw him sniffing around my apple pie and glared at him.

"Watch it," I warned him. Immediately he settled himself back in the booth, muttering something about 'sharing issues.'

I put my arm daintily around Angel's shoulders and walked with her to the bathroom. There were three large stalls, and after getting down on the tiled floor to make sure we were the only ones in there, I locked the door and kneeled down to her level.

"What's the matter, sweetie?" I asked her, pushing some gold curls out of her eyes. Angel pushed Celeste up to her face.

"Um…" she said, on the brink of tears. I hugged her. "I was just…just remembering when They took me."

I felt myself stiffen immediately, but tried to loosen up. It would only upset Angel if I overreacted.

"Max, what do you think they're doing to Fang? He's a lot stronger than me, and can take a lot more than I can and I…I…" She stopped, bursting into tears. I stroked her hair, trying to calm down. I had had the same fears. "I know you're scared for him, so I was trying to keep it to myself 'cause I didn't want to upset you more, but I, I couldn't," she whispered.

I counted to 50, then took a very, very deep breath.

"Angel," I started, choosing my words carefully. "No matter what they're doing to Fang, we're going to get to him and we're going to kick the living crap out of whoever had anything to do with taking him. I won't let anything happen to him. We're going to get our family back together." I tried to smile reassuringly at Angel, who returned it with her own. Her little hand touched my face, and I realized a few traitor-tears had escaped and had begun making their way down my cheek. I put my hand to hers and smiled. Then I hugged her again. "We'll get him back," I repeated in a whisper, almost to myself.

"Yeah," Angel agreed, a new tone of determination in her voice. I smiled, proud of my little trooper.

Just then there was a loud banging on the door.

"Come on!" I sighed—Nudge. "I gotta go. There's a line forming, you know!"

I looked at Angel and rolled my eyes, and she laughed. Then I unhooked the bolt and opened the door. Nudge was standing there, along with three other women who didn't look happy.

"Sorry," I mumbled to them as I herded Angel back to the booth.

Iggy and Gazzy had already left money on the table and were standing by the door. We waited for Nudge, and after about five minutes she emerged, looking a little ticked off. "Man, some people are just so pushy, you know?" I didn't ask. I just nodded my head in agreement and shuffled us all out of the restaurant.

"That was sooo, so good," Gazzy said as we walked towards a less-populated area of town. He closed his eyes and shook his head for effect.

"Totally agree," said Iggy, patting his stomach happily.

Total padded softly at his side and said "I can't believe none of you were willing to share with me."

"You had your own buffet," I told him, narrowing my eyes. "Quit complaining." Total huffed but that was the last I heard from him.

Finally, we made it to an open field that was kept in the dark, and soon we were up in the air, soaring. We were about a day from California, The School, and hopefully Fang…

&

Ethan looked at Fake-Max, who nodded.

"So you talked to him?" She nodded again. "And did he believe you?"

"He was a little hard to convince. I think he still needs to hear it from you." Ethan grinned. He'd been wanting to talk to this mutant since they'd brain-washed him. It was time to put his plan in motion.

"Very good," he said, then patted Fake-Max awkwardly on the shoulder. He turned a corner and looked at the mutant through a two-way mirror. The defect looked angry, cold—no trace of his old personality showed through his eyes. Good. That was exactly what Ethan wanted.

Slowly, he turned to doorknob that would lead him into the room.

&

Fang watched in cold distrust as the door slowly opened, Ethan poking his head in. Max had said that he'd been there to help—that he'd known about the imposter and had come to get her away. But in the confusion after the bomb went off, Ethan had only had time to grab him. Fang crossed his arms, staring hatefully at the man through his thick black hair. He leaned against the wall.

"Fang," Ethan said, looking all sad.

"Can I help you?" Fang asked casually. He was on guard.

"Yes, you can," Ethan said. He didn't look like the horrible guy he remembered. Then again, at the time he'd been listening to a Fake-Max. "I'm sure Max has already told you that the other one is coming to destroy her." Fang felt his jaw tighten and his eyes narrow.

"That. Is. Not. Going. To. Happen." He said through clenched teeth. He pushed away from the wall and go up in Ethan's face. "I will take her out. She won't hurt Max or the rest of the Flock," he said coldly. His black eyes were dull; the person who used to reside there had retreated into darkness.

"Good," Ethan said. "That's exactly what I needed to hear. She'll be here late tomorrow night. Do you think you'll be ready?"

Fang snorted. "Yes."

&

"He's perfect," Ethan crowed as he and Fake-Max watched him take his aggression out on the walls around him. Ethan smiled. Soon, Maximum, he thought evilly, all of your worst nightmares will come to life, and they will be the end of you. Soon, you will be gone…

There's chapter seven! Hope you liked it!

Review please & thank you!

Falling Rose Petals