We'd been flying for a few hours, coasting gently on the air currents, when Gazzy did what he was most known for.
"Take cover!" Nudge screamed, diving as far away from the Gasman as fast as she could. Iggy put a hand to his mouth, almost dropping Total.
"Max!" Total yelled, and I swooped in and got him out of Iggy's grasp, leaving Iggy free to use both hands to block out the smell.
"You can't just let go of me because it smells!" Total cried at Iggy from my arms. I giggled quietly, or so I thought, and he glared at me. "You're just lucky you have wings!" he sniffled.
"Sorry, Total," I mumbled, patting his head. Luckily, with all the wind, the hideous smell only lasted for a few minutes. Soon it was safe, and we cautiously re-surrounded Gazzy. He smiled a goofy smile and shrugged. Angel giggled and swooped gracefully around the area.
"Gazzy, you need to start like, giving us fair warning," Nudge said, her eyebrows pulled together.
"Yeah," Iggy agreed. "Something like, 'run for you lives!', should be good enough." The Gasman just continued smiling.
"I'll see what I can do," he said sincerely.
&
The ground looked so small, and led by the moon we coasted through the sky, just enjoying the natural (for us) rush of flying. Then I looked over and saw Angel yawn, and soon the entire flock let out huge yawns. Yawning was contagious, after all. I looked at my arms and saw that even Total looked wiped out. Even though, you know, I was the one flying and he was just lying there like a sack of potatoes.
I stopped mid-flight and hovered in the air, facing my flock. "You guys tired?" I asked, and was greeted with many weary nods. I looked over my shoulder and figured we still had a few hours flight to the School, so we should probably rest anyway to gain all our strength. "Okay, let's find somewhere to rest up for a while."
Total looked terrified, so I mumbled, "Don't worry; I won't dive like that again with you." I rolled my eyes. Wuss.
"He's not a wuss," Angel said quietly so Total wouldn't hear. "He just doesn't want to fall again." I cringed and nodded—caught.
"Sorry, Angel," I said, smiling. She smiled at me, too, and we descended down to the ground, slowly, for Total. We were in the middle of a very over-grown forest, so I figured it'd be safe to get a little fire going. Once that was set, I got us all sticks and stuck hotdogs on the end of each one. Angel held a stick for herself and for Total, whose little eyes were big as saucers, his tongue lolling out to the side. I couldn't help but snicker at his expression. Total gracefully ignored me.
"Okay, so we all know we'll be reaching the School tomorrow," I began. Everyone nodded, different levels of fear on each face, but also lots of determination. It was time for one of my many leaderly speeches. "We have gone up against these guys again and again, and each time we've outsmarted them. Why? Because they're incredibly dumb, and we're incredibly smart."
"And fast!" Gazzy added. I smiled and nodded at him.
"We are going to march in there, grab Fang, and kick everyone's butt—including Ethan's." The man still made me flinch mentally, but I wasn't going to let the flock know that. "We're going to come out of this in the end, and then we're going to fly somewhere as far away from civilization as we can, and we're going to stay there and be happy." I nodded, smiling, and the rest of the flock smiled too. Then I held out my hand, and one by one each of they touched their hands to mine—our favorite bedtime ritual.
"I'll take first watch," I said to Iggy as the kids went to bed. He nodded and curled up on his side, and within just minutes, he was out cold.
&
Iggy got up right on time, touching my shoulder to let me know it was my turn to sleep.
"I'll get you up first thing tomorrow morning," Iggy promised.
"You sure you'll be alright?" I asked. Iggy grinned. We were in an unknown area, so I was extra twitchy, as per usual.
"Oh, I'll be fine." He pulled a tiny metal object from his pocket. An explosive.
"I don't want to know," I said, putting a hand up as he opened his mouth and sucked in air. Iggy smiled and nodded.
"Night, Max," he said. I patted his shoulder and went to lay down where he'd been.
Just as I got comfortable, I heard it—the sound of running. Lot's of running. I groaned loudly. "Why can't they leave us alone for two seconds?" I said angrily. I woke up Nudge, Gazzy and Angel.
"What's that noise?" Iggy asked once we were all together.
"Erasers," I muttered. "And lots of them. We're really close to the school, so they're going to try to get rid of us."
"Not gonna happen," said Iggy.
"Yeah!" Gazzy agreed.
I looked at Nudge, who nodded fiercely, and then at Angel, who gave me a, well, angelic smile. My flock was together, and we were ready for anything…or so I thought.
The Erasers showed up one by one, growling and looking…well really really hungry. I took a small step in front of the others as the Erasers piled themselves into our little area. Soon they had surrounded us, and I quickly looked up—not too bad, we could pull an up and away if/when we needed to. We'd probably get hit in the face with a branch or two…or five. But we could get out of this.
"Well, well. Can't say I'm happy to have you guys join us or anything. Didn't your mothers ever tell you? It's rude to invite yourselves over." My eyes narrowed and I crossed my arms. I could feel the tension rolling off the flock, but they held strong. "What? Cat got your tongue?" I asked, spewing venom with every word. The Eraser directing in front of my let out a roar.
"You are going to be destroyed now," he announced. I rolled my eyes and look board.
"Well now, we haven't heard that before," I said sarcastically. Then the Erasers attacked from everywhere.
I had four to deal with, and a quick glance around at the rest of the flock showed me that they were dealing with quite a few Erasers too, but they were holding their own. I couldn't help smiling—so proud.
I kicked one Eraser square in the chest, and heard a satisfying oompf as he stumbled back. Then I took the side of my hand and brought it down as hard as I could on the side of his neck, and immediately the Eraser toppled over. A foot to the head later and he was out. Well, one down…twenty or so to go? I quickly started on the next Eraser closest to me. This one got luckier, decking me right in the face. I felt blood explode from my nose and my lip stung as it split. Then it grabbed hold of my arm and twisted it very painfully behind my back. The Eraser smiled, and it didn't expect me to get one leg up and kick him square where-the-sun-don't-shine. His smile was replaced by a look of horror, then pain, and then he let go of me and curled up into a pathetic ball. I kicked him in the gut, and, yeah, I know it's playing dirty. Kick a guy while he's down? But they were trying to kill us and all, so I figured it was alright to not fight fair.
"Gazzy!" I yelled as he was slammed into a tree. I grabbed the Eraser off of him and punch the Eraser right in the face. The Eraser yowled in pain, and before he could retaliate I skillfully swept his legs out from under him. I was proud when Gazzy jumped up and landed right in the middle of the Eraser's stomach.
The fight lasted a while, but eventually the Eraser's numbers began to dwindle. We were winning—again. I couldn't help but be just a little smug. I wanted to dance around and sing nah nah nahnah nahhh, but I figured it wouldn't go with the whole Leader-of-the-Flock persona. Just as I clapped my hands over another Eraser's ears, a voice behind me made me freeze.
"Maximum, what a good job you've done." Ethan. I turned slowly and faced him. The Erasers quit attacking, and suddenly the clearing seemed very, very quiet.
"So happy to make you proud," I said with fake giddiness dripping from my voice.
"You are dismissed," he told me, his voice cold as ice.
I snorted, but suddenly was hit in the head with something massive. Immediately stars flashed over my eyes, and I dropped to my knees. Blood gushed around my head. I fell to the ground and faintly heard the flock calling my name.
What? What had just happened? How could someone have sneaked up on me? The blow came again, and now my vision was fuzzy. I fell flat out, my face sticking into small stones. Well, that sure hurt. I rolled over on the ground and looked up, trying to see who'd gotten behind me.
I squinted my eyes more. Whoever it was must've hit me harder than I'd thought. Then, I realized, blinking really hard, that my eyes weren't deceiving me. I felt my eyes widen.
Fang?!
There he was, staring down at me with his black eyes, only they weren't his normal eyes. They were cold, and held no light; his face was that of a menacing stranger. And as he looked at me, my vision became fuzzy, and he flickered in and out. The picture in front of my face blurred, and eventually it faded entirely.
I was glad for the darkness. When I was unconscious, this bad dream finally ended.…
Kay guys, nobody reviewed my last chapter, so I'd appreciate some for at least this one, maybe one for the last one? I hope you guys enjoyed this! Review Review!
Falling Rose Petals