Max
I stood there in total shock. My hand instinctively flew up to my forehead, where blood was blossoming from a new wound.
"Why?" I practically whispered. "I thought I could trust you."
He laughed mechanically, a devilish smile appearing on his face. "Then you thought wrong, Maximum. You, out of all people, should never trust so easily."
He took a pause, allowing these words to enter my body. He took a deep breath and stared right into my brown eyes.
"So Maximum; are you ready to die?"
Four Hours Earlier
"Are you sure you know the plan?"
"Yes, Max, I know what to do."
"Are you sure, Fang? We cannot mess this up."
"Calm down. Nothing is going to go wrong. I'll make sure of it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, as I said so before."
A moment of silence.
"Positively sure?"
"100% sure."
"But-"
"No."
"I just-"
"Stop."
"C'mon-"
"Jesus Max, for the love of all things good, please shut up."
Another pause.
"So are you saying you know the plan inside out?"
"Oh my god!"
3 Hours Earlier (and 1 hour after)
I stood on the edge of the track, anxiously awaiting my event to be called. My mind was whirling with the worries that this plan contained. Would Fang do as he's told? Will he get my stuff out on time? Will someone see him? What happens if we get stopped?
The plan was for Fang to collect my stuff from my bedroom while I competed in the track meet. He would obtain the right amount of money and would borrow the car. When the track meet was over, I would immediately head to the parking lot, where Fang would pick me up and we would leave my old life behind.
Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I whirled around. Sage and Evangeline stood in front of me, broad grins placed on their faces.
"You guys came!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around the both of them. Guilt washed over me like a tidal wave. I wouldn't even be able to say goodbye…
"Of course we did, silly!" Evangeline laughed lightly.
"I managed to sneak out of my house while my mom was lecturing my little brother," Sage responded. "I am totally grounded when I come back. But it's all going to be worth it."
I shot her a suspicious look. "And why is that?"
"Because when you beat the scrawny little asses of all your competitors, we can do our long awaited happy dance."
Sage began to proceed with her awkward dance moves, which consisted of throwing her back and arms backwards while her hips thrusted forward.
I hysterically laughed, while Evangeline looked like she wanted to go crawl into a hole and die. Several people stopped walking to stare at Sage, disturbed looks planted on their faces. They quickly scurried away.
I'm going to miss this so much.
After a couple minutes and a "scary" threat from Evangeline, Sage stopped her interesting dance move and set us a cheeky smile. We couldn't help but smile back.
Suddenly, the loud speakers flared to life. "Attention everyone. The first event, which is the mile for girls seventeen and under, is going to be taking place in two minutes. Runners in this event should head to the track now. Thank you."
Evangeline squealed and Sage squeezed my arm reassuringly.
"You're going to be great," said Evangeline. "Just stay focused."
I nodded and turned away from them, heading to the track. A wave of sadness hit meas my feet hit the surface of the track. This is the last time I will ever be able to run on this track, I thought bitterly. And the last time I'll be able to hang out with my two best friends. This is the last time I'll be able to be just Max, the nobody from Los Angeles.
I headed over to lane 4, where I would be running. Positioning my feet in their rightful position, I waited for the okay sign to run. When it was called, I was off like a rocket.
My feet carried me across the track. I didn't dare look forward or back at my competition. The only thoughts that ran through my head were faster, faster, faster.
My feet pounded the pavement and my lungs ached for me to stop running so I could breathe at a normal rate. Pushing those feelings aside, I pushed myself harder.
Finally, I could see the finish line. I poured all my energy into my last strides and zoomed past the finish line. Sounds of shouts and laughter filled my ears as I doubled over, desperately trying to get air into my lungs. When I finally had a chance to look at the scoreboard, a huge grin graced my face.
First Place- Maximum Ride: four minutes and thirty seven seconds.
Sage and Evangeline hurried onto the track and engulfed me in a hug. We jumped up and down together, laughing loudly.
"You did it!" Evangeline exclaimed.
Sage added, "I say this calls for a fro-yo run."
I was about to agree when I realized I had to go meet Fang. A lump formed in the back on my throat.
"Guys I'm not sure-" I began, but was interrupted by Coach Henderson, who came up to me and clamped me on the back.
"Congrats Max!" he bursted.
"Thanks Coach!" I replied.
"Can I speak to you for a second in my office?" he asked politely.
I sent a look to my friends. "Sure."
He turned around hastily and I followed his retreating form. Taking one last look at my two best friends, I entered his office, trying to keep my tears from falling.
Coach Henderson shut the door behind me. In the blink of an eye, the click of a lock was heard.
"Why did you just lock the door?" I questioned.
Coach Henderson whirled around to face me, all traces of good wiped away from his eyes.
"I think you know why Maximum."
In a matter of seconds, he pushed me against the wall, my head hitting hard against the rough brick surface.
His sadistic grin sent shivers down my spine. "You think you could slip out of town that easily? Not on my watch."
I pushed him away from me. "No," I groaned. "You can't be one of them."
"Oh but I am, Maximum."
I stood there in total shock. My hand instinctively flew up to my forehead, where blood was blossoming from the new wound.
"Why?" I practically whispered. "I thought I could trust you."
He laughed mechanically, a devilish smile appearing on his face. "Then you thought wrong, Maximum. You, out of all people, should never trust so easily."
"But you were my coach!" I shouted. "You helped me feel welcome in this school. You helped me achieve my goals in track."
"I was there to keep track of you," sneered he. "The only reason I pushed you was to see how capable you were without your wings."
"You used me," I replied, almost calmly.
He shrugged his shoulders with indifference.
"I can't believe this. You're working for the wrong people! You're ruining my life!"
"Maximum," Coach Henderson began, "You are still a mutant, wings or no wings. And all mutants need to be exterminated at a certain point. We have seen what we needed to. You no longer are of any use to us.
He took a pause, allowing these words to enter my body. He took a deep breath and stared right into my brown eyes.
"So Maximum; are you ready to die?"
Oooohhhh it's a cliffy! I hope you guys liked this chapter, even though it was a little rushed. I wrote in a different style than I usually do. I've been writing other stuff lately so I keep forgetting to update this. Thank you again for the positive feedback and reviews. I love you all! Read and review!