Hello….

I would first of all like to say I am really sorry it took me so long to update. I did get the reviews I asked for, and I thank all of you that contributed. Those of you that didn't, but read my story anyway, shame on you.

My reason for being late is not that I hate all of you. Rather, I hate my computer. It's been giving me fits for quite some time now before it finally gave out and died. So I spent all my free time bringing it back to life instead of writing more of my story. On top of all of that, I have several camps I am attending coming up this next month, and family issues also made me avoid updating. I would have posted an author's note, but didn't want to give anyone false hope of a new chapter. So again, I say: sorry.

Now with the chapter I've long neglected to post:

…smog blocking the stars…

Max POV:

I woke up the next morning to a seering pain in my forearm. Let me tell you, with the way I've grown up, having pain anywhere when you get up is never a good sign. Opening my eyes slowly, afraid of what I might see, I took in my surroundings with a deep sense of dread.

We were in a truck. I could tell that much. All of my flock were here, but I seemed to be the only one awake. Angel was lying beside me, and to my relief was breathing shallowly. Fang was eye level laying across from me, knocked out cold and sleeping soundlessly. If it weren't for the gentle rising and falling of his chest, I would have thought he were dead. Thank god I was so damn perceptive.

Before I had time to check up on everyone else and make sure they weren't bleeding or anything, loud footsteps that could come only from stiletto boots echoed in the bed of the truck. "Well well well, look who's finally managed to regroup!" Said a voice I knew all too well, but up until now I thought to be dead as a doornail. A rusty, evil doornail might I add. Granted with all I've experienced in the last week, I shouldn't assume anyone is dead. I rolled over to see , and sure enough the 'director' stood over me, wearing a smile only the devil himself should be aloud to conjour. "If it isn't the mom from hell," I sneered, reminding her of the lies she had fed to me at our last meeting, my blood boiling as I remembered all she had put me through. (A/N refer to book three if you need a refresher) She kicked me again, this time in the stomach, and I doubled over despite myself. That bitch can kick hard! Fang blinked rapidly before waking up on full alert, and gave me a reassuring glance once he realized who had woken up before glaring at our captor.

She had tied all of our ankles and wrists with choke chains, so that whenever we pulled against them sharp spokes dug into our skin. I discovered this when I tried inanely to get up, but instantly decided to stay laying down rather than hurting myself more than neccissary. I was anxious to find out from Iggy how we all ended up here, but knew I had to wait until the hag from hell (A/N I stole this phrase from the house of night novels…great books) was out of earshot.

"Where's your little spy?" Fang asked, obviously referring to Jake, and getting to the point more quickly than I ever would have been able to. Yet another uncanny ability of the silent but deadly... "Oh Jake is on his way back to his father. I needed someone to fix the mess you all left with your stage stunt yesterday. I must say, Maximum, you made it quite difficult to get to you. A pop sensation is quite the alleus." I said nothing, but intensified my glare. If looks could kill, I'm sure my eyes would have burned holes right through that thick little head of hers. "We had best get going then," She continued unfazed, "There's a long drive ahead. Nice talking to you!" And she left us then with one last blow to my chest, leaving Fang and I to ponder over where we were headed. I looked at Fang worridly, and saw in his eyes the reflection of my thoughts.

We're heading back to where we were separated the first time. And this time, it could be for real.

Ok, cliffy! Five more reviews and I'll update before the 14th (which is when I leave for camp!)

Happy fourth everybody!

P.S

I might post the next chapter in Fang POV. REVIEW!!!!!