Chapter five
Fang Watched his flock as they practised their flying. He smiled lightly, but it didn't reach his eyes. He was...proud at how far they'd come...but he still felt mostly empty...those kids helped...but it was like his heart was gone. It always had been. The person that owned it most likely hated him now.
He called them back. They were on a empty beach, "Alright, fighting' He said. He moved amoung them, yes they were improving.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaa"Starling cried out, Fang whipped around. A tiger was staring, looking like it was ready to lunge. Something was off with it...not full grown, but the eyes, "Tiger?" he said, walking to the tiger, "That you?" It ran off, and jumped into the air, changing into Tiger again. She flew high in the sky, "Oh, I should go after-"
"I'll go" Fang cut Mystery off. He jumped into the air, "Stay here, with the others"
He found her in a tree, crying "Tiger, its okay" He said, landing
"I'm a freak! And whats worse, I'm a freak amongst freaks!" She sobbed
He put his arm around her , not letting her escape, and let her cry. When she stopped he said, "You are you-you are special. Embrace your power, strengthen it. You are you. Use it against the bad guys"
She sniffed, "Thanks" He rummaged through his pockets, and handed her a chocolate bar. Her eyes went wide, she took it. "I'll share it with the others.
He smiled, this kid had little, and chocolate would be like heaven to her. And she was going to share it. He was reminded of Nudge.
"Fang?" tiger said as they flew back ,"What made you leave your old flock? Didn't you love them?"
He took a few moments to reply "Every bird has to leave the flock. It was my time to venture out and start my own flock. I do love them, Ti, and every day it hurts to know I won't see them"
Tiger waited a few moments, then said "Didn't you ever think of starting a flock with the person you loved beyond all else? Wouldn't that be more...special? To start a flock with the person that when you look in their eyes, you see the generations you'll start?"
"Yes, I did. But that times not now" I love you Max
"I think you'd be a good dad" Tiger said, and he forgot to flap for a moment, and fell a few feet, "You're the closet father figure I have"
He looked at her. And some of the emptiness was filled.
***
Seeing Angel's face like up at the princess castle, gazzy's delighted laughter going down the water log ride, Nudge's pure freedom...well, that made me feel warm.
Seeing Dylan, who for the first time in his life was having normal fun, helping Ig in his vision training...that made me feel as if the flock was closer. This would be what could heal me.
I hated having to say it, but it was time to go. The park was closing, "Tell ya what guys, we'll get a hotel, kay?"
They cheered.
Coming out of the bathroom, my hair still wet, I set about setting the table, while Iggy finished cooking.
So many memories, rushing through my mind, so many thoughts and emotions.
Iggy took the plates out of my hands, which I'd just realised were shaking "It hurts" I whispered to him, "Every time I stop and think..." Suddenly, my emotions were calm, neutral. I starred at Iggy, but didn't question.
"it will take a while, but you will be able to breath without it hurting so much" he told me, pitting the plates down and calling the others.
Later, I was taking watch and I was on the balcony, looking at the moon.
I had one of the laptops.
I couldn't help it. I went to his blog.
No update-well, we had his laptop, still I typed-I knew it would get to him eventually.
Fang, I'm going to hold you to that promise-you stay alive so that I can kick your butt
I don't care that the whole world can see this.
You promised me you would never leave again.
I can't stop the pain, but buddy, I'm looking forward to twenty years time. And if your dead, I'll find a way to bring you back and kick your butt mister.
It didn't seem longer then thirty seconds before there was a reply.
Glad your back Nudge...
Almost as quick was another reply, omg, is the flock split again
I blinked, then typed, there's the flock, and then there's him.
I was going to reply to each and every person.
That seemed to work, until about three hours to dawn.
And then he replied.
