The Disbanded: Divided We Stand-Chapter 44

By MyNameIsCAL

---Gazzy's POV---

Fang seemed to be alright, but I was afraid to confront him. Cal insisted that everything was going to be ok, but I didn't need to make things rougher than I already had. Maybe after Fang had more time to recover, I would talk to him.

It was pretty chaotic too, at the house. Meals seemed to take forever to make. Iggy was constantly in the kitchen. The others drifted in and out, trying to help. Sometimes I found myself in there just to avoid Fang, who was either watching TV or in his room. Max never left his side. At least there was someone looking after him.


---Max's POV---

Mike and Eli had a plan. For the most part, they were unmonitored by their higher ups. Actually, they were in charge over there in Chicago. According to Eli, they had left a couple of trusted agents to keep things in check. Thanks to them, we had some direction to go.

The two of them had each driven unmarked and equipped vans. Everything from weapons to communication devices were in there. Not that we needed the weapons. I didn't quite understand why humans had such a high need for guns and rifles.

"We have some vague records that sound like that the files have been tampered with. The locations are all in isolated or unlikely places that you would think some kind of evil scientist operation would be taking place." Eli smiled at his own joke. "We can try those places. Otherwise, I'm guessing, you don't really have anything to run on."

I nodded.

"Maybe you oughta ask Captain Ramirez for some help," Mike suggested. "We could use a little extra help."

"Maybe." I didn't want to reject the idea entirely. "We'll see how things go at first."

Eli seemed to agree with that.


---Fang's POV---

Tangled up under the bed sheets, Max and I listened quietly to the world around us. We had both climbed into bed without a word. Sometimes silence was more powerful than words. Although we both knew that there were things that needed to be spoken.

I let out a deep breath. "When do you plan on leaving to look for Nudge and Angel?"

Max lifted her head from my chest. "I was going to wait another week."

I was about to ask why, but I knew. She was putting me first, like she did when we had all split up. We couldn't be repeating mistakes, in fact, we needed to find ways to avoid them.

"Don't worry about me. I'm going to be fine. We should leave in the next few days." I pictured Nudge and Angel in cages. "They need us."

Max spoke reluctantly. "I know. We should probably get everything together tomorrow and drive out the next morning."

"Just think about it, Max," I said. "Mike and Eli can expose this to the government. Itex will finally get what it deserved. And then we can finally live without running and hiding."

"What are you going to do after all of this is over?"

"Why would you ask that?"

"I don't know." Her head returned to my chest.

This was the first time either of us had mentioned the future. The thought had always dwindled in the back of our minds, but I didn't have the guts to talk about it. We had only found each other a few months ago. Things could change, but not that I wanted them to.

"Well, Max," I replied, thinking about what I was going to say. "After all of this, I'm planning on sticking around you."

She sounded relieved when she spoke. "I was just wondering if you felt the same way."

I smiled. "You worry too much."

Max laughed. I could tell she was smiling by the way she talked. "Oh shut up."

"Goodnight, Max," I grinned.

Still laughing, "Goodnight, Fang."


---Angel's POV---

I awoke in a new room filled with padded white walls. This place seemed different. Had Itex transported us to another facility overnight? I looked around. Nudge was next to me, curled in a ball, sleeping. At least she was ok. My biggest fear was to wake up without her. Right now, she was dreaming about Iggy. I had to smile, because even in desperate times, it was hard not to smile upon the small things that seemed to give just a little shimmer of hope.

The door opened to the room and a guard brought in food, setting it on the floor. His head is blank, void of thoughts or feelings. He had to be brainwashed or something. It was people like that who scared me. Much like Jeb, whose head I could never get into. Then again, I didn't need to hear everyone's thoughts. Some of them…well let's just say twisted.

The aroma of the food made Nudge stir. She sat and rubbed her eyes.

"Angel!" Nudge exclaimed, throwing her arms around me.

I hugged her back. Rarely were we just put in a room together like this. Most of the time, we were stuck in cages placed next to each other.

But we knew it wouldn't last long and food wasn't offered too often, so we dug in, trying to split it fairly. It was hard to say when the next time we would get a half decent meal.


---Iggy's POV---

Mom was disappointed that we were all leaving so soon, but Ella seemed the most upset about it. I sat with her in the kitchen, late one night after a long dinner with everyone.

"Be careful," she pleaded.

"I'm going to be fine," I assured her. "We'll be back before you know it."

Ella took my hand, to my surprise. I didn't mind though. "You better come back in one piece."

I gave a small laugh. "Don't worry, I will."

And then, without any warning, Ella leaned in and kissed me.


Thanks for reading. More to come soon. =D