(FANG POV)

Fuming, I looked for some weapon. At least a stick could help me. It's not like I need a weapon to kick Ari's sorry ass. How could he possibly think he could have Max? Why does he think so highly of himself? That bastard. How could he dare to even think about-

No.

I looked over to my right and saw an army base, only a mile away. I grinned. What would Ari do if I popped up with a machine gun in my arms? I wouldn't even want to see his face. I would kill that dunce. Then I would save Max, and she'd be so happy with me, that she'd only want to have my children. My kids.

Quickly I flew over to the base, and I saw a sleeping guard at a post. His mouth hung slightly open, and he slumped down in his chair. Horrible security here, and it's a military base! I flew down to him, and coasted to an abrupt stop. I grinned as I took his machine gun. How hard could it possibly be to fire one of these things?

I flew back to where Max and Ari, were. Dammit! He had her pinned down, and was kissing her neck. She looked at me with fear in her eyes. Now that she was under him, and I knew that she needed my help.

I took to the ground, and aimed at him. The gun felt hot and heavy in my hands, and I said: "Hey. Asshole. Did you miss me?" He looked over at me and grinnned.

"Yeah, I missed my rag doll. But, come and bother me later when I'm done. All right with you?"

"Then I'll have to kick your sorry ass."i flipped some hair out of my eyes. Stupid bangs, becoming bothersome at the moment.

"So be it." he bent down and whispered something in Max' s ear. Her eyes grew even impossibly wider in fear and desperation.

"No! Please- don't-" She screamed as Ari slammed his foot onto her leg. She had heard the sickening crunch before she felt it. Max bent over, and held onto her leg, her body convulsing in sobs.

That was the last straw. My vision tinted red, and I lunged. But I stopped myself in mid-air.

I had a gun.

Why not shoot him?

I smiled. He deserved it. So I lifted the gun to my chest and gripped it tightly. Here was my chance. I tightened my grip on the gun and held my breath.

I blew some hair out from my eyes again, and squinted at Ari. He stood up and stared back.

I pulled the trigger.

Bullets burst from the barrel, pushing me backward. I almost laughed from the shock. The second I pushed the trigger, the second I let go.

Ari flew back, and slammed into a tree behind him. The tree snapped in half, under the force. Then it started to lean forward, and collapsed on Ari. I smiled grimly. I may be a murderer, but I had my reasons. But the most messed up thing is, that I enjoyed seeing him die. "Timber," I murmured, looking over at Max. That was much easier, and much quicker than I wouldve expected.

Max was curled into a ball, still sobbing quietly. I picked her up, and the rest of the Flock came in behind me. I shushed their questions, and turned my full attention back to Max. I murmured reassuring words to her, and started back to the damn hospital. She simply stared forward, her hands clenched into fists.

(Max's POV)

"Let me out! Dammit!"

I screamed at the doctor, who was trying to hold me down. Who did she think she was? I'm Maximum Ride, the freaking saviour of the world. Usually, my language isn't thus horrible, but I was angry. No, I was pissed. Damn doctors. I fell like I'm on a set of Grey's Amatomy. All this freaking drama.

"No, Maxine-" The nurse started, but I grabbed her arms, which were holding me down, ands I threw them off me. I quickly got up, and scanned for my clothes again. Is it just me, or am I sensing some serious déjà vu?

I found my clothes in the corner (again) and I slapped them on. I turned to the woman who had dared to hold Maximum Ride down, and said. "By the way, it's Max." I read her nametag: Deborah. This'll be fun. "Right? Dee-bore-ah?" And I walked out of the room. Instead of my kickass getaway like last time, I'll try to exit the door like a human. Well, as much as an avian mutant bird freak can manage.

The Flock was already back at the house, but I decided I didn't want to see them just yet. I needed some (Max) thinking time. Which, I clearly didn't have often enough these days.

So, instead of an isolated cliff, or a quiet field, I headed to the mall.

I know, I know. Not the best, quiet, or peaceful place in the world. But, I actually felt like going to the mall.

A few minutes later, I was there. Looking around as I passed by all the expensive stores, and I pondered my thoughts. Teenagers loitered around the punk stores, and little kids squealed in anticipation of a new toy. Game nerds were checking out the new Call of Duty, and shopaholics were emptying their wallets. I smiled, at how fragile human life is. What am I? Some alien? Yes.

I sat down in the exact center of the food court, inhaling deeply. My eyes wandered, and caught onto another boy who was staring back at me. I quickly looked away, beacuse any more boy drama was the last thing I needed.

The smell of all the food was intoxicating. The greasy noises of burgers being slapped down onto grills, and the scent of deep fried chicken, everything was...almost smothering, in fact.

I took another deep breath, and let it out slowly. I came here to think. Think. Okay, what was I going to do about you-know-what? Was I going to keep him? I'm assuming it's a boy, because, I don't know, just because.

"Hey, you waiting for somebody?"

I turned my head, and met face-to-face with the boy who had caught my eye earlier. Why, hello.

I shook my head. I had no reason to lie to him, right? He was average looking, with dark brown hair that partly hung over his eyes. His emerald green eyes searched mine for a minute, and he spoke again.

"Mind if I sit?" his voice was deep, and it had an odd soothing effect to it. I sighed, pretending he was annoying me. With his Hollister shirt, and dark jeans, he must be the talk of his school. I haven't said anything to him yet, and I was glad. He didn't want to know me, if he knew what was good for him. All I would do to him is to bring trouble in his life. Didn't need that now, did we?

"So, are you new here?" He asked again, clearly trying to make conversation. I kept my face impassive, and stared straight ahead. I wanted to test out my acting skills, for some strange feeling. I wanted to see if I could pull of being somebody that I wasn't. Let's put this to the test now.

I dramatically turned my head to him, and cocked an eyebrow. "What? What do you want from me?" I asked, and rolled my eyes. I decided to loosen up a bit. "Are you going to try to talk to me? I came here to think, and having another guy in my life isn't going to help my thought process." Okay, I admit, maybe I was venting my anger a little out on this brown haired guy, but does it look like I care at this point. I made a show of flipping my blonde curls, and looking him staright in the eye, to see how he would respond. I honestly couldn't wait too see.

"Hey, chill. You look like you need to loosen up." his emerald eyes shined, and it looked as if he had a devious thought going on. I didn't want to know what it was. Bleh. He continued, shrugging. "You wanna dance?" He motioned toward the dance club a few stores down. The lights were blinking rapidly, and the bunch of teenagers moved in sync, to some radio pop song.

Really, I'm not the kind of girl to go out partying every night, to come home knocked up and with a hangover. Nope, not me. But, maybe my alternate me, might enjoy that. The dancing, not the other things I mentioned. Ugh.

I stared at him some more, and stood up. I started toward the dance club, leaving this mysterious man behind. I checked behind me, and I noticed he was staring at me, probably wondering what the hell I was doing. Like I cared. This new, temporary, Max didn't give a damn.

"Well?" I asked, winking at him. "Are you going to come and dance, or not?"