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Chapter 13
"Faster!" My chest heaved in and out, expanding as fast as possible without cracking a rib. Sweat dabbed at my eyes and my nails were cutting into my skin. Beneath me was the treadmill staring to burn as they kicked the speed up to way beyond my limit. All over my arms were round sticker things that measured my pulse with an added bonus...slow down and be shocked a million times. It took everything in me not to fall, my wings strapped down to my back so I couldn't cheat, and I couldn't focus on any saracastic remarks to make.
As it was, my legs were already burnt several times from a flying experiment that didn't bode well with me and one arm had a band aid from where they drew blood. I was in a white room on this awful machine that I hate whoever invented because I'm sorry but running should not be done in one spot! Brigid was on the opposite side of a mirror staring at me with a big grin. I wanted to punch her real bad or dye her hair blonde but I couldn't even get near her because I was being tested on a machine that let me go nowhere at all.
My mouth was getting extremly dry and I began to close my eyes. The speed was more than a sprint...it was faster than all the times I have ever run without wings which is saying something because I have super stength and endurance thanks to the DNA. Worse was they were making me run on my bare feet. I could feel the sores starting to form as my hands grabbed the handle bars to hold myself up. Jolts of electricity pounded through every muscle from the touch and my body instantly gave up. I crumbled on to the moving platform only to be shot into the wall a few inches behind me. Lying in pain I could only manage two thoughts. One, if ever given the chance to be free of this life, I am going to live in a place without a treadmill, not one. Two, if you have a treadmill place it a few feet away from the wall to avoid collision. Impact with wall results in painful experiences as I have now learned.
My wrist had snapped oddly enough from contact with the wall that I wasn't shocked to find it hurt when I moved. Brigid by now had walked in the room and she was standing over at me with a tilted head. She gave me this pathetic look as if I could've done better. In fact, she placed her arms on her hips and pursed her lips, "You should've been able to go faster for longer." I hid my anger quickly trying to be cool and collected like Fang but I wasn't the master of disguise like him. My eyebrows furrowed a bit and my jaw tightened.
"Well," I said holding my useless wrist, "You put a pizza in front of it next time and you won't believe how fast I am." Of course, I said with a painful thought, only Iggy or Gazzy would actually try harder for the pizza. M-Geeks walked in with a wheelchair which was probably a good idea because my legs felt like Spam after going through an explosion from my two troublemakers. "Water helps too," I answer as I was placed into the chair. I bet you think it's weird that I'm not fighting right? Well, you'll see is all I can say. I coughed to make my dry throat a bit more obvious because let's face it, evil scientists are not as bright as they seem...that's why they are evil.
Brigid glared at me, "You'll go get your wrist wrapped but that's it. Water is for the weak." She seemed to be trying to anger me in the strangest way yet. Let's give her a round of applause for worst captor in the nightmares of my life. I mean, come on Brigid...really? Why would you even say something like that?
I laughed, "Then why is the world covered in two-thirds of it? Geez, I thought you were smart Brigid." I could tell she would've flipped my wheelchair over if she had the chance. Red hair blending in with the new shade of her skin, Brigid pushed me to my cell. When the door slid up, I stood up feeling my muscles groan and ache. Brigid stood in front of the door glaring as if I would start melting from the look in her eyes. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of course. Then, the entrance was sealed up and I was ready to lay down, the lights turned off already. Beside the glass where they could look in, I was completely alone. I moved towards my bed feeling the raw skin of my feet. For those of you going EWWW, well deal with it. You should know by now that my life is not awesome or cool or Eww-factor resistant. As Total, with french accent, would say, "C'est terrible!" Which, I might not speak french but I know what that means, I agree with.
When my back hit the mattress, I was already digging into the hole of my mattress where everything went undisturbed. My heart was still trying to calm down from the runs and tests that had taken hours. I wondered what they were trying to figure out and if there was a way I could get all the information in time. My eyes were on the last picture by then. Of course it sucked to be away from the flock and it had been two days now since I had last seen them. They were all right, alive and breathing, and they had found Max II.
I wondered if they would just let her replace me. I mean, it would be easier than having to save me all over again. She was supposed to be just like me. Angel could have her read stories. Nudge can talk non-stop to her and she could listen. Gazzy could get caught by her making another bomb. Iggy could say some sexist joke and she would be insulted. Fang could trust her and be her second in command...he could love her. Max II was, after all, me.
Could she really be you Max? Ari was back in my head. Close your eyes and I'll show you...through Fang's eyes. I wondered if I really wanted to know but Ari was so sure that he had a point to prove. Months ago I would've been mad if someone took my place but with me gone, maybe the flock wouldn't be hunted anymore. My eyes remained on the picture unsure of what to do. Even if they could replace you, do you think they would stop looking for you? No, I told myself. They would fight for me because they knew if it was the other way around I would be fighting for them.
Now shut your eyes so you can see big sister. And don't be surprised if you see or hear a few things.