Chapter 17

Angel observed from the fancy red couch of the safe haven. Nudge was watching Entertainment Tonight while Gazzy and Iggy complained about it. Total was licking his black coat. Fang was still shut up in his room, refusing to come out and see anyone.

Max II sat next to her trying to be the real Max and failing at it. "Do you know where you are going to find her?" Max II was still annoyed with the flock for being here and putting the ones living here in danger. Whoever was hunting them wanted Maximum Ride and her flock more than anyone else.

Max II was still trying to grasp the idea of the new enemy Mr. Chu. The flock of children and dog had explained that he was the ones hunting her and every other Itex freak for some odd reason. Angel had said something along the line of an army.

"Max is somewhere and she's alive. That's all I know. We have to wait for information," Angel wrapped her arms around her legs as she stared at the television pretending not to really listen to Max II. Angel knew that the copy of Max hated her and the rest of the flock so Angel felt no need to be nice to her.

"Information," Max II laughed, "Whose going to be giving you that?" Max II stared down at the big blue-eyed little girl. Max II seriously doubted that this seven-year-old child could do anything. If it weren't for the fact that she was a mind reader, Max II wouldn't believe anything this girl said to her.

"The Voice in Fang's head. It's the same one that helped us out through Max," Angel rested her chin on her head wishing to control Max II to go away but Angel knew the original Max wouldn't approve. Although it had only been three days, Angel was regretting not listening to Max more often.

Max II started laughing, "The boy who doesn't talk? We're going to be listening to him." Max II flipped her blonde hair back over her shoulder. Angel suddenly was glaring at her with an annoyed expression. "What?" She asked innocently.

"You're just angry because Fang didn't kiss you back," there was a small smile in Angel's face. Her eyes lit up with humor. "I could've told you he wouldn't. Fang is all about the real Max and he loves her. Don't try stepping in between them, it's pointless." Max II narrowed her eyes wanting to ask if the little girl had tried to do just that but obviously she hadn't. Angel laughed, "Max and Fang are the real thing. You don't mess with that or you'll have to deal with us." Max II suddenly realized all of the flock was staring at her with the same serious expression as the little girl.

Max II rolled her eyes, "Whatever." She then pushed herself off the couch and walked away.

Fang sat on his bed, with his back against the wall, his eyes shut to avoid seeing the light that bothered his headache. All right, Voice in my head, where are you? Fang was holding Max's backpack in his hands. He could smell the fresh wind kind of smell that Max always smelled like. He wondered if the Voice would even respond to him. Max had told him that the Voice didn't normally answer questions…

What if I said I was with Max, Fang? She's safe but she won't be for long. Fang grimaced as the Voice's head shot a new sort of pain through his mind. The headache pounded against his temples. Fang attempted to have a face of stone, even though no one was there, he still had to be strong and not reveal his pain.

Max is with you, why should I trust you? Fang's hands formed into fists. Max, in trouble, made him angry. How was he supposed to save her? She had saved his life so many times and now, he had to do the same but some nagging, pessimistic guilt in the back of his head told him he couldn't do it. And what do you mean she isn't safe for too long?

Fang was fed up with the Voice easily. He had no patience for it. No wonder Max was always annoyed when it talked to her. They gave her nightmare toxin and she'll be having bad dreams for the next three days. I know she didn't want you here just yet but you have to come here.

Flashes of white hallways and bright lights shot in front of Fang's shut eyes. Suddenly, he watched the side of a gray building with words as the image drew closer. The words became visible and Fang had no choice but to laugh. In thick black paint were the words, "Global Safety Productions" just as a large truck backed in. Then, Fang's view was back inside and his eyes were in a white room with one wall made of glass.

On the bed in the corner, Max was lying there cuddled up on her side. Her entire body was shacking and thrashing around. Her wings were chattering as if she was freezing. Her entire body turned to the opposite side so Fang could see her face.

Wounds were obvious along the line of her forehead in jagged lines almost done healing. Her brown hair was falling over the side of her face. Her eyes were shut tight as Max opened her mouth and began to scream.

"So are you going to save her or do you still not believe me?" Suddenly, a small boy appeared next to Fang. His face was covered in a bright light so Fang couldn't see him. "I need you to answer fast before they sedate me again." The little boy walked over towards Max and placed his hand on her head. Max stopped shivering for a moment but a tremor worse than before broke through. "Even I can't stop these nightmares, she has to sweat them out. Come sooner than she asked please. I don't think she'll make it longer without the flock and while having these episodes."

Fang was standing in the room now as if he was really there. He wished to go over to Max and comfort her but he wasn't sure if he could. "What are the nightmares about? Why is she having them?"

The boy sighed, "I'll try to make this quick. They injected her with the nightmares to see if they could make her join their side. The dreams are of death…not hers…but the flock. It's painful because she knows it's a dream but at the same time she believes it's real. Sooner or later she loose her grasp on reality. Will you save Max?"

Fang nodded his head and watched as the small boy walked back over to him. Fang could see the hint of a smile but still couldn't tell who he was. "She misses you, so hurry." Then, in a great blinding light, Fang was pressed back into the darkness of his own mind without a trace of headache to bother him. When he was ready, he opened his eyes to find he was no longer alone.

In front of him stood the entire flock, and Max II, as if they knew what was going on. Angel stared at him, reading his thoughts. "We're leaving now?" She tilted her head and read Fang's mind as he replayed what the Voice had shown him. Suddenly, her face was in serious fighting mode, "I know where we're going. Let's go."