Chapter 30

"You should head to the safe house now," Jeb informed me when I walked back into the room with my eyes a little swollen red.

Okay, so I had cried a little. It happens.

"No, what if Angel woke up and I wasn't here? She'd be so scared," I rushed to her side and pushed her hair away from her face. She was sweating more and shaking a little bit.

"Max, if you leave, the M-Geeks will assume Angel is with you. You'll be keeping her safe," he whispered, his eyes still on Ari.

"Fang and the flock can leave, they don't want to see me anyways." Well Fang didn't want to see me.

"Dr. Dwyer isn't stupid Max, she'll notice you not leaving and will instantly threaten Angel's life to get you. Take Ari," Jeb held up his son, his arms shaking, "Cover him with a blanket. They'll mistake him for her."

I took Ari in my arms and stared at Angel breathing. "Promise you'll look after her?" I felt my brother's lightweight press into my arms. My stomach grumbled, I was going to need some calories fast and soon.

Jeb gave me this fatherly look that asked if he had ever let me down before. Well, yeah, he had. Then, he noticed my skepticism and answered, "With all of my life, Maximum Ride, I will protect your young one if you protect your brother."

"Well unlike some, he deserves to be saved," I stared down at Ari, trapped within his own mind. Hopefully, someday, he could open his eyes and see a better world than what we had. I place a blanket over him so they couldn't see him.

I turn to leave, whispering my goodbyes to Angel, hoping she could still read my mind. My flock is waiting with the rest of the guests. I lift my hand to signal we're leaving. Without question, they stand up and head towards the door. I'm surprised I can walk out so easily without people being worried that I'm carrying Ari with a blanket over his head.

When we're outside, the driver is waiting for us. He gets into the car quickly and starts it up as we begin to get into the car. When we're in the safety of the car, the flock is staring at me. I lift the blanket off Ari's face and stare at him.

"Where's Angel?" Gazzy asked, he had tears on his face. Eight years old, I told myself, I always seemed to forget how young they are.

"Jeb's watching her and keeping her safe. We're drawing away any M-Geeks that might be following. Driver, how long until the safe house?"

"2 hours Ms. Ride," he replied. I decided since he helped us he was a good guy but I was still watching him, just to be safe.

"Can you stop by a fast food place?" I watched as the flock suddenly realized they were hungry too. We wouldn't last 2 hours in a car if we were starving.

"Jeb said you might ask that. There are a few twenties in the cup holder next to you." I stared down and he wasn't lying. We pulled in now to a McDonald's.

"Fang, help me. Iggy watch everyone." I stepped out of the large car and Fang followed after me. I left Ari lying on the seat. I gave the flock a nod and behind my back signaled for them to watch the driver. Just then, a hand shot out from his window and I jumped.

He was holding the keys out to me. "I'll give them to you if you buy me a cheeseburger." I grabbed the keys from him and nodded my head.

Inside, while waiting in line, I stared at the truck watching to make sure they were all right. "Fang," I whispered, because I knew he was still mad, "I'm sorry."

"For what, not being able to be honest with me? It happens I guess," he crossed his arms and stepped forward in his line. We were at separate registers to guarantee faster results. "I'll have seven quarter pound hamburgers with the works. Eight orders of large fries, six chocolate milkshakes-large, and also, I'll have 7 large sodas please." I laughed because then he added, "And I want this off the dollar menu if I can."

"Having a party?" The woman asked, staring at Fang's wings thinking they were real. "Halloween ain't for a few weeks."

Fang laughed, "I like to get it out of the way. I've got my Christmas shopping already done." Then he gave her a smile and she blushed.

I shot him a death glare and he shrugged. "I better get something nice," I mumbled. Then, it was my turn to go, "Everything that guy just said minus the sodas and milkshakes- so the fries and hamburgers." The man was tall and balding. He seemed kind of afraid that I was ordering so much food like I was a teen who wasn't hungry but up to trouble. If only he knew how much trouble I was really in.

He asked for the price, which I paid for. Fang and I each had an extra twenty to spend. I stuffed it in my pocket like he had so in case we needed it, we had it. I was sad though because normally, Angel would've been here and persuading the man behind the counter to give her a toy.

Fang grabbed my trembling hand and intertwined his fingers with mine. He pressed his forehead against the side of my head. "Max, I'm sorry too. It's just, I'm there for you. You can tell me anything, you know that right?"

"I'll tell you everything Fang, when the time comes. With Angel-I just can't." I shut my eyes and I knew he wanted to kiss me. I could feel his lips just barely brushing my cheek. I wanted him to but it wasn't the time or place. Later, we still had that didn't we?

The bags and mountains of cups were placed on the counter and our numbers were called. Fast food really is fast. The woman gave Fang a receipt but my guy didn't which made my curious. I raised an eyebrow and he shrugged.

I watched as he placed it in his pocket as if it were nothing. We got to the car, tossing the driver his hamburger and keys while trying to separate everything equally between four bird kids and Total. I took a little bit of a large share but only if Ari decided to wake up and he was hungry.

Then, we drove to the safe house, my flock and I minus one.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hey thanks for all the reviews so far! I'm glad to see you enjoy it. You guys have made this my best fanfiction so far! Don't worry there's more to come but it may come slower after this. I don't have school this week which is why it's happening so fast at the moment.