Chapter 34

Fang and I flew out to the small town of Running Springs to make a call. I figured the flock wouldn't want to hear bad news if there was any about Angel. Plus, I had an important question for Jeb.

The center of the town was very small with only four buildings. The post office, a convenient store, a hair salon, and the library was all there with sidewalks and very few cars. I enjoyed the under populated area, it made me less jumpy. Fang's hand was in mine as we walked into the convenient store hoping there was a pay phone we could use. We lucked out.

On the fly here I saw the high school that was smaller than the first one we went to. After all of this, that's where I would go to school. The middle school and elementary school were right there as well so the flock would be close in case of an emergency. I was starting to picture it now.

I called the operator and asked for the hospital name where we left Jeb and Angel. A woman who answered asked what we called for and I gave Angel's room number. Jeb picked up after the first ring, "Hello?"

"Jeb?" I asked as Fang leaned his head on my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my waist. "How is she?" I had my other hand curled into a fist wondering what exactly I should be doing.

"She'll be fine Max, she's been in and out of waking up. She's managed to say she can't read minds anymore but her wings are responding. She'll be out soon and she'll live." My heart fluttered.

"Thank God," I whispered. "Jeb, what's the number for SAFETY?" I had to get as much help as I could. If anyone was willing to come fight, I wanted them to be there. I wasn't going to force anyone because I knew how dangerous this was.

"Bye Jeb," I replied after he gave me the number. We hung up and I hugged Fang instantly. I smiled, "She's all right! She can't read minds anymore but she's going to live." I felt a smile play on his lips as his face rested against my neck. "You're turn to call." I murmured. He didn't even object. I gave him the number (555-SAFE) and watched as he dialed.

As he was on the phone, asking if anyone would like to help, I stood guard watching the store. The door rang and I watched a man walk in. He was tall, with a dark braid down his back. He had thin-framed glasses that were silver, a straight nose, and lips that curved down in a frown. He was a stone. The man wore a white scientist lab coat and you know how well I reacted to that. I heard Fang mumble a thanks, a goodbye, and then hang up.

I grabbed his sleeve and he turned instantly feeling my fear. The man turned and faced us for a moment with that cold face reminding me of Fang. He gave a slight hint of a smile before turning around and walking away. "Fang, I don't trust him. Let's leave."

I stared at Fang who was shocked, completely. I tugged at the sleeve, "Do you know him?" Fang shook his head and connected eyes with me. "Should we fight him?" Again he shook his head. "Then, let's go." I wrapped my hand tightly into his thinking that Fang was lying to me. He someone knew that man, he had to.

We rushed out and the man didn't even follow us. We instantly took flight when no one was in our sight. The entire fly back Fang was silent and staring straight ahead. On the way to town, he had been smiling and looking at me. There was something in his mind that he was thinking of. He was having an argument just like I was worrying about him in the moment.

"What did everyone at SAFETY ask?" We landed on the roof and sat down. We would see the kids in a moment and give them the good news about Angel. He sat first, leaning against the chimney as he straddled the top of the black roof. I did the same and faced him. Our knees were touching as he stared at me.

"Mela and few others," he said listing those who would be on our side. I knew Mela would help after the dodgeball incident. I did sort of miss her. He was staring at the woods instead of at me.

"Fang, what's wrong?" I thought it had to do with that man back at the store. I kept thinking there was some resemblance between them and there was no denying Fang knew who he was. I wish I could reach out to him better than I knew how. I wasn't good with emotions. Maybe I could beat him into telling me, that's how I normally did it.

"Hmm," Fang hadn't even been listening. He stared at me and lowered his eyes instantly. "Max, I've been thinking." Like I couldn't tell that, I rolled my eyes. "You've got too much on your shoulders and you're always worrying and afraid."

"I'm all right Fang," I said feeling something in his tone that I didn't like. In fact, his tone sort of scared me. He hesitated and leaned forward. He pressed his lips against mine and I felt them shaking. Fang was scared or worried. He was upset. I held his face to kiss him a moment longer and then backed away. "What's going on?"

Fang's forehead rested against mine, my eyes watched as he looked away from me. "I don't want you spending trouble worrying about me. Max, you're better off without me."

"What?" I spat, grabbing fistfuls of his grey shirt in my hands and holding him where he sat. He wasn't just going to walk away from this without explaining. "Fang, I love you. I need you. Without you, everything would be worse." He sighed as if he didn't believe me.

A tear caught me by surprise and fell down my cheek. No, I wouldn't cry now if he was really going to do this. Fang's hands overlapped mine and loosened my grip on his shirt. The wrinkled fabric fell back against his chest. "But I don't love you." I stood up and stared at him. Pain, agony, more pain, shocks up and down my spine, all of me just hurt at that moment.

Fang's voice was emotionless. I couldn't tell if he was lying or if this was the truth. I didn't even trust myself with words anymore. Overhead thunder rolled in the distance as dark rain clouds made their ways towards us. Fang's dark eyes stared at me past his dark hair.

Should've known with all the black in his looks that his heart would be just as black too, right? Fang stood up as well and stared at me as if he was reaching out to me. Millions of questions, comebacks, and witty, sarcastic lines that I could whip out in point two seconds while ready to fight but here, now? I was speechless. So, I did what I knew best.

I lunged at him in two steps and swung my right arm straight towards his face. He saw it coming, he watched the fist, and he didn't stop it or try to. My fist hit his jaw and his head jerked sideways from impact. Then, I ran off the roof and cushioned my fall with my wings. I walked through the front door pretending as if everything was normal.

I went to the flock and told them all about Angel as Fang remained outside.

Explanation to come! I promise!

A lot of Reviews might convince me to post again tonight!