Breathe

"Max."

I heard him say my name. I had seen the tears in his eyes. I felt him holding me tight. But I also heard the slow pounding of my dying heart. I had seen Abraham stab me in the side. I felt myself too weak to heal. I wasn't going to live.

Then, I felt life.

I told myself, Breathe..breathe for love.

Come on Max, fight for Fang.

I wasn't sure what it was, maybe when Fang's bent his power to enter me or when his tears brushed against me. Suddenly, strength came inside of me. I could feel my wound healing and my heart beginning to pick up pace again.

I could only focus on holding Fang's hand in mine. I applied pressure. Then, I opened my eyes very, very slowly to make sure I wasn't really dying anymore. I felt myself trembling, I was still weak. Every inch of my body was not in its greatest condition.

"She'll be fine," I heard a woman's voice. It was delicate and soft. I felt Fang's hand squeeze mine. "You've healed her, Phoenix. Now, you must leave. Your flock is waiting outside for you. Take 000001 and go." I felt Fang's hands shift to underneath me and lift me up. I was cradled into his chest.

"Abraham," Fang murmured, I could hear the anger in his voice at the name. I could see Fang now, although he didn't know my eyes were open yet. He was staring at the woman who was talking. His mouth was tight, his eyes red, and his black hair messed up.

"There are those who will take care of him. Why worry though when you have 000001 to worry about?" She had called me the same as Jeb and the rest of the scientists when we had be trapped at the School. What else did she know? "Subject 11 and the others are waiting." Subject 11, that's what they had called Angel.

"Why should I trust you?" Fang asked, holding me tightly. Didn't he notice that my breathing was back to normal? Didn't he feel when I had held his hand? His dark eyes were glaring at the woman. I wished to see her but my body hurt too much to move.

"If you love her, then I suggest you leave Phoenix. I've called for help. They'll take anyone without question. Let them just have Abraham. 000001 is too important to lose, you as well." I wondered what she meant. Who was 'they'?

My fingers moved a bit, my hand were lying against his chest back to its normal heat. "Go," I croaked, my voice was raspy and weak. Fang's good hearing picked it up. There was a stopping of the world as he realized I had said the words.

"Max?"

"See, I told you she would be fine. Phoenix, you gave her the first life. Abraham only programmed for you to have two lives. He never planned on how you would give up the first. You gave it to 000001, she lived because you bended your power and gave it to her because your need for her to live was so powerful." I smiled, Fang had saved me. He had given me life. "Now go!"

Fang listened to her this time. I felt him running, the shaky movement of him holding on to me while doing so. "Max," he whispered, "It'll be okay." I knew it would then. I felt weak still, my body ached, but now I also knew I would live.

And Fang was the one to thank.

***

"Is she all right?"

"Nudge, be quiet and let her sleep. She's fine. She just has a lot to recover from."

"I wish I could read her mind to make sure."

"I can barely see her now, but even I can tell she's all right."

"Sight not better? I wonder why it worked so well for a year and then just stopped. Maybe it was something you ate. You are what you eat and you have been eating a lot of Cheetos."

"Nudge, shut up. Max will be okay right Fang?"

"Yeah, Gazzy."

I felt a soft bed on my back. With the wings, it's a bit uncomfortable compared to sleeping on my stomach or on my back but it's all right. It beats being dead. The figures are leaning over me and watching me. I can feel it.

Max, please wake up. I need you to wake up. I love you. Fang's voice went through my head. Was I hallucinating? Had I finally lost my mind?

Fang? I love you too.

What was going on? I felt a strange connection with him now, stronger than I had ever felt before. His heart was speeding up in recognition to my voice, he felt warmer than usual surrounded by all these people. He was worried. He was thinking about what he had to do to make sure the flock ate dinner. Fang was thinking of the woman, wondering who she was, and if Ella and Dr. Martinez would want them around with all the trouble the caused.

Max…what? What's going on?

I can hear your thoughts. I can feel you all around me. I honestly don't know.

I felt you too.

I think it's from the life you gave me. I'm part of you now Fang, just like I'm part of you when I gave my blood to you. The connection is complete. That's why you were in my dreams- from when I gave you my blood. We can talk now because you gave me your life.

Can you wake up?

Instead of answering, I slowly opened my eyes to find twelve pairs of eyes staring down at me. The entire flock, including Total, were staring down at me. I gave a weak smile, "Hey guys."

"Max!" Nudge jumped up and down smiling. Iggy nodded his head. Angel and Gazzy both wrapped their arms around me. Total licked my hand. Fang stood back, knowing his hello would come later.

I slowly sat up. My bones cracked and moaned. "How long?" I asked trying not to think about the fact that I could read Fang's mind as easily as Angel use to read everyone else's. What was going on? I wondered, if I found that woman who had helped us would have the answer.

"Just three days, we're at your mom's house."Angel answered. "Guess what? Abraham was put in jail for illegal use of medical tools and inhumane experiments! He's in for a good, long time!"

"Twenty-five years actually," Gazzy answer to correct his sister. My eyes tried to see any change in them. Of course, I saw a lot of changes. Angel was taller, less evil without her old powers, and smarter. Gazzy was less of a trouble maker (although still a trouble maker) and seemed to be quite the handsome little devil (he'll break a few hearts I think). Nudge appeared more like the teenager she was, having gone through puberty, and she would be the belle of the balls. Iggy was still a sexist pig, but he got into less trouble and had matured (just a bit). Fang was still silent, but he laughed and smiled more than I ever thought him capable of. I wondered what my own changes had been.

"Guys," I replied, "I think we should leave." They all seem disappointed, especially Iggy. He'd have to say goodbye to Ella. "It's for the best." I focused on moving my legs a bit. The pain was a bit on the strong side.

"Max, I know a place on a secluded island. Jeb told me about it. He made it for us for safety. He gave me the coordinates," Angel spoke up. "We should go there, it's completely protected Max. He said it was safer than our first house. It was for when we finally needed to settle and we weren't being hunted anymore."

I sighed, "Brigid is still out there. We're still hunted but it seems like the best option. Pack up, we're leaving soon." The flock nodded their heads and went to go pack up. Fang stayed behind for a moment, his arms crossed.

"Ready?" I asked him.

"All ready packed," he responded. Then, he stepped closer to me, "So." He sat next to me and moved a piece of hair out of my face. "We're finally doing it my way?"

I narrowed my eyes, "I believe I was the one who suggested to leave." I was smiling though and he was too.

"No, the island thing. My idea." That's when I remembered. When he had first kiss me, he wanted to run to some island and just forget our problems.

"Yeah, I suppose your right." I kissed him. I moved my legs so I was sitting over the edge of the bed. I attempted to stand. I stumbled but Fang caught me. "Let's go say goodbye. We need to leave soon."

With Fang's help, I said goodbye to my mom and sister.

Then, once I was ready for sure, Angel led the flock to safety…

Note that the story is not done. An epilogue is still due. And a preview to the third installment of this series (that's right, story number 3!) I hope you liked it. A lot will happen in the third book. I just need one opinion from you wonderful people:

Should I name is Maximum Ride: Evolution or Maximum Ride: Darker Truths? Whichever gets the most will be the winner!

Song is Breathe by Paramore

Thanks to Somebodyyoudon'tknowprobably for the song name!