Local Fair

We booked it out of Wal-Mart early morning before anyone could catch us with the uhh…little mess that we left behind. I swear, it was a total accident and I know- we should be staying low but my philosophy is, "If you didn't get caught, you didn't do it." But I only apply that rule when we're on the run for our lives. Otherwise, I would've owned up to it and fixed the issue. As for the missing clothes and random items of food…I can't explain what happened to them (wink, wink).

"Ooh, Max, look a fair!" Nudge pointed down towards a large open field that was filled with tents and rides. We had been flying for an extremely long time since early morning and we all needed a break. I figured it would be all right. I still had a few bills left from my mom. We all landed at the edge of the woods right by the open field.

Stepping towards the crowd, I let Iggy and Nudge break off. Angel and Gazzy would stick with me at all times. Fang stepped off into nowhere after giving me one kiss on the cheek. Angel pulled me towards a face painter…who decided Angel was so adorable she deserved a free face paint. I stood impatiently was Gazzy stared at a man make cotton candy for him and the women paint a pink butterfly on her cheek.

Overhead the sky was looking gray and boring. I hoped the rain would hold off until we did some more traveling. I was really set on just flying to nowhere to avoid the School from finding us. I went to a ticket booth, with Angel and Gazzy following closely behind as I had asked them to do. I each got them a little bracelet that would let them on any of the rides they wanted. Angel went to the carousel and Gazzy ran through the cheap fun house a bazillion times.

All the while, I kept my eyes on the crowds for any suspicious people. I was wondering what we were going to do…not just the flock in general but Fang and I. There was no denying that we were together, right? But what if we broke up and then, couldn't stand the sight of each other? Then, we'd have to break apart and what would happen to the flock? It would be like a divorcing family…Total suck-fest right?

I know I would never do it…leave Fang and he had promised me the same but we could change. We're only sixteen…we could grow up and loose the feelings we share. "You're silly Max," Angel said, standing beside me, her ride on the carousel done. "Fang loves you just as much. I know. It's not just silly teenager love…It's real, never breaking love." Sometimes, you just have to go with the mind reader.

I ruffled her hair and watched as she ran off to the fun house to join Gazzy through the little escapade. At least they were having fun, I wouldn't be sure how long this would last. I searched over the crowd. My eyes landing on a flash of red…it's like a flashing alert sign. Beside the red-head was none other than Fang. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, emotionless again. He nodded his head up and down while the girl spoke to him. His hands in his pocket as he listened intently on what she was saying. Eventually, his eyes went up to find me. I took a step, hoping to intervene like he did yesterday at Wal-Mart. He briskly ran a hand through his hair…our sign to back off. He didn't want me near him. After what Angel said, I was going to keep walking towards him. He gave me the sign again and I knew there was no mistake.

"Come on, let's try that ride," I say to Angel and Gazzy, blocking my thoughts. I turned my back on Fang. I guess- in the end- I just don't compete with red-headed girls. Even if Fang was the only love in my life…and even though I thought I was the same for him…things never turn out right.

Fang's POV

I thanked the man behind the table as he handed me the box. Max didn't know I had money on my pocket and I was glad I hadn't told her. This money would've gone towards food or clothing instead of the most important gift I would ever give. I opened the box and took out the gift. I slipped it through a silver chain I had bought and hid it under the collar of my shirt where Max wouldn't find it earlier than she was supposed to.

Lately, I don't know what's been getting into me. I suddenly couldn't get Max out my head and it was worse. I couldn't stop thinking about her for more than a few seconds. Not that I'm complaining, I loved having her in my mind. I supposed it happened when I finally remembered…I didn't want to ever forget so I replayed the memories in my head to make sure it never happened again.

I watched her from a far, realizing what I had just bought hanging around my neck like a weight. How to give it to her without her totally freaking out? It was so hard to tell with Max. Sometimes, she was the most wonderful girl in the world like last night at Wal-Mart. Sometimes, she ran away but I hoped those moments were still in the past. Do I dare tell her that all this while I've been admiring the curve of her lips when they pout or her hard, brown-eyed stare that won me over instantly? You don't find love at sixteen…you either find junk or your soul mate. And Max- most definitely- was not junk. Amazing how she didn't even know it.

I crossed my arms and slightly smiled as she carefully watched Gazzy go through the funhouse. She was talking to Angel and I watched, as Angel told her something, the way Max turned a deep red. I loved when she did that.

Suddenly, red hair, dark evil eyes, and a wicked grin stepped in front of me. "Hello Fang," she replied. Brigid. From this angle, Max wouldn't be able to see her face and know who I was talking to. "Say anything to get their attention and I'll have my men shoot them." Brigid nodded her head over her shoulder and I saw them now, hiding among the rides and crowds, men so well camouflaged you would need them pointed out to you.

"What do you want?" I muttered through clenched teeth.

"You and the flock of course, but I figured, why make such a scene if I can get you now and have them come to me." I looked over her shoulder to see Max staring right at me. She was assuming this was a random red-head not giving me any trouble. She took a step towards me and I instantly ran a hand through my hair. Her movement towards me made the men lift their weapons and aim at her. Max didn't understand but I gave her the signal. She appeared hurt-oh God- I had done that. Then, she was leading Gazzy and Angel away without ever looking over her shoulder.

Brigid laughed as if she knew exactly what had happened. "All right, bird-boy let's go. Know that if you try to run now, my men stationed here will attack you flock and anyone who gets in their way." I bit my lip and tried not to hit her. I would lose too much if I did.

"Fine," I replied, glaring at her. It's not as if I was going willingly. I just had no choice.

"That's a good birdy," Brigid teased as she wrapped her hand around me. She dragged me out of the fair towards the edge of the forest. "What a shame, I forgot to let you say goodbye," she laughed as she pushed me into a van filled with more M-Geeks who instantly held me down. I tried to attack her I was so angry. The item latched on to my necklace came into view but Brigid failed to notice it at first. "Don't fight now, I could still have them killed you know," she warned and I settled down. "Good," she replied stepping closer to me. She lifted my chin and stared at my face. Her eyes traveled down to my neck where the silver chain and ring laid out in the open for her to see.

"Really, Fang," she laughed, "You were going to ask Maximum Ride to marry you."

"Yes," I replied before Brigid knocked me unconscious.

Max's POV

We stood in the rain waiting at our meeting point for three hours.

Fang never showed.

No goodbye.

Even for his silent persona, that wasn't like him.

Did he lie when he said he loved me?

I don't know…

But when I find him, I am going to find out.