Daddy Dearest
"Max?" We were hovering over a thick woods in I had no idea where when Nudge's voice rang out.
"If it's about food Nudge I don't want to hear about it!" I practically screamed at her but come on, we had just stopped twenty minutes ago. Nudge hovered down below me and stared right at me. She did not appreciate my comment.
Are you all right Max? Angel, reading my mind as usual, asked this. If she just saw what I was thinking than she would know exactly what was going on. I felt Angel's mental flinch and I tried block her out. I just didn't want to be bother at the moment.
"No, I was going to say, there's someone down there," Nudge pointed her finger down to the forest meters ahead. There was smoke and it was coming out in strange ways. I instantly recognized what it spelt.
M
A
X
I
T
S
J
E
B
Great, my father. "Let's go guys, we're going to land." I kind of regretted Jeb ever teaching us Morse code, then, I could've ignored it and gone on my marry way to find Fang and decide exactly whose butt was getting kicked.
I tilted my tawny feathers in and angled myself downwards. They all followed me. My feet skittered into the dirt as I landed a few inches in front of the fire. On the other side was my father smirking and quite pleased with his little message.
I placed my hands on my hip, "What do you want? I don't necessarily have time. How did you even know I was here?" Jeb shrugged for a moment but I glared at him. I violently flicked my wings. I did not have time for this. I had to get to Fang.
"I have my ways, let's not worry about them. You want to know where Fang is?" My hands relaxed at my side.
"Can you please tell us Jeb?" Nudge asked. I knew what she was thinking, I didn't need to be a mind reader. I wasn't myself anymore, I was moody and angry. Three days since I had last seen Fang and it was driving me insane.
"Go to New York City, you'll find him from there with our little mind reader. Fly through the sky, but be careful. Brigid is watching him and Ella is out for you." That was a spear through my heart. It's not like you want to be reminded that your half-sister is out to kill you.
"Thanks Jeb, I suppose," I crossed my arms, "Is there a 'but' to this situation? Something we have to repay you with?" Jeb raised an eyebrow. I noticed it I did that as well. I had gotten that from him- most likely.
"Well, they aren't going to hurt him Max. If he continues to pretend he's normal, he pretty much gets a normal life guaranteed. I know that's what you wanted for him before." The flock stared at me as I thought about this. "But he remembers you Max, he remembers all of you and still has his wings- Brigid just doesn't know." Again, I thought, would Fang understand if we didn't get him, if we let him live a normal life? I'd rather he'd have that.
"No Max, not as long as he still remembers. He's waiting for you, he can't live without you Max," Angel whispered, reaching her hand up to grab mine. She was probably overestimating that. I know I can't live without Fang but he's always been stronger than me in that way. "You've never read his thoughts Max, I know. He needs you more."
I ruffled her head, "Sweetie, he could be happy, no more monsters chasing him."
"But it's not your decision Max," Iggy glared at me, "Let's find Fang and ask him what he's wants. If he wants normal, we go. If not, then he can leave with us and we'll deal with Brigid." I winced, Iggy actually made sense there. But what if he saw me, thought I was the right choice, but then years later it turned out to be wrong.
"Max," Angel whispered, "He wants to be with you forever. He wants to stay with the flock forever. We've never had parents Max, not real ones. But you and Fang are the mom and dad of this flock. We need him back. You need him back."
Does anyone else get nervous when the six-year-old starts making sense? Or when the irresponsible guy is making rational decision? Yeah, they were growing up my flock. I had raised them-no, Fang and I had raised them well. Sure, I was leader, but he was just as important as my right-hand man.
"Jeb," I nodded my head to my father, "Nice to see you but I've got one of my own to rescue." I opened up my wings and ran towards the end of the opening to gain enough speed before lifting off into the sky. I heard the rushed of other wings being extended and then I heard the running of their feet as the flock lifted into the air.
We were flying for a few minutes when Iggy hovered near me, "You know what I just realized?" I tiled my head to show him I was listening. "If we're rescuing Fang, then that makes him the damsel in distress."
I grinned, "Yes, and I am Robin Hood. You are my merry mutant men." I giggled for a few seconds. You got to leave it to Iggy, he knows how to lighten the mood when he tries.
"Isn't that the cartoon with the fox?" Gazzy asked. "That was an awful movie. At least, I always thought that because animals can't talk."
"I resent that," Total huffed from where he was, sticking his nose up the air as his little wings flapped. "Honestly, if you consider our little mission a daring little rescue, you might want to pick a better damsel."
"Well," Nudge thought, "If we got to pick, I definitely wouldn't chose Max. I mean, could you imagine her in a dress while standing in a tower going 'Help me, Help me.'" I snorted and we all broke out into laughter at the image Nudge had just brought up.
I felt the wind rushing through my hair as I focused now on the dark night sky before me. We'd reach New York City in an hour maybe. Hopefully, if we were lucky and Fang was thinking really loud thoughts, we could find him by the end of tonight if we didn't stop to rest. I knew the flock wouldn't want to sleep when we were so close to getting Fang back.
Don't worry, we're coming Fang.
Max?!
I forgot for a moment to flap my wings. My heart was jumping inside of my heart. Had I just heard Fang's voice in my head?
What? How can I hear you?
I don't know…
Then the Voice (Jeb) interrupted us with this tidbit:
Oh yeah, Fang, the serum I injected you with connected your mind with Max's.
I thought I mentioned it.
No, you didn't, Fang growled in my mind.
Oh Geezums.