New York, New York

City lights are interestingly bright. I sort of missed them, it's been awhile since the last time we were all here as the flock with lights. "Hey guys? How did you know that I could read Fang's mind?" I had been concentrating so much on Fang's voice in my head that I had failed to notice that somehow- the rest of my flock had realized it.

"Angel," Iggy replied. "Explain."

My eyes went to Angel who was trailing in front of me. We were walking along on the sidewalk, heading towards Fang's new apartment after he told me the address. I was the hardest to hide for the wings because my right one was still completely numb. Iggy had an extra rain jacket to replace mine which was covered in blood.

"Well, you let your block down when you were talking to Fang. I heard and the rest of the flock was really worried when you were swerving while you flew so I just filled them in," Angel gave me a wide, 'please don't be mad' grin. Well, that would explain Iggy telling me to talk to Fang.

Are you there yet?

What are you? A backseat driver?

No, just anxious to see you again.

Good try. Who are you and what have you done with Mr. Emotionless?

Nothing, you're just stuck inside his head.

I know- I'm trying to forget that.

Not working?

Obviously not.

Are you there yet?

Yes.

You're lying.

Yes.

Are you ignoring me?

Yes.

Should I go now?

Yes.

Are you-

For god sake's Fang, before I kill you.

"Max?" Nudge walked beside me. I was exhausted and I'm sure the rest of them were too. I raised an eyebrow as we crossed the street with a group of non-evil, most likely normal people. "Ever wonder what it would be like if this really was all a big test like Jeb keeps telling you? What if every move we make, matters…it's like chess. I don't like that kind of game."

"Me neither, Nudge." We took a right, passing by a man selling hot dogs that looked like they had been dropped a few times. A woman was busy walking with earphones in. The street for the most part was empty. We stood in front of a tall building, it was pretty decent for an apartment complex and at the very top was the balcony. A dark figure leaned against the glass barrier on it staring at the sky. "Come on guys, we're taking the fire escape."

I nudged them all to the alleyway. We couldn't just whip our wings out into public- someone was bound to notice. Angel went first then Nudge followed by Iggy after that was Gazzy and before I climbed, I passed off Total to Iggy for him to carry. When I went to climb my entire right side began to throb a little bit, my body starting to break down the tranquilizers in my blood. I winced each time I grabbed a rung in the ladder.

My feet hit the metal platform and the rest of the way up was stairs. I had to keep myself calm so as not to run. It had only been five days since I had last seen them but if you know bird-kid life than you know ours go by faster than normal. One second means everything to us. A day is like a year for normal people.

When we reached the final set of stairs, the rest of the flock broke out into a race to reach him first. They made their way past the corner of the building onto the balcony I had seen from down below. I struggled to keep up from behind. By the time I reached the balcony, everyone else was already in a tight embrace with Fang. I heard them laugh and telling him about what had just happened.

Someone, I don't know who, filled him in on my injured wing. Suddenly Fang was staring straight at me and rushing over to me. "What do we need to do? Iggy?" Fang stared at me the entire time but we both knew Iggy was the one to go to over the injury. Now both of them were near me.

Nice to see you too.

You're hurt.

No duh!

"Take the wind breaker off Max," Iggy was behind me as I slipped off the coat. My wing tingled and hurt. I grimaced as his fingers traced along the bloody mess that had once been my right wing. Fang, even though he stood in front of me, could see some of the damage and stared at me in part anger for not telling him and part concern.

"From the looks of it," Iggy whispered as he moved the wing around, "You broke it in two spots Max. I give it five days at the most for healing. I'm just going to make a sling with my windbreaker for you.

As Iggy began fumbling with my wing and I tried not wincing anymore, I did my best to talk to Fang. "Are we able to go in or is it too risky? It's not like we can't handle sleeping out here."

From what I've managed to do, they can still hear voices but can't tell what we're saying. I wouldn't risk it unless I was you unless you don't talk. Iggy, finished with setting my wing, and it felt strange having the windbreaker awkwardly tied around my wing.

"We'll stay out here then," I went and leaned against the balcony with my back facing away from the view of the city so I could stare at my view. "Once my wing is healed guys, we'll go out into hiding more." I couldn't deny the look of disappointment in the kids' eyes. I sighed, "Guys, we're obviously no longer safe."

"When have we ever been safe?" Nudge mumbled, crossing her arms. "Why can't they just leave us alone? I hate this! What are we supposed to do exactly? Run forever, or until we get our expiration dates?" There was a moment when we all sucked in a breath- the ultimatum said out in the open.

"Nudge, we survive. That's all we can do and being here isn't a good idea at all, they're obviously watching Fang. As for the dates, there is no sign as to when we'll get them. So, we get with what we have- today." Nudge nodded her head. "Guys, let's go to sleep."

I placed my fist out. Everyone stuck their fists out. The typical flock handshake was performed and then we all went to spread out on the balcony. Fang was walking beside me as I went to the corner from where I could watch everyone. "You should go inside and sleep. They'll think it strange if you sleep out here."

"Been sleeping out here since the first night, waiting for all of you," he informed me. I sat down against the wall trying to ignore the pain in my shoulder against the hard wall. "They'll think nothing of it." Fang, noticing my discomfort, sat beside me and forced me to move so I was leaning against him instead of the really stiff wall. Oh the joys of having a broken wing.

"I'll take first watch," I informed him, the pain would be keeping me up once the rest of the tranquilizers faded off.

"I'll take it with you," he replied. It's not like you can force me to go to sleep Max, at least not with your broken wing.

Hey! I heard that!

Yeah, exactly, that will keep me up all night too. Your voice rambling on in my head. Do you ever stop thinking?

Well sorry I'm trying to figure out how we're going to survive the next day. We do have Brigid and my sister hunting us down right now. Well, maybe not you because Brigid just gave you a new life but still, I have the rest of the flock to worry about.

Max, ever take the time to just relax?

How can I?

Like this.

Then I turned to look at Fang.

He kissed me.

Oh boy, was he right about relaxing.