Chapter 5

Fang had been here not one week when it happened.

I had been observing the grounds and out of my overprotective state for my flock, Fang had been with me. We were flying over a large drop where there was a dirt road. There in the darkness from a tree branch we watched as a large SUV drove across. There was nothing in their way to stop them or make them crash. I hadn't expected that road to be found at all.

The only way to find the house, however, was through flight. So, Fang and I didn't fly back just yet. We watched as the SUV stopped and Erasers stepped out. It had been two years since I had last seen them so what I was witnessing was the new and improved version. They were deadlier, more human, and just as scary. I shivered which caught Fang's eyes. We shared a glance that said we both felt the same.

To my horror, another figure stepped out into the light of a fire that another group of Erasers that weren't in the SUV had started. "I'm telling you, we'll get to the house in soon enough. They're unsuspecting. As for the recent escaped experiment, there is no hint as to where he went."

I didn't wait any longer, I pushed myself off the branch without even considering waiting for Fang. I could care less if he even went back to them. The wind stung my sensitive eyes seeing as how I was about to go ballistic in tears with what I had just seen.

It was Jeb! I knew it for real now. It was clearly confirmed right there in front of my eyes. How could he! "Max," suddenly, I peered up to see Fang flying over me. His dark eyes unwavering and strong, completely and annoyingly emotionless were staring down at me. "You knew already."

"I know. Thanks for being completely obvious! You know what this means? We actually have to leave!" I surged forward a bit with anger. Caution: I have road rage when I'm in the air. Fang kept up easily though, it's not like I had super speed or anything. I was so absorbed in the fact that the safety of our home was compromised and we would have to leave that when I took a sudden turn, Fang didn't have time to react.

Our wings fumbled together and we were falling down. An arm snaked around my waist and my entire body was shifted on top of something. I didn't hit the ground but Fang who took the entire impact of it all. He let out a groan as he laid there with his arm still around me. I glared at him. "Way to go," I complained even though it was technically all my fault. I pushed off him and headed towards the house. He walked silently behind me.

"Everyone!" I screamed knowing they were asleep. I ran up the stairs. "Get up now! Get up! Get up! Pack small and light, we're leaving now! Emergency action 4! Come on now." Fang was following me this entire time. I went into my room and grabbed a backpack. I shoved as much as I could into the small confinement. I also raced back downstairs passing all the open doors of the flock which revealed every single one of them packing up.

Angel who had probably woken to my thought came up beside me, "Max? What's going on exactly?" I practically leaped down the stairs to reach the bottom. Fang was still following me as well. I went to the draw and grabbed the emergency money that Jeb had informed me about after he left.

"We aren't safe here, Jeb's a traitor sweetie and their coming for us now. Tell everyone to be downstairs now." She nodded her head and walked away. I grabbed one of the extra bags and began to stuff food in it. Fang stood in the kitchen watching me. "Why are you following me!? See if the others need help." He didn't move, instead, he walked over to me and placed a hand over mine. Slowly, he pried the bag from my hand and began packing the food. I ran a hand nervously through my hair. Last minute, I went to grab any of Jeb's old documents. He told me of a secret compartment in the wall once that the rest of the flock didn't know about. I went for those.

When I was back in the kitchen stuffing the papers in my backpack, the flock was all standing there waiting and half-awake. We wouldn't go very far tonight but I would make sure far enough that if we slept, the group of Erasers still couldn't find us. "We're leaving now, I'll explain later." I headed out the door and the followed. To my surprise, when I went to grab Ari and carry him, he was already in Fang's arms. I jumped into the air and went mainly east, in the opposite direction of the group of Erasers.

***

"So what exactly are we going to do?" Fang sat beside me. He had carried Ari the entire time. Those two had been friends easily. I suppose it was because they had each other to not talk to…ironically speaking. Fang had fit in perfectly though, well enough that in one week he was asking what "we" were going to do instead of just what "I" was going to do.

"Not sure, fly around for a bit, find somewhere to camp down for awhile." I shrugged. Fang was digging into another ravioli can. Does he ever get sick of that stuff? He took a bite and chewed while staring at me for more of an explanation. I instantly lied, "Don't worry, I have a plan." He raised an eyebrow, seeing instantly that wasn't telling the complete and honest truth, "I'll figure it out as we go along."

Fang nodded his head before swallowing what was in his mouth. Then, with a serious frown, he looked over at Iggy, "Doesn't your boyfriend mind that we're talking about this? Shouldn't you be consulting with him?" Iggy was fast asleep at the farthest end of the cave we had inhabited for the moment. He was convinced still of staying away from Fang.

"Not my boyfriend," I muttered with narrowed eyes. "Don't ever say that again. Iggy never wants to know about this stuff. He's too not serious. I have to tell him to clean up after himself more than Angel." Fang smirked, it was his trademark for a laugh. I learned that quickly in the past few days. I looked back at Fang just as Iggy stretched and rolled over so his back was facing us, "You know, you could've just gone off. You don't need to stick with us. We're being chased. They don't know you're with us. It might be safer for you to leave."

I stretched my arms over my head and yawned. I wasn't sure if I could handle another shift of staying up. Iggy was of no help at the moment the…I won't say it, he's still a member of this flock and I love him like a brother. Fang placed a hand on my shoulder, "I'll stay up, if you want."

I didn't reply. I just picked up a stick and poked at the burning ashes in the center of our cave. Survival 101 was still rebooting in my head right now but it would all come back to me eventually. Fang noticed my silence, "Still don't trust me?" My eyes connected with his. He saw enough, "I understand."

"You can go to sleep if you want," I offered.

Fang shook his head and leaned his head against the cave wall. His arms were resting on his propped up knees. He looked at me, making it obvious that he wasn't going to sleep. "Nope, I don't trust you either. You could have your boyfriend kill me."

"For the last-."

"Ssh!" Fang clamped his hand over my mouth and leaned closer towards me so we were inches apart. He went to whisper in my ear, "All right, I get it. Just don't wake them up again. They need to sleep." There was a hint of a smile in his dark voice. "Can I move my hand now?" I nodded my head. "Don't start yelling," he warned as slowly, he removed his calloused hand. Then, he moved his face back so we were staring eye to eye. All of a sudden, he was smiling as he rolled his eyes. "Girls," he complained.

I punched him in the arm, "How would know anything about girls?" At that instant, the air could've gone sour with recognition of the truth to those words. After all, Fang had been a prisoner up until now. He wouldn't know about girls at all or people in general for that matter. Not that my flock was that much better at social etiquette.

Fang smiled wider though and sighed.

"Fine then." He paused for dramatic effect. "Maximum Ride," he complained.

"Better," I replied.

And considering the situation I now found myself in, I still couldn't help but smile.

Fang had that kind of control over me already.

But don't let him know that.

Here is Chapter 5 for you. I hope you guys enjoy the story. I think this might be the personal favorite of mine that I've written. I just posted an "original" story also called Fight From the Inside which involves a seventh member of the flock (I know people hate those but give it a shot) still captive. Her mission is to destroy Itex from the inside while MAx fights on the out. I wrote it when I was fourteen and I thought it was decent enough to put up here for opinions. Check it out if you're interested.

A bientot (that's french, I take it but I don't remember what this means),

flyerac1029