Chapter 9

"You're the traitor," Iggy said sternly, stealing glances over at Fang. We were all flying, we had been for the past couple days. Looking through Jeb's papers, we found that The School was in California. A few days of traveling and we were now flying over Arizona.

"I didn't know," Fang replied back. They had been "arguing" since New York. And when I say arguing I mean that Iggy was calling Fang a traitor and Fang pretty much did what he did best- said very few words back.

"JUST SHUT UP!" I ordered. I found myself so frustrated with Iggy that I went to land down in a forest clearing. I heard as both Iggy and Fang landed. I turned to face them, "Drop it, Iggy! The point of the matter is, it's us against the School. Right now, we need any help we can get," I ran a hand through my hair and I focused my attention on Fang. I took a step closer to him and lifted a finger at him, "And you, if I find out that you honestly are a traitor, I will beat you until next week before sending you back to the School. Understood?" He nodded his head. I sighed, "Let's rest guys, I think we could all use it."

"I know a place," Fang suggested.

"Oh yeah? And will Erasers attack us there too?" Iggy snapped back. I lifted a hand to tell him to drop it.

"Where Fang?" I asked.

"When I was with Jeb…girl needed help…I snuck off and helped her." Fang started making his way through the woods. "She lives near by," he replied.

"How do you know?" Iggy said with a snort.

Fang wouldn't explain. Instead, he just kept walking forward. I stayed back to make sure that nothing was going to jump out on us. I didn't exactly trust Fang, a part of me doubted him while the other part told me he was the most trustworthy of all of us.

Suddenly, the woods had ended and I stood at the edge with Iggy to watch as Fang kept walking. There stood a girl with black hair and brown eyes watching her dog. The dog, however, seemed more interested in Fang. To my surprise, Fang pet his head. "Fang!" The girl called out, she ran over to him and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Fang didn't react and I felt my hands form fists. She didn't look like an Eraser, normally they were adults. She backed away from Fang. "Mom! Fang came back!" I watched as an older woman stepped out with similar features to the girl. A smile spread across her face as she recognized Fang.

Suddenly, he was turning to look over his shoulder at Iggy and I in the woods. "Is someone with you?" The older woman asked. She squinted her eyes as she tried to see us in the shades of the woods.

I took a deep breath and stepped out. Iggy followed closely behind. I was silent, for once, preferring not to talk and be like Fang. "Max," he pointed at me and then at Iggy, "Iggy." Then he pointed at the other two, "Dr. Martinez and her daughter, Ella."

"Well, come on in, I was just making a batch of cookies," Dr. Martinez waved her arm in. Ella and her dog rushed in. Fang, Iggy and I were slow to enter.

"Cookies?" Iggy asked, curious.

"Well, I don't think they can be Erasers now," I muttered.

Inside, we were lead into a kitchen. "So, Fang what brings you and your friends out here?"

"Our friends are in trouble," he told her.

"Is there anything I can do?" Dr. Martinez asked as she placed a plate of cookies in front of us. Fang grabbed one fast and began to eat it. Both Fang and I shook our heads to her question. "More personal, secretive stuff Fang? What exactly are you kids caught up in?" Then her eyes were on Iggy and I, "Do you have wings too?"

I stood up and went to walk out but someone placed a hand on my shoulder. I sighed and turned around, "Yes, but I like people not knowing." I shot a glare at Fang. He pretended not have made me stay and was focusing on eating another cookie. I grabbed one and took a bite…heaven. "We were wondering, Dr. Martinez, if we might have a place to stay just for the night?"

She nodded her head, "Of course! We have three extra rooms, it's such a big house that I don't know why I bought it in the first place. So, feel free to stay as long as you need."

"A day," I assured her, "We only need to rest. Thank you." I went for another cookie. If I could get fat, I would want to get fat off these. They were so good. I heard a snicker and turned my eyes on Fang, "What?"

"You're hooked," he muttered. Iggy too seemed to be enjoying the snack just as well.

"So Max," it was Ella speaking now, "I'll show you to your room now and I'll give you some clothes of mine to sleep in. We'll wash your clothes for you." Ella grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs. It took a lot in me not to hit her. I was use to everyone besides my flock being evil. I was led into a small room with a bed and dresser. "I'll go grab so clothes for you. I'll make sure they're really large for your wings." I gave her a smile.

Then she brought in the clothes, "Are you dating Fang?" I laughed and shook my head. The truth of the matter was- Fang and I had known each other for about two and a half weeks now. No way did I even like him like that. "So, are you sure there isn't anything my mom or I can't do?" I nodded my head.

Later that night, a knock came at my door. "Come in," I called. Suddenly, Fang came in. I sat up and moved over so that he could sit next to me on the bed. I was dressed in a large shirt and shorts that Ella told me she used for when she was painting or doing housework. She even cut slits in the shirt for me so that I could fit my wings through. "So what do you want?" I asked. The rest of the house was dead asleep and scary silent.

"Just want to know if you trust me," Fang stated. His eyes connected with mine for a moment. "I didn't mean to let them get caught like that." I nodded my head to show that I understood and stared at the ceiling. Fang didn't seem to believe me though. "What can I do to prove that I'm on your side?"

I shrugged and shifted my eyes to look at him. "I don't know," I honestly told him, "For all I know, you're leading Iggy and I into a trap waiting for us at the school." Fang shot me a glare, he did not appreciate that lack of trust. "Prove it Fang, find a way to prove you're with me on this."

I watched as Fang thought for a moment then, he was leaning in, keeping eye contact with me. "I swear, that I am with you, Maximum Ride and no one else." I felt my brain shock as his lips pressed against mine. I couldn't even think really if he was tricking me or if he was being honest. All I could manage was to move my lips with his imperfect sync. We broke apart for air, he asked, "Believe me now?" My heart was pounding in my chest and I was trying to get myself to calm down. I had just kissed Fang- kissed him! Did that mean he liked me? Or was he tricking me like Iggy said he would? Fang was searching my eyes for an answer. I had two conflicting sides here- one which really liked the kissing and the other which thought it was a trick.

Paranoia wins. "Just help me save everything, that's all I ask. Then I can believe you." I tilted my head down and averted my eyes. I felt Fang get off the bed. I heard him walk towards the door. I hated the sound of his silence- for once, it was more painful than if he had decided to yell at me and say what was honestly on his mind.