A/N: Hey y'all! MrsOdair1 here (obviously…) anyways, just wanted to give you a warning. I'm putting a song in this chapter, but this is not, let me repeat, not turning into a songfic. There'll just be an occasional song, like every once in a while.

Friends, Family, and… Feathers? Book One: Abducted By The Flock

Chapter 13:

"How could you let Nudge manhandle me?" I ask Iggy indignantly as I flop down on his bed.

He shrugs. "Seemed like it would be funny," he says. I roll my eyes, slightly upset that it has no effect on him.

"I'm rolling my eyes, Iggy. Now, give me your hand," I say, holding out my hand expectantly. He reaches out, not really knowing which way to direct his hand. I move mine closer, ever so slightly so he won't notice. He slips his hand into mine and I press the first word into his palm.

"Okay, do you remember what this means? I ask, signing 'black' into his hand.

"Umm… I think it was black?" he says. I can tell by the way he talks that he really, really wants this to work. I nod vigorously, a huge smile on my face. Then, I remember he can't see me.

"That's right," I say. "What does this mean?" I ask, pressing a different word, this time 'remember' into his hand.

"Was that one remember?" he asks.

"Yup," I say, ecstatic that he's catching on so well.

Finally, after showing him all the words I can think of, I glance at the clock. 1:37. AM? Holy God, I was here way longer than I expected.

"Hey, Iggy?"

"Yeah?"

"It's really late. I'm gonna go to bed," I say, yawning loudly at the end for emphasis.

"Okay," he says, sounding sad. "Will you show me more later?"

"Of course," I tell him, grabbing the boots Nudge forced me into off the ground. "Night!" I call over my shoulder as I quietly bolt across the hall to my room, trying not to wake Nudge or Angel.

After I change into my pajamas, I quickly slip into bed, grabbing my laptop off the desk. I place the computer on my lap, and power it up. Once I have, I see that I have a new email. Sighing, I click on it.

To: Cali

From: Jake

Sent: yesterday, 8:37 P. M.

Subject: I'm sorry.

Oh my god! Cali! Where are you? I'm so sorry, you know I didn't mean to! Why did you go? Are you mad at me? Please come back. I can't live without my best friend. Are you hurt? I don't really remember what happened. I didn't hurt you, did I? Ms. Hunter says your probably dead. I know you're not. Please, email me back. Tell me where you are. Or, at least tell me you're alright. I think I'd kill myself if I hurt you. I miss you.

-Jake

Now that I know he has a gun, I realize he's probably serious about killing himself. Clicking the response button, I begin to compose my reply.

To: Jake

From: Cali

Sent: 1:42 A. M.

Subject: I'm fine.

Jake. Calm down. You didn't hurt me. I'm fine. DO NOT HURT YOURSELF. I'm perfectly fine. I can't come back, though. I ran away. Please don't tell Ms. Hunter I'm replying to you. She would just send the cops after me again. Do me a favor. One last favor. Get rid of that gun! You'll end up hurting someone else, or yourself with it. I'd be destroyed if something happened to you. Please don't respond to this email. I'm severing all ties with that foster home. Goodbye forever, Jake.

-Cali

It's crushing to think of never being able to talk to him again, but I can't risk the Flock's safety. They are my family now. Sighing, I close the laptop and drift off into a dreamless sleep.

A few hours later, I am woken up by a soft noise. Looking around for the source of the sound, I finally decide that the sound is coming from Angel's bed. Is she crying?

"Ange?" I ask quietly, creeping closer to her bed.

She sniffles. "C-C-Cali?" she hiccups.

"Are you okay, Hun?" I ask as I pull the curtain aside.

Angel is a mess. Once I've pulled the curtain aside, I get a good look at her. The poor little girl is curled up into the fetal position, whimpering to herself. Sweat covers her brow. Inching closer, I reach out to touch her. When I make contact with her skin, she immediately draws back. Then, raising her eyes and seeing that it's just me, allows me to keep my hand on her arm.

"Angel?" I ask. She doesn't respond. Moving slowly, so I don't startle her, I sink down on the bed next to her. She scoots closer, leaning her head against my body. Not truly knowing what to do, I wrap my arms around her skinny shoulders. She seems like she's trying to calm down, but tears still pour down her face.

It seems like she's finally succeeded in waking Nudge. Still drowsy, she shuffles over to Angel's bed and murmurs, "Wha's 'appenin'?"

"I think Angel had a bad dream," I tell her. Well, that seems to wake her up. Immediately, she sinks onto the bed on Angel's other side. I let go of the little girl and she moves into Nudge's arms.

"I don't know what to do," Nudge mouths over Angels head. "Any ideas?"

"Well…" I start, but then trail off.

"What is it?" Nudge asks.

"There was a little girl about Angel's age at my foster home that used to have nightmares," I say.

"How'd you help her?" Nudge persists.

"She used to love it when I'd sing to her. You think we should try that?"

Nudge nods vigorously at my suggestion, so I get off the bed and grab my guitar.

"Do you know the song 'Safe and Sound'?" I ask Nudge. She shakes her head no. Hmm. I guess the Flock doesn't really stay on top of music. Shrugging, I strum my guitar and start the song.

I remember tears streaming down your face

When I said I'll never let you go.

When all those shadows

Almost killed

Your light.

I remember you said,

"Don't leave me here alone."

But all that's dead and gone and past

Tonight.

Just close your eyes,

The sun is going down.

You'll be alright,

No one can hurt you now.

Come morning light,

You and I'll be safe...

And...

Sound.

I strum for a few moments, happy to see that Angel's eyes are drooping closed, and that while she is still breathing fast, she doesn't appear to be crying anymore.

Don't you dare look out your window.

Darling, everything's on fire.

The war outside our door

Keeps raging on.

Hold on

To this

Lul-a-by.

Even when the music's...

Gone...

Gone...

Just close your eyes,

The sun is going down.

You'll be alright,

No one can hurt you now.

Come morning light,

You and I'll be safe...

And...

Sound.

Slowing down the music, I finish up the song.

Just close your eyes...

You'll be alright...

Come morning light...

You and I'll be safe...

And...

Sound.

Once I'm done, I become aware of somebody clapping, softly, behind me. Swirling around, I see Iggy standing in the doorway.

"Why are you here?" I ask him.

"Super-hearing," he says, gesturing to his ears. "You have a really pretty voice," he adds.

Well, if that doesn't send me blushing beet-red, I don't know what will. Suddenly glad he can't see me, I take a breath.

"Thanks," I manage to say weakly.

A/N: Okay, next chapter should be up tomorrow or Saturday… Check out my other story! I'm gonna try to update that today.