Chapter Three

Told by Max

"Max! Max! Wake up!"

I jump out of bed and into a fighting stance before I realize that it's just Nudge. I moan, then plop back down onto my bed. "What's up, Nudge?" I ask, ruffing her hair.

"He's back." She says.

"What? Who's back?"

"Fang."

And, true to Nudge's word, there was Fang, standing in the middle of the living room.

I have no clue what to do. I'm stunned. Then I walk to him, still unsure what I'm going to do. The flock is silently watching from behind me.

"Max." Fang says as he stares at me.

Instead of saying anything, I lift my hand, still unsure. Then it curls into a fist as I punch him.

Fang grabs my wrist before I can hit him. Then I just start pelting him with blows, the rage at what he'd done bubbling over. Okay, so not very thought out, but I feel better. Finally, Fang has both my wrists, so I can't hit him.

"Max. I need to talk to you."

What could he possibly have to say? It would be childish to tell him that I don't want to hear him, but... what else? I'm Max. I have to have some witty comeback. So I say something extremely witty:

"What?"

Huh. I guess my brain and my mouth haven't been talking.

At this point I am very tempted to knee him in the stomach, but instead I act like a mature adult and push him instead.

"I don't care! Just... Go!"

Again with the no chit-chat between my brain and my mouth. Ugh. Of all the things.

"Max, there are more people with wings."

"OH, I didn't know that. Thanks for the information. Now leave." I say sarcastically.

"No, I mean, older than us."

"It's like dolphins chirping. I hear them, but I can't understand what they're saying." I recall telling him this before, what seems like ages ago.

Fang sighs impatiently. "As in... not made in a lab."

Now I really am confused. I laugh. "Okay, you got me. Now, why are you really here?"

He looks at me, dead serious. "I'm serious."

"Whatever. Where's the hidden camera?"

His eye twitches; the Fang version of "I'm so irritated I'm ready to hurt you."

He mutters something that sounds suspiciously like "You are so annoying."

It looks like he decides something. "You don't believe me? Just wait until you see."

I watch as he turns around and walks away. And then out the door. And then he's gone.

Nudge starts up immediately. "I wonder what he means by that? And how did he figure it out? And I mean, Or maybe he-" I block her out.

I shake my head, unable to accept his words. Bird people that didn't come from a lab? Is that even possible?

Turns out I didn't need to wonder for long. The next morning, he is back. And someone else.

*.*.*.Max.*.*.*

I'm standing there. Again. Fang is across the room from me. Again.

"What are you doing here?"

"Warning you."

I'm yet again confused.

"Of what?"

"Someone's going to drop in for a visit."

I can't get him to elaborate after that. In about a half hour, someone lands on the deck of our house.

That's right. Lands. As in, from the sky.

The door is thrown open. A tall girl of maybe seventeen is standing in the doorway. She has waist-length black hair that frames a pretty face with a squared jaw, small nose, and high-cheekbones. Her eyes really stand out. Silvery blue. Her attire is black high-top converse, dark colored skinny jeans, and a fitted black shirt with elbow-length sleeves. A half smile is on her face, and it looks oddly familiar. She just looks oddly familiar.

"I told you." Fang says.

The flock stands stunned behind me. The flock and Dylan, that is.

"W-who are you?" Right. That's me. Smooth Max.

She gives a questioning look to Fang. Then turns her attention back to me. There's that smile again. Why can't I place it?

"I'm Kai. I came under the impression that you already knew who I was." Kai gives a pointed look to Fang. "But never mind that."

"Well... what are you doing here?"

"Actually meeting you in person."

Something about her answer...

"But... what do you mean?" I am mentally berating myself for my stupid answers furiously at this point.

"I am the leader of the group that has been working to help and protect the flock- and this imbecile's little gang- in any way we can."

"Why?"

This is when the other side of her lips decide to lift as well.

"I have to protect my little brother, don't I?" Kai says, messing up Fangs hair.