Burden
Song: Secrets by OneRepublic
Max
Thin, clear tears traced their way down my muddy cheeks as the Doctor again pushed another needle into my raw skin. He smiled as he did it. I screamed.
"Stop! Stop! Please! What do you want from me?" I yelled, half begging and half asking. He looked into my eyes.
"Glad that you asked. Fang. Fang is what we want. He broke your heart and that kind of weakness cannot be in a world leader such as yourself." he said. I shook my head as much as I could with my bonds. He pushed some blood out of my leg wound. My wings were folded painfully against my back.
"He won't come for me." I whispered, my voice gone. He frowned slightly.
"Then we'll just kill you." he answered. They wouldn't...would they? Dylan thinks that I'm across the country, safe and sound. But I had been captured. He didn't know that. Reasonous thought had long abandoned my reach, panic was overwhelming. The doctor grabbed a small bottle marked with some Latin word, but my vision was swimming and it all looked like spaghetti. He poured some down my throght. It was smooth and silky, and washed a stream of peace over me. It's all right. I'll be okay. Too late did I realize that this was my death. Eternal peace. But I'd never again see my Flock. What would I miss?
Angel's smile.
Iggy's gaze.
Gazzy's faithful love.
Nudge's care.
Dylan's dedication.
Fang's...love. A love that I know is still there, buried deeper than any crevice. My mind flashes back into reality. Before I slip into a pink, hazy light I feel a dark shadow cast coolness on my body, then something presses against my lips, making my head spin and my heart flutter. Then? Dark.
Fang
She isn't safe. Somehow I know it. I look to the dingy sky and sigh. She's waiting for me. I can feel it. My group is out. I can go to her. I decide against it until a sharp, bending ache erupts in my heart. Something is wrong. I take flight, ignoring any obstacle until I reach an unmarked hospital-like building. I run inside, and kick and punch and fight my way into a small, lighted room. Max is strapped to a metal table, and the Dr. is standing next to her, pouring venom down her mouth. I run to him, and his futile attempt to stop me is thwarted. I throw the bottle away, and wrap my strong wings around Max and kiss her, hard. Her chocolate eyes flutter open for a moment, then they are closed and her body is limp. I feel for a pulse. It's there, but she's unconsious. A coma. She's in eternal torture.
"No." I defy logic, kissing her over and over, my voice trembling as I continue to speak to her.
"Please. No. I know everything about you. I'd rather die with you than live without you. Don't make this end...please." I whisper urgently. With a small gasp, Maximum's eyes glimmer with intelligence, and her lips are warm to my touch.
"I wish..." she starts to speak, then her body goes limp and her pulse stops.
There are no words to what I feel then, but imagine the air gone, gravity reversed, and deep, incredible, stinging pain piercing your every being. Your chest locks up and you can't speak or breathe. You just stand in shock, hoping for all the world that what just happened was a nightmare.
It is a nightmare. Not the kind that can be erased from memory, but one I will have to live from this day forward.
The burden is much too hard for me, without her.