I'm so sorry, dearies! I've been SO BUSY – science fair stuff, so much homework, field hockey games and practices... even now I'm supposed to be writing a history essay. All my files got lost and my computer confiscated, but I'm back on track. Please review! :)

5. Blind

And in the end we lie awake
And we dream we'll make an escape
And in the end we lie awake
And we dream we'll make an escape.
"The Escapist" Coldplay

I gritted my teeth as I was dumped into an empty room with walls so bleached they put the White House to shame. Trying to awaken from the uncomfortable slumber I'd been in, I blinked and clenched my teeth as hard as I could.

Ari closed and locked the door behind him and then grinned evilly at me.

"So much agony on his face," he declared, his expression as if he were smelling roses for the first time. I imagined Fang's pain – put myself in the same position if he were dying – and my hands involuntarily balled into fists. "He was really hurt by your death, wasn't he?"

"Shut up, Ari," I spat through my teeth.

"Wonder what they'll do, knowing you're dead?"

"Fang won't fall for it," I lied easily, keeping my deathly stare on him, "it's all an act. There are differences, and he does know them."

"Where's the Boy Wonder now then, Batman? Such a tyrant you are... dragging the flock into battles they shouldn't have to fight. I've moved on to a different cause to fight for now; the one that haunts you in your dreams, Max? Fantasies that turn into brutal, inescapable nightmares? Surely, you know." He grinned widely.

I swallowed down my fear as best I could, finding my footing as he acted superior. Absently, I wondered if I could beat him in a fight like I had that time in the subway tunnel. Killing him didn't seem evil anymore.

"And I was wondering, if you're Batman, who does that make me?"

He smiled wildly again and snapped open a switchblade. "Why so serious?"

Some insanely strong force inside me was building up, but I had no idea what it was. More than fury, more than hate, past the point of insanity. I had absolutely no control over my actions, and I felt Maximum Ride seep away

"NO!" I shrieked, and something inside me snapped loose. I charged after Ari at an impossible speed, quicker than he could comprehend, and I plowed the left side of his face against the wall.

The rage in my blood was so thick it was like molasses, and I put my lips to his ear, not loosening my vice grip on his neck. "No," I whispered venomously, "no. You're more like Two-Face."

Without thinking, I pulled Ari's head back and then launched it with unmatched force at the white wall, not flinching when I heard his bones splinter. His body collapsed to the ground, and without another word I took the keys and unlocked the door.

As soon as I exited the room, every single light cut, and it was eerily silent.

Just like that, I felt Max come back. I felt the death on my hands and the fear in my heart battling with bravery. Don't think, I finally decided. Just act.

Maximum. Be careful. That ting you've been seeing in your dreams is here. Do you understand that? He's here, he's looking for you. You won't be able to see or hear him. I'm getting a map as we speak – do not move, do you hear me? Stay –

"Maximum," a voice roared in my ear, "so nice to join us."

I instantly pivoted and fired a punch at the empty air, but I hit nothing. Then my feet were gone and something was on top of me, heavy and breathing shallowly. A hand caressed my face, but a warm, thick liquid was on the hand, the coppery smell making me panic.

A bloodcurdling, glass-breaking sound was unleashed, so loud I was sure the other side of the planet could hear it.

And then I realized it was me, screaming.

Fear had won over. The being picked me up and carried me, and I did not stop screaming.

Voice, I begged. Please – help – anything! Don't leave me, stay, please, you have to help...

There was silence, and finally my keening shout cut off into one loud, terrified sob. I was alone with a murderer, and predicted dead. The end of Maximum Ride.

———

Fang didn't think he'd ever felt so much pain in his entire life. No, he didn't think anything, actually – he knew. He didn't care that he was sobbing relentlessly over his dead best friend's body in front of people who had never seen him shed a tear, people he spent his life being strong for. Max was dead, and now he was too.

He honestly couldn't tell you how long they all cried. Hours, days, years. It all ran together as one for him now. No one had spoken, aside from Fang sobbing her name over and over at first. Now any syllable that dared bubble to their lips was cut off by a cry of anguish.

How had this happened? So fast, and no one had even claimed her murder. Now she was dead, and Fang hadn't told her so many things.

Night eventually fell, and the kids cried themselves to sleep. Fang remained awake, holding Max's hand, tracing lines on it absently.

It seemed impossible that even a bullet could kill Maximum Ride. He half expected her to jump up and laugh at him now, in which case he would beat the living shit out of her, and then light her on fire. Twice.

After that, though, he would kiss her. He'd kiss her as many times as he could get away with, with none of that "stay apart for the flock" bull. He would kiss her, and she would kiss him, and she would live and lead, and be happy.

"I love you," Fang told her, but did not look up from her pale hand. Subconsciously, he was afraid to look at her lifeless face, simply because Max's face had never, ever, ever been lifeless. Even her face of boredom or indifference had stripes of sarcasm or shadows of entertainment.

His hand slid down to her forearm, and he choked back his tears when he felt those stupid scars. He remembered that day so clearly – the lost expression on her face, her blood painting the sand with color, the way she had come to him, sobbing in stress and confusion. She'd been so vulnerable, and he was so relieved that he could help her, though he felt sick watching her cry, seeing her in pain.

Something about the scars struck him as odd. Something that made him excited; too excited.

"Iggy," he mumbled, ignoring the hoarseness of his voice.

Iggy twitched but didn't wake.

Now Fang searched for a light, still holding Max's limp hand and trying to wake Iggy.

"Iggy," he called clearer, louder. He racked his brain. She'd had the chip removed. Lost her arm. Stuff happened... they'd been caught. Her arm had worked again and –

"Iggy!"

"What?" Iggy snapped, sitting up and wiping his eyes.

"Oh, my God..." Fang trailed off, a number of excited curses trailing from his lips. He pulled out his flashlight and examined her scars, shivering in remembrance, but knowing now what was wrong.

"Fang, what?"

"The scars," he whispered to himself. His head shot up and his eyes met Iggy's. "Iggy, the scars! The scars are there!"

Iggy was very quiet for a moment, and when he spoke, his voice sounded wise. "Fang," he said very gently and softly. "I know."

"But – "

"Fang."

Nobody spoke for a moment, and Iggy choked up. "Please. Just... don't remind Angel of that, okay? She's still trying to believe it's Max II. If the scars are there... it's just recurring proof that... it's actually... Max."

"No, Iggy – "

"Fang." Iggy's voice broke. "Please. Just... come on."

Fang rose and snapped his jaw shut. "Get everyone up. We need to – "

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air, long and unchanging. It sounded like –

"Max II," Iggy choked.

Now Fang's mind was in overdrive, making theories, searching for a plan. "Wake them up," he demanded, reaching over and shaking Gazzy's foot. Iggy smacked it away.

"Fang, no."

"Wake them up!"

"N – "

"Max is alive!" Fang shouted, and stood over Iggy, his shoulders heaving. "Give me a chance, please! That was her. I've heard her scream before. That was Max's scream. The scars – they shouldn't be there. Max is alive, but she won't be if you don't get your stupid ass up and help me wake up the kids!"

The sound of steady breathing had since evaporated into the night air, and there was a choked sound – Nudge trying to withhold a sob. "Iggy," she said quietly, "what's wrong with Fang?"

Aggravated, Fang pivoted on his heel and took off into the forest.

Max was alive, and he knew it. And he would save her.

Alone, if he had to.