Okay... go ahead. kill me. I am sorry for not posting earlier. High school is... high school. and i would have posted right when break started but i was either not home or i had family over. i finally wantd to write this too much and spent two hours on this. i will put more at the end of the chappie. Imagine a disclaimer here please.

Chapter ten- Max

It has been a little over a week and is now Friday. I'm shocked to say the least. Jeb is still acting normal for a human and my injuries have stayed at a minimum. We are all well fed and hung out with the Martinez's last Saturday and went to the movies. Everything has been normal.

I get up from my bed and look outside. The sun is just peaking over the horizon. I quickly shower and change into some clothes for school. I make some breakfast and Angel and Gazzy come thumping down the stairs.

"Morning guys," I say cheerfully as they sit down and eat their bacon.

"What are we doing?" Gazzy ask as he chops on his bacon.

"We are going to school, and then you guys are going to the Martinez's to spend the night. Sound good?" They just nod and continue to eat. I don't know when I'll be back. Today is Ram's big surprise and I don't want to leave them in my closet all night if I can't make it home. It's happened before and it was probably the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. We head out the door and start to walk to school with the Martinez's.

I hang back so I can walk next to Fang. "So what do you guys plan on doing?" I ask him. If I do have the energy to come back home tonight I want to know where they are.

"Maybe a movie? I'm not sure. I'm letting Iggy, Ella and Nudge handle it. So what time will you be picking them up?"

"You make it sound like you don't want them there," I comment.

"I do. We all do. I just won't be there. So I'll need to tell The others." Fang keeps his eyes down. Not looking at me.

"So where will you be?" I ask him. I start to panic slightly. If something happens to them can Iggy, Ella, and Nudge protect them? They can't fly. Oh god! I should have been teaching them to fly so they can escape. They don't have the flight or fight instinct in literal terms like they should.

"I have a date with Lissa." He mumbles as we walk up tot the schools. I just nod at him as I say my goodbyes to Angel and Gazzy.

I still can't believe I never prepared them for anything. But their just so... How could I do that to them. My mind starts to run through scenarios on how long this surprise will take and how long it will take to get back. What if I don't get back for a night? Or more?

My head snaps to Fang. "Do you think Dr. M would be okay with the kids for the weekend? I have to go somewhere this weekend and can't take them." I try not to beg him to just say yes and keep them safe from... people I've made mad...

"I'm sure she'll be okay with it. She loves them," He says. My chest lifts and I resist the strong urge to hug him tight and...

"Thanks. I promise I'll be back on Sunday." We get into school and head separate ways.

I look up at the hotel. I can do this. I have to do this. I knock quickly and the door is opened. "So ye did come. Good. Rem will be happy." I'm let in and walk to the fighting room.

When I enter the crowd is so large and loud that I immediately cower back. Who can I be fighting that brings a crowd like this. Money is being tossed around in betting and fights are breaking out over who will win this fight yet I can't hear the names.

I make quick work of finding Rem. "Who do you have me against?" I yell over the crowd.

"That is for me to know and you to fight. You don't need a name. Trust me," He says. "Now get ready. I want you prepped in 30 minutes." He pushes me to the quiet room and I stretch and warm up as quickly as I can for this fight. I get the feeling I'll really need it.

When there is a knock on the door I walk into the ring and get into my fighting stance. My opponent walks in on the opposite end. The odd thing? Their face is covered by a magenta ski mask. Rem walks out and everyone hushes.

"Now lets welcome my best two fighters. You all know the wonderful Maximum!" The cheers are deafening. "And the amazing..." He draws it out. "Maya!" The crowd gets louder and I hear confusion in my side. They don't know who this is. Maya's side does though. "The rules are the same. You know everything. Ready. Set. Go!"

I wait for Maya to do something. I hate making the first move. I know my reaction is no faster than her action but I"m more defense ya know? We both just move in circles, so I assume she is also on the defensive side.

Rem finally yells, "Someone move. NOW!"

We both stop and I study her. Slight build. Strong looking. Confident. I can't tell much more because her face is hidden.

Maya suddenly jumps at me with lighting fast speed and I barley have time to get out of her path. I never knew anyone but me could be that fast. I get low and head for her waist. When I reach out to grab her and throw her down she does a flip in the air and I blow under her. She does a spinning kick as she lands and my unbalance nearly brings me to the ground. I straighten and turn to face her. She lifts her leg to kick me in the side of the head and I grab her foot and twist it down. As I drop it I do a side kick and land a blow on her. But with what would knock down a normal man makes her stumble back.

Realization hits me. We're matched. I don't know how to fight someone like this. She is just as fast and strong as me. I never met anyone like this before. For the first time in my life I'm not sure if I can win a fight.

Maya sends her foot into my left rib and I scream. My rib is a reason. I can't let it stop me from keeping Angel and Gazzy safe. I can win this. I will. For them.

Letting out and animistic roar I run towards her. Using the momentum I jump into the air and do a flip. Landing behind her I jump back up and kick both feet into her chest as she turns to face me. I hear a satisfying crack and I ready myself for her return. She lets out an equal roar and her leg flies out, popping my chin to my jaw I hear a pop and quickly push my jaw before kicking her right arm and grabbing it as it flies out and twisting it with a satisfying pop. She tries to swing it at me but the dislocated arm is useless.

We keep jabbing, popping, snapping, and bruising until I have a dislocated jaw and hip. A black eye (the other one), a bruised rib (the other side), cracked ribs (both sides), and a twisted ankle (right). Maya has a bruised cheek (left), a bruised kneecap (left), a dislocated shoulder (She never had time to set it), a broken toe (big toe, left foot), and cracked ribs (both sides).

We can barley fight yet we run at each other and do our best. Her arm flops into my jaw and we both scream in pain. "Enough!" Rem yells, running between us. "No one can win this fight the way you two are. I call this a draw until you can both resume fighting." The crowd goes crazy. "And I will give you all your money back. Now lets go," He whispers to us.

We head out of the crazed scene that is going on in the craze for money. "I want to continue this fight in one month. You both have until then to heal. Come back one month from now and be ready." He walks off and I move as fast as I can outside.

Once I get to an empty ally I start to pop my jaw and hip into place. I can't do anything else. My cuts are bleeding and I can barley see or walk. I slide down the brick to the ground and try to breath, but my ribs make it hard and my breath comes in short gasp.

I close my eyes because the lights that are flashing in my eyes are hurting. Everything seems off and a little odd and I wonder if I have a concussion. I might. My body relaxes and my mind drifts off. I sleep.

I wake up to screaming and it takes a few minutes to figure out it is me. By that time my throat is dry and raw. I test my jaw and am rewarded with a sharp pain. I look around and see that it is dark. I sigh. It can't have been that long. I look at my clothes in the light and see dried blood on my shirt.

Dried blood?

I know how fast blood dries. If it is still Friday night it can't be dry. Can't be right. I shake my head and it starts to ring. I grab my ears to block it out but it gets louder. I start to scream again to block out the ringing but it gets louder too. I'm soon in a full on match with the ringing. Soon it just stops and everything becomes black.

When I open my eyes again the sun is out. It looks about noon. I do a quick body check and find that I can move without screaming pain, but it worse than anything I have ever felt. I push my weight on the wall and use the leverage to get on my wobbly legs. I try to walk forward, but I can't hold my own weight. I lean back on the wall before I fall. I can't get back to my baby's if I can't walk.

My eyes flick to the sky and I scream in my head. I can't fly to them. I would get seen. I haven't flown in forever. I don't know if my wings can do it.

My list of reasons gets interrupted by the twitch in my wings. They start to flex and stretch, as if saying 'We can do it. We can fly. Fly' the word is caressed. Worshiped. I'm worried that once I fly I won't be able to stop. Or I will start again. That is how Jeb got me last time. Gazzy and Angel can't fly and leaving them had been what I did. I can't do that again. My jacket fall off and my tawny wings break free. They stretch out and I scream in pain.

How can my body cause me this much pain!?

But I can move them. It hurts but I can. My legs can't hold my weight. Maybe I can fly. It will only be a one time thing. I can stop. I know I can. I won't have to leave my baby's to do it cause I won't fly. I would never do that to them.

I spread my wings out and ignore the pain. It's just a message. I start to move them. Wind gust up and I slowly feel my body lighten. Soon I am in the air. I thought I would be rusty but I can do this. I can fly again. I move with more powerful strokes once I am above the buildings, using all 14 feet to get high fast. I can't be seen.

I fall back into rhythm and make it to the Martinez's house in five minutes. I drop on their front deck, fold my wings in and put my jacket on before knocking on the door. Fang opens the door. His eyes widen when he sees me. Crap! My face! The blood! It's not dark enough to hide it.

"Max! Are you okay? What happened?" Fang says in a shocked voice. He reaches out to grab my arm and I lean on him.

"You should see the other guy," I slur. My jaw makes it hard to talk.

"Lets get you inside." He helps me inside and leads me to the couch. "Right back." He says before running upstairs.

I collapse on the couch and sigh. One month. I have one month to heal and prepare. Fang comes back quickly and his silent footsteps are accompanied by others.

"Max!" Angel and Gazzy yell as they hug me tightly. I try not to show my pain as they all bombard me with questions.

"What happened?"

"Who did this?"

"Are you okay"

"How do you feel?"

"Guys, I'm fine. Just a little scuffle." It comes out like 'Gwys, Wm wine. Rust a tittle tuffle.'

"Max. Let me look at you." Dr M says as she removes all the kids from me. I try not to sigh in relief for their sakes.

"Will she be okay. She could have a concussion. Do you have a concussion, Max? Wait, no. Don't answer that. You wouldn't know. What happened? Are you okay? Wait of course your not. What can I do? I could mwa mye muh" Nudge is cut off by Iggy slapping a hand over her mouth and giving her a glare.

"She will be fine. Fang? Can you get them all out of here?" Dr M ask.

Fang nods and escorts the kids out.

"Now Max, I need you to tell me what happened."

"I get mugged on my way home," I say slowly. It sounds better than it could so I'm happy?

"Oh no!" Dr M gasp. "What did they take?"

I shrug. "Nothing. Don't get paid till next month."

"Do you know who it was? I can call the police if you want," She says with concern.

"No. I don't want you to do that. They won't get me again. Don't worry."

"Are you sure. I can-"

"No. I'm okay. Just some bumps and scrapes."

"Do you want me to call the school? I can tell them you're sick. You won't miss that much."

"I'm sure I'll be fine with a day of rest. You don't need to." I tell her.

"Max, it's Sunday. Their is no one more day of rest. You can't go tomorrow. I'll call the school. And Jeb. He needs to know. Don't worry. You'll be okay."

Not if you call Jeb. It will be everything but.

First off ignore spelling errors and crap. its 1:30 and really i could care less. im not published or anything.

second i am real sorry for not updating. i did a novel in a month and won 5 free copies of my book. printed. cover. everything. real book. its due byt june. but i am into the second one right now. if anyone really wants to bore themselves with the first one Pm me or if you cant make an account or give me your email or something. i'll send you a blurb and u can tell me if you want to read it.

now let me say that i don't know if any of my old loyar reviewers will read this but if you do let me say that i love you all. i'm pretty sure no one stopped following or whatever we do on here.

and is it sad i read reviews and did not know what we were talking about. i read parts of this book and thought i was reading someone elses. is it sad that i liked it and thought they were a pretty good writer? I fell really sad like that.

now done with that unless i forgot something. if you have questions or comments review or pm me.

so how was everyones christmas and new year? mine was good. i wont bore you. tell me about yours though. i have no life.

so um... tell me how this was. i know i was sloppy in parts. but its late and i really don't rememebr some of this book. i know its not my best. but its kinda long for thes chappies. idk. you tell me. cookie or kitten cut (PM if you want to know y that) help me improve and review. it's why i write on here. i like to know what you think cuz i use this in my books.

R and R *okay! thisb thing has been up for a few days has has only had one view! what happened to all my loyal subjects? please review this so i know your out there. wow... im begging. not my style. im done. sorry)

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ylime (Guess me name from that)