Max P.O.V.
A/N Sorry that I haven't been posting any stories lately, kinda got to settle some stuff to settlecausein 2008 I'm going to a new school. I'm posting this cuz' I know I haven't written any stories lately. If this story isn't as good as it's expected to be (and the expectation would probably be low), still send me a review! I love reviews!
The Locket
The kids ripped the wrapping papers off five of their first real Christmas presents with gigantic smiles on their faces. Against my better judgment, I gave Iggy a bomb making kit, so long as he uses it for good.
We had finally settled down in a real home, had our first real Christmas together. The kids were excited, not having to get up early and be on the run every day.
I snuck a brief smile to myself and turned to the four presents on the couch beside me. One from Iggy, another from the Gasman, a pink (bleah) one from Nudge, and finally, Angel's.
Fang didn't get me a present.
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Fang.
"Hey," I said, looking up, but having a hard time since my heart was almost breaking. He didn't get me a present.
"Meet me in my room in…ten minutes," Fang told me. With that, he left the living room as I stared after him.
Ten minutes later, I knocked on his door. "Fang, it's Max."
"Come in." I opened the door and was greeted by a gloomy Goth-style room. Fang was sitting on his bed and he waved to me, flashing me one of his rare smiles. He patted an area of his black bedspread beside him.
I felt myself grin in return and sat beside him, seeing a flash of gold around his neck, but I just brushed it off. Must be me. Fang NEVER wears blings.
He handed me a box in black wrapping paper with my name written in silver on it. Typical Fang. "You didn't think I forgot about you, did you?"
He glanced mysteriously at me, the smile still playing on his face.
I received the present with two trembling hands. I picked at the present carefully…
CRASH!
Smoke filled the room together with a strangled cry.
Slowly, the smoke cleared and all that was left was a blasted wall and a dent on Fang's bed beside me.
Oh no.
Fang!
Where'd he go?
Max, listen, they brought Fang back to the School! Oh great, the voice/dad was back.
What do you mean? I thought we destroyed the School, Itex, and the Institute! But whatever, I need to get Fang back now I'll go gather the flock.
You did destroy the School and etcetera,but you let the director live, and now she's rebuilding the School. You can't go get him. It's a trap, they're trying to lure all of you in.
Oh great.
Maybe Fang will escape, just maybe, I thought with a sinking heart.
Slowly, I pried open the present, eyes downcast. I flipped open the cover of the box inside and gasped.
Lying there, on a medium sized cushion in the box, was a golden heart-shaped locket on a gold chain. Tears swelled up in my eyes as I opened the locket and read what was engraved on one half of it.
'I love you, Max'
And I might never be able to thank him for the present at all. And we weren't even together yet.
My chin dropped to my chest as I took a photo the size of my thumbnail from my pocket. I eyed the photo longingly, as a smiling me gave the bunny ears to Fang who scowled sourly back.
I slipped the photo into the other half of the locket and closed it.
I put the chain on and hugged my knees. That night, I cried myself to sleep.
Four Years Later
"Ah, New York, the one place we needn't bother to blend in." Gazzy exclaimed loudly, not even attracting a single turning head.
That's a nice change.
Two years ago, Iggy bombed the School with a bomb he made with his brand new bomb kit, and Fang…he got blasted with the School. Angel tried to reach to him after Iggy accidentally dropped a bomb, to tell him to get out quick, but she couldn't find him in time and…well, you know the rest.
I can't say it, it hurts. Even after two years.
All of us missed him. Angel didn't even bother reading our minds for a month. Nudge wouldn't talk for two months, and Iggy and Gazzy never conspired to build bombs for three.
"Max, can we go to that restaurant over there? I've heard it's really good. They serve really spicy black pepper chicken, and their sour plum juice is very sour, sweet is like—." Nudge the bullet train. Sheesh, that girl can't shut her mouth for one minute, can she?
"Okay, Nudge, you win. Lead the way."
"I knew it!" She punched her fist into the air.
"Follow me guys," she gestured for us to follow her.
-----------------------------------------
Half an hour later, we settled down in the restaurant at an extra large table.
"Listen up," I whispered, leaning forward, indicating them to do the same. They all inched forward.
"Don't order too much. Eat a normal meal, later we'll go to another restaurant to eat, everybody clear?" I shuddered remembering the time when we had gone to this fancy restaurant of Gazzy's choice and had to fly out through the glass roof.
A chorus of "yeahs" and "yups" sounded around me.
I added, "And if two restaurant isn't enough, we'll go to another." Nudge and Gazzy high-fived. Their appetite was terrible. They scoff down an average human sized serving in five minutes, and finished eating three of that in fifteen, maybe even twelve.
A waiter walked up to us. "What would you like to eat?"
The kids and Iggy placed their orders. My appetite felt small today, so I just ordered one large lamb chop and be done with it. I couldn't wait to get out of here, but then I'll be ruining Nudge and Gazzy's meal (or one third of it).
I sighed.
"Guys, I'll be going out for a walk. See you in a while. If my food gets cold, make it a takeaway." I tossed my Max Ride card to Iggy without looking at him. And he, a blind guy who wasn't even facing me, caught it with one hand and said, "Got it."
"If you really have problems contacting me with a phone, use Angel. She'll help."
With that, I left the restaurant with four very bewildered bird kids in my midst. Faintly, I heard, "This IS the Max Ride card and not some phony, right?"
Idiot Iggy, I thought, frustrated. He could feel the risen letters on the card and yet he sill asked. I slowly massaged my temples and glanced back at the restaurant that I had just left as a gentle breeze toyed with my untied hair playfully, almost as if it were teasing me.
Sighing, I navigated my way through empty drink cans, discarded food wrappers, unwanted adverts, and crumpled leaves, all while managing to stay on the sidewalk; a feat that I have accomplished and am proud to say that Iggy could have done the same without any problems.
Slowly, my road led me to a dark alley to my right and a bus stop to my left.
Suddenly, a flurry of movement alerted me that there was someone around. Automatically, as if by some instinct, I did a three-sixty scan of my surroundings. The shuffling sound came again.
"Who's there?"
Then a flash of gold caught my eye. I whipped my head in that direction, where that particular flash contrasted drastically with the filthy alley. I stared at the spot where I last saw the golden reflection of the sun, but even my superb eyes couldn't make out anything.
It was as if I were sucked into a parallel dimension where light and darkness didn't exist. Without light, you can't see, but that would be darkness. Without darkness, you won't be able to identify things that stand out against it, which are lights. Let's just put it simply. I was danged confused.
I did see a flash of gold, but when I directed my gaze toward it, it was gone in the blink of an eye.
Growing curious, I said, "Hello?"
Then a growl emitted from the dark alley.
A/N Ha! I'm being evil. Cliffy for ya