Okay, so I was in a depressed mood the other day and I started writing this. The poem at the end is an original poem I wrote, so please respect it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride. But I won't stop trying to buy it.

It's been a year since you died. A year since you went down in the glory of battle, a year since I held your dying body in my arms as you whispered your last words. I can remember them clearly; I remember you saying that you loved me. And then you were gone.

I've visited your grave whenever I can. I've laid flowers on the flat granite stone every time I do.

I look up at the sky. Gray thunderheads roll menacingly overhead, lightning flashing once in a while. I'm at your grave now, standing and looking down at the headstone. "Max," I whisper. "I'm so lost without you."

I can feel you beside me; your spirit is so familiar. I can imagine your hand in mine, your smile as we stand in companionable silence. Death must be so peaceful; you're away from the running and the fighting.

The Flock is gone now. Everyone else has forgotten you; they've moved away and started their own families and lives. But not me. I carry on a nomadic legacy in your memory, never staying in one place for long, always on the move. Like we used to be, together.

I don't know. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I think it's a way to keep you alive.

Angel is a proud mom-to-be. Gazzy just got married after graduating from college. Iggy and Nudge have tied the knot, but I haven't even tried to get involved with a relationship. It's just too painful. Girls watch me when I walk by, but I can't find the spirit to start a relationship. And I can't even blame it on teenage hormones anymore; after all, being in my twenties means I don't get the same urges I did when I was a teen. But when I was a teen, I had you. You kept away the nightmares of reality, making me feel complete and like nothing could happen to me.

I've always loved you. I'll never forget you. The others have tried to get me to move on, but I can't. I just can't because it feels like I'll loose you forever if I do. Is this what losing a soul mate feels like? I think you were my soul mate, Max. That's why we were made together; neither of us ever would've made it without the other. And that's why I can't make it without you.

My fists begin to shake with anger as I stare down at your grave. The whitecoats did this to us; they tore you away from me, they tore the Flock apart. Even today, they still chase me. At least they have enough decency to leave the others alone, and let them get on with their lives.

Even now, as I hear the buzz of Flyboys in the distance, I'm not afraid. As I leap up into the air, ready to fight, I can feel you beside me; I can see your wild blonde hair and determined brown eyes. You amazed me in life because of your strong spirit, and you amaze me just as much in death.

As I fly at the cloud of Flyboys that have come to kill me, I think of only one thing. If I die in this battle, I won't regret it. The others will miss me, but I think they'll be glad that I finally got to be with you again.

I barely fight back as the Flyboys pummel me. My bones break under their blows, but I don't care. All I can think about it seeing you.

Suddenly, you're there, urging me to fight back, to stay alive. I can't; my spirit is slipping away. You call my name as I fall to the ground, and my wings unfurl seemingly of their own accord. I begin to fight back with every ounce of strength I have in my bones, and finally the last one is dead.

I keep flying south, and as I coast on the warm currents I see you out of the corner of my eye. You're laughing; talking about what a great fight that was, just like old times. Your blonde hair is whipping everywhere, and your freckles are prominent against your skin. You look so beautiful that it takes my breath away.

We coast on the currents together, and I know that your spirit was always there with me, and always will be. Maybe, with your guidance, I'll be able to forgive myself for letting you die, for not being strong enough to save you. Maybe, one day, I'll be able to let go.

As we soar among the clouds
I think about you as I watch you
Your heart has always been strong
Unafraid of expressing thoughts
Unlike mine

No longer do I care what the others think
Love is nothing to be ashamed of
Or to keep hidden
Emotion is not something to be locked up
Where the world can never see it
You've taught me this lesson

When we land I walk to the edge of a glistening lake
I hear you follow me, and soon you're there
You talk to me in a hushed tone
The stars twinkle above, as if to encourage me
And when you pause to take a breath, I lean in and kiss you

Your lips are soft under mine
At first, I'm afraid of rejection
But then your hands entangle in my hair
And your eyes shut
You're accepting, no, embracing my love
And you're returning it

I don't know how long we kissed
It felt like hours under the night sky
Finally we broke apart
And for the first time in a long time
I smiled

For you are the sun on a rainy day
The light in the darkness
My soul mate if nothing else
My stone, my constant companion
You are the one thing I depend on
You are like a drug that keeps me alive
I can't ever loose you
I don't think my heart could bear it