I like mornings. Sweet air, crisp wind, the dry feeling of cold earth, it's nice. Wait. Where was-

I darted out of my position and looked around franticly. The flock was gone. And this was no dream.

I jumped out of my position, wincing at the pain in my knees, and searched the cave. Nope, it was true. They were gone. Without a single word, without saying goodbye- they just up and left. Wow.

I sat down on the rock I had been leaning against. Fang had been leaning against. Iggy had been sitting on, Nudge had fallen asleep on, Angel had been pouting on, and the rock that dreamily stared at the sleeping gasman not four inches away. It was like my family had been eaten by this stupid rock.

I looked every which way, but no sense of relief came to me. It was empty silence that filled my ears. And it was loud.

Now normally, I don't talk to myself, but I needed the company.

"Is anyone there?"

Nothing.

I guess that's kind of obvious.

The air was still, and there was literally, no noise whatsoever. My breathing seemed outrageously loud. I tried to steady my breathing, but that only made me want to breathe more.

Well, crap.

"Max."

I wheeled around to see who had called my name as a sliver of hope entered my mind.

"Angel? Nudge? Gasman? Ig?"

It was quiet again.

I stood up from the rock and started to walk towards the dark part of the cave. I felt my hands get heavy in an inexplicable way. Like they had weights strapped onto them. My forehead started to sweat, my hands became clammy, and my legs were like jello- my whole system was out of whack.

Then, something illuminated a face dark and brooding.

Jeb.

Then he was walking toward me, and I was running away. I was sprinting to the edge of the cave, just wanted to jump off the edge and fly away. I'd find the flock later; priority number one right now was getting away from Jeb.

Priority. Number. One.

Oh god, he was gaining on me. There were all sorts of scientists surrounding me, but the cave entrance was still open. I had a shot.

They had to be some sort of sick and weird as to wait for me to wake up so they could catch me. Sick or cocky.

Either way.

I reached the entrance and started trying to flap my wings. Oh no. My wings were taped.

Max no fly.

I weighed my options, to see whether I would rather fall to a crushing agonizing death by hard pavement, or be captured by my "supposed" father.

Go with the pavement.

I said some silent prayers; kind of hoping super-hero Fang would be at my rescue once I jumped. But life isn't like that.

I looked backwards at them and let myself fall.

I felt the wind at my back and then-

"EEEK!"

A large bouncy thing caught my fall. I fell on it once, then landed on it twice.

I may not scream in the face of death, but bouncy net-like things scare the bajeezus out of me.

Jeb peered over the edge, looking kind of disappointed in me.

"Oh, Max. Why would you go and do a thing like this? I thought we could take you to see your flock in the dignified way."

Then my eyes shot open and realization dawned in me.

"Oh (insert-swear-word-of-your-choice-here)"

Jeb smiled.

I spit fire at him.

"Come along Max, your flock is waiting very patiently."

I growled loudly and undid the tape on my wings. Then, ironically once it was gone and I could fly, the scientists had found a human way down to where they had set the trap and escorted me up to see Jeb. I felt like vomiting.

"Max."

I didn't look at him, and I shook off the other pests of scientists.

"Max, we're helping. Mr. Chu has big plans for the flock. Not very good ones either- they involve you serving in his army of mutants. Since you six were so genetically modified, and so "perfect", you will play a large role in his army. We even knew which positions and squadrons you would be placed into. Gasman and Iggy would've been placed in pyrotechnics and bomb construction: The mine squad. Angel would've been placed into the Psycological group- manipulators and stealth force. They were the Mind Squad. Nudge was supposed to be placed into flight direction paths, teach people how to fly, because she was such a chatterbox. Fang was recon- sharpshooters. He was in the stealth squad. And you, Maximum, would be the leader of the army. The one they all report to, general in hand-to-hand combat and speed. You would also give every direction and command. They had these plans for you kids. I couldn't stand the thought of someone snatching away your childhood to be put into the army."

I think he though that last bit meant something. Too bad I was about to shoot him down.

"First of all. You don't think it's a bad idea, snatching away our childhood, it's just not convenient for you that's it's them doing it, not you. You wanted us for your own gain, and the thought that someone else who's more persuasive who hasn't betrayed all of our trust might have a better shot is sickening to you. Someone who has created powerful weapons and things that are far beyond your little hounds at the school. It terrifies you. You're scared out of your mind you might lose us to someone else. You don't care what they're planning on using us for; you want to make sure you get there first. That's why you kidnapped us. That's why you implanted something in Fang to tear us apart. It was easier. You're disgusting. I hate you. I never want to see you again. I don't care if you love my mom, or if you love my family, my flock, or even if you love me. I'm tired of your lies. They're spouting out of you like water. I don't want to hear it anymore. We get enough crap from everyone else. Don't think I don't see past this huge screen of lies. And if you were smart, you'd know Brigid was working with Mr. Chu. You'd know my mom really doesn't trust you, or at least that's what angel says. Do you want to hear more? Cause I have more. Don't kid yourself, Jeb. We were done as soon as you left. That last night you tucked me in. We were done. And we're done now. Goodbye."

Then I took off into the daylight, never taking a second to look back at one of the only men in my life who I have cut the strings from. Now, he was gone.

I'd find the flock on my own, like I always have. I would save them, like I always have. And then, I would obliterate his soul again, because I never get tired of shooting him down.

What I said was true. He knows it. Every scientist there knew it. My words were laced with so much acid and hatred there would be no way in hell he didn't think I was telling the truth. I hope he knows how much I hate him. I hope he wishes he could take everything back. But life isn't that easy.

It never was.

A/N: ooooooh . fun, eh ?

Max is a little confused too, so if you don't exactly know what's going on, don't worry.

In due time, my friends. In due time. :)

besides, cliffy's are fun !!!

Max: uhh , no they're not. My knees are still bleeding.

Deevy: Oh, well, uh. *hands her a bandaid*

Max: ...

Deevy: ^^ ; . Byee kiddiees !

Lovealwayss, ~deevy .