Alouette

30 (Max)

I should have known not to leave Alouette alone with the human for more than seven seconds.

"Fang, they're gone."

Search party number.. I lost count.

If I knew this is what children was going to be like, well I would have signed up quicker. My life has never been so interesting.

Everybody split into groups of two. At this point no one can go anywhere alone again, without being abducted or running away. And of course, I don't get paired with the one person I really want to be paired with, Fang. Nope, instead I'm with Iggy.

Nightfall is approaching and we've, collectively searched the entire island and nobody found anything. Both Allie and the human miraculously vanished.

Regroup.

"Fang, are you sure we should stop looking? It's dangerous at night."

"Yes, I'm sure, it's dangerous in daylight too. Allie can take care of herself, she's got our genes." That made me smile. It's nice to be reminded sometimes that I have a family.

Sleep befalls the entire flock. We all sleep under one roof tonight for safety reasons.

"Hey Max?" Nudge's voice broke the silence of her and my own insomnia.

"Yes?"

"Do you think it will ever be over?"

"Nope, but maybe someday it will only be a shallow reef rather than a deep ocean."

"I hope. You deserve it."

"Good night Nudge."

I deserve it? At this point I've never thought as myself as deserving anything, except what I got.

I have had plenty of good things in my life. The flock, Fang, my kids. But I guess there has been much to cancel all that out, probably something like 8 books worth. But do I really deserve a happy ending?