Chapter Three

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Chapter Three : LOST HER

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ANGEL

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AT HOME WITH TOTAL, Iggy, and Gazzy was uneventful. So back up in the room I shared with Nudge, I petted Total and focused hard on where Fang and Max and Nudge were. Then something flitted through my mind, interrupting my search.

A gunshot. Then another. A stranger carrying two people out of destruction - they them-self injured. A hostage, bound and gagged. A home - this home - being attacked, and seized. Max at her feet, at the mercy of a hidden gunman in red. Several blue cloaked men and women surrounding us all, outnumbering us in manpower but lacking heavily in skil. Several more gunshots. Lots of pain, and useless bodies afterward.

The sights attacked my brain, disallowing me to focus on any one image long enough. It all had to mean something. But if the gunshots, home takeover, and Max being held at gunpoint were anything to go by, it meant something bad. My visions had never ceased to astound me in their omniceince, or their ability to bring me to tears of pain.

I ran downstairs, stopping next to the kitchen where Iggy cooked. "What?" He asked when my squeakers made a sound against the tile.

"Max is in danger. And, something bad is going to happen. I don't know how soon." I say, and he rotates a skillet. Gazzy pokes his head around the doorframe. "No school, then! Booyah!" He whoops, and I shake his shoulders. "This is much more serious. More serious than anything! Max is in trouble." I say the last part, mainly to everyone.

"Oh. Yeah, I guess we should find her, then." Total says.

I nod.

"And burn every last book she may or may not have!" He continues. I sigh as he barks out a laugh.

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FANG

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I LANDED WITH TERRIBLY aching wings. Nudge followed suit, as we approached the edges of the forest, well beyond the town limits. I hadn't seen which direction Max had gone - just that she had gone. As now, looking wind blown, out of place, and tired. Not the best way to start an afternoon. Or a day, anyway.

I had no doubt in my mind that Max would return. Our arguments in the past had me sure of it. We could talk about things in a cordial manner - and she'd realize her mistake, and I could explain that to her. We'd watch re-runs of murder mysteries and pass-out on the couch, wake up at noon, and get Iggy to fix brunch. It was a technique that always smoothed things over before.

"Hey, Fang?" Nudge asked. I turned to her. "Um, I know Max was mad and all - but, she is coming back, right? Because she took the MaxRide Card with her, and we still have to get groceries. Not that Iggy doesn't make mean mole yes and grilled cheese sandwiches. Speaking of mean, did I tell you about - "

I guess she realized this wasn't the time to go off in a tangent as we approached the house. My feet hurt badly, and I was in desperate need of a nap. But after dropping Nudge off so she could eat, I would be out searching again.

Upon entering, Iggy, Gaz, Angel and Total are all huddled by the front door in exaggerated combat great and water pistols. And ... dried paint on their faces. "Fire!" Someone shouts, and instantly I am drenched in multi-colored fluids - one of them being yellow and smelly. I jump to the side, and after a few seconds, they seem to realize its me.

"What. The. Heck!" I shout at them. Nudge places a hand on her hip and gives out what is meant to be a death glare. She can't pull it off like Max can.

"We - we were going to rob you .... of your books." Total explains.

"And squirt you with pee!" Gazzy giggles.

"I had no say in any of this. Just that." Iggy points towards me - I guess he means the multicolored mess my shirt has become, full of water - and ... ?

"You squirted me with pee!"

"No! Gaz - Gazzy is just being stupid. It's spoiled eggs mixed with water. The rest is just food coloring and stuff." Total says. Angel is quietly sitting on the couch, staring at me with wide blue eyes. I calm instantly, though I'm not sure if its of my own volition.

"Look - Max is hurt, and lost, guys. We need to find her." Angel says, and Nudge barrels through me to the hallway. "Wait! I gotta go really really bad!" She explains, darting out of . Angel continues, anyway. "In a forest."

"I just came from there, searching. She's not there. Probably crashing with Dr. Martinez and Ella - they aren't that far, right?"

"They're two states over, you know," She starts up again.

"But Max flies at like - a gazillion miles a minute, you know." Gazzy mimics her. Shaking my head, I say, "Either way, I'm going to go back out. Anyone coming with?" It's not a question.

"I'll hold down the fort with Total," Iggy says. "In case she returns. By the way, we need groceries." He adds, and I scowl. "I heard. Anyhow, keep Gazzy with you. Angel, you and Nudge are coming with." I order, just as Nudge resurfaces from the hall's bathroom.

"Really? I wanna eat!" She whined." Angel sighed, and said, "We'll order something later."

"With what money? Doesn't Max have it all?" She asked. Actually, she had a debit card. But I had gathered - and possibly stole - some money. "No. Well be fine, just - let's go."

Thankfully, there were no more arguments after that whole incident.

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MAX

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I WAS STILL ON the ground when I came to. Something or someone - about a mile or two off - was making noise. Shouting for someone, I think. But two closer figures, both a blur of red and black, moved towards me slowly. I tried standing, but it didn't work out too well. So I stayed there on the ground, their muted voices not making much sense.

"Dead......Fang.......wounded....fix..."

"Time....replace......never know..."

What? Nothing was making sense, and I was getting useless bits of the conversation. A woman dressed in red swam through my vision, and I could see her talking with another, less distinguished figure.

I didn't get much time to realize what before something tapped the back of my head, making my world go dark in seconds.

"Max!"

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Also, I've attatched a photo of Willow Shields, a.k.a. MAX

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