Maximum Ride - Overrated

Chapter 8

~Iggy~

I flew back to the city as fast as my wings would take me. Despite the billowing wind carrying me, it didn't seem like I was going fast enough.

I knew I was close to the apartment when I heard the familiar beeping of a car down the road, and the music from the apartment below us which never seems to cease. I landed on the familiar balcony and made my way inside, tucking my wings away. I took my phone off my bedside table where I had left it, under Max's orders against bringing devices.

Being a blind kid, phones were never easy for me. It took me a while to learn where the letters were on the keyboard. I was as good at using a phone as any other person now, however my shaking hands made me doubt myself. Was I calling Alyssa right now, or Dominoes Pizza?

The phone rang. I waited, my heart beating in my ears. She had to pick up. How else would I be able to find her?

"Iggy?" her voice revealed no emotion. She was angry with me.

"Alyssa, I'm sorry. Can we meet up so we can talk?" I was met with silence.

"Alyssa?" I knew she hadn't hung up. After a while, her exhale met my ears.

"Meet at the park, now." then she hung up. I grinned. Everything would work out.

<>

I was sat on the park bench. The sound of heaps of voices bombarded my hearing. It was something I had become used to, but never comfortable.

"Iggy." I felt Alyssa sit next to me, touching my arm for a moment before pulling away.

"Thanks for coming."

"Yeah, well, start talking." she replied, shortly. I nodded.

"Do you have your phone on you?"

"My phone? Why does it matter?" her elbow bumped mine as she rustled in her coat pocket. I guessed she had her phone out now.

"Search up 'The Flock'." I instructed her.

"The Flock?" I heard her mutter, however I heard the tapping of her nails against the screen as she typed the two words. She was silent. I guessed she was reading the millions of articles I knew were there.

"Teens who are 90% human and 10% bird have been-"

"98% human and 2% avian. Go on." I corrected her as she read out whatever article she was reading on the phone.

"-have been sighted flying around multiple cities in America. Some say they are a danger, and should be hunted, others say they should be scientifically studied and some think they should be left alone. Who are these teens with wings really?" Alyssa paused.

"There's a lot of photos here. These kids are posing in some, flying away in others. Iggy why are you showing me this?" she asked, confused and a little exasperated.

"Look at the photos they posed for. Study their faces." she would get it. I held my breath, hoping she reacts okay.

"Oh my god." she sounded surprised, making me grin a little, and took her hand.

"Take me somewhere quiet?" I asked. She didn't move for a moment. She eventually began leading me out to what I assumed was some sort of forest.

"This forest goes on for miles. There's no one here." she said. I nodded, trusting her way more than I should. I unfurled my wings, and she gasped.

"You're a mutant." I winced at her choice of words.

"I'm different, yes. It explains a lot, doesn't it?" Alyssa must have walked closer because I felt a hand glide down my left wing.