Maximum Ride Fan Fiction / Maximum Ride Fan Fiction ❯ If I Asked You To, Would You Kill Me? ❯ Alluring Ally ( Chapter 8 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Irene Sharda
The Flock gets to know their newest ally, and he seems to have his eye set on their bemused leader.
Meanwhile however, a certain Eraser is given the order to find the remaining Flock and destroy them!

Non Anime: Maximum Ride Fan Fiction / Maximum Ride Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Suspense / Sci-fi / Romance / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 05.23.2008 | Updated On: 05.23.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 8.8K | Visits: 164 | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter 8
Max tried her best to strike the flint and get the fire going. What a time to be out of matches.
It was late afternoon, and she knew it would be impractical to keep traveling. She was injured, and the others would soon be coming with Angel. After she had finished explaining everything, it would be twilight.
She hated to think of leaving Fang for another night with those people, if you wanted to call them “people”. But, the thing was, she had no idea where to find him! Itex had really been her only lead, and she had no other ideas. What was she going to tell the others? Where would they go now?
Just think of one thing at a time. After she got this fire started, she had to fly off and find some food. Man, if this thing would just—!
The frustration she felt towards their situation began to show outwardly as she violently pushed the metal against the rock. Suddenly, the metal slipped and cut into her unprotected finger!
Dropping the tools, she hugged her hand to her as the pain shot through it. Pulling it out again after a few seconds, she gazed at the long bleeding gash that ran along her right index finger.
Suddenly, another hand took hers in its palm and began to wrap her finger with another strip of teal cloth. “You know, I respect a woman whose independent, and can do what they got to do without a second thought.”
Max looked into Derrin's eyes as he continued. “But, I respect her even more, if she knows…when to ask for help.”
Finished tying the bandage, he reached into his own pocket and pulled out a small metal lighter. With one sharp flick and a snap, a fire instantly started on the wood and leaf pile. Snapping the lighter lid shut again, he slipped it back into his pocket.
Max looked at him vehemently, “Why didn't you say you had a lighter? You saw what I was doing!”
He shrugged, “Yes, I did. However, if I remember correctly, you denied my help—and I don't go where I'm not wanted.”
“Then why did you help me now?” she asked, aggravated.
“You got hurt, chère. The circumstances changed.” He answered charmingly.
Max breathed out hotly, completely annoyed. Why couldn't she ever get the last word with this guy?
Standing up and stretching out her back, she pushed out her wings, flexing them out of their stiffness. She could see Derringer watching her with admiration, out the corner of her eye.
She didn't know why, maybe it was the fact that he had saved her life, or maybe it was because she couldn't help being attracted to him. But either way, her instincts told her to trust him.
“Watch the fire and make sure it doesn't go out. Tell the other's when they come, that I'll be back, I just went to get dinner.”
Before she could lift off, she felt his hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she faced him, “What now?”
He looked at her with concern, “You're hurt and tired, chère. You have no money, and you look like you've just come out of the bayou.”
“And your point is?” she asked jadedly.
“You stay, and I go.” He offered.
She waved his hand off, “I'm fine; I'll get by.”
She moved to turn and fly off, when suddenly his fingers came up and pushed lightly on two points on the back of her neck! Rapidly, all feeling in her body left, and she dropped to the ground like a stone! She was paralyzed!
Derringer picked her up in his arms and carried her back over to the tree, near the fireside. “That wasn't a request, chère.”
If she could, she'd have punched the Cajun out cold! But for now, all she could do was lay limp, all of her nerves shut down. She couldn't even move her eyes or lips, for Pete's sake!
Laying her down into a sitting position, Derrin smiled sympathetically. “The paralysis will wear off in about three to five minutes. It's nothin' permanent; I just pinched some nerves in your neck that affects all external movement. Just enjoy your rest, and let me take care of you.”
Standing up and putting on a pair of reflective glasses from out of his pockets, he smiled and saluted her. Then, turning his back to her, for one second he was there, and the next he was gone! Only a trail of trampled mulch and kicked up dust, told of the path he had taken.
It was her turn to look in admiration. She knew he was fast, but seeing him with her own eyes was different. He became just a blur of black, red, and blue; his feet seemed as if they didn't even touch the ground.
True to his word, the feeling started to come back to her body. First her face, hands, and fingers, and then to her arms. As she began flexing her limbs, she reflected on the situation. Derrin was right in a way. Put on a pair of sunglasses, and he looked just as normal as everyone else. Especially in comparison with her, he was unhurt, was not even half as dirty, and not to mention…no wings! He was streetwise and seemed to know what he was doing.
It did enter her mind that he might not come back at all. He didn't have any ties to her and the flock. He had no reason to ever see her again. He had ran into her life with supersonic speeds, and could run out just as fast.
However, for feelings and instincts beyond her control, she trusted him; almost completely!
“Max!”
Looking up, she smiled brightly at the bearer of the voice.
From the opening in the trees against the field of darkening blue sky, Nudge swirled down to the ground, landing near the campfire. Gasman, Angel and Iggy lit down behind her.
Nudge popped over and hugged her on the spot. “Oh Max! Don't scare us like that again! I was so worried; I thought something had happened to you. I mean, I was working on finding a car, like you told me to, and that's when I heard the explosion and I thought—well I'm just glad you're okay.”
Gazzy came over and hugged her as well; she ruffled his blond hair in response. He smiled tears rimming his eyes, “Well, I think Nudge about said all there was to say. I'm glad you're okay too. We had no idea what to do, when we saw the explosion. Losing Fang, then you and Angel? It would have been too much!”
Nudge joined in, loving for a chance to talk. “But then, Angel came and found us, and me and Gasman thought she was, like, a ghost. But Iggy knew, he knew she was the real thing! I don't know how or nothing, but it's like, he can tell between a fake and the real thing or something. But anyway, she came and told us that—”
Iggy cut them off, “Come on guys, you can see she's tired and wounded. Why don't you go and get some more firewood, the fire's getting low.”
The two could take a hint, and immediately flew off into the forest. Max smiled at the blind boy as he sat down beside her. “I enjoyed them. It was okay, I've been through worse.”
Iggy's tone was serious as he spoke, “Don't ever do that to me again, Max. I really thought we had lost you.”
As she listened to him, she was suddenly aware of how much Iggy had been affected by her “death”. She realized, how much he valued the flock, the only family he ever had. That his greatest fear, was being alone—alone in the darkness.
“Don't worry Ig, I won't. However, even if something did happen to me, I'm sure you'd be a great leader. You've got what it takes.”
Iggy chuckled dryly, “Yeah, sure Max. And give new meaning to `the blind leading the blind'.”
Max sighed, he just wouldn't believe that he had what it took. How was she to get to him?
Angel sat down in front of the two. “Max?”
They looked at her for the first time, realizing she was still there.
“Hey Ange, where's Total?” Max asked, realizing that the little talking dog was nowhere to be seen.
“He went to the bathroom.” She answered simply.
“Oh, and are you okay, hon? I haven't gotten to check on you yet.” Max asked in concern.
Iggy answered for the little girl, “She's fine as far as we can tell. You protected her pretty well, according to what Angel told us. By the way, where's this guy Angel was talking about?”
“Yeah, what'd Ange call him? `Daring Jerk'?” said Gazzy's amused voice, as he and Nudge both flew in carrying firewood.
Angel retorted, “I just can't pronounce his name, that's all.”
Max laughed, “You did all right Ange, that's exactly what he is.”
“Ange told us he was a really nice guy. Did she really exaggerate that much?” Iggy asked, surprised.
Shrugging, she answered, “Well, no…I mean, he is a nice guy, it's just that—”
Nudge sat down, “So you're saying you don't trust him?”
“No, it's just that—”
“Did he harm you?” Iggy asked.
“No! He's very kind, I just—”
“He abandoned you?” Gaz suggested.
“I don't think—”
A new voice cut her off this time. “She's just dazzled by my charm, that's all.”
All five turned to face the stranger, who against all odds, had evaded all of their senses and snuck up behind them.
Max watched as Derringer walked toward them, a huge, square, red container slung over on his back. Flipping it off with one hand, he chucked it onto the ground with a thud. Man, that thing must have been heavy. I wonder what's in it.
She watched as the others (except for Angel), adopted blank faces and scooted closer to her, making a little huddle.
Derringer of course, didn't miss anything. Scratching his head, he smiled and shrugged. “Well chère, I can just sit over there. I didn't mean to frighten them or anything.”
“I'm not scared of you. I like you.” Angel said, floating over lightly on her wings, then sitting down lightly next to the redhead.
Gazzy seemed to be moving to get Angel to come back, but Max put her hand on his shoulder, stopping him. “It's alright Gaz.”
She stood up and walked toward him. He too got up and faced her. The two just stood there, watching each other, a light smile on both their lips.
Iggy couldn't see what was happening, but even he could feel the thick connection between the two. It wasn't unfriendly, but more like it was a connection between rivals or challengers.
Nudge and Gasman watched as the two seemed to communicate with their eyes. Suddenly, so fast they could hardly see it move, Max swung her hand to slap the stranger! But even more rapidly, the stranger's hand reached up and caught her wrist in midair!
The smiles however, had not left either's face. The stranger spoke first, “Now what was that for?”
Max answered in kind, “For that last little stunt you pulled, before you raced out of here like Speedy Gonzalez.”
“I was only lookin' out for you chère. Don't you trust me?” he retorted captivatingly.
The kids watched as the two gazed eye to eye, each looking as if to kill, yet kiss, the other. Max suddenly aimed a low kick at the other's leg! For once he seemed surprised, as his legs were kicked from under him! Max commenced to laughing in hysterics, completely happy for what seemed like a long time.
The stranger was startled and smiled up at her—right as he scissored his legs, knocking her to the ground!
Both sat there, looking at each other with playful ferocity…then burst out laughing with their own brand of inside joke.
Their happiness somehow past around to everyone else, and they all ended up laughing, the ice broken. If Max trusted this stranger, and she was the most suspicious one of them all, then there was no reason why they couldn't a least say hi.
Max stopped laughing enough to introduce the rest of her siblings. “D-Derrin, you know Angel already, right?” she pointed out the shining blonde.
Derringer picked up the little girl in his arms and held up her chin, “Who could forget you, petite?”
Gazzy stood behind her, instantly protective. “She's my little sister.”
Derrin put her down and stood looking at the guy with an unchallenging smile, “And what your name, mon ami?”
Max answered for him, too tired out to get up, “That's…um…Gasman. We call him Gaz or Gazzy.”
Derrin smiled even more, striking up a friendly attitude. Putting out his fist, he said, “Nice to meet you, Gazè.”
Gaz didn't know the guy at all, had been a little intimidated that Angel was so friendly with him. But he instantly put it aside, finding himself liking the guy's persona, and the way he pronounced his name.
Hitting his offered fist with his own, he laughed in amusement. “You too, and I like your accent.”
Max pushed Nudge forward, who was hiding behind her. “Come on, you know you're the most talkative of us all.”
Turning to Derrin, she announced, “This is Nudge. She's not usually this shy.”
The young Cajun bent down slightly to get to her height. He spoke gently but lightly “You've got no reason to be afraid of me, ma fille. You're a little to young to be my type.”
Nudge laughed instantly at his joke, and immediately all the timidity went away. “Like, Angel said your name was `Daring Jerk', but I don't think you're a jerk at all. You're funny and I like you. Where do you come from? Why do you wear sunglasses at night? Are you blind, or do you have, like, an aversion to sunlight? Are you, like—”
Iggy got up and put a stern hand on her shoulder, before thrusting his other forward. “By the time Nudge finishes talking, and Max gets to me, we'll all be old. I'm Iggy.”
Now Iggy knew what it was that Max couldn't quite get out. She was fustrated and bewildered by him. It was very rare that someone could stand up and hold their ground against Max's dominant persona. However, this stranger did all that, and never backed down. In fact, He kind of enjoyed it!
The other man looked over the slightly younger boy. For some odd reason, he felt a connection to the young blind teen. A sense of déjà vu, that he'd seen this boy's spirit before…in his past self.
He shook Iggy's hand heartily, their touch lingering slightly. “I've heard about you from your little sister, petite ange. I find you quite fascinating, mon frére.”
Iggy merely nodded in response. He was slightly perplexed by the stranger himself. Here was a man he'd never met in his life, yet for some odd reason, he felt a link, a tether line, between himself and the stranger, a feeling of camaraderie that wouldn't go away no matter what rational he put on it.
Max could see it too, but put it out of head almost immediately, putting it with all the other strange thoughts of the day. Standing herself, she put a hand on the Cajun's shoulder. “Everyone, his name is not `Daring Jerk', this is Derringer.”
He nodded, “Just like the gun. However, if that's too much, you can call me Derrin.”
Max nodded, “So, Cajun—were you able to…”
Taking off his glasses, he flashed his golden eyes in her direction. Winking at her, he said swaggeringly, “I said I would, chère…and I always keep my promises.”
The others noticed his cat like eyes, but most were too hungry to give it a lot of thought.
“Hey Max, you got some food? I'll take anything.” Gaz moaned.
Derringer answered him, “I took the liberty mon ami. Call it a first-meeting gift.”
The kids all looked anxiously at the big red bag as Derrin pulled it over. Iggy and Max sat on the side by the tree, both thinking the same thing, I hope he brought enough…
Opening the box, the immediate, aromatic smell of pizza wafted up, awakening everyone's senses.
“Look, I didn't know what you wanted, so—I got two of everything.”
He stacked at least sixteen extra large boxes before them. Each, was the most beautiful they'd ever seen.
“Bon appetit, les enfants.”
They didn't have to understand his language to get the message.
The kids automatically dug in, famished. Their manipulated genes caused their metabolisms to be twice that of a normal male adult. In other words, they needed to eat A LOT.
Derrin smiled and snatched up the bag, going over to join the other two teens by the tree. Crashing right next to Max, he flipped a box of pizza onto her lap. “Did I do alright, chère?”
She opened the box and passed a slice of pepperoni to Iggy. “How did you get all this?”
Getting another box out of the bag, he answered nonchalantly, “The normal way, chère. I paid for it.”
She looked at him peculiarly, but she doubted she'd get anymore out of him. However, she began to look at him even more queerly as he began downing the extra-large supreme pizza, like he'd never eat again! It took him all of two minutes to finish the whole thing! It wasn't gross or anything; he ate with not only the same speed as when he ran, but the same grace and finesse.
But as soon as the question entered her head she understood. To go at his speed, his body burned up calories really, really fast. His metabolism had to be at least five times their own. To offset the imbalance, Derringer needed to eat a lot more regularly than even them. His body had to take at least ten times the normal amount of food as someone his age. And the funny thing was, like them, he would never get fat. Talk about having the ultimate weight loss experience: eat all you want and never gain a pound.
Derrin pulled out another box from what seemed like the bottomless bag, and began chowing down on the next one. “So, do I have to wait all night, or are you going to explain this thing with Itex?”
All the kids stopped, not sure to trust this newfound friend with their inner troubles. Iggy immediately began thinking up some tale in order to tell Derrin about why they were at Itex, but to his surprise, it was Max who started speaking.
“We went there to find our brother, Fang.” She admitted.
“Max!” Iggy retorted.
She smiled placatingly at him, “Its okay, Ig.”
Going on, she said, “Fang is little younger than me, but older than Iggy. More than a week ago, he was captured by some Erasers, and we've been searching for him ever since.”
She expected him to be asking her what Erasers were, but he simply nodded telling her to go on.
“You know about Erasers?”
He nodded, while continuing to eat. “Who doesn't? Modern-day, scientifically-created, werewolves—right?”
Iggy joined in, “Yeah, except they can morph in the day as well as the night. How do you know about them?”
Derrin bit into another slice of pizza, “I've seen them before.”
Max cut Iggy off before he could say anything else. “Anyway, the only place we thought to look for him was Itex, since the School's been abandoned. But know that that's been abandoned too…”
“You don't know where to turn.” He finished up for her.
The others sat there, feeling the weight of his statement, and what that would mean. Where were they to look now?
Derringer tossed aside his third pizza box, and leaned against the tree in rest. “You guys better get some sleep. We've got some traveling to do tomorrow.”
Max looked up at him, “What do you mean?”
He got up and began clearing away the trash, placing it in the fire for fuel, “I know a place where we can find out, where your brother is.”
Everyone asked the question at once, “WHERE?”
He laughed charmingly at their eagerness, “You'll find out tomorrow. Now, Time For Bed!”
Everyone began to settle down, though tonight they didn't knock their fist together like usual. It hadn't felt right without Fang, and so, they decided they would wait until they were all back together.
Derringer used his jacket to tuck Angel and Celeste in. Total snuggled next to her, exhausted and already asleep.
He smiled at her, “Go to sleep you little mind reader.”
She looked at him surprised, “How did you know I could read your mind?”
“I've met people like you before; I can recognize the tingle in my head. Now, do you want me to sing you a lullaby?”
“A lullaby?”
He looked at her in shock, “You've never heard a lullaby before?”
She shook her head.
He smiled gently, “Well then, I'm happy to oblige, petite.”
Max had heard him as she and Iggy watched over the group from next to the tree. She giggled to herself, now this she had to hear.
Derrin smiled, the perfect song coming to mind. He sang gently:
A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows o'er Lullaby Bay
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting
Waiting to sail your worries away.
Max listened enraptured, and she could see that everyone else was too. They had never heard such a melodious voice before! He was amazing! His voice swirled around the lyrics, like a magic scent on the wind. His accent wound lightly through the song, giving it an air of mystique and delicate romantic touches. It was enchantingly charming like the rest of him…
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain
And your boat waits down by the key
The winds of night so softly are sighing
Soon they will fly your troubles to sea
So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain
Wave goodbye to cares of the day
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away from Lullaby Bay.
Max had but to look around, to see that Derringer's song had ensnared everyone. Angel, Gasman, Nudge, and even Iggy, had dropped off to sleep.
Derrin kissed Angel on the cheek, then rose and joined Max by the tree. She smiled at him gratefully, “I think you made a great impression on them.”
He nodded in response. “And what about you, chère? Did you like it?”
She nodded, but her smile dropped a little, “Derringer, do you really know where to find Fang?”
He shook his head, “I've never seen you're brother, but if he's like you and me, I know where to find info about him. Just trust me, chère.”
He leaned next to her, putting his arm slowly around her.
She flinched at first, not used to the intimate closeness. But, as she felt the touch of his warm, bare side against her, she began to enjoy it.
“Why do you stay with us, Derrin? You hardly know us…yet you're going out of your way to help us. Why?”
He shrugged, “I'm like the wind, chère. I go where I want, when I want…and I stay when I want, where I want, for as long as I want. I have a choice, and I chose to stay.”
Suddenly, his eyes had a faraway, sad look within them. He said softly, “It wasn't always that way…”
She looked up at him, “What?”
The sadness abruptly went away, and the gallant veneer came back on. “Nothing to worry yourself about,chère. Go to sleep, I'll watch over everything.”
She was about to protest, when he began to hum his lullaby again. It was so soothing; she could feel her tired, injured body succumbing to it. She didn't even resist, when he leaned her head on his shoulder. His strong presence by her side, gave her reassurance that everything would be alright…
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Jeb sat at his desk going over his files. They had already moved Fang and were finishing setting up before he came down. He was almost ready to begin the tests; he just had some things to take care of.
A knock came to his door. Well speak of the devil…
“Come in.”
The figure entered and proceeded to lean against the wall in the shadows, arms crossed in expectation.
Jeb didn't have time to talk long. Keeping to his previous work, he talked as fast but as stern as he could, “Anne says I can do what I want, now that Fang's been moved to SIG 5. So, I'm reactivating you out of your suspension status. I have my mind on other things so I'm only going to have time to talk to you once. Fang needs help, and I must look after him.”
A low growl came out of the gloom.
“Shut up.” The man answered with a touch of finality and rebuke. The figure immediately closed his mouth.
Jeb continued, “I know the flock's going to come after him. There have already been reports of them at the abandoned Florida base.”
The hidden form nodded in agreement.
Gathering up his files, Jeb stood up. “Right now, Fang is the priority. Make sure the flock doesn't get in the way.”
Pausing a little, he added, “You're asking yourself `How?', right?”
The figure nodded again.
Gathering up the rest of his equipment, Jeb answered, “It's the same `cut off the head' game. Max is the leader. Without her, Fang is usually a good replacement. But with both of them gone, the flock is as good as lost.”
Speaking out from the darkness, the figure asked, “What about the blind kid?”
Jeb laughed lightly, “Iggy? No, he's too overcome by his disability to think of himself as a leader. He doesn't have what it takes, and will never have the courage to take charge.”
“So what's the assignment?”
“You remember what we talked about last year?”
A smile slowly formed on hidden lips, “You want me to do it now?”
Jeb looked squarely into the other's eyes through the darkness, “She refused you last time, but I need her out of the way for now. Do what you have to do, and I trust you to even put together your own team.”
“Can I do what I want with her?” the figure asked hesitantly.
The doctor stopped and shook his head in amusement as the real meaning registered. “You are one sadistic son-of-a-gun aren't you?”
He then went to open the door, “You can do what you want. I just want the flock broken up, and her still alive when this is all over.”
Stopping again to think about it, he commented in conjecture, “This might be an interesting experiment all around.”
But snapping back to the matters at hand, he headed out. Only to stop once again slightly, to give his last instructions; making sure they were understood. “I don't want her dead, is that clear?”
Not even waiting for an answer, Jeb rushed out, slamming the door behind him.
The figure's hand reached from out of the darkness and turned off the desk lamp. So, you finally trust me… That's all I needed. And I'll do anything to keep it…I'll even obey your one rule…
Ari smiled, his fangs leering in the darkness. “As clear as crystal, Father…as clear as crystal."