Maximum Ride Fan Fiction / Maximum Ride Fan Fiction ❯ If I Asked You To, Would You Kill Me? ❯ Angelic Intrusions ( Chapter 24 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Irene Sharda
After an eventful meeting with more of the Angels, Fang uses his new mind powers to have a talk with Max.

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 | Pages: 6 | Words: 13.0K | Visits: 197 | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter 24
The night was becoming early dawn, but that didn't stop Derringer any. He kept his stalwart pace, only stopping from time to time to catch Max's scent in the air, and track the car marks in road. He reasoned that if he continued this way, he would be leaving Montana and entering the Rocky Mountain border between it and Idaho. Where was Maximum going? Or rather, where was she being taken to? There wasn't much up those old mountain trails…No facilities he could think of.
Suddenly, he tripped in his steps and landed on his knees, his body temporarily paralyzed by a sudden lance of pain shooting through his body, instantaneous violent nausea rushed through his stomach and he vomited raggedly upon the ground. A mixture of blood, food, bile, and other fluids shot through his system and heaved out his mouth.
Staying that way for a time until the pain and spasms subsided, he wiped his mouth and got up from the ground. Sighing, he laid a hand to his throbbing abdomen. His hand came away slick with blood and his skin covered in angry red mercury burns. One side-effect of quicksilver was that of sudden vomiting and other gastric problems, and the fact that he was starting to throw up was saying that the poison was progressing. He didn't need this! He didn't have much time.
Standing up straight, he started running again back on his track, his visage and path set. He couldn't stop for himself, she was too important to him. The fear that clawed at his mind, made the pain feel like nothing. He couldn't lose her. No matter what happened, he couldn't lose Max like he'd lost Beretta. Never again…
As he began to pick up the pace, the wind was not even able to keep up.
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Sky sat that night, Kurt, Luke, and Tyler around the table near him. Joaquin stood by the roaring fire place in deep thought. All four had just listened to Fang's story as told by Sky, and the enormity of the subject almost blew their minds. Kurt was the first to speak, “That bastard…human experimentation is low, even for him.”
Tyler spoke slowly, “How much of this mad science do you think Ares has done?”
Luke hunched his shoulders, “Fang and his friends are probably just the beginning. What I want to know is, what about all these kids' parents? Do they even know?”
“Not likely, Fang said that when one of his brothers found his real parents, and that they said that the doctors told his mother she had lost the baby. They've probably been stealing embryos and/or newborn infants that fit the profile they needed. The parents don't even know that their child is alive and well.” The distaste in Sky's voice was plainly visible.
“This is completely blowing my mind. No wonder that boy doesn't trust very well. I wouldn't blame him if he actually did disappear right into the night.” Tyler rubbed at his nose, removing his glasses. “Even though some of us didn't have model childhoods, at least we had some sort of past. At least we had some degree of freedom during our lives. To think of these children never even getting a chance at that since the day they were born…Ares loves to control lives, he's exactly like his father in that respect; maybe even more so.”
Sky looked over to Joaquin, who had been silent the entire time, his back to them. “What's your opinion on this, Joaquin? You're pretty quiet over there.”
The young man didn't move, his voice was soft but a trace of dangerous steel could be heard on its edge. “Sky…you know about my past…my childhood. How…I was left in an alley when I was only an hour old. How in the orphanage I was in, they chained the kids to their beds for hours on end, not letting us eat or drink or even go to the bathroom unless we did exactly what they said; whatever pleased them. Humiliation and degradation were the norm there. My childhood ended there; they stripped me of everything, all of what it meant to be a child, even of what it meant to be a human. And…and it—it was the last straw when they took…well, you know what they took—I ran away the first chance I could get. I was only seven, and living on the street was no picnic. I soon had whatever ounce of love, trust and hope that was left in me, wiped away by the poisonous grime of the city. Survival became my only creed, I did anything and everything I could to insure it. I learned fast. Thievery, car heists, prostitution, whatever I could do to stay alive, I did. It was either me or them, and I won that coin toss every time.
“When I hooked up with the Angels, it was only because of the money. I didn't care about the people, and even Damian's abuse didn't really touch me. I had experienced exploitation and cruelty from many others before him, and one more didn't hurt. Then…then TÅya joined up. He—he was the only person who actually made mefeel again. I had thought I had lost all my emotions, but then TÅya—I don't know how he did it—but he was the first one in a long time who could make me angry. He would constantly treat me like an equal, and he gave me what I hadn't experienced in a long time: respect. And I felt anger, an emotion I had long thought to be useless and therefore rejected. I didn't trust him, and thought he wanted something in return. However, when I finally confronted him about it, my anger having finally spilled into rage, all he did was laugh and smile, asking me if I `felt better now'. And I was honestly surprised, that I did feel better. That expressing emotions to him, was easier than keeping them inside, and that TÅya didn't ridicule me for it. Slowly, I transformed when I was around him, I became someone I hadn't known I could be—I became myself. I learned how to trust again, and I learned how to care for others. That's when I began to truly hate Damian. I hated him, not because of how he treated me, but because of how brutal he was with my teammates, and especially with TÅya. He became my anchor line, my first friend, and he taught me how to be the man I am today.”
Joaquin stepped away from the fireplace and walked to a nearby counter, where he picked up a bottle of Pepsi and drank a large swig in a rush. There was solemn silence at the table where his speech had brought back many warm memories for all the men present, of their friend and previous leader. They also all realized that for Joaquin to talk about his dark past so openly he had given them one of the most precious and delicate gifts he could ever give: his trust…knowing that they would never betray him.
The young man sat down at an empty chair, his face showed sadness and resolve. He looked over to Sky, who gazed back at him with a light, but knowing smile. “Fang's been through a lot, but hasn't crossed the lines that I have. There is still some innocence in there. He goes out there on his own, and either Ares will capture and break him, or the streets will do it for him. I won't let that happen. I won't let him go through what I went through.”
A fire flashing in his eyes, he stated strongly. “I understand more about him than I thought I did. He and I are two of a kind: men who weren't allowed to truly live, treated as if we were less than human, yet still trying to make our own way in the world through blood, sweat, tears, and simple determination. I will protect him with my life, Sky—I want to protect all of them. We have to find Fang's brothers and sisters, and we have to stop Ares from doing this to anymore children.”
The man nodded in agreement, “Sometimes, if we just take the time to understand someone before we judge them…we might just find some of them, inside of us. Keep that in mind next time you feel like being hostile towards one of my guests, ok Joaquin?”
The dirty blond nodded his head sheepishly, feeling ashamed at his behavior. Sky has a way about finding out anything and everything that's going on around him. “I apologize, Sky.”
“Water under the bridge, Joaquin, and I know that you already apologized to Fang, and you get bonus points for that.”
Sparing the young man any further embarrassment, he got up from his seat on one crutch and hobbled over, taking a Coke from behind the bar counter. He was instantly all business, “Tyler, look into our schedule and see what our agenda for the next month is going to look like, because taking down Ares' private Dr. Moreau and Dr. Mengele labs are going to become our top priority.”
The young man nodded, getting up from his chair and leaving to do as he was told.
Sky then turned to the Lancaster twins, “Kurt, I need you to check our supply inventory in arms and our operation attire. See what we may need for sneaking into the Itex holes. When Ron gets back, he'll take over, and then I want you to report back to me for your next assignment. Luke, until Tony or Shawn gets back, I'm going to need you to go computer surfing. We need to find all there is to know about these bioengineering facilities. We know that Fang escaped from one, so there maybe one in the immediate area. But don't count on that, since neither we nor he knows how long he ran or flew.”
The redhead got up to do his job, but his brother blanched in his seat! “Sky, you know I'm not computer savvy. I don't like them and they never liked me. I can hardly use Google, much less crack into Itex's secret files.”
“I know Luke, I don't want you to do anything big. Just surf the internet for anything related to Itex and science. If you see anything suspicious, you mark it down immediately. You might not be good at computers, but you have killer instincts Luke, and that's what I'm counting on. When the other boys get back, I'll have them take over, and like your brother, when they do, you report back to me. Nothing grandiose, okay? Just simple surfing, alright?” Sky responded placatingly.
Luke sighed and then got up to stand with his brother. “Alright, I'll do my best…”
“That's all I ask for.”
The twins nodded and headed off together down the hall.
Sky drank some more of the dark cola, before hobbling back to the table. At one point exhaustion hit him hard, and he tripped clumsily almost falling to the ground, before strong supporting hands held him up and led him back to his seat.
Crashing for a minute, he rubbed the bridge of his nose in fatigue. Opening one eye, he smiled at the man who sat across from him. “Spasibo, Joaquin.”
The younger man nodded at the Russian word of thanks, but the worried look on his face didn't disappear. “You're still not well. You need to get some rest Sky, and I mean real rest, or you won't be able to lead this mission.”
Sky stretched slightly, sensing the fatigue that was beginning to consume him. He had tried his best to hold it back, but his best wasn't quite cutting it anymore. “Maybe you're right…I think I will go to sleep for a while. But if anything happens, anything at all. You are to wake me up immediately. You got that, ljod babochka?”
Joaquin smiled lightly and nodded. Ever since TÅya's death, he had always felt slight queasiness in the pit of his stomach whenever he encountered harsh violence, like there was a nest of butterflies hidden in his soul wanting out. After a time, he was able to quell this feeling, by making his whole body cold and unfeeling in the face of threats, like he was a walking ice sculpture. Sky had known the exact feeling himself, when Joaquin had finally explained it to him. He said that Joaquin was like an ice butterfly, fun and fancy-free, but oh so dangerous. After a time, “ice butterfly” became Sky's pet name for him, though he usually used the Russian equivalent of “ljod babochka” saying it didn't sound as girly as him being called a “butterfly”.
Joaquin got used to it, and he liked the name a little—as long as it was only Skylark who called him that. (Anyone else and he might die of embarrassment…)
“You know what your job is, Joaquin.” Sky's voice broke through his thoughts.
Noting that it was a statement rather than a question, the man nodded. “I'll protect the boy. Make sure that no one gets to him. Be his bodyguard. I got it.”
“Just don't make it look like you're his bodyguard. You know how boys are at his age.”
“I would have loved to have had a bodyguard when I was his age.”
“Well you got one didn't you? Or what was I? Chopped liver?” his boss looked at him incredulously.
Joaquin smiled and laughed a little at the look on Sky's face. He remembered the day they met very well, and how Sky had saved him from some of Damian's thugs. He could never forget that day, how someone, a complete stranger, risked his life for him, uncaring of the consequences. He had been about Fang's age at the time, and TÅya and Sky had shown up to be his bodyguards. He could do no other, than to protect Fang in the same way.
Suddenly, the sound of an alarm went off, shocking both Joaquin and Sky from their simple moment. A gun instantly found its way into the young blonde's hand, as the emotion left his face and his emotions became like ice. He strode in front of Sky, telling him absently to stay put, knowing instinctively that the man would probably not listen to him.
Skylark stood for a moment, trying to push his immense fatigue to the side, and draw up on any stores of adrenaline he had left. That alarm meant that someone had gotten into the Conservatory without access: they had an intruder. He had to protect his men, no matter how tired he was.
Tyler, Luke, and Kurt came through the passage way, each armed and dangerous.
“Well now, we haven't had one of these in a long time. I hope its not one of those nosy kids again, we'll scare them half to death.” Luke smiled grimly, before taking the same pathway Joaquin had taken.
Kurt flipped a knife into the air, and then pushed it back into the sheath on his side. “Well, we can't take that chance.”
He saw Sky put his crutch to the side, but he shook his head with finality. “You stay here Sky, we'll take care of this. Tyler, guard him with your life—make sure he doesn't go anywhere.”
Tyler nodded and avoided his boss's infamous death glare, as he watched Kurt leave the room down the same pathway the others had taken.
“I don't need a babysitter, Tyler.”
The man smiled warmly at the man, before stationing himself at the door way, a mechanical, transforming crossbow in his hand. “Yes you do, Sky. Or else you'd run yourself ragged.”
The Russian-American sighed; he knew there was no getting around his men when they went into protective mode. They were almost as stubborn as him; maybe it rubbed off somewhere.
He stayed standing, knowing instinctively that if he sat down, he most likely would not be getting back up. Bending down slightly, he slipped a razor-sharp silver dagger from the sheath hidden around his ankle. Tyler nodded at him silently with approval, acknowledging the fact that every man in the house was always armed whether they were awake or sleep, sick or in perfect health. Sky had drilled that practice into their heads on more than one occasion.
They both stood at the ready, waiting in silence to see exactly how this new threat to their lives was going to pan out. Either man was quite ready to give his all, even his very life for the other or in the protection of any other Angel. They had a camaraderie, not born through blood, but through fire, and let the world be damned if they didn't watch each other's back with all that they had and all that they were.
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Fang jerked awake at the blaring sound of an alarm ringing in his ears. At first he thought he was back in school and they were having a fire drill. But why were they having one in the middle of the night? And why was he sleeping in a warm bed instead of sitting in a hard desk?
As he searched his memories, the events of the last few months rushed back into his head. He was a guest at the headquarters of the Avenging Angels gang, and they had just told him that both his and their enemies were one in the same. They had offered him, medicine, food, shelter, protection, and a hand of friendship without wanting anything in particular back in return.
Sitting up, he looked around and tried to ignore the torturous blare. He knew that kind of alarm anywhere, they were all the same. It meant there was an intruder. Someone had entered and was a threat to Sky and his friends…
A dangerous red glint came into his cat-like eyes, and Blade laughed softly at the promise of the coming action. Fang, even more than Max in some respects, had always been protective of the ones who became close to him. And those who wanted to hurt them, paid very dearly.
As silently as he could he slipped out of bed and out the door, hardly noticing as he didn't walk but glided over the floor and down the stairs. He had an excellent memory and remembered where everything had been from his first time around. His senses were stronger and keener than he had ever experienced before. He could see every detail of the dark rooms and corridors, and he could hear the movement of every rodent and insect in the immediate vicinity. The hearts of every person in the building burned on his eardrums, and he could trace each and every one of their whereabouts. His claws grew out silently, and his eyes glowed with a slight scarlet luminescence as he made his way through the stone maze.
When he entered the small sitting area where Sky and Tyler stood in wait, the two slightly shivered at the sight of him. This was nothing like the wiry boy they were used to. Fang had taken on the guise of a silent and very efficient predator, his dark wings curled around him like a metallic cape, hiding the concealed strength that lay coiled up and ready to strike.
He looked at his host and simply said, “There are two intruders; stay here and I will deal with them. If there is a way to communicate with your other three men, give them a message…”
He easily sidestepped the stunned Tyler and started down the dark corridor ahead towards the entrance, before turning and glancing slightly at the bemused Skylark. “Tell them: Don't get in my way.”
As Fang unfurled his wings and took off silently but swiftly into the darkness, Sky's voice spoke to him in a matter-of-fact manner, “Nothing lethal Fang, try not to make a mess. And remember…you can't have your cake and eat it too.”
Fang smirked at the hidden warning, calling back behind him. “Don't worry, I won't spoil my dinner.”
As he watched the kid disappear, Tyler looked at Sky who seemed perfectly content and knowing as always. “You're just going to let him go? He's only a kid.”
Sky shrugged, “Let him prove himself if he so wishes. The boy's a fighter, and I can't hold back that instinct within him. Joaquin will look after him if things get too hairy.”
Sky didn't have any worries that Fang couldn't handle himself, he was only worried that the mutant teen would kill the intruders and create problems he could do without. He had surreptitiously warned Fang that he could not feed off the intruders, and he hoped that that would be enough for the boy to curb his animalistic desires. The last thing he needed was for there to be a rumor starting up that the abandoned museum was haunted by the undead…
Reaching on the counter, he grabbed a radio and tuned it into a particular frequency. “Kurt? Kurt, pick up, I know you're there.”
The radio receiver hissed with static for a bit before the male's voice picked up. “Yeah?”
“You're about to have some more help coming your way. He only asks that you don't get in his way.”
Sky heard the man curse softly, “Don't worry about him, Sky. We'll look after the kid. Man, talk about headstrong and stupid…”
His blue eyes sparkled with amusement as he responded, “Yes, he is like you in many ways…don't count him out yet. He can surprise you.”
At that moment, one of the “intruders” swore loudly as he helped his associate, who had through a drunken stupor, tripped the alarm to the hideout of the notorious Avenging Angels gang.
He knew that while there were probably only a few of the members in the old museum were inside, they would all be scrambling to capture the intruders and protect their home. The man looked behind him at the steel gate that had slammed down in front of the entrance, preventing escape, and another identical gate in front of them, preventing them from going any further. They were two rats trapped in a cage, and the cats were about to descend upon them in force.
The man sighed and looked at the man he supported on his shoulder, the man was a colleague, partner, friend, and unfortunately, drunk. They were so in trouble…
He stood there and looked at the other man, “You should have waited for me to disarm the security system. Now we're both going to be in the doghouse.”
The male simply sighed and slumped to one side murmuring, “Dawn…”
He shook his head and turned away from the intoxicated man. He had been slurring through the words “dawn”, “that bastard”, and “kill” ever since he had found the man. He didn't know if they were just random words or were parts of coherent thought. He guessed he would only know when his friend was sober.
He spoke quietly to himself again. “Sky is so going to kill us…”
Out of the blue, a cold chill seemed to creep into the air and he shivered unconsciously at the sudden sensation of foreboding and doom, which had rapidly seeped into the room. Gasping slightly, he looked around him uneasily. He could feel a presence in the room even though he couldn't see it as of yet, and it was making the hair on the nape of his neck stand on end with apprehension.
A voice quieter than a leaf flying on the wind, but colder than a cutting artic blast, whispered almost directly into his ear. “Sky won't kill you…but I have no such compassion…”
The man swung around to face the chilling voice, only to be greeted by thin air. Uncertainty and fear swamping him, he placed his barely conscious friend on the ground and stood in front of him as some sort of protection. His hand went to his pocket and closed around the switchblade hidden inside. He spoke into the relative darkness, the challenge in his voice more for his own sake, than that of his unknown opponent. “Whoever you are, show yourself. If you know about Sky, then we should have no problems. Can't we come to an understanding here if I just explain.”
Without warning, a hand shot out of the darkness and grabbed his throat in a vice-like grip! Instantaneously, he brought out his weapon and slashed the enemy's arm deeply once, before the other hand knocked the knife away without effort.
The hand didn't seem to move an inch, even though the dark blood was dripping continually from the wound. He tried to get the arm to let go, but the hand only drew tighter and lifted him up from the ground. From out of the darkness, the figure to which the arm belonged came forward. His eyes like burnished red fire, and his skin like silver, the dark wings unfurled upon his back made him look like some kind of fallen angel. The man almost laughed at the irony of that.
Though the creature looked to be only a boy, he had great strength, which he was currently using to put a crushing hold on his throat. The voice that came from his mouth was cold and dangerous just like the creature itself. “There is nothing to explain. You are a threat—and threats get eliminated.”
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Joaquin, Kurt, and Luke stood on the other side of the gate, listening to Fang work his magic. They couldn't see anything because the door and gate were made of solid steel, but they could still hear pretty well.
Kurt whistled quietly, “We should have him as a permanent interrogator. The kid's a natural.”
Luke looked slightly worried, “Good, but I think he's a little violent, we can't let him go overboard. And I'm sure that guy injured Fang…Sky's not going to be happy about that.”
Joaquin held up a hand for silence for a few seconds as he listened in concentration. After a minute, he looked back at the brothers. “Something's off here, that voice is muffled but sounds awfully familiar.”
The other two got close and listened hard through the metal. The intruder sounded as if he was trying to buy some time, but Fang wasn't going for it. Kurt looked back at Joaquin, a frown etching his face. “Your right, if I didn't know better I could have sworn that was—”
Luke went towards the door, “This isn't getting us anywhere, and if this man is who he sounds like, this could all be for naught. We said we wouldn't be in Fang's way, but we have more of a stake in this then he does. And if that's just a kid, we could have permanently scarred the boy for life.”
The other two men looked at the blond as he opened the hidden door between them and the intruders, before looking at each other and shrugging. One thing about Luke, was that he always liked to take the path of least resistance and face his problem. The two stood up straight and followed him, only to stop short when they saw that Luke had froze in the doorway, looking stunned at the scene that played before him and of the three figures in the room. Looking over his shoulders, Joaquin and Kurt also saw what was happening, causing both to gasp sharply.
When Fang had approached them in the darkness, they could hardly make him out. But here in the light, they could see that the boy had indeed changed. He seemed taller, but they then realized his feet weren't on the ground and he was actually floating an inch or two from off the floor! The wings on his back weren't totally responsible for that, as they still surrounded his body like a cloak. His body exuded power and strength, and his once sinewy physique was now clearly sculpted with well-built muscles. His fingers were keenly clawed, and the grayish silver complexion of his skin appeared to almost put a dark shadowy halo around his body. The red glow of his elliptical eyes and his fanged smile sent a shiver down their spine. Blinking heavily, the three men turned from the sight of the boy they had thought they knew, and redirected it towards the two intruders.
Instantly, they recognized both faces even though they had never seen the two in such rotten condition before: one so drunk he was barely conscious, and the other held by Fang's hand, as helpless as a kitten.
The one in question turned slightly from Fang and looked to them, relief washing over his face. “Luke! Joaquin! Kurt! Help me out guys, this…thing, won't listen to a word I say!”
The three shook off their surprise, and Joaquin was the first to wedge between the other two and approach the otherworldly teenager. Fang growled slightly as the man approached him, but the dirty blond was not to be intimidated. He placed a firm hand on the boy's crushing arm, careful to avoid the blood knife wound, but trying to will him to let go. “There is no danger here, Fang. This man is a friend, not an enemy. He will not harm you again, but you must let him go.”
Kurt had moved to Fang's other side, while Luke had gone to check on the intoxicated male. Seeing nothing immediately wrong with him, Luke moved the man's shirt aside and showed Fang his back. “See, Fang? He has our symbol on his back. He and the man you are holding are two of ours. They are Avenging Angels like us, like Sky and Tyler.”
The boy looked at the three of them and then at the telltale tattoo of wings, a dagger, and a halo. In his mind he decided that if the other guys vouched for the intruders, then maybe the two didn't pose a threat. He slowly released his grip on the other man's throat, Blade growling but following the body movements in acquiescence.
The man dropped to the ground and consciously rubbed at the claw marks in his neck. Luke leaned over to do a quick check on him, but didn't see much of anything wrong. Fang curled his wings back into the niche in his back, and his claws sheathed themselves in his hands again as if they had never been. His body relaxed and his feet landed on the ground, his eyes returning to their “normal” yellow-silver tinge. He looked over at Joaquin, who smiled at him and nodded in approval.
Kurt helped the man that Fang had dropped up off the floor, before helping his twin brother carry the other man by having him lean on both their shoulders. They headed toward the doorway as Joaquin took off his shirt and gave it to his Fang. The boy took it questioningly, and the other man motioned towards the bird-teen's wounded arm. “Keep pressure on that until Luke can fix it up.”
The man then headed to a control panel just on the other side of the doorway, and began pushing different buttons. The alarm quickly ceased, and the gates rolled back up into position. Fang shivered thanks to the evening desert air that suddenly gusted in. The man he had been threatening looked at him suspiciously, as if trying to gauge what had just happened in the room that night. Fang on the other hand, took the time to actually look at the guy now that he was no longer an enemy.
The man was Native American, tall and muscular, yet lean. His skin was a dusty rose cinnamon and his hair was long and jet black, tied into a tight single braid down his back, weaved and secured with rough gemstones and leather. He had dark blue eyes that were almost black, and wore a modest ensemble of a black leather jacket, blue jeans, and a denim shirt. However, the large silver and amber earring, tapered with two white and black feathers, took all thoughts of “modest” away. He had a stern gaze about him, but seemed to be warm at heart. Fang hoped that the man wouldn't hold this little incident against him for too long. After all, he had already forgiven him for the wound on his arm that was hurting like blazes, even with the shirt wadded up against it.
Joaquin waved the two of them towards the door, closing them into the darkness as they passed through. The minute the door shut, overhead lights came on and the passageway was lit with hazy luminescence. Joaquin hit another button the panel next to the door causing the door to lock and the sound of a slight whirring to hit his ears. Fang guessed the man had just reset the security system.
Kurt and Luke, who were supporting the platinum blond drunk, had waited in the hall and upon receiving a nod from Joaquin, the whole group moved forward.
Joaquin meanwhile, slipped his gun back in his shoulder holster that was now plain to see since he was now bare-chested, and then pulled the radio unit from off his side. “Sky?”
The walkie-talkie like device hissed for half a second before the Russian gang leader's voice answered. “Go ahead, Delphi. What happened?”
“False alarm Sky, it was only Tony and Curtis.”
“What happened? Both of them know the correct way of getting in. Let me talk to Curtis.”
Joaquin glanced at the unconscious man, Curtis, awkwardly. “He's—ah—kind of indisposed now. Look, we're coming towards you. We'll be there in a minute.”
The blond turned off the radio before turning to the other man, Tony, in question. “You'd had better get a good explanation together. Sky's already going to hit the roof because of Curtis. How the heck could you let him get that drunk?”
The male's dark eyes flashed, “It wasn't my fault! I found him like that, wandering through an alley. I figured I'd sneak him in, but he accidentally tripped the alarm before I could unlock the door. And anyway, who in blazes is the kid? I didn't know we were harboring vampires here.”
Fang growled angrily and was about to say something, but Joaquin stopped him. “His name is Fang. He's the boy Sky brought in, and he has his seal of protection on that kid. You just hurt him, so for right now I'd be thinking up something to say when you see Sky again and he asks how Fang got injured.”
“That was self-defense! That `boy' was about to kill me!”
Fang suddenly wedged himself between the two men. “I wouldn't have killed you. I only wanted you to think that I would.”
They both looked at the teen in surprise as he continued, “Sky made me promise not to kill you. I wanted to though…I thought you were trying to hurt my friends, and I just couldn't have that.”
He smiled slightly and looked at the black-haired Native American, “I'm sure you would have done the same if you're as loyal as the other guys around here. My name's Fang, and yes, I guess I do kind of look like a vampire. But let's not get in the habit of calling me that, okay?”
There was a slight threat in the bird-child's voice that made caused the man to only nod in response. After walking in silence for a minute or two, he spoke aloud solemnly while still looking ahead. “Name's Tony…Tony Rainshadow.”
Fang nodded in affirmation. “So I'm guessing the guy smelling like vodka, gin, and a slight shot of whiskey, is Curtis?”
Luke looked back at him, a slight crease from a frown on his face. “You certainly know your liquor.”
The teen shrugged, “Never touch the stuff, but one of the guards we had, used to drink all the time. At first all the smells assaulted my senses, but I eventually was able to put each particular scent with the liquid itself. I now know most of the base components and about thirty different drinks that can be made from them, all by scent.”
Tony smiled slightly at him, “It's good to know you've got a good head on your shoulders. I just wish Curtis had had one though. Sky is going to be furious…”
“`Furious' is not a strong enough word.” Kurt murmured from in front of them.
Talking specifically to Fang, he asked, “Did Sky tell you about his uncle?”
“He mentioned that he had run away from him when he was young.”
Luke continued the story, “Well, Sky's uncle was a severe alcoholic and it turned Skylark off the stuff completely. Also…Aya couldn't stand liquor either.”
Tony took up where he left off, “Sky never said we couldn't drink, but if we ever do, we're careful not to let him know about it. And we all know not to get so totally drunk we can't function in our duties, or even worse, to become dependant on it. If either of those happened, Skylark would have our heads on a platter. I have no idea why Curtis would do something stupid like this. I've never even seen him with alcohol before…”
His voice trailed off as they neared the first room on the left. Tyler looked at the five of them with a curious raised eyebrow, but at Curtis, his face grimaced. He mouthed to Joaquin, telling him this was the last thing Sky needed. However, before Joaquin could even answer, Skylark himself, limped from behind Tyler and glanced over his men, taking in everything at once and quickly compartmentalizing them in order of importance. The look on his face was quickly becoming darker and darker…
Fang swallowed hard. Kurt was right in saying that “furious” was too weak a word to describe Sky's reaction. He could easily feel the waves of anger rolling off the man, and even though he was supported by crutches and as pale as a sheet, Karinkov's current disposition made all his men squirm under his piercing blue gaze.
After two minutes of silence, Sky spoke; his voice was like ice grinding on diamonds and brokered for no debate.
“Lancaster, take Fang upstairs to sickbay. Make sure he's not going to bleed to death, then get back here immediately. Other Lancaster, take De La Vega and sit down before he falls on his face. The rest of you—sit down now.”
When Sky was in this mood, he would start to call them all by their last names. Luke knew there would be no conversation, no discussion, till their leader's orders were obeyed. He took Fang by his uninjured arm and led him hurriedly across the room and into the other corridor, taking him up the stairs. Neither of them talked, even Fang was intuitive enough to know that now was not the time.
Once they wound their way through the corridors to the all-to-familiar sickbay room, Luke motioned to Fang to sit down on the bed while he took out some bandages. Pulling the bloodstained shirt away, the older man gazed at the wound. “He cut you deep, but you should be okay. I'm going to need to give you a few stitches when I come back, but for now I'm going to put a tourniquet on your arm and you use the shirt to press against the wound, okay?”
Fang nodded and watched as the man went to work. The laceration didn't really hurt, but he guessed that was only because he was used to pain. He was also distracted by what had gone on downstairs. The two recently introduced Avenging Angels, Tony Rainshadow and Curtis De La Vega, had caused quite a stir, and somehow he had a feeling that there was a lot of explanation that had to go around before the issue could be resolve. Fang understood Sky's position. When a person became drunk, their inhibitions are severally lowered. A man could do or say things, which he would never have done or said were he cognizant. And if that person had possession of information that several other lives depended on and such secrets spilled out because of intoxication, the result of such an act would be more than disastrous…
Luke had finished tying the tourniquet extra tight and only slightly smiled reassuringly to Fang before leaving the room briskly; knowing Sky was probably counting the minutes.
Finding himself alone, he looked around the very familiar white room; the raven-haired teen sighed. He was starting to think he was never going to leave this room.
I'm hungry again.
Fang rolled his eyes. Shut up Blade, I've already eaten. You've had enough action for today.
Yeah, we merge quite nicely Fang.
The teen shuddered as he remembered the way he had looked when he had seen himself reflected in Tony's eyes as he clutched the man's throat. He had not known that he had become that savage…that Blade had combined with him so effortlessly and completely that he had not even sensed the change…
I prefer not to think about it.
It felt good to flex my muscles a bit. Allow me to do something for you.
The teen laid back on the bed and relaxed, resting his eyes. My aren't we generous? What could you possibly offer me? I already share my body with you. You know my needs.
What about that bird female that so fascinates you? Max-something? I don't know why you keep ignoring the emotions you have for her. It disgusts me, but even I can feel how much you pine for her.
Fang's eyes snapped open. She is none of your concern.
Blade shrugged, Hey, I'm giving youa gift here. So do you want to talk to her or what?
Fang sat up, not giving the pain in his arm a thought. “What are you talking about?”
Blade laughed, I'd stick with conversing in your head if I were you. People might start thinking you're going crazy.
You said I could talk with Max. What did you mean by that?
Just what I said. You can communicate with the female if you wish. Not for long though, we don't have enough energy.
“We”? How can there be `we' if you never tell me anything? How can I talk with her?
You never askme anything, Fang. I can do many things, only some of which I have already shown to you. Another one of my—our—abilities, is to use telepathic rapports to communicate with others. All you have to do is call out for her mind.
Call out to her?
Yes, but don't think to make a habit of this. I'm only giving you a break today, and after you've finished with all your mortal needs and such, you are to feed me, got it? We have a deal?
Fang thought about it. To be able to talk to Max again…after all this time? Alright, go for it.
Just call her to you, I'll do the rest.
He breathed a sigh, and then took a deep breath, Max?
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Maximum Ride had never been a girl to panic. But right now, she felt downright terrified.
She was somehow trapped inside her own head, her consciousness fighting to awaken, but her body was totally irresponsive. She couldn't move, couldn't see, couldn't do anything but roam through her brain and wait—and God knows if frustrated her to no end!
The last thing she remembered was being ambushed by Ari and that purple-haired bimbo, and getting knocked out cold. After a while, her mind had tried to rouse her, but something prevented it. She had been trapped inside her subconscious, just as useless as if she had been in one of Jeb's cages.
While trapped there, her thoughts went instantly to her flock and if they were safe. She knew Derringer and Iggy would look after everyone, but she was still anxious as to if they were okay after the Eraser attack. She hated being helpless and unknowing. She didn't know how to handle it, and it was beginning to drive her nuts.
`Max?'
The young woman felt her body tingle from the sudden mental contact. Overwhelming happiness overtook her. What took you so long, Ange?
`It's me, Max.'
Instantly, she felt as if a dark, cold breeze had snaked up her spine, sending shivers over her. She now recognized the voice with shock, even though the pitch of his voice was slightly warped, it didn't take away from the unique lethal characteristic it carried.F-Fang? Is it really you?
`Yes, it's me. It—it sounds good to hear your voice again.'
She mentally shook herself to attention, Fang! We've been looking everywhere for you, ya big lout! Tell me where you are, right now!
`Thank you for the nice hello, Maximum. I missed you too…'
If she had been talking with her natural body instead of her mind, she would have found herself blushing. I-I didn't say I mis-ssed you. Who could miss a silent dominating jerk like you?
`I'm not dominating.'
Oh no? Every time I make a decision without consulting you first, you give me that “I-am-so-going-to-talk-to-you-about-this-in-private” look with those ridiculously dark eyes of yours.
`I'm glad you notice my eyes.'
Max blushed even more. I don't. Now tell me where they are keeping you, and when I hook back up with Derringer and the rest of the flock—
Fang totally interrupted her. `Who's Derringer?'
She mentally hit herself in the head, remembering that Fang would know nothing about Derringer. She had always wondered how she would tell him, but now that she was faced with the chance, she decided to do the simplest thing.
Derringer is the newest member of our flock.
Fang was quiet for a minute or two, before he finally answered quietly. `So…I'm gone for a month, and you've already gone and filled the spot, huh?'
Alarm shook her heart, followed quickly by anger and her quick temper. Don't be so dense, Fang. No one could ever take your place. Derringer is an additionto the team, not a replacement. He's only been trying to help us find your sorry butt. You should be grateful that—
He interrupted her rant again. `How do you feel about him?'
What do you mean “how do I feel about him”?
`Well, the tone of your voice whenever you say his name is…is just plain obnoxious.'
She gritted her teeth. What are you? Jealous?
`Yes'
Of all the answers, she had expected to here. That wasn't one of them. Fang was jealous? Of Derringer? She had never thought such a thing was possible. `Fang…'
Once again she was interrupted in her thoughts, but this time—it was an entirely different voice. The voice sounded similar to Fang's, but much more deadly and dangerous. Umm, I know this conversation is getting nauseatingly complicated, but I can't maintain the connection for too much longer, Fang. You need to tell your girlfriend, goodbye.
`She's not my girlfriend, Blade.'
Max didn't know why, but that statement stung her heart. Who is that, Fang? Who's Blade?
`None of your business, Max. No—scratch that. Let's just say he's “the newest member of the flock”, okay?'
Fang, why are you being like this? You know what? We don't have time for this. Tell me where you are and don't change the subject this time.
Fang sighed, and when he spoke again, his voice had a little less malice. `All you need to know is that I'm safe. But something they did to me…I don't know, but it's changing me, and I can't be around you or the flock right now.'
Fang, I—
`Sorry, but I can't…Good-bye Max.'
She felt his presence leave her and jumped out to grasp it in vain.Fang, wait!
But he had already left. And the feeling he had left her with, was worse than the one she had started with beforehand…
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Fang lay on the bed, his emotions slashing at his very soul. A silent tear steamed quietly down his face.
I hate to bother you in the time of your trivial weakness, but I expect you to keep up your end of the deal.
Shut up…
Don't make me force you, Fang. Look, so what you're girlfriend got herself another shoulder to lean on? It's just another weakness that we can cut out of our lives.
The growl that left Fang's throat, could have been mistaken for a wolf's. I said, shut up!
Blade sighed. Hey, be mad at the Derringer guy, not me. If you have a problem with the guy, just take care of it.
Fang blinked. You mean try to talk things out with him?
Actually…I was thinking more on the order of—killinghim.
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Ari had been cheerfully driving at breakneck speed down the empty roads, when he first heard Max beginning to murmur. At first he just listened to her voice ramble, but then he began hearing coherent words, the words “Fang” and “Derringer” among them.
Anger and covetousness lanced through him, and in a snarling rage he pulled over recklessly to the side of the road. Reaching behind him, he fished for the anesthesia kit.
Filling the needle, he jabbed the hypo into Max's arm with violent gusto, listening with satisfaction as her murmuring stopped and her body was silently still once more. Sighing he returned the kit back to the backseat of the car, before returning his attention to the woman sitting next to him.
His unearthly eyes flashed as he lightly touched the skin of her face. Caressing her face and neck with an air of possession, he smirked with knowing approval when he heard her inadvertent moan.
“You are mine now, Maximum. I will let no other have you, and you can never escape me. I will make you forget those other men, and that is a promise. Now it can be a pleasurable or anun-pleasurable experience—but that is totally up to you…”